One in four Iraqi children impacted by conflict, poverty; education key for lasting peace – UNICEF
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:42 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): More than four million children have been impacted by extreme violence in Iraq, many robbed of their childhood and forced to fight on the frontlines, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.
Central Africa’s iconic mammals threatened by poachers, armed groups – UN environment wing
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:39 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Elephants, giraffes, rhinos and other magnificent mammals targeted in wildlife conservation areas of Central Africa are under threat of extinction, caught in the crosshairs of armed groups and highly-militarized poachers, the United Nations environment wing warned on Friday.
Syria: UN rights officials decry ‘devastating’ impact of surging violence on civilians
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:34 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Concerned over the devastating impact of escalating violence in Syria, where dozens of people in eastern Ghouta have been killed in recent airstrikes, and schools and hospitals are being deliberately destroyed, senior United Nations officials have underscored the obligation on all parties to the conflict, and the international community, to protect civilians from atrocity crimes.
More flee Cameroon’s English-speaking areas; UN concerned over safety of women and children
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:28 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): As swelling numbers of people flee English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria, the United Nations on Friday expressed concern over the precarious situation of women and children, which make now up about 80 per cent of the approximately 10,000 registered refugees in eastern Nigeria’s Cross River state.
UN chief spotlights potential offered by cooperation among countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:24 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): The threats of violent extremism and transnational organized crime in Afghanistan reverberate across Central Asia and the world and countering them cannot be the responsibility of one country alone, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday, urging regional and multilateral cooperation, based firmly on human rights.
Millions of children's lives hang in the balance as South Sudan conflict grinds on – UNICEF chief
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:17 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Following a two-day visit to conflict-ravaged South Sudan, where a quarter of a million children are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death, the head of the United Nations children's agency has said only an end to hostilities can bring back hope and safety to the children and young people there.
Canada: Kathleen Wynne parts ways with Liberal's strategist Patricia Sorbara, focuses on election
Jan 20, 2018, at 03:33 am
Toronto, Jan 19 (IBNS): After a revamp of the cabinet, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has parted ways with her strategist Patricia Sorbara with a focus on election, to be held in June, 2018, media reports said.
Canada: Tim Hortons franchise owners blames Wynne for paid benefits cut
Jan 20, 2018, at 02:59 am
Toronto, Jan 19 (IBNS): In a surprising statement issued by Tim Hortons franchise owners in Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne has been virtually blamed for the paid benefits cut by the restaurant chain following the decision of minimum wage hike by the government, media reports said.
Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz may contest in next General Election
Jan 19, 2018, at 10:08 pm
Islamabad, Jan 19 (IBNS): Daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif-Maryam Nawaz- might be contesting in the upcoming General Election, media reports said.
Suspected Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan blast
Jan 19, 2018, at 10:06 pm
Kabul, Jan 19 (IBNS): Two suspected Talibans were killed in a blast caused by the explosives they were carrying in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, media reports said.
Florida Tampa Bay brace for coldest day in eight years
Jan 19, 2018, at 09:11 pm
Tampa, Florida, Jan 18 (IBNS): The National Weather Service of United States has issued a freeze warning for all of Tampa Bay as temperatures in Tampa Bay will be the coldest in eight years, media reports said.
Hafiz Saeed should be prosecuted: US
Jan 19, 2018, at 03:20 pm
Washington, Jan 19 (IBNS): The US government once again clarified its stand on 2008 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed and said he should be prosecuted.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern announces pregnancy
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:53 pm
Wellington, Jan 19 (IBNS): New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday announced that she is expecting her first child.
Amid 'dramatic deterioration' in DR Congo, UN and partners launch $1.68 billion aid appeal
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:41 pm
New York, Jan 19 (JEN): Warning of a “dramatic deterioration” in the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the last 12 months, United Nations agencies and relief partners on Thursday launched the largest-ever funding appeal for the vast central African country.
In Doha, General Assembly President spotlights UN ‘sustaining peace’ agenda
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:26 pm
New York, Jan 19 (JEN): Conflict is not always linear, with a clear beginning, middle and end, the President of the United Nations General Assembly said Thursday, urging a new approach to peace that requires action at all stages of the conflict cycle.
Dialogue and confidence vital to prevent, resolve conflicts, says UN chief
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:18 pm
New York, Jan 19 (JEN): Worldwide concerns over nuclear weapons are the highest they have been since the Cold War, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday, calling for comprehensive political solutions that include dialogue and negotiation to prevent, mitigate and resolve conflicts.
Amazon shortlists Toronto Region as one of 20 cities for Amazon HQ2
Jan 19, 2018, at 03:47 am
Toronto, Jan 18 (IBNS): Toronto Mayor John Tory has said that the Toronto Region has been shortlisted for Amazon HQ2, media reports said.
Canada: Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne boosts cabinet with women power
Jan 19, 2018, at 01:22 am
Toronto, Jan 18 (IBNS): Eyeing on the next election, to be held in June, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, revamped her cabinet by infusing more women power into it, media reports said.
Canada: After hijab cutting story proves false, Muslim girl's family apologises
Jan 19, 2018, at 12:31 am
Toronto, Jan 18 (IBNS): A day after Toronto police denied any attack on an 11-year old Muslim girl, her family has apologised to every Canadians, media reports said.
Bank of Canada hikes interest rates in latest MPR meeting, third hike since last summer
Jan 18, 2018, at 09:49 pm
Ottawa, Jan 18 (IBNS): The Bank of Canada raised its interest rate to 1.25 per cent, up from one per cent, the third hike since last summer, according to media reports on Thursday.
52 Uzbeks killed in Kazakhstan bus inferno
Jan 18, 2018, at 08:49 pm
In all 52 people were killed after a bus caught fire in north-western Kazakhstan on Thursday.
OSAP application process becomes more transparent for Ontario students
Jan 18, 2018, at 08:34 pm
Toronto, Jan 18 (IBNS): Ontario has decided to allow students -- who had applied for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for their college or university studies -- to see OSAP amount and net tuition fees online for each of the programs they have applied so that they can plan, budget and pay for their college or university education, media reports said.
Donald Trump announces 'fake news' awards
Jan 18, 2018, at 04:24 pm
Washington, Jan 18 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump had earlier promised that he'll announce the winners of 'fake news' and on Wednesday he did just that.
Central African Republic: UN mission issues 48-hour ultimatum to armed groups
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:45 pm
New York, Jan 17 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in the troubled Central African Republic, known by its French acronym, MINUSCA, has given armed groups in the north of the country 48 hours to clear out.
UN chief welcomes second anniversary of ‘Implementation Day’ for Iran nuclear deal
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:42 pm
New York, Jan 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the second anniversary of the day when Iran was confirmed to have taken a series of nuclear-related actions under the nuclear agreement reached with key countries in 2015.
US funding cuts for UN Palestine refugee agency put vital education, health programmes at risk
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:37 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): The decision by the United States to withhold more than half its annual funding commitment to the United Nations relief agency providing aid for Palestine refugees threatens “one of the most successful and innovative human development endeavours in the Middle-East,” the head of the body said Wednesday, warning that the rights and dignity of an entire community are at stake.
UN poised to scale up support for Libya’s post-conflict transition, Security Council told
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:27 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): The United Nations is implementing its Action Plan for Libya to create the necessary conditions for the completion of the North African country’s post-conflict transition, the head of UN mission there said Wednesday.
World cannot stand idle as millions in DR Congo ‘suffer in silence,’ says UN agency
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:23 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): The dramatic deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic over the past year has been further complicated by recent floods and health crises, the United Nations migration agency said Wednesday, appealing for urgent funding to ensure continued assistance and protection for millions in need.
Somalia: UN, partners seek $1.6 billion to protect millions of lives from drought
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:17 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): While Somalia, with the international community’s help, averted famine last year, long-term solutions for drought, conflict and displacement must still be found, the United Nations office in the country said Wednesday, launching the 2018 humanitarian response plan, which calls for $1.6 billion to protect the lives of 5.4 million people.
Intensified fighting across Syria having 'devastating' impact on civilians, warn UN agencies
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:12 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): Intensification in hostilities across Syria is having a “devastating” impact on civilians, United Nations agencies in the war-ravaged country said Wednesday, warning that the fighting is also severely limiting life-saving humanitarian operations.