Nigeria: Famine averted but millions still at risk, stresses top UN relief official

Sep 14, 2017, at 04:27 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): Noting important progress in delivering life-saving aid to millions in north-east Nigeria, the top United Nations humanitarian official underscored that international assistance to people suffering amid the crisis must not dwindle.

Following Lankesh's murder, UN rights experts urge Indian Government to protect free speech

Sep 14, 2017, at 04:26 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): A group of independent human rights experts on Wednesday called on the Government of India to create a safer environment for independent voices, after Indian journalist and human rights defender Guari Lankesh was killed earlier this month.

Afghanistan: Suicide attack near ACB kills 3

Sep 14, 2017, at 12:51 am

Kabul, Sept 13 (IBNS): In a suicide attack close to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) headquarters, at least three people were killed in Kabul city of Afghanistan on Wednesday, media reports said.

Explosion rocks Afghanistan capital Kabul

Sep 13, 2017, at 11:28 pm

Kabul, Sept 13 (IBNS): An explosion rocked Kabul city in Afghanistan on Wednesday, media reports said.

Bollywood's Manj Musik to perform at the 4th Annual Oakville Diwali Gala

Sep 13, 2017, at 06:43 pm

Toronto, Sep 13 (IBNS): Songwriter and music producer, Manj Musik, known for his Blockbuster Bollywood films, will perform at the 4th annual Oakville Diawali Gala on Friday.

South-South cooperation key to overcoming inequalities, says UN deputy chief

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:50 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): Underscoring the importance of South-South cooperation, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Tuesday urged sustained commitment to mutually beneficial approaches that will ensure shared prosperity and make sustainable development a reality.

UN trade report highlights impact of loss of land and resources to Palestinian economy

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): Agricultural output in the Occupied Palestinian Territory decreased by 11 per cent and the sector’s gross domestic product (GDP) share fell 0.5 per cent between 2015 and 2016 on the back of sparse utilization of cultivatable land, lack of irrigation and a ban on the import of suitable fertilizers by Israel, according to a report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

General Assembly opens 72nd session with focus on the world’s people

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday opened its 72nd session, with an emphasis on striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet.

Egypt: UN chief condemns terrorist attack in northern Sinai

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the terrorist attack that took place on Monday on a police convoy near el-Arish in northern Sinai in Egypt.

Much of the planet’s land severely degraded owing to increased consumption, UN warns

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): A new United Nations report warns that a third of the planet’s land is now severely degraded thanks to a doubling in the consumption of natural resources over the past 30 years.

Over 3.5 million refugee children missing out on education, UN report finds

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:45 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): Over 3.5 million refugee children did not have the chance to attend school in the last academic year, according to a report published on Tuesday by the United Nations refugee agency, which is calling for education to be a vital component of humanitarian response.

UN and partners aiding ‘unprecedented’ flow of refugees from Myanmar

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:44 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): The flow of desperate Rohingya fleeing across the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh is unprecedented in terms of volume and speed, United Nations humanitarian agencies said on Tuesday, amid calls for international support for the emergency response.

UN envoy stresses urgency of adequate, predictable resources for AU Mission in Somalia

Sep 13, 2017, at 09:43 am

New York, Sept 13(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations official on Tuesday called for greater support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and warned that lack of funding could endanger hard-won progress in the country.

Canadians return to country from Turks and Caicos islands overcoming Hurricane Irma

Sep 13, 2017, at 05:44 am

Toronto, Sep 12 (IBNS): The Canadians, who were stranded in Turks and Caicos islands due to Hurricane Irma for a week, finally returned to the country on Monday night.

Health Canada decides to put a ban on non-prescription sales of codeine

Sep 13, 2017, at 05:43 am

Ottawa, Sep 12 (IBNS): Health Canada has decided to ban all non-prescription sales of an opioid codeine, media reports said.

INTERVIEW: UN Assembly President aims to achieve ‘results for people’

Sep 13, 2017, at 04:43 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): Miroslav Lajčák hopes, that under his presidency, the United Nations General Assembly will overcome narrow national interests and produce tangible benefits for people.

Ongoing tensions pose continued dangers for civilians in eastern Ukraine, notes UN report

Sep 13, 2017, at 04:41 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): Last month saw a decrease in the number of civilian casualties due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, according to a new report issued on Tuesday by the United Nations human rights office, which added that the sudden flaring and easing of tensions continues to make daily life dangerous for civilians living close to the so-called “contact line.”

Abuse, exploitation and trafficking 'stark reality' for migrant children trying to reach Europe – UN report

Sep 13, 2017, at 04:39 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): More than 75 per cent of migrant and refugee children trying to reach Europe via the Central Mediterranean route face appalling levels of abuse, exploitation and trafficking, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, calling on the continent to establish safe and regular pathways for migration.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina meets Rohingya refugees

Sep 13, 2017, at 02:15 am

Dhaka, Sept 12 (IBNS): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday met Rohingya refugees who have currently fled Myanmar to take refuge in the neighbouring nation.

Top UN official commends Niger for tackling complex humanitarian crisis

Sep 12, 2017, at 09:50 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): A top United Nations official on Monday commended the Government of Niger for tackling the country’s complex humanitarian crisis, including leading the provision of life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable, and highlighted the need to address its root causes.

UN human rights chief points to ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing’ in Myanmar

Sep 12, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday lashed out at the treatment of the Rohingya in Myanmar which has led to more than 300,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh in the past three weeks, as security forces and local militia reportedly burn villages and shoot civilians.

At close of 71st General Assembly, outgoing President stresses sustainability

Sep 12, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations General Assembly on Monday closed its 71st session with a focus on sustainable development, as outgoing president Peter Thomson handed over the gavel to his successor, Miroslav Lajčák.

New mission in Colombia ready to boost confidence for stable peace, says UN envoy

Sep 12, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Sept 12(Just Earth News): As the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia prepares to begin its activities, its chief expressed the hope on Monday that, with the support of the Security Council, the new operation should be able to strengthen the country’s confidence for a stable peace.

Turks and Caicos islands allow Canadians to return to Toronto, says Air Canada

Sep 12, 2017, at 07:05 am

Toronto, Sep 11 (IBNS): Air Canada on Monday informed that the Canadians who were restricted to return to the country by Turks and Caicos due to Hurricane Irma, are now being allowed to fly off to Toronto on Monday, media reports said.

Lac-Mégantic rail disaster trial: Jury selection underway, several jurors turn away

Sep 12, 2017, at 06:50 am

Montreal, Sep 11 (IBNS): Several potential jurors have turned away as the Jury selection is underway in the trial of Lac-Mégantic rail disaster that killed 47 people, media reports said.

UNICEF: Decades of progress for children at risk across Middle East and North Africa

Sep 12, 2017, at 05:00 am

New York, Sept 11(Just Earth News): Nearly one-in-five children across the Middle East and North Africa – over 90 per cent of whom live in conflict-affected countries – need immediate humanitarian assistance, according to new analysis by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Further development of DPRK nuclear programme cause of grave concern – UN atomic energy chief

Sep 12, 2017, at 04:58 am

New York, Sept 11(Just Earth News): Noting signs suggesting that a nuclear plant in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) could be operating, the head of the United Nations atomic agency called on the country’s leadership to comply fully with its obligations under Security Council resolutions.

UN chief sends condolences, offers help after earthquake in Mexico

Sep 12, 2017, at 04:57 am

New York, Sept 11(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres has offered his condolences to the Government and people of Mexico and said the United Nations stands ready to provide support, should it be requested.

Switzerland: train derails at Andermatt rail station, 27 injured

Sep 12, 2017, at 01:02 am

Bern, Sept 11 (IBNS): A train derailed in Switzerland's canton of Uri left 27 people injured on Monday, media reports said.

Texas: Shooting kills eight, police gun down assailant

Sep 11, 2017, at 04:01 pm

Plano, Sep 11 (IBNS): At least seven people were killed in a fatal shooting incident which took place in Plano, Texas, reports said.