Mauritania: UN rights office voices concern about unrest ahead of constitutional referendum

Aug 04, 2017, at 04:39 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights office on Thursday expressed concern about the ongoing unrest in Mauritania, ahead of the constitutional referendum scheduled for Saturday, particularly the apparent suppression of dissenting voices and the reported use of excessive force by the authorities against protest leaders.

Food prices surge in July; UN agriculture agency cites cereals, sugar and dairy as main drivers

Aug 04, 2017, at 04:38 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): Driven mainly by higher cereal, sugar and dairy quotations, global food prices rose for the third consecutive month in July, according to the United Nations agriculture agency.

Australia: University of Sydney hit by racist graffiti

Aug 03, 2017, at 06:39 pm

Sydney, Aug 3 (IBNS): Officials at the University of Sydney were left embarrassed and apologised after racist graffiti emerged in at least two places on Wednesday, reports said.

Canada: QEW HOT lanes pilot project saves driving time

Aug 03, 2017, at 06:16 pm

Toronto, Aug 3 (IBNS): Applications for the next round of permits and renewals for Canada's first High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes -- which provide another commuter option and help manage congestion -- are open until Aug. 31, 2017, and valid from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017, according to a news release.

China extends hold on terror tag for Jaish chief Masood Azhar

Aug 03, 2017, at 05:54 pm

United Nations, Aug 3 (IBNS) : Maintaining its earlier stand that comes significant in the light of the worsening relationship with India, China has extended its hold on the pending application in the UN to designate Pakistan-based JeM terror group leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist.

Herat mosque bombing: ISIS claims responsibility, identifies suicide bombers

Aug 03, 2017, at 05:05 pm

Kabul, Aug 3 (IBNS): The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for carrying out the suicide attack near a mosque in Herat province of Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, reports said.

Amid 'political impasse' in Burundi, Security Council urges all parties to cease violence

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:50 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council today expressed “deep concern” over the political situation in Burundi – including increasing numbers of refugees and reports of torture, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings – and strongly urged the Government and all parties to immediately cease and reject such violence.

Adopting new resolution, UN Security Council moves to thwart terrorists' access to weapons

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution aimed at preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons, particularly small arms and light weapons, the “destabilizing accumulation and misuse” of which the 15-member body said “continue to pose threats to international peace and security and cause significant loss of life.”

In South Sudan, UN peacekeeping chief says regional engagement 'good thing' for peace process

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations peacekeeping chief said today the involvement of eastern African countries in revitalizing the peace process in South Sudan was among the main topics he discussed with that nation's President, describing such regional engagement “a good thing.”

DR Congo: UN envoy expresses concern over arbitrary arrests, urges restraint

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today expressed his concern over arbitrary arrests and detentions across the country, following civil society's call for the holding of elections before year-end and their peaceful protests against delays in the publication of the electoral calendar.

Montreal celebrates 375th anniversary of its rich history

Aug 03, 2017, at 07:43 am

Montreal, Aug 2 (IBNS): Montreal, the largest city in Canada's Quebec province, is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year with a host of colourful events that showcase its rich history and culture as well as its iconic places and neighbourhoods.

If you are lone, you are not alone in Canada

Aug 03, 2017, at 07:13 am

Ottawa, Aug 2 (IBNS): If you are lone in Canada, then it is sure you are not the only one, at least Census 2016 hinted that.

Afghanistan: UN condemns killing of civilians in Herat mosque attack

Aug 03, 2017, at 04:16 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN political mission in Afghanistan have denounced last night's attack against worshippers gathered in a mosque in the city of Herat which killed at least 31 civilians and injured many more.

Conflict-affected rural families in Iraq to benefit from mobile cash-transfer technology – UN

Aug 03, 2017, at 04:15 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): Many vulnerable rural families in Iraq will now be able to safely receive income thanks to a newly adopted mobile money transfer technology that is part of a cash-for-work programme to rehabilitate farming infrastructure, according to the United Nations agriculture agency.

Afghanistan: Terrorist attack NATO convoy, foreign soldier's feared killed

Aug 02, 2017, at 11:42 pm

Kabul, Aug 2 (IBNS): Several foreign soldiers are feared to have been killed as a car-suicide bombing hit a NATO convoy in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Wednesday, media reports said.

Herat mosque bombing: Taliban denies role, casualties climb to 93

Aug 02, 2017, at 05:54 pm

Kabul, Aug 2 (IBNS): The Taliban has refuted allegations that the group was behind the suicide attack in a mosque in Herat province of Afghanistan, local Khaama Press reported.

Afghanistan: At least two die in Paktia explosion

Aug 02, 2017, at 05:36 pm

Kabul, Aug 2 (IBNS): At least two people have reportedly died in an explosion in Afghanistan's Paktia province, local Khaama Press reported.

Ontario increases access to stem cell transplants

Aug 02, 2017, at 05:34 pm

Toronto, Aug 2 (IBNS): Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario, announced last week at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto of a new fund to help hospitals to provide life-saving stem cell treatment closer to home, a news release said.

Pakistan: Lawmaker Ayesha Gulalai quits PTI, says Imran's behaviour indecent towards women

Aug 02, 2017, at 04:29 pm

Islamabad, Aug 2 (IBNS): Pakistani lawmaker Ayesha Gulalai has quit the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday after making a startling revelation about party chief Imran Khan.

INTERVIEW: Head of UN drug body urges greater access to treatment for women

Aug 02, 2017, at 09:50 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): Women continue to be disproportionately affected by drug use, and face obstacles in accessing treatment, compared to men, according to the President of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

Deadly combination of cholera, hunger and conflict pushes Yemen to 'edge of a cliff' – senior UN official

Aug 02, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): Describing the situation in Yemen as “very bleak,” with “no end in sight,” a senior United Nations official envoy on Tuesday said the war-torn country, already reeling from malnutrition and dwindling health care, is plummeting into further distress amid a deadly cholera outbreak and looming famine.

Solidarity across generations is vital for sustainable development, UN special event hears

Aug 02, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): The wisdom, experience, energy and ideals of the old and the young are vital to realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, stressing that they together can help break the cycles of poverty that have lasted for generations.

Venezuela: UN rights chief 'deeply concerned' by detention of opposition leaders

Aug 02, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): The top United Nations human rights official on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the detention of two opposition leaders by Venezuelan authorities after Sunday's elections for a Constituent Assembly convened by President Nicolás Maduro.

Breastfeeding is 'smartest investment' families, communities and countries can make – UN

Aug 02, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): Kicking off World Breastfeeding Week, the United Nations on Tuesday stressed that although breastfeeding has cognitive and health benefits for infants and mothers, investment shortcomings impede the practice.

In South Sudan, UN peacekeeping chief urges an end to fighting to give peace process 'better chance'

Aug 02, 2017, at 09:45 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): The conflict in South Sudan has to end in order to give the peace process there “a better chance of success,” the top United Nations peacekeeping official said on Tuesday, kicking off a three-day trip to the African country.

Toronto to set up safe injection sites to curb drug overdosed deaths

Aug 02, 2017, at 05:30 am

Toronto, Aug 1 (IBNS): Several deaths due to drug overdoses in the last week prompted Toronto to take the decision of setting up three safe injection centres with an aim to curb the loss of lives, media reports said.

UN migration chief visits Nigeria's northeast; new fund allocates $10.5 million

Aug 02, 2017, at 04:04 am

New York, Aug 1(Just Earth News): The United Nations has scaled up its efforts to tackle the humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria, through a visit by its top migration official and the allocation of $10.5 million from a new fund.

Pakistan elects Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim Prime Minister

Aug 01, 2017, at 11:48 pm

Islamabad, Aug 1 (IBNS): Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been named as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, media reports said.

Edgard Kagan commences service as U.S. Consul General in Mumbai

Aug 01, 2017, at 10:59 pm

Washington/Mumbai, Aug 1 (IBNS): Edgard Kagan has assumed the post of Consul General of the United States in Mumbai as of Aug 1, 2017, succeeding former Consul General Tom Vajda, officials said on Tuesday.

Mobile broadband subscriptions on track to hit 4.3 billion in 2017 – UN report

Aug 01, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Aug 1(Just Earth News): Mobile broadband subscriptions are expected to reach 4.3 billion globally by the end of 2017, according to a new report released by the United Nations telecommunications agency.