Guterres 'shocked' by Guatemala's decision to expel UN anti-corruption official

Aug 28, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Aug 28(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres is shocked to learn that the President of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales, has issued a statement declaring 'persona non grata' the head of a United Nations-backed independent anti-corruption commission, according to the UN Spokesman.

In Kuwait, UN chief Guterres lauds country's humanitarian leadership, regional diplomacy

Aug 28, 2017, at 05:00 am

New York, Aug 27(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on an official visit to Kuwait, expressed gratitude to not only the Gulf country's leadership in humanitarian action, but the “dialogue […] and promotion of understanding Kuwait has shown in relation to all conflicts in the region.”

Baby Nests, Baby Pods may cause suffocation, says Health Canada

Aug 27, 2017, at 07:13 am

Ottawa, Aug 26 (IBNS): Health Canada has issued a warning about the risk of suffocation due to baby nets, baby pods, soft, padded sides, media reports said.

Canada introduces 'X' category in passports for third sex to ensure gender equality

Aug 27, 2017, at 06:41 am

Ottawa, Aug 26 (IBNS): The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced an 'X' category in passports for LGBT community with an aim to ensure gender equality.

Afghanistan: UN mission condemns deadly attack on Shi'a mosque in Kabul

Aug 27, 2017, at 04:59 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned the attack during Friday prayer at Imam Zaman mosque in Kabul that killed at least 20 civilians – including seven women and one child – and injured more than 30 others.

Buckingham Palace suspect was brandishing sword: Police

Aug 27, 2017, at 02:30 am

London, Aug 26 (IBNS): The Metropolitan Police on Saturday said a man who was arrested outside the Buckingham Palace was brandishing a sword.

US President Trump signs memo to ban Obama-era plan to recruit transgenders in the military

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:17 pm

Washington, Aug 26 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump signed a memo directing the US military not to accept transgender men and women as recruits, according to media reports on Saturday.

US: Hurricane Harvey hits Texas

Aug 26, 2017, at 04:41 pm

Austin, Aug 26 (IBNS): Hurricane Harvey has made landfall in Texas with windspeed upto 215 km/hr, reports said.

North Korea: Country tests three SRBM's, America, South Korea keeping a watch

Aug 26, 2017, at 03:02 pm

Pyongyang, Aug 26 (IBNS): North Korea has fired three short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) into the sea, according to the US military.

Man shot dead in Brussels after he attacks soldiers with knife, shouts Allahu Akbar

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:56 am

Brussels, Aug 26 (IBNS) A man who attacked two soldiers in Brussels city centre in the capital of Belgium with a knife shouting "Allahu Akbar" was shot dead on Friday, said officials.

Syria: UNICEF cites conflict's 'staggering' impact on children; calls for urgent protection

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:43 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): Six and a half years of war in Syria has inflicted untold suffering on the country's children, a senior United Nations official said on Friday, urging parties to the conflict to stop the violence and live up to their legal obligations to children.

On first visit to Somalia since elections, UN political chief lauds progress

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:42 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations political office visited Somalia this week, where he praised the “real forward momentum” in the country's political development, and reiterated UN support as the Horn of Africa country tackles its challenges, such as the fight against the group Al Shabaab.

Top UN officials strongly condemn attacks on Myanmar security forces in Rakhine state

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:41 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-general António Guterres on Friday strongly condemned the attacks carried out against the Myanmar security forces in northern areas of Rakhine State, expressing concern about escalating tensions in the region.

Cambodia: UN human rights wing concerned by media, civil society curbs

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:40 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): Measures in Cambodia, which left radio programmes and licences suspended, have sparked the United Nations human rights wing to call on the Government for political and civil rights guarantees.

Was John A. Macdonald an architect of genocide? Canada's first PM's contribution put to question

Aug 26, 2017, at 07:01 am

Ottawa, Aug 25 (IBNS): Canada's first Prime Minister John A. Macdonald's contribution has been put to question recently as the public schools in Ontario decided to drop his name from the education institutions and buildings, media reports said.

Climate change threatens agricultural trade in Pacific Rim economies, UN agency warns

Aug 26, 2017, at 04:19 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): With global warming expected to significantly impact future yields in countries located closer to the equator, the United Nations agriculture agency is calling on Asia-Pacific economies to take a leading role in adaptation and mitigation.

UN rights office gathering info on air strikes in Yemen; urges protection of civilians

Aug 26, 2017, at 04:18 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): Reiterating that attacks targeting civilians are prohibited under international law, the United Nations human rights office on Friday confirmed dozens of casualties in airstrikes on villages near the capital, Sana'a.

Afghanistan: 2 killed in mosque attack

Aug 26, 2017, at 01:24 am

Kabul, Aug 25 (IBNS): At least two people were killed as terrorists attacked a mosque in Afghanistan's capital Kabul city on Friday, media reports said.

No 'worse place on earth' than Syria's Raqqa, says senior UN adviser urging pause in fighting

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:51 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations aid official On Thursday urged the international community to do whatever is needed to allow citizens to flee from Raqqa, describing the de facto capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), the “worse place on earth.”

South Sudan's leaders bear 'direct responsibility' for conflict, UN Security Council told

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:51 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations peacekeeping official On Thursday called on the leaders of South Sudan to show genuine political will to achieve sustainable peace in the strife-riven country, stressing that those whose long-time rivalry sparked the ongoing conflict can be the ones to resolve it.

Flow of refugees, migrants to Europe slows but sea journey remains deadly – UN

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): Fewer refugees and migrants arrived in Europe in the first half of this year, but the likelihood of dying among people seeking to reach Europe is still “alarmingly high,” the United Nations refugee agency On Thursday reported, calling for renewed commitments to protect people.

Myanmar: UN welcomes final assessment of independent advisory panel on Rakhine state

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): The United Nations On Thursday welcomed the release of the final report of an independent advisory body looking into the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Time for action to support and protect small-scale fisheries – UN agriculture agency

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): Small-scale fisheries, which catch two-thirds of the fish consumed by humans, often struggle with regulatory frameworks tailored to large commercial fleets, according to a new UN agriculture agency book urging policy coherence.

Justin Trudeau defends his government's response to immigration issue

Aug 25, 2017, at 06:31 am

Ottawa, Aug 24 (IBNS): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government's act and response to the influx of thousands of asylum seekers across borders, media reports said.

Schools must collect demographic data of students more, report says

Aug 25, 2017, at 06:30 am

Toronto, Aug 24 (IBNS): The York University researchers in a report said the schools in Ontario province must collect data of students more on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, media reports said.

UN releases $2.5 million from pooled fund to tackle energy crisis in Gaza

Aug 25, 2017, at 04:38 am

New York, Aug 24(Just Earth News): With Gaza entering its fourth month of a serious energy crisis, the United Nations on Thursday released a further $2.5 million from a pooled humanitarian fund to cover urgent needs in the Palestinian enclave.

UN agencies aid millions affected by flooding, landslides in South Asia

Aug 25, 2017, at 04:37 am

New York, Aug 24(Just Earth News): United Nations humanitarian agencies are working with the Government and partners in Nepal to bring in clean water, food, shelter and medical aid for some of the 41 million people affected by flooding and landslides in South Asia.

Caller attacks Indian CEO in US for criticising President Trump, asks to go to India

Aug 25, 2017, at 01:30 am

Washington, Aug 24 (IBNS): An Indian CEO in the United States received verbal attacks from a caller after the former criticised President Donald Trump's response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, media reports said.

China: User outrage over 'sex slaves' stickers on social media network QZone

Aug 24, 2017, at 06:07 pm

Beijing, Aug 24 (IBNS): Social networking site QZone received a lot of flak from users in mainland China, who protested against 'sex-slaves' stickers, which were meant to be 'funny'.

At least ten dead, dozens missing in Brazil boat disaster

Aug 24, 2017, at 05:47 pm

Brasilia, Aug 24 (IBNS) : A boat carrying 70 people sank in a major river in the Amazon region of Brazil, leaving at least 10 dead and dozens missing, media reports said quoting authorities.