With nearly four billion people still unable to get online, UN forum to tackle 'digital divide'
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:48 pm
New York, Dec 7 (Just Earth News): The 11th annual United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) opened in Jalisco, Mexico, where delegates from across the world will join thousands more online to weigh the challenges of on Tuesday's digital age and equal access opportunities for all members of society.
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:47 pm
New York, Dec 7 (Just Earth News): Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are increasingly under threat from human activities and countries must transform their agricultural practices to ensure global crop production can meet demand and avoid substantial economic losses, the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity heard on Tuesday.
Libyan political accord 'stands firm, but stuck' – UN envoy tells Security Council
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:46 pm
New York, Dec 7 (Just Earth News): Briefing the Security Council just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Libyan Political Agreement, the United Nations envoy for the north African country highlighted that while there has been progress, the deal has stalled and “much more should have happened.â€
In 'wake-up call' to Asia-Pacific, UN report urges region to do more to achieve zero hunger by 2030
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:45 pm
New York, Dec 7 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Tuesday launched a report that outlines declining progress towards defeating hunger in Asia and the Pacific, noting that nearly one-in-three children suffer from stunting, and warning that to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030, the region must redouble its efforts.
Israel's settlement 'legalization bill' would harm prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, UN envoy warns
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:44 pm
New York, Dec 7 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy on the Middle East peace process on Tuesday warned against Israel's move to adopt the so-called 'legalization bill,' which aims to protect illegal settlements and outposts built on private Palestinian property in the West Bank, “but which some have said could be a step towards annexation†of the area.
UN community makes New York's diversity more 'vibrant' – new report
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:43 pm
New York, Dec 7 (Just Earth News): Contributing to the 'vibrant diversity' of New York, the United Nations, its agencies and staff not only generated $3.69 billion in total economic output for the City, the UN community also supported nearly 8,000 jobs and brought in more than 30,000 visitors to attend meetings, according to the 2016 UN Economic Impact Report that was released on Tuesday.
Regulations, incentives can reduce high levels of informality in domestic work – UN
Dec 07, 2016, at 05:06 am
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Nearly 75 per cent of domestic workers 15 and older are estimated to work in informal employment situations, according to a new study by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO), which calls for a combination of incentives and compliance to reduce high levels of informality in domestic work.
In post-storm Haiti, UN responding with food security and assistance programmes
Dec 07, 2016, at 05:04 am
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Responding to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, particularly to the agriculture sector, United Nations agricultural and emergency food relief agencies are deploying programmes that address both the immediate and long-term food needs in the affected areas.
EU-UNICEF #EmergencyLessons campaign supports crisis-affected youth with schooling
Dec 07, 2016, at 05:03 am
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Braving the consequences of war, natural disaster and other emergencies, nearly two million children in 20 countries around the world have been able to continue their schooling over the past four years as a result of a partnership between the European Commission's department for humanitarian aid and civil protection and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Toronto: Suspicious item found in garage
Dec 07, 2016, at 12:32 am
Toronto, Dec. 6 (IBNS): Conducting a search warrant for drugs on Scarborough Golf Club, near Toronto, led the police to the discovery of a suspicious item in a children’s box in a garage, said Det. Andrew Lipkus, Monday around 7:20 p.m., reported CTVNews.
Southern Thailand reels under rains and flood
Dec 06, 2016, at 07:36 pm
Bangkok, Dec 6 (IBNS): Southern Thailand, including the popular tourist draws of Krabi, Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan, continues to battle heavy rains and floods, according to media reports on Tuesday.
Afghanistan: At least 38 Taliban insurgents killed in air and ground raids
Dec 06, 2016, at 05:17 pm
Kabul, Dec 6 (IBNS): At least 38 Taliban militants have been killed in air and ground raids conducted by the Afghan forces, local Khaama Press reported.
DR Congo: Security Council urges all stakeholders to ensure upcoming polls are free and fair
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:27 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Expressing concern over the political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as in light of the upcoming elections the United Nations Security Council has called on all stakeholders to ensure that the polls are conducted in a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent environment.
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:27 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): The United Nations announced on Monday that it has completed an internal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against Burundian and Gabonese peacekeepers deployed in Dekoa, Kemo prefecture, Central African Republic (CAR).
Security Council fails to adopt resolution calling for ceasefire in Aleppo
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:26 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Monday failed to adopt a resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo that would allow humanitarian aid to reach people trapped in the war-ravaged Syrian city.
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:25 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Five West African nations are banning ‘dirty’ European fuels – exported fuels with higher sulphur levels – in response to concerns over vehicle emissions and in an effort to bring safer, cleaner air to more than 250 million people, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Monday.
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:24 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Marking International Volunteer Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday hailed the volunteers for providing shelter and support for refugees as well as those who were integral in emergency response situations in Haiti, Sri Lanka, Mali, and Colombia, saying that throughout the world, UN Volunteers (UNV) are among those who work to achieve peace.
Iraq: UN delivers live-saving medicines and medical supplies inside Mosul
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:23 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): United Nations health agencies have delivered critical medicines and medical supplies to treat almost 13,000 people in the Iraqi city of Mosul, where the Government forces have been staging a military campaign against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Da’esh) terrorists.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham uses tattoos to show ‘brutal reality’ of child violence
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:22 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Drawing attention to the physical and psychological abuse that leave an inedible mark on children’s lives, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched a powerful new video illustrating the “all too common†forms of violence as tattoos on the body of the famous footballer and advocate for protection of children, David Beckham.
UN agency urges EU to adopt stronger and more pro-active approach on refugees
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:21 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Monday proposed far-reaching reforms of Europe’s management of refugees, including the asylum system, recalling that scenes of chaos at borders last year led to a breakdown in the public’s trust in the capacity of governments to manage the refugee challenge and played into the hands of those wishing to turn those fleeing for their lives into scapegoats.
New UN report finds marine debris harming more than 800 species, costing countries millions
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, Dec 6 (Just Earth News): Marine debris is negatively affecting more than 800 animal species and causing serious losses to many countries' economies, according to a United Nations report launched on Monday.
Global humanitarian appeal for 2017 requires record $22.2 billion in funding – UN
Dec 06, 2016, at 04:47 am
New York, Dec 5 (Just Earth News): The world is facing a humanitarian crisis that will require a record $22.2 billion in funding for 2017 to support nearly 93 million of the most vulnerable and marginalized people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday as it launched a relief aid appeal.
Dec 06, 2016, at 04:46 am
New York, Dec 5 (Just Earth News): Marking World Soil Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed the importance of healthy soils, adding that “sustainable management systems and practices will unlock the full potential of soils to support food production, store and supply clean water, preserve biodiversity, sequester more carbon and increase resilience to a changing climate.â€
Pakistani cricketers injured in Karachi hotel fire
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:52 am
Karachi, Dec 5 (IBNS): Some Pakistani cricketers were injured in the fire that broke out at a hotel in Pakistan's Karachi city on Monday, media reports said.
Syrian refugees in Canada face uncertainty as federal assistance to end
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:50 am
Toronto, Dec. 5 (IBNS): Uncertainty stares at the Syrian refugees settled in Canada as their monthly stipend provided by the federal government would be discontinued from the end of December since the first group of people who took refugee after fleeing the conflict in their country would complete their second year in the country.
Pakistan Army Chief confirms death sentences awarded to 4 militants
Dec 06, 2016, at 01:17 am
Islamabad, Dec 5 (IBNS): Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa on Monday confirmed the death sentences awarded to four militants, media reports said.
Fiji: A darker side of paradise, says Amnesty International
Dec 05, 2016, at 09:44 pm
Suva, Dec 5 (IBNS): Under the military’s dominance, the Pacific island nation of Fiji has seen an ingrained culture of torture take root among its security forces, a new Amnesty International report says on Monday.
President Ashraf Ghani returns to Afghanistan after completing India visit
Dec 05, 2016, at 09:24 pm
Kabul, Dec 5 (IBNS): Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has returned to Afghanistan after completing his trip to India.
Oakland warehouse fire toll likely to increase as search for victims continue into Monday
Dec 05, 2016, at 09:04 pm
Oakland (Califronia), Dec 5 (IBNS): Police and rescuers have recovered 33 bodies so far from the Oakland (California) warehouse that was engulfed by fire on Friday night live programme, according to media reports.
Italian PM Matteo Renzi steps down after losing referendum
Dec 05, 2016, at 08:00 pm
Rome, Dec 5 (IBNS): Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has stepped down from his post following a defeat in a constitutional referendum, media reports said.