The Islamic State says the attacks were in retaliation for Syrian regime and Russian air strikes
DAMASCUS, Syria (May 24, 2016) — More than 148 people were killed Monday, May 23, in bombings claimed by the Islamic State group in northwestern Syria, the deadliest attacks to date in the regime’s coastal heartland. Continue reading ISIS blasts in Syria regime heartland kill more than 148
Despite the fact that world health authorities have said for months that the mosquito species is the main vector for Zika, no Aedes aegypti carrying the virus had previously been found in the Americas
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (May 24, 2016) — Brazilian scientists said Monday, May 23, they have found the first hard evidence the Zika virus blamed for causing brain damage in hundreds of babies is carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Continue reading Brazil confirms mosquito as Zika vector
In 2014, state auditors criticized the Office of Civil Defense for its slow use of the funds, which should have been used to help victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda
MANILA, Philippines (May 24, 2016) — Two years since the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) over central Philippines, the P923.154-million quick response fund (QRF) of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has been used, the Commission on Audit (COA) said. Continue reading OCD finally uses up ‘idle’ funds for Yolanda victims after 2 years
Officials lift the evacuation order for several oil production sites north of Fort McMurray, but stop short of allowing production to resume
MONTREAL, Canada (May 23, 2016) — Officials on Sunday, May 22, lifted the evacuation order for several oil production sites north of Fort McMurray, the city threatened by massive Canadian wildfires, but stopped short of allowing production to resume. Continue reading Evacuation lifted for oil sites threatened by Canada fires
The audio recording reportedly featuring ISIS spokesman Abu Mohamed al-Adnani is posted online late Saturday evening, after much fanfare by ISIS supporters on Twitter
BEIRUT, Lebanon (May 22, 2016) — The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group appeared to try to keep morale high among its supporters in a new audio message released on Saturday, May 21, which also called for attacks on the US during the holy month of Ramadan. Continue reading ISIS threatens US, tries to rally support in new audio message
South African families who say they were pushed out of their land on a natural reserve during apartheid will be handed over $5 million in compensation
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (May 22, 2016) — Some 750 South African families who say they were pushed out of their land on a natural reserve during apartheid will be handed over $5 million in compensation, President Jacob Zuma said Saturday. Continue reading S. Africa compensates 750 families for apartheid land loss
They fled hardship and war only to find misery and squalor, but migrants who meet a gruesome end in northern France hoping to reach England are finally getting a touch of dignity in death
CALAIS, France (May 22, 2016) — They fled hardship and war only to find misery and squalor, but migrants who met a gruesome end in northern France hoping to reach England are finally getting a touch of dignity in death. Continue reading Dignity only in death for migrants at France’s Calais ‘Jungle’
The new special envoys will be responsible for ‘raising the profile and sounding the alarm,’ says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
UNITED NATIONS (May 22, 2016) — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, May 20, appointed former Irish President Mary Robinson and Kenyan diplomat Macharia Kamau as special envoys for El Niño and climate. Continue reading UN names special envoys for El Niño and climate
The Philippines current commitments include 70% carbon mitigation by 2030. All of these commitments, however, are conditional.
BONN, Germany (May 22, 2016) — The Philippines announced on Wednesday, May 18, during the third day of climate negotiations that it will review and revise its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to align better with the 1.5-degree target. Continue reading PH to revise UN climate pledges to align with 1.5-degree target
In a speech in London, the Oscar winner and UN special envoy for refugees urges the international community to respond to Europe’s refugee crisis
LONDON, UK (May 17, 2016) — UN special envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt urged the international community on Monday, May 16 to respond to Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II with generosity and not the “politics of fear.” Continue reading Migrant crisis needs generosity, not fear