U.N.: Most fail gender parity goal in education
PARIS – More than half of the world’s countries have failed to achieve gender parity in education for girls in primary and secondary schools, according to a new U.N. report.
The document released Friday by the U.N.’s cultural agency UNESCO focused on the evolution of education for girls since 2000, when 164 countries agreed on common education goals.
The number of countries that did reach gender parity, achieving equal participation of girls and boys based on their proportion in the relevant age-groups, has risen in both primary and second education from 36 to 62 from 2000 to 2015.
Hajj crush is deadliest pilgrimage tragedy ever
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – One survivor of last month’s crush and stampede at the hajj in Saudi Arabia recalled seeing so many bodies that he couldn’t tell how many there were.
The Associated Press sought to answer that question, arriving at a death toll of at least 1,470. That made the Sept. 24 disaster the deadliest accident ever at the annual pilgrimage. And hundreds remain missing.
Authorities have said the crush and stampede occurred when two waves of pilgrims converged on a narrow road, causing hundreds of people to suffocate or be trampled to death.
North Korea readies anniversary celebration
PYONGYANG, North Korea – North Korea is holding what is expected to be one of its biggest celebrations ever Saturday for the 70th anniversary of its ruling party’s creation, an attention-getting event that is the government’s way of showing the world and its own people the Kim dynasty – now in its third generation – is firmly in control and its military a power to be reckoned with.
The military parade kicking off the celebrations could hold some surprises for analysts abroad who will be watching its display of weaponry, particularly its growing fleet of drone aircraft and long-range missiles, very closely.
The Associated Press
