When it comes to breastfeeding, ‘timing is everything’ in saving newborn lives – UNICEF chief
Aug 01, 2018, at 08:55 am
New York, Aug 1 (IBNS): Three-in-five babies, mostly born in low- and middle-income countries, are not breastfed within the first hour of life, placing them at higher risk of death and disease, according to a new United Nations report launched on Tuesday.
When it comes to breastfeeding, ‘timing is everything’ in saving newborn lives – UNICEF chief
Jul 31, 2018, at 09:17 am
New York, July 31 (IBNS): Three-in-five babies, mostly born in low- and middle-income countries, are not breastfed within the first hour of life, placing them at higher risk of death and disease, according to a new United Nations report launched on Tuesday.
Jul 28, 2018, at 08:19 am
New York, July 28 (IBNS): Millions of people globally who have viral hepatitis are unaware or unable to receive treatment, the United Nations health agency said Friday, on the eve of World Hepatitis Day, raising the alarm to “find, test and treat the missing millions.”
More ‘political commitment’ needed urgently for HIV prevention: UNAIDS chief
Jul 25, 2018, at 09:00 am
New York, July 25 (IBNS): As HIV infections continue to rise, UNAIDS — the UN agency leading the global effort to end the public health threat posed by the virus — called on Tuesday for countries to boost prevention measures and continue facilitating access to treatment.
Record 123 million infants received at least one vaccine in 2017, says UN
Jul 17, 2018, at 09:07 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): A record-breaking total of around 123 million, or nine out of 10, infants, received at least one dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine in 2017, protecting them from deadly infectious diseases, according to United Nations figures released on Monday.
Use space technology to build a better world for all, urges UN chief
Jun 21, 2018, at 08:13 am
New York, June21 (IBNS): Not only has space exploration captured the world’s imagination, it can also help humankind address existential challenges back on earth, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday, in his message to the UN’s key forum on space affairs.
Conflict and climate change challenge sustainable development effort: UN report
Jun 21, 2018, at 08:09 am
New York, June 20 (IBNS): Although more people are leading better lives than a decade ago, persistent poverty and hunger, as well as rapid urbanization, are challenging global efforts to create a more just and equitable world, according to a United Nations report launched on Wednesday.
From low-earth orbit, ‘envoys’ of humanity join UN space forum
Jun 21, 2018, at 08:05 am
New York, June 21 (IBNS): Floating in near zero-gravity, 400 kilometres above the Pacific Ocean and flying at over 28,000 kilometres per hour, the six crew members onboard the International Space Station (ISS) joined the key United Nations forum on outer space affairs via video link on Wednesday, to discuss the importance of working together.
If we can build the International Space Station, ‘we can do anything’ – UN Champion for Space
Jun 20, 2018, at 09:58 am
New York, June 20 (IBNS): The sight of Earth, from hundreds of kilometers away in open space while you are tethered only to the International Space Station, is “absolutely amazing”, said Scott Kelly, the UN Champion for Space and former US astronaut, stressing that the world we live on “is our only planet.”
Jun 20, 2018, at 09:48 am
New York, June 20 (IBNS): On its opening day, a major United Nations forum on the peaceful uses of outer space, was issued a clear challenge to break through the so-called “glass ceiling” that prevents women and girls from achieving their full potential; especially in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
UN forum to explore use of outer space to improve lives, protect planet
Jun 20, 2018, at 09:32 am
New York, June 20 (IBNS): Marking 50 years since the world first came together to discuss the peaceful uses of outer space, government leaders, policy makers, civil society representatives and space experts will gather at a United Nations forum in Vienna from Monday to explore the future course of global space cooperation for the benefit of humankind.
Prevention is key to ‘breaking the cycle of HIV transmission’, UN chief tells General Assembly
Jun 13, 2018, at 05:45 pm
New York, June 13 (IBNS): This year’s United Nations annual debate over how best to battle HIV and AIDS heard that while progress had been made, it remains “uneven and fragile” with many hurdles still to come.
The world is being ‘swamped’ by harmful plastic waste says UN chief, marking Environment Day
Jun 06, 2018, at 08:32 am
New York, June 6 (IBNS): The world must unite to “beat plastic pollution” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World Environment Day on Tuesday, noting that microplastic particles in the ocean, “now outnumber stars in our galaxy”.
‘Social drivers’ must be confronted in fight against tuberculosis says UN chief
Jun 05, 2018, at 08:54 am
New York, June 5 (IBNS): Winning the fight against Tuberculosis requires that “social drivers” of the disease – especially poverty and inequality – are tackled head on, the United Nations Secretary-General said today, urging greater efforts to provide universal health coverage and combat the growing threat of anti-microbial resistance.
UN rights experts urge Kenya to protect activists testifying in lead pollution case
Jun 01, 2018, at 01:45 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): Four United Nations human rights experts are calling for greater protection for Kenyan activists who have testified against a local lead-smelting plant accused of environmental pollution.
Ebola outbreak puts DR Congo on an ‘epidemiological knife-edge’
May 24, 2018, at 07:34 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains on an “epidemiological knife-edge” regarding the spread of deadly Ebola disease, despite the quick response by authorities and international partners to the threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
Poverty compounding health challenges for Palestine refugees – UN agency
May 23, 2018, at 05:51 pm
Nerw York, May 23 (IBNS): Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and smoking-related ailments, account for the majority of the chronic health problems confronting Palestine refugees across the Middle East, a new report by the United Nations agency which supports them, has found.
At global health forum, UN officials call for strong, people-focused health systems
May 22, 2018, at 02:37 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): Everyone, everywhere must have equal access to quality health care, said top United Nations officials on Monday, urging greater focus on comprehensive health and well-being.
UN, Somali Government seek $80 million in immediate relief for flood-affected populations
May 21, 2018, at 04:05 pm
New York, May 21 (JEN): The United Nations and the Somali Government on Sunday launched a joint appeal for $80 million to provide immediate help for the people affected by recent flooding in the country’s centre and south.
UN health agency launches new diagnostic tool to ensure effective treatment
May 16, 2018, at 03:14 pm
New York, May 16 (IBNS): Although correctly identifying disease is essential for successful treatment, many have no way of accessing an accurate diagnosis, the United Nation health agency said on Tuesday, launching new tool to close this critical gap.
May 15, 2018, at 02:42 pm
New York, May 15 (IBNS): Industrially-produced trans-fats may give food a longer shelf life, but each year they also lead to the death of more than 500,000 people from cardiovascular and heart disease, according to the United Nations health agency.
UN forum to coordinate global efforts to address worsening water shortages
May 08, 2018, at 01:37 pm
New York, May 7 (IBNS): With extreme weather costing hundreds of billions a year and fears that by 2050, one in four people will be living in a country affected by severe water shortages, a global conference got underway on Monday convened by the United Nations meteorological agency to manage the precious resource more sustainably.
Hottest April day ever recorded - maybe: World Meteorological Organization
May 05, 2018, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): Deadly storms in India and record temperatures in Pakistan are an indication that more extreme weather events are happening globally owing to climate change, United Nations weather experts said on Friday.
Mental health ‘neglected issue’ but key to achieving Global Goals, say UN chiefs
May 04, 2018, at 01:24 pm
New York, May 4 (IBNS): Mental health remains one of the most neglected global health issues, even though it is critical to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders, top United Nations officials have said at an event in London.
Disasters could cost Asia-Pacific region $160 billion per year by 2030, UN warns
Apr 25, 2018, at 01:26 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Economic losses to disasters in Asia and the Pacific could exceed $160 billion annually by 2030, the United Nations development arm in the region warned on Tuesday, urging greater innovation in disaster risk financing.
UN-sponsored group tightens controls on spread of crop-attacking pests
Apr 19, 2018, at 02:15 pm
New York, Apr 19 (IBNS): With an estimated $220 billion of the global harvest lost to plant pests each year, the agency charged with fighting this scourge has adopted new standards and measures to safeguard internationally traded agricultural and forestry products.
Climate chaos to continue in 2018, UN chief warns; Will the world rise to challenge?
Mar 30, 2018, at 02:09 pm
New York, Mar 30 (JEN): Climate change “is still moving much faster than we are,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Thursday, calling for the political will, innovation and financing to cut global emissions by at least 25 per cent over the next two years.
Earth Hour: UN joins iconic landmarks ‘going dark’ globally with a call to protect environment
Mar 26, 2018, at 12:31 am
New York, Mar 25 (JEN): The United Nations this evening turned off the lights at its iconic Headquarters in New York as well as at other facilities around the world in observance of “Earth Hour” – a global event highlighting the need for climate action and sustainable energy consumption.
‘Bold action’ needed to end tuberculosis, AIDS – UN
Mar 24, 2018, at 02:33 pm
New York, Mar 24 (JEN): Claiming more than 4,500 lives daily, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the top infectious killer worldwide as well as the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, the United Nations said Friday, ahead of World Tuberculosis Day.
On World Wildlife Day, UN joins call for protection of planet’s big cats
Mar 03, 2018, at 09:32 pm