'Resilience can become hallmark of 2015,' says UN disaster risk reduction chief
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:36 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS)Ten years ago today, world leaders in Hyogo, Japan agreed on a framework to better manage risk and curb the impact of disasters in the wake of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami – which claimed some 227,000 lives – and in March, they are set to meet for a United Nations conference in another Japanese city to take stock of whether the world has lived up to that promise.
Davos: UN launches $1 billion appeal for global Ebola response
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) The United Nations on Wednesday appealed for $1 billion needed for the first six months of 2015 to sustain the momentum to stamp out Ebola in West Africa, where 'the epidemic has started to turn' in all three of the worst-hit countries – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
UN disaster reduction chief hails 'major milestone' in earthquake risk assessment
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:20 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has welcomed the launch of a new web-based platform that will provide global access to critical information on earthquakes and enable ‘cutting-edge’ risk assessment aimed at limiting the hazard of these potentially devastating natural events.
Madagascar needs resources to continue battle against locust plague – UN agency
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:13 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) The battle against a plague of locusts in Madagascar is in danger of being lost, as funding to continue efforts against widespread infestations runs out, putting 13 million people at risk of food insecurity, the United Nations agricultural agency said on Wednesday.
Nadda assures all support to Telangana to manage H1N1 cases
Jan 22, 2015, at 01:18 am
New Delhi, Jan 21 (IBNS) In view of the reported cases and deaths from H1N1 influenza from Telangana, the Union Health Minister J P Nadda has reviewed the situation.
Nepal: UN agency continues distribution of emergency health kits to flood survivors
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:28 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) Five months after a series of landslides and subsequent flooding brought devastation to large swathes of Nepal, thousands of survivors continue to remain exposed to bitter temperatures and wintry conditions, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned.
UN agencies ramp up aid efforts to flood-hit Southern Africa countries
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:27 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) With Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar continuing to face torrential rains and worsening floods, United Nations agencies are scaling up relief efforts to assist those affected and displaced in the southern African countries.
Ten die of swine flu in Hyderabad
Jan 21, 2015, at 05:28 pm
Hyderabad, Jan 21 (IBNS) Swine flu, the dreaded viral disease that rages through Telengana, has claimed 10 lives this month with 3 more deaths being reported.
Delhi HC unblocks 'frozen' funds to Greenpeace
Jan 21, 2015, at 03:23 am
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IBNS): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday unblocked the funds that were frozen by the Ministry of Home Affairs in June last year.
Mankind Pharma 5th fastest growing company: Report
Jan 21, 2015, at 02:34 am
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IBNS): Within a short span of 20 years, Mankind Pharma, has set the Indian pharmaceutical industry astonished by achieving the rank of 5th largest and fastest growing company of India, according to the IMS Health report.
Two poachers killed in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Jan 20, 2015, at 11:15 pm
Guwahati, Jan 20 (IBNS) : Two poachers were killed by patrolling forest guards in Assam's Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesday, officials said.
7 dead of Swine flu in AP and Telengana
Jan 20, 2015, at 08:03 pm
Hyderabad, Jan 20 (IBNS) Swine flu continued to afflict Andhra Pradesh and Telengana as 7 people died and 173 affected of the dreaded disease since January 1 with 25 fresh cases being reported on Tuesday.
No new Ebola cases reported in most of Liberia counties over past week – UN
Jan 20, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Jan 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) on Mondaywelcomed encouraging statistics recently released by Liberia's Minister of health and Social Welfare that reported that 12 of the country’s 15 counties have had no new cases within
Marking international year, UN chief celebrates role of light in boosting sustainable growth
Jan 20, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, Jan 20 (IBNS) The role light-based technologies play in spurring sustainable development can help the international community tackle the challenges of the 21st century, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Monday as he unveiled the International Year of Light – the United Nations effort showcasing light’s vital contribution to issues related to energy, education, agriculture and health.
UN health agency urges greater government action against non-communicable diseases
Jan 20, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Jan 20 (IBNS) The international community has an opportunity to reverse the global epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and prevent the grim annual toll of 16 million people who die of heart and lung diseases, strokes, cancer and diabetes before the age of 70, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) revealed on Monday.
UN agency stresses need for genetic diversity in agriculture to combat climate change
Jan 20, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IBNS) Knowledge of agricultural genetic resources needs to grow more quickly because of the critical role they have to play in feeding the world as climate change advances faster than expected, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Novo Nordisk launches Ryzodeg in India
Jan 20, 2015, at 04:34 am
New Delhi, Jan 19 (IBNS): Novo Nordisk, the global leader in diabetes care, on Monday announced the launch of Ryzodeg for people with type 2 diabetes in India. Ryzodeg is a combination of two distinct insulin analogues (insulin degludec and insulin aspart in the ratio of 70% and 30%), making it the first combination of a basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action and a well-established mealtime insulin in one pen 1,2,3.
PM chairs meeting of the Council on climate change
Jan 20, 2015, at 04:02 am
New Delhi, Jan 19 (IBNS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for a paradigm shift in global attitudes towards climate change, from "carbon credit", towards "green credit".
Chennai baby gets mysterious burns, docs say rare syndrome
Jan 19, 2015, at 08:04 pm
Chennai, Jan 19 (IBNS) In a rare medical condition which causes mysterious burns on body, a baby is being treated by a special team of doctors in a hospital here for 'Spontaneous Human Combustion Syndrome.'
President launches Pulse Polio Immunization programme
Jan 18, 2015, at 04:45 am
New Delhi, Jan 17 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee launched the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme by administering polio drops to children at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday .
International experts, led by UN, kick off Ebola recovery assessment in Sierra Leone
Jan 16, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Jan 16 (IBNS) Spearheaded by the United Nations, a team of international experts has begun an Ebola Recovery Assessment (ERA) mission in Sierra Leone as part of an effort to partner with Governments to address the impact of the virus on affected countries.
Villagers in Mahan empowered as their voices are heard at global stage: Greenpeace
Jan 15, 2015, at 04:43 am
New Delhi, Jan 14 (IBNS): Greenpeace India campaigner, Priya Pillai stuck to her commitment of taking the voices of struggle from Mahan to a global stage and addressed a gathering of British Parliamentarians at the Parliament in London on Wednesday.
A S Kiran Kumar takes over as ISRO chief
Jan 15, 2015, at 12:33 am
Bangalore, Jan 14 (IBNS) A S Kiran Kumar, Distinguished Scientist and Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, assumed the office of the Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday.
Millions of children face 'untold misery' as powerful winter storm sweeps Middle East – UN
Jan 14, 2015, at 04:38 pm
New York, Jan 14 (IBNS)At least seven million internally displaced and refugee children are in desperate need of assistance as bitter winter snows and torrential rains continue to batter the Middle East, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urged on Tuesday.
Green building of Environment Ministry showcased to Ban Ki-moon
Jan 14, 2015, at 04:20 am
New Delhi, Jan 13 (IBNS): Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday met the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the New Paryavarn Bhavan Building.
Karnataka govt signs 5 GW renewable energy MoU with SunEdison
Jan 14, 2015, at 03:54 am
Bangalore, Jan 13 (IBNS): SunEdison, Inc., a leading renewable energy developer and technology provider, on Tuesday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government of Karnataka to develop five gigawatts of renewable energy within the state over the next five years.
World Bank says Ebola puts future prosperity of Liberia, Sierra Leone 'at high risk'
Jan 13, 2015, at 07:14 pm
New York, Jan 13 (IBNS) Job losses and food insecurity are among the far-reaching and persistent socio-economic impacts of Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the results of two new World Bank Group surveys released on Monday.
Five years on, Ban honours Haiti's earthquake victims, looks ahead to brighter future
Jan 13, 2015, at 07:07 pm
New York, Jan 13 (IBNS) Marking the anniversary of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti five years ago on Monday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has paid tribute to the more than 200,000 victims, including 102 United Nations personnel, who perished, and declared that in sorrow, there is the promise of hope that the progress achieved by the Haitian people in the wake of the tragic event could be built upon.
Stepathlon extends support to underprivileged
Jan 13, 2015, at 05:02 am
Bengaluru, Jan 12 (IBNS): Stepathlon, the pedometer based mass participation event, designed to create a global health revolution among corporate professionals, has completed three successful years.
Poachers turn Kaziranga National Park as killing field, two more rhinos dead
Jan 11, 2015, at 08:40 pm
Guwahati, Jan 11 (IBNS): Poachers turned Assam's Kaziranga National Park as killing field while two more rhinos were poached in the world heritage site in past 24 hours.