COVID-19: WHO designates JN.1 ‘variant of interest’ amid sharp rise in global spread

COVID-19: WHO designates JN.1 ‘variant of interest’ amid sharp rise in global spread

Though its current evaluation of the global public health risk is “low”, the UN health agency cautioned that with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the new variant “could increase” the burden of respiratory infections in many countries, noting other diseases such as RSV, influenza and childhood pneumonia that are already on the…

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World News in Brief: Abused Afghan women face prison, UNICEF global alert, deadly mpox resurfaces in DRC

World News in Brief: Abused Afghan women face prison, UNICEF global alert, deadly mpox resurfaces in DRC

That’s just one of the shocking findings of a new report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which found that instead of filing a formal complaint, many survivors prefer seeking redress through “traditional dispute resolution mechanisms” within the community for fear of the de facto authorities – including “fear of revictimization”. The report says…

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Global Refugee Forum ends with bold pledges, solutions for displaced

Global Refugee Forum ends with bold pledges, solutions for displaced

Speaking at the closing of the Global Refugee Forum, the Secretary-General said that protection and help for these most vulnerable of people, was “an obligation shared by all of humanity”.  He was speaking after three days of intensive activity geared to finding solutions and building partnerships, which saw pledges from multiple stakeholders that have the potential…

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Global Refugee Forum opens amid ‘crisis of humanity’

Global Refugee Forum opens amid ‘crisis of humanity’

The world’s largest gathering dedicated to refugee issues, the Forum is co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland and convened by Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda. It brings together Member States, civil society, financial institutions, private companies and more than 300 refugee advocates. Shattered dreams, disrupted lives Setting the tone for the discussion, Mr. Grandi said…

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World News in Brief: UN anti-corruption conference, global hunger ‘set to soar’, healthy diets unaffordable in Asia-Pacific

World News in Brief: UN anti-corruption conference, global hunger ‘set to soar’, healthy diets unaffordable in Asia-Pacific

This year, the anti-corruption conference, as the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) is popularly known, marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark Convention. “Corruption not only robs resources, it robs people of hope,” Mr. Guterres said in a video message, urging all Parties to use this opportunity to strengthen international cooperation to prevent, detect,…

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Better data on corruption can reduce its impact, support sustainable development

Explainer: How the UN is promoting a ‘global commitment to fight corruption’

The Executive Director of UNODC, Ghada Waly, was speaking ahead of what she describes as a “milestone” meeting taking place in Atlanta in the United States which will discuss how to improve international cooperation and to better prevent and tackle corruption.   It’s widely accepted that corruption diverts crucial resources, hampers essential services, enables organized crime, and deepens inequalities and grievances. As the UN marks International Anti-Corruption…

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Global cooperation critical to combat transnational organized crime

Global cooperation critical to combat transnational organized crime

António Guterres urged countries to strengthen cooperation, the rule of law and prevention efforts against this “vicious threat to peace, security, and sustainable development” that operates everywhere, including cyberspace – “a virtual El Dorado for criminals.” Different crimes, same outcomes Transnational organized crime is a multi-billion-dollar industry that encompasses illicit financial flows, the illicit trade…

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Global agrifood systems are the climate solution, new FAO report highlights 

Global agrifood systems are the climate solution, new FAO report highlights 

The current climate crisis is affecting the world’s capacity to produce sufficient food. Its multiple impacts on water, soil, biodiversity, as well as the frequency of extreme weather events are leading to increased food insecurity. These effects diminish crop yields, livestock productivity, and the potential of fisheries and aquaculture as food producers, according to the report….

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