‘More women and girls in science equals better science’, UN chief declares

‘More women and girls in science equals better science’, UN chief declares

That’s the message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, who appealed for concrete action to increase their ranks.  Diversity and fresh perspectives  “On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight a simple equation: More women and girls in science equals better…

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Slamming ‘big formula milk companies’, WHO scientist calls for swift clampdown to protect nursing mothers

Slamming ‘big formula milk companies’, WHO scientist calls for swift clampdown to protect nursing mothers

“This new research highlights the vast economic and political power of the big formula milk companies, as well as serious public policy failures that prevent millions of women from breastfeeding their children,” said Nigel Rollins, one of the authors of a series on the $55 billion-a-year industry and their marketing “playbooks”, published in the peer-reviewed…

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UN ‘blueprint’ to protect least developed nations amid global slowdown

UN ‘blueprint’ to protect least developed nations amid global slowdown

The Doha Programme of Action, as it’s formally known, has been designed as a roadmap up to 2031, to foster strengthened commitments between the least developed countries and their development partners. “The world is reeling under the cascading impacts of complex, interlocking challenges and structural limitations and constrained fiscal capabilities make least developed countries the…

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‘Act decisively before it is too late’, Guterres warns countries, laying out his priorities for 2023

‘Act decisively before it is too late’, Guterres warns countries, laying out his priorities for 2023

Addressing the General Assembly in New York, he appealed for urgent action now to achieve peace, economic rights and development, climate action, respect for diversity, and inclusive societies – both today and for generations to come.  Before unfolding his 2023 roadmap, the Secretary-General extended condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating earthquakes…

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Pope Francis in DR Congo: WFP highlights Africa’s biggest hunger crisis

Pope Francis in DR Congo: WFP highlights Africa’s biggest hunger crisis

Millions of Congolese face severe food insecurity, particularly in the northeast, where fighting has uprooted millions of people. As part of his three-day DRC visit, the Pope is expected to meet families displaced by conflict in the east.  This staggering number includes more than half a million uprooted from their homes in recent months, the UN…

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Climate change: WMO unveils plans for sustainable monitoring of greenhouse gases

Climate change: WMO unveils plans for sustainable monitoring of greenhouse gases

The WMO initiative would create a network of ground-based measurement stations that can verify worrying air quality data that’s been flagged by satellites or airplanes, potentially in the next five years. “At present, there is no comprehensive, timely international exchange of surface and space-based greenhouse gas observations,” the UN agency said, as it urged “improved (international) collaboration” and…

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Mali: Independent rights experts call for probe into Wagner Group’s alleged crimes

Mali: Independent rights experts call for probe into Wagner Group’s alleged crimes

The rights experts – who include the UN Working Group on Mercenaries – said that a “climate of terror and complete impunity” has surrounded Wagner’s activities in the northwest African country. Systematic killings “We are particularly worried by credible reports that over the course of several days in late March 2022, Malian armed forces accompanied…

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Saudi Arabia a strategic partner in UN support for Palestine refugees, amid concern over escalating violence

Saudi Arabia a strategic partner in UN support for Palestine refugees, amid concern over escalating violence

In a first since 2020, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini visited Saudi Arabia on 28 and 29 January at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   Longtime Saudi solidarity with Palestine refugees topped the agenda of his talks with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Waleed ElKhereji, and the Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian…

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