World News in Brief: Progress on transfats, Ukraine war update, General Assembly President in China

World News in Brief: Progress on transfats, Ukraine war update, General Assembly President in China

Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand have received the first-ever WHO certificates for demonstrating that they have a best practice policy for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) elimination in effect, supported by adequate monitoring and enforcement systems. Trans fats are industrially produced or naturally occurring, and both are linked to an increased risk of…

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‘Genuine progress’ towards political solution, essential to end war in Syria: UN envoy

‘Genuine progress’ towards political solution, essential to end war in Syria: UN envoy

Briefing ambassadors at the Security Council, Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, noted that though there have been some diplomatic breakthroughs none led to tangible changes on the ground for civilians. He also raised the alarm over the impact on the region of the devastating Israel-Palestine crisis. On top of killings, injuries, displacement, abduction…

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World News in Brief: Kyiv under attack, Sudan peace talks, progress on hunger in Europe

World News in Brief: Kyiv under attack, Sudan peace talks, progress on hunger in Europe

That’s according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing reporters in New York who said critical infrastructure in at least four of the capital’s 10 districts have been damaged, including homes, a hospital and a kindergarten. “Water and electricity systems were also hit, but authorities managed to quickly restore these vital supplies”, he added, quoting UN humanitarians…

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Incoming General Assembly President to prioritize ‘Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability’

Incoming General Assembly President to prioritize ‘Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability’

Ambassador Dennis Francis – who has had a nearly 40-year-career – will take the helm of the UN’s main policy-making body, starting in September.  He was elected by acclamation during a ceremony in the iconic General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York.  Promoting meaningful dialogue  The General Assembly consists of all 193 UN…

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