New guidance to protect children from ‘aggressive’ food marketing

New guidance to protect children from ‘aggressive’ food marketing

“Aggressive and pervasive marketing of foods and beverages high in fats, sugars, and salt to children is responsible for unhealthy dietary choices,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of the UN health agency’s Department of Nutrition and Food Safety. “Calls to responsible marketing practices have not had a meaningful impact.” As such, he said governments should…

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At Caribbean Summit, UN chief calls for climate action, debt relief, and urgent aid for Haiti

At Caribbean Summit, UN chief calls for climate action, debt relief, and urgent aid for Haiti

Haiti The security situation in Haiti “is appalling,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, recalling his recent visit to the fragile nation. He called for swift action at a time when the humanitarian needs are “soaring”. And although “there is not yet the political solution in sight”, the UN chief expressed hope and optimism. “It is…

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First Person: A Thai police trainer’s ‘passion’ for fighting the SE Asia drug trade

First Person: A Thai police trainer’s ‘passion’ for fighting the SE Asia drug trade

The trainee police officers are part of a network of law enforcement specialists in Thailand, but also across the region, who are cooperating across borders to stem trafficking operations by international crime syndicates. They are collaborating under the border liaison office (BLO) network, supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Lt. Colonel…

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‘Generations of Haitians’ at risk, warns Guterres, calling for international force to help quell gang violence

‘Generations of Haitians’ at risk, warns Guterres, calling for international force to help quell gang violence

The UN chief expressed deep concern at the extreme vulnerability faced by the Haitian people – especially women and girls – because of brutally violent and “predatory” armed gangs, like those encircling the capital, blocking main roads and controlling access to water, food, health care.  “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the widespread sexual violence…

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Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Speaking to the Council’s annual meeting in Geneva on protecting the rights of women and girls, the UN High Commissioner said it was an urgent task, and there needed to be zero-tolerance of gender-based violence.  He highlighted the alarming reality that female human rights defenders, women journalists, and those in public office and political decision-making…

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UN Security Council terminates Mali peacekeeping mission

UN Security Council terminates Mali peacekeeping mission

Security Council members reiterated strong support for the full withdrawal of the decade-old UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the transfer of security responsibilities to the country’s transitional Government, which has been in power since a coup in 2021. Commending the peacekeeping operation and its staff, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the…

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Pride Month: UN’s transgender rights campaign goes global

Pride Month: UN’s transgender rights campaign goes global

“If we want a healthy world, then it needs to be a kind and welcoming one too,” said Benedict Phillips, the UNAIDS Director of Communications and Global Advocacy. That means ensuring all communities are included, especially marginalized groups, he said. However, in many countries, stigma, discrimination, and criminalization tend to make transgender people invisible, with extreme…

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