A series of bombings across Iraq on Wednesday has been described by the top United Nations envoy in the country as "despicable". More than 80 people are reported to have been killed and nearly 300 others injured in the attacks. In the capital Baghdad alone, there were ten explosions which killed many Shia pilgrims who [...]
The World Food Programme (WFP) says it needs $54 million to continue its programmes to help fight hunger in Haiti. WFP Executive Director, Ertharin Cousin, concluded a three-day visit to the Caribbean country on Wednesday. During her first visit to Haiti, she met with some of the children who receive a hot meal a day [...]
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil final negotiations are underway for the outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, known as Rio+20. The coming days are crucial because heads of state are expected to sign that document during the conference which runs from 20 – 22 June. Some of the sticking points include common [...]
International agencies are being urged to support African countries in their efforts to set standards to protect workers. The appeal has come from Mildred Oliphant, the Minister of Labour of South Africa, who spoke at the conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva on Wednesday. She said that her own country is grappling [...]
The outlook for cereal production worldwide is optimistic, but certain regions of the world are still at risk for hunger according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO. The Crop Prospects and Food Situation report forecasts a 3.2% increase in world cereal production this year, compared to 2011. It also expects a drop in [...]
African countries are being encouraged to adopt policies that promote sustainable development as they restructure to promote industrialization. A report issued by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Wednesday says Africa needs to use its abundant natural resources more efficiently. Taffere Tesfachew, Director of the Africa division of UNCTAD tells Patrick Maigua [...]
There can be no sustainable future without sustainable peace, says United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In his message marking the start of the 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace, Mr. Ban says that armed conflicts attack the very pillars of development. Charles Appel reports. The International Day of Peace is observed on 21 [...]
Fighting between Sudanese forces and rebels in the Nuba Mountains has forced thousands of Sudanese refugees to flee to South Sudan. According to the United Nations Refugee agency (UNHCR), the refugees are sheltering at the Yida camp whose population has swollen to more than 35,000. Many of the refugees at the camp fled their homes [...]
Global cereal production is expected to reach record 2.4 billion tonnes during 2012 on the back of a bumper maize harvest in the United States according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). In its latest global food situation report, FAO says this year's global cereals production will be 3.2 per cent higher than [...]
A new report released on Wednesday urges African countries to use their natural resources in a sustainable manner to modernize their economies. The report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says Africa should adopt policies that promote economic growth to raise living standards and protect the environment. It says African governments should [...]
Delegates are arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. On Wednesday they are starting the final round of negotiations ahead of the conference, known as Rio+20, which runs from 20-22 June. Meanwhile, hundreds of side events are taking place before the official start as preparations continue at [...]
Negotiations are in the final days for the outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, known as Rio+20. Heads of state are expected to sign the document during the conference which runs from 20 – 22 June. Dianne Penn is in Rio de Janeiro and filed this report. While government representatives prepare to [...]
Exposure to diesel exhaust fumes causes lung cancer in humans, according to the World health Organization(WHO). Studies conducted on groups such as underground miners, railway workers and truck drivers who were exposed to fumes from diesel engines showed an increased risk of death from lung cancer. A panel of experts from WHO's International Agency for [...]
