UN book highlights benefits of Amazon plants and foods to improve livelihoods Amazon Rainforest A United Nations book released today aims to provide people in the developing world with accessible knowledge of Amazon plants and foods they can use to improve their livelihoods. The book, Fruit Trees and Useful Plants in Amazonian Life, is written in easy-to-grasp language […]

UN reports improved access to safe drinking water, but poorest still lagging The internationally stated goal of improving access to safe drinking water across the globe is likely to be achieved well ahead of the 2015 deadline, but large numbers of people in the world’s least developed regions will still not benefit, according to a […]

Philippines: UN agencies boost relief effort for storm survivors as death toll rises Residents of Mindanao, Philippines, survey damage caused by tropical storm Washi United Nations agencies stepped up relief efforts in the Philippines today to help survivors of tropical storm Washi, which the country’s authorities say has killed nearly 1,000 people and left hundreds […]

To Grandmother’s (Dangerous?) House We Go Later this week, holiday travels will draw families together for sumptuous feasts, giggles, gift exchanges and more. And with so many loved ones milling about – crowding kitchens, sipping wine and getting caught up in the holiday cheer – it’s not uncommon the littlest guests to sneak off and find […]

UN rights chief welcomes new measure to stop violence against children High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay The United Nations rights chief today added her voice to the chorus of UN officials welcoming the decision by Member States to adopt a new protocol aimed at protecting children from abuse and violence. The Optional Protocol […]

UN welcomes move enabling Arab League monitors to visit Syria Syrian women protesting in May 2011 The United Nations said today it is encouraged by the signing of a protocol paving the way for monitors from the League of Arab States to go to Syria as part of efforts to end the violence that began […]

UN envoy welcomes new measure to stop violence against children Special Representative on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre A United Nations envoy dealing with children’s rights today hailed the decision of Member States to adopt a new protocol aimed at protecting children from abuse and violence. The new protocol to the Convention on […]

General Assembly urges Syria to implement Arab League plan to end violence United Nations Member States today called on Syrian authorities to immediately implement the plan of action proposed by the League of Arab States to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the country since a public uprising began near the start of the year. […]

Use, abuse of Internet pharmacies Study finds physicians need increased awareness “Abuse of medications purchased from websites can pose unique challenges to physicians because patients who abuse these medications may not fit clinical stereotypes of drug abusers,” said lead author of the article Anupam B. Jena, a clinical fellow in medicine at Harvard Medical School. / […]

Philippines: UN officials mourn victims of storm tragedy A woman salvages belongings from her ruined village in Mindanao, Philippines, after Tropical Storm Washi struck on 16 December 2011 United Nations officials today sent their sympathies to the people of the Philippines after a tropical storm slammed the south of the country at the weekend, causing […]