Philippines: UN relief official in funding appeal for displaced in Mindanao Heavy rains in the Philippines in June 2011 left scores of homes like this one in Cortabato City, Mindanao, inundated with water A senior United Nations relief official today called for a surge in financial support to provide humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands […]

Corruption leading to unequal access, use and distribution of land – UN report Corruption caused by weak governance is leading to unequal land distribution and poor resource management, according to a United Nations report released today, which argues that this lack of transparency is undermining social stability, investment and growth in developing countries. Weak land […]

Less Medication Effective for Wheezing Preschoolers Children with recurrent wheezing who are in danger of developing asthma fared no better taking daily low doses of inhaled corticosteroid than taking higher doses only as needed. The children given treatment only as needed received far less total medication during the yearlong study. Asthma affects nearly 7 million […]

Prenatal Steroids Reduce Brain Injury in Preemies Some of the tiniest premature babies are more likely to survive and have less brain injury if their mothers receive prenatal steroids. The finding provides the first strong evidence that steroids can benefit preemies born as early as the 23rd week of pregnancy. Preterm babies are born before […]

Antibodies Protect Against HIV in Mice Researchers have devised a gene transfer technique in mice that, with a single injection, protects the immune cells that HIV targets. With further development, the approach may prove effective at helping to prevent HIV infection in people. Most vaccines work by triggering the immune system to produce antibodies to […]

Ban urges Alliance of Civilizations to fight extremism, promote tolerance Museum of Islamic Arts, Doha Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged members of the Alliance of Civilizations today to combat extremism and promote tolerance at a time when universal values are being tested in many parts of the world, particularly in countries undergoing political transitions.“Again and again, we […]

Secretary-General welcomes climate change deal reached at UN conference in Durban The United Nations Climate Change Conference, Durban 2011 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today the set of decisions reached by countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, saying they represent a significant agreement that will define how the international community will […]

Human Rights Day 2011 This year, millions of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights. Social media helped activists organize peaceful protest […]

The plight of adolescents, worldwide Conference reminds listeners of need to safeguard rights of the young Photos by Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer/UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said that a nation’s economic progress alone won’t necessarily help the more than 1 billion children and adolescents living in poverty around the world. Focusing on fulfilling the human […]

Ban calls on youth to act now to ensure planet’s sustainable future Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today on young people to help combat the multiple threats faced by the planet such as climate change and environmental destruction, to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. “We have only this Earth, and it […]