General News

Nuclear technology is playing its role in the management of valuable water resources along the River Nile in Africa.

The Nile River Basin is an expansive area of groundwater found around the river itself, covering some 3.2 million square kilometers.

Eleven countries depend on this groundwater, so the way it is managed is extremely important

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is using nuclear and isotopic techniques to see how and where the water in the basin is flowing.

Each year, pollution kills almost nine million people worldwide, mostly in developing countries.

That’s according to the World Bank which is backing a new campaign called ‘”Pollution Management and Environmental Health”.

The campaign aims to support affected countries to significantly reduce air, land and water pollution levels through pollution management planning and investments to improve health.

Camille Funnell reports on the progress from Bangkok, Thailand and Santiago, Chile.

Duration: 2’38”

One month after a massive earthquake devastated Nepal, the international community is “running against the clock” to deliver aid to remote communities, the UN has said.

More than 8000 people were killed in the tremor on April 25.

There was also widespread damage to the country’s infrastructure.

Monsoon rains which are due to arrive in the coming weeks will complicate the delivery of relief supplies.

Ana Carmo has been speaking to Jamie McGoldrick, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal.

Duration: 4'28" [early out: 2'32"]

African countries need to look at how they can grow local economies to prepare for a booming population.

That’s according to Africa Economic Outlook report released on Monday by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.

As the population of the continent is set to triple by 2050, the report says increased economic activity is vital to boost people’s standard of living and make the continent more competitive.

Highlighting the impact of decisions reached in Geneva is the aim of a cookbook with a difference that’s been concocted by Michael Moller, Director-General, ad interim of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The book "Recipes For Peace, Rights & Wellbeing" has contributions from 60 UN agencies and partners in the Swiss city.

Among genuine recipes from acclaimed chefs, the edition also offers up dishes including “ethical fashion” and “a fairer, more secure world”.

Daniel Johnson has more.

Duration: 3'12"

Combating online fraud which costs at least US$3.5 billion a year is the task facing UN and industry experts participating in a global forum beginning Monday.

Up to 90 per cent of the world's electronic waste, worth nearly US $19 billion, is illegally traded or dumped each year.

That’s according to a report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Ghana and Nigeria are among the key destinations in Africa for large-scale shipments of obsolete computers and other hardware.

Cathrine Hasselberg has been speaking with Christian Nellemann from GRID, a centre in Norway working with the UN on the issue.

Asia has, for the first time, become the region which has invested more in other countries than the world’s most developed regional economic blocs.

That’s according to the agency dealing with trade, investment, and development issues at the United Nations, UNCTAD.

It says Asia invested US$440 billion in other regions compared to US$390 billion in North America and US$286 billion in Europe.

The Asian investments are largely going into acquiring assets in developed countries.

Around 60,000 women and girls in the developing world have benefitted from a programme initiated by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA to treat obstetric fistula.

Obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder that is caused by prolonged obstructed labour.

It leaves the woman incontinent and unable to control the flow of urine or feces or both.

Myanmar’s decision to take in more than 200 boat migrants has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency which on Friday called for further action to rescue more than 3,500 people still stranded at sea.

UNHCR described Myanmar’s initiative to shelter sea migrants floating off its coastline near Rakhine State as a helpful initial move.

The agency also welcomed the recent joint declaration by ministers from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia that their countries would provide temporary aid to sea migrants.