Global

A funeral takes place for a Tolo news agency journalist killed in an attack on 5 September 2018 outside a sports centre in Kabul, Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Political incitement to violence against journalists is ‘toxic’: UN experts

31 October 2018
Human Rights

A group of independent, UN-appointed human rights experts have called on world leaders to stop inciting hatred and violence against the media, citing the hundreds of journalists killed or forcibly detained because of their work, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Plastic bottles and garbage waste from a village in Timor-Leste wash on the shores of a river and then spill into the sea.
UN Photo/Martine Perret

Plastic-busting fungi may help tackle pollution, climate change: UN Environment

31 October 2018
SDGs

When it comes to helping green our world, organic mushrooms from the local market may be just the tip of the iceberg. A new United Nations-backed report reveals that fungi could help ween the world off its plastic addiction, by degrading polyurethane in just a matter of weeks.

Cities in developing countries like Nairobi in Kenya continue to grow rapidly.
UN-Habitat/Julius Mwelu

Weekly migration of 1.4m to cities can contribute to ‘disasters’

30 October 2018
Climate and Environment

The migration of some 1.4 million people every week to cities around the world “can strain local capacities, contributing to increased risk from natural and human made disasters’” according to the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Primary school children study in their classroom (file October 2007)
World Bank/Irina Oleinik

Rich economies not a promise of education equality, new report finds

29 October 2018
Culture and Education

High national wealth does not guarantee equal access to a quality education, a new report released on Tuesday by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) suggests.

At dawn, parents and children cross the road on their way to school in the Songinokhairkhan district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where the air pollution level is the highest in the city.
© UNICEF/Mungunkhishig Batbaatar

More than nine in ten children exposed to deadly air pollution

29 October 2018
Health

Air pollution is “stunting children’s brains” and affecting their health in more ways than was previously suspected, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

Over 37,000 discs with audio recordings of meetings at the United Nations are part of the organization's rich audio heritage.
UN Photo

‘Bring to life’ precious moments caught on film or tape, UN agency urges on World Day

26 October 2018
Culture and Education

Old, grainy film and video footage from years gone by, not only stirs powerful memories – it’s also a vital resource for future generations, the United Nations cultural agency has highlighted, urging everyone to safeguard audio-visual heritage and make archives more accessible.

Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) briefs the Security Council meeting on women and peace and security.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

‘Crippling to our credibility’ that number of women peacekeepers is so low: UN chief

25 October 2018
Peace and Security

Despite greater participation of women in building and sustaining peace and the recognition from all quarters of the value they bring, the realities on the ground show that much more remains to be done, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told Security Council members on Thursday.

Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Oslo leads the way in ‘Breathe Life’ campaign for cleaner cities in climate change era

25 October 2018
Climate and Environment

Norway’s capital Oslo is paving a fossil-free, electrified, path in its push toward improving air quality, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced.  

Baby Kadia was born with an infection that is often deadly to newborns. Without the antibiotics administered to her right after birth, she might have died. Seen here are 4-day-old Kadia, her mother Mariam and nurse Aissata at the infirmary of the Reference Health Centre in Bougouni, Mali. March 2018
© UNICEF/UN0188875/Njiokiktjien

‘Essential step’ towards universal health care made at pivotal UN conference

25 October 2018
Health

United Nations Member States have unanimously vowed to strengthen primary health care, as an “essential step” towards achieving universal health coverage for all.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano delivers his introductory statement to the 1485th Board of Governors Meeting.
IAEA/Dean Calma

UN agency ramps up effort to counter growing nuclear threat from cyberspace

24 October 2018
Peace and Security

As part of its efforts to strengthen nuclear security worldwide, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced on Wednesday that it has developed a training programme designed to protect facilities from the growing threat of cyber-attacks.