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The specialized cancer agency of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that outdoor air pollution is a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.

The United Nations General Assembly today elected Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2014.

The United Nations food agency today highlighted the quinoa, known as an Andean ‘super food,’ and other underused crops in the fight against hunger.

While there have been several noteworthy successes in the field of disarmament, there are still important areas where greater progress is needed, the President of the General Assembly told the United Nations committee tackling disarmament and international security issues today.

Important steps have been taken recently to help restore constitutional order and stability in Mali, including successful presidential elections, the top United Nations envoy there said today, while noting some key remaining tasks such as addressing security and humanitarian challenges.

United Nations humanitarian agencies are arriving in the central Philippine island of Bohol to assist the Government with the response to a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck yesterday and which has so far affected more than 3 million people.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Sigrid Kaag, of the Netherlands, as Special Coordinator of the joint mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations, which officially began its work today overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical stockpiles and production facilities.

An independent United Nations expert today called on the Togolese Government to ensure a favourable environment in which human rights defenders can carry out their work.

United Nations human rights experts today urged a review of the universally accepted global principles and practices for the treatment of prisoners and management of penitentiary institutions, particularly decrying the use of solitary confinement.

Efficient, well-managed and sustainable food systems are essential to end hunger and malnutrition as well as protect the environment, United Nations officials stressed today, marking World Food Day.