News headlines in April 2023, page 6

Some consumers may choose veganism, or a pescatarian diet, but meat, eggs and milk, offer crucial sources of much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from plant-based foods, a new report issued on Tuesday by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization says.

NEW YORK & NAIROBI, Apr 24 (IPS) - The largest external displacement crisis in Latin America’s recent history is unfolding as countries open their borders to an influx of refugees from Venezuela following unprecedented political turmoil, socio-economic instability, and a humanitarian crisis.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Apr 24 (IPS) - For centuries, malaria has remained one of the deadliest diseases, inflicting great suffering on families and perpetuating the cycle of poverty in many communities and nations. The African region currently accounts for 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths globallywith women and girls disproportionately affected by the disease.

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 24 (IPS) - The United Nations has warned that the February 2022 Rusian invasion of Ukraine has threatened to force up to 1.7 billion people — over one-fifth of humanity — into poverty, destitution and hunger.

Long before the war, Ukraine and Russia provided about 30 per cent of the world’s wheat and barley, one-fifth of its maize, and over half of its sunflower oil. But the ongoing 14th-month-old war has undermined-- and cut-off-- most of these supplies.

India is about to surpass China as the world’s most populous nation in the coming days, the UN population data chief told reporters on Monday.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a major call at a UN forum to find new ways to harness data today, to shape a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow, for all people and the planet.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of children to miss out on routine vaccines and countries must act now to restore essential immunization coverage to a least 2019 levels, UN health agency WHO said on Monday, marking the start of World Immunization Week.

The world’s multilateral system is under greater strain than at any time since the creation of the United Nations, requiring swift action to “do better, faster” in using the UN Charter and existing tools to forge greater security and prosperity for all, the Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday, which marks the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

The UN Secretary-General on Monday welcomed the temporary relocation of hundreds of staff members and their families from the Sudanese capital Khartoum, amid the continuing intense fighting between rival military factions which has now entered its second week.

Young people are valuable agents of change and around the world they are taking matters into their own hands and championing innovative solutions to accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).