Guterres calls for end to digital divide, stressing ‘tremendous opportunities’ ahead

  That’s the message from UN chief António Guterres ahead of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Thursday. Mr. Guterres insisted on the need to confront technology’s perils, including the amplification of economic inequalities, the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation, as well as the lack of governance and unchecked development of artificial intelligence, … Read more

UN marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

  Mentioning this year’s theme in a statement to mark the day, Together Always: United in Diversity, the UN chief called on leaders ‘to speak with one voice” to eliminate stigma and discrimination, that result in sometimes deadly attacks targeting LGBTQI+ communities. The Secretary-General showed his deep concern over the levels of violence directed towards … Read more

Untested AI-based tools could harm patients, WHO warns

  Cautionary measures normally applied to any new technology are not being exercised consistently with regard to large language model (LLM) tools, which use AI for crunching data, creating content, and answering questions, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned. “Precipitous adoption of untested systems could lead to errors by healthcare workers, cause harm to patients, … Read more

New UN ‘roadmap’ shows how to drastically slash plastic pollution

  “The way we produce, use, and dispose of plastics is polluting ecosystems, creating risks for human health and destabilizing the climate,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. ‘Roadmap’ to slash plastic pollution “This UNEP report lays out a roadmap to dramatically reduce these risks through adopting a circular approach that keeps plastics out of … Read more

UN marks 75 years since displacement of 700,000 Palestinians

  The mass displacement in 1948, known as the Nakba (meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic), has an importance to Palestinians across the world, said Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, addressing a high-level event at UN Headquarters in New York, marking the day. ‘The occupation must end’ “The legacy of the event lives on, … Read more

Ukraine: Imperative to ‘explore all options’ to reach civilians – UN relief chief

  Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that it was “imperative that we explore all options to reach civilians”, stressing that all parties to the fighting must allow and facilitate the “rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief”. “I urge the parties to strengthen facilitation efforts so we can reach all civilians in need”, he said. … Read more

In Jamaica, Guterres pledges solidarity and outlines ‘moral, power and practical’ barriers to development

  “We are determined to do our best to correct it and this is the reason of my visit”, Secretary-General António Guterres said at a joint press conference, with the Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness. Mr. Guterres also said they had discussed the “tragic situation” in Haiti, that was one of the biggest political challenges facing … Read more

WHO advises against use of artificial sweeteners

  New guidelines from the UN health agency released on Monday have advised against using non-sugar sweeteners (NSS). The recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) is based on a review of available evidence which suggests that artificial sweeteners do not help control body mass or reduce the risk of weight-related illnesses. Common NSS include acesulfame … Read more