300 million children living in areas with worst air pollution Approximately 300 million children, or one in seven youngsters globally, are living in areas of the world with the most toxic levels of outdoor air pollution, according to a report by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Air pollution is linked to pneumonia and other respiratory [...]

Additional action to slowdown global warming is needed at all levels of society, to avoid climate "disaster". That's according to Shereen Zorba, Global Head of Science-Policy networks at the UN Environment Programme, UNEP. She was speaking at the launch of UNEP's annual Emissions Gap report, which shows that unless more action is taken to bolster [...]

A "forgotten population" of refugees from across Africa is living in limbo in Egypt according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). People who have fled turmoil and conflict in countries like Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan, and who are hoping to reach Europe are getting stranded in Egypt, whilst waiting to be certified as asylum seekers. [...]

Greener or more environmentally-friendly airplanes can bring benefits to nature and society and help reduce poverty; that's according to Nancy Young, an aviation expert appointed by the UN Secretary-General to provide recommendations on sustainable transport. The UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is hoping to achieve carbon neutrality within the industry by 2020 by "moving [...]

  Funding shortfall for winter assistance programme in Iraq A US$120 million programme to provide essential winter items to displaced people in Iraq and Syrian refugees in the country is only half-funded, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported. UNHCR said the assistance will be critical for people displaced from Mosul, where a military campaign [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Matthew Wells and Dianne Penn. In today's programme: rebel groups holding sway in eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are still "a growing threat" the region's envoy tells the Security Council… And, we hear why so many journalists continue [...]

Media workers in Afghanistan "self-censor" their work due to a lack of safety according to a senior Afghan journalist speaking on the UN's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Deadly threats are commonplace in the South Asian country, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a [...]

Protecting Afghan civilians means protecting journalists too and monitoring their safety, according to the deputy head of the UN Mission in the country (UNAMA). Pernille Dahler Kardel, was speaking on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, marked each 2 November, and said it was time for the government to follow through [...]

A "moment now of hope" has arrived in the Central African Republic (CAR) which could represent a new era of reconciliation and development. That's the view of UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, speaking in the capital of CAR, Bangui, shortly after meeting the country's new president, Faustin-Archange TouadĂŠra. Three years of fighting between Christian and [...]

Armed groups in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to be a "growing threat" to the peace and stability of the entire region. That's according to the UN Special Envoy for Africa's Great Lakes countries, Said Djinnit, in a report to the Security Council on Wednesday. Matthew Wells reports. Duration: 2’28″