Countries should pay attention to the most vulnerable: Tedros Ghebreyesus
He said, more than 3.5 million cases of Covid-19 and almost 250,000 deaths have now been reported to WHO.
335 passengers with travel history to COVID-19 affected countries untraceable: Punjab govt
Americans Have Worse Health Than People in Other High-Income Countries - Health Disadvantage Is Pervasive Across Age and Socio-Economic Groups
On average, Americans die sooner and experience higher rates of disease and injury than people in other high-income countries, says a new report from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.
Up to 8 Million Deaths Occur in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Yearly Due to Poor-Quality Health Care, Says New Report
Recent gains against the burden of illness, injury, and disability and commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) are insufficient to close the enormous gaps that remain between what is achievable in human health and where global health stands today, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific vulnerable to Zika virus, new study finds
Parts of Africa and the Asia-Pacific region may be vulnerable to outbreaks of the Zika virus, including some of the world's most populous countries and many with limited resources to identify and respond to the mosquito-borne disease, a new study says.
E-waste in developing countries needs careful management
Rapidly rising sales of electronic goods could cause huge amounts of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) to build up in developing countries over the next 10 years, a new study has concluded. Prompt action is needed to ensure e-waste is properly managed in emerging economies to protect the environment and human health.
Realistic renewable energy exceeds 2070 electricity needs in most countries
Wind and solar energy are effectively limitless resources, but construction of renewable power must compete for a finite amount of land. This study uses a constrained assessment of available land to see whether global energy demand could be fully met by renewable sources. The analysis predicts that by 2070, the world could produce between 730 and 3700 exajoules of electricity per year (EJ/a1) from renewable power, which, even at lowest available land estimates, could meet 2070 electricity needs in most countries.
Climate adaptation: Can vulnerable countries cope with the costs of extreme weather?
Following extreme weather events, many countries are unable to afford the costs of providing relief to communities and repairing infrastructure, a new study suggests. The researchers estimate that providing relief on a global scale for events which recur every 10 to 50 years would cost US$3.3 billion (€2.37 billion) annually.
Mediterranean countries use more natural resources than their ecosystems provide
In the Mediterranean region the demand for natural resources and ecological services is two and half times greater than ecosystems’ capacity to provide them, recent research has found. To meet this demand, countries rely on imports, exposing themselves to price volatility and potential resource shortages. According to the authors, a 10% increase in global prices would particularly impact vulnerable countries such as Jordan, which would see its trade balance worsening by 2.4% of its gross domestic product.
Nordic countries demonstrate the potential of low-carbon energy policies
How are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden moving towards renewable and lower-carbon energy use? A recent study suggests the key areas for progress, to ensure Nordic countries meet low carbon goals, include more renewable and decentralised electricity supply, the development of low-carbon transport systems, improved energy efficiency in building design and industrial use of carbon capture and storage.
Effects of international wood trade on forests: wealthier countries benefit
International trade in wood and wood products affects forest stocks around the world. A recent study examines the relationship between changes in forest cover and international timber trade at global level. If finds that some wealthier nations with low population density can maintain forest areas while exporting wood; but other, usually poorer, nations, are losing forests through domestic and global demand for wood.
Urgent need to reduce vulnerability in least developed countries
Vulnerability to climate change is likely to rise faster in the least developed countries over the next two decades than it will do in the three decades after 2030, according to a new study. Researchers suggest that this signifies an imminent need for greater international financial assistance.
Assessing the impact of land use policies in developing countries
Researchers have developed a new framework to assess the impact of land use policies on sustainable development in developing countries. The framework integrates environmental, economic, social and institutional impacts through the use of multiple influences and indicators identified by a range of stakeholders.
Policy transfer must occur within, as well as between, countries
New research has investigated the possibility of transferring policy between EU Member States. It studied the outcomes of an EU-funded project that aimed to integrate land use planning and transport management across Europe, and identified barriers to transfer, which included language, differing planning traditions and difficulties in systematically adopting a policy across a nation. The study also highlights a role for EU projects in beginning the process of policy transfer.
Energy efficiency measures in some EU countries could be backfiring
Policy efforts to decrease energy consumption by improving efficiency may be lessened by rebound effects. New research on household energy consumption indicates just under half EU countries (plus Norway) have rebound effects above 50%, and six are over 100% which means the efforts to increase efficiency backfire, i.e. they increase, rather than reduce, overall household energy consumption. There is a need to think critically about a policy response to the rebound effect and gain a better understanding of why it occurs.
Importing goods from sustainable production countries could lower EU’s environmental footprint
A new study has analysed how to reduce the environmental footprint of EU trade by preferentially importing goods from countries that have greener production processes. The study concludes that the environmental impacts of 200 product groups imported into the EU could be considerably reduced in this way. For example, water consumption caused by these imports could be cut by 72%, and land use by 65%.
Implementing the EU Water Framework Directive — lack of evidence for Eastern European countries
A recent study has analysed research on implementing the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Europe and identified a number of research gaps that could be filled. For example, some countries, such as Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, have not been well studied and more research on the experiences of such countries would build up knowledge on the implementation of the WFD across Europe.
Invasive-species import risk is higher from countries with poor regulation and political instability
The risk of alien species introduction via trade in plants is higher if the plants are from poorly regulated countries with high forest cover, calculates a recent study. For introductions via the vehicle and timber trades, the risk is higher if the exporting country is politically unstable. These findings could help border controls focus their surveillance efforts on imports from countries with risky socioeconomic profiles.
To meet increasing energy demands, by 2050 the UK and Turkey will need to import metals from other countries
Energy demand is on the rise globally, and this is predicted to continue in coming decades. Increasing energy production to meet this demand requires materials — both metals and non-metal minerals — from a number of countries. As some materials are in short supply, it is important to consider material dependency and availability when developing national energy plans for the future. This study is the first to address material dependency effects on a nation’s energy development plans, with the UK and Turkey as case studies.
EU pesticide standards promote safer farming in developing countries
EU pesticide regulations have encouraged farmers in developing countries to adopt alternative pest management practices and employ safer means of handling pesticides, according to a recent study which investigated green bean farming in Kenya.
Post-communist countries may struggle more with Natura 2000 implementation
Natura 2000 sites may not be adequately protected in Eastern Europe, according to a recent publication. Researchers in the Czech Republic found that, despite being designated as a Natura 2000 site, environmentally damaging activities continued in the Šumava National Park. They recommend that good environmental education is needed to help post-communist countries implement Natura 2000 and better recognise its value and importance.
Effective guidelines needed for GM crops in developing countries
A new analysis calls for clear policy guidelines to be adopted in developing countries to direct the development of genetically modified crops which could help contribute to greater food security in developing countries.
7 countries battling water issues
Here are 7 images of countries from space and the water concern that each nation faces.
Best countries to be a mom
How 7 other countries celebrate Mother's Day
The U.S. tradition began in 1911, but many other cultures offer their own twist on the Mother's Day theme. Mexico's celebration in particular looks like fun.
What are these countries best known for?
Due to history or legend, most countries are known for contributing something specific to the world. How many do you know?
Malaysia is sending trash back to the countries that created it
Bill Gates predicts there will be few poor countries in 6 years
Bill and Melinda Gates outline global-aid myths: poor countries will always be poor, foreign aid is a waste, and saving lives will lead to overpopulation.
U.N. wants to help countries banish incandescent bulbs once and for all
Model guidelines from the U.N. for energy-efficient light bulbs aid developing nations in smoothly transitioning from incandescents to LEDs.
2 in 3 kids are born in countries where dads don't get paid leave
92 countries lack a national policy that grants fathers paid paternity leave, including the United States.
5 unexpected countries that are leading the way on renewable energy
Renewable energy has made great strides in the U.S. recently. But if you take a look around the globe, you'll find equally encouraging signs.
In oil-producing countries, low oil prices can be a boost to renewable energy
Do the math: If you're making less money on exports, you need to export more and use less oil close to home.
Which countries produce the most CO2?
The U.S. and China are forming an uneasy alliance as the world warms and a U.N. climate conference looms.
117 Indians died for every billion USD remitted from gulf countries: CHRI
‘Talwalkars to be Snap Fitness franchisees in 6 Asian countries outside India’
The affordable gyms under Talwalkar-Snap Fitness tieup to open first in Singapore and Malaysia.
How The U.S. Compares With Other Countries In Deaths From Gun Violence
Editor's note: This is an updated version of a story that was published on Nov. 9, 2018. The United States has the 28th-highest rate of deaths from gun violence in the world: 4.43 deaths per 100,000 people in 2017 — far greater than what is seen in other wealthy countries. On a state-by-state calculation, the rates can be even higher. In the District of Columbia, the rate is 16.34 per 100,000 — the highest in the United States. In Louisiana, the rate is 10.68 per 100,000. In Texas and Ohio — the scene of two mass shootings at the beginning of August — the rates are close to the national average: 4.74 per 100,000 in Texas and 4.60 in Ohio. And the national rate of gun violence in the U.S. is higher than in many low-income countries. Those findings are part of the latest version of an annual report on gun violence from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation , which tracks lives lost in every country, in every year, by every possible cause of death. The
CAC 40 Rallies As Countries Ease Lockdowns
French stocks rallied on Tuesday after Italy, Spain and France have all recorded their lowest daily spike in fatalities to date.
European Stocks Close Higher As Countries Relax Shutdown Restrictions
European markets ended with strong gains on Tuesday despite weak economic data, as investors made positive moves reacting to news that several countries across Europe have lifted restrictions that were in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Low-income countries, health systems and pandemic response
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank play a key role in aiding low- and middle-income countries during a pandemic.
Musicians From 3 Countries Collaborate To Revive A 100-year-old Story From The Tea Gardens Of India
Karen Weed's Assam Skies Brings Together Artists, Musicians And Actors From Around The Globe. The Song Is Set To Release On Sept 25.
PAHO Urges Countries To Maintain Vaccination
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization [PAHO/WHO] experts said that the countries must strengthen vaccination against seasonal influenza and measles to prevent respiratory illness and vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. A spokesperson said, “Countries must strengthen vaccination against seasonal influenza and measles to prevent respiratory illness and vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks during the […] |
Did companies and countries buy access to the State Department by donating to the Clinton Foundation?
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter James Grimaldi of The Wall Street Journal, who has covered the Clinton Foundation for years, looks at the relationship between the Clinton Foundation and the State Department during Hillary Clinton’s time as secretary of state, and what it would be if she became president. Newly released State Department emails include exchanges between top members of the Clinton Foundation and Clinton’s top State Department advisers, including Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills. The FBI reportedly wanted to investigate the Clinton Foundation earlier this year, but U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch pushed back. Continue reading
IBM’s Corporate Services Corps Heading to Six Emerging Countries to Spark Socio-Economic Growth
One hundred IBM (NYSE: IBM) employees from 33 countries – including six from Australia and New Zealand – have been selected to participate in the company's new Corporate Service Corps program. The program is part of the Global Citizen's Portfolio initiative announced by CEO Sam Palmisano to develop leadership skills, while addressing socio-economic challenges in emerging markets.
Two Cities ~ Two Countries
My wife and I recently visited Niagara Falls this past August in our quest to escape some of the summer heat. I had been there two earlier times as a child and a parent. The town of Niagara has seen…