A third of the world's nearly 700 million children under five years old are undernourished or overweight and face lifelong health problems as a consequence, according to a grim UN assessment of childhood nutrition released Tuesday.

"If children eat poorly, they live poorly," said United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore, unveiling the Fund's first State of the World's Children report since 1999.&nbsp;

"We are losing ground in the fight for healthy diets."

Problems that once existed at opposite ends of the wealth spectrum have today converged in poor and middle-income countries, the report showed.

Despite a nearly 40 per cent drop from 1990 to 2015 of stunting in poor countries, 149 million children four or younger are today still too short for their age, a clinical condition that impairs both brain and body development.&nbsp;

Another 50 million are afflicted by wasting, chronic and debilitating thinness also born of poverty.&nbsp;

At the same time, half of the youngsters across the globe under five are not getting essential vitamins and minerals, a long-standing problem UNICEF has dubbed "hidden hunger."

Over the last three decades, however, another form of child malnutrition has surged across the developing world: excess weight. &nbsp;

"This triple burden -- undernutrition, a lack of crucial micronutrients, obesity -- is increasingly found in the same country, sometimes in the same neighbourhood, and often in the same household," Victor Aguayo, head of UNICEF's nutrition programme, told AFP.

"A mother who is overweight or obese can have children who are stunted or wasted."

Across all age groups, more than 800 million people in the world are constantly hungry and another two billion are eating too much of the wrong foods, driving epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

'Hidden hunger'

Among children under five, diet during first 1,000 days after conception is the foundation for physical health and mental development.&nbsp;

And yet, only two-in-five infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, as recommended. Sales of milk-based formula have risen worldwide by 40 per cent and in upper-middle-income countries such as Brazil, China and Turkey by nearly three-quarters.

Missing vitamins and minerals, meanwhile, can lead to compromised immune systems, poor sight and hearing defects. A lack of iron can cause anaemia and reduced IQ.

"It's 'hidden' because you don't notice the impact until it is too late," Brian Keeley, editor-in-chief of report, told AFP.

"You don't notice that the child is running a little slower than everyone else, struggling a bit in school."

The rise of obesity, however, is plain to see.

The problem was virtually non-existent in poor countries 30 years ago, but today at least 10 per cent of under-five-year-olds are overweight or obese in three-quarters of low-income nations.

"There needs to be a focus on obesity before it is too late," said Keeley. "Unless you deal with it in a preventative way, you're going to struggle to fix it later on."

Cheap, readily available junk food, often marketed directly to kids, has made the problem much worse.

"Children are eating too much of what they don't need -- salt, sugar and fat," Keeley added.

Progress in fighting undernourishment will also be hampered by climate change, the report warned.&nbsp;

Tax sugary drinks

A single degree Celsius of warming since the late-19th century has amplified droughts responsible for more than 80 per cent of damage and losses in agriculture.&nbsp;

Earth's average surface temperature is set to rise another two or three degrees by 2100.

Research by scientists at Harvard University, meanwhile, have shown that the increased concentration of CO2 in the air is sapping staple food crops of those essential nutrients and vitamins, including zinc, iron and vitamin B.&nbsp;

"The impacts of climate change are completely transforming the food that is available and that can be consumed," Aguayo said.

Making sure every child has access to a healthy diet must become a "political priority" if widespread malnutrition is to be conquered, especially in developing countries, the report said.

Taxes on sugary foods and beverages; clear, front-of-package labelling; regulating the sale of breast milk substitutes; limiting the advertising and sale of 'junk food' near schools -- these and other measures could make a difference, it concluded. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"The way we understand and respond to malnutrition needs to change," said Fore.&nbsp;

"It is not just about getting children enough to eat. It is above all about getting them to eat the right food."

The recent rise of awareness about the danger of global warming is instructive, the authors said.

"Just as we have organised a movement around climate change, we need to mobilise civil society," said Aguayo. "If our children are not fed healthy diets, we are putting a huge question mark on the future of our societies."

A third of the world's nearly 700 million children under five years old are undernourished or overweight and face lifelong health problems as a consequence, according to a grim UN assessment of childhood nutrition released Tuesday.

A third of the world's nearly 700 million children under five years old are undernourished or overweight and face lifelong health problems as a consequence, according to a grim UN assessment of childhood nutrition released Tuesday. "If children eat poorly, they live poorly," said United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore, unveiling the Fund's first State of the World's Children report since 1999. "We are losing ground in the fight for healthy diets." Problems that once existed at opposite ends of the wealth spectrum have today converged in poor and middle-income countries, the report showed. Despite a nearly 40 per cent drop from 1990 to 2015 of stunting in poor countries, 149 million children four or younger are today still too short for their age, a clinical condition that impairs both brain and body development. Another 50 million are afflicted by wasting, chronic and debilitating thinness also born of poverty. At the same time, half of the youngsters across the globe under five are not getting essential vitamins and minerals, a long-standing problem UNICEF has dubbed "hidden hunger." Over the last three decades, however, another form of child malnutrition has surged across the developing world: excess weight. "This triple burden -- undernutrition, a lack of crucial micronutrients, obesity -- is increasingly found in the same country, sometimes in the same neighbourhood, and often in the same household," Victor Aguayo, head of UNICEF's nutrition programme, told AFP. "A mother who is overweight or obese can have children who are stunted or wasted." Across all age groups, more than 800 million people in the world are constantly hungry and another two billion are eating too much of the wrong foods, driving epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. 'Hidden hunger' Among children under five, diet during first 1,000 days after conception is the foundation for physical health and mental development. And yet, only two-in-five infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, as recommended. Sales of milk-based formula have risen worldwide by 40 per cent and in upper-middle-income countries such as Brazil, China and Turkey by nearly three-quarters. Missing vitamins and minerals, meanwhile, can lead to compromised immune systems, poor sight and hearing defects. A lack of iron can cause anaemia and reduced IQ. "It's 'hidden' because you don't notice the impact until it is too late," Brian Keeley, editor-in-chief of report, told AFP. "You don't notice that the child is running a little slower than everyone else, struggling a bit in school." The rise of obesity, however, is plain to see. The problem was virtually non-existent in poor countries 30 years ago, but today at least 10 per cent of under-five-year-olds are overweight or obese in three-quarters of low-income nations. "There needs to be a focus on obesity before it is too late," said Keeley. "Unless you deal with it in a preventative way, you're going to struggle to fix it later on." Cheap, readily available junk food, often marketed directly to kids, has made the problem much worse. "Children are eating too much of what they don't need -- salt, sugar and fat," Keeley added. Progress in fighting undernourishment will also be hampered by climate change, the report warned. Tax sugary drinks A single degree Celsius of warming since the late-19th century has amplified droughts responsible for more than 80 per cent of damage and losses in agriculture. Earth's average surface temperature is set to rise another two or three degrees by 2100. Research by scientists at Harvard University, meanwhile, have shown that the increased concentration of CO2 in the air is sapping staple food crops of those essential nutrients and vitamins, including zinc, iron and vitamin B. "The impacts of climate change are completely transforming the food that is available and that can be consumed," Aguayo said. Making sure every child has access to a healthy diet must become a "political priority" if widespread malnutrition is to be conquered, especially in developing countries, the report said. Taxes on sugary foods and beverages; clear, front-of-package labelling; regulating the sale of breast milk substitutes; limiting the advertising and sale of 'junk food' near schools -- these and other measures could make a difference, it concluded. "The way we understand and respond to malnutrition needs to change," said Fore. "It is not just about getting children enough to eat. It is above all about getting them to eat the right food." The recent rise of awareness about the danger of global warming is instructive, the authors said. "Just as we have organised a movement around climate change, we need to mobilise civil society," said Aguayo. "If our children are not fed healthy diets, we are putting a huge question mark on the future of our societies."

One-in-three young children undernourished or overweight: UNICEF

A new UNICEF report says that a third of the world's population of children under five years of age are undernourished or overweight, and the picture does not look too good for India.

Nearly 50 per cent of children under five years of age in India are not growing well.

This means that they are either undernourished or overweight and will face lifelong health problems as a consequence of it.

These problems — which once existed at opposite ends of the wealth spectrum — have today converged in poor and middle-income countries, especially South Asia.

Over the last three decades, another form of child malnutrition that has surged across the developing world is excess weight.

The problem was virtually non-existent in countries such as India 30 years ago

But today at least 10 per cent of children under five are overweight or obese.

'Hidden hunger' is another factor that contributes to the poor health of students around the world.

Every one out of two children in the world continues to suffer from the phenomenon of hidden hunger.

The domination of fast food and the missing vitamins and minerals have now led to compromised immune systems, poor sight and hearing defects.

The triple burden of malnutrition — undernutrition, hidden hunger and overweight — threatens the survival and development of children all over the world.

As eating habits continue to deteriorate with children being on the front line of the problem, making sure every child has access to a healthy diet must become a "political priority" if widespread malnutrition is to be conquered.

A new UNICEF report says that a third of the world's population of children under five years of age are undernourished or overweight, and the picture does not look too good for India.

A new UNICEF report says that a third of the world's population of children under five years of age are undernourished or overweight, and the picture does not look too good for India. Nearly 50 per cent of children under five years of age in India are not growing well. This means that they are either undernourished or overweight and will face lifelong health problems as a consequence of it. These problems — which once existed at opposite ends of the wealth spectrum — have today converged in poor and middle-income countries, especially South Asia. Over the last three decades, another form of child malnutrition that has surged across the developing world is excess weight. The problem was virtually non-existent in countries such as India 30 years ago But today at least 10 per cent of children under five are overweight or obese. 'Hidden hunger' is another factor that contributes to the poor health of students around the world. Every one out of two children in the world continues to suffer from the phenomenon of hidden hunger. The domination of fast food and the missing vitamins and minerals have now led to compromised immune systems, poor sight and hearing defects. The triple burden of malnutrition — undernutrition, hidden hunger and overweight — threatens the survival and development of children all over the world. As eating habits continue to deteriorate with children being on the front line of the problem, making sure every child has access to a healthy diet must become a "political priority" if widespread malnutrition is to be conquered.

700 million children around the world victims of either undernourishment or obesity, including India

Afghanistan's war cost 13-year-old shoe shiner Hameedullah his education. Poverty forced Sabir, 11, to flee home and sell dried fruits on Kabul's streets. Niyamathullah, 9, hangs out in a park, looking for work.

Such is the lot of many a child in Afghanistan, which this week passes another sombre milestone. On Monday, the conflict turned 18, meaning every single Afghan child now has known only war.

"Peace is like a dream to us in Afghanistan," said Mohammad Mobin, a 17-year-old Kabul high schooler. "Afghanistan can develop only if we have peace."

On October 7, 2001, the United States launched air strikes against Afghanistan, following the September 11 attacks conducted by Al-Qaeda that killed nearly 3,000 people in the US.

The Taliban, who had refused to hand over Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, were toppled within weeks, but the ensuing insurgent conflict has dragged on ever since and become the longest war in US history.

Violence has only worsened in recent years, disproportionately impacting children.

"Since we were born, we have had no peace in our country, it has only been fighting and conflict," said Sayed Ibrahim, an 18-year-old medical student in Kabul.

The UN published a report last week saying that from 2015 to 2018, researchers studying the plight of Afghan kids documented more than 14,000 grave violations against them throughout the country, marking a sharp increase from the previous four years.

"Imagine turning 18 having known nothing but conflict and war throughout your entire childhood and formative years," said Onno van Manen, country director for Save the Children in Afghanistan.

"Life in Afghanistan means living in daily fear of explosions, missing school because it's too unsafe and not knowing if your parents or siblings will make it home."

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) says the number of attacks against Afghan schools tripled last year compared to 2017. By the end of 2018, more than 1,000 Afghan schools had been shut due to conflict.

"I don't study because I have no money, I have to make money to support my family," said Sabir, an 11-year-old boy who fled his home province of Ghazni to sell peanuts, sunflower seeds and dried fruits in central Kabul.&nbsp;

"We have to go to school and get an education. We can end fighting through education."

'No proper jobs'

The 2001 invasion did herald some enduring improvements for many young Afghans -- particularly girls, who had been banned from receiving an education under the Taliban.&nbsp;

In Kabul and other urban centres, schools and universities flourished, and an entire generation of children now has never known Taliban rule.

But the economy remains so weak that poorer families often yank their kids from school and send them to hustle for extra cash on dangerous streets.

Jobs for many youths are so scarce they have few options but to try to emigrate, or join the Taliban or other insurgent groups who pay a regular wage.

During a recent visit to a busy park in downtown Kabul, nine-year-old Niyamathullah told AFP he would do anything for work -- sell gum, wash cars, run errands.&nbsp;

Hameedullah, the 13-year-old shoe shiner, said he would have stayed in school but needed to raise money for his family.

"There is no peace, the fighting is ongoing, there are no proper jobs for us," he said.

"I would like to go to school, get an education and work for my country."

According to the UN Population Fund, 42 per cent of Afghanistan's population is aged under 14. UNICEF says more than 3.7 million children are currently out of school -- most of them girls.

The US and the Taliban had spent the past year negotiating a deal that could have led to talks between the Islamists and the Afghan government -- and an eventual ceasefire -- but President Donald Trump scuttled the agreement at the last moment, citing concerns over Taliban violence.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's war cost 13-year-old shoe shiner Hameedullah his education. Poverty forced Sabir, 11, to flee home and sell dried fruits on Kabul's streets. Niyamathullah, 9, hangs out in a park, looking for work.

Afghanistan's war cost 13-year-old shoe shiner Hameedullah his education. Poverty forced Sabir, 11, to flee home and sell dried fruits on Kabul's streets. Niyamathullah, 9, hangs out in a park, looking for work. Such is the lot of many a child in Afghanistan, which this week passes another sombre milestone. On Monday, the conflict turned 18, meaning every single Afghan child now has known only war. "Peace is like a dream to us in Afghanistan," said Mohammad Mobin, a 17-year-old Kabul high schooler. "Afghanistan can develop only if we have peace." On October 7, 2001, the United States launched air strikes against Afghanistan, following the September 11 attacks conducted by Al-Qaeda that killed nearly 3,000 people in the US. The Taliban, who had refused to hand over Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, were toppled within weeks, but the ensuing insurgent conflict has dragged on ever since and become the longest war in US history. Violence has only worsened in recent years, disproportionately impacting children. "Since we were born, we have had no peace in our country, it has only been fighting and conflict," said Sayed Ibrahim, an 18-year-old medical student in Kabul. The UN published a report last week saying that from 2015 to 2018, researchers studying the plight of Afghan kids documented more than 14,000 grave violations against them throughout the country, marking a sharp increase from the previous four years. "Imagine turning 18 having known nothing but conflict and war throughout your entire childhood and formative years," said Onno van Manen, country director for Save the Children in Afghanistan. "Life in Afghanistan means living in daily fear of explosions, missing school because it's too unsafe and not knowing if your parents or siblings will make it home." The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) says the number of attacks against Afghan schools tripled last year compared to 2017. By the end of 2018, more than 1,000 Afghan schools had been shut due to conflict. "I don't study because I have no money, I have to make money to support my family," said Sabir, an 11-year-old boy who fled his home province of Ghazni to sell peanuts, sunflower seeds and dried fruits in central Kabul. "We have to go to school and get an education. We can end fighting through education." 'No proper jobs' The 2001 invasion did herald some enduring improvements for many young Afghans -- particularly girls, who had been banned from receiving an education under the Taliban. In Kabul and other urban centres, schools and universities flourished, and an entire generation of children now has never known Taliban rule. But the economy remains so weak that poorer families often yank their kids from school and send them to hustle for extra cash on dangerous streets. Jobs for many youths are so scarce they have few options but to try to emigrate, or join the Taliban or other insurgent groups who pay a regular wage. During a recent visit to a busy park in downtown Kabul, nine-year-old Niyamathullah told AFP he would do anything for work -- sell gum, wash cars, run errands. Hameedullah, the 13-year-old shoe shiner, said he would have stayed in school but needed to raise money for his family. "There is no peace, the fighting is ongoing, there are no proper jobs for us," he said. "I would like to go to school, get an education and work for my country." According to the UN Population Fund, 42 per cent of Afghanistan's population is aged under 14. UNICEF says more than 3.7 million children are currently out of school -- most of them girls. The US and the Taliban had spent the past year negotiating a deal that could have led to talks between the Islamists and the Afghan government -- and an eventual ceasefire -- but President Donald Trump scuttled the agreement at the last moment, citing concerns over Taliban violence.

'Peace is like a dream': Afghan generation knows only conflict as war turns 18

With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31.

Under this, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-was-temporary-from-the-beginning-says-bjp-working-president-jp-nadda-252950">BJP </a>is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners, and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters.

According to the circular, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/modi-true-global-gatekeeper-253059">Narendra Modi</a> will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program.

Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he will also visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP.

Earlier, while talking to ANI, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today.

On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement.

"By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency, and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said.

BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi.

On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padayatra" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi.

The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India".

Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country.

To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles.

The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November.

Several photo exhibitions have been organized in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2.

They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release.

With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders.

With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31. Under this, the BJP is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners, and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters. According to the circular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program. Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he will also visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP. Earlier, while talking to ANI, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today. On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement. "By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency, and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said. BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi. On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padayatra" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi. The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India". Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country. To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles. The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November. Several photo exhibitions have been organized in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2. They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release.

India celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today

United Nations International Children`s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly session here on Monday.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister underlined the efforts made by his government to improve the health and nutrition of children in India through several focused initiatives.

"Ms. Henrietta Fore @unicefchief called on PM @narendramodi on the margins of #UNGA. PM underlined the efforts made by the Government towards health and nutrition of children in India through several focused initiatives," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Modi held meetings with several world leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Colombian President Ivan Marquez, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and Niger President Issoufou Mahamadou on the sidelines of his UN engagements.

Modi, who is currently in the US on a week-long visit, addressed at the UN Climate Action Summit and the high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

United Nations International Children`s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly session here on Monday.

United Nations International Children`s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly session here on Monday. During the meeting, the Prime Minister underlined the efforts made by his government to improve the health and nutrition of children in India through several focused initiatives. "Ms. Henrietta Fore @unicefchief called on PM @narendramodi on the margins of #UNGA. PM underlined the efforts made by the Government towards health and nutrition of children in India through several focused initiatives," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Earlier in the day, Modi held meetings with several world leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Colombian President Ivan Marquez, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and Niger President Issoufou Mahamadou on the sidelines of his UN engagements. Modi, who is currently in the US on a week-long visit, addressed at the UN Climate Action Summit and the high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

UNICEF executive director calls on PM Modi on UNGA sidelines

Indonesia's parliament has revised the country's marriage law to lift the minimum age at which women can marry by three years to 19, a move welcomed by campaigners as a step towards curbing child marriage in the world's biggest Muslim majority country.

All factions in parliament agreed on the revision at a plenary session on Monday, according to a statement on its website.

Indonesia is among the 10 countries in the world with the highest number of child brides, according to campaign group Girls Not Brides.

One in four girls in Indonesia is married before they turn 18, according to a 2016 report by Indonesia's Statistics Agency and the United Nations children's fund UNICEF.

"The society still encourages girls to get married in their teenage years, otherwise they will be considered spinsters," said Masruchah of the National Commission on Violence Against Women.

Masruchah, who uses one name, said the commission would have preferred 21 as the minimum age for marriage for men and women when both are considered mature in terms of reproduction and economic stability.

Indonesia previously allowed girls of 16 to get married or younger with no minimum age if their parents requested it.

Indonesia's Constitutional Court ruled in December that it was discriminatory to have a lower marriage age for women than for men, who could legally marry at 19.

Child marriage in Indonesia has been blamed for causing maternal and infant deaths, as well as encouraging child labour, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise said in a statement.

"Finally, after 45 years (of the existing marriage law). This is a present for Indonesian children," she said.

Indonesia's parliament has revised the country's marriage law to lift the minimum age at which women can marry by three years to 19, a move welcomed by campaigners as a step towards curbing child marriage in the world's biggest Muslim majority country.

Indonesia's parliament has revised the country's marriage law to lift the minimum age at which women can marry by three years to 19, a move welcomed by campaigners as a step towards curbing child marriage in the world's biggest Muslim majority country. All factions in parliament agreed on the revision at a plenary session on Monday, according to a statement on its website. Indonesia is among the 10 countries in the world with the highest number of child brides, according to campaign group Girls Not Brides. One in four girls in Indonesia is married before they turn 18, according to a 2016 report by Indonesia's Statistics Agency and the United Nations children's fund UNICEF. "The society still encourages girls to get married in their teenage years, otherwise they will be considered spinsters," said Masruchah of the National Commission on Violence Against Women. Masruchah, who uses one name, said the commission would have preferred 21 as the minimum age for marriage for men and women when both are considered mature in terms of reproduction and economic stability. Indonesia previously allowed girls of 16 to get married or younger with no minimum age if their parents requested it. Indonesia's Constitutional Court ruled in December that it was discriminatory to have a lower marriage age for women than for men, who could legally marry at 19. Child marriage in Indonesia has been blamed for causing maternal and infant deaths, as well as encouraging child labour, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise said in a statement. "Finally, after 45 years (of the existing marriage law). This is a present for Indonesian children," she said.

Indonesia raises the minimum age for brides to end child marriage

Bent over her hand-crank sewing machine, Hajra Bibi carefully stitches sanitary pads for the women of her mountainous village in northwestern Pakistan, one of many rural areas in the deeply conservative country where periods are still taboo.

"I am responding to a crisis," said the 35-year-old mother, sitting in front of her small, doily-covered work table in the village of Booni, close to the Afghan border.

"Before, Booni's women had no idea what sanitary towels were," she explained. Less than a fifth of women use sanitary pads in Pakistan, local charities estimate.

Traditionally women have used rags and cloth to soak up their menstrual blood, but the stigma around periods and a lack of reproductive education mean hygiene standards are poor and many contracted infections.

As with other areas of rural Pakistan, menstruating women were viewed as unclean and limited in what they were able to do.

Bibi was given the training to make the disposable sanitary pads, made of cotton, plastic, and cloth, by the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) an NGO working with Unicef in&nbsp;a scheme that aims to change attitudes to women's health.

She took up the work to support her family because her husband is disabled and they have little income. Each pad takes around 20 minutes to make and is sold for 20 rupees (13 US cents).

Initially, her work disturbed the local community.

"At first, people were asking me why I was doing this, some were insulting me," Bibi recalled.

But now, "girls in the village can talk about their periods," she said proudly, adding that she was fighting "for the basic needs of women".

'infection and education'

In Pakistan, Unicef has warned that in some cases information about menstruation has deliberately been withheld from women as a "means of protecting their chastity".

"This in turn negatively impacts their physical and emotional health," it said in a 2018 report.

Historically, the women of Booni have used cloth, but according to Bushra Ansari of AKRSP, the taboo surrounding periods meant many were ashamed to dry them outside, unaware that damp cloths are a breeding ground for bacteria.

Also, female family members often shared the same menstrual rags, increasing the risk of contracting urinary and reproductive tract infections, explained Wassaf Sayed Kakakhail, a doctor in the region.

"If there are three girls in the same family, they all use the same pieces of fabric," she said, adding many women are told not to wash during their period.

There is no sex education in schools and the topic is rarely discussed even between women at homes in northern Pakistan, a particularly conservative part of the country.

According to a 2017 Unicef survey, half of the young Pakistani women did not know about menstruation before their periods started.

"Teen girls told us that they thought they had cancer or a very serious illness that made them bleed," said Kakakhail.

But Mohammad Haidar Ulmulk, public health director for Chitral District, where Booni is, insisted the problem was under control.

"There may be gaps, but we try to cover them," he said, adding that the area had hundreds of health workers trying to help young women.

'Sister, mother, wife'

The situation is different in cities, especially among the richest. But in the patriarchal Muslim country ranked 148th out of 149 by the World Economic Forum for gender equality and where sexist stereotypes persist, access to basic feminine hygiene products remains difficult.

In Karachi, a metropolis of twenty million people seen as the most liberal city in Pakistan, sanitary pads is easily accessible, though expensive.

Many women are still made to feel uneasy by leering shopkeepers and ask their husbands to buy them instead.

"Some people buy them late at night, others prefer to buy them in a different neighbourhood," said Sajjad Ali, 32, a store owner.

In shops like this, sanitary pads are wrapped in opaque paper, instead of in transparent bags like other products.

"Periods are treated as taboo and surrounded by mystery," said Seema Shiekh, a women's rights activist.

But she asks: "Doesn't every man have a sister, wife or a mother?"

After twenty years of battling to introduce sex education classes in Pakistan, the first lessons are finally being given in public schools in Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital.

Among their aims will be to put an end to the fear surrounding periods in a country where the onset of menstruation is one of the main reasons girls drop out of school.

Some 28 per cent of women surveyed in 2017 by Unicef indicated that they had missed school or work because of stomach pain or worry over staining their clothes.

Bibi, who is working alongside 80 other women trained to make sanitary pads is confident things will change in Booni too.

She mused: "With this project, I have made people aware."

Bent over her hand-crank sewing machine, Hajra Bibi carefully stitches sanitary pads for the women of her mountainous village in northwestern Pakistan, one of many rural areas in the deeply conservative country where periods are still taboo.

Bent over her hand-crank sewing machine, Hajra Bibi carefully stitches sanitary pads for the women of her mountainous village in northwestern Pakistan, one of many rural areas in the deeply conservative country where periods are still taboo. "I am responding to a crisis," said the 35-year-old mother, sitting in front of her small, doily-covered work table in the village of Booni, close to the Afghan border. "Before, Booni's women had no idea what sanitary towels were," she explained. Less than a fifth of women use sanitary pads in Pakistan, local charities estimate. Traditionally women have used rags and cloth to soak up their menstrual blood, but the stigma around periods and a lack of reproductive education mean hygiene standards are poor and many contracted infections. As with other areas of rural Pakistan, menstruating women were viewed as unclean and limited in what they were able to do. Bibi was given the training to make the disposable sanitary pads, made of cotton, plastic, and cloth, by the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) an NGO working with Unicef in a scheme that aims to change attitudes to women's health. She took up the work to support her family because her husband is disabled and they have little income. Each pad takes around 20 minutes to make and is sold for 20 rupees (13 US cents). Initially, her work disturbed the local community. "At first, people were asking me why I was doing this, some were insulting me," Bibi recalled. But now, "girls in the village can talk about their periods," she said proudly, adding that she was fighting "for the basic needs of women". 'infection and education' In Pakistan, Unicef has warned that in some cases information about menstruation has deliberately been withheld from women as a "means of protecting their chastity". "This in turn negatively impacts their physical and emotional health," it said in a 2018 report. Historically, the women of Booni have used cloth, but according to Bushra Ansari of AKRSP, the taboo surrounding periods meant many were ashamed to dry them outside, unaware that damp cloths are a breeding ground for bacteria. Also, female family members often shared the same menstrual rags, increasing the risk of contracting urinary and reproductive tract infections, explained Wassaf Sayed Kakakhail, a doctor in the region. "If there are three girls in the same family, they all use the same pieces of fabric," she said, adding many women are told not to wash during their period. There is no sex education in schools and the topic is rarely discussed even between women at homes in northern Pakistan, a particularly conservative part of the country. According to a 2017 Unicef survey, half of the young Pakistani women did not know about menstruation before their periods started. "Teen girls told us that they thought they had cancer or a very serious illness that made them bleed," said Kakakhail. But Mohammad Haidar Ulmulk, public health director for Chitral District, where Booni is, insisted the problem was under control. "There may be gaps, but we try to cover them," he said, adding that the area had hundreds of health workers trying to help young women. 'Sister, mother, wife' The situation is different in cities, especially among the richest. But in the patriarchal Muslim country ranked 148th out of 149 by the World Economic Forum for gender equality and where sexist stereotypes persist, access to basic feminine hygiene products remains difficult. In Karachi, a metropolis of twenty million people seen as the most liberal city in Pakistan, sanitary pads is easily accessible, though expensive. Many women are still made to feel uneasy by leering shopkeepers and ask their husbands to buy them instead. "Some people buy them late at night, others prefer to buy them in a different neighbourhood," said Sajjad Ali, 32, a store owner. In shops like this, sanitary pads are wrapped in opaque paper, instead of in transparent bags like other products. "Periods are treated as taboo and surrounded by mystery," said Seema Shiekh, a women's rights activist. But she asks: "Doesn't every man have a sister, wife or a mother?" After twenty years of battling to introduce sex education classes in Pakistan, the first lessons are finally being given in public schools in Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital. Among their aims will be to put an end to the fear surrounding periods in a country where the onset of menstruation is one of the main reasons girls drop out of school. Some 28 per cent of women surveyed in 2017 by Unicef indicated that they had missed school or work because of stomach pain or worry over staining their clothes. Bibi, who is working alongside 80 other women trained to make sanitary pads is confident things will change in Booni too. She mused: "With this project, I have made people aware."

Myths and menstruation: Overcoming Pakistan's period taboo

North Korea has told the United Nations to cut the number of international staff it deploys in the country because the world body's programs have failed "due to the politicisation of UN assistance by hostile forces," according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The United Nations estimates 10.3 million people - almost half the country's population - are in need and some 41 per cent of North Koreans are undernourished, while Pyongyang said in February it was facing a food shortfall this year and had to halve rations, blaming drought, floods and sanctions.

"UN supported programs failed to bring the results as desired due to the politicization of UN assistance by hostile forces," Kim Chang Min, secretary-general for North Korea's National Coordinating Committee for the United Nations, wrote to the top UN official posted in the country.

In the Aug. 21 letter, Kim said the number of international staff should be cut by the end of the year.

North Korea wants the number of international staff with the UN Development Programme to be cut to one or two from six, the World Health Organization to four from six and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to cut its 13 staff by one or two.

Kim said the number of international staff with the World Food Programme should be reduced "according to the amount of food aid to be provided" once the agency and North Korean agree how to implement a plan for 2019 to 2021.

There was also no need for a humanitarian aid coordination officer, Kim wrote, adding that UN aid officials could instead "visit as and when required."

The United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Historically there's been a critical lack of international expertise and oversight and capacity to monitor the use of the assistance that is provided," said a UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We're deeply surprised by this turn of events in part because this is when the needs have grown and the UN has been trying to mobilise support to scale up assistance in-country," the diplomat said.

The move comes amid stalled talks between the United States and North Korea aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. The UN Security Council has unanimously ratcheted up sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for those programs.

"The North Korean government's decisions are only hurting the North Korean people," said a second UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This is coming at a time where both Russia and China are pushing a false narrative that sanctions are causing the humanitarian problems in North Korea and the only way to solve that is to give North Korea sanctions relief," the diplomat said.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told reporters on Tuesday that unilateral sanctions imposed on North Korea by other countries and some strict interpretations of UN sanctions were hindering humanitarian work.

"The population of North Korea should not suffer under those sanctions that have been imposed illegitimately," he said.

North Korea has told the United Nations to cut the number of international staff it deploys in the country because the world body's programs have failed "due to the politicisation of UN assistance by hostile forces," according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

North Korea has told the United Nations to cut the number of international staff it deploys in the country because the world body's programs have failed "due to the politicisation of UN assistance by hostile forces," according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The United Nations estimates 10.3 million people - almost half the country's population - are in need and some 41 per cent of North Koreans are undernourished, while Pyongyang said in February it was facing a food shortfall this year and had to halve rations, blaming drought, floods and sanctions. "UN supported programs failed to bring the results as desired due to the politicization of UN assistance by hostile forces," Kim Chang Min, secretary-general for North Korea's National Coordinating Committee for the United Nations, wrote to the top UN official posted in the country. In the Aug. 21 letter, Kim said the number of international staff should be cut by the end of the year. North Korea wants the number of international staff with the UN Development Programme to be cut to one or two from six, the World Health Organization to four from six and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to cut its 13 staff by one or two. Kim said the number of international staff with the World Food Programme should be reduced "according to the amount of food aid to be provided" once the agency and North Korean agree how to implement a plan for 2019 to 2021. There was also no need for a humanitarian aid coordination officer, Kim wrote, adding that UN aid officials could instead "visit as and when required." The United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Historically there's been a critical lack of international expertise and oversight and capacity to monitor the use of the assistance that is provided," said a UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We're deeply surprised by this turn of events in part because this is when the needs have grown and the UN has been trying to mobilise support to scale up assistance in-country," the diplomat said. The move comes amid stalled talks between the United States and North Korea aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. The UN Security Council has unanimously ratcheted up sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for those programs. "The North Korean government's decisions are only hurting the North Korean people," said a second UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This is coming at a time where both Russia and China are pushing a false narrative that sanctions are causing the humanitarian problems in North Korea and the only way to solve that is to give North Korea sanctions relief," the diplomat said. Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told reporters on Tuesday that unilateral sanctions imposed on North Korea by other countries and some strict interpretations of UN sanctions were hindering humanitarian work. "The population of North Korea should not suffer under those sanctions that have been imposed illegitimately," he said.

North Korea tells United Nations to cut international aid staff: Letter

Days after Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir issue inside the Maldives Parliament, a similar incident took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This time too the incident drew a strong reaction from the Indian delegates present. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir at a UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Right’s Convention in Colombo, drawing a strong reaction from the Indian representative Gaurav Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Kaliabor, Assam. &nbsp;

Reminding Pakistan that ''Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and as stakeholders in Indian democracy", Gogoi said Pakistan has own things to deal on such as "human rights, the plight of minorities and legislation such as the blasphemy law."

On Sunday, at a forum on sustainable development goal in Maldives Parliament, Pakistani delegates raised Kashmir even as hapless speaker of Maldivian Parliament Mohamed Nasheed's effort to bring the situation under control in vain.&nbsp;

Maldives Parliament was hosting the fourth South Asian speakers summit on achieving the sustainable development goal with India being represented by Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Pakistan delegation was led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri and Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri.

Days after Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir issue inside the Maldives Parliament, a similar incident took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This time too the incident drew a strong reaction from the Indian delegates present.

Days after Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir issue inside the Maldives Parliament, a similar incident took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This time too the incident drew a strong reaction from the Indian delegates present. The Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir at a UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Right’s Convention in Colombo, drawing a strong reaction from the Indian representative Gaurav Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Kaliabor, Assam. Reminding Pakistan that ''Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and as stakeholders in Indian democracy", Gogoi said Pakistan has own things to deal on such as "human rights, the plight of minorities and legislation such as the blasphemy law." On Sunday, at a forum on sustainable development goal in Maldives Parliament, Pakistani delegates raised Kashmir even as hapless speaker of Maldivian Parliament Mohamed Nasheed's effort to bring the situation under control in vain. Maldives Parliament was hosting the fourth South Asian speakers summit on achieving the sustainable development goal with India being represented by Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Pakistan delegation was led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri and Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri.

After Maldives, Pakistan raises Kashmir in another international forum in Colombo 

UN rejects Pak's demand to oust Priyanka Chopra. Watch this video to know more.

WION Fineprint: UN rejects Pak's demand to oust Priyanka Chopra

Pakistan Asks UNICEF To Remove Priyanka Chopra From The Post Of UN Goodwill Ambassador For Peace Miffed at repeated failures to 'dramatise' and 'internationalise' the situation in Kashmir, Pakistan has now picked a soft-target. Pakistan's Human Rights Ministers asks UNICEF to remove Indian actor Priyanka Chopra from the post of UN Goodwill Ambassador for Peace. Priyanka's mistake? She tweeted in favour of Indian army on February 26. Palki exposes Pakistan's desperation.

Gravitas: Is Priyanka Chopra Pak's soft target this season?

In battle for Libya's oil, water becomes a casualty

Thirty-one people were tested HIV positive during a screening programme conducted in Pakistan's Sindh province on Saturday, health authorities said amid a probe by international experts from the WHO to check the outbreak of the deadly virus.

The new cases in Shikarpur district see a surge in cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in Sindh after 215 positive cases, including 181 children, were reported in Ratodero district of Larkana last month, Geo News reported.&nbsp;

According to District Health Officer Shabbir Sheikh, 2,500 people were screened out of which 31 tested positive, the report said.

Those that have tested positive were being provided treatment and other amenities according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations.

A delegation of the United Nations bodies, including the WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF, are already in Karachi to help the Sindh health authorities to investigate the alarming outbreak of the HIV in the district.

The main reason behind the spread of HIV virus was revealed to be the use of unsafe blood, unsafe injections and unsafe practice, the WHO Representative Palitha Mahipala said.

Those affected have urged the Sindh government to make HIV medicine readily available at private medical stores apart from government hospitals for easy access.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that legislation for the formation of a health commission, to address HIV outbreak, has been completed, she said, the Express Tribune reported.

Dr Pechuho said that the investigation revealed a large number of doctors in Sindh were carrying out unsafe medical practices. Efforts are being made to stop them from doing so.

She also requested the federal government to allocate a certain amount in the budget for the production of auto-lock syringes in Pakistan, the report said.

She said that the recent outbreak was a sign that if the issue of HIV is neglected any further, it would result in a dangerous situation.

Federal Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza also said that federal and provincial governments were working together and the recent HIV outbreak was a wakeup call to improve the healthcare system in the country.&nbsp;

He stressed on the need to make HIV control programme more effective, at national and provincial levels.

He said that Pakistan has the highest number of Hepatitis B cases in the world and Hepatitis C was also turning out to be a big challenge, adding that if not addressed, HIV too would become a big problem.

Citizens have also asked to take adequate measures to counter the disease.

In total, 76.1 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV, since the epidemic started in the 1980s. Some 35 million have died, according to official figures.

Without treatment, HIV-infected people go on to develop AIDS, a syndrome that weakens the immune system and leaves the body exposed to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, and some types of cancer.

Treatment carries side-effects and is costly, but allows infected people to be healthier for longer.&nbsp;

Thirty-one people were tested HIV positive during a screening programme conducted in Pakistan's Sindh province on Saturday, health authorities said amid a probe by international experts from the WHO to check the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Thirty-one people were tested HIV positive during a screening programme conducted in Pakistan's Sindh province on Saturday, health authorities said amid a probe by international experts from the WHO to check the outbreak of the deadly virus. The new cases in Shikarpur district see a surge in cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in Sindh after 215 positive cases, including 181 children, were reported in Ratodero district of Larkana last month, Geo News reported. According to District Health Officer Shabbir Sheikh, 2,500 people were screened out of which 31 tested positive, the report said. Those that have tested positive were being provided treatment and other amenities according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations. A delegation of the United Nations bodies, including the WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF, are already in Karachi to help the Sindh health authorities to investigate the alarming outbreak of the HIV in the district. The main reason behind the spread of HIV virus was revealed to be the use of unsafe blood, unsafe injections and unsafe practice, the WHO Representative Palitha Mahipala said. Those affected have urged the Sindh government to make HIV medicine readily available at private medical stores apart from government hospitals for easy access. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that legislation for the formation of a health commission, to address HIV outbreak, has been completed, she said, the Express Tribune reported. Dr Pechuho said that the investigation revealed a large number of doctors in Sindh were carrying out unsafe medical practices. Efforts are being made to stop them from doing so. She also requested the federal government to allocate a certain amount in the budget for the production of auto-lock syringes in Pakistan, the report said. She said that the recent outbreak was a sign that if the issue of HIV is neglected any further, it would result in a dangerous situation. Federal Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza also said that federal and provincial governments were working together and the recent HIV outbreak was a wakeup call to improve the healthcare system in the country. He stressed on the need to make HIV control programme more effective, at national and provincial levels. He said that Pakistan has the highest number of Hepatitis B cases in the world and Hepatitis C was also turning out to be a big challenge, adding that if not addressed, HIV too would become a big problem. Citizens have also asked to take adequate measures to counter the disease. In total, 76.1 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV, since the epidemic started in the 1980s. Some 35 million have died, according to official figures. Without treatment, HIV-infected people go on to develop AIDS, a syndrome that weakens the immune system and leaves the body exposed to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, and some types of cancer. Treatment carries side-effects and is costly, but allows infected people to be healthier for longer.

31 test positive for HIV in Pakistan

Priyanka Chopra will be awarded the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by UNICEF's American chapter at their Snowflake Ball in December.&nbsp;The award is named after actor-philanthropist Danny Kaye, who was UNICEF's first Goodwill Ambassador. 
 
The 36-year-old actor took to Twitter to express her gratitude on Wednesday. "So humbled. Thank you @UNICEFUSA for honouring me with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the #UNICEFSnowflake Ball in December!

"My work with @UNICEF on behalf of all the world's children means everything to me. Here's to peace freedom and the right to education #ForEveryChild," Priyanka tweeted.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
So humbled. Thank u <a href="https://twitter.com/UNICEFUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNICEFUSA</a> for honouring me with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNICEFSnowflake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNICEFSnowflake</a> Ball in December! My work with <a href="https://twitter.com/UNICEF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNICEF</a> on behalf of all the world's children means everything to me..Here’s to peace freedom &amp; the right to education <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEveryChild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEveryChild</a> <a href="https://t.co/OZ4Qppc1y4">pic.twitter.com/OZ4Qppc1y4</a>
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra/status/1138703839387799554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The actress&nbsp;is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as a part of which she visited Ethiopia last month.&nbsp;Priyanka Chopra is known for her contribution to social causes and for being a voice for children's education.&nbsp;

She has been a part of United Nation's global 'Girl Up'&nbsp;Campaign and is associated with several NGOs in India to raise awareness about ways to improve the education, health and safety of girl child in India.&nbsp;

Priyanka Chopra will be awarded the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by UNICEF's American chapter at their Snowflake Ball in December. The award is named after actor-philanthropist Danny Kaye, who was UNICEF's first Goodwill Ambassador.

Priyanka Chopra will be awarded the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by UNICEF's American chapter at their Snowflake Ball in December. The award is named after actor-philanthropist Danny Kaye, who was UNICEF's first Goodwill Ambassador. The 36-year-old actor took to Twitter to express her gratitude on Wednesday. "So humbled. Thank you @UNICEFUSA for honouring me with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the #UNICEFSnowflake Ball in December! "My work with @UNICEF on behalf of all the world's children means everything to me. Here's to peace freedom and the right to education #ForEveryChild," Priyanka tweeted. So humbled. Thank u @UNICEFUSA for honouring me with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the #UNICEFSnowflake Ball in December! My work with @UNICEF on behalf of all the world's children means everything to me..Here’s to peace freedom & the right to education #ForEveryChild pic.twitter.com/OZ4Qppc1y4 — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) June 12, 2019 × The actress is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as a part of which she visited Ethiopia last month. Priyanka Chopra is known for her contribution to social causes and for being a voice for children's education. She has been a part of United Nation's global 'Girl Up' Campaign and is associated with several NGOs in India to raise awareness about ways to improve the education, health and safety of girl child in India.

Priyanka Chopra to receive UNICEF USA humanitarian award

A new app launched in South Sudan on Friday aims to help aid workers reunite thousands of children with their families after they became separated during a five-year war and identify other vulnerable children.

The app was developed by the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) and the charity Save the Children to allow the hundreds of field workers tracing families in South Sudan to share information on their phones or tablets.

"Caseworkers are the backbone of everything we do. They walk for hours and hours under the scorching sun, wade through mud, travel for days on bumpy dirt roads to knock on doors," said Rama Hansraj, head of Save the Children in South Sudan.

"They are in every corner of South Sudan, yet until now have found it difficult to communicate with other caseworkers on the other side of the country. With this new app, we're bringing their work into the 21st century."

South Sudan, the world's newest country, has been ravaged by civil war since 2013 after clashes erupted between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.

The government signed a peace agreement with rebels in September, but the war has had a devastating impact. At least 50,000 people have been killed and one in three South Sudanese have been uprooted from their homes.

Children have borne the brunt of the violence, said aid workers, with more than 19,000 registered as missing, unaccompanied or separated from their families.

While more than 6,000 children have been reunited with their families, thousands are still living with temporary foster families or in care centres.

Many were abducted by armed factions to be used as child soldiers, informants or porters. Others were separated from their parents after an attack on their villages.

Some separated children are also migrants from poor families forced to look for work, or runaways who were facing physical or sexual abuse at home said, aid workers.

Child protection caseworkers - who come from various charities as well as the government - will now be able to directly input data on separated children into the app so that other field workers can easily access it.

The app is connected to a database featuring children's pictures and biodata, as well as details on circumstances leading to separation and where their family used to live.

"The app will be vital in a poorly connected South Sudan. It can be synced before the caseworker heads out and allows them to access the necessary files while in remote areas," said Helene Sandbu Ryeng from UNICEF in South Sudan.

The app has a photo and sound features, which is crucial - especially when parents and their children have been separated for years, which is often the case in South Sudan, added Ryeng.

It will also help identify minors who need help such as counselling for trauma.

Field workers will be able to input data on their apps, according to a level of priority so that it can be quickly followed up by child protection teams based in their offices.

A new app launched in South Sudan on Friday aims to help aid workers reunite thousands of children with their families after they became separated during a five-year war and identify other vulnerable children.

A new app launched in South Sudan on Friday aims to help aid workers reunite thousands of children with their families after they became separated during a five-year war and identify other vulnerable children. The app was developed by the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) and the charity Save the Children to allow the hundreds of field workers tracing families in South Sudan to share information on their phones or tablets. "Caseworkers are the backbone of everything we do. They walk for hours and hours under the scorching sun, wade through mud, travel for days on bumpy dirt roads to knock on doors," said Rama Hansraj, head of Save the Children in South Sudan. "They are in every corner of South Sudan, yet until now have found it difficult to communicate with other caseworkers on the other side of the country. With this new app, we're bringing their work into the 21st century." South Sudan, the world's newest country, has been ravaged by civil war since 2013 after clashes erupted between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar. The government signed a peace agreement with rebels in September, but the war has had a devastating impact. At least 50,000 people have been killed and one in three South Sudanese have been uprooted from their homes. Children have borne the brunt of the violence, said aid workers, with more than 19,000 registered as missing, unaccompanied or separated from their families. While more than 6,000 children have been reunited with their families, thousands are still living with temporary foster families or in care centres. Many were abducted by armed factions to be used as child soldiers, informants or porters. Others were separated from their parents after an attack on their villages. Some separated children are also migrants from poor families forced to look for work, or runaways who were facing physical or sexual abuse at home said, aid workers. Child protection caseworkers - who come from various charities as well as the government - will now be able to directly input data on separated children into the app so that other field workers can easily access it. The app is connected to a database featuring children's pictures and biodata, as well as details on circumstances leading to separation and where their family used to live. "The app will be vital in a poorly connected South Sudan. It can be synced before the caseworker heads out and allows them to access the necessary files while in remote areas," said Helene Sandbu Ryeng from UNICEF in South Sudan. The app has a photo and sound features, which is crucial - especially when parents and their children have been separated for years, which is often the case in South Sudan, added Ryeng. It will also help identify minors who need help such as counselling for trauma. Field workers will be able to input data on their apps, according to a level of priority so that it can be quickly followed up by child protection teams based in their offices.

New app seeks to reunite South Sudan's 'lost children' with families

Nepal has been listed as one of the top 10 countries in the world where child marriage is rampant among boys, the United Nations Children's Fund said in its first-ever in-depth analysis of child grooms.

In Nepal, one in every 10 men aged between 20 and 24 was married as a child, UNICEF said in its report.

Using data from 82 countries, the study revealed that child marriage among boys is prevalent across many countries around the world, spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and East Asia and the Pacific.

"Marriage steals childhood. Child grooms are forced to take on adult responsibilities for which they may not be ready," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore pointed out.

"Early marriage brings early fatherhood and with it added pressure to provide for a family, cutting short education and job opportunities," she said.

According to the data, the Central African Republic has the highest prevalence of child marriage among males (28 per cent), followed by Nicaragua (19 per cent) and Madagascar (13 per cent).

Nepal, which ranks 10, is the only country in South Asia with a significant prevalence of child marriage among both boys and girls, according to the report.

The new estimates bring the total number of child brides and child grooms to 765 million.

Girls remain disproportionately affected, with one in five young women aged 20 to 24 years old married before their 18th birthday, compared to one in 30 young men.

Nepal has been listed as one of the top 10 countries in the world where child marriage is rampant among boys, the United Nations Children's Fund said in its first-ever in-depth analysis of child grooms.

Nepal has been listed as one of the top 10 countries in the world where child marriage is rampant among boys, the United Nations Children's Fund said in its first-ever in-depth analysis of child grooms. In Nepal, one in every 10 men aged between 20 and 24 was married as a child, UNICEF said in its report. Using data from 82 countries, the study revealed that child marriage among boys is prevalent across many countries around the world, spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and East Asia and the Pacific. "Marriage steals childhood. Child grooms are forced to take on adult responsibilities for which they may not be ready," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore pointed out. "Early marriage brings early fatherhood and with it added pressure to provide for a family, cutting short education and job opportunities," she said. According to the data, the Central African Republic has the highest prevalence of child marriage among males (28 per cent), followed by Nicaragua (19 per cent) and Madagascar (13 per cent). Nepal, which ranks 10, is the only country in South Asia with a significant prevalence of child marriage among both boys and girls, according to the report. The new estimates bring the total number of child brides and child grooms to 765 million. Girls remain disproportionately affected, with one in five young women aged 20 to 24 years old married before their 18th birthday, compared to one in 30 young men.

1 in every 10 men in Nepal gets married underage: UNICEF

India on Thursday rejected Donald Trump' statement on India's pollution and cleanliness and said US President's remark exposed his ''ignorance''.

“China, India, Russia, many other nations, they have not very good air, not very good water in the sense of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-india-russia-do-not-have-very-good-air-they-are-not-very-good-with-pollution-and-cleanliness-trump-224835">pollution and cleanliness</a>,” Trump had said in an interview to UK television channel.&nbsp;

Trump claimed that New Delhi has not been doing enough to control climate change.

In the interview, Trump also accused China and Russia along with India of not fulfilling their responsibilities towards the environment.

Not only that, Trump absolved the US of any responsibility towards the environment, he also claimed the US was among the most environment-friendly nations in the world.

Ironically, US president's remarks on India's 'uncleanliness' came on the day when the country's Swacch Bharat or nationwide cleanliness programme got the UNICEF's approval.

In a report, the UNICEF said that the Swachh Bharat initiative has led to a reduction in groundwater contamination.

After coming to power, Trump has often taken anti-environment stand. Most notably, the US pulled out of the Paris climate change accord.&nbsp;

India on Thursday rejected Donald Trump' statement on India's pollution and cleanliness and said US President's remark exposed his ''ignorance''. “China, India, Russia, many other nations, they have not very good air, not very good water in the sense of pollution and cleanliness,” Trump had said in an interview to UK television channel.

India on Thursday rejected Donald Trump' statement on India's pollution and cleanliness and said US President's remark exposed his ''ignorance''. “China, India, Russia, many other nations, they have not very good air, not very good water in the sense of pollution and cleanliness,” Trump had said in an interview to UK television channel. Trump claimed that New Delhi has not been doing enough to control climate change. In the interview, Trump also accused China and Russia along with India of not fulfilling their responsibilities towards the environment. Not only that, Trump absolved the US of any responsibility towards the environment, he also claimed the US was among the most environment-friendly nations in the world. Ironically, US president's remarks on India's 'uncleanliness' came on the day when the country's Swacch Bharat or nationwide cleanliness programme got the UNICEF's approval. In a report, the UNICEF said that the Swachh Bharat initiative has led to a reduction in groundwater contamination. After coming to power, Trump has often taken anti-environment stand. Most notably, the US pulled out of the Paris climate change accord.

India rejects Trump's 'ignorant' remarks on pollution, cleanliness 

Attacks on schools in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-opens-probe-into-sexual-favour-allegations-222376">Afghanistan </a>tripled in 2018, surging from 68 in 2017 to 192, the United Nations agency for children said in a report, as the Taliban and other extremist groups in the war-torn country continue to wage a campaign of violence against softer targets.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday said in a report that it was the first time since 2015 that a rise in attacks had been recorded.

"Education is under fire in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-constructed-with-pakistans-assistance-hospital-with-200-bed-inaugurated-in-kabul-212122">Afghanistan</a>," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

"The senseless attacks on schools; the killing, injury and abduction of teachers; and the threats against education are destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of children."&nbsp;

More than 1,000 schools across the country remain closed because of security threats from groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State, which have sought soft targets for attacks aimed at extending and consolidating their influence through intimidation. Half a million children were denied their right to education as result.

Although the Taliban have shifted from their previous opposition to all forms of girls' education, they have faced regular accusations of shutting down schools run in a way they do not approve.

The UNICEF said the use of schools as voter registration and polling centers for the parliamentary elections in 2018 may have been a reason for the increase in the attacks.

An estimated 3.7 million children between the ages of 7 and 17&nbsp;nearly half of all school-aged children in the country are&nbsp;out of school in Afghanistan.

Worsening insecurity, high rates of poverty and persistent discrimination against girls caused the rate of out-of-school children to increase last year for the first time since 2002. Girls account for 60 per cent of children not in education.&nbsp;

The UNICEF is working with the government and other partners to provide informal and accelerated community-based education. This includes running classes in community buildings and homes, helping to reduce the risk of insecurity on the way to school.

On Monday, the third International Conference on Safe Schools opened in Spain for decision-makers to discuss the implementation of the Safe School Declaration endorsed by 87 nations&nbsp;its challenges and lessons learned, at the national, regional, and international levels. The conference is an occasion to encourage cooperation and stronger gender-responsive practices.

As the International Conference opened, UNICEF calls for an end to all attacks on schools and urges all warring parties to protect education during armed conflict.

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan tripled in 2018, surging from 68 in 2017 to 192, the United Nations agency for children said in a report, as the Taliban and other extremist groups in the war-torn country continue to wage a campaign of violence against softer targets.

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan tripled in 2018, surging from 68 in 2017 to 192, the United Nations agency for children said in a report, as the Taliban and other extremist groups in the war-torn country continue to wage a campaign of violence against softer targets. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday said in a report that it was the first time since 2015 that a rise in attacks had been recorded. "Education is under fire in Afghanistan," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "The senseless attacks on schools; the killing, injury and abduction of teachers; and the threats against education are destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of children." More than 1,000 schools across the country remain closed because of security threats from groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State, which have sought soft targets for attacks aimed at extending and consolidating their influence through intimidation. Half a million children were denied their right to education as result. Although the Taliban have shifted from their previous opposition to all forms of girls' education, they have faced regular accusations of shutting down schools run in a way they do not approve. The UNICEF said the use of schools as voter registration and polling centers for the parliamentary elections in 2018 may have been a reason for the increase in the attacks. An estimated 3.7 million children between the ages of 7 and 17 nearly half of all school-aged children in the country are out of school in Afghanistan. Worsening insecurity, high rates of poverty and persistent discrimination against girls caused the rate of out-of-school children to increase last year for the first time since 2002. Girls account for 60 per cent of children not in education. The UNICEF is working with the government and other partners to provide informal and accelerated community-based education. This includes running classes in community buildings and homes, helping to reduce the risk of insecurity on the way to school. On Monday, the third International Conference on Safe Schools opened in Spain for decision-makers to discuss the implementation of the Safe School Declaration endorsed by 87 nations its challenges and lessons learned, at the national, regional, and international levels. The conference is an occasion to encourage cooperation and stronger gender-responsive practices. As the International Conference opened, UNICEF calls for an end to all attacks on schools and urges all warring parties to protect education during armed conflict.

Attacks by extremists on Afghan schools triple: UNICEF

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure an education for children in many parts of the country, the United Nations children`s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday.

The agency, which promotes education and children's rights, said the number of attacks against Afghan schools jumped from 68 in 2017 to 192 last year. It was the first time since 2015 that a rise in attacks had been recorded.

"Education is under fire in Afghanistan," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "The senseless attacks on schools; the killing, injury and abduction of teachers; and the threats against education are destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of children."

More than 1,000 schools across the country remain closed because of security threats from groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State, which have sought soft targets for attacks aimed at extending and consolidating their influence through intimidation.

Although the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-claims-responsibility-for-quetta-blast-218492"> Taliban</a> have shifted from their previous opposition to all forms of girls` education, they have faced regular accusations of shutting down schools run in a way they do not approve.

UNICEF said the use of school buildings as voter centres during last year's parliamentary election may have been a factor behind the rise in attacks.

Afghanistan has a young and fast-growing population but about 3.7 million children, or nearly half of all school-age children, are not in formal education, UNICEF said.

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure an education for children in many parts of the country, the United Nations children`s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday.

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure an education for children in many parts of the country, the United Nations children`s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday. The agency, which promotes education and children's rights, said the number of attacks against Afghan schools jumped from 68 in 2017 to 192 last year. It was the first time since 2015 that a rise in attacks had been recorded. "Education is under fire in Afghanistan," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "The senseless attacks on schools; the killing, injury and abduction of teachers; and the threats against education are destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of children." More than 1,000 schools across the country remain closed because of security threats from groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State, which have sought soft targets for attacks aimed at extending and consolidating their influence through intimidation. Although the Taliban have shifted from their previous opposition to all forms of girls` education, they have faced regular accusations of shutting down schools run in a way they do not approve. UNICEF said the use of school buildings as voter centres during last year's parliamentary election may have been a factor behind the rise in attacks. Afghanistan has a young and fast-growing population but about 3.7 million children, or nearly half of all school-age children, are not in formal education, UNICEF said.

Education under fire' as attacks on Afghan schools jump: UNICEF

On the occasion of Mother`s Day, Kareena Kapoor Khan urged mothers across the nation to get their children immunised.

As a UNICEF Celebrity Advocate, she pledged to keep every child alive at an event.

The 38-year old actor also shared her experience of becoming a mother to enlighten all the young mothers.

She said, "When I delivered Taimur, the first thing I asked the doctor was that how do I protect him from Pneumonia, how do I protect him from the hundreds of diseases that I have been hearing of and when he presented me with the immunisation chart, I held on to it. I knew this is what it is going to take for my child to be alive."

During the event, Kareena Kapoor Khan honoured radio jockeys for spreading awareness against child sexual abuse and routine immunisation.

"It is great to see how so many radio jockeys across the nation worked tirelessly to educate, engage and spread the message of our campaign, to make people understand the importance of children`s health, immunisation; especially to young mothers," she said.

The actor is currently busy with her upcoming film `Good News` which is set to release later this year.&nbsp;

On the occasion of Mother`s Day, Kareena Kapoor Khan urged mothers across the nation to get their children immunised. As a UNICEF Celebrity Advocate, she pledged to keep every child alive at an event.

On the occasion of Mother`s Day, Kareena Kapoor Khan urged mothers across the nation to get their children immunised. As a UNICEF Celebrity Advocate, she pledged to keep every child alive at an event. The 38-year old actor also shared her experience of becoming a mother to enlighten all the young mothers. She said, "When I delivered Taimur, the first thing I asked the doctor was that how do I protect him from Pneumonia, how do I protect him from the hundreds of diseases that I have been hearing of and when he presented me with the immunisation chart, I held on to it. I knew this is what it is going to take for my child to be alive." During the event, Kareena Kapoor Khan honoured radio jockeys for spreading awareness against child sexual abuse and routine immunisation. "It is great to see how so many radio jockeys across the nation worked tirelessly to educate, engage and spread the message of our campaign, to make people understand the importance of children`s health, immunisation; especially to young mothers," she said. The actor is currently busy with her upcoming film `Good News` which is set to release later this year.

Kareena Kapoor pledges to spread awareness on immunisation

Environmental disasters linked to climate change are threatening the lives and futures of over 19 million children in Bangladesh, including prompting many families to push their daughters into child marriages, UNICEF said Friday.

"Climate change is deepening the environmental threat faced by families in Bangladesh's poorest communities, leaving them unable to keep their children properly housed, fed, healthy and educated," the UN children's agency said in a report.

"In Bangladesh and around the world, climate change has the potential to reverse many of the gains that countries have achieved in child survival and development."

Around 12 million of the children most affected live in and around the powerful river systems which flow through Bangladesh and regularly burst their banks, the report said.

Another 4.5 million children live in coastal areas regularly struck by powerful cyclones, including almost half a million Rohingya refugee children from neighbouring Myanmar living in fragile bamboo and plastic shelters.

A further three million children live further inland, where farming communities suffer increasing periods of drought.

Bangladesh’s flat topography, dense population and weak infrastructure have long made it vulnerable to extreme weather events, but experts say that these have become more frequent in recent years as global temperatures have risen.

In 2007, a powerful cyclone killed nearly 4000 people and affected hundreds of thousands more. The most recent major flooding of the Brahmaputra River in 2017 inundated at least 480 community health clinics and damaged some 50,000 tube wells, essential for meeting communities’ safe water needs.

The report says that climate change is a key factor pushing poorer Bangladeshis to head to the capital Dhaka and other major cities, where children risk being pushed into dangerous forms of labour and early marriage.&nbsp;

It cites research showing that Bangladesh has six million climate migrants already, a number that could more than double by 2050.

The connection between climate change and child marriage, child labour and access to education is evident in various parts of Bangladesh, according to the report.

"Climate change makes people poorer," said Gyas Uddin, a specialist on child protection issues, "and poverty is a major factor behind child marriage".

Despite making impressive gains in many social indicators in recent decades, child marriage remains rampant in conservative, Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

Bangladesh currently has one of the world's highest rates of child marriage with nearly a third of girls being married before the age of 15.&nbsp;

According to UNICEF Bangladesh Child Protection Specialist Kristina Wesslund, climate change is one reason why an estimated 3.45 million Bangladeshi children are involved in child labour.&nbsp;

"Climate change is undoubtedly increasing the number of children who are pushed into the workplace, where they miss out on an education and are terribly exposed to violence and abuse," Wesslund said.

Environmental disasters linked to climate change are threatening the lives and futures of over 19 million children in Bangladesh, including prompting many families to push their daughters into child marriages, UNICEF said Friday.

Environmental disasters linked to climate change are threatening the lives and futures of over 19 million children in Bangladesh, including prompting many families to push their daughters into child marriages, UNICEF said Friday. "Climate change is deepening the environmental threat faced by families in Bangladesh's poorest communities, leaving them unable to keep their children properly housed, fed, healthy and educated," the UN children's agency said in a report. "In Bangladesh and around the world, climate change has the potential to reverse many of the gains that countries have achieved in child survival and development." Around 12 million of the children most affected live in and around the powerful river systems which flow through Bangladesh and regularly burst their banks, the report said. Another 4.5 million children live in coastal areas regularly struck by powerful cyclones, including almost half a million Rohingya refugee children from neighbouring Myanmar living in fragile bamboo and plastic shelters. A further three million children live further inland, where farming communities suffer increasing periods of drought. Bangladesh’s flat topography, dense population and weak infrastructure have long made it vulnerable to extreme weather events, but experts say that these have become more frequent in recent years as global temperatures have risen. In 2007, a powerful cyclone killed nearly 4000 people and affected hundreds of thousands more. The most recent major flooding of the Brahmaputra River in 2017 inundated at least 480 community health clinics and damaged some 50,000 tube wells, essential for meeting communities’ safe water needs. The report says that climate change is a key factor pushing poorer Bangladeshis to head to the capital Dhaka and other major cities, where children risk being pushed into dangerous forms of labour and early marriage. It cites research showing that Bangladesh has six million climate migrants already, a number that could more than double by 2050. The connection between climate change and child marriage, child labour and access to education is evident in various parts of Bangladesh, according to the report. "Climate change makes people poorer," said Gyas Uddin, a specialist on child protection issues, "and poverty is a major factor behind child marriage". Despite making impressive gains in many social indicators in recent decades, child marriage remains rampant in conservative, Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Bangladesh currently has one of the world's highest rates of child marriage with nearly a third of girls being married before the age of 15. According to UNICEF Bangladesh Child Protection Specialist Kristina Wesslund, climate change is one reason why an estimated 3.45 million Bangladeshi children are involved in child labour. "Climate change is undoubtedly increasing the number of children who are pushed into the workplace, where they miss out on an education and are terribly exposed to violence and abuse," Wesslund said.

Climate change blights children's lives in Bangladesh

The number of children who are affected by the Venezuelan crisis and who will need humanitarian aid this year is expected to more than double to reach 1.1 million, up from nearly 500,000, the UN children's agency said Thursday.

The figure includes children uprooted from Venezuela, those who have returned and others in host and transit communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, said a UNICEF statement.

The latest estimate highlighted expectations among aid agencies that the political crisis in Venezuela will worsen in the coming months, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation of children and families. &nbsp;

UNICEF called on governments in the region to uphold the rights of children and ensure they have access to essential services.

An internal UN report seen by AFP last week said seven million people -- about 24 per cent of Venezuela's population -- are in need of humanitarian aid, lacking access to food and medical care.

President Nicolas Maduro has blamed US sanctions for Venezuela's economic problems but opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, says government corruption and mismanagement are at fault.&nbsp;

Guaido is recognised by the United States and around 50 other governments.

The UN Security Council is expected to meet next week at the request of the United States to discuss Venezuela's humanitarian crisis.

The number of children who are affected by the Venezuelan crisis and who will need humanitarian aid this year is expected to more than double to reach 1.1 million, up from nearly 500,000, the UN children's agency said Thursday.

The number of children who are affected by the Venezuelan crisis and who will need humanitarian aid this year is expected to more than double to reach 1.1 million, up from nearly 500,000, the UN children's agency said Thursday. The figure includes children uprooted from Venezuela, those who have returned and others in host and transit communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, said a UNICEF statement. The latest estimate highlighted expectations among aid agencies that the political crisis in Venezuela will worsen in the coming months, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation of children and families. UNICEF called on governments in the region to uphold the rights of children and ensure they have access to essential services. An internal UN report seen by AFP last week said seven million people -- about 24 per cent of Venezuela's population -- are in need of humanitarian aid, lacking access to food and medical care. President Nicolas Maduro has blamed US sanctions for Venezuela's economic problems but opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, says government corruption and mismanagement are at fault. Guaido is recognised by the United States and around 50 other governments. The UN Security Council is expected to meet next week at the request of the United States to discuss Venezuela's humanitarian crisis.

1.1 million children affected by Venezuela crisis: UNICEF

Two children were killed and eight critically wounded when an unexploded bomb went off at a school in the rebel-held Yemeni capital, the UN children's agency said on Friday.&nbsp;

A child had found the bomb and brought it to Al-Fatah school in the Hamdan district of Sanaa on Wednesday to show friends, UNICEF said in a statement.

The casualties were aged between 12 and 14.&nbsp;

Children often fall victim to unexploded ordnance, failing to fully appreciate the dangers.&nbsp;

"It is highly likely, as we've seen in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, that children will continue to be killed even when there's a lull in violence or the violence comes to an end," said UNICEF's regional chief of communications, Juliette Touma.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 Yemenis have been killed since 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened to prevent the defeat of the government in the face of a rebel offensive.

Human rights groups say the real death toll is several times higher.&nbsp;

The conflict has pushed millions of Yemenis to the brink of mass starvation, in what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

Two children were killed and eight critically wounded when an unexploded bomb went off at a school in the rebel-held Yemeni capital, the UN children's agency said on Friday.

Two children were killed and eight critically wounded when an unexploded bomb went off at a school in the rebel-held Yemeni capital, the UN children's agency said on Friday. A child had found the bomb and brought it to Al-Fatah school in the Hamdan district of Sanaa on Wednesday to show friends, UNICEF said in a statement. The casualties were aged between 12 and 14. Children often fall victim to unexploded ordnance, failing to fully appreciate the dangers. "It is highly likely, as we've seen in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, that children will continue to be killed even when there's a lull in violence or the violence comes to an end," said UNICEF's regional chief of communications, Juliette Touma. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 Yemenis have been killed since 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened to prevent the defeat of the government in the face of a rebel offensive. Human rights groups say the real death toll is several times higher. The conflict has pushed millions of Yemenis to the brink of mass starvation, in what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Yemen schoolchildren killed by unexploded ordnance

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mozambique-cyclone-death-toll-jumps-to-more-than-400-205056">death toll from a powerful cyclone</a> that pummelled swathes of southern African countries, flooding thousands of square kilometres, on Saturday surged past 600 as diseases stalked tens of thousands of survivors.

At least 417 people have died in Mozambique, according to the government, bringing to 676 the total deaths when combined with those from neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Cyclone Idai smashed into the coast of central Mozambique on Friday last week, unleashing hurricane-force winds and rains that flooded the hinterland and drenched eastern Zimbabwe leaving a trail of destruction.

Relief and rescue efforts entered a second week in the central parts of the impoverished country.

The UN, warning of more suffering, stepped up calls for help in Mozambique as aid agencies struggle to assist tens of thousands of people battered by one of southern Africa's most powerful cyclones.

'Situation will get worse'

A week after the storm lashed Mozambique with winds of nearly 200 kilometres (120 miles) per hour, survivors are struggling in desperate conditions -- some still trapped on rooftops and those saved needing food and facing the risk of outbreaks of disease such as cholera.

"The situation will get worse before it gets better," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said Saturday.

"Aid agencies are barely beginning to see the scale of the damage," she adding that "entire villages have been submerged, buildings have been flattened, and schools and health care centres have been destroyed".

The storm wreaked an area about 3,000 square kilometres of land.

The World Food Programme late Friday night declared the flood crisis a level three emergency, putting it on a par with crises in Yemen, Syria and South Sudan.

"The designation will accelerate the massive operational scale-up now underway to assist victims of last week’s Category 4 cyclone and subsequent large-scale flooding that claimed countless lives and displaced at least 600,000 people," said WFP spokesman Herve Verhoosel.

"Now that the world is beginning to grasp the scale of devastation and despair," he said.

More than two million people have been affected in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and in Malawi where the storm started as a tropical depression causing flooding which killed 60 and displaced nearly a million people.

Hundreds are still missing in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

'Like Yemen, Syria'

Humanitarian agencies are racing against the clock to help people, many of whom have not had a meal in days.

Poor sanitary conditions mean the disease is now a real concern.

"Already, some cholera cases have been reported in (the port city of) Beira along with an increasing number of malaria infections among people trapped by the flooding," the International Federation of the Red Cross said in a statement.

Even some of those rescued and in shelters are in overcrowded conditions and poor hygiene places them at risk. UNICEF estimates at least a million children have been affected by the storm.

Aid group Doctors Without Borders said people were also at risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia.

In Buzi, a small town that has reportedly "disappeared" under water, an AFP photographer saw people sleeping outside, under the rain and many coughing. &nbsp;

"There are lot of dead &nbsp;(people). We can't even count," said Otelea Jose, arriving by boat in Beira.

"We are living an unprecedented natural disaster. A disaster that only matches major disasters" said Lands and Environment Minister Celso Correia.&nbsp;

Districts west of Beira resemble an inland lake, and thousands of people are still trapped on rooftops.

'Unprecedented natural disaster'

Although water levels are slowly going down, according to the government, the UN humanitarian agency warned of fresh flooding if more rains fall.

"The Zambezi (river) is essentially in flood currently, it's very high .. there is a lot of rain in the highlands, the more that flows down to the Zambezi the more likely that is going to break its banks and we will have a second flooding emergency," said Sebastian Stampa, an OCHA coordinator.

Nearly 90,000 people are already in shelters in central Mozambique.

In Beira, businessman Ibraimo Masquine counted his blessings. "I can't believe I'm here. I was scared for my life," he said clearing debris from his factory, but he also said there was "no clean water to drink, no food".

The death toll from a powerful cyclone that pummelled swathes of southern African countries, flooding thousands of square kilometres, on Saturday surged past 600 as diseases stalked tens of thousands of survivors.

The death toll from a powerful cyclone that pummelled swathes of southern African countries, flooding thousands of square kilometres, on Saturday surged past 600 as diseases stalked tens of thousands of survivors. At least 417 people have died in Mozambique, according to the government, bringing to 676 the total deaths when combined with those from neighbouring Zimbabwe. Cyclone Idai smashed into the coast of central Mozambique on Friday last week, unleashing hurricane-force winds and rains that flooded the hinterland and drenched eastern Zimbabwe leaving a trail of destruction. Relief and rescue efforts entered a second week in the central parts of the impoverished country. The UN, warning of more suffering, stepped up calls for help in Mozambique as aid agencies struggle to assist tens of thousands of people battered by one of southern Africa's most powerful cyclones. 'Situation will get worse' A week after the storm lashed Mozambique with winds of nearly 200 kilometres (120 miles) per hour, survivors are struggling in desperate conditions -- some still trapped on rooftops and those saved needing food and facing the risk of outbreaks of disease such as cholera. "The situation will get worse before it gets better," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said Saturday. "Aid agencies are barely beginning to see the scale of the damage," she adding that "entire villages have been submerged, buildings have been flattened, and schools and health care centres have been destroyed". The storm wreaked an area about 3,000 square kilometres of land. The World Food Programme late Friday night declared the flood crisis a level three emergency, putting it on a par with crises in Yemen, Syria and South Sudan. "The designation will accelerate the massive operational scale-up now underway to assist victims of last week’s Category 4 cyclone and subsequent large-scale flooding that claimed countless lives and displaced at least 600,000 people," said WFP spokesman Herve Verhoosel. "Now that the world is beginning to grasp the scale of devastation and despair," he said. More than two million people have been affected in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and in Malawi where the storm started as a tropical depression causing flooding which killed 60 and displaced nearly a million people. Hundreds are still missing in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. 'Like Yemen, Syria' Humanitarian agencies are racing against the clock to help people, many of whom have not had a meal in days. Poor sanitary conditions mean the disease is now a real concern. "Already, some cholera cases have been reported in (the port city of) Beira along with an increasing number of malaria infections among people trapped by the flooding," the International Federation of the Red Cross said in a statement. Even some of those rescued and in shelters are in overcrowded conditions and poor hygiene places them at risk. UNICEF estimates at least a million children have been affected by the storm. Aid group Doctors Without Borders said people were also at risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia. In Buzi, a small town that has reportedly "disappeared" under water, an AFP photographer saw people sleeping outside, under the rain and many coughing. "There are lot of dead (people). We can't even count," said Otelea Jose, arriving by boat in Beira. "We are living an unprecedented natural disaster. A disaster that only matches major disasters" said Lands and Environment Minister Celso Correia. Districts west of Beira resemble an inland lake, and thousands of people are still trapped on rooftops. 'Unprecedented natural disaster' Although water levels are slowly going down, according to the government, the UN humanitarian agency warned of fresh flooding if more rains fall. "The Zambezi (river) is essentially in flood currently, it's very high .. there is a lot of rain in the highlands, the more that flows down to the Zambezi the more likely that is going to break its banks and we will have a second flooding emergency," said Sebastian Stampa, an OCHA coordinator. Nearly 90,000 people are already in shelters in central Mozambique. In Beira, businessman Ibraimo Masquine counted his blessings. "I can't believe I'm here. I was scared for my life," he said clearing debris from his factory, but he also said there was "no clean water to drink, no food".

Africa cyclone death toll surges past 600, 'worst yet to come'

Mozambique started three days of national mourning on Wednesday after a powerful cyclone and flooding killed hundreds of people and left a trail of destruction across swathes of southeast Africa.

Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique's port city of Beira with winds of up to 170 kph (105 mph) on Thursday last week, then moved inland to Zimbabwe and Malawi, flattening buildings and putting the lives of millions of people at risk.

Drone footage showed residents of a shantytown at the port still picking through wreckage days after the storm hit and trying to drag plastic sheeting over their ruined homes.

The film, released by the Red Cross, showed the settlement pockmarked with empty plots where the winds had blown whole buildings from their foundations.

"Great floods have sowed mourning and devastation in various areas of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi," Pope Francis said on Wednesday. "I express my pain and closeness to those dear people."

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi said a day earlier that the cyclone had killed more than 200 people in his country but rescuers were still discovering more bodies.

In neighbouring Zimbabwe the official death count stands at 98 but is likely to grow as hundreds are still missing.

In the worst-hit eastern parts of Zimbabwe, grieving families rushed to bury their dead because the cyclone has knocked out power supplies and stopped mortuaries from functioning.

Malawi has not released details of any casualties from the storm, which weakened as it moved further inland over the weekend, leaving heavy rains in its wake.

Disease, shortages

Aid groups said they were struggling to reach many survivors trapped in remote areas of Mozambique, surrounded by wrecked roads and submerged villages.

"Challenges remain in terms of the search and rescue of thousands of people, including children," UNICEF said. It estimated that 260,000 children were at risk there.

Beira, a low-lying coastal city of 500,000 people, is home to Mozambique's second-largest port and serves as a gateway to landlocked countries in the region. There were food and fuel shortages in parts of central Mozambique because Beira is cut off by road, local media reported.

Zimbabwe's Grain Millers Association said 100 trucks carrying wheat destined for Zimbabwe were stuck in Beira.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is due to visit the worst-affected areas on Wednesday. Both Mozambique and Zimbabwe have declared states of emergency in some areas.

The floods also brought the threat of waterborne diseases, said aid group Doctors Without Borders

"People are using well water with no chlorination, and that water is unlikely to be clean and safe to drink ... Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases are going to be a problem," Gert Verdonck, an emergency coordinator with the charity said from Beira.

The European Union announced on Tuesday an initial emergency aid package of 3.5 million euros ($3.97 million) to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe for emergency shelters, hygiene, sanitation and health care. Britain and the United Arab Emirates have also pledged aid.

Mozambique started three days of national mourning on Wednesday after a powerful cyclone and flooding killed hundreds of people and left a trail of destruction across swathes of southeast Africa.

Mozambique started three days of national mourning on Wednesday after a powerful cyclone and flooding killed hundreds of people and left a trail of destruction across swathes of southeast Africa. Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique's port city of Beira with winds of up to 170 kph (105 mph) on Thursday last week, then moved inland to Zimbabwe and Malawi, flattening buildings and putting the lives of millions of people at risk. Drone footage showed residents of a shantytown at the port still picking through wreckage days after the storm hit and trying to drag plastic sheeting over their ruined homes. The film, released by the Red Cross, showed the settlement pockmarked with empty plots where the winds had blown whole buildings from their foundations. "Great floods have sowed mourning and devastation in various areas of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi," Pope Francis said on Wednesday. "I express my pain and closeness to those dear people." Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi said a day earlier that the cyclone had killed more than 200 people in his country but rescuers were still discovering more bodies. In neighbouring Zimbabwe the official death count stands at 98 but is likely to grow as hundreds are still missing. In the worst-hit eastern parts of Zimbabwe, grieving families rushed to bury their dead because the cyclone has knocked out power supplies and stopped mortuaries from functioning. Malawi has not released details of any casualties from the storm, which weakened as it moved further inland over the weekend, leaving heavy rains in its wake. Disease, shortages Aid groups said they were struggling to reach many survivors trapped in remote areas of Mozambique, surrounded by wrecked roads and submerged villages. "Challenges remain in terms of the search and rescue of thousands of people, including children," UNICEF said. It estimated that 260,000 children were at risk there. Beira, a low-lying coastal city of 500,000 people, is home to Mozambique's second-largest port and serves as a gateway to landlocked countries in the region. There were food and fuel shortages in parts of central Mozambique because Beira is cut off by road, local media reported. Zimbabwe's Grain Millers Association said 100 trucks carrying wheat destined for Zimbabwe were stuck in Beira. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is due to visit the worst-affected areas on Wednesday. Both Mozambique and Zimbabwe have declared states of emergency in some areas. The floods also brought the threat of waterborne diseases, said aid group Doctors Without Borders "People are using well water with no chlorination, and that water is unlikely to be clean and safe to drink ... Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases are going to be a problem," Gert Verdonck, an emergency coordinator with the charity said from Beira. The European Union announced on Tuesday an initial emergency aid package of 3.5 million euros ($3.97 million) to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe for emergency shelters, hygiene, sanitation and health care. Britain and the United Arab Emirates have also pledged aid.

Mozambique starts three days of mourning after cyclone kills over 200 people

UNICEF on Sunday warned that 1,106 children died during fighting in Syria in 2018, the deadliest year for children since the war began eight years ago and called on the parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of children.

The Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund, Henrietta Fore, said in a statement dated Monday that these are the verified figures and the real ones are "likely much higher," and called for support for the donors' conference in Brussels which starts on March 12.

"Today, there exists an alarming misconception that the conflict in Syria is drawing quickly to a close - it is not. Children in parts of the country remain in as much danger as at any other time during the eight-year conflict," she said in the statement.

UNICEF points out that mine contamination is the leading cause of child casualties in Syria and unexploded ordnance accounted for 434 deaths and injuries last year, while there were a record number of attacks on education and health institutions, 262 in total.

Fore said she was "particularly concerned about the situation in Idlib in northwestern Syria where intensification of violence has reportedly killed 59 children in the past few weeks alone."

She noted that children and families "in no man's lands continue to live in limbo" and in Rukban, near the Jordanian border, their situation "continues to be desperate, with limited access to food, water, shelter, health care and education."

She also warned of worsening conditions in the Al Hol camp in the north-east of Syria, which is home to more than 65,000 people, of whom some 240 are unaccompanied or separated children.

"Since January this year, nearly 60 children reportedly died while making the 300-kilometre trek from Baghouz to the camp," UNICEF said.

The UN agency also draws attention to the future of children of foreign fighters in Syria, which "remains unclear", and calls on member states to take responsibility for those children who are their citizens or descendants of their nationals and to take measures to prevent them from becoming stateless.

The neighbouring countries of the region, meanwhile, are home to 2.6 million Syrian refugee children, many of whose families, despite the help of host governments and the UN, cannot send them to school and resort to child labour or child marriage due to lack of income.

As Syria faces its ninth year of the war, UNICEF "again reminds parties to the conflict and the global community that it is the country's children who have suffered most and have the most to lose. Each day the conflict continues is another day stolen from their childhood."

Fore, therefore asks to prioritize "the protection of all children, no matter who controls which area" and regardless of the affiliations of their families, promoting access to families in need of support and solutions for those who voluntarily choose not to return and maintaining stable funding.

On the eve of the donors' conference in Brussels, Fore urged them "to maintain their generosity towards the children of Syria and neighbouring countries. Predictable, unrestricted, multi-year funding is required to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of children and their families inside Syria and across the region."

UNICEF on Sunday warned that 1,106 children died during fighting in Syria in 2018, the deadliest year for children since the war began eight years ago and called on the parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of children.

UNICEF on Sunday warned that 1,106 children died during fighting in Syria in 2018, the deadliest year for children since the war began eight years ago and called on the parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of children. The Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund, Henrietta Fore, said in a statement dated Monday that these are the verified figures and the real ones are "likely much higher," and called for support for the donors' conference in Brussels which starts on March 12. "Today, there exists an alarming misconception that the conflict in Syria is drawing quickly to a close - it is not. Children in parts of the country remain in as much danger as at any other time during the eight-year conflict," she said in the statement. UNICEF points out that mine contamination is the leading cause of child casualties in Syria and unexploded ordnance accounted for 434 deaths and injuries last year, while there were a record number of attacks on education and health institutions, 262 in total. Fore said she was "particularly concerned about the situation in Idlib in northwestern Syria where intensification of violence has reportedly killed 59 children in the past few weeks alone." She noted that children and families "in no man's lands continue to live in limbo" and in Rukban, near the Jordanian border, their situation "continues to be desperate, with limited access to food, water, shelter, health care and education." She also warned of worsening conditions in the Al Hol camp in the north-east of Syria, which is home to more than 65,000 people, of whom some 240 are unaccompanied or separated children. "Since January this year, nearly 60 children reportedly died while making the 300-kilometre trek from Baghouz to the camp," UNICEF said. The UN agency also draws attention to the future of children of foreign fighters in Syria, which "remains unclear", and calls on member states to take responsibility for those children who are their citizens or descendants of their nationals and to take measures to prevent them from becoming stateless. The neighbouring countries of the region, meanwhile, are home to 2.6 million Syrian refugee children, many of whose families, despite the help of host governments and the UN, cannot send them to school and resort to child labour or child marriage due to lack of income. As Syria faces its ninth year of the war, UNICEF "again reminds parties to the conflict and the global community that it is the country's children who have suffered most and have the most to lose. Each day the conflict continues is another day stolen from their childhood." Fore, therefore asks to prioritize "the protection of all children, no matter who controls which area" and regardless of the affiliations of their families, promoting access to families in need of support and solutions for those who voluntarily choose not to return and maintaining stable funding. On the eve of the donors' conference in Brussels, Fore urged them "to maintain their generosity towards the children of Syria and neighbouring countries. Predictable, unrestricted, multi-year funding is required to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of children and their families inside Syria and across the region."

Over 1,100 children were killed in the Syrian war in 2018, deadliest year

An online petition has been started in Pakistan demanding Priyanka Chopra's removal as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. People in Pakistan have been irked after actress congratulated the Indian Air Force for the recent air strike across the Line of Control in the neighbouring country. The petition has so far got over 3000 signatories.&nbsp;

On 26th February, the actor had congratulated the IAF after several fighter jets attacked the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s terrorist camp at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. 
 
The strike came amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the 14th February suicide attack by Pakistan-based JeM that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/trevor-noah-defends-his-joke-on-indo-pak-war-people-are-more-offended-by-the-jokes-comedians-make-than-the-issue-itself-200968">Also see: Stand-up comedian Trevor Noah defends his comment on Indo-Pak war</a> 
 
"Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces," Chopra wrote on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Jai Hind <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianArmedForces?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianArmedForces</a> 🇮🇳 🙏🏽
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra/status/1100454040364707840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The petition on the online platform Avaaz seeks her removal from the post as she did not stay "neutral". 
 
"War between two nuclear powers can only lead to destruction &amp; death. As goodwill ambassador of UNICEF, Priyanka Chopra was supposed to stay neutral and peaceful but her tweet in favour of Indian arm forces after they invaded Pakistan airspace shows otherwise. She doesn't deserve this title anymore (sic)," the petition read.&nbsp; 
 
Chopra was appointed as the global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2016. 
 
The petition, which tagged the UN and UNICEF, had received over 3,519 signatures -- out of a 5,000 mark -- till the time this report was filed.&nbsp;

An online petition has been started in Pakistan demanding Priyanka Chopra's removal as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. People in Pakistan have been irked after actress congratulated the Indian Air Force for the recent air strike across the Line of Control in the neighbouring country.

An online petition has been started in Pakistan demanding Priyanka Chopra's removal as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. People in Pakistan have been irked after actress congratulated the Indian Air Force for the recent air strike across the Line of Control in the neighbouring country. The petition has so far got over 3000 signatories. On 26th February, the actor had congratulated the IAF after several fighter jets attacked the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s terrorist camp at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The strike came amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the 14th February suicide attack by Pakistan-based JeM that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Also see: Stand-up comedian Trevor Noah defends his comment on Indo-Pak war "Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces," Chopra wrote on Twitter. Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces 🇮🇳 🙏🏽 — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) February 26, 2019 × The petition on the online platform Avaaz seeks her removal from the post as she did not stay "neutral". "War between two nuclear powers can only lead to destruction & death. As goodwill ambassador of UNICEF, Priyanka Chopra was supposed to stay neutral and peaceful but her tweet in favour of Indian arm forces after they invaded Pakistan airspace shows otherwise. She doesn't deserve this title anymore (sic)," the petition read. Chopra was appointed as the global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2016. The petition, which tagged the UN and UNICEF, had received over 3,519 signatures -- out of a 5,000 mark -- till the time this report was filed.

Priyanka Chopra's tweet on IAF air strike irks Pak fans, petition filed seeking her removal as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Five Yemeni children were killed in an attack on their home in flashpoint Hodeida province, the UN and medics said, months into a ceasefire agreed by the government and rebels.

The UN children's agency (UNICEF) said that the five children were "playing at home" when they were killed on Thursday.

It did not give details on the nature of the attack or the perpetrators.

"Each day, eight children are killed or injured across 31 active conflict zones in the country," UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said in a statement Saturday.

Medics in the Tuhayta district, in southern Hodeida, on Sunday confirmed to AFP that they had transferred dead and wounded children to a hospital in the government-held Khokha district nearby.

The Red Sea province of Hodeida has witnessed some of the Yemen war's most intense fighting, which has eased since the government and Huthi rebels agreed to a ceasefire in the area in December.

The Iran-backed Huthis have battled the government and its allies in a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for control of the impoverished country for four years.

Hodeida, held by the rebels since 2014, has witnessed intermittent clashes between the Huthis and pro-government forces since the ceasefire went into effect on December 18.

Around 10,000 people -- mostly civilians -- have been killed and more than 60,000 wounded since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the conflict in 2015, according to the World Health Organization.

Rights groups say the real figure could be five times as high.

The conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 10 million people at risk of starvation.&nbsp;

Over 24 million Yemenis -- more than three-quarters of the country's population -- are now dependent on some form of aid for survival, according to the UN.

Five Yemeni children were killed in an attack on their home in flashpoint Hodeida province, the UN and medics said, months into a ceasefire agreed by the government and rebels.

Five Yemeni children were killed in an attack on their home in flashpoint Hodeida province, the UN and medics said, months into a ceasefire agreed by the government and rebels. The UN children's agency (UNICEF) said that the five children were "playing at home" when they were killed on Thursday. It did not give details on the nature of the attack or the perpetrators. "Each day, eight children are killed or injured across 31 active conflict zones in the country," UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said in a statement Saturday. Medics in the Tuhayta district, in southern Hodeida, on Sunday confirmed to AFP that they had transferred dead and wounded children to a hospital in the government-held Khokha district nearby. The Red Sea province of Hodeida has witnessed some of the Yemen war's most intense fighting, which has eased since the government and Huthi rebels agreed to a ceasefire in the area in December. The Iran-backed Huthis have battled the government and its allies in a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for control of the impoverished country for four years. Hodeida, held by the rebels since 2014, has witnessed intermittent clashes between the Huthis and pro-government forces since the ceasefire went into effect on December 18. Around 10,000 people -- mostly civilians -- have been killed and more than 60,000 wounded since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the conflict in 2015, according to the World Health Organization. Rights groups say the real figure could be five times as high. The conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 10 million people at risk of starvation. Over 24 million Yemenis -- more than three-quarters of the country's population -- are now dependent on some form of aid for survival, according to the UN.

Five children killed in attack in Yemen's Hodeida: UN

A baby born in Tokyo weighing the same as a large onion has gone home healthy, becoming the smallest newborn boy in the world to leave hospital safely.

The tiny tot weighed just 268 grams -- under 10 ounces -- when he was delivered at 24 weeks, reportedly after he stopped growing in the womb.

He was so small he fit in an adult's cupped hands.

But after five months of treatment, he now weighs 3.238 kilos, is feeding normally, and has been discharged, Keio University Hospital said.

"I can only say I'm happy that he has grown this big because honestly, I wasn't sure he could survive," the boy's mother said.

Doctor Takeshi Arimitsu, who treated the infant, said he wanted to tell people that "there is a possibility that babies will be able to leave the hospital in good health even though they are born small".

Keio University Hospital said the boy was believed to now hold the record for the smallest newborn boy to be discharged from a hospital in good health.

The record was previously held by a boy born in Germany in 2009 weighing just 274 grams, the hospital said, citing a registry put together by University of Iowa for the world's tiniest surviving babies.&nbsp;

The smallest surviving girl was born in Germany in 2015 weighing 252 grams, according to the registry.

The survival rate of the smallest babies is substantially lower for boys compared with girls.

Experts are still not entirely sure why, though there have been suggestions it could be partly related to the slower development of lungs in male babies, Keio hospital said.

The baby was discharged last week, two months after his initial due date, local media said.

Japan has one of the world's lowest rates of infant mortality, according to UNICEF.&nbsp;

A baby born in Tokyo weighing the same as a large onion has gone home healthy, becoming the smallest newborn boy in the world to leave hospital safely. The tiny tot weighed just 268 grams -- under 10 ounces -- when he was delivered at 24 weeks, reportedly after he stopped growing in the womb.

A baby born in Tokyo weighing the same as a large onion has gone home healthy, becoming the smallest newborn boy in the world to leave hospital safely. The tiny tot weighed just 268 grams -- under 10 ounces -- when he was delivered at 24 weeks, reportedly after he stopped growing in the womb. He was so small he fit in an adult's cupped hands. But after five months of treatment, he now weighs 3.238 kilos, is feeding normally, and has been discharged, Keio University Hospital said. "I can only say I'm happy that he has grown this big because honestly, I wasn't sure he could survive," the boy's mother said. Doctor Takeshi Arimitsu, who treated the infant, said he wanted to tell people that "there is a possibility that babies will be able to leave the hospital in good health even though they are born small". Keio University Hospital said the boy was believed to now hold the record for the smallest newborn boy to be discharged from a hospital in good health. The record was previously held by a boy born in Germany in 2009 weighing just 274 grams, the hospital said, citing a registry put together by University of Iowa for the world's tiniest surviving babies. The smallest surviving girl was born in Germany in 2015 weighing 252 grams, according to the registry. The survival rate of the smallest babies is substantially lower for boys compared with girls. Experts are still not entirely sure why, though there have been suggestions it could be partly related to the slower development of lungs in male babies, Keio hospital said. The baby was discharged last week, two months after his initial due date, local media said. Japan has one of the world's lowest rates of infant mortality, according to UNICEF.

Japan: 'Smallest baby' who weighed same as large onion, leaves hospital healthy

Child soliders in war zones across globe

Young Paraguayan moms donate breast milk to 1,000 abandoned babies

unicef

Unicef, News on Unicef, stories on Unicef, articles on Unicef, Unicef stories at Wion, Unicef news, Unicef latest news