United News of Bangladesh

Thirty years after world leaders adopted a historic blueprint to achieve gender equality, a new United Nations report says women’s and girls’ rights are under attack and gender discrimination remains deeply embedded in economies and societies. The report released Thursday by the U.N. agency focused on women’s rights and gender equality found that nearly one-quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash to women’s rights last year. Despite some progress, including on girls’ education and access to family planning, UN Women said a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member and that cases of conflict-related sexual violence have increased by 50% since 2022. The report, released ahead of International Women’s Day on Saturday, also noted that only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman. “Globally, women’s human rights are under attack,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. “Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny.” He said the world must stand firm “in making human rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere.” The 189 countries that attended a 1995 Beijing women’s conference adopted a landmark declaration and 150-page platform for action to achieve gender equality, calling for bold action in 12 areas, including combating poverty and gender-based violence and putting women at top levels in business, government and at peacemaking tables. It also said for the first time in a U.N. document that human rights include the right of women to control and decide “on matters relating to their sexuality, including their sexual and reproductive health, free of discrimination, coercion and violence.” In the new review, which includes contributions from 159 countries, UN Women said countries have taken many steps forward on gender equality and women’s rights in the past five years but that such rights still are facing growing threats worldwide. On the positive side, the report said some 88% of countries have passed laws to combat violence against women and established services to help victims in the past five years. Most countries have banned workplace discrimination, and 44% are improving the quality of education and training for girls and women, it said. Overturning of Roe v Wade abortion law huge blow to women's rights: Bachelet Yet gender discrimination is deeply embedded, with wide gaps in power and resources that restrain women’s rights, the report said. “The weakening of democratic institutions has gone hand in hand with backlash on gender equality,” UN Women said. It warned that “anti-rights actors are actively undermining longstanding consensus on key women’s rights issues” and seeking to block or slow legal and policy gains they can’t roll back. UN Women said almost 25% of countries reported that backlash on gender equality is hampering implementation of the Beijing platform. According to the report, women have only 64% of the legal rights of men, and while the proportion of female lawmakers has more than doubled since 1995, three-quarters of lawmakers are still men. UN Women also said women aged 15 to 24 lag behind other age groups on access to modern family planning; maternal mortality ratios have remained almost unchanged since 2015; and 10% of women and girls live in extremely poor households. The U.N. agency said cases of conflict-related sexual violence have increased 50% since 2022 — and women and girls are victims of 95% of these crimes. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said that based on the report’s findings, the agency has adopted a roadmap to bring the world closer to the U.N. goal of achieving gender equality by 2030. Pakistan reaffirms commitment for protection, promotion of women's rights It calls for a digital revolution ensuring equal access to technology for all women and girls; investments in social protections, including universal health care and quality education to lift them out of poverty; and zero violence against girls and women. The roadmap also includes equal decision-making power for women and financing for “gender-responsive humanitarian aid” in conflicts and crises.

The U.N. human rights chief has expressed concern about a “fundamental shift in direction” taking place in the United States when it comes to human rights. Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, also praised bipartisan support for human rights for decades and the “generosity and compassion” of the American people in a sweeping address on his concerns on dozens of issues and country situations, including China, India, Russia, the United States and beyond. He expressed new concerns about a change in tack in Washington. “I am now deeply worried by the fundamental shift in direction that is taking place domestically and internationally,” the rights chief told the Human Rights Council. “Divisive rhetoric is being used to distort, deceive and polarize. This is generating fear and anxiety among many.” Türk did not specifically refer to the Trump administration, which announced pulling the United States out of the 47-member-country council in January — even though the Biden administration had already said last year that the U.S. would not seek a new three-year term. A seat reserved for a U.S. representative sat empty on Monday, the start of the Week 2 of the council's 5-1/2 week session. The rights body holds three sessions a year. Alluding to the United States, Türk lamented how policies aimed to protect people from discrimination “are now labeled as discriminatory,” and said intimidation and threats “notably against journalists and public officials” risk undermining the work of institutions and independent media. The rights chief also issued a stark warning about the threat from unchecked use and development of technology. He mentioned the power of “a handful of unelected tech oligarchs” and insisted it’s time to adapt fast to the threat of rising oppression and autocratic rule. UN Human Rights Office to launch OHCHR fact-finding report on July movement “Individuals and corporations have never had so much control and influence over our lives," Türk said. "A handful of unelected tech oligarchs have our data: they know where we live, what we do, our genes and our health conditions, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and our fears. They know us better than we know ourselves. And they know how to manipulate us.” “Any form of unregulated power can lead to oppression, subjugation, and even tyranny – the playbook of the autocrat,” Türk said. “We must adapt – fast.”

Chinese researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder with high disability and mortality rates, and have successfully discovered a promising small-molecule drug. A research team from Huashan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University in Shanghai, achieved this breakthrough, which could enable early intervention in Parkinson’s disease and offer hope for slowing its progression. The findings were published on Friday (Beijing time) in the renowned academic journal Science. Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s, affects around 3 million people in China—roughly half of the global total. Patients often first experience a diminished sense of smell and sleep disturbances before developing more severe movement-related symptoms. As the disease advances, the effectiveness of existing medications decreases, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. While current drugs and surgical treatments mainly alleviate symptoms without halting disease progression, further research into its underlying mechanisms and targeted therapies remains essential, scientists say. Following five years of dedicated research, the team identified FAM171A2 as a crucial risk gene for neurodegeneration. Leveraging artificial intelligence, they screened over 7,000 approved compounds and identified bemcentinib, an anti-cancer agent currently in clinical trials, as a promising candidate. HMPV virus: Passengers asked to wear masks at Dhaka airport According to the researchers, the small-molecule drug effectively prevents the interaction between FAM171A2 and the pathogenic protein associated with Parkinson’s. Team leader Yu Jintai stated that, based on an international patent, future efforts will focus on pre-clinical research and the development of small-molecule drugs, antibodies, and gene therapies for Parkinson’s disease, with the goal of advancing clinical trials and innovative treatments. The elderly, particularly those over 60, are more susceptible to Parkinson’s. As China’s population continues to age, this medical breakthrough has generated optimism among academics, medical professionals, and patients, with expectations that it will lead to practical applications soon. "The experimental results have allowed us to precisely understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease, bringing us closer to overcoming a challenge long considered insurmountable," said Wang Jian, director of the neurology department at Huashan Hospital, a national medical center for neurological diseases. A Science journal reviewer described the discovery as a “holy grail” in Parkinson’s research, emphasizing its potential to prevent the spread of pathological changes and, ultimately, the disease itself. As neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s pose growing global public health and social challenges, Chinese experts are urging increased efforts in brain science research. They highlight the need for improved diagnostic tools, early intervention strategies, and novel treatments to enhance patients' quality of life.

A village in Mandaluyong City, part of the Philippine capital region, initiated a novel approach to combat dengue on Wednesday by offering residents small rewards for capturing mosquitoes—alive or dead. This initiative, adopted by Addition Hills village, comes in response to growing concern after Quezon City, nearby, declared a dengue outbreak over the weekend. Cases of the mosquito-borne disease have surged, with eight other areas also reporting increased infections. As of February 1, the Philippines has recorded 28,234 dengue cases this year, marking a 40% rise compared to the same period last year. Quezon City declared an outbreak after 10 deaths, mostly children, among 1,769 infected individuals. Addition Hills, a densely populated urban area with over 100,000 residents, has already conducted clean-ups, canal de-clogging, and hygiene awareness campaigns to combat dengue. However, after the number of cases spiked to 42 this year, and two young students died, village leader Carlito Cernal decided to ramp up efforts. “There was an alarm,” Cernal told The Associated Press. “I found a way." Under the new plan, residents receive one Philippine peso (about 1 cent) for every five mosquitoes or larvae they turn in. While some critics have raised concerns that people may breed mosquitoes for rewards, Cernal dismissed this possibility, noting that the campaign would end once the number of cases decreases. As the initiative began, several mosquito hunters showed up at the village office. Miguel Labag, a 64-year-old scavenger, brought a jug containing 45 mosquito larvae and received a reward of nine pesos (15 cents). “This is a big help,” Labag said, smiling. “I can buy coffee.” Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, causing symptoms like joint pain, nausea, and rashes. In severe cases, it can lead to breathing issues, hemorrhaging, and organ failure. While there is no specific treatment, maintaining fluid levels is critical for recovery. In Quezon City, officials are considering using frogs to combat mosquitoes, while Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites and seeking immediate medical attention for suspected cases. Despite a rise in dengue infections, the Philippines has managed to maintain relatively low mortality rates. Dengue cases have surged unexpectedly before the rainy season, with intermittent rain leaving stagnant water pools that are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Health Undersecretary Alberto Domingo also cited climate change as a factor contributing to off-season rainfall.

Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency after confirming a second case of mpox within four days, health officials announced on Monday, reports AP. According to the health ministry, neither of the cases had any recent contact with infected animals or individuals. The first case was linked to recent travel, confined to Lungi, an airport town in the northern Port Loko District, between December 26 and January 6. Both patients are being treated in a hospital in Freetown, the capital. Morocco develops Africa's first Mpox tests, reducing reliance on imports Mpox, also called monkeypox, was first identified in 1958 during outbreaks of a “pox-like” disease among monkeys. Historically, most human cases occurred in central and West Africa, typically among people in close contact with infected animals. In 2022, mpox was confirmed to spread via sexual transmission for the first time, leading to outbreaks in over 70 countries that had not previously reported the virus. The Congo has been the hardest hit, accounting for most of the estimated 43,000 suspected cases and 1,000 deaths in Africa this year. US health officials report 1st case of new strain of mpox in a traveler Sierra Leone was also at the heart of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the deadliest in history. The outbreak, which mainly affected West Africa, claimed nearly 4,000 lives in Sierra Leone alone, out of a global total of over 11,000. The country lost 7% of its healthcare workforce during that crisis.

In response to the detection of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, India's federal health ministry has urged states to strengthen their monitoring of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). During a review of respiratory illnesses in the country on Monday, the federal health secretary evaluated the existing public health measures for managing such infections. The health ministry stated that data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) shows no unusual rise in ILI or SARI cases across the country, a finding supported by sentinel surveillance data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Two cases of HMPV detected in India’s Karnataka HMPV is among the respiratory viruses that affect individuals of all ages, particularly during winter and early spring. Although infections are typically mild and self-limiting, most patients recover without complications. States have been advised to educate the public on preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap, covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, and maintaining distance from individuals displaying symptoms.

The first U.S. bird flu death has been reported — a person in Louisiana who had been hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms. State health officials announced the death on Monday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed it was the nation's first due to bird flu. Health officials have said the person was older than 65, had underlying medical problems and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. They also said a genetic analysis had suggested the bird flu virus had mutated inside the patient, which could have led to the more severe illness. Few other details about the person have been disclosed. Since March, 66 confirmed bird flu infections have been reported in the U.S., but previous illnesses have been mild and most have been detected among farmworkers exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows. A bird flu death was not unexpected, virus experts said. There have been more than 950 confirmed bird flu infections globally since 2003, and more than 460 of those people died, according to the World Health Organization. The bird flu virus "is a serious threat and it has historically been a deadly virus," said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health. “This is just a tragic reminder of that.” Nuzzo noted a Canadian teen became severely ill after being infected recently. Researchers are still trying to gauge the dangers of the current version of the virus and determine what causes it to hit some people harder than others, she said. “Just because we have seen mild cases does not mean future cases will continue to be mild,” she added. In a statement, CDC officials described the Louisiana death as tragic but also said “there are no concerning virologic changes actively spreading in wild birds, poultry or cows that would raise the risk to human health.” In two of the recent U.S. cases — an adult in Missouri and a child in California — health officials have not determined how they caught the virus. The origin of the Louisiana person's infection was not considered a mystery. But it was the first human case in the U.S. linked to exposure to backyard birds, according to the CDC. Louisiana officials say they are not aware of any other cases in their state, and U.S. officials have said they do not have any evidence that the virus is spreading from person to person. The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its growing presence in the environment increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said. Officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.

Health officials said Saturday they have confirmed the first U.S. case of a new form of mpox that was first seen in eastern Congo. The person had traveled to eastern Africa and was treated in Northern California upon return, according to the California Department of Public Health. Symptoms are improving and the risk to the public is low. The individual was isolating at home and health workers are reaching out to close contacts as a precaution, the state health department said. Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with a virus that’s in the same family as the one that causes smallpox. It is endemic in parts of Africa, where people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals. Milder symptoms can include fever, chills and body aches. In more serious cases, people can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals. Earlier this year, scientists reported the emergence of a new form of mpox in Africa that was spread through close contact including through sex. It was widely transmitted in eastern and central Africa. But in cases that were identified in travelers outside of the continent, spread has been very limited, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 3,100 confirmed cases have been reported just since late September, according to the World Health Organization. The vast majority of them have been in three African countries — Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, cases of travelers with the new mpox form have been reported in Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and the United Kingdom. Health officials earlier this month said the situation in Congo appears to be stabilizing. The Africa CDC has estimated Congo needs at least 3 million mpox vaccines to stop the spread, and another 7 million vaccines for the rest of Africa. The spread is mostly through sexual transmission as well as through close contact among children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups. The current outbreak is different from the 2022 global outbreak of mpox where gay and bisexual men made up the vast majority of cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Egypt as malaria-free, marking a significant public health milestone for a country with more than 100 million inhabitants. The achievement follows a nearly 100-year effort by the Egyptian government and people to end a disease that has been present in the country since ancient times. “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General on Sunday. "This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge. I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region, and shows what’s possible with the right resources and the right tools.” Egypt is the third country to be awarded a malaria-free certification in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, and the first since 2010. Globally, a total of 44 countries and 1 territory have reached this milestone. “Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase. We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, integrated vector management and sustaining our effective and rapid response to imported cases. Our continued multisectoral efforts will be critical to preserving Egypt's malaria-free status,” said Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt. "I reaffirm that we will continue with determination and strong will to safeguard the health of all people in Egypt under the wise leadership's guidance and proceed with enhancing our healthcare system, this will remain a cornerstone in protecting the lives of all people living in and visiting Egypt.” Certification of malaria elimination is granted by WHO when a country has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years. A country must also demonstrate the capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission. Egypt’s journey to eliminationMalaria has been traced as far back as 4000 B.C.E. in Egypt, with genetic evidence of the disease found in Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian mummies. Early efforts to reduce human-mosquito contact in Egypt began in the 1920s when the country prohibited the cultivation of rice and agricultural crops near homes. With most of Egypt’s population living along the banks of the Nile River and malaria prevalence as high as 40%, the country designated malaria a notifiable disease in 1930 and later opened its first malaria control station focused on diagnosis, treatment and surveillance. “Today, Egypt has proven that with vision, dedication, and unity we can overcome the greatest challenges. This success in eliminating malaria is not just a victory for public health but a sign of hope for the entire world, especially for other endemic countries in our region. This achievement is the result of sustained, robust surveillance investments in a strong, integrated health system, where community engagement and partnerships have enabled progress. Furthermore, collaboration and support to endemic countries, such as Sudan, remain a priority,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. By 1942, malaria cases in Egypt had spiked to more than 3 million as a result of the Second World War population displacement, the disruption of medical supplies and services, and the invasion of Anopheles arabiensis, a highly efficient mosquito vector, among other factors. Egypt succeeded in controlling the malaria outbreak through the establishment of 16 treatment divisions and the recruitment of more than 4000 health workers. The construction of the Aswan Dam, completed in 1969, created a new malaria risk for the country, as standing water produced breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Egypt, in collaboration with Sudan, launched a rigorous vector control and public health surveillance project to rapidly detect and respond to malaria outbreaks. By 2001, malaria was firmly under control and the Ministry of Health and Population set its sights on preventing the re-establishment of local malaria transmission. Egypt rapidly contained a small outbreak of malaria cases in the Aswan Governorate in 2014 through early case identification, prompt treatment, vector control and public education. Malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free-of-charge to the entire population in Egypt regardless of legal status, and health professionals are trained nationwide to detect and screen for malaria cases including at borders. Egypt’s strong cross-border partnership with neighbouring countries, including Sudan, has been instrumental for preventing the re-establishment of local malaria transmission, paving the way for the country to be officially certified as malaria-free.

The global vaccine alliance Gavi will buy 500,000 doses of mpox vaccine to battle outbreaks of the disease in African countries, the organization said on Wednesday. The vaccine doses — manufactured by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic — will be available this year, Gavi said, without giving any specific dates. Gavi said the full costs, including the transportation, delivery and administration of the doses, amounting to $50 million, would be covered by the group's First Response Fund, a new financial mechanism created in June 2024. Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 25,000 confirmed mpox cases and 723 related deaths, the vast majority in Congo, and the World Health Organization declared it a global health emergency. So far Congo, the epicenter of the global health emergency, has received only 250,000 vaccine doses, donated by the European Union and the United States. The 250,000 doses are just a fraction of the 3 million doses authorities have said are needed to end the mpox outbreak in the country. EU countries pledged to donate more than 500,000 others, but the timeline for their delivery remained unclear. Congo issued an emergency approval of the vaccine, which has already been used in Europe and the United States in adults. Adults in Equateur, South Kivu and Sankuru, the three most affected provinces, will be vaccinated first, starting on Oct. 2, Cris Kacita Osako, coordinator of Congo’s Monkeypox Response Committee, told The Associated Press. For the moment, the rollout will be reserved for adults, with priority targeted groups being those who have been in close contact with infected people and sex workers. Gavi's announcement comes days after the World Health Organization said it has granted its first authorization for the use of a vaccine against mpox in adults, calling it an important step toward fighting the disease in Africa. It made it possible for donors like Gavi and UNICEF to buy it. But supplies are limited because there’s only a single manufacturer. “This first (authorization) of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa and in future,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Last week, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization launched a continent-wide response plan to the outbreak of mpox, three weeks after WHO declared outbreaks in 12 African countries a global emergency.