-The United Nations   Road traffic injuries, HIV/AIDS and suicide are the top killers of adolescents globally, while depression is the predominant cause of illness and disability, the United Nations reported today, urging a stronger focus on the health of boys and girls in their pre- and teen years. "We hope this report will focus high-level attention on the health needs of 10 to 19-year-olds and serve as a springboard for accelerated action...

-The Times of India   NEW DELHI: After a WHO urban air quality database released last week sounded alarm bells on the city's extremely high air pollution levels, lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has set up a high-powered committee to look into air pollution levels. "We cannot allow pollution to grow unchecked. It is our moral responsibility to provide a healthy environment to our citizens. If we have to ensure health of our cities,...

-The Business Standard SC may have lifted the ban on mining in the state but it will be a while before exports resume in right earnest A lot was riding on Goa's iron ore mines till the Supreme Court clamped down on them in September 2012. As much as 40 million tonnes of iron ore was being mined every year. Fifteen thousand people worked in these mines. Another 80,000 operated the...

-Live Mint To alleviate poverty and extend true food security to its people India must bring efficiency to public expenditures In the Indian economy, where almost half of the average household's expenditures goes toward food and half the labour force is engaged in agriculture, one cannot simply wish away the centrality of agriculture just because its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) hovers around a comparatively low 14%. India's agriculture is responsible...

-Down to Earth   All safe motherhood programmes of the government are focused on institutional deliveries, but health centres are in disarray. Experts suggest ways to reduce deaths during delivery Lal Mohan, a daily wage labourer, has no clue what took his wife's life. Sarita Devi, 25, was expecting her third child, and was on way to a good hospital at Bhagalpur district in Bihar. "She was normal all through the nine months...