UNITED NATIONS

In a fresh initiativeagainst the menace ofAIDS, the UN haslaunched a new US $140million programme -the United NationsProgramme on AIDS. It will brin4 together6 preinier UN agencies to7 provideglobally relevant policies on HIV/AIDS,help fill key research gaps and providetechnical support to countries, especiallyin the developing world.

Cigarettes will be off-limits in most parts ofthe UN building in New York from now on.A city law which bans smoking in all officebuildings did not apply to the UN head-quarters"hich is treated as internationalterritory. But as the organisation turns 50,its officials have decided that it is time theybegan practicing what they preached. Arecently released 25-page report says thatthe'hew provisions against smoking wouldtakAffect from October 24.