Top UN officials urge comprehensive approach to Syria’s protracted crisis
Martin Griffiths, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis, noting that 16.7 million people now require humanitarian assistance – the highest number since the conflict began 13 years ago. He stressed that the situation is deteriorating…
Washington to allow Kyiv to use US-supplied weapons for strikes in Russia near Kharkiv
The United States announced Thursday it has given permission for Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to target Russia, but only near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. The decision marks a policy change. Until this development, President Joe Biden refused to permit…
First Ukrainian pilots graduate from F-16 training in US
the Pentagon — The first Ukrainian pilots have completed F-16 fighter jet training at a military base in Arizona, with others soon to follow this summer. “The first batch has graduated, and other Ukrainian pilots are finishing their training here…
Health advocates seek reforms to combat Indonesian men’s high smoking rates
Hotib is practicing his speech. Repeating the letters from his therapist “A-E-I-O-U.” Hotib, 64, smoked cigarettes for almost 40 years and a cancer diagnosis led to his larynx being removed. He now breathes through a hole in his neck. His…
Health advocates push for reforms to combat Indonesia’s high male smoking rates
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, a day when many health advocacy groups raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco. These groups have reason to celebrate: In most countries, tobacco use is declining. But not in Indonesia, where smoking…
Ukraine says Russia abducted more than 19,000 of its children
Ukrainian officials say Russia’s invasion has turned thousands of Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories into hostages, while others have been deported to Russia and forced into reeducation programs and adoption. Anna Chernikova reports from Kyiv on Ukraine’s efforts to…
US Treasury promises to tighten sanctions on Russia
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian officials for talks about tightening sanctions on Russia and financial support for Ukraine. He said the U.S. plans to take further measures to put pressure…
‘This is our home’: Kharkiv women reluctant to leave besieged city
Kharkiv, Ukraine, has been under sustained fire from Russia for nearly a month. Despite the civilian casualties and destruction of energy infrastructure, most residents are still there. Lesia Bakalets talked to some women about why they decided to stay. Source:…
WHO: Climate change could increase spread of diseases
The World Health Organization says “urgent action” is needed to research how climate change is affecting malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Rising temperatures are changing how vector-borne diseases – diseases spread by the bite of infected insects – are…
US optimistic a deal to lessen threats of future pandemics is in sight
Geneva — Despite the failure of negotiators to reach a pandemic accord ahead of this week’s World Health Assembly, a senior U.S. official remains optimistic that an agreement to lessen the threats of global killer disease outbreaks is in sight….