In battle for development ‘you can count on us’, Guterres tells Timor-Leste, marking 25 years of self-determination
In a surprise move, legislators made the UN chief an honorary citizen of their southeast Asian island nation during the celebrations in the capital Dili, prompting the UN chief to declare he was proud to now be part of such…
Afghanistan: UN will ‘continue to engage’ with Taliban, following threat to withdraw cooperation
According to media reports, the Taliban “morality police” said earlier in the day that they would no longer cooperate with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) because of criticism of the law adopted last week. UNAMA – alongside other…
Kyiv hospital struggles to care for patients amid air strikes
“When the alarm went off, we were all rushed into the shelter,” she said. “Even the tiniest babies from the neonatal intensive care unit were brought down by nurses and aides, who carried them gently because they are too fragile…
UN deputy chief appeals for global solidarity as crises roil East Africa
Chad hosts more than 1.1 million refugees, many escaping violence in Sudan, where rival militaries have been fighting since April 2023. At the same time, the war has also triggered colossal suffering within Sudan’s borders. “The humanitarian task that we…
Sudan: ‘Dire consequences for survivors’ lacking medical and trauma services
“The lack of care, stigma, and administrative barriers, including in accessing medical and trauma services, rape kits, emergency contraception, and safe abortion performed by medical professionals, have resulted in dire consequences for survivors and repeated cycles of violence,” they emphasised….
Humanitarian pauses in Gaza pave way for polio vaccinations
WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, said that the two-round vaccination campaign is due to begin this Sunday in central Gaza for three days, then move to the southern and northern areas. A second dose…
Ukraine, Russia trade attacks, leaving dozens dead or injured
Kyiv, Ukraine — A Russian bomb attack on the northeastern Ukraine city of Kharkiv on Friday hit a playground and a 12-story residential building. Officials say seven people, including a 14-year-old girl, were killed, and at least 77 people were…
France charges Telegram boss over illegal content, prompting warnings from Russia
The arrest in France last Saturday of Pavel Durov, the billionaire boss of the social media platform Telegram, is reverberating around the world as Russia urges France not to turn the investigation into ‘political persecution.’ Durov is under formal investigation…
WHO: Israel agrees to daily pauses in Gaza for polio vaccinations
United Nations — A senior World Health Organization official said Thursday that Israel has agreed to a series of daily nine-hour humanitarian pauses for the duration of a massive polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip, where the first case…
Starlink’s Botswana entry hailed as ‘game-changer’ amid concern over costs
Gaborone, Botswana — The entry of Elon Musk’s Starlink into the Botswana market this week has been hailed as a “game-changer.” Analysts concur the introduction of the satellite internet service provider will improve internet access but there is concern over…