Rearming Europe? EU tested to turn talk into action
European Union leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday in Brussels to discuss boosting defense spending for Ukraine, as well as Europe’s own security in the face of Russia. The meeting comes amid fears that the United…
Rearming Europe? EU tested to turn talk into action
Paris — With Washington’s sudden pause on military aid to Ukraine as a backdrop, worried European Union leaders meet in Brussels Thursday to discuss steps to beef up EU defenses against Russia. “The question is no longer whether Europe’s security…
At G20 finance meetings in South Africa, UN deputy chief calls for reforms that back growth, curb debt
During two-days in Johannesburg, Ms. Mohammed attended the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the ‘Finance in Common’ Summit of National Development Banks. She also spent a day in Cape Town at a meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central…
Gaza: Deep concern for civilians as aid crossings remain shut
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the Kerem Shalom, Zikim and Erez crossings had remained closed for cargo for the third consecutive day, severely restricting the flow of humanitarian supplies into the…
UN envoy strongly condemns continuing Israeli attacks inside Syria
Geir Pedersen said in a statement that “such actions are unacceptable and risk further destabilising an already fragile situation, heightening regional tension and undermining efforts toward de-escalation and a sustainable political transition.” The condemnation follows a recent wave of airstrikes…
Gaza’s recovery must be built on more than steel and concrete: Guterres
Speaking at the emergency summit of Arab nations on the situation in the Middle East and Gaza reconstruction in Cairo, António Guterres welcomed Arab-led efforts to mobilize support for Gaza’s recovery. He stressed that rebuilding the war-ravaged territory must be…
Almost 80,000 flee DR Congo amid fighting, sexual violence: UNHCR
“Near the frontlines, sexual violence and human rights abuses remain rampant, as is the looting and destruction of civilian homes and businesses,” said Patrick Eba, Deputy Director of UNHCR’s Division of International Protection. Speaking in Geneva, Mr. Eba told journalists…
Sudan: Children as young as one raped during conflict, UNICEF warns
Data from gender-based violence service providers in Sudan reveals the scale of the horror: more than 220 reported cases of child rape since the start of 2024. “Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone…
Drought and dire hunger loom in Somalia, warns UN food agency WFP
The East African country faced famine in 2022, but a scale-up in humanitarian assistance helped to avert catastrophe. Today, food insecurity on the increase once again, with 3.4 million people already acutely food insecure. That number is projected to rise…
James Harrison, whose blood plasma donations are credited with saving 2.4 million babies, dies at 88
MELBOURNE, Australia — James Harrison, whose blood plasma donations are credited with An Australian man credited with saving 2.4 million babies through his record-breaking blood plasma donations over six decades, has died at 88, his family said Tuesday. James Harrison,…