Mpox alert: UNICEF issues $58.8 million appeal to halt outbreak in Africa
“Children in Burundi are bearing the brunt of the mpox outbreak with alarming rates of infection and health impacts,” said Dr Paul Ngwakum, UNICEF Regional Health Advisor for Eastern and Southern Africa. “Of the nearly 600 reported cases, two-thirds are…
Middle East: Regional crisis risks engulfing Syria, UN envoy warns
Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Geir Pedersen expressed grave concern over the mounting violence and its cascading impact on Syria, which has been embroiled in civil conflict – later drawing in outside forces – since 2011. He highlighted…
Lebanon: WHO appeals for more support for civilians as crises intensify
Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar outlined how the UN agency has been supporting Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, including following the wave of electronic device explosions this week. Hundreds of pagers across the country simultaneously detonated on Tuesday, while walkie-talkies and even some…
‘Fear of war’ causing speech problems in Gaza
In a modest tent in a makeshift camp for displaced people west of the town of Al-Zawaida in Deir al-Balah governorate in Gaza, children whose lives have been turned upside down by a deadly war and widespread destruction are meeting…
SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Ambassadors meeting in emergency session over Lebanon; region ‘on the brink of catastrophe’
The Security Council is now in emergency session in New York following Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut and in the south, on Friday which have left at least a dozen dead. It comes amid an uptick in cross-border…
Zelenskyy says Ukraine ‘victory plan’ depends on quick decisions by allies
KYIV — Ukraine’s “victory plan” in the war against Russia depends on quick decisions being taken by allies this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday during a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskyy told a…
German minister: VW must solve most of its problems alone
Frankfurt, Germany — Germany wants to support Volkswagen and help it avoid factory closures but the ailing car giant will have to fix most of its problems itself, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Friday. Volkswagen said earlier this month it…
Asian stocks follow Wall Street’s rate cut rally higher
HONG KONG — Asian stocks surged Friday with Japan’s Nikkei leading regional gains after Wall Street romped to records following the Federal Reserve’s big cut to interest rates. U.S. futures and oil prices were lower. The Bank of Japan ended…
European Commission president says she’s in Kyiv to discuss support for Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday she had arrived in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, to discuss Europe’s support, winter preparedness, defense and progress on the G7 loans. “My 8th visit to Kyiv comes as the…
Russia targets Ukraine city’s energy sector as EU pledges $180M for repairs, shelters
Russian forces hit a care center for the elderly in the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Thursday and targeted its energy sector in airstrikes that killed at least one civilian, Ukrainian officials said. In the daytime attack on Sumy, a…