News headlines
UN renews call to protect civilians, as deadly Israeli strike hits close to key Beirut hospital
- UN News
The UN’s top human rights official on Tuesday urged an immediate halt to hostilities in Lebanon following an overnight Israeli airstrike near a major hospital in Beirut that reportedly killed at least 18 people, including four children.
Ukraine: Population drops by 10 million since Russia invaded in 2014, UNFPA reports
- UN News
A deepening demographic crisis is roiling Ukraine, exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, said on Tuesday, underscoring an urgent need for comprehensive recovery strategies focused on human capital and socioeconomic reform.
‘The smell of death is everywhere’ in northern Gaza, UNRWA chief says
- UN News
The head of UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA appealed on Tuesday for an immediate truce in northern Gaza in a social media post describing how “three weeks of non-stop bombardments” by Israeli forces have impacted the region.
Gaza: War has set Palestine’s development back nearly 70 years
- UN News
The impact of the year-long war in Gaza and escalations in the West Bank has set development in the State of Palestine back by about 69 years, according to a new UN report released on Tuesday.
Capacity Building Is Key to Africa’s Digital Sequencing Success Story
- Inter Press Service
BULAWAYO, Oct 22 (IPS) - Christian Tiambo has always wished to uplift local farmers' communities through cutting-edge science.
Salt: Bangladesh Communities On the Frontline of Climate Change
- Inter Press Service
DHAKA, Oct 22 2024 (IPS) - Global warming has far-reaching effects, and certain countries, particularly those with low lying coastal regions, are more vulnerable than others. Bangladesh, the largest delta in the world, is at the forefront of the global warming crisis. Its coastal areas are increasingly exposed to rising sea levels, natural disasters, and salinization, all of which have devastating effects on its population.
Reviving the Spirit of the Steppe: Kazakhstan Has Hosted the 5th World Nomad Games
- Inter Press Service
ASTANA/TOKYO, Oct 21 (IPS) - In a vibrant display of culture and tradition, Kazakhstan recently hosted the 5th World Nomad Games in Astana, celebrating the enduring spirit of nomadic heritage against a backdrop of modernity and globalization. This biennial event, which drew competitors and spectators from around the globe, served not only as a showcase of traditional sports but also as a poignant reminder of the resilience of a culture that faced near extinction under Soviet rule.
Beyond the Headlines: The Hidden Impact of Flooding on Agriculture and Soil Health
- Inter Press Service
URBANA, Illinois, US, Oct 21 (IPS) - Hurricanes Helene and Milton resulted in record-setting rain, flooding, and flash flooding events across several states, including Florida and North Carolina, leaving devastating impacts on people, communities, and infrastructure that will require many years of rebuilding and recovery.
The Future of Food Security Lies Beyond COP29’s Negotiation Tables
- Inter Press Service
ASUNCION, Paraguay, Oct 21 (IPS) - Climate change has thrown our food systems into chaos. Extreme weather events and dramatic climate variations are hammering food production and supply chains across the world. As global leaders gear up for COP29, there's plenty of buzz about climate action. But can we really expect these slow-moving, bureaucratic negotiations to deliver tangible and swift results to decarbonize and insulate our agri-food systems? Most likely not. But do not despair. While the COP29 talks unfold, crucial climate solutions for transforming food systems are already taking root on the ground.
Aid Blockades Signal Trouble for Gaza Ahead of Winter
- Inter Press Service
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 21 (IPS) - On October 15, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the beginning of the second round of Gaza's polio vaccination campaign. Over the last week, the Palestinian Ministry of Health, in partnership with WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has managed to vaccinate over 181,000 children under the age of ten in Gaza.