Cyclone Ditwah brings worst flooding in decades to Sri Lanka, killing hundreds

According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, 998,918 people across all 25 districts have now been affected, with 212 deaths reported and 218 people missing. More than 180,000 people from over 51,000 families are sheltering in 1,094 government-run safety centres as search and rescue efforts continue. Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on 28 November before […]

Gaza: UNESCO condemns ‘unacceptable’ killing of journalists

Gaza: UNESCO condemns ‘unacceptable’ killing of journalists

“I condemn the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Al-Khaldi and call for a thorough and transparent investigation,” UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, said in a statement on Tuesday. Five of the six worked for the influential Qatari-based media organization, Al Jazeera: Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh […]

Gaza: Guterres urges probe into killing of journalists, as child malnutrition deaths rise

Gaza: Guterres urges probe into killing of journalists, as child malnutrition deaths rise

The reporters – five of whom worked for the Al Jazeera media network – were killed in a targeted Israeli strike in Gaza City the previous day.  “These latest killings highlight the extreme risks journalists continue to face when covering the ongoing war,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during his regular media briefing from New York. […]

World News in Brief: Remembering Dr. David Nabarro, deadly shipwreck off Libya, verdict in peacekeeper’s killing

World News in Brief: Remembering Dr. David Nabarro, deadly shipwreck off Libya, verdict in peacekeeper’s killing

The British physician and champion for global public health died this past weekend at the age of 75.  He was the World Health Organization’s (WHO) special envoy dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. Legacy of service “The Secretary-General pays tribute to Dr. Nabarro’s extraordinary legacy of service and reaffirms his commitment to advancing the principles he […]

Gaza: Guterres condemns killing of people seeking food as humanitarian conditions deteriorate

Gaza: Guterres condemns killing of people seeking food as humanitarian conditions deteriorate

Stéphane Dujarric was speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York a day after dozens of Palestinians were killed seeking food aid. He said the Secretary-General deplored the growing reports of both children and adults suffering from malnutrition and strongly condemned the ongoing violence, including the shooting, killing and injuring of people attempting to […]

UN rights chief condemns the killing of scores of civilians in Sudan

UN rights chief condemns the killing of scores of civilians in Sudan

Since 10 July, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has verified that the Rapid Support Forces  (RSF) have killed at least 60 civilians in North Kordofan’s Bara locality, while civil society groups have reported that up to 300 were killed. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) also hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to […]

UNICEF deplores ‘unconscionable’ killing of families lining up for aid in Gaza

UNICEF deplores ‘unconscionable’ killing of families lining up for aid in Gaza

Catherine Russell said she was appalled by the reported killing of 15 Palestinians, including nine children and four women, who were waiting in line for nutritional supplements provided by Project Hope, a UNICEF partner organization. The incident occurred in Deir Al-Balah. An additional 30 people were injured, including 19 children. News reports indicate that it […]

Climate emergency is a health crisis ‘that is already killing us,’ says WHO

Climate emergency is a health crisis ‘that is already killing us,’ says WHO

Europe is warming faster than any other WHO region, and the impact on people’s health is growing more severe. From rising death rates to increasing climate-related anxiety, nearly every health indicator linked to climate has worsened in recent years.  In response, WHO/Europe on Wednesday launched a new initiative – the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health (PECCH) […]

AIDS still killing one person every minute as funding cuts stall progress

AIDS still killing one person every minute as funding cuts stall progress

More than 30 million people are receiving lifesaving treatment worldwide however, making the UN’s AIDS response a “clear example of a multilateral success,” said Amina Mohammed, UN Under Secretary-General on Thursday, as the General Assembly reviewed progress being made to end AIDS and prevent HIV infections. ‘Series of threats’ “Global commitment is fading. Funding is falling. […]

Guterres strongly condemns killing of Israeli diplomats in US capital

Guterres strongly condemns killing of Israeli diplomats in US capital

The diplomats were gunned down on Wednesday night as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in central Washington DC, where the American Jewish Committee was hosting a reception.  They were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, who were about to be engaged, according to officials and family members. A […]

More than 1.1 million sea turtles poached over last three decades: Study

More than 1.1 million sea turtles poached over last three decades: Study

One of the most serious threats to wildlife biodiversity, in addition to the climate crisis, is the illegal killing and trafficking of animals and plants. Despite many laws against the black-market wildlife trade, it is considered to be one of the most lucrative illicit industries in the world. Animals, especially endangered and threatened species, are […]