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World News in Brief: Deadly strikes in Sudan, health systems in South Sudan near the brink, Guterres calls for unity ahead of Ramadan.

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Over the past week, North Kordofan state recorded more than a dozen attacks in and around the towns of El Obeid, Bara, Rahad and Um Rawaba.  

In South Kordofan, suspected drone strikes hit health facilities in the state capital, Kadugli, and in Kuweik town, reportedly killing four medical workers, injuring more than 20 people. 

Concerns over the conflict continue to deepen after a report today from the UN Human Rights Office revealed the “sustained” and “systematic attacks” to civilians in the neighbouring Darfur region in late 2025 that may “amount to crimes against humanity”. 

Growing humanitarian concerns 

“The violence is triggering a new wave of displacement, with reports of many fleeing homes, in need food, health care and protection,” warned the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric on Friday. 

While the humanitarian situation in Dilling and Kadugli continues to deteriorate, he emphasised that “rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access is essential for us to scale up our response.” 

Commercial vehicles, telecommunications infrastructure and key transport routes have been affected the drone strikes, disrupting humanitarian movements and supply chains. 

Mr. Dujarric called for “the protection of humanitarian infrastructure, in line with international humanitarian law” and urged for more funding through UN aid coordination office OCHA to support displaced families across Sudan. 

Violence pushes South Sudan’s health system to the brink 

Since late December 2025, a devasting escalation of violence has swept across northern and central parts of South Sudan, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) said on Friday. 

In Jonglei state alone, at least 280,000 people have been displaced – the majority being women and children.

“They fled with nothing. They are sleeping in displacement camps left over from the not-so-distant civil war – camps where there are barely any services. Others are out in the open, in remote locations, with nothing at all,” said UNICEF’s representative in South Sudan, Obia Acheng. 

Children were believed to make up 53 percent of those displaced.

“These children face killing and maiming. Recruitment into armed groups. Separation from their families. Gender-based violence. And profound psychological distress that will mark them for years,” Mr. Acheng emphasised.

Delivering for children

South Sudan’s health system is on the verge of collapse, with 11 health facilities attacked or looted since fighting intensified and many nutrition centres forced to close, UNICEF said.

Cholera cases have surged to 479 nationwide, with treatment centres overwhelmed and resources running low.

Around 825,000 children across Jonglei, Unity, and Eastern Equatoria states are now at risk of acute malnutrition — conditions that make children 12 times more likely to die without treatment.

Pregnant and nursing mothers are increasingly cut off from care, and humanitarian infrastructure is under assault.

Despite these grim numbers, UNICEF continues to run primary healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, and child protection programmes across the country. 

The UN Security Council also issued a statement expressing grave concern about the escalating violence in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and throughout South Sudan. 

Members strongly called on all parties to de-escalate and immediately cease renewed hostilities and to resolve issues through peaceful dialogue.  

Children in Gaza hold lanterns to celebrate the advent of Ramadan. (file)

UN chief calls for unity and compassion ahead of Ramadan 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged people worldwide to embrace the spirit of peace, compassion and solidarity as Muslims prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan.  

“For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a sacred period of reflection and prayer. Ramadan also represents a noble vision of hope and peace.” Mr. Guterres said in a message ahead of the start on Tuesday.  

He noted, however, that for many — from Afghanistan to Yemen, Gaza, and Sudan — this vision of hope and unity remained distant amid conflict, hunger, and displacement. 

The UN chief called on the global community to bridge divides, deliver aid to those in need, and uphold human rights and dignity for all. 

“May this Holy Month inspire us to work as one to build a more peaceful, generous and just world for all people,” he said. 

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Vice President Ansari Greets People on Eid-ul-Fitr

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Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. In a message, he said that Id-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and signifies the traditional expression of brotherhood and understanding between people. The festival reaffirms the spirit of compassion, charity and generosity in our lives, he added.

“I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. Id-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and signifies the traditional expression of brotherhood and understanding between people. The festival reaffirms the spirit of compassion, charity and generosity in our lives.May the noble ideals associated with Id-ul-Fitr enrich our lives with peace, harmony and the spirit of humanity,” he said in his message.

Ramzan or Eid is on Monday, June 26, 2017, marking the  completion of the holy Ramzan or Ramadan month (Islamic month of Shawwal) throughout which Muslims observe fasting.

The date for Eid al-Fitr, the first day of the month that follows Ramadan, is determined based upon the sighting of the new moon, which can vary in different parts of the world and this time it is expected to fall on Sunday or Monday in most of the Arab world.

In some Muslim countries, religious councils determine the moon sighting and Muslim clerics wait as the end of the month nears to know when the Eid date will be. The basis is that a new moon should be visible to the naked eye, unless clouds cover the sky in full.

It is believed that the holy book of Quran was written during this month and so people try to purify their soul with their thoughts and deeds. Muslims from all over the world greet this month with great anticipation and carry on fasting during daytime throughout the month and eat and drink even water only after sunset.

Eid is a day when people who have gone through a whole month of fasting and doing all deeds in the remembrance of Allah, wish to rejoice and they feel closer to Allah who they believe will help get rid of their sins of past. The entire month has witnessed Iftaar parties or communal meals.

Muslims also wear new clothes, visit friends, family members, exchange Eid cards and give presents of sweets and small toys to children.

 

Ramzan 2015: Muslims’ Month-Long Fast Begins

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Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, began on Thursday with Muslims observing daytime fasting and converging in Iftar parties in the night to break their day-long fast, an occasion for both social gatherings and religious get-together.

President of India Pranab Mukherjee has greeted all fellows Muslims on the occasion of the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan. “I greet all my Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan. May the spirit of Ramzan illuminate the world, show us the way to peace and harmony and remind us of our duties towards the less privileged,” he said.

One of the five tenets of Islam, observing fast in the month of Ramzan is a must for Muslims, with exceptions granted only to those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.

While charity is another significant part of during Ramzan, a strict NO to eveil thoughts and daytime eating and drinking, make the month rigorous for Muslims.

Derived from the Arabic word for fasting “sawm”, it literally means “to refrain” not only from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. It includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran. According to the Quran, Prophet Muhammad first received revelations from god during the month of Ramadan and hence it is a sacred month in the entire Islamic calendar.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must follow the tenets such as:

— The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip.
— The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at women.
— The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it.
— The ears must refrain from listening to obscene words and
— The feet must refrain from visiting sinful places.

Iftar
Usually during the month of Iftaar, Muslims break their fast with dates in the evening, as Prophet Mohammad broke his fast with three dates. fter that, Muslims generally go for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is taken.
Iftars are held for visitors and friend in the evening in a buffet style serving traditional dishes and desserts, besides juices and water. Other food items include lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, or roast chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pulav. Teh meals finishes usually with a rich dessert, luqaimat or baklava or kunafeh (sweet kadaifi noodle pastry).

Ramzan Greetings/ Messages:
The general greeting in any language is “I hope you have a blessed Ramzan,” or “may you have a peaceful Ramzan.” In common Arabic, “Ramadan Kareem!” which means Noble or Generous Ramadan!” or “Ramadan Mubarak!” (Blessed Ramadan) are some general greetings often used. In addition, “Kul ‘am wa enta bi-khair!” (May every year find you in good health!) is also used to greet people during the month of Ramadan. The month-long fasting ends with a holiday called Eid al-Fitr or the Festival of Fast-Breaking.

Penalities:
In some Muslim countries, failing to fast is a crime. In Algeria, the court of Biskra sentenced 6 people to 4 years in prison for violating the tenets of Ramadan and in Kuwait, according to law number 44 of 1968, the penalty is 100 Kuwaiti dinars for those seen eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan daytime.

In the U.A.E., eating or drinking during the daytime of Ramadan is punished by up to 240 hours of community service, while in Egypt, alcohol sales are banned during Ramadan. Otherwise, UAE allows liberal working hours during Ramadan with a maximum of 6 hours daily and 36 hours per week. Even Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait have similar working hours during Ramadan.