Yemen health system ‘edging closer to collapse’ warns WHO — Global Issues

Yemen health system ‘edging closer to collapse’ warns WHO — Global Issues

Hopes are running high of an end to the intense fighting between a Saudi-backed coalition standing alongside Government forces, and Houthi rebels and their allies, which since 2015 has led the near total collapse of the economy, with tens of thousands killed, and 21.6 million in need of humanitarian assistance…

WHO mission to Syria quake zone boosts protection from disease outbreaks — Global Issues

WHO mission to Syria quake zone boosts protection from disease outbreaks — Global Issues

“The focus of the mission was to enhance the capacity of the early warning alert and response network (EWARN) and ensure rapid detection, verification and response to communicable diseases alerts and outbreaks”, the WHO office for the Eastern Mediterranean said in a statement issued on Thursday. They identified areas in…

UN predicts restrictions on women’s rights will worsen economic catastrophe — Global Issues

UN predicts restrictions on women’s rights will worsen economic catastrophe — Global Issues

The Afghanistan Socio-Economic Outlook 2023, released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), provides an overview of the fallout resulting from the takeover of Afghanistan by its present-day de facto rulers, the Taliban, in August 2021. Immediately after the Taliban assumed power, the Afghan economy collapsed, accelerating Afghanistan’s decade-long slide into…

UN independent experts spotlight ‘prima facie war crime’ in East Jerusalem — Global Issues

UN independent experts spotlight ‘prima facie war crime’ in East Jerusalem — Global Issues

“There has been an ongoing and unchecked tragedy: the forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes,” they said in a joint statement. “Israel’s transfer of its own population into the occupied territory confirms a deliberate intention to colonize the territory it occupies, a practice strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law,”…

UN says Saudi-Houthi talks in Sana’a ‘a welcome step’ — Global Issues

UN says Saudi-Houthi talks in Sana’a ‘a welcome step’ — Global Issues

Stéphane Dujarric was responding to questions from correspondents at the regular noon briefing in New York, after news reports that progress had been made towards a permanent ceasefire, to end Saudi Arabia’s military involvement in a military coalition that has backed the internationally recognized Government in its civil conflict with…

Tensions mount in Middle East as UN reiterates need for ‘maximum restraint’ — Global Issues

Tensions mount in Middle East as UN reiterates need for ‘maximum restraint’ — Global Issues

According to news reports, as yet unidentified militants fired a barrage of rockets across the border, forcing Israeli civilians to seek shelter, and wounding at least two people. Avoid unilateral action “Concerning the situation between Lebanon and Israel, I can tell you that we condemn the multiple rockets being fired from…

UN calls for restraint following violence at Al-Aqsa mosque — Global Issues

UN calls for restraint following violence at Al-Aqsa mosque — Global Issues

Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa mosque, also commonly known as al-Qibli mosque, overnight, arresting more than 350 people, according to media reports.    The raids continued into Wednesday morning. In response, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets at Israel.  Appalling violence  Mr. Wennesland issued a statement saying he was…

Rights expert denounces interference in Beirut explosion probe — Global Issues

Rights expert denounces interference in Beirut explosion probe — Global Issues

Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite expressed grave concern over interference in the investigation, including threats against Judge Tarek Bitar, who has been leading the process since February 2021.  “Judges should never be threatened or subjected to criminal or disciplinary action simply for doing their job,” she said.  Justice delayed  More than…

Rights experts call for new laws to end ‘waves of disappearance’ — Global Issues

Rights experts call for new laws to end ‘waves of disappearance’ — Global Issues

The appeal comes in the latest report by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, which visited the country in November.  The report examines five “waves of disappearance” in Iraq, including enforced disappearance. It covers the period starting with the Ba’ath era from 1968-2003 – characterized by the authoritarian rule of…

‘Simple dreams’ of Syrians following earthquake — Global Issues

‘Simple dreams’ of Syrians following earthquake — Global Issues

Shirin Yaseen from the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General visited northwestern Syria as part of an interagency mission to assess the situation there. “On the day we visited Jindairis in northern Syria, one of the areas most affected by the February earthquake, the weather conditions were very bad. A…