Rafah exodus reaches 360,000 as UN underscores $2.8 billion aid appeal for Gaza, West Bank

Rafah exodus reaches 360,000 as UN underscores $2.8 billion aid appeal for Gaza, West Bank

“Nearly 360,000 people have fled Rafah since the first evacuation order a week ago,” the UN agency said in a post on X, referencing leafleting by the Israeli military ordering those in eastern Rafah to leave their shelters.  In another alert, UNRWA warned of ongoing “restricted humanitarian access” to and across the Gaza Strip that was…

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With the help of more than 1 billion letters of the genetic code of plants, scientists have achieved an incredible feat

With the help of more than 1 billion letters of the genetic code of plants, scientists have achieved an incredible feat

279 scientists stunned the world by creating an incredible ‘tree of life’ of phuldra plants with the help of more than 1 billion letters of genetic code. Journal Nature An international team of 279 scientists has created a stunning ‘Tree of Life’ using 1.8 billion letters of the genetic code of more than 9,500 flowering…

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New $1.4 billion plan to support South Sudanese refugees

New $1.4 billion plan to support South Sudanese refugees

Since the start of the conflict in South Sudan over 10 years ago, growing humanitarian needs compounded by dire food shortages, continued insecurity, and the impacts of climate change, have kept refugees in exile and prompted new displacement. Four consecutive years of flooding have also destroyed homes and livelihoods, sparking further cross-border movements.  Scattered across…

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World News in Brief: $236 billion a year profit from forced labour, Senegal election update, peacekeepers in Lebanon

World News in Brief: $236 billion a year profit from forced labour, Senegal election update, peacekeepers in Lebanon

In an alert, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said that this increase had been fuelled by the growing number of people forced to work illegally, but also by higher profits. ILO senior research officer Federico Blanco told journalists in Geneva that traffickers and criminals make close to $10,000 per victim, around $1,700 more than they…

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Universal connectivity gets a $9 billion private sector boost

Universal connectivity gets a $9 billion private sector boost

“Universal meaningful connectivity is within our grasp,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Thanks to these new commitments, millions of people will benefit from accessible and affordable connectivity across the world.” Fresh investments from e&, China Telecom, Ooredoo and VEON build on strong industry support for the UN digital agency’s efforts to “connect the world”, she…

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World News in Brief: Papua New Guinea violence, Ukraine’s displaced, $2.6 billion DR Congo appeal

World News in Brief: Papua New Guinea violence, Ukraine’s displaced, $2.6 billion DR Congo appeal

Authorities are urged to engage with provincial and local leaders in a dialogue to achieve durable peace and respect for human rights in the remote Highlands region. The appeal follows the latest outbreak of violence between warring tribes in the Pacific Island nation, which occurred on Sunday in Enga province. At least 26 people were…

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