UN supports 'monumental step' for cancer sufferers in northwest Syria

UN supports ‘monumental step’ for cancer sufferers in northwest Syria

It marks a “monumental step” for cancer treatment in the region said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing reporters in New York. Radiotherapy sessions have historically not been available in local health facilities, forcing Syrian cancer patients to become dependent on cross-border referrals to Türkiye, he added. The announcement comes on the heels of multiple advocacy…

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World News in Brief: ‘Competing’ efforts to rebuild Derna, Myanmar mines threat, schools shut in Burkina Faso

World News in Brief: ‘Competing’ efforts to rebuild Derna, Myanmar mines threat, schools shut in Burkina Faso

Abdoulaye Bathily, who is also UN Special Representative, said that plans floated by different institutions and leaders for reconstruction, run the risk of deepening the existing rift between the internationally recognized Government and rival administration in the east. He added that rebuilding could be impeded without an agreed plan going forward, and that failure to…

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Security Council authorizes ‘historic’ support mission in Haiti

Security Council authorizes ‘historic’ support mission in Haiti

The mission was requested by the Haitian Government and civil society representatives, following months of chaos and steadily worsening conditions affecting civilians. There have been more than 3,000 homicides reported this year, and over 1,500 instances of kidnapping for ransom. Around 200,000 have been forced to flee their homes while sexual violence and abuse against…

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Arbitrary detention still widespread in Mexico, rights expert warns

Arbitrary detention still widespread in Mexico, rights expert warns

In a statement concluding a 12-day visit there, the UN expert group said that reforms including the transition to an accusatory criminal procedure, adherence to international human rights laws and introduction of a National Registry of Detentions, and an increasingly human-rights centred legal system are significant achievements. ‘Catalyst for ill-treatment’ However, they noted that “these…

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UN Karabakh mission told ‘sudden’ exodus means as few as 50 ethnic Armenians may remain

UN Karabakh mission told ‘sudden’ exodus means as few as 50 ethnic Armenians may remain

In a statement issued following Sunday’s mission led by the UN’s Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, together with other senior agency officials, they heard and saw for themselves that in the city of Khankendi at least, there were no signs of damage to public buildings. “The mission was struck by the sudden manner in which the…

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INTERVIEW: Olympic ‘game changer’ boosts sustainability in sport

New agreement promotes drug-free sport, supports public health

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) allows experts from both international organizations to collaborate and share information on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect. It provides a framework to further goals on health promotion, the prevention of substance abuse and emerging drugs – and for encouraging clean and fair competition.  ‘Watershed’ agreement  WADA President Witold…

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