Horn of Africa hunger emergency: ‘129,000 looking death in the eyes’

Horn of Africa hunger emergency: ‘129,000 looking death in the eyes’

In an appeal for $178 million to support humanitarian assistance across the seven affected countries in the Greater Horn region, veteran WHO worker Liesbeth Aelbrecht warned that the situation was worse than anything she’d seen in more than two decades in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. “These 48 million people do include as…

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Rghts experts ‘deeply disturbed’ by Russian Wagner Group recruitment of prisoners

Rghts experts ‘deeply disturbed’ by Russian Wagner Group recruitment of prisoners

In a statement, the dozen experts said representatives from the Russian-owned mercenary outfit had been “offering pardons for criminal sentences to prisoners who join the group and take part in the war in Ukraine, as well as a monthly payment to their relatives”. The experts – members of the Working Group on the use of Mercenaries, the Working Group…

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300,000 flee ongoing violence in DR Congo in February alone: UNHCR

300,000 flee ongoing violence in DR Congo in February alone: UNHCR

Renewed violent clashes between non-state armed groups and government forces have sparked the latest emergency, with 300,000 people forced to flee their homes in North Kivu Province in February alone. According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, another 20,000 fled at the start of the week and nearly 50,000 became displaced from the Kitchanga region in Masisi territory…

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UN observes first International Day against Islamophobia

UN observes first International Day against Islamophobia

The International Day was proclaimed following the unanimous adoption of an Assembly resolution last March that called for global dialogue that promotes tolerance, peace and respect for human rights and religious diversity.  As the UN Secretary-General stated, the nearly two billion Muslims worldwide – who come from all corners of the planet – “reflect humanity…

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Syria: Guterres demands ‘renewed energy’ for peace as war enters 12th year

Syria: Guterres demands ‘renewed energy’ for peace as war enters 12th year

“Now is the time for us to act in unison, to secure a nationwide ceasefire, advance the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, and create the conditions necessary for the voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity, with our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria, and to regional…

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A pinch (less) of salt can save lives, WHO says in new report

A pinch (less) of salt can save lives, WHO says in new report

“Unhealthy diets are a leading cause of death and disease globally, and excessive sodium intake is one of the main culprits,” the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared. A first-of-its-kind WHO global report on sodium intake reduction shows that the world is off-track to achieve its global target of reducing sodium intake…

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Legalizing cannabis fails to address health risks: UN drugs control board

Legalizing cannabis fails to address health risks: UN drugs control board

Issuing the warning at the launch of its annual report, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) cited data indicating that the trend caused “negative health effects and psychotic disorders” among some recreational cannabis users, while also contravening the UN 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. “In all jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized, data show that cannabis-related…

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