More aid reaches Syria’s quake victims but it’s not enough, say UN aid agencies

More aid reaches Syria’s quake victims but it’s not enough, say UN aid agencies

A total of 14 trucks crossed into opposition-held areas of Syria from Türkiye at Bab al-Hawa, the UN migration agency, IOM, confirmed. That crossing is the only one authorised for aid deliveries by the UN Security Council, which has prompted calls – including from the Secretary-General – “to explore all possible avenues to get aid and personnel into all affected…

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‘More women and girls in science equals better science’, UN chief declares

‘More women and girls in science equals better science’, UN chief declares

That’s the message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, who appealed for concrete action to increase their ranks.  Diversity and fresh perspectives  “On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight a simple equation: More women and girls in science equals better…

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United States: UN rights experts gravely concerned over ‘brutal deaths’ at hands of police

United States: UN rights experts gravely concerned over ‘brutal deaths’ at hands of police

Keenan Anderson died in Los Angeles after being repeatedly tased by police following a chase resulting from a traffic stop, according to news reports, and Tyre Nichols in Memphis, died after being severely beaten as he lay on the ground, by five officers in Memphis, Tennessee, who have since been charged with murder and other…

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UN General Assembly hears call for worldwide pandemic warning system

UN General Assembly hears call for worldwide pandemic warning system

Participants in a panel headlined, Challenges and Opportunities in Creating an Early Warning System for Global Pandemics, on Tuesday warned that we are witnessing the dismantling of essential infectious disease monitoring programmes, at a time when climate change is driving greater risks to public health. “Any platform will need to include data from outside of traditional…

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Haiti: UNICEF reports nine-fold increase in violence targeting schools

Haiti: UNICEF reports nine-fold increase in violence targeting schools

“Violence continues to take a heavy toll on children’s lives in and around Port-au-Prince, and schools are no longer spared,” said Bruno Maes, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Haiti. “As children reel from the effects of armed violence, insecurity in Haiti shows no sign of abating.” ‘Huge impact’ on children “The targeting of…

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ISIL terror threat still high and increasing in conflict zones, Security Council hears

ISIL terror threat still high and increasing in conflict zones, Security Council hears

Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov briefed the Security Council where he presented the latest UN report on the terrorist organization, underlining the need for concerted global action.  Mr. Voronkov began by focusing on the plight of victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide.  “Because beyond the headlines and behind the numbers, there are numerous people and communities who…

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First UN aid convoy reaches Syria’s quake-hit northwest since disaster

First UN aid convoy reaches Syria’s quake-hit northwest since disaster

“Aid, life-saving aid, is desperately needed by civilians wherever they are irrespective of borders and boundaries,” he told journalists in Geneva. “We need it urgently, through the fastest, most direct, and most effective routes. They need more of absolutely everything.” According to UN aid coordinating office, OCHA, six trucks carrying “shelter items and non-food item…

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Earthquake disaster: ‘We must put people first’ urges Guterres in race to save lives

Earthquake disaster: ‘We must put people first’ urges Guterres in race to save lives

In a heartfelt appeal based on his years of visiting the devastated area, as Secretary-General and previously as head of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, Antonio Guterres said that what had been a “centre of solidarity is now an epicentre of suffering.” ‘Nightmare on top of nightmare’ “People are facing nightmare on top of nightmare. The…

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