'Unseen' News and Views
(UN News)* — The reported Israeli proposal to deliver humanitarian supplies through hubs controlled by the military would be a breach of the core principles of neutral, impartial and independent aid delivery, the UN said on Tuesday .
Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and the impacts of climate change are clear. 2024 was the warmest year on record for Europe.
Storms were often severe and flooding widespread, claiming at least 335 lives and affecting an estimated 413 000 people.
During the year, there was a striking east-west contrast in climate conditions, with extremely dry and often record-warm conditions in the east, and warm but wet conditions in the west.
Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and various wild species. ©FAO
Rome, 5 May 2025 — The recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Europe and the introduction of an exotic virus strain into the Near East underscore the urgent need for early detection and enhanced biosecurity measures to minimize the impacts of the disease, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
GENEVA, — A global report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that the underlying causes of ill health often stem from factors beyond the health sector, such as lack of quality housing, education and job opportunities.
Credits: iStock / JP Tinoco | Impoverished neighborhood “favela” clinging to a steep hillside in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The new World report on social determinants of health equity shows that such determinants can be responsible for a dramatic reduction of healthy life expectancy – sometimes by decades – in high- and low-income countries alike.
(UN News)* — The UN Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of Israeli plans to expand ground operations and prolong its military presence in Gaza, a spokesperson for António Guterres said on Monday .
()* — The UN and partners on Sunday issued a stark warning over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as Israeli authorities maintain a near-total blockade on the delivery of aid for a ninth consecutive week.
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Nimco holding newly harvested onions. Photo: Abdirashad Ilyaas/NRC
“The journey was terrifying. We faced hunger, thirst and walked for days with nowhere to go,” the 45-year-old mother recalls.
()* — The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Friday [] that a worsening funding crisis is placing refugees – who cannot return home due to war or persecution – in increasing danger.
UNHCR said that two-thirds of countries hosting refugees are already severely overstretched and urgently need support to continue providing education, healthcare and shelter.
UNITED NATIONS, New York, 2 May 2025 – “This week, I assisted 19 deliveries – two of which were life-threatening emergencies,” said Espérance, a midwife at Kyeshero General Hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“We’re working in difficult conditions, with the fear of not being able to save everyone. But we’re holding on.”
Each year, three quarters of all maternal deaths occur in just 25 countries, the majority of which are in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
A report compiling harmful actions taken by US President Donald Trump against reproductive rights was released on 30 April 2025 by the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), a legal organization defending reproductive rights globally.
It’s a long list, including policy positions, personnel appointments, website takedowns, administrative changes, government agency shutdowns, and funding cuts.
HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 