LONDON, May 26 2025 (IPS)* – Israel’s ongoing war of annihilation in Gaza has wiped out hospitals, schools, homes, water, and food, reducing the Palestinian territory to a wasteland and leaving a death toll of more than 53,000 people. But an equally lethal campaign has been unleashed against the foundations of Palestinian society and identity.
A brutal military onslaught by Israel since October 2023 has destroyed hospitals, homes, food, water, and sanitation in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, with an estimated death toll of more than 53,000 people. Credit: Hosny Salah
()* — The UN already has a proven system to deliver assistance to people in Gaza and will not take part in any plan that does not uphold universally established humanitarian principles, a spokesperson for aid coordination office OCHA affirmed on Friday .
UN News | A young girl in Gaza trying to gather the remaining scraps of food from the cooking pot.
“There’s been so much time wasted talking about the various proposals and the various plans. In the meantime, people are dying and are left without aid,” Olga Cherevko said in an exclusive interview with UN News.
()* — The global drive for renewable energy technologies has sharply increased demand for so-called critical minerals, heightening the risk of crime, corruption, and instability across supply chains as organised crime groups infiltrate the mining industry.
(United Nations)* — As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain:
The unrestricted exploitation of wildlife has led to the disappearance of many animal species at an alarming rate, destroying Earth’s biological diversity and upsetting the ecological balance. PHOTO:Vladimir Wrangel/Adobe Stock
despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few.
LILONGWE, May 22 2025 (IPS)* – Women in fishing communities in Malawi’s lakeshore districts of Nkhotakota and Mangochi are frequently targets of sexual exploitation for fish, a practice commonly known as ‘sex for fish.’
Women are often exploited when buying fish from fishers or traders in lake Malawi. Credit: Benson Kunchezera/IPS
A recent report by the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has unearthed disturbing accounts of women being coerced into transactional sex to access fish from male boat owners, exposing a widespread violation of their rights.
Fetching water in Gorom Gorom. Photo: Hassimi Zoure/NRC
In northern Burkina Faso, communities like Gorom Gorom face daily hardship from displacement and water scarcity. Yet amid these challenges, solidarity endures.
With support from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and its partners, a single water tower now brings more than just water – it brings relief, restores dignity, and strengthens community ties. When basic needs are met, hope has room to grow.
The African Union commemorates Africa Day 2025[24 May 2025] with a renewed call to justice, unity, and shared progress. Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address that reflected on Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future.
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This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” honours the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism, while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration.
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“While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.”
(UN News)* — Millions of people in Syria continue to face mortal danger from unexploded munitions, disease and malnutrition and more international support is urgently required, senior UN aid officials said on Friday .
Wrapping up a visit to the country, Edem Wosornu, who heads operations and advocacy for the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) said that she could “feel the momentum for change” on the ground after years of suffering and hardship under the Assad regime ended with its overthrow last December.
But formidable challenges remain as 16.5 million Syrians require humanitarian assistance and protection, andneeds are “staggering”.
(UN News)* — Women and clerical workers face the highest risk of their roles being radically transformed by Artificial Intelligence, prompting calls for inclusive policy responses.
One in four jobs worldwide is potentially exposed to what’s known as Generative Artificial Intelligence – or Generative AI (GenAI) – according to a new joint study from the UN labour agency (ILO) and Poland’s National Research Institute.
The study finds that transforming job descriptions, not widespread job loss, is the more likely result.
Humanitarian aid teams highlight growing anxiety in Gaza after food is looted
(UN News)* —Long-awaited food supplies have been looted in Gaza overnight while being transported to desperate communities in the war-torn enclave, UN aid teams reported on Friday.
WPF | Trucks carrying bags of flour arrive at Al-Banna Bakeries in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, at dawn on Friday.
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“Fifteen World Food Programme trucks were looted late last night in southern Gaza, while en route to WFP-supported bakeries,” the UN agency said.
“These trucks were transporting critical food supplies for hungry populations waiting anxiously for assistance.”
HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 