With sustainable development under threat, Sevilla summit rekindles hope and unity

“The human consequences of rising debt burdens, escalating trade tensions and steep cuts to official development assistance have been brought into sharp relief this week,” she told the closing session of the pivotal gathering, amid sizzling temperatures across southern Spain. Multilateralism at work But against that backdrop, the conference has delivered a strong response – […]

Continue Reading

Children’s lives ‘turned upside down’ by wars across Middle East, North Africa, warns UNICEF

Alarmingly, 110 million children in the region live in countries affected by war, with homes, schools and health facilities damaged or destroyed in fighting. “A child’s life is being turned upside down the equivalent of every five seconds due to the conflicts in the region,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East […]

Continue Reading

Global Dementia Crisis: Unpaid Caregiving Emerges as the Hidden Backbone of Support, with U.S. Costs Alone Reaching $224 Billion

July 3, 2025 — As dementia rates surge worldwide, a growing body of research reveals that the true cost of care far exceeds official health spending figures — driven largely by the unpaid labor of family and friends. While governments allocate billions to treat and manage dementia, informal caregiving now represents the silent backbone of […]

Continue Reading

The Sevilla Commitment: A vital step to rebuild trust in global cooperation

Activists, many from the Global South, attending the talks in Spain, are calling for greater leadership and commitment from wealthier nations to help address long-standing structural inequalities. The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) carries strong symbolic weight, reflected in the agreed priorities of the Sevilla Commitment. United Cities and Local Governments Paula […]

Continue Reading

UN Official Warns of Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza Due to Military Operations and Aid Blockade

UNITED NATIONS — A senior United Nations official has issued a stark warning over the accelerating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the suffering as “unbearable” and condemning what he termed the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, briefed the UN Security Council on Monday, reporting that […]

Continue Reading

Algeria Sentences French Journalist to Seven Years Amid Intensifying Crackdown on Press Freedom

ALGIERS, 2 July 2025 — A court in Algeria has sentenced French journalist Christophe Gleizes to seven years in prison on charges of “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing propaganda publications harmful to the national interest”, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The conviction has sparked international condemnation and renewed concerns over Algeria’s deteriorating press […]

Continue Reading

OSCE Ambassadors Reaffirm Unwavering Support for Ukraine During Landmark Visit to Kyiv

KYIV, 3 July 2025 – A high-level delegation of Ambassadors from OSCE participating States concluded a significant visit to Kyiv yesterday, underscoring their united and unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. Jointly hosted by the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship and the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office […]

Continue Reading

African Continental Brief: Week in Review – Key Regional Developments

US, UN Launch Separate Diplomatic Efforts to End Sudan ConflictThe United States and the United Nations have announced parallel diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the war in Sudan. U.S. presidential adviser Massad Boulos said Washington will host talks with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt to revive the “Quartet” format, emphasizing there is “no military […]

Continue Reading

Over £3 Million Awarded to Advance Brain Injury Technologies by UK NIHR

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded over £3 million to fund 35 innovative medical technology projects targeting the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of acquired brain injury (ABI). Awarded through the Invention for Innovation FAST 4 scheme, the projects will run for 6 to 12 months and focus on conditions including […]

Continue Reading

U.S. Senate Passes Revised Energy Bill with Partial Relief for Renewables Sector

The U.S. renewable energy industry saw modest relief this week after the Senate passed a revised version of President Donald Trump’s proposed “big, beautiful bill.” The amended legislation offers more favorable terms for the sector than the original draft, easing some investor concerns. However, significant challenges remain. While the final bill softens some provisions, it […]

Continue Reading