Afghanistan: Surging returns from Iran overwhelm fragile support systems, UN agencies warn

Ninety-nine per cent of the returnees were undocumented, and 70 per cent were forcibly returned, with a steep rise in families being deported – a shift from earlier months, when most returnees were single young men, according to the UN agency. The rise follows a March decision by the Iranian Government requiring all undocumented Afghans […]

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After the big development pledges in Seville, UN says action starts now

That’s where the Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA) comes in – a major step to begin implementing the Seville Agreement without delay. It features over 130 concrete actions to support the renewed global financing framework that world leaders just adopted at the international conference. They will help countries mobilise resources for an SDG investment push, build developing […]

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Naples Experienced and Shaken by Strongest Earthquake in 40 Years

Naples experienced its most powerful earthquake in four decades after a magnitude 4.6 tremor struck the southern Italian city, causing widespread disruption. The quake prompted residents to flee buildings and triggered major delays to local train and metro services. Reports also indicated isolated power outages across parts of the city. The main tremor was followed […]

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It’s time to finance our future and ‘change course’, Guterres tells world leaders in Sevilla

António Guterres issued his clarion call noting that sustainable development powered by international cooperation, is now facing “massive headwinds.” Addressing the opening session of the 4th Financing for Development Conference (FFD4) in baking hot Sevilla, Spain – basking in record high June temperatures – the Secretary-General noted multilateralism itself is also feeling the heat, while […]

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Blackstone Acquires $2B in Discounted CRE Loans from Atlantic Union

Blackstone has agreed to purchase $2 billion in commercial real estate (CRE) loans from Atlantic Union Bankshares at a discount of approximately 7%, paying around $0.93 per dollar of face value. Deal Overview The portfolio includes performing loans backed by multifamily and neighborhood retail properties. These loans were originally issued by Sandy Spring Bank, which […]

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Waterbury Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison

Leader of Maple Avenue Narcotics Network Oversaw Violent Distribution of Crack and Fentanyl HARTFORD, Conn. — Daniel Diaz-Rivera, also known as “Danny,” “Lupin,” “Lupito,” and “L,” was sentenced today to 210 months (17.5 years) in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for leading a significant drug trafficking organization in Waterbury. The sentence […]

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Guterres welcomes peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda

The accord is “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region,” he said in a statement that evening. A breakthrough amid crisis Since the 1990s, eastern DRC has been plagued by dozens of armed groups who have terrorized the population. The Government […]

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China Rolls Over $3.4 Billion in Loans to Pakistan, Boosting Reserves to IMF Target

In a major financial lifeline, China has rolled over $3.4 billion in commercial loans to Pakistan, helping the country meet a key foreign reserves target set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a senior finance ministry source confirmed Sunday. The support includes the rollover of $2.1 billion that has remained with Pakistan’s central bank for […]

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Myanmar human rights crisis deepens as aid collapses, attacks intensify

In a stark briefing to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described a country gripped by war, repression and deepening suffering. Since the military coup in February 2021, nearly 6,800 civilians have been killed and over 22,000 remain arbitrarily detained, he said. Humanitarian needs have soared, with […]

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DR Congo: New initiative to eliminate HIV in children ‘a beacon of hope’

“Our country can no longer tolerate children being born and growing up with HIV, when tools exist to prevent, detect and effectively treat this infection,” President Félix Tshisekedi declared at a recent government conference in the south-eastern Lualaba province, as he launched the five-year initiative. Backed by an initial commitment of $18 million in national […]

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