Gaza: Humanitarian response scaled up amid faltering ceasefire

In a press briefing on Tuesday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described reports of Israeli military action as “extremely concerning,” stressing that “we don’t want civilians to be bombed again” or humanitarian operations “derailed again.” Hamas denied that it had any involvement in a reported attack on Israeli forces by Palestinian militants earlier in the day, […]

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‘Horrific’ violence as thousands flee Sudan’s El Fasher

Senior UN refugee agency (UNHCR) official in Sudan, Jacqueline Wilma Parlevliet, said there had been “significant outflow out of El Fasher into Tawila” – around 60 kilometres west of the city – which is already hosting around 650,000 displaced. New arrivals have recounted stories of widespread ethnically and politically motivated killings, including reports of people […]

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Risk of large-scale atrocities in Sudan’s El Fasher grows ‘by the day’

The agency has received reports of summary executions of civilians trying to escape what was the last Sudanese military government stronghold of El Fasher – with indications of ethnic motivations for killings – and of former combatants who have put down their weapons, which is prohibited under humanitarian law. “The risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated […]

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How Morocco’s New WFI Coalition Redefines Business-as-Usual

Morocco is taking a bold step to transform its financial system into a true enabler of women’s economic empowerment. In partnership with CGAP, Bank Al-Maghrib and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are in the process of launching a “Women’s Financial Inclusion (WFI) Coalition”. Embedded within the governance of Morocco’s upcoming next phase of the […]

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U.S. Drops Mali from Visa Bond Program After Reciprocal Measures by Bamako

The U.S. State Department confirmed on October 23, 2025, that Mali was no longer subject to the Visa Bond Pilot Program, which requires certain nationals applying for short-term B-1/B-2 visitor visas to post refundable financial guarantees of up to $15,000. The program, introduced under the Immigration and Nationality Act, targets countries with high visa overstay […]

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DR Congo: UN envoy points to ‘real hope’ for ceasefire and peace in the east

Although progress has been made through peace initiatives, such as the Washington Agreement signed on 27 June between the DRC and Rwanda, and the Doha Declaration of Principles signed on 19 July between the Congo River/M23 Alliance and the Congolese Government under Qatari mediation, further efforts are still needed to achieve lasting and sustainable peace. […]

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Giving birth in the shadow of Sudan’s war

In the heart of Sudan’s White Nile State, to the south of the country’s capital, Khartoum, Kosti Maternity Hospital handles thousands of deliveries a year, but the ongoing war, the destruction of regional infrastructure and the displacement millions of people, many of them women, has put huge strain on its services. A changing landscape of […]

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UK and Türkiye Seal £8 Billion Typhoon Fighter Jet Deal

The United Kingdom and Türkiye have signed a landmark £8 billion defence agreement for the sale of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, marking the largest British combat aircraft export deal in nearly two decades. The contract was finalized on October 27, 2025, during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to Ankara, where he met with […]

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Aid cuts shutdown or suspend one in three women’s anti-violence programmes

A new UN Women report, At Risk and Underfunded, based on a global survey of 428 women’s rights and civil society groups, finds that one in three have suspended or shut down programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence. More than 40 per cent have scaled back or closed essential services such as shelters, legal aid, […]

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High stakes and high flavour: Indigenous chef brings Amazonian soul to COP30

Indigenous chef and activist Tainá Marajoara will serve dishes rooted in ancestral Amazonian traditions, showcasing the biodiversity and spirituality of Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples. Between rounds of negotiations, delegates will be treated to flavours such as maniçoba, açaí and pirarucu – all prepared with more than 10 tonnes of agroecological ingredients sourced through fair and sustainable […]

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