Author: Solomon Alaka

World News in Brief: New declaration on NCDs and mental health, Khartoum shelter crisis, WFP lifeline in Ukraine, South Sudan rights update

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on World News in Brief: New declaration on NCDs and mental health, Khartoum shelter crisis, WFP lifeline in Ukraine, South Sudan rights update

The text, negotiated over five months, will go before the General Assembly for approval in just a few weeks’ time. It was adopted at a high-level meeting at UN Headquarters late on Thursday, where heads of State, government leaders and health ministers stressed the urgency of coordinated action. NCDs such as heart and lung disease, cancer […]

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Youth to UN: ‘Listen to us. Invest in us. Partner with us’

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Youth to UN: ‘Listen to us. Invest in us. Partner with us’

“Youth participation is not just about bringing young people to meetings,” General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said on Thursday. “It’s about truly integrating their lived experience and their expertise to shape policy outcomes.” Prioritising rights and aspirations Ms. Baerbock was speaking at an event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action […]

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UNCF Head on $70M Donation by MacKenzie Scott to Bolster HBCUs

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on UNCF Head on $70M Donation by MacKenzie Scott to Bolster HBCUs

The United Negro College Fund announced a landmark $70 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, a donation UNCF says will strengthen the pooled endowment serving its member historically Black colleges and universities and support a broader $1 billion capital campaign to secure long‑term stability for HBCUs. UNCF plans to allocate the funds into a pooled […]

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World News in Brief: Gaza and Nicaragua human rights update, WHO hypertension alert and alarm over US autism claim

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on World News in Brief: Gaza and Nicaragua human rights update, WHO hypertension alert and alarm over US autism claim

The damaged facilities include nine schools and two health centres sheltering more than 11,000 people. At least five displaced people were injured and UNRWA’s field office also sustained damage. The agency says that its operations in Gaza City – where Israeli air and ground attacks have intensified – have been sharply reduced after its only […]

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EU increases aid to Yemen amid escalating humanitarian crisis

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on EU increases aid to Yemen amid escalating humanitarian crisis

The European Commission is releasing an additional €40 million in humanitarian aid to confront Yemen’s rapidly worsening crisis and help stave off famine. This brings total EU humanitarian support for Yemen to €120 million in 2025, and to almost €1 billion since 2015. Years of war, economic collapse, and climate shocks have left more than half of […]

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UNGA hosts first ever development finance summit to boost SDGs

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on UNGA hosts first ever development finance summit to boost SDGs

“This Biennial Summit is not just another meeting,” said UN Secretary General António Guterres. “It is the first of its kind.” Attended by top politicians, international institutions and officials representing the G7, G20 and the COP30 UN climate conference, the focus was on addressing challenges in development finance on the rocky road towards the 2030 […]

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Spirit Airlines to Slash Flights by 25% Following Second Bankruptcy Filing

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Spirit Airlines to Slash Flights by 25% Following Second Bankruptcy Filing

MIAMI — Spirit Airlines will reduce flight capacity by 25% starting in November as part of a restructuring effort following its second bankruptcy in less than a year. CEO Dave Davis announced the cuts in a memo to employees, signaling further layoffs and a strategic shift toward the carrier’s most profitable markets. The budget airline […]

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Mental health takes centre stage at the General Assembly

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Mental health takes centre stage at the General Assembly

Although the subject of mental health has been raised in previous years, it will get top billing at the event, which will also cover the prevention and control of other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.  NCDs remain the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. They are […]

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Sarkozy Sentenced in Libya Campaign Funds Case Amid Public Debate Over Priorities and Evidence

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Sarkozy Sentenced in Libya Campaign Funds Case Amid Public Debate Over Priorities and Evidence

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy linked to alleged illegal campaign financing from Libya. The ruling makes him the first French head of state in decades to face incarceration, marking a dramatic fall from grace for a once-dominant political figure. The conviction stems from accusations […]

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Syria: Return of millions brings hope but challenges remain

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Syria: Return of millions brings hope but challenges remain

That still represents less than a quarter of the 4.7 million Syrian refugees who in August this year were still living in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt after being driven from the country by years of brutal conflict, according to a UNHCR report from earlier this month. While the country has seen one million […]

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