The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be phased in progressively from 12 October 2025.
World’s largest scintillator detector, JUNO, now detecting neutrinos
University of Warwick physicists, as part of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) in China, are celebrating helping
Gaza: Aid teams repeat calls for unhindered access to stricken enclave
“There is little information available on the details or how the agreement will be implemented. However, we call for all crossings into Gaza to be open immediately so that humanitarian supplies can flow into the war-torn enclave,” said Juliette Touma, Director of Communications for the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA.
Her comments came as Israeli forces reportedly pulled back from parts of Gaza, in line with an agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered in Egypt this week by US mediators and representatives from Qatar and Turkïye.
Pushing back on famine
“This food from UNRWA is critical for averting and controlling famine,” Ms. Touma stressed, as the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pointed to 50,000 “at risk” youngsters suffering from acute malnutrition.
“They need to be treated immediately…with the ceasefire, we hope we can get the therapeutic treatment that they so desperately need,” said spokesperson Ricardo Pires.
The UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher insisted on Thursday that “the whole UN humanitarian family” is mobilized to get aid into Gaza.
Speaking to journalists, he underlined the “indispensable role” of UNRWA in distributing aid supplies across the Strip while also highlighting the central role assigned to the UN in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan now being enacted.
Active conflict ongoing
Aid teams still working in the enclave reported that the ceasefire had not come into effect early Friday morning.
Nonetheless, vital humanitarian work continues, including one UNICEF mission to Gaza City on Thursday “to rescue two babies who were in incubators and fighting for their lives”, said Mr. Pires.
“Luckily, with the hard work of colleagues and health workers on the ground, they survived and they got reunited with their families today.”
The UNICEF spokesperson explained that the mission had to wait 15 hours to gain access to Gaza City because “the situation on the ground was still very, very unstable and kinetic activity was taking place – a lot of violence”.
Echoing that assessment, UNRWA’s Ms. Touma noted that colleagues in the enclave reported ongoing airstrikes on Friday morning.
Thousands of people are on the move following a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The UN agency spokesperson also noted that more than 370 UNRWA staff members have been killed over the course of the conflict sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. “This is the highest death toll in the United Nations since it was first established,” she added.
Joining the call for “unimpeded” aid access across “all possible routes”, UN health agency (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stressed the need to resume urgent medical evacuations from Gaza to the West Bank including East Jerusalem, along with flexible funding “to drive the recovery”.
UN agencies have 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine and other supplies ready to deliver into Gaza.
The aim is to scale up the provision of food across Gaza to reach 2.1 million people and some 500,000 people who need nutrition support.
Israel/Palestine: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict
The EU issued a statement welcoming the agreement on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict, which secures an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, and commits to supporting its full implementation, including humanitarian aid, stabilisation, and the two-state solution.
Civilians in Ukraine face death and injury amid new attacks
Civilian casualties were 31 per cent higher from January to September 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to HRMMU’s monthly report published on Thursday.
“High civilian casualties last month confirm this year’s disturbing pattern of intense violence in Ukraine, as virtually no day passes without civilian deaths or injuries, especially in frontline communities,” said HRMMU chief Danielle Bell.
Frontline danger
Sixty nine per cent of the September casualties occurred near the frontline, with notably high numbers reported in the Donetsk and Kherson regions of eastern Ukraine. Nearly 30 per cent of all casualties were caused by short-range drone attacks.
In Donetsk region on Thursday, a bomb struck the area near a postal service vehicle as seniors were collecting their pensions.
Twenty one of those killed and 13 of those injured were over the age of 60. Older persons are often among the last residents to evacuate from their communities, says HRMMU; at least 87 of them were killed last month.
Critical infrastructure at stake
Compared to August, September saw a 15 per cent increase in attacks affecting energy infrastructure compared to August 2025. Thirty one attacks were documented.
The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) reported that weekend attacks left some 70,000 people without electricity and disrupted gas and water supplies.
Humanitarians warned that as winter approaches, strikes in critical infrastructure will exacerbate civilian needs.
HRMMU said that on Thursday night, another massive countrywide strike targeting energy facilities caused power outages in several regions, including the capital, and reportedly killed a seven-year-old boy.
“We used to feel a sense of security at home, but not anymore. Drones are buzzing like bees, flying without a break. We can’t sleep at night nor during the day. We are exhausted,” said one man evacuated from Kostiantynivka, a city in eastern Ukraine.
Since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, HRMMU has documented at least 14,383 civilians killed, including 738 children, and 37,541 injured, including 2,318 children.
Sudan: Türk ‘appalled’ by continued killing of civilians in El Fasher
This follows reports that at least 53 civilians were killed and more than 60 injured by members of the Rapid Support Forces militia, the RSF, between 5 and 8 October alone.
Preliminary information from the area – the last government-controlled city in North Darfur – suggests the number may be even higher, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) added.
‘Endless and wanton disregard’
“I am appalled by the RSF’s endless and wanton disregard for civilian life,” said Mr. Türk.
The militia has been battling its former military government allies for control of Sudan since April 2023.
The UN rights chief said that “despite repeated calls, including my own, for specific care to be taken to protect civilians, they continue instead to kill, injure, and displace civilians, and to attack civilian objects, including IDP shelters, hospitals and mosques, with total disregard for international law. This must end.”
At least 46 civilians were killed in artillery and drone strikes in the Abu Shouk and Daraja Oula neighbourhoods, and the Abu Shouk IDP camp, OHCHR reported.
This includes at least 14 civilians who were killed during attacks on 5 and 7 October on the Saudi Hospital – the last major functioning health care facility in North Darfur.
The hospital, which has repeatedly come under attack, was already operating at a reduced capacity, before suffering further substantial damage in these latest attacks.
Summary executions
At least seven other civilians were reportedly summarily executed in home-to-home searches during RSF ground attacks, OHCHR reported.
“Initial information indicates that these killings may have been ethnically motivated, targeting members of the Zaghawa community,” the UN office said.
“I urge the RSF – indeed all parties to the conflict – to draw lessons from this week’s conviction of Ali Kushayb by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the war crimes and crimes against humanity he committed in Darfur,” said Mr. Türk.
The former Janjaweed commander was found guilty of war crimes on 27 counts earlier this week in the Hague. The RSF reportedly grew out of the Janjaweed militias and its leadership beginning in 2013.
The High Commissioner also reiterated his call for UN Member States with direct influence to take urgent measures to protect civilians and to prevent further atrocities in El Fasher and across Darfur.
In Africa’s Sahel, conflict and climate change force millions from their homes
The figure represents a two-thirds increase in displacement over the past five years, with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger at the epicentre of overlapping humanitarian emergencies.
“Across the central Sahel, people are being driven from their homes by violence, insecurity, and the devastating effects of climate change,” said Abdouraouf Gnon-Kondé, Regional Director for West and Central Africa at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
“Women and children make up 80 per cent of the displaced population, and the protection risks they face – from gender-based violence to trafficking and forced recruitment – are worsening.”
UN reports from the region note that entire communities having been emptied in Burkina Faso, northern Mali and western Niger as violence between armed groups, intercommunal clashes and military activity spreads.
Rising insecurity and shrinking access
Most displaced families remain within their countries, but cross-border movements are becoming increasingly frequent as insecurity spreads and livelihoods collapse.
“These onward movements highlight the urgent need to expand assistance and enable people to remain closer to home,” Mr. Gnon-Kondé said, warning that families are under increasing pressure as basic services buckle.
Insecurity, he warned, has forced the closure of more than 14,800 schools across the region, leaving three million children without access to learning or safe spaces.
Over 900 health facilities have also shut down, cutting off millions from essential care.
Communities across the Sahel are facing acute food insecurity due to extreme weather. Pictured here, farmers in Niger attempt to reclaim degraded land.
Hunger driving displacement
Food insecurity has become a growing driver of flight, with the proportion of displaced people citing hunger as a primary reason for leaving doubling in recent years.
The situation has been described by humanitarians as a chronic hunger emergency. Estimates indicate that more than 32 million people across the wider Sahel require humanitarian assistance and protection – many of them urgent food and nutrition interventions.
Farming and cattle rearing have also been affected by families constantly on the move and harsh weather conditions.
“Climate-related shocks further amplify risks, intensifying competition over scarce natural resources such as land and water,” Mr. Gnon-Kondé said.
This is not only fuelling new displacement but also straining social cohesion.
Funding gap threatens critical services
UNHCR said humanitarian access and funding have reached breaking point. Its 2025 appeal for $409.7 million to cover needs in the Sahel is only 32 per cent funded, forcing cuts to registration, shelter, education and health programmes.
The broader $2.1 billion humanitarian appeal for Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – which encompasses all sectors – tells a similar story, just 19 per cent funded so far.
UNHCR called for a “renewed international commitment” to the region, warning that the crisis will only worsen without sustained support.
“Protecting millions of displaced families and securing a safer future demands more than words,” Mr. Gnon-Kondé said. “It requires unified, sustained action and true solidarity with the Sahel.”
In the African Sahel, conflicts and climate change force millions of people from their homes
This figure represents a two-thirds increase in displacement over the past five years, with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger the epicenter of overlapping humanitarian crises.
“Across the central Sahel, people are being driven from their homes by violence, insecurity and the devastating effects of climate change.» said Abdouraouf Gnon-Kondé, regional director for West and Central Africa at the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).
“Women and children make up 80 percent of the displaced population, and the protection risks they face – from gender-based violence to trafficking and forced recruitment – are worsening. »
U.N. reports on the region note that entire communities have been emptied in Burkina Faso, northern Mali and western Niger as violence between armed groups, intercommunal clashes and military activity spread.
Growing insecurity and restricted access
Most displaced families remain in their countries, but cross-border movements are becoming more frequent as insecurity spreads and livelihoods collapse.
“These subsequent moves highlight the urgent need to expand assistance and allow people to stay closer to home,» said Mr Gnon-Kondé, warning that families are under increasing pressure as basic services collapse.
Insecurity, he warned, has forced the closure of more than 14,800 schools across the region, leaving three million children without access to learning or safe spaces.
More than 900 health facilities have also closed their doors, depriving millions of people of essential care.
Communities in the Sahel face acute food insecurity due to extreme weather conditions. Pictured here, farmers in Niger are trying to reclaim degraded land.
Hunger drives displacement
Food insecurity has become a growing driver of flight, with the proportion of displaced people citing hunger as the main reason for their departure doubling in recent years.
The situation has been described by humanitarians as a chronic food emergency. Estimates indicate that more than 32 million people across the Sahel need humanitarian assistance and protection – many of these are urgent food and nutritional interventions.
Agriculture and livestock breeding have also been affected by the constant displacement of families and harsh climatic conditions.
“Climate-related shocks further amplify risks, intensifying competition for scarce natural resources such as land and water,” said Mr. Gnon-Kondé.
This not only fuels further displacement, but also strains social cohesion.
Funding gap threatens essential services
The UNHCR said humanitarian access and funding have reached a breaking point. Its appeal for $409.7 million for 2025 to cover the needs of the Sahel is only 32 percent funded, forcing cuts to registration, accommodation, education and health programs.
The broader $2.1 billion humanitarian appeal for Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – which encompasses all sectors – tells a similar story, with only 19 percent funded so far.
The UNHCR called for “renewed international engagement” in the region, warning that the crisis will only worsen without sustained support.
“Protecting millions of displaced families and ensuring a more secure future requires more than words,” said Mr. Gnon-Kondé. “This requires unified and sustained action and true solidarity with the Sahel. »
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
In Ukraine, civilians face death and injury following new attacks
Civilian casualties were 31 percent higher between January and September 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the HRMMU. monthly report published Thursday.
“Last month’s high civilian casualties confirm the worrying pattern of intense violence in Ukraine this year, as shown Virtually no day goes by without civilians dying or being injured, especially in frontline communities.said HRMMU leader Danielle Bell.
Frontline danger
Sixty-nine percent of September’s casualties occurred near the front line, with particularly high numbers in the Donetsk and Kherson regions of eastern Ukraine. Nearly 30 percent of all casualties were caused by short-range drone attacks.
On Thursday, in the Donetsk region, a bomb hit near a postal vehicle while elderly people were receiving their pensions.
Twenty-one of those killed and 13 of the injured were over 60 years old.. Elderly people are often among the last residents to evacuate their community, HRMMU explains; at least 87 of them were killed last month.
Critical infrastructure at stake
Compared to August, September saw a 15 percent increase of attacks affecting energy infrastructure compared to August 2025. Thirty-one attacks have been documented.
The United Nations Aid Coordination Office (OCHA) reported This weekend’s attacks left some 70,000 people without power and disrupted gas and water supplies.
Humanitarians have warned that as winter approaches, strikes on critical infrastructure will exacerbate civilian needs.
HRMMU said that on Thursday evening, another massive nationwide strike targeting energy facilities caused power outages in several areas, including the capital, and reportedly killed a seven-year-old boy.
“Before, we had a feeling of security at home, but not anymore. Drones buzz like bees and fly non-stop. We cannot sleep at night or during the day. We are exhausted“, said a man evacuated from Kostiantynivka, a town in eastern Ukraine.
Since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, HRMMU has documented at least 14,383 civilians killed, including 738 children, and 37,541 injured, including 2,318 children.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Gaza: humanitarian teams reiterate their calls for unhindered access to the disaster-stricken enclave
“There is little information available on the details or how the agreement will be implemented. However, we call for all crossing points into Gaza to be opened immediately so that humanitarian supplies can flow to this war-torn enclave.“said Juliette Touma, communications director of the United Nations agency for the Palestinians, UNRWA.
His comments come as Israeli forces reportedly withdrew from parts of Gaza in accordance with an agreement between Israel and Hamas, negotiated this week in Egypt by US mediators and representatives from Qatar and Turkey.
Beating back starvation
“This UNRWA food is essential to prevent and control famine,” Ms. Touma stressed, while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) identified 50,000 young people “at risk” suffering from acute malnutrition.
“They need to be treated immediately… with the ceasefire we hope we can get the therapeutic treatment they desperately need,” spokesman Ricardo Pires said.
Top UN aid official Tom Fletcher insisted On Thursday, “the entire UN humanitarian family” is mobilized to deliver aid to Gaza.
Speaking to journalists, he highlighted UNRWA’s “indispensable role” in distributing humanitarian supplies across the Gaza Strip, while emphasizing the central role assigned to the UN in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, now being adopted.
Ongoing active conflict
Humanitarian teams still working in the enclave said the ceasefire had not come into effect as of Friday morning.
Nonetheless, vital humanitarian work continues, including a UNICEF mission to Gaza City on Thursday.to save two babies who were in incubators fighting for their lives“, said Mr. Pires.
“Thankfully, thanks to the hard work of colleagues and health workers on the ground, they survived and were reunited with their families today.”
The UNICEF spokesperson explained that the mission had to wait 15 hours to access Gaza City because “the situation on the ground was still very, very unstable and there was kinetic activity – a lot of violence.”
Echoing that assessment, UNRWA’s Touma noted that her colleagues in the enclave reported ongoing airstrikes on Friday morning.
Thousands of people are on the move following the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The UN agency spokesperson also noted that more than 370 UNRWA personnel were killed during the conflict sparked by Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. “This is the highest death toll in the United Nations since its creation,” she added.
Joining the call for “unhindered” access to aid through “all possible routes”, the UN health agency (WHOSpokesman Christian Lindmeier stressed the need to resume urgent medical evacuations from Gaza to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as flexible funding “to boost the recovery.”
UN agencies have 170,000 tonnes of food, medicine and other supplies ready for delivery to Gaza.
The aim is to increase food provision in Gaza to reach 2.1 million people and some 500,000 people in need of nutritional support.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
