Explore

Review Highlights Climate Stress, Water Scarcity, and Conflict as Key Drivers of Global Food Insecurity

Review Highlights Climate Stress, Water Scarcity, and Conflict as Key Drivers of Global Food Insecurity

A comprehensive systematic review, synthesizing 25 years of research, reveals that global food insecurity is not solely an issue of agricultural production but is profoundly shaped by the interconnected impacts of climate change, water scarcity, and political conflict. The study, which evaluated 70 peer-reviewed investigations, emphasizes that isolated policy responses often fail because disruptions in one sector cascade into others, transforming localized resource pressures into persistent regional food crises. Food security, defined by the 1996 World Food Summit, encompasses four dimensions: availability, access, stability, and utilization. The review found that despite substantial increases in global agricultural output, persistent hunger and malnutrition remain, indicating that food security fundamentally depends on distribution, equitable governance, purchasing power, and stable supply networks. Climate change acts as a primary systemic threat, degrading agricultural output through rising temperatures...

Ukrhydroenergo and Litostroj Sign Memorandum for Ukrainian Hydroelectric Plant Rebuilding and Maintenance

Ukrhydroenergo and Litostroj Sign Memorandum for Ukrainian Hydroelectric Plant Rebuilding and Maintenance

Ukrhydroenergo and Litostroj have signed a cooperation memorandum in Netishyn, Ukraine. This agreement focuses on the rebuilding and maintenance of hydroelectric plants within Ukraine. The memorandum signifies a collaborative effort between the Ukrainian state-owned hydro-generating company and Litostroj, a company involved in hydropower equipment, to ensure the continued operation and modernization of Ukraine's hydroelectric infrastructure. The specific details of the projects and the scope of work under this memorandum were not immediately disclosed, but the emphasis is on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of these critical energy facilities.

WHO Reports First Human Case of Shamonda Virus Disease, Citing Unknown Public Health Risk

WHO Reports First Human Case of Shamonda Virus Disease, Citing Unknown Public Health Risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the first known human case of Shamonda virus disease on October 20, 2026, releasing a situation report on November 2. Previously, Shamonda virus was considered a disease affecting only animals such as cattle, sheep, horses, alpacas, and goats, transmitted by biting midges. The individual in the reported human case was described as older and immunocompromised, with no recent travel history, suggesting local infection. The WHO has stated that the public health risk cannot yet be reliably assessed and recommends continued 'One Health Surveillance and investigation.' This indicates that the risk of exposure is currently unknown, and further research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made, though the risk of exposure is likely very low. Shamonda virus is closely related to the Schmallenberg virus, which also affects the same animals and is transmitted by midges, but has never been reported in humans.

WHO Urged to Declare Climate Change a Public Health Emergency Amidst Intensifying El Niño and Rising Fatalities

WHO Urged to Declare Climate Change a Public Health Emergency Amidst Intensifying El Niño and Rising Fatalities

Public health researchers and professionals are urgently calling for the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the health impacts of climate change a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This appeal comes as the world faces an unprecedented El Niño season, with a recent report forecasting 451,000 additional heat-related deaths from June 2026 to February 2027, a figure comparable to COVID-19 fatalities in the first six months of the pandemic. Extreme climate events, including heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, have already caused significant loss of life and displacement globally, with over 50,000 heat-related deaths reported in European cities last summer, over 65% directly attributable to climate change. The WHO's International Health Regulations provide a mechanism for such a declaration, which would galvanize political will, mobilize financing, and provide evidence-based recommendations for an urgent public health response.

US loses measles-free status after continued spread of the disease, WSJ reports

US loses measles-free status after continued spread of the disease, WSJ reports

Nov 13 (Reuters) - The Pan American Health Organization has revoked the United States' measles-elimination status after 26 years, because the country did not halt continuous transmission of the highly contagious virus for more than a year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Two Ukrainian Companies Secure NATO Tenders for First Time Through New Cooperation Mechanism

Two Ukrainian Companies Secure NATO Tenders for First Time Through New Cooperation Mechanism

Two Ukrainian companies have successfully won NATO tenders for the first time, a development facilitated by a new special cooperation mechanism established by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). This mechanism, known as the Security Cooperation Support Partnership, is specifically designed to enable Ukrainian companies to participate in NATO procurement programs. Alyona Getmanchuk, head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, announced this achievement, noting that the initiative helps integrate Ukrainian companies into NATO’s defense innovation and industrial ecosystem. The special partner-matching mechanism also allows Ukrainian companies and startups to find partners in NATO member states for joint technology development, testing, and scaling up defense production. Ukraine also became the first NATO partner to sign a memorandum with NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

NATO Accelerates Counter-Drone Procurement to Strengthen Air and Missile Defense

NATO Accelerates Counter-Drone Procurement to Strengthen Air and Missile Defense

NATO has launched a new marketplace to expedite the procurement of counter-drone equipment for its member countries, under the 'Drone Edge' initiative. This marketplace, opened on November 5, 2026, offers a selection of systems already deployed in allied nations and Ukraine, designed for fixed sites, mobile operations, and transportable use. The initiative is part of a revised air and missile defense plan that aims to integrate counter-drone systems, fighters on alert, surveillance aircraft, and ground-based air defenses under a common command structure. NATO emphasizes the need for affordable solutions to combat low-cost, one-way attack drones while maintaining advanced interceptors for more complex threats, and is funding further trials to assess equipment effectiveness.

Russia, Ukraine and US start second day of Abu Dhabi peace talks

Russia, Ukraine and US start second day of Abu Dhabi peace talks

By Roula Rouhana ABU DHABI, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Russian, Ukrainian and US officials began a second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, resuming meetings which Kyiv and Washington depicted on Monday as constructive but produced no early signs of a breakthrough.

Ukraine's Armed Forces Commend Polish Support on National Independence Day

Ukraine's Armed Forces Commend Polish Support on National Independence Day

Ukraine's Armed Forces have extended congratulations to the Polish Armed Forces on their National Independence Day, expressing gratitude for Poland's extensive support since the onset of the full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian army specifically acknowledged Poland's military, medical, and logistical assistance, as well as its role in sheltering Ukrainian families. The greeting highlighted Poland's contributions to the Ramstein format, where it initiated the 'tank coalition,' and its involvement in LITPOLUKRBRIG, the EUMAM Ukraine Mission's Combined Arms Training Command, and the NSATU logistics hub. Poland also hosts the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) and Operation LEGIO. Since 2022, Poland has trained over 33,000 Ukrainian service members and provided approximately 16.45 billion zlotys in military aid, with more than 90% of all military aid to Ukraine passing through Polish territory. The Ukrainian forces emphasized that this cooperation is enhancing their interoperabili...

Finland Raises Concerns with Ukraine Over Baltic Sea Warship Strike, Assures Public of Safety

Finland Raises Concerns with Ukraine Over Baltic Sea Warship Strike, Assures Public of Safety

Finland has communicated its concerns to Ukraine following a Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian warship in the Gulf of Finland. Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen stated that Helsinki informed Kyiv about the sensitivity of the narrow Gulf of Finland stretch, emphasizing environmental safety and civilian shipping safety. Despite the incident, Hakkanen assured the public that the Baltic Sea around Finland remains safe for navigation. The strike, which Ukraine's Security Service claimed targeted the Buyan-M-class small missile ship Naro-Fominsk, occurred near Gogland Island. This event marks a rare instance of Ukrainian forces striking a Russian vessel in the Baltic Sea, an area frequently used by civilian traffic. The Finnish Defence Forces confirmed detecting the strike and are monitoring the situation, though they noted no immediate military threat to Finland. The incident also coincided with Ukrainian drone activity targeting Russia's Ust-Luga oil port, causing a fire and injuring workers.

Oil gains over $2 on attacks on Saudi energy sites, Strait of Hormuz disruptions

Oil gains over $2 on attacks on Saudi energy sites, Strait of Hormuz disruptions

By Siddharth Cavale NEW YORK, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Oil prices jumped over $2 a barrel on Thursday after attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure escalated and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz threatened global supplies. Brent futures were up $2.44, or 2.63%, at $95.2 at 1:49 p.m.