Typhoons Kristine and Leon caused widespread damage in the Philippines, leaving thousands of families and children without access to safe water and sanitation facilities.
The 11th and 12th tropical cyclones to hit the country this year affected at least 4.2 million individuals – approximately 1.3 million of them children – and displaced over 300,000.
The recent typhoons have exacerbated pre-existing fragilities where access to safe water and sanitation services was already limited. In some communities, open defecation has been reported with facilities washed away, raising concerns about disease outbreaks.
“We can’t emphasise enough the importance of lifesaving supplies during and after an emergency,” said UNICEF Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.
“We are working with our partners to provide water, sanitation and hygiene supplies to affected families and children to ensure their access to critical measures against the spread of diseases,” she stressed.
Since October 31, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners have distributed 2,950 hygiene and water kits to families in the hardest-hit provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay in the Bicol Region.
An additional 350 kits will be delivered in the coming days through partnerships with Action Against Hunger and Plan International Pilipinas.
Education disrupted
The Department of Education estimates that at least 500 schools in the Bicol Region need urgent assistance, with the recent typhoons disrupting learning for 20 million children nationwide.
“UNICEF strongly urges that schools remain dedicated to education and not used as evacuation centres so that children continue to have a stable learning environment,” said UNICEF Philippines Education Chief, Akihiro Fushimi.
In collaboration with local education authorities, UNICEF is set to provide educational supplies to 14,594 learners and 765 teachers in 25 schools and five Community Development Centres.
“Ensuring that children’s learning is not disrupted is a priority for UNICEF,” Mr. Fushimi further emphasised, highlighting the importance of providing children with a sense of normalcy amid the chaos.
A season of uncertainty
The Philippines, already Southeast Asia’s most disaster-prone country, faces increasingly frequent and severe weather events due to climate change.
With storms Marce and Nika impacting many of the same regions last weekend and a new weather system forming that could become Tropical Storm Ofel, recovery efforts are under immense strain.
Despite these challenges, the government has ramped up its response, while UNICEF and its partners continue to support communities with critical resources and interventions.
UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González recently explained in a blog on the growing risk posed by natural hazards for UN News: “As we see, the exposure to disasters and the vulnerability to climate change have compelled Filipinos to cultivate a unique sense of resilience. The ‘saving lives’ spirit is widely spread within local communities.”
“As Filipinos frequently say, ‘as long as there is life, there is hope,’” he added.
Conflict erupted in Ukraine over a decade ago following Russia’s occupation of Crimea in the east and escalated on 24 February 2022 with the full-scale assault on the country.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, detailed the death and destruction that has occurred since then.
More than 39,000 civilians have been killed or injured, and over 3,400 schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, while 10 million people have fled their homes.
“These are not just numbers; each one of them represents countless stories of individual unimaginable pain for the people of Ukraine,” he said.
Stand with Ukraine
Although the UN “cannot erase the horrors of the war”, Mr. Schmale said it has worked with national and international organizations and the Government to address the acute needs of the most vulnerable, which includes people with limited mobility and older persons.
“As Ukrainians brace for another winter of war, the UN’s support and the solidarity of the international community must remain firm,” he said.
“I urge the international community to stand with Ukraine and to continue recognizing and supporting the heroic work of the many first responders, including volunteers.”
Pain, suffering and rights violations
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, provided further information on the war’s toll in a statement marking the “grim milestone”.
OHCHR has verified that at least 12,162 civilians, including 659 children, have been killed since 24 February 2022, while at least 26,919 have been injured.
“As the High Commissioner has said, it has been 1,000 days too many of senseless pain and suffering. Violations of human rights have become the order of the day, both in the conduct of hostilities and in areas under occupation,” Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva.
Strikes in Kharkiv in September left dozens of families homeless and caused multiple injuries.
Airstrikes continue
He said that over the past two days, at least 30 civilians have reportedly been killed in a series of deadly strikes in residential areas in Sumy City, Odesa and Hlukhiv.
“In the very latest attack on Hlukhiv, which occurred late last night, nine civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed, and 11, including two children, injured,” he said, noting that search and rescue operations are ongoing.
He added that the Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell, visited several locations in Zaporizhzhia on Monday that had recently been struck by Russian glide bombs.
The locations included an oncology centre which was hit on 7 November as cancer patients were receiving chemotherapy, and an apartment building where half the structure was destroyed by another glide bomb the same day. Ten people were killed.
Stop the violence
“We call on all parties to ensure the safety and protection of civilians. Effective measures must also be taken to fully and impartially investigate where there are credible allegations of violations,” said Mr. Laurence.
“The violence must stop – for the sake of the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and the world.”
Separately, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine highlighted the immense suffering caused by Russia’s violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Widespread, systematic torture
These include the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, the targeting of civilian objectives, “massive waves of attacks” on energy infrastructure, and the forced transfer and deportation of children.
The Commission drew attention to its report issued last month which concluded that torture committed by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war amounts to a crime against humanity.
“Such crimes are among the most serious under international law,” members said, adding that torture “has been widespread, systematic, and committed as a coordinated state policy.”
Warmth and dignity in winter
Meanwhile, 1,000 days of war have left more than 14.6 million Ukrainians in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including 3.5 million displaced within the country, said Amy Pope, Director General of UN migration agency, IOM.
“As winter arrives, the persistent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – decimating 65 per cent of the country’s generation capacity –have left communities struggling without adequate electricity, heating, or water,” she said
“This is a matter of survival for millions of people and requires the international community to stand together in solidarity.”
Ms. Pope called on governments, private sector leaders, and people worldwide to sustain their support for those in greatest need.
“Together, we can ensure that even in the darkest of winters, there is warmth, dignity, and the promise of a peaceful future,” she said.
At the event titled “Why Words Matter,” organized by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), European Parliament Vice President Antonella Sberna delivered a thought-provoking speech that underscored the transformative role of language and dialogue in fostering unity and inclusion across Europe. Addressing an audience of distinguished leaders, young participants, and interfaith representatives, Sberna passionately articulated her vision for implementing Article 17 of the EU Treaty, which promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue as a cornerstone of democratic values and social harmony.
Antonella Sberna, the recently appointed Vice President of the European Parliament, delivered a compelling speech today, emphasizing the transformative power of interreligious dialogue and the crucial role of thoughtful communication in fostering European unity. Speaking to an audience of distinguished leaders, Sberna outlined her vision for implementing Article 17, which centers on promoting democratic values, religious freedom, and peaceful coexistence across the European Union.
As she eloquently stated, “The active engagement of different ethical systems, whether religious or secular, ensures that our social path reflects inclusivity and mutual respect, honoring diversity while promoting integration.”
Sberna underscored the European Parliament’s dedication to creating spaces for dialogue that transcend cultural and religious boundaries. She described Article 17 as a vehicle for building mutual understanding, addressing conflicts, and nurturing interfaith collaboration. According to her, the Parliament achieves this through various activities, such as seminars and roundtables, which bring together voices from religious, philosophical, and non-confessional communities.
Highlighting the upcoming seminar on December 10, 2024, Sberna remarked, “Together we create a Europe that is inclusive, united, and forward-thinking. The next such initiative…focuses on the importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing Europe’s future challenges.”
The Power of Words
A central theme of Sberna’s speech was the significance of words in shaping societal values. Drawing from the wisdom of Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, she declared, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” This sentiment formed the cornerstone of her call to action: using language responsibly to combat hate speech and promote unity.
“When misused, words can divide, harm, or spread hate,” Sberna cautioned. “But when they are used with care, words can unite, foster understanding, and challenge prejudice.” She encouraged her audience to embrace the power of language to inspire positive change and uphold core European values of democracy, freedom, solidarity, and human dignity.
Building Bridges for the Future
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Sberna expressed confidence in the collective ability to achieve meaningful progress. “Through interreligious dialogue, we create a common space where diverse communities coexist,” she stated. Her vision for the future includes strengthening cooperation, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering a sense of belonging among all Europeans.
As she concluded her address, Sberna left a resonant message: “The words we choose today shape the world we live in tomorrow. Let us use them wisely to construct a framework for peaceful coexistence and shared responsibility.”
Antonella Sberna’s speech marked an inspiring start to her mandate, setting a tone of optimism and collaboration for the years to come. As the European Parliament prepares for its December seminar and future initiatives, her leadership promises to champion the values that unite Europe in diversity.
Oleg Maltsev, an internationally recognized Ukrainian scholar in bad health, is in pre-trial detention in a prison denounced as unsanitary by the European Court of Human Rights in 2021. He may be driven to death.
On 23 September 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) declared that they had “neutralized an operational combat group of the Russian GRU” (Military intelligence service of Russia’s armed forces). The alleged plot was attributed to Dr. Oleg Maltsev, an internationally recognized Ukrainian scientist, as his list of publications shows. The SBU presented him as a traitor to Ukraine, a saboteur, a ‘gypsy,’ a cult leader and a pseudoscientist but Maltsev who is known as a staunch defender of Ukraine denied any involvement in any pro-Russian activity.
Oleg Maltsev was arrested on 14 September 2024 and has been held since then in the Odesa Detention Centre (SIZO), reportedly in life-threatening conditions. Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have officially charged him with attempting to disrupt the constitutional order of the country and creating an unauthorised paramilitary organisation.
It is worth noting that Oleg Maltsev is far from being an ordinary scientist, both in Ukraine and abroad. His research spans psychology, criminology, sociology, and philosophy, reflecting a diverse academic focus. For example, American professor Jerome Krase (1) expressed his support for him, recognizing his significant scholarly contributions.
He has also garnered support from other prominent figures, such as the Ukrainian academic Maxim Lepskiy (2) and French scholar Dr. Lucien-Samir Oulahbib (3), a sociologist and political scientist.
Dr Oleg Maltsev, a prolific scholar in the eye of a media cyclone
Since his arrest, Dr. Maltsev has been the target of an unprecedented defamatory media campaign which has unfolded in both Ukraine and Europe, labeling him a “fake scientist” and alleging that his academic work serves as a front for purportedly illegal activities against Ukraine.
Regarding the media reports and posts on Telegram, it was clear that there had been a deliberate leak of information aiming at harm him as there is a principle known as the secrecy of pre-trial investigation. His lawyer suspects it was coming from the pre-trial investigation agency itself.
Maltsev holds two doctorates in Ukraine – one in psychology and one in philosophy – which have been officially validated by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. In over 20 years of academic work, his extensive body of research publications, including numerous co-authored monographs and scientific articles, is evidence of his internationally recognized academic expertise.
Maltsev’s studies about the criminal subcultures of Southern Italy have earned him significant recognition. He has also created a psychological profile of serial killers, identifying three distinct types of such criminals. Most of his works are publicly accessible on his website: https://oleg-maltsev.com/, as well as in Google Books.
Judicial harassment starting in December 2023
Maltsev’s lawyer, Yevgenia Tarasenko, has issued an official statement regarding his case. She notes in it that prior to his arrest, he faced fabricated criminal prosecution by Ukrainian law enforcement for over a year.
Efforts were made to not only impede his scientific work but also to accuse him of various offenses under the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Furthermore, according to her statements, Ukrainian law enforcement attempted in December 2023 to blackmail him: to extort money from him or to arrest him on charges she deemed unfounded. It was a letter from an unidentified email address offering him ‘to resolve all issues for a certain compensation.’ Although he hardly paid attention to it, he filed a complaint. From early March until 12 September 2024, Maltsev’s home was repeatedly searched by the police… and was finally put in custody.
From the lawyer’s perspective who was interviewed by The Journal of International Security Affairs on 1 October 2024, a scientist like Oleg Maltsev should be a source of pride for Ukraine, given his unprecedented connections within the national and international scientific community. However, instead of receiving the accolades he deserves, he finds himself imprisoned on serious criminal charges, she says. Maltsev is the target of what she describes as a “smear campaign” of deliberate persecution.
What is behind the scenes?
Who is pulling the strings behind this case, for what reason and what for? This is is not clear at all.
According to a source within the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which is chaired by Dr. Jerome Krase and of which Oleg Maltsev is a member of the Presidium, this may be linked to his research efforts starting in 2022 on some disputed issues. As a result of ongoing harassment, one of his papers has remained unpublished.
His first work is a book on war crimes, co-authored with American professor and scholar on global terrorism Harvey Wolf Kushner (4). This book explores the phenomenon of war crimes by examining recent events in Ukraine over the past two years and the private military company “Wagner Group” but also contains Maltsev’s studies on criminal organizations in Southern Italy. The book also discusses emerging trends in war crimes that, sadly, we may all face in the near future.
His second work is based on some unique research conducted by him and his team for two years. It is about a self-defense discipline that he invented and called “Urban Tactical Shooting” (UTS). It is an innovative sport shooting discipline, which not only provides individuals with shooting skills and recreational opportunities, but also teaches participants how to use different types of weapons in multiple life situations for self-defense.
UTS uses tactical models, procedures, scenarios and environments to provide individuals with survivability skills in times of war and methods to protect themselves from attackers. UTS enables individuals to preserve life and reduce physical and psychological trauma. In a conflict zone, shooting skills can be vital for civilians, allowing them to evacuate more efficiently and safely from areas of active combat. Mastery of these skills can complicate the efforts of opposing forces attempting to prevent safe passage through dangerous territories. This new shooting discipline is also beneficial for professionals in the security industry, rescue workers, and law enforcement personnel.
Furthermore, Oleg Maltsev holds the position of head of the International Tactical Sport Shooting Association and participates in the Olympic discipline of Skeet. While training in Skeet, Maltsev also conducted scientific research, resulting in four published books, all of which are available on his official website and were reviewed by athletes of this discipline.
A source in the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine suggests that the development of the UTS may have led to the prosecution of Oleg Maltsev because of the interests of some business entities feeling that their market in this area would be threatened by such a discipline.
It was also assumed that the attack could come from the Orthodox Church or the anti-cult movement that he had heavily criticized in some of his writings or in relation with the documentary movie titled ‘License for Crimes’ released in 2019 but he did not find these theories very convincing.
What are the real reasons of Maltsev’s prosecution? His research about war crimes? His work about mafia activities? Conflict of interests in business? Or something else? At this stage, it is still impossible to identify the persons or groups of interest that are pulling the strings behind the scene. There are certainly vested interests but as of today they have not been identified.
Detention conditions
Oleg Maltsev is currently being held in the Odesa pretrial detention center, which has been recognized as the worst one in Ukraine. This facility, built in the late 19th century, is in deplorable condtions. This situation has been denounced by the European Court of Human Rights in the case Deriglazov and Others v. Ukraine (Applications nos. 42363/18 and five others).
Oleg Maltsev suffers from several medical problems, including bronchial asthma and diabetes. However, these factors did not prevent the Ukrainian court from remanding him into custody without the option for bail.
In the meantime, “special conditions” have been imposed on Maltsev in the Odesa detention center: for 10 days he was not permitted to wash and he is continuously moved from one cell to another, adhering to a principle of “from bad conditions to even worse.” This is an old tactic from Soviet times intended to exert psychological pressure on individuals. Dr. Maltsev is currently being held in solitary confinement – a small, damp room with no heating or adequate ventilation. In such conditions, a person with bronchial asthma is virtually doomed to die.
It should be up to the court to decide whether Oleg Maltsev is guilty of anything or not. However, he may not survive long enough to be tried.
Prof. Dr. Jerome Krase – Emeritus professor and Murray Koppelman professor at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. He is the President of the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Expert in sociology, gentrification in Brooklyn, Brooklyn ethnic groups, Italian-American politics, culture, race, class, urban life and Ethnicity in New York. His recent books include COVID-19 in Brooklyn: Everyday Life During a Pandemic (2023)and Race, Class, and Gentrification in Brooklyn: A View from the Street (2016).
Prof. Dr. Maxim Lepskiy is a full Professor, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor of Social Sciences and Administration at Zaporizhia National University (ZNU). In 2002-2003, he worked as the head of the Department for Internal Policy of the Zaporizhia Regional State Administration. From June 2004 to September 2019, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Sociology and Management of ZNU. More here.
Lucien-Samir Oulahbib, born 1956 in Algeria, is a French sociologist, political scientist, writer and journalist who taught at the University Lyon 3 from 2007 until 2019. He taught at the University Paris X from 2005 to 2007 and now teaches at Albert le Grand Institute. He manages the Dogma philosophy journal together with Isabelle Saillot. His writings tackle contemporary French nihilism, radical Islamism and antisemitism.
Harvey Wolf Kushner is an American scholar of global terrorism. Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, The Roosevelt School, Long Island University, Brookville, New York. Author of numerous writings and five books on terrorism including the multi-award winning Encyclopedia of Terrorism. He participated in the investigation of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
On November 7, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a congratulatory letter to the newly elected US President Donald Trump, wishing him health, strength and success in his upcoming second presidential term.
“Recognizing the enormous responsibilities of such a leadership position, we pray that your decisions will be guided by wisdom and compassion, as well as by the strength necessary to maintain harmony and security in your great and God-protected nation,” noted His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew:
“The Ecumenical Patriarchate, with its ancient history and its fundamental commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, remains a constant supporter of all efforts to promote peace and understanding between people of different cultures and beliefs. We hope that under your leadership the United States will continue to support the cause of religious freedom and human dignity – values that resonate deeply in the Orthodox Christian tradition and all faith communities,” the congratulatory letter said.
Every year, millions of women and girls in the world are subjected to the procedure “female circumcision.” In the process of this dangerous practice, women have part or all of their external genitalia removed. Among the victims are also residents of the North Caucasian republics of Russia, and the Russian authorities do not punish the execution of the violent procedure.
How this violent religious-ritual tradition exists in modern Russia, do the authorities and the clergy try to fight it – reveals the Russian publication of Verstka.
What is “female circumcision”
Female circumcision is a procedure that is accompanied by either trauma or partial or complete amputation of the external genitalia. As a result of the procedure, sensitivity is reduced and the woman may lose the ability to have an orgasm.
Not for medical reasons
The procedure is not performed for medical reasons, but for ritual or religious reasons to suppress female sexuality. That is why in the international medical community this term is not used, but is called “female genital mutilation operations”. International law considers them an attack on the health of women and girls, a form of violence and discrimination.
Victims
Victims of female circumcision are girls up to the age of 15. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2024, more than 230 million women in the world suffered from such operations. They are mostly carried out in African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries. But there are also victims of female circumcision in Russia among the residents of the North Caucasian republics – Dagestan, Ingushetia and Chechnya.
Injuries
The procedure has serious negative consequences for women’s health – from serious injuries to death due to blood loss. In addition to physical trauma and the shock of pain, female circumcision disrupts the natural functioning of the body. Women and girls may suffer from infections, their genitourinary system may be damaged, they may experience pain during sexual intercourse, menstrual disorders may occur, and the risk of complications during childbirth and death of the mother and the newborn increases by 50%.
Why do they do it?
The “necessity” of such operations is justified by honoring traditions or religious motives. In some cultures, it is part of the rite of female initiation or entry into adult life. Female circumcision is often associated with Islam, including in the Russian Federation.
Prevents lust
In the words of Dagestan journalist Zakir Magomedov, “in the local religious press, which is issued by the official clergy, articles are published in which it is written that female circumcision has a beneficial effect on a woman and protects her from lustful thoughts and desires, and is even beneficial for a woman.”
Female circumcision is performed by people without medical training, and old pocket knives or cattle shears are used as tools.
Control over female sexuality
In almost all cases, the purpose of the procedure is defined as control over female sexuality: “not to be hoika”, “not to freak out”. The official clergy of Dagestan include female circumcision in religious duties, although it is not mentioned in the Koran. Some Muslims, in addition to the Koran, are also guided by the Sunnah – traditions from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and statements of authoritative religious figures. Therefore, in some cases, female circumcision among Muslims can be interpreted as permissible, desirable and even mandatory.
Officially, the Russian authorities are against it
“All women should be circumcised so that there is no debauchery on Earth, to reduce sexuality”, this is how the head of the Coordination Council of Muslims of the North Caucasus, Ismail Berdiev, reacted to the revelations of the “Legal Initiative” organization in 2016, which confirmed the existence of practice. Later, Berdiev clarified that “he did not call for female circumcision”, but only spoke about the “problem of debauchery”, with which “something must be done”.
The Russian Ministry of Health condemns the procedure, and the prosecutor’s office of Dagestan conducts an investigation and finds no confirmation of the facts presented in the report of “Legal Initiative.”
The deputy of the State Duma from “United Russia” Maria Maksakova-Igenbergs proposes to introduce the concept of “women’s discrimination on religious grounds” into the Penal Code, and that the punishment for “female circumcision” be 10 years in prison. The Ministry of Justice of Russia does not support Maksakova’s initiative, clarifying that the procedure falls under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, and more precisely under the paragraphs on “deliberately causing severe, medium and light harm to health, as well as causing harm to carelessness.”
North Caucasus
According to the “Legal Initiative” organization, in the middle of the last decade in Dagestan, at least 1,240 girls were subjected to the procedure annually. The majority of the men surveyed were categorically against the ban on female circumcision, explaining their motive not only with Islam, but also with local traditions and the desire to control the morality of women. Part of the respondents expressed an opinion against the procedure, arguing that the lack of sensitivity in women lowers the quality of sex in men as well.
And in Moscow
In 2018 one of the Moscow medical clinics announces the service of “female circumcision” for ritual and religious reasons for girls from 5 to 12 years old. On the clinic’s website, it was noted that “the operation should be performed not at home, but in a medical clinic.” After a wide public response, the clinic removed the information from its website, but an investigation was carried out, which found the existence of the procedure and other violations. A warning has been issued and the clinic is still open!
First conviction without penalty
Despite the fact that in its second report the organization “Legal Initiative” notes the disappearance of the practice in Chechnya and Ingushetia, the inhabitants of these regions remain in danger. In the spring of 2020, the father of a 9-year-old girl invited him to Magas (the capital of Ingushetia) for a visit and took him to a vaccine clinic. There, female circumcision was forcibly performed on the child. The value of the “service” is 2000 rubles. The little girl, in her bloodstained dress, was then put on a bus back to Chechnya, where she was hospitalized for severe blood loss. The father explains his motive as follows: “So that he doesn’t get excited.”
A criminal case has been opened against the gynecologist who performed the circumcision for intentionally causing minor harm to health. The case has been going on for a year and a half. The judge called on the parties to reconcile, adding that “the girl cannot be helped anyway”. In the end, the doctor was found guilty and fined 30,000 rubles, but was released from serving the sentence due to the statute of limitations. No criminal proceedings have been initiated against the clinic.
In the same year, the mufti of Dagestan issued a fatwa and recognized the removal of the external genitalia as forbidden in Islam, but clarified that “female circumcision” meant only hudectomy — the removal of the foreskin of the clitoris. This is also a crippling procedure, human rights defenders insist.
The last of Russia’s major state-owned banks, which retains access to the SWIFT system for international payments in the world’s major currencies, will become subject to new US sanctions.
The White House is considering blacklisting Gazprombank, the Russian Federation’s third-largest bank by assets, which is a “hub” for gas payments with Europe. As the Nikkei reported, citing officials familiar with the matter, GPB could be subject to blocking sanctions: it would be barred from any transactions with US banks. A decision on sanctions will be made by the end of November – the United States has notified its G7 partners about this, sources told the publication, including high-ranking European officials.
Directly owned by Gazprom with a third and another 40% by its pension fund, Gazprombank is not yet subject to strict Western restrictions: in the United States it is only prohibited from raising capital on the debt market, although its top managers and a subsidiary are subject to blocking sanctions IT company. In the European Union, GPB also avoids blacklists, and only Britain has introduced blockers against the bank.
A toxic holiday that revives paganism, the spiritual leader believes
In a speech, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church warned against what he called attempts to “revive paganism,” saying neo-paganism had infiltrated certain “military circles” in Russia.
Patriarch Kirill criticized the former chief prosecutor of Crimea and member of the State Duma Nataliya Poklonskaya, who posted on her Telegram channel photos of herself dressed in Celtic clothing and face paint to celebrate the Gaelic festival of Samhain.
The Orthodox high priest also complained that Russian schools continue to celebrate Halloween, with some even disguising the “toxic” Western holiday with another Slavic name.
“This replacement of values, the falsification of national history and the belittling of the role of Christianity in the construction of our nation’s statehood is, in a sense, a challenge to the true values of the Russian world,” Patriarch Kirill said.
А prominent Islamic scholar in the Gaza Strip has issued an atypical and strong fatwa condemning the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in the enclave.
Prof. Dr. Salman al-Dayah, former dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Hamas-affiliated Islamic University of Gaza, is one of the region’s most respected religious authorities, so his legal opinion carries considerable weight among Gaza’s population of two million. the Palestinian Territory, which is made up mostly of Sunni Muslims.
A fatwa is a non-binding Islamic legal ruling by a respected religious scholar, usually based on the Qur’an or the Sunnah – the sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad.
Hamas has violated the Islamic principles of jihad
Dr. Dayah’s fatwa, published in a detailed six-page document, criticized Hamas for “violating Islamic principles governing jihad,” ie. the internal spiritual struggle and that against the enemies of Islam.
“If the pillars, reasons or conditions of Jihad are not fulfilled, it should be avoided so as not to destroy people’s lives. This is something that is easily guessed by the politicians of our country, so the attack should be avoided,” the professor believes.
For Hamas, the fatwa represents a disturbing and potentially damaging criticism, especially given that the group often justifies its attacks on Israel with religious arguments to win support from Arab and Muslim communities. In the October 7 attack, hundreds of armed fighters from the Gaza Strip invaded southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage in the enclave. In response, Israel launched a military campaign to destroy Hamas, during which more than 43,400 people have already been killed in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Dr Dayah argued that the significant number of civilian casualties in Gaza, along with the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the humanitarian catastrophe that followed the October 7 attack, meant that it was in direct conflict with the teachings of Islam. According to him, Hamas has failed in its obligations to “keep the militants away from the homes of defenseless civilians and their shelters and to ensure security and safety as much as possible in the various aspects of life… security, economy, health and education , as well as to keep sufficient supplies for them’.
The professor points to verses from the Qur’an and Sunnah that set strict conditions for waging jihad, including the need to avoid actions that provoke an excessive and disproportionate response from the adversary. His fatwa emphasized that, according to Islamic law, a military incursion should not provoke a response that exceeds the intended benefits of the action.
It also emphasizes that Muslim leaders have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of non-combatants, including by providing food, medicine and shelter to those not engaged in combat. “Human life is more precious to God than Mecca,” declared Dr. Dayah.
What is the influence of Prof. Dr. Dayah?
In the Gaza Strip, he is seen as a key religious figure and a fierce critic of Islamist movements, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
His moderate Salafi beliefs put him in direct opposition to Hamas’s approach to armed resistance and its ties to Shiite-ruled Iran. Salafis are fundamentalists who seek to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad and the first generations who followed him.
Dr. Dayah has consistently advocated the creation of an Islamic caliphate that adheres strictly to Islamic law, rather than to systems based on political parties, a solution supported by Hamas. “Our role model is Prophet Muhammad who founded a nation and did not create political parties to divide the nation. That’s why parties in Islam are forbidden,” he said in a sermon he delivered in a mosque a few years ago, the BBC recalled.
The scholar also condemned extremism, opposing jihadist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
Prof. Dr. Dayah refused to leave his home in the northern Gaza Strip, despite the Israeli military’s constant evacuation orders for civilians as they cleared the area of Hamas structures.
The figure represents a sharp increase from the 25 million who need assistance today, the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a joint statement alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“Never before have there been so many people in Nigeria without food,” Chi Lael, WFP Spokesperson for the country, told journalists at the UN in Geneva.
A recent assessment found that immediate support is needed to avert a potential food and nutrition disaster in the face of triple-digit increases in food prices, the aftermath of devastating floods, and 15 years of insurgency in the northeast.
Nigeria faces a monumental hunger crisis in the second half of 2025, particularly in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, home to some five million people who are facing acute food insecurity.
Other areas including emerging hunger hotspots in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states are also at risk.
Young lives at risk
Ms. Lael said 5.4 million children and 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women face the threat of acute malnutrition or wasting.
She warned that of this number, an alarming 1.8 million children could suffer severe acute malnutrition and may require critical nutrition treatment.
“What worries us most is the speed of deterioration over the past year, the scale – in terms of number of people at risk, the geographic scope of food insecurity, and the very real risk of a significant worsening in the coming months,” she said.
Stem this crisis
She stressed the need for “immediate and massive” collective response that spans prevention, mitigation and life-saving assistance.
This includes preventative action in rural areas to halt hunger from spreading, such as providing vulnerable farmers with cash, seeds and fertilizer. Meanwhile, urgent assistance in areas such as nutrition, health support, food supply and water and sanitation will reduce the depth of the crisis.
“We have it within our grasp to stem this crisis, and avert catastrophe in Nigeria. If we respond now, it is manageable, at full stretch, but it can be done,” she said.
