Green Escapes – Best Parks To Enjoy A Sunday Stroll In Brussels

Nigeria: UN agencies assist families affected by floods

Heavy rains have ravaged 30 of the country’s 36 states, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday.

The Government has reported 269 deaths so far, while over a million people have been affected and more than 640,000 are now displaced.

Table of Contents

Major dam breach

Nigeria is among a handful of West African countries that have been hit by torrential rains that have triggered devastating flooding, impacting millions across the region.

The northeastern town of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state and a major humanitarian hub, is at the epicentre of the crisis there.

Rains caused a breach in nearby Alau Dam, causing severe flooding that has uprooted more than 400,000 people in recent days.

Half of Maiduguri has been submerged and most residents have lost everything. Many had already been displaced by conflict or the effects of climate change.

Displaced once again

The UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Arjun Jain, said the floods have compounded years of prior displacement, food insecurity and economic hardship, with disastrous consequences.

“Communities which, after years of conflict and violence, had started rebuilding their lives were struck by the floods and once again displaced,” he told journalists attending the regular UN humanitarian briefing in Geneva.

Assistance to families

In response to the crisis, UNHCR and partners have been working tirelessly to support those affected.

Staff are providing tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and other essential items. Emergency cash assistance is also being given to single-parent families, people with disabilities and families with young children to help them purchase food and other necessities.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) has set up food kitchens in four camps in Maiduguri, where families can get nutritious meals of rice and beans.

WFP is ramping up support across West Africa, where torrential rains have unleashed catastrophic floods impacting over four million people in 14 countries.

The agency is providing people in hard-hit areas in Chad, Liberia, Mali and Niger with emergency cash and food assistance.

At the same time, WFP is calling for investments in early warning systems, disaster risk financing and other measures to help mitigate flood and climate risks.

Urgent action required

Back in Nigeria, UNHCR warned, however, that supplies there are quickly depleting meaning the agency can only meet less than 10 per cent of the urgent needs.

“When the floodwaters finally recede, thousands of families will face the daunting task of returning to homes that have been destroyed. They will need significant support to rebuild homes, livelihoods, and a sense of normalcy,” said Mr. Jain.

In the meantime, the UN and partners are collecting more data to help assess and address the overall needs.

“But we cannot afford to wait,” he warned. “The urgency of this crisis requires immediate action and increased support for flood-affected families, in Maiduguri and elsewhere in Nigeria.”

Mr. Jain said there are currently 3.6 million internally displaced people in Nigeria, mostly in the northeast, and the country hosts almost 100,000 asylum-seekers and refugees.

UNHCR is seeking $107.1 million for operations there this year, but he said the appeal was just 28 per cent funded by the end of August.

EESC proposes concrete recommendations for building a resilient and sustainable food system for the future

By

Newsdesk

-

31 October 2024

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has laid out a bold vision for transforming the EU’s agriculture, fisheries, and food systems to better withstand crises while ensuring sustainability. The opinion “Fostering sustainable and resilient food systems in times of crisis,” requested by the Hungarian presidency, was adopted at the October plenary. By focusing on food security, fair income for producers, environmental resilience, and the next generation of food producers, these proposals offer a clear path for the EU to build a food system that not only survives continuous challenges and crisis but thrives in the long term.

The EESC envisions a food system that is competitive, crisis-proof, and aligned with EU environmental and social objectives. “Ensuring stable, sustainable incomes for producers is essential, as is fostering a knowledge-based food policy that encourages innovation” said Arnold Puech d’Alissac, President of the World Farmers Organisation and one of the three rapporteurs of the opinion. To support this vision, the EESC calls for a new policy model to strengthen the farming sector’s bargaining position in the food chain when it comes to price negotiations as well as an increase in the budget for adequate financing of EU agriculture and fisheries.

EESC insists that future trade agreements should incorporate the Green Deal and Farm to Fork standards to ensure fair competition and maintain high food quality, aligning global trade with the EU’s sustainability goals.

“Ensuring fair income for primary producers is critical,” noted Piroska Kállay, rapporteur from Hungary. ”We need to see farmers as part of the solution and not part of the problem”, she added. Stricter enforcement of unfair trading practices and the standardization of their enforcement at the EU level as well as the introduction of a ban on below-cost selling, are necessary steps to rebalance power in the food supply chain.

To sustain the food system for future generations, the EESC advocates for policies that promote generational renewal, particularly targeting young people and women. This includes education, training, and support for cooperatives and community-assisted agriculture, which build resilience by distributing economic risks and benefits more equitably among producers.

The EESC also recommends rewarding carbon sequestration efforts in agriculture, such as sustainable soil management, while implementing policies to prevent carbon leakage. ”These measures would help align food production with the EU’s climate targets and global environmental commitments,” said Joe Healy, rapporteur from Ireland.

In response to the growing threat of climate-related disasters, the EESC proposes an EU-wide system of public insurance, backed by public investment, to protect producers from natural disasters like floods or crop failures, ensuring continuity in food supply.

Sustainable management of soil and water is essential for long-term productivity. The EESC urges policies that regenerate and restore soil health, increase water efficiency and reduce water usage, —critical steps in maintaining resilience against climate pressures.

Additionally, the EESC calls for reducing red tape throughout the food chain to streamline processes and increase transparency. Regulating trade flows and establishing a digitized data center for price and cost tracking will help avoid market disruptions and enhance transparency in food supply chains.

Finally, the EESC reiterates its previous proposals for establishing a European Food Policy Council (EFPC) to strengthen dialogue on food-related issues. This platform would bring together diverse stakeholders to align food policy with broader social and environmental objectives, ensuring a cohesive approach to the EU’s food systems. The EESC notes with satisfaction the similar proposal in the report of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture.

The EESC’s proposals provide a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening the EU’s food systems, making them more resilient, sustainable, and equitable in the face of growing global challenge. (ks)

A court on the Greek island of Syros imposed a fine of 200 euros for ringing a church bell

By

-

31 October 2024

A Court On The Greek Island Of Syros Imposed A Fine Of 200 Euros For Ringing A Church Bell

A court on the Greek island of Syros has banned the ringing of church bells on the island unless it is for religious and worship purposes of the temple. The reason for the decision is that the bell is not part of a clock that rings continuously.

The bell of the temple in question was connected to a clock and rang every thirty minutes. The matter went to court when an island resident whose house adjoined the temple challenged the specific function of the bell and won the case. “For each illegal ringing of the bell, the temple must pay the applicant the sum of 200 euros as a fine,” his lawyer stated.

The court went even further, prohibiting not only the use of the bell as a clock, but also its ringing during rest time, even for religious needs. It is the first time a Greek court has made such a decision regarding the use of a church bell.

Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-bell-during-daytime-64223/

What is food neophobia – the fear of trying new dishes

By

-

31 October 2024

Everyone has heard of anorexia and bulimia. But these eating disorders are far from the only ones.

There are people around the world who can only eat certain colored foods. Still others are addicted to water. About 5% of women between the ages of 15 and 35 are affected by some type of eating disorder. Among them are those with neophobia – the inability to try a new type of food. This problem sometimes also affects young children. For them, experts advise parents not to force them, but to explain to them the benefits of a given product. It is also an option to put them on the table in the company of other children who will set a good example.

Neophobia usually disappears around the age of 6. For some people, however, it remains a problem for much longer.

A possible explanation for this condition could be something happening in the person’s life – like choking on food, for example. As a result, a person may begin to avoid a certain type of food and thus give his phobia a “field of expression”.

The reasons for neophobia may lie not only in the personal experiences, but also in physical features.

How to deal with atychiphobia?

By

-

31 October 2024

Imagine this: every little mistake or failure doesn’t just bother you, it paralyzes you to the point where you can’t move forward. This is the reality for people suffering from atychiphobia – the fear of failure. While it is natural for many to feel uncomfortable when they do not achieve their goals, for people with this phobia, this fear becomes an insurmountable challenge that affects their daily life and personal growth. But what exactly is atychiphobia and how can we recognize and overcome it?

Atychiphobia manifests as an intense, irrational fear of failure that can affect even the most mundane daily activities. Instead of seeing failure as part of the learning process, people with this phobia point to every mistake as evidence of their own incompetence. This leads to a series of emotional, cognitive and behavioral symptoms that make it difficult to cope with this fear.

What is atychiphobia and how does it manifest itself?

Atychiphobia often begins at an early age, when the child begins to see failure as something that defines his worth. According to a study published in “Advances in Applied Sociology,” many adolescents admit that fear of failure causes them to experience stress, uncertainty, and anxiety. Adults who continue to experience this fear tend to avoid any situation that could lead to failure—whether it’s professional development or personal goals.

Characteristic manifestations of atychiphobia include excessive perfectionism, constant self-criticism and fear of making mistakes. Cognitive distortions are common – people think that any mistake is unforgivable and that they themselves are a failure if they fail at a task. These thoughts often lead to emotional overload, apathy, low self-esteem and fear of external criticism.

Causes of atychiphobia

The development of this irrational fear can be the result of various factors. Some people experience atychiphobia as a result of past negative experiences – be it public humiliation for a mistake or rejection by a loved one. Psychological trauma leaves deep wounds and can cause an individual to associate failure with pain and shame.

Low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and perfectionism are also common factors that contribute to the development of atychiphobia. In addition, cultural and social expectations of failure-free success can reinforce this fear, especially in competitive environments where failure is stigmatized.

How to deal with atychiphobia?

The first step to overcoming the fear of failure is recognizing the problem and understanding that this fear is common and treatable. It is important to reframe how we perceive failure. Instead of seeing it as the end result, we can see it as a stepping stone to success. Overcoming this fear requires a change in thought patterns – failure is not something that defines us, but something that teaches us and helps us grow.

Therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful in this process. The therapist can help the sufferer identify and change negative attitudes and develop strategies to deal with anxiety and fear of failure. Additionally, practicing stress management techniques such as meditation and yoga can help reduce anxiety and provide better control over emotions.

Ultimately, atychiphobia can be overcome with time, effort and support. Failure is an inevitable part of life and the greatest lessons often come from mistakes. The important thing is to accept failure as part of the process of personal and professional growth, and to move forward with the confidence that each mistake is just another step on the road to success.

Illustrative Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scrabble-letters-spelling-fear-on-a-wooden-table-19902302/

Four executed for producing illegal alcohol in Iran

By

-

31 October 2024

Four Executed For Producing Illegal Alcohol In Iran

Iranian authorities have executed end of October four people convicted of selling illegal alcohol, which poisoned and killed 17 people last year. More than 190 people who consumed the dangerous drink were hospitalized.

The death sentence against the accused in the case was carried out in the Karaj Central Jail.

According to human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Iran carries out the highest number of executions per year after China.

After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Tehran banned the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Since then, the sale of illegal alcohol on the black market has flourished, leading to mass poisonings. The latest case, reported by Iranian media, has killed around 40 people in northern Iran in recent months.

Only Iran’s recognized Christian minorities, such as the country’s Armenian community, are allowed to produce and consume alcohol, but discreetly and only at home.

Illustrative Photo by Amanda Brady: https://www.pexels.com/photo/elegant-champagne-coupes-in-sunlit-setting-29157921/

War in Ukraine: Live updates from the Security Council and the field

By

United Nations News

-

31 October 2024

War in Ukraine: Live updates from the Security Council and the field

The UN Security Council met in emergency session on Ukraine on Wednesday amid unconfirmed reports that troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – more commonly known as North Korea – are deploying to fight alongside Russia. We followed the meeting as well as developments at UN Headquarters and on the ground. UN News app users can follow our updates here.

Malware targeting millions of people taken down by international coalition

By

Newsdesk

-

29 October 2024

MacBook Pro turned-on — Photo by Michael Geiger on Unsplash

A global operation, supported by Eurojust, has led to the takedown of servers of infostealers, a type of malware used to steal personal data and conduct cybercrimes worldwide. The infostealers, RedLine and META, taken down today targeted millions of victims worldwide, making it one of the largest malware platforms globally. An international coalition of authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Australia shut down three servers in the Netherlands, seized two domains, unsealed charges in the United States and took two people into custody in Belgium.

RedLine and Meta were able to steal personal data from infected devices. The data included saved usernames and passwords, and automatically saved form data, such as addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, cryptocurrency wallets, and cookies. After retrieving the personal data, the infostealers sold the information to other criminals through criminal market places. The criminals who purchased the personal data used it to steal money, cryptocurrency and to carry out follow-on hacking activities.

Investigations into RedLine and Meta started after victims came forward and a security company notified authorities about possible servers in the Netherlands linked to the software. Authorities discovered that over 1 200 servers in dozens of countries were running the malware. To take down the transnational malware, Eurojust coordinated cooperation between authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, United Kingdom and Australia. Through Eurojust, authorities were able to quickly exchange information and coordinate actions to take down the infostealers.

The take down of the infostealers took place on 28 October during a worldwide operation. Three servers were taken down in the Netherlands, two domains were seized, charges were unsealed in the United States and two people were taken into custody in Belgium. After the authorities obtained the data and took down the servers, a message was sent to the alleged perpetrators, including a video. The video sends a strong message to the criminals, showing that the international coalition of authorities was able to obtain crucial data on their network and will shut down their criminal activities. After the message was sent, Belgian authorities took down several Redline and Meta communication channels.

The authorities also retrieved a database of clients from RedLine and Meta. Investigations will now continue into the criminals using the stolen data.

For people concerned they may have fallen victim to RedLine and Meta, a private security company has launched an online tool to allow people to check if their data was stolen. The tool helps potential victims on the steps they need to take if their data has been stolen.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

The Netherlands: National Police, Team Cybercrime Limburg, Public Prosecution Service
United States: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations; Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Army Criminal Investigation Division
Belgium: Federal Prosecutor’s Office; Federal Police
Portugal: Polícia Judiciária
United Kingdom: National Crime Agency
Australia: Australian Federal Police

World News in Brief: Yemen detainee appeal, Typhoon Yagi impacts, ease asylum seekers’ plight, mpox cash boost

By

United Nations News

-

26 October 2024

World News in Brief: Yemen detainee appeal, Typhoon Yagi impacts, ease asylum seekers’ plight, mpox cash boost

More than 50 personnel from the UN, international and national NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions, are being held by the de facto Houthi authorities in the capital, Sana’a.

In addition, four UN staff members have been detained since 2021 and 2023.

Table of Contents

Protect aid workers

“Attacks on humanitarian workers, including detentions and false accusations, violate international law, endanger safety, and severely hinder the support we provide to the Yemeni people and mediation efforts crucial for advancing the peace process in Yemen,” the officials said in a statement marking the solemn milestone.

They stressed that in the meantime, all detained colleagues must be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights, including being allowed to contact their families, legal representatives, and organizations.

“We also call for the protection of humanitarian workers, ensuring safe humanitarian space and access to communities we serve,” they added.

The statement was issued by regional directors for CARE, Oxfam and Save the Children, alongside their counterparts from the UN human rights office, OHCHR; the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN refugee agency, UNHCR; the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

A young Vietnamese man cleans up debris at his home after Typhoon Yagi swept through Quang Ninh province.

Typhoon Yagi impacts millions in SE Asia: UNICEF

Nearly six million children have been affected by floods and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi in Viet Nam, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said in an update that the emergency had compromised access to clean water, education, healthcare, food and shelter – and pushed already marginalized communities “deeper into crisis”.

June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, said that the immediate priority was to restore the essential services that children and families rely on.

Surge in extreme weather

She highlighted the “surge” in extreme weather events in Southeast Asia that had been made worse by climate change; and she noted that when disasters hit, vulnerable children “often pay the highest price”.

Typhoon Yagi is the most powerful storm to hit Asia so far this year.

It has brought torrential rain on top of existing seasonal rainfall, causing damage to more than 850 schools and at least 550 health centres – the vast majority in Viet Nam.

Humanitarian assessments in the region are still ongoing.

Refugee agency urges end to arbitrary detention of asylum-seekers

The detention of asylum-seekers around the world is harmful and contrary to their fundamental right to seek protection – which is why the practice should stop – the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Wednesday.

In a new policy brief for border authorities highlighting best practices in some countries, the UN agency noted that in many others, “asylum-seekers and refugees are often arrested and detained, unable to challenge their situation”.

The UNHCR cited the experience of one Iraqi asylum-seeker who spent two years in a Hungarian transit zone, where his movements were “severely restricted” and he and others faced constant surveillance.

His detention was deemed to be arbitrary by top independent human rights experts meeting at the UN in Geneva, the agency said.

UNHCR also cited a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights which found that four Tunisian nationals who were rescued at sea and brought to a reception facility on the Italian island of Lampedusa “did not have the opportunity to apply for asylum” before their “summary removal” from Italy.

Conditions in the centre were “inhuman and degrading”, according to the court, the agency explained.

Some countries have seen limits imposed on how long asylum-seekers can be detained such as the Republic of South Korea, UNHCR said.

It noted that in March 2023, a South Korean court ruled it unconstitutional to detain asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants indefinitely, while also offering guidance on how long people should be held, as well as alternatives to detention.

A man in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has his blood drawn as part of his treatment for mpox.

Global Fund Provides Nearly $10 Million for DR Congo mpox response

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) is supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a $9.5 million cash injection to boost its emergency response to the latest deadly mpox outbreak.

The funding will boost the Government’s response across six of the highest transmission provinces: Equateur, Sud-Ubangui, Sankuru, Tshopo, Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, as well as in and around the capital Kinshasa – home to 17 million people. 

DRC is currently battling the largest mpox epidemic in the world, with 5,160 confirmed cases and 25 deaths since the beginning of this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the ability to test in DRC remains low due to limited capacity and availability, and the number of suspected cases is around five times the number of laboratory-confirmed cases.

The Global Fund’s contribution will help enhance disease surveillance systems, with special emphasis on strengthening early warning capabilities; strengthen laboratory systems and diagnostics; help community mobilization and communications; strengthen primary care; and implement infection prevention and control measures.

‘Proven track record’

“Our partnership with the Global Fund and other health partners has a proven track record in reducing infectious diseases,” said Dr. Roger Kamba, Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the DRC.

“People living in areas of conflict and crises often face significant barriers to accessing health services due to damaged infrastructure, insecurity and a shortage of trained health personnel and supplies,” said Peter Sands, the Fund’s Executive Director.

“When a disease outbreak occurs in these places, the challenges are compounded. Strong systems of trusted community health workers, health educators and other local responders are essential for stopping disease spread.”