“Every time families are displaced their lives are at serious risk. People are forced to leave everything behind looking for safety. But, there’s no safe zone,” the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said in a post on X.
Accompanying the alert, images showed families with their belongings piled high on the back of cars and makeshift trailers; another photograph taken overlooking the coastline showed a mass of shelters for the displaced, all made out of simple sheeting and stretching all the way to the horizon.
According to the Gazan health authorities, at least 35,300 Gazans have been killed and more than 79,260 injured amid Israeli shelling since Hamas-led attacks in Israel on 7 October left some 1,250 dead and more than 250 taken hostage from southern Israel.
The latest data from UNRWA’s online logistics platform indicated that the delivery of humanitarian aid has stopped almost entirely via the main entry points to Gaza – the Rafah crossing and Kerem Shalom in the south.
Amid an escalation of military activity in eastern Rafah, no UN relief supplies reached the enclave on Sunday 19 May, and only 27 aid trucks entered via Kerem Shalom on Saturday, according to the UN agency portal, which also showed that only 33 additional aid trucks have used Kerem Shalom since 6 May, and none have entered via Rafah.
In the northwest of the enclave, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that it has been using Erez west – also known as Zikim – to transport supplies and “try to get enough food to stop famine in its tracks”.
But, Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Country Director for Palestine, insisted that humanitarians needed additional entry points for aid.
“Every new entry point is a new artery, pumping lifeblood into Gaza, so we will work hard to continue to find new entry points and get more assistance in, at volume, consistently,” he said in the aid agency’s latest update.
Difficulty reaching the displaced
World Health Organization’s (WHO) Team Lead for Emergencies Communications, Nyka Alexander, recently visited Gaza and she noted in an interview on Monday with UN News that only a third of hospitals in Gaza – about 12 out of 36 – are functioning and constant fighting has made it difficult for healthcare workers to do their jobs.
It has become increasingly challenging to treat displaced people since they are constantly on the move.
“If there’s no continuity of care, who has your medical files? Who knows what treatment you need?” Ms. Alexander said.
Further, she said, the recent closings of crossings in Gaza, have forced medical staff to ration already limited medical supplies, putting additional stress on health workers.
She reiterated that nowhere in Gaza is safe and applauded humanitarian and healthcare workers who continue to work hard despite hugely difficult circumstances.
“It’s really moving, actually, to see how people, despite the fact that it’s not safe, are doing everything they can to help others,” Ms. Alexander said. Listen to the full interview below:
Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has become a trend across different industries today, and the online banking sector is no exception. As technology keeps revolutionizing the financial industry, AI is poised to play a crucial role in the future of online banking. In fact, almost every single bank dabbled in generative AI in 2023, according to Forbes. On top of that, many reported impressive outcomes.
In this article, we will look into the developments and potential of AI in online banking, specifically AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and personal finance management tools. We will also examine the risks and challenges of using AI in the banking sector.
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are game-changers in customer service within the online banking sector. These systems can handle varying customer inquiries and tasks, providing real-time assistance and support. By tapping on natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms, chatbots can process and respond to customer queries like humans.
Among the main advantages of AI-powered chatbots is their ability to provide personalized customer assistance. These chatbots can analyze customer data, transaction history, and preferences to customize their responses and recommendations. For example, customers inquiring about their account balance may also receive suggestions for relevant financial products or services based on their spending patterns and financial goals.
Furthermore, AI-powered chatbots are available 24/7, offering round-the-clock support to customers across different time zones. This accessibility improves the overall customer experience by providing timely assistance and reducing wait times for inquiries.
Personal Finance Management With AI
In addition to impacting customer service, AI is fundamentally changing the personal finance management game, offering innovative tools and applications to users. SoFi, a prominent financial services company, banks on this trend with its AI-powered personal finance app.
AI-powered personal finance app
SoFi’s AI-powered personal finance app stands out for its ability to reshape users’ financial habits. The app analyzes users’ spending habits through AI algorithms and identifies trends. It also delivers customized recommendations, from checking account promotions to investment opportunities, tailored to individual financial needs and goals.
Personalized promotions and offers
One of the critical features of SoFi’s AI-driven app is its capability to offer targeted promotions and deals, particularly in checking account options. With the help of AI insights, the app identifies users who could benefit from specific banking products, such as high-yield checking accounts with competitive interest rates.
By presenting personalized offers based on users’ financial profiles, the app helps individuals make informed decisions that align with their banking preferences and financial objectives.
Enhanced security measures
Beyond tailored recommendations, AI-powered personal finance apps like SoFi prioritize the security and privacy of users’ financial data. Robust security measures, including encryption protocols, biometric authentication mechanisms, and anomaly detection algorithms, are built into these apps. The goal is to avoid potential threats, such as data breaches and fraudulent activities, and ensure users’ financial information is safe.
Smarter financial decision-making
Through its AI-driven functionalities, SoFi’s personal finance app enables users to take control of their financial futures. By providing actionable insights, personalized recommendations, and secure banking options, the app equips individuals with tools to make intelligent financial decisions, optimize their savings, and achieve long-term financial goals.
These apps demonstrate the immense potential of AI in personal finance management. Advanced algorithms and security measures allow these apps to offer personalized financial insights and tailored promotions and prioritize the security and privacy of users’ financial information.
As AI keeps advancing, it is poised to change people’s financial management practices and improve their financial well-being.
Potential Risks and Challenges
While AI in online banking holds great promise, it also introduces several risks and challenges that must be carefully addressed to ensure these systems’ security, fairness, and trustworthiness.
Data privacy and security risks
A massive data breach affected millions of AT&T customers early this month –- the first since January 2023’s cyber attack that impacted nine million users. With the rise of AI in online banking, data privacy and security issues couldn’t be more pronounced.
AI systems heavily rely on user data for analysis and decision-making, making them potential targets for unauthorized access and data theft. Protecting sensitive information from malicious actors is critical to maintaining trust and confidence in online banking platforms.
Algorithmic bias
Another significant risk is algorithmic bias, where AI systems may inadvertently perpetuate or magnify existing biases in the training data. In online banking, this bias can show up through unfair or discriminatory outcomes, such as biased credit scoring or loan approval processes. Addressing algorithmic bias requires scrutiny of training data and continued monitoring to maintain fairness and equity in AI-driven decision-making.
Transparency and accountability challenges
Ensuring transparency and accountability in AI-powered banking systems poses a significant challenge. Customers may be understandably wary of AI-driven recommendations and decisions if they cannot discern the algorithms and processes behind them. Providing clear visibility into how AI systems operate, including the factors influencing their choices, is essential for building trust and confidence among users.
Mitigating risks and addressing challenges
To mitigate data privacy and security risks, online banking platforms must implement proven security measures, including encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring of suspicious activities. By prioritizing the protection of user data, banks can minimize the likelihood of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Fairness and transparency initiatives
Addressing algorithmic bias requires proactive measures to identify and mitigate biases in AI algorithms. The solution may involve diversifying training data, implementing fairness-aware algorithms, and conducting regular audits to evaluate the impact of AI systems on different demographic groups. Additionally, promoting transparency through clear explanations of AI-driven decisions can enhance users’ understanding and trust in online banking platforms.
While AI holds tremendous potential for revolutionizing online banking, it is essential to acknowledge and address the associated risks and challenges. By prioritizing data privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability, banks can build on the benefits of AI while mitigating potential harms, ensuring their customers’ continued trust and confidence in the modern banking ecosystem.
Fraud Detection and Prevention
A hacker – artistic impression. Image by Clint Patterson on Unsplash, free license
AI can make it easier for a cybercriminal to launch an attack, but it can also bolster a target’s defenses. The financial sector increasingly relies on AI algorithms as a powerful defense mechanism against these threats. Mastercard, for example, has created its own generative AI model that can boost fraud detection success by up to 300 percent.
Through machine learning and predictive analytics, AI-powered fraud detection systems can identify suspicious transactions and forecast potential risks, allowing for proactive intervention to prevent financial losses. By swiftly flagging dubious activities, these AI systems serve as a crucial safeguard, shielding customers and banks from the detrimental impacts of fraud.
Automated Financial Advisory Services
The emergence of robo-advisors, driven by AI technologies, marks a seismic shift in the financial advisory services within online banking. These innovative platforms use sophisticated algorithms to evaluate individual customers’ financial backgrounds, considering factors such as their current financial status, risk appetite, and investment objectives.
With these insights, robo-advisors deliver personalized investment recommendations and tailored portfolio management services. This feature democratizes access to wealth management tools and substantially lowers the costs of traditional human-led advisory services. As a result, a broader spectrum of clients can now avail themselves of these cost-effective and accessible investment solutions.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
With stringent regulatory requirements and escalating complexities in financial markets, banks are increasingly adopting AI technologies to bolster their regulatory compliance and risk management frameworks.
These advanced systems are adept at efficiently processing vast quantities of data, enabling banks to handle the challenges of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, know-your-customer (KYC) verification, and risk assessment with unparalleled precision and efficiency.
Through AI, banks can identify potential compliance risks and deviations from regulatory standards in real-time, thus fortifying their defenses against operational and reputational risks. By using AI-powered solutions, banks can maintain regulatory compliance and cultivate an environment of trust and transparency, safeguarding both their interests and those of their customers.
The future of AI in online banking holds immense potential for revolutionizing how customers interact with financial institutions and handle their money. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants offer personalized assistance and support, while AI-driven personal finance apps increase users’ financial intelligence and potential.
However, banks and financial institutions must address AI risks and challenges, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and transparency. Together, they can improve AI’s potential and enhance customers’ trust and confidence by prioritizing ethical practices and implementing solid security measures.
AI undoubtedly looks set on revolutionizing online banking, opening new avenues for more innovative and efficient customer service, personal finance management, and beyond. As technology keeps changing, AI will be crucial in the future of banking.
Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, underscored the need for continuing the vital discussions, which have been supported by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
“If talks do not resume, I fear for the worst for the beleaguered and terrified civilians in Rafah, for the hostages held in unimaginable conditions for more than 225 days, and for an overstretched humanitarian operation that remains on the brink in the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Over 1.2 million Palestinians displaced from elsewhere in Gaza have been sheltering in Rafah, with over 810,000 displaced again since the Israeli military offensive there began on 6 May.
“Saving lives and addressing the critical needs in Rafah and Gaza more broadly must remain our immediate priority,” Mr. Wennesland stressed.
“At the same time, we must not lose sight of the risks that these immediate threats pose to prospects for a resolution to this conflict and for longer term peace and stability in the region.”
Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at OCHA, briefs the Security Council.
‘Running out of words’
Also briefing ambassadors, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Rafah and the wider Gaza Strip.
“To be frank, we are running out of words to describe what is happening in Gaza. We have described it as a catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth. It is all of these, and worse,” she said, adding that the situation deteriorates by the day.
More than 35,000 people have been killed and 79,000 wounded, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
‘Committed to stay and deliver’
Ms. Wosornu underscored that the UN and relief partners “are committed to staying and delivering”.
She welcomed the aid shipment via the floating dock set up by the US, adding however, that due to the current closure of the Rafah crossing and limited access via Kerem Shalom and Rafah, humanitarians lack the supplies and fuel “to provide any meaningful level of support”.
The senior OCHA official reiterated that civilians, their houses and the infrastructure they depend on must be protected, and that rapid, unimpeded passage of aid into and within Gaza must be facilitated.
She also highlighted the need for sufficient funding, particularly for the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) “the central pillar of our aid operation”.
‘Deadly consequences of inaction’
In his briefing, Mr. Wennesland emphasized that a lasting solution in Gaza requires a “fundamentally political” approach.
He highlighted the importance of the new Palestinian Government, which includes eight ministers from Gaza, and its potential to unify Gaza and the West Bank politically, economically, and administratively.
Urging the international community to support the new Government, the senior UN official also underscored the urgency of establishing a viable political framework to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieve a two-State solution.
“Day after day we are witnessing the deadly consequences of inaction. Now is the time to lay the foundations for a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region. The UN will continue to support all such efforts,” he concluded.
Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland briefing the Security Council.
Apple is rolling out updates to both iOS and CarPlay with a focus on accessibility, aiming to assist users dealing with motion sickness and hearing impairments.
A screenshot from the video illustrating the principle of operation of the Vehicle Motion Cues system for iPhones. Image credit: Apple
The new “Vehicle Motion Cues” feature utilizes the iPhone’s sensors, including GPS and accelerometers, to detect when a user is in a moving vehicle, potentially triggering motion sickness. To alleviate this, animated dots on the screen will mimic the vehicle’s movements, providing visual cues that align with the motion, thus reducing discomfort for passengers.
Additionally, Apple is introducing “Sound Recognition” to help deaf or hard of hearing users detect important auditory alerts like car horns and sirens, enhancing safety on the road. These enhancements are part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to empower users with disabilities to better interact with their devices and interfaces like Apple CarPlay.
Accessibility features being introduced to CarPlay also include Voice Control, Color Filters, and Sound Recognition.
Voice Control allows users to navigate CarPlay and operate apps using only their voice.
Sound Recognition is designed to alert drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to car horns and sirens.
For colorblind users, Color Filters enhance the CarPlay interface’s visual usability, complemented by additional visual accessibility options such as Bold Text and Large Text.
This year, visionOS will also receive new accessibility features, including systemwide Live Captions to assist everyone — particularly users who are deaf or hard of hearing — in following spoken dialogue in live conversations and audio from apps. Live Captions for FaceTime in visionOS will make it easier for more users to enjoy connecting and collaborating through their Personas. Apple Vision Pro will allow users to move captions during Apple Immersive Video using the window bar and will support more Made for iPhone hearing devices and cochlear hearing processors.
Enhancements for vision accessibility will also include Reduce Transparency, Smart Invert, and Dim Flashing Lights, catering to users with low vision or those who prefer to avoid bright lights and frequent flashing.
While Apple has a long history of developing accessibility features, CEO Tim Cook notes that these updates align with the company’s commitment to inclusivity. For instance, users seeking to reduce screen time and minimize distractions can utilize features like “Color Filters” paired with “Smart Invert” or “Classic Invert” to create a grayscale display. Toggling “Increase Contrast” can further enhance visibility, demonstrating Apple’s dedication to catering to diverse user needs.
UNAIDS, the main advocate for coordinated global action on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the UN Development Progarmme (UNDP) offices in India have been important partners in this effort.
On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), celebrated annually on 17 May, we reflect on the journey of some members of this community in India and shed light on the challenges they are still faced with.
Noyonika* and Ishita*, residents of a small town in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, are a lesbian couple working with an organization advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.
But despite her advocacy role in the community, Noyonika has been unable to muster the courage to tell her own family that she is gay. “Very few people know this,” she says. “My family is very conservative, and it would be unthinkable for [them] to understand that I am gay.”
Noyonika’s partner, Ishita, is Agender (not identifying with any gender, or having a lack of gender). She says that she realized in childhood that she was different from other girls and was attracted to girls rather than boys. But her family is also very conservative, and she has not told her father about her reality.
Twenty-three-year-old Minal* and 27-year-old Sangeeta* have a similar story. The couple are residents of a small village in the northwestern state of Punjab. They now live in a big city and work for a well-regarded company.
Sangeeta said that although her own parents eventually came to terms with the relationship, Minal’s family was extremely opposed to the point of harassing the couple. “All hell broke loose,” said Minal.
“In 2019, we got permission to live together through a court order,” Sangeeta explained, but after this Minal’s family started threatening her over the phone.
“They used to say that they would kill me and put my family in jail. Even my family members were scared of these threats. After that [Minal’s family] kept stalking and harassing us for two to three years,” she said.
Today, Sangeeta and Minal are still struggling to have their relationship legally recognized.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
Struggles for acceptance
Heart-rending stories like these can be found across India, where societal prejudices and harassment continue to plague lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities.
Sadhna Mishra, a transgender activist from Odisha, runs a community organization called Sakha. As a child, she faced oppression because she was seen as not conforming to societal gender norms. In 2015, she underwent gender confirming surgery and her journey towards her authentic self began.
Recalling the painful days of her childhood, she said, “Because of my femininity, I became a victim of rape again and again. Whenever I used to cry, my mother would ask why, and I would not be able to say anything. I used to ask why people called me Chhakka and Kinnar [transgender or intersex]. My mother would smile and say that’s because you are different and unique.”
It is because of her mother’s faith in her that Sadhna is now active in fighting for the rights of other transgender persons.
Still, she remembers well the hurdles she has faced, like the early days of trying to get launch her organization and the difficulties she had even finding a place for Sakha’s office. People were reluctant to rent space to a transgender person, so Sadhna was forced to work in public places and parks.
Social prejudices
A lack of understanding and intolerance towards the LGBTQIA+ community are similar, whether in larger cities or in rural areas.
Noyonika says that her organization sees many instances where a man is married to a woman because of societal pressure, without understanding his gender identity. “In villages and towns, you will find many married couples who have children and are forced to live a fake life.”
As for the rural areas of Assam where her organization works, Ishita gave the example of a cultural festival Bhavna being celebrated in Naamghars, or places of worship, where dramas based on mythological stories are presented.
The female characters in these dramas are played mostly by men with feminine characteristics. During festivals they are widely praised, and their feminine characteristics are applauded, but out of the spotlight, they can become victims of harassment.
“They are intimidated, they are sexually exploited, they are molested,” Ishita explained.
A slow path to progress
In recent years, there have been positive legal and policy decisions acknowledging the LGBTQIA+ community in India. This includes the 2014 NALSA (National Legal Service Authority) decision, in which the court upheld everyone’s right to identify their own gender and legally recognized hijras and kinnar (transgender persons) as a ‘third gender’.
In 2018, the application of portions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to criminalize private consensual sex between men was ruled unconstitutional by India’s Supreme Court. Further, in 2021, a landmark judgment by the Madras High Court directed the state to provide comprehensive welfare services to the LGBTQIA+ communities.
United Nations advocacy
Communication is an important way to foster dialogue and help create a more tolerant and inclusive society, and gradually, perhaps even change mindsets.
To this end, UN Women, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development, has recently contributed to the development of a gender-inclusive communication guide.
Meanwhile, the UNAIDS and UNDP offices in India are working to assist the LGBTQIA+ community by running awareness and empowerment campaigns, as well as provide those communities with better health and social protection services.
“UNAIDS supports LGBTQ+ people’s leadership in the HIV response and in advocacy for human rights, and is working to tackle discrimination, and to help build inclusive societies where everyone is protected and respected,” said David Bridger, UNAIDS Country Director for India.
He added: “The HIV response has clearly taught all of us that in order to protect everyone’s health, we have to protect everyone’s rights.”
In line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Organization’s broad commitment to ‘leave no one behind’, UNDP, is working with governments and partners to strengthen laws, policies and programmes that address inequalities and seek to ensure respect for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ people.
Through the “Being LGBTI in the Asia and the Pacific” programme, UNDP has also implemented relevant regional initiatives.
Opportunities and challenges
UNDP India’s National Programme Manager (Health Systems Strengthening Unit), Dr. Chiranjeev Bhattacharjya said, “At UNDP India, we have been working very closely with the LGBTQI community to advance their rights.”
Indeed, he continued, there are currently multiple opportunities to support the community due to progressive legal landmarks like the NALSA judgement, decriminalization of same sex relationships (377 IPC) and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019 which has raised awareness regarding their development.
“However, there are implementation challenges which will need multi-stakeholder collaboration and we will continue to work with the community to address them so that we leave no one behind,” he stated.
Even as the Indian legal landscape has inched towards broader inclusion with the repeal of Section 377, the country’s LGBTQIA+ communities are still awaiting recognition – and justice – when dealing with many areas of their everyday lives and interactions, for example: who can be designated ‘next of kin’ if one partner is hospitalized; can a partner be added to a life insurance policy; or whether legal recognition could be given to gay marriage.
Birthdays are special moments that deserve to be cherished and remembered for a lifetime. In this digital age, there are various ways to preserve these precious memories, from capturing videos to clicking countless photographs. However, one method that stands out is creating a birthday slideshow. It lets you easily recall the memories in a beautiful and well-organized way.
In this article, we will explore the advantages of creating a slideshow for preserving birthday memories and how this method can help you relive those magical moments time and time again. So, let’s get down to it right now.
There are many reasons to create a birthday slideshow. First of all, slideshows are easily shareable with friends and family. You can burn them onto DVDs, share them via email, or even upload them to social media platforms. This allows you to spread the joy of the birthday celebration and bring people together, regardless of physical distance. Moreover, slideshows can be viewed on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Besides, creating a birthday slideshow is a time-saving alternative to manually organizing and printing multiple photographs. It eliminates the need for physical albums, saving you both time and money. It’s also easier to send just one slideshow video to your friends or relatives rather than uploading all the images and video clips from the birthday party.
If you tend to use cloud storage services, you might find this method more convenient. While cloud storage offers accessibility, you may have concerns about the privacy and security of your personal photos and videos. Creating a slideshow allows you to keep your memories offline, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.
Tips to Make a Good Birthday Slideshow
Now that we have discussed some advantages of creating a birthday slideshow, let’s talk about several useful tips. Below, you’ll find recommendations that will help you take your own projects to the next level.
1. Organize Your Photos
Before creating the slideshow, organize your photos in chronological order. This will help you tell a cohesive story from start to finish. It is better to remove duplicates and select the best shots to include in the project. You can group similar photos or moments together to create a seamless flow.
2. Choose a Suitable Music Track
The mood of your slideshow video greatly depends on the soundtrack that you add. When creating a birthday slideshow with music, you should consider the personality and taste of the person as well. We recommend trying some upbeat audio tracks or sentimental music.
If you want to publish a birthday video online, it’s also essential to purchase a licensed track to avoid any copyright issues. Another option is to use royalty-free music tracks in your birthday slideshow.
3. Pick High-Quality Pictures
The quality of your media files is also crucial. If some of your images are blurry, you should either avoid them or add clarity and sharpen them before loading them into your slides. Otherwise, such pictures might make the appearance of your slideshow worse.
4. Use Transitions and Effects Sparingly
Transitions and effects can enhance the visual appeal of your slideshow, but don’t overdo it. We recommend you use them sparingly and purposefully to avoid distracting your audience from the main focus – the photos and videos. You can stick to simple and subtle effects for a clean and professional look.
5. Keep it Concise
While it may be tempting to include every single photo and video you have, remember that less is often more. Aim for a reasonable duration, typically around 5-10 minutes, to keep your audience engaged. Take your time to select only the most significant and representative moments to include in your slides.
6. Save It in the Right Format
Depending on the way you are going to watch the slideshow, you should select a suitable file format. For example, you should save it as a mobile video if you’re going to play it on your smartphone – it’s better to find out the compatible formats for your device in advance. Some programs also let you burn projects to DVD to watch them on a bigger screen with relatives and friends.
Summary
This is it! As you can see, creating a birthday slideshow is an excellent way to preserve and share the precious memories of a special day. Now you know everything to turn your birthday slideshow ideas into reality. Remember, it’s not just about the photos and videos – it’s about capturing the essence of the person and celebrating their life. So, gather your favorite pictures and videos, unlock your creativity, and turn them into a stunning birthday slideshow today.
Multiple news outlets have reported that Hamas’s supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had confirmed the militant group’s acceptance of what it stated were Israel’s ceasefire terms in a phone call with Qatar’s Prime Minister and a senior Egyptian minister. The two countries have been leading negotiations between the warring parties.
However, the Israeli leadership has reportedly indicated that the deal indicated by Hamas falls far short of its demands to end the fighting. Israel said it would send a delegation to continue ceasefire talks and also continue its Rafah operation in the meantime.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his pressing call to both sides “to go the extra mile needed to make an agreement come true and stop the present suffering”, his Spokesperson said in a statement.
The Secretary-General also voiced deep concern over indications that a large-scale military operation in Rafah may be imminent.
“We are already seeing movements of people – many of these are in desperate humanitarian condition and have been repeatedly displaced,” the statement continued.
The Secretary-General also reminded the parties that the protection of civilians is paramount in international humanitarian law.
Opportunity ‘cannot be missed’
Speaking later in the evening New York time, Mr. Guterres told reporters at a press encounter alongside the President of Italy that he had made “a very strong appeal to the Government of Israel and to the leadership of the Hamas in order to go an extra mile to materialise an agreement that is absolutely vital”.
“This is an opportunity that cannot be missed”, the UN chief stressed.
“A ground invasion in Rafah would be intolerable because of its devastating humanitarian consequences and because of its destabilising impact in the region.”
No UNRWA evacuation
Earlier in the morning following news of the Israeli evacuation order, the UN agency for Palestine refugees UNRWA said in a post on X that “an Israeli offensive in Rafah would mean more civilian suffering and deaths. The consequences would be devastating for 1.4 million people”.
“UNRWA is not evacuating: the agency will maintain a presence in Rafah as long as possible and will continue providing lifesaving aid to people.”
Children on ‘edge of survival’
Echoing that alert, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that “a military besiegement and ground incursion in Rafah would pose catastrophic risks to the 600,000 children” sheltering there.
Many “are highly vulnerable and at the edge of survival”, the UN agencysaid in a statement, highlighting increased violence in Rafah and the fact that potential evacuation corridors were “likely mined or littered with unexploded ordnance”.
Any military move on Rafah will likely result in very high civilian casualties while also destroying “the few remaining basic services and infrastructure” that people need to survive, UNICEF insisted.
“Hundreds of thousands of children who are now cramped into Rafah are injured, sick, malnourished, traumatised or living with disabilities,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Many have been displaced multiple times and have lost homes, parents and loved ones. They need to be protected along with the remaining services that they rely on, including medical facilities and shelter.”
Listen below to our in-depth interview with UNRWA’s Louise Wateridge as fear builds of a fullblown invasion of Rafah:
Full-blown famine call
In a related development, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that northern Gaza is now experiencing “full-blown famine…and it’s moving its way south”.
Cindy McCain’s remarks on Sunday echoed serious and repeated concerns from other senior UN officials and the international community about aid restrictions and delays imposed by Israeli authorities.
“The Israeli authorities continue to deny humanitarian access to the United Nations,” insisted UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. “Only in the past two weeks, we have recorded 10 incidents involving shooting at convoys, arrests of UN staff including bullying, stripping them naked, threats with arms and long delays at checkpoints forcing convoys to move during the dark or abort,” he said in a post on X on Sunday.
The UNRWA Commissioner-General also condemned rocket attacks on the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza which reportedly killed three Israeli soldiers, leading to its closure. The crossing is a key humanitarian relief entry point.
‘Al Mawasi is not safe’
According to media reports, leaflet drops by the Israeli military above eastern Rafah advised communities to move to the so-called safe zone of Al Mawasi, to the west of Rafah, by the Mediterranean Sea.
UN humanitarians have previously rejected similar evacuation initiatives by the Israeli military on the grounds that they represent forced displacement.
“In Al Mawasi, there is a severe lack of sufficient infrastructure, including water available, and it is not feasible to support tens of thousands of displaced people there,” UNRWA spokesperson in Gaza Louise Wateridge told UN News.
More than 400,000 people already shelter in the coastal location, according to the UN agency’s latest assessment, which reported an influx of displaced persons from the nearby city of Khan Younis. To help them, UNRWA has two temporary health centres in Al Mawasi, along with other newly established medical points in the area.
“Unlike claims [to the contrary], it is far from safe because nowhere is safe in Gaza,” insisted UNRWA Communications Director Juliette Touma.
Since 7 October, when Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel prompted massive Israeli bombardment and a ground offensive, at least 34,680 Palestinians have been killed, including over 14,000 children, and over 78,000 wounded, according to the Gazan health authorities. Some 1,250 people were killed in southern Israeli communities and more than 250 were taken hostage.
‘Inhumane’ order to evacuate: Rights chief
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday warned that civilian deaths, suffering and destruction were set to increase beyond already unbearable levels following the eastern Rafah evacuation order.
“This is inhumane. It runs contrary to the basic principles of international humanitarian and human rights laws, which have the effective protection of civilians as their overriding concern.
“Forcibly relocating hundreds of thousands from Rafah to areas which have already been flattened and where there is little shelter and virtually no access to humanitarian assistance necessary for their survival is inconceivable. It will only expose them to more danger and misery.”
“More attacks on what is now the primary humanitarian hub in the Gaza Strip are not the answer,” Mr. Türk added.
The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence requires media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other nonprofits to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad. It was adopted on Tuesday.
The adoption has sparked protests in the capital, Tbilisi, and has been denounced by Georgia’s opposition as an effort to crackdown on independent media, civil society, rights activists and government critics
“The impacts on the rights to freedom of expression and association in Georgia unfortunately now risk being significant,” he warned.
The registration requirement could also have a chilling effect on those working for civic freedoms and significantly curtailing their activities, Mr. Türk added.
“Stifling diverse voices on matters of serious public interest will only complicate the Government’s ability to respond effectively to the many challenges facing the country with sound legislative and policy measures,” he said.
Assurances broken
Meanwhile, independent rights experts also denounced the law’s adoption, which they said happened despite assurances following the withdrawal of another identical bill last year.
That bill was withdrawn in March 2023, following large scale protests, and in November, senior government officials and parliamentarians assured the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders that the draft would not be reintroduced.
“We are shocked that even in light of clear opposition by a significant segment of Georgia’s people, the law was expedited through Parliament with media and civil society representatives denied access to the proceedings,” the UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts said.
They also voiced serious concern at the speed of deliberations in Parliament, “which appear to have taken place without inclusive, transparent and genuine consultations with civil society, society at large and opposition parties.”
Rights activists not enemies of the state
Mr. Türk called for the law to be shelved, and for the authorities to engage in dialogue with media, civil society organizations and human rights defenders.
The independent experts further warned that if signed into law by the President, it would put Georgia in contravention of its human rights obligations, notably on freedom of association.
“For Georgia, this is a step in the wrong direction,” the experts said.
“Human rights defenders, young people and peaceful protestors are not enemies of the state,” they stressed.
Independent rights experts
The experts making the call included the Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders, on freedom of peaceful assembly and on freedom of opinion and expression; as well as the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity.
Appointed by the Human Rights Council – the UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights – and forming a part of its Special Procedures, special rapporteurs and independent experts are mandated to monitor and assess the rights situation in certain thematic or country situations.
They work voluntarily, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.
Europe’s newest rocket soon launches, taking with it many space missions each with a unique objective, destination and team at home, cheering them on. Whether launching new satellites to look back and study Earth, peer out to deep space or test important new technologies in orbit, Ariane 6’s first flight will showcase the versatility and flexibility of this impressive, heavy-lift launcher. Read on for all about 3Cat-4, then see who else is flying first.
The 3Cat-4 CubeSat in its thermal vacuum test chamber. Image credit: ESA
3Cat-4 (pronounced “cube cat four”) is a 1-kg Earth Observation CubeSat developed by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Spain and selected by ESA Education’s ‘Fly Your Satellite!’ programme to fly on Ariane 6’s first flight.
As part of the programme, experts carefully reviewed the 3Cat-4 design. They provided design and testing support to the mission team, including important environmental testing at ESA Education’s CubeSat support facility in ESEC-Galaxia, Belgium.
Otherwise, the nanosatellite has been nearly entirely developed by graduate and undergraduate students who have designed, built and validated the vast majority of its components, conducted complex analyses and planned and performed test campaigns with specialised equipment. For several students, the mission is central to their course curriculum or degree thesis.
“The primary goal of the mission is educational; training a group of students in the techniques and methodologies involved in flying a space mission, while conducting challenging teamwork with a real sense of responsibility,” explains Alexander Kinnaird, ESA Engineering Coordinator for the Fly Your Satellite! project.
“But 3Cat-4 also has several scientific and technological objectives that we hope will demonstrate the big potential of CubeSats when it comes to innovative space technology, usually reserved for larger satellites.”
The mission’s primary scientific experiment will be to measure several important climate variables using a technique called ‘Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry’ (GNSS-R). GNSS-R involves measuring the reflected signals from orbiting Global Navigation Satellite Systems, such as Galileo and GPS, that bounce off Earth’s surface.
The many elements that make up 3Cat-4, including the Flexible Microwave Payload, sixth panel from the left, which is 3Cat-4’s primary piece of equipment and will perform all of the scientific experiments onboard, and the 0.5-meter antenna stowed away in the final panel. Image credit: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
This ‘passive remote sensing’ measures the difference between the signals directly received from navigation satellites in orbit and the signals from those same satellites that have been reflected off Earth. Using this data, ³Cat4 will be able to measure the properties of the reflective surface and detect several types of weather phenomena, determine land topography and vegetation cover and extract information on ocean data such as ice coverage and thickness.
Along with its remote sensing capabilities, 3Cat-4 will carry an ‘L-band radiometer’ – an instrument that detects radiation emitted in the 1-2 GHz frequency range which makes it possible to analyse soil moisture and ocean salinity. The CubeSat will also have an Automatic Identification System (AIS) allowing it to track ships along their intercontinental routes. It also includes a ‘Radio Frequency Interference’ detection and mitigation system, which is especially important for microwave radiometry observations used for soil moisture measurements.
3Cat-4 antenna. Image credit: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Crucially, 3Cat-4 will demonstrate the feasibility and performance of its 0.5-meter spring-like antenna, the Nadir Antenna and Deployment System (NADS). Stowed away for launch, the antenna will take up very little space, allowing its future inclusion in even smaller CubeSats. Once in orbit, it will spring open to perform impressive observations usually the domain of larger missions, providing a powerful eye on Earth despite its portable travel size.
“3Cat-4 will demonstrate the capacity for small CubeSats to provide a big Earth Observation service, motivating not only the students involved but also the wider community” says Lily Ha, ESA coordinator for university student activities.
Artist’s view of Ariane 6 as it flies into space and jettisons its two boosters around two minutes after liftoff. Image credit: ESA – D. Ducros
“Ariane 6 is the perfect rocket to launch on, fitting perfectly with the technical and programmatic requirements of the mission but also providing great educational and promotional value. We’re so happy to support the innovation of new European rockets, to be part of such a historic launch and forever associated with this flight.”
Ariane 6 is planned to launch in June-July 2024. It follows the hugely successful Ariane 5, Europe’s principal rocket for more than a quarter century, flying 117 times between 1996 and 2023 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
“Throughout the project, we have seen several cohorts of brilliant students making the technology behind 3Cat-4 possible,” says Cristina Del Castillo Sancho, ESA engineering coordinator for university education.
3Cat4 student working on CubeSat. Image credit: ESA
“They dared to dream of this complex mission, and they were enabled by both ESA Education and their university with the necessary expertise and resources. When Ariane 6 lifts off, this new generation of engineers will be proudly watching how their satellite goes through its ultimate test – finally in outer space.”
The 3Cat-4 mission team will be stationed in their control room at the Barcelona Operations Centre in Spain for launch, from where they will command the satellite and receive its telemetry and scientific data via their Montsec Ground Station located in the Pyrenees, Spain.
“It is so very fulfilling to see our satellite finally ready for launch. It has been an incredible journey for all the people involved, and the amount of knowledge gained during the development is difficult to over-emphasise,” concludes Luis Juan, 3Cat-4 Team Leader at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
3Cat-4 team preparing for thermal vacuum test. Image credit: ESA
“Every milestone reached was enthusiastically welcomed, from the first boot of the whole assembled satellite, a month-long mission simulation and the critical vibrations and thermal vacuum tests. With the support of ESA’s Fly Your Satellite! team and all the experts that helped us carry out the mission’s verification, now are confident that 3Cat-4 will be successful during its journey in space”.
“Underfunding poses a challenge to the continuity of humanitarian programming, causing delays, reductions and suspensions of lifesaving assistance programmes,” the partners said.
Some 190 humanitarian organisations issued the statement on the eve of a major conference on Yemen, known as the Sixth Senior Officials Meeting, to be held in Brussels, which they said will be “a critical moment to galvanise support and collective action to address the deteriorating crisis”.
Yemeni Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, have been battling Houthi rebels which hold much of the country, since 2014. The war in Gaza has further compounded the situation, as the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, affecting global maritime trade.
‘At a crossroads’
“Today, Yemen is at a crossroads,” the partners said. They noted that humanitarian conditions slightly improved following the UN-brokered truce in April 2022 and its de facto continuation, allowing them to move towards resilience-building programming, promoting sustainable solutions by addressing the drivers of needs.
“However, we cannot ignore the significant humanitarian needs that remain and that cannot be addressed without adequate funding to respond,” they added.
Humanitarian needs continue to be driven by economic decline, deteriorating public services and infrastructure, displacement and climate-related disasters.
Inaction would be ‘catastrophic’
Other threats include rising food insecurity, which risks increasing malnutrition rates, particularly among pregnant and lactating women, older people and children, as well as the spread of cholera during the current rainy season.
“Violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law continue, and the presence of explosive remnants of war results in death, injury and displacement, restricts access to agricultural land and resettlement and hinders post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts,” they added.
The partners underscored their commitment to continue to improve the quality of humanitarian assistance and maximise impact and to expand collaboration and promote more Yemeni leadership in the response.
“To do so, however, humanitarian partners’ sustained support is required,” they said, warning that “inaction would have catastrophic consequences for the lives of Yemeni women, children and men.”
