World
Nearly 100 migrants rescued from a yacht off southwestern Greece
ATHENS, Greece—Nearly 100 migrants were safely evacuated Sept. 20 from a yacht reported to be in difficulty off the southwestern coast of Greece, authorities said. The Coast Guard said in a statement that the yacht carrying 93 people was located about 40 nautical miles (46 miles, 74 kilometers) West of the small town of Pylos. There were no reports of...
Unprecedented child migration crisis across Latin America and Caribbean
Record numbers of children are on the move through Latin America and the Caribbean, facing perilous journeys marked by violence, exploitation and abuse, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned in Sept. 5. Children in the region driven from their homes by gang violence, instability, poverty and climate change represent around 25 percent of migrants said—almost double the global average of...
Israel closes Gaza crossings again, hinders Palestinians’ access to work
The Israeli regime has sealed crossing points with the besieged Gaza Strip, preventing thousands of workers from getting to their jobs in the occupied Palestinian territories and further exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the impoverished enclave. Israeli authorities on Sept. 20 confirmed that the Erez crossing into Gaza was closed and said it would be re-opened “in accordance with situational assessments.” The...
Symbolism or substance? African Union granted seat in the G-20
The Group of 20 leading industrial and developing nations concluded their annual summit of leaders in New Delhi, India, recently, under the theme: “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” World leaders held talks on issues ranging from climate change and green growth to gender equality and countering terrorism. Among major outcomes in the closing G-20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration...
Coups in African countries described as ‘signs of failed democracies’
Africa’s coup belt is growing. The coup d’état in seven African countries has been described as a sign of failed democracies in the affected countries. According to a report in the Daily Maverick, censuring leaders for coups is only a first step. Businessday.ng, a Nigerian business and financial news website, describes the seven countries experiencing “military interregnum,” including Guinea, Burkina...
Libyan Red Crescent: Flooding death toll tops 11,000, another 10,000 missing
The death toll from devastating floods in eastern Libya has reached 11,000, the Libyan Red Crescent says, with thousands reportedly still missing, as search and rescue teams continue. According to the center, at least 11,300 people have lost their lives and another 10,100 are missing, after Mediterranean Storm Daniel hit the North African country earlier in September. The northeastern city of Derna is the worst...
Over 330 million children worldwide living in extreme poverty
One in every six children is forced to survive on less than $2.15 a day, according to a new report from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank released on September 13. The findings show that 333 million children worldwide are living in extreme poverty—a decrease of almost 50 million over the course of the past decade. However, the report’s authors say that...
The Italian island of Lampedusa sees 5,000 migrants arriving in 100-plus boats in a single day
ROME—The Italian Red Cross sounded the alarm on September 13 about humanitarian conditions on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa after more than 5,000 people in more than 100 different migrant boats arrived in one day with smugglers in north Africa taking advantage of calm seas to set off. At least one baby died near shore as a boat capsized, state radio said. Dozens...
Earthquake robbed Moroccan villagers of almost everything—loved ones, homes and possessions
TAFEGHAGHTE, Morocco—His dead relatives have been dug out and buried, but the remnants of Musa Bouissirfane’s former life are still trapped under rubble and dust in the ruins of the mud-brick Moroccan village of Tafeghaghte. “It’s incredibly challenging to lose your entire family and all your possessions,” Mr. Bouissirfane said as tears welled in his eyes in the community less...
Canadian accused of killing Muslim family inspired by White nationalism: Prosecutor
A Canadian man driven by White nationalist beliefs acted deliberately when he crashed his pick-up truck into a Muslim family, resulting in the tragic death of four people, the prosecutor said as the trial began on September 11. Federal prosecutor Sarah Shaikh said in the opening statement that Nathaniel Veltman, 22, planned his attack for three months before driving his Dodge Ram...