EXPLAINED: 33 | Rare Historical Photos

Nearly 60m people internally displaced worldwide in 2021

GENEVA: Conflicts and natural disasters forced tens of millions to flee within their own country last year, pushing the number of internally displaced people to a record high, monitors said Thursday.

Bangkok Post · May 19, 2022

UN Calls on Tehran to Halt Imminent Execution of Dual Iranian-Swedish Doctor

The UN human rights office has urged Iran to halt the execution order of Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali and reverse his death sentence. "We are deeply alarmed by the imminent execution in the Islamic Republic of Iran of Swedish-Iranian doctor, and academic Ahmedreza Djalali," UN rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 18, 2022

Churchgoers tackled gunman after deadly California church shooting

LOS ANGELES — A gunman attacked a lunch banquet at a Taiwanese church in Laguna Woods, killing one person and wounding five others Sunday before congregants tackled him, tied him up with an extension cord and grabbed his two weapons, authorities said.

Los Angeles Times · May 16, 2022

'The Rock', a record-setting white diamond, goes up for auction

The largest white diamond ever auctioned will go under the hammer in Geneva next week, part of a sale by Christie's that features two stones weighing more than 200 carats each.

Reuters · May 6, 2022

Exclusive-WHO members to consider shutting Europe hub office in Russia over Ukraine - document

World Health Organization states will consider a resolution against Russia next week after its invasion of Ukraine, including the possible closure of a major regional office in Moscow, a document obtained by Reuters showed on Thursday.

Reuters · May 5, 2022

Dbeibah Says Elections Only Way to Resolve Libya Crisis

Head of the interim Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah again clung on to power, saying that parliamentary and presidential elections were the only way to resolve the crisis in the country. During a visit to the western city of Misrata, he said: "No Geneva, no Paris. All…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 4, 2022

Main negotiators reach 'outcome' on COVID vaccine IP waiver

The four main parties to negotiations on an intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines have prepared an "outcome document" for approval by the broader membership, the WTO said on Tuesday, with its chief hoping for a final deal by June.

Reuters · May 3, 2022

WHO to Hold Urgent Meeting on Ukraine Invasion’s Health Impact

A World Health Organization spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed that its European region would hold a special meeting next week on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on health and healthcare. "There will be a meeting on 10 May on the impact of war on Ukraine health system," said Tarik…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 3, 2022

Donors Pledge $1.39 Bn for Horn of Africa Humanitarian Aid

A donor conference organized in Geneva has raised $1.39 billion for the Horn of Africa, where an ongoing drought threatens millions of people with severe food insecurity, the UN announced Tuesday. The money raised will go towards humanitarian and development projects in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, as the region experiences…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 27, 2022

WHO Chief Says We Are ‘Increasingly Blind’ on COVID Transmission

The head of the World Health Organization on Tuesday urged countries to maintain surveillance of coronavirus infections, saying the world was "blind" to how the virus is spreading because of falling testing rates. "As many countries reduce testing, WHO is receiving less and less information about transmission and sequencing," Director-General…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 26, 2022