“Many attacks are related to Palestinian olive harvesting attempts,” he stated Tuesday. “Palestinians were killed and injured, their homes and property damaged, and their livestock attacked.”
Record Damage Levels
Fletcher noted more trees and communities were affected this year than in the past six years combined. “Failure to prevent or punish these attacks contradicts international law. Palestinians need protection. Impunity must not prevail. Offenders must be held accountable.”
His comments come after the UN spokesperson’s office warned of increased violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, often under Israeli security force supervision. The UN has urged Israel, as the occupying power, to halt attacks and ensure accountability.
These incidents coincide with the olive harvest season, a vital income source for many Palestinian families, now disrupted by harassment and agricultural land destruction.
Madagascar’s food crisis worsens due to drought and disease, UN warns
Madagascar faces a humanitarian emergency as drought, cyclones, and epidemics affect southern communities, the UN warned Tuesday. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq described worsening conditions due to climate shocks and El Niño effects.
“Drought, cyclones, a malaria outbreak, and weak health systems have reduced recovery capacity,” he stated.
Hunger is Increasing Rapidly
According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, those facing emergency food insecurity in the Deep South may quadruple to 110,000 by January 2026, with nearly 160,000 children suffering severe malnutrition. Haq noted aid operations suffer from funding cuts, halting vital programs.
A new national humanitarian plan seeks $185 million for hunger, malnutrition, and disease until April 2026, but is $125 million short. “The UN is appealing for $85 million for urgent needs of 1.5 million people,” he stated.
The country also faces significant political unrest. The UN condemned last month’s “unconstitutional government change” in Madagascar, after youth protests and a military takeover. The unrest adds pressure on humanitarian efforts, highlighting the crisis’s urgency.
Only 5 percent of Europeans aged 7 to 9 eat enough fruit and vegetables
Only five percent of European children aged seven to nine consume enough fruit and vegetables, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The latest WHO report, Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), reveals persistent obesity and overweight rates. This trend increases diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other life-threatening non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
WHO reports that in participating countries, one in four children aged seven to nine is overweight, including obesity cases. The study found boys more likely to be obese than girls.
Online Ordering – New Obesity Threat
Besides unhealthy food availability, the WHO reported a new dietary factor: online ordering. Across 18 countries, up to 39 percent ordered online monthly, indicating a shift toward prepared or delivered meals.
The WHO says healthier diets—more fresh fruit, fewer sweets, and soft drinks—and regular physical activity are linked to socio-economic status. Healthier eating habits are common among children with educated parents, while children with less educated parents are more likely to walk or cycle.
“Healthier food environments, better labeling, and sugary product taxes can make nutritious choices easier and help combat obesity,” the UN health agency said.
Leave a Reply