The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported that approximately 3,500 children and adolescents have died or gone missing over the past decade while attempting to cross the central Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Italy. This figure averages to about one child per day. The report highlights that many of these children are fleeing war, violence, and poverty, with seven out of ten making the journey alone. The data underscores the ongoing dangers faced by young migrants on this route. Additionally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for decisive action to prevent further loss of life, recalling a major tragedy a decade ago when over 1,000 people died or disappeared after a boat capsized between Libya and Lampedusa.

A report by The Washington Post alleges that Iran has been supporting various proxy groups, including the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara from Morocco. The report claims that Iran has trained hundreds of Polisario fighters, who are now reportedly detained by new security forces in Syria. This assertion has sparked skepticism, with some commentators questioning the credibility of the claims and noting the lack of local media coverage regarding the alleged arrests of these fighters. The situation continues to develop as further information emerges about the involvement of Iranian-backed militias in the region.

Massive protests were held across various countries, including Yemen, Iran, Syria, Morocco, and Tunisia, in solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza. Demonstrators condemned the violence and expressed support for Gaza's residents.

In Yemen, hundreds of thousands gathered in Sana’a’s Al-Sabeen Square and other cities such as Sa’ada, Bayda, Hajjah, and Dhale, under the slogan 'Jihad, Steadfastness, and Defiance – We Will Not Abandon Gaza.' Protesters carried Palestinian and Yemeni flags, denouncing Israeli actions in Gaza and U.S. aggression in Yemen. Yemeni forces have also conducted retaliatory operations against Israeli and U.S. targets in response to the ongoing conflict.

Read more

Italian energy company Eni plans to invest over €24 billion (approximately $26.24 billion) in Libya, Egypt, and Algeria over the next four years, according to CEO Claudio Descalzi. This investment aims to enhance energy production in these countries. Descalzi made the announcement during an event in Italy, highlighting the company's commitment to expanding its operations in North Africa. In addition to the investment news, various discussions are taking place among Libyan officials, including meetings on human rights, women's empowerment, and financial transparency within state institutions. The Libyan Parliament is also engaging in international cooperation, with a recent agreement signed with the Inter-Parliamentary Union to strengthen collaboration.

Demonstrations in support of Palestine have intensified across North Africa, with large gatherings reported in Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco. In Tunisia, thousands participated in marches on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, expressing solidarity with Gaza and condemning Israeli actions. Similar protests occurred in the city of Gafsa and on the island of Djerba, where activists called for an end to normalization with Israel. In Egypt, hundreds gathered in Al-Arish, near the Rafah border, opposing plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Protests were also held in Cairo, where demonstrators gathered outside the Journalists' Syndicate to denounce the war and displacement threats. In Morocco, students announced a hunger strike to protest their government's normalization efforts with Israel, reflecting widespread discontent with such initiatives across the region.

European airlines are facing challenges regarding the resumption of direct flights to Western Sahara, a territory embroiled in conflict between Morocco and a rebel group. The situation has escalated tensions between Morocco and Algeria, as the flights are seen as a contentious issue in the ongoing dispute over the region. Reports indicate that the direct flights from two European capitals to a city in Western Sahara have become a focal point in this geopolitical conflict, raising concerns about the viability and safety of such operations amidst the complex political landscape.

Protests erupted across multiple cities in Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, and other countries in solidarity with Palestine, particularly in response to recent Israeli military actions in Gaza and Daraa. Demonstrators in Damascus called for jihad against Israel, echoing sentiments from protests in Hachiko Square, Tokyo, and various cities in Morocco, where over 100 demonstrations were reported. In Tunisia and Algeria, crowds gathered to denounce the ongoing violence against Palestinians, while protests also took place in European cities including Berlin, Paris, and Stockholm. In Stockholm, demonstrators specifically condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Reports indicate that the recent Israeli strikes in Daraa resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, further fueling the protests. The widespread demonstrations reflect a growing international outcry against perceived injustices faced by the Palestinian people amid escalating violence.

The Italian government announced a new initiative to allocate €20 million to assist 3,300 irregular migrants in Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria in returning to their home countries. This program, described as a strategy to combat illegal immigration, will be organized in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The funding aims to facilitate voluntary repatriations and is part of Italy's broader efforts to manage migration flows from North Africa. Recent reports indicate a 28% decrease in migrant arrivals to Italy, highlighting ongoing changes in migration patterns in the region.

A recent report by Frontline AIDS has highlighted a troubling increase in HIV cases in the Middle East and North Africa, with infections rising by 116 percent since 2010. Experts warn that this surge represents an impending crisis, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and forced displacement in the region. The report indicates that the Middle East and North Africa received only one percent of global HIV funding in 2023, further complicating the situation. The findings come amid a broader context of escalating health challenges in Africa, as indicated by other reports on healthcare crises across the continent.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported that approximately 3,500 children and adolescents have died or gone missing over the past decade while attempting to cross the central Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Italy. This figure averages to about one child per day. The report highlights that many of these children are fleeing war, violence, and poverty, with seven out of ten making the journey alone. The data underscores the ongoing dangers faced by young migrants on this route. Additionally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for decisive action to prevent further loss of life, recalling a major tragedy a decade ago when over 1,000 people died or disappeared after a boat capsized between Libya and Lampedusa.

A report by The Washington Post alleges that Iran has been supporting various proxy groups, including the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara from Morocco. The report claims that Iran has trained hundreds of Polisario fighters, who are now reportedly detained by new security forces in Syria. This assertion has sparked skepticism, with some commentators questioning the credibility of the claims and noting the lack of local media coverage regarding the alleged arrests of these fighters. The situation continues to develop as further information emerges about the involvement of Iranian-backed militias in the region.

Massive protests were held across various countries, including Yemen, Iran, Syria, Morocco, and Tunisia, in solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza. Demonstrators condemned the violence and expressed support for Gaza's residents.

In Yemen, hundreds of thousands gathered in Sana’a’s Al-Sabeen Square and other cities such as Sa’ada, Bayda, Hajjah, and Dhale, under the slogan 'Jihad, Steadfastness, and Defiance – We Will Not Abandon Gaza.' Protesters carried Palestinian and Yemeni flags, denouncing Israeli actions in Gaza and U.S. aggression in Yemen. Yemeni forces have also conducted retaliatory operations against Israeli and U.S. targets in response to the ongoing conflict.

Read more

Italian energy company Eni plans to invest over €24 billion (approximately $26.24 billion) in Libya, Egypt, and Algeria over the next four years, according to CEO Claudio Descalzi. This investment aims to enhance energy production in these countries. Descalzi made the announcement during an event in Italy, highlighting the company's commitment to expanding its operations in North Africa. In addition to the investment news, various discussions are taking place among Libyan officials, including meetings on human rights, women's empowerment, and financial transparency within state institutions. The Libyan Parliament is also engaging in international cooperation, with a recent agreement signed with the Inter-Parliamentary Union to strengthen collaboration.

Demonstrations in support of Palestine have intensified across North Africa, with large gatherings reported in Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco. In Tunisia, thousands participated in marches on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, expressing solidarity with Gaza and condemning Israeli actions. Similar protests occurred in the city of Gafsa and on the island of Djerba, where activists called for an end to normalization with Israel. In Egypt, hundreds gathered in Al-Arish, near the Rafah border, opposing plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Protests were also held in Cairo, where demonstrators gathered outside the Journalists' Syndicate to denounce the war and displacement threats. In Morocco, students announced a hunger strike to protest their government's normalization efforts with Israel, reflecting widespread discontent with such initiatives across the region.

European airlines are facing challenges regarding the resumption of direct flights to Western Sahara, a territory embroiled in conflict between Morocco and a rebel group. The situation has escalated tensions between Morocco and Algeria, as the flights are seen as a contentious issue in the ongoing dispute over the region. Reports indicate that the direct flights from two European capitals to a city in Western Sahara have become a focal point in this geopolitical conflict, raising concerns about the viability and safety of such operations amidst the complex political landscape.

Protests erupted across multiple cities in Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, and other countries in solidarity with Palestine, particularly in response to recent Israeli military actions in Gaza and Daraa. Demonstrators in Damascus called for jihad against Israel, echoing sentiments from protests in Hachiko Square, Tokyo, and various cities in Morocco, where over 100 demonstrations were reported. In Tunisia and Algeria, crowds gathered to denounce the ongoing violence against Palestinians, while protests also took place in European cities including Berlin, Paris, and Stockholm. In Stockholm, demonstrators specifically condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Reports indicate that the recent Israeli strikes in Daraa resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, further fueling the protests. The widespread demonstrations reflect a growing international outcry against perceived injustices faced by the Palestinian people amid escalating violence.

The Italian government announced a new initiative to allocate €20 million to assist 3,300 irregular migrants in Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria in returning to their home countries. This program, described as a strategy to combat illegal immigration, will be organized in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The funding aims to facilitate voluntary repatriations and is part of Italy's broader efforts to manage migration flows from North Africa. Recent reports indicate a 28% decrease in migrant arrivals to Italy, highlighting ongoing changes in migration patterns in the region.

A recent report by Frontline AIDS has highlighted a troubling increase in HIV cases in the Middle East and North Africa, with infections rising by 116 percent since 2010. Experts warn that this surge represents an impending crisis, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and forced displacement in the region. The report indicates that the Middle East and North Africa received only one percent of global HIV funding in 2023, further complicating the situation. The findings come amid a broader context of escalating health challenges in Africa, as indicated by other reports on healthcare crises across the continent.