Saturday, December 27, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 105

WFP warns aid cuts risk pushing 13.7mn into extreme hunger

By
IFP Media Wire
-

It warned that six key operations — in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan — “are currently facing major disruptions, which will only get worse by year-end”.

“WFP is facing a staggering 40 percent reduction in funding, with projections of $6.4 billion compared to $9.8 billion in 2024,” the Rome-based agency wrote in a new report.

“The humanitarian system is under severe strain as partners pull back from frontline locations, creating a vacuum,” it added.

It did not name any one country, but noted a report in The Lancet medical journal about the huge impact of cuts to US assistance.

Donald Trump slashed foreign aid after returning as US president in January, dealing a heavy blow to humanitarian operations worldwide.

“Programme coverage has been slashed and rations cut. Life-saving assistance to households in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) is at risk, while preparedness for future shocks has dropped drastically,” the report said.

The IPC, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), is a UN-backed initiative that measures hunger and malnutrition around the world.

Across the world, “WFP estimates that its funding shortfalls could push 10.5 to 13.7 million people currently experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels of acute food insecurity into Emergency (IPC Phase 4)”, it noted.

“The world is facing hunger issues on a scale never seen before — and the funds needed to help us respond are woefully insufficient,” stated WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

“We are watching the lifeline for millions of people disintegrate before our eyes.”

The WFP announced that just 600,000 people will get its food aid this month in DRC, down from a planned 2.3 million, while less than 10 percent of those in need are getting assistance in Afghanistan, despite soaring malnutrition rates.

In South Sudan, expensive airdrops in famine-risk areas are under threat due to funding constraints, WFP said, while in Haiti, families are receiving half the agency’s standard monthly rations.

Global hunger “is at record levels”, with 319 million people facing acute food insecurity, including 44 million in emergency levels of hunger, the agency said.

The UN formally declared a famine in Gaza earlier this year, while the WFP said Wednesday that the number of people categorised as “in famine or on the brink” has doubled in just two years to 1.4 million across five countries.

Rising hunger levels not only put lives at risk but also undermine regional stability and fuel the displacement of communities, McCain stressed.

“We are at risk of losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger,” she added.

Iraqi parliamentary candidate killed

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The incident is the first killing of a candidate ahead of Iraq’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 11.

“A bomb exploded under the vehicle of Safaa al-Mashhadani, a current member of the Baghdad Provincial Council and a candidate for parliament. He died instantly and three of his bodyguards were seriously wounded,” the source, who requested anonymity as they were not allowed to brief the media, told AFP.

The source explained that “the incident occurred at dawn on Wednesday in Tarmiyah”, located 40 kilometres north of the capital and part of the Baghdad province.

Mashhadani was running with the Sovereignty Alliance, one of Iraq’s largest Sunni Muslim coalitions, led by businessman Khamis al-Khanjar and parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

The coalition condemned the “cowardly crime”, calling it “an extension of the approach of exclusion, targeting, and treachery pursued by the forces of uncontrolled weapons and terrorism, all of which seek to silence free national voices”.

According to the coalition, Mashhadani “fought and struggled for his people and his city of Tarmiyah, against both terrorism and the forces of uncontrolled weapons”.

The majority of Iraq’s 329 lawmakers represent Shiite parties aligned with neighbouring Iran.

The upcoming elections are the sixth since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, which toppled longtime ruler Saddam Hussein.

 

 

AEOI chief: Iran’s ties with IAEA based on parliamentary law; agency has not condemned attacks on nuclear sites

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Mohammad Eslami

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Mohammad Eslami stated that “Iran’s interaction with the IAEA will be based on the parliamentary law, and the Supreme National Security Council, relying on AEOI reports, is the authority to assess and approve such cooperation.”

He criticized the IAEA for failing to fulfill its legal responsibilities toward Iran, noting that the agency “has not yet condemned attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities” nor taken adequate measures to protect confidential information related to the country’s nuclear industry.

Eslami emphasized that inspectors’ presence in Iran occurs only under conditions approved by national authorities.

“Inspections are limited to cases coordinated by the Foreign Ministry and the Supreme National Security Council — such as visits to the Bushehr and Tehran reactors,” he said.

He also announced plans to open a new radiation processing center in northwestern Ardabil Province to support agricultural production and expand Iran’s national irradiation network.

Eslami further noted that Iran and Russia recently renewed agreements to build large- and small-scale nuclear power plants, including new units in Bushehr and Hormozgan provinces.

Iran’s FM: US, E3 claims on anti-Tehran resolutions having no legal validity

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Abbas Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister emphasized that the claims made by the United States and the three European countries — the United Kingdom, France, and Germany — regarding the reimposition of the previously terminated UN Security Council resolutions against Iran are invalid and must not be recognized by any country as having legal effect.

Seyed Abbas Araqchi made the remarks on Wednesday at the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, noting that the expiration date of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 on Iran’s nuclear issue is October 17, 2025.

Araqchi said that the three European countries have misused the JCPOA’s dispute resolution mechanism and the UN Security Council in an attempt to restore the canceled resolutions against Iran — a move that was opposed by several Security Council members, including two permanent members.

The Iranian foreign minister called on members of the Non-Aligned Movement to oppose the misuse of international institutions — especially the UN Security Council — for blackmailing and exerting pressure on developing nations.

Referring to the criminal aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran last June, Araqchi described the attack as a clear example of lawlessness and rogue behavior by the two regimes and warned of the continued threats they pose to international peace and security.

He also described the issue of Palestine as one of the most important international matters, saying that resolving it is impossible without addressing its root cause — occupation and the deprivation of the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination.

Araqchi stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports all efforts to stop the genocide of Palestinians, end the occupation of Gaza, ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and rebuild the Strip.

He also reaffirmed Iran’s firm position on ending the impunity of the Zionist regime and bringing its perpetrators of war crimes to justice.

Kiev mayor warns of ‘difficult’ winter amid Russia attacks

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Russia Ukraine War

Speaking to the Kiev24 broadcaster, Klitschko said the upcoming winter “will be difficult,” and urged citizens to plan ahead.

“It is necessary to develop different scenarios, including the bad ones,” he added.

He urged residents of the Ukrainian capital to “be ready, which means having a supply of water, a supply of food for emergency storage, warm clothes, that is, in case the situation that was last week can be repeated.”

Last week, Kiev officials reported a “massive” Russian drone and missile attack which they said targeted the capital’s energy infrastructure. The barrage reportedly struck one of the city’s main electricity suppliers, causing widespread blackouts.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that its forces had launched a large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy facilities in response to what it described as “the Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks on Russian civilian sites.” Moscow has repeatedly said it does not target civilians.

The devastating attack on Kiev also fueled a long-running feud between Klitschko and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The latter said last week that he was “not satisfied” with the capital’s defense. While he did not refer to Klitschko by name, Zelensky insisted that criticism of people failing to do their jobs was fully justified.

Klitschko defended his actions, stating that “all measures were implemented in accordance with the requirements of the General Staff.”

He also pointed to damage beyond the capital, writing: “Given all the hype and manipulation that has been going on in recent days, I have one question: didn’t Klitschko also protect critical infrastructure facilities across the country that were damaged by enemy missiles and drones?”

 

Execution halted at last moment in case of murdered Tehran University student

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Evin Prison

Hamidreza Haji Esfandiari, the attorney representing Khaleghi’s family, said the convicted killer, identified as Ahmad, was brought to the gallows and even had the noose placed around his neck when the victim’s family decided to stop the execution.

“The family of the victim had certain conditions, but I cannot disclose their details,” Esfandiari said, adding that the conditions were “not related to blood money or financial matters.” The convict has been granted a two-month reprieve.

Khaleghi, a business management undergraduate at the University of Tehran, was attacked on February 12, 2025, while returning to his dormitory.
He was stabbed by two motorcycle thieves and later died of his injuries at the hospital.

The Ministry of Science, the University of Tehran, and the Faculty of Management had previously condemned the incident and urged swift justice.

The judiciary confirmed the suspects’ arrest and trial earlier this year, leading to the death sentence now temporarily suspended.

Trump announces start of ‘phase 2’ of Gaza ceasefire accord

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

“All twenty hostages are back and feeling as good as can be expected,” Trump wrote on his social media company Truth Social.

“A big burden has been lifted, but the job is not done. The dead have not been returned, as promised! Phase Two begins right now!!!” he added.

Hamas and Israel carried out a hostage-prisoner swap that saw hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released from Israel’s notorious Ofer military prison and other prison facilities in the Negev Desert. All 20 living Israeli hostages were also released.

Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi convened a high-level summit Monday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, bringing together world leaders to garner international support for Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

Phase two of the US deal calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza, the formation of a multinational force and the disarmament of Hamas.

Israeli attacks killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, since October 2023, leaving the enclave largely uninhabitable.

 

Municipality spox: Over 300,000 housing units in Gaza completely destroyed

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

Asim al-Nabih told Fars News Agency that in this war, 25 hospitals out of 38 medical centers have gone out of service, 95% of schools have suffered serious damage, and 85% of the water supply facilities have been completely destroyed.

Al-Nabih stressed that the Israeli army has not yet withdrawn from all areas in northern Gaza, and many residents are still waiting to return to their homes.

He said that water and sewage networks, street water basins, roads, parks, trees, and all green spaces in Gaza City have been wiped out in recent Israeli attacks.

According to him, over 85% of the municipality’s machinery and equipment have been destroyed in the bombings, leaving the city with extremely limited means to provide essential services to residents.

Al-Nabih emphasized that sustainable reconstruction is only possible if aid routes are opened, heavy machinery is allowed in, and international organizations actively participate in the rebuilding process.

He noted that since the ceasefire was established last Friday, around 400,000 people have returned to Gaza City through the al-Shati coastal road, and the flow of returnees continues.

The spokesperson also revealed that Israel recently used a new type of weapon — explosive robots — each carrying several tons of explosives, capable of destroying more than 20 houses at once.

He added that Gaza’s vital infrastructure was also targeted by these robots.

Al-Nabih added that more than 55 million tons of rubble are estimated to be scattered across Gaza and must be cleared.

He also called for immediate and effective intervention by Egypt to fully reopen the Rafah border crossing, saying that Gaza needs over 1,000 aid trucks daily to meet its minimum humanitarian and service needs.

Syrian president to pay first visit to Russia

By
IFP Media Wire
-

This will be his first visit to Russia.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) confirmed the visit and reported that Sharaa’s visit aims at reorganizing bilateral relations and strengthening political and economic cooperation.

Sharaa is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “to discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest, as well as ways to expand cooperation in areas serving the shared interests of both nations,” the agency added, citing the Presidential Media Directorate.

During the visit, Sharaa will also meet with members of the Syrian community in Russia.

In February, Putin spoke with Sharaa by phone, reaffirming Russia’s support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and stability, and expressing readiness to review agreements signed with the former Bashar Assad government while calling for the lifting of economic sanctions on Syria.

The visit comes more than a month after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak visited Damascus on Sept. 9, where he discussed issues, including energy cooperation and humanitarian assistance, with senior Syrian officials.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in late 2024, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long grip on power that began in 1963. A new transitional administration led by Sharaa was formed in January.

 

Israel receives bodies of 4 captives from Red Cross in Gaza: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Israel Hostages Gaza

Four coffins of the dead hostages were transferred to the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip from the Red Cross, Israel’s official broadcaster KAN reported.

The army announced earlier that the ICRC received the remains of four Israeli hostages in Gaza and is transferring them to Israeli forces.

“According to information provided by the Red Cross, four coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF (army) and ISA (security agency) forces in the Gaza Strip,” the army said in a statement.

The army previously noted that the ICRC was on its way to a designated location in northern Gaza to receive the bodies of several hostages.

There has been no official confirmation from Hamas on the development.

The Palestinian group handed over the remains of four Israeli captives on Monday under a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages early Monday in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a plan he laid out Sept. 29 to bring a ceasefire to Gaza, release all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip. The first phase of the deal came into force on Friday.

Phase two of the plan calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas’ participation, the formation of a multinational force, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 67,900 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it largely uninhabitable.

 

1...104105106...5,016Page 105 of 5,016

© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Us

Popular Articles

Editor Picks