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October 17, 2025 Healthcare

Winter is approaching, and experts warn that influenza cases will soon begin to rise in the World Health Organization's European Region. Along with other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, whose circulation has increased this summer, influenza poses a serious threat to public health, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems. Scientific evidence clearly indicates that vaccination remains the best way to protect against severe illness and complications.

The influenza virus constantly mutates, so scientists must update vaccines each year to reflect changes in circulating virus strains. Furthermore, the protection provided by vaccination fades over time. This is why it's so important to get a flu shot every year. Getting vaccinated early in the flu season will help protect you and those around you from the dominant strains that year.

Similarly, vaccines againstCOVID-19 are also updated as new virus variants emerge, and the protection provided by vaccination gradually weakens. Therefore, those eligible for vaccination should also strengthen their immunity beforeCOVID-19, getting vaccinations on time.

Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, complications, and the need for hospitalization. It saves lives and helps healthcare systems cope with the strain during the busy winter months. A recent study based on data from several countries in the European region found that between January 2022 and November 2023, COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization within six months of vaccination by more than half.

Make informed choices

The WHO/Europe campaign, under the slogan "No one knows your risks better than you," is being launched at the start of the new flu and COVID-19 seasons. By making informed and responsible decisions, we can protect ourselves and those around us. WHO urges everyone, especially those at higher risk, to get vaccinated and take simple steps every day to protect themselves from the disease.

Get vaccinated as soon as you're offered the opportunity. If you're sick, stay home. If you have symptoms, wear a mask. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing. Wash your hands regularly. Ventilate rooms regularly.

Protection against disinformation

This year, we'd like to emphasize the importance of protecting ourselves not only from viruses, but also from false and misleading information. False or misleading claims about vaccines and protective measures can spread online, sowing confusion and mistrust, and ultimately leaving people unprotected.

WHO recommends relying only on reliable information: check sources of information, verify facts, and consult trusted institutions such as ministries of health and the WHO.

"Trust the science. Get vaccinated. Protect yourself from seasonal flu," the WHO urges.

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October 17, 2025 UN

The United Nations will be on the road to bankruptcy if member states fail to pay their dues on time and in full. Secretary-General António Guterres warned this on Friday, presenting the UN budget for 2026 at $3.238 billion—15.1 percent less than the approved 2025 budget of $3.72 billion.

Speaking to the General Assembly's Fifth Committee, which deals with financial and administrative matters, Guterres described the situation as extremely fragile: high debt, late contributions and the need to "repay loans" threaten to undermine the Organization's liquidity and core operations.

Staff reduction

The revised budget also includes a reduction in staffing levels compared to the original 2026 proposal: from 13,809 positions to 11,594 positions. This represents an 18.8 percent reduction compared to 2025.

The reductions will primarily affect major UN departments and administrative structures, while maintaining programmes that directly serve Member States, particularly least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States, and initiatives supporting Africa's development.

The UN also has a separate budget for peacekeeping operations.

Liquidity crisis

The Secretary-General warned that the effects of the current liquidity crisis will be felt not only next year but also in 2027.

The UN's outstanding contributions reached $760 million at the end of last year. Additionally, the UN must repay $300 million in loans to member states in early 2026.

“Any delays in fundraising early in the year will force us to cut spending further… and could result in a return of $600 million in 2027, which represents about 20 percent of the budget,” Guterres said.

"This means the path to bankruptcy," he added, reiterating the urgent need to reduce debt and suspend loan repayments.

Previous spending curbs provided only temporary relief, the UN chief noted. At the beginning of 2025, the UN budget deficit stood at $135 million. By the end of September, the Organization had received only 66.2 percent of its annual contributions—compared to 78.1 percent for the same period in 2024.

As of the end of September, only 136 of the 193 member states had paid their dues in full. Countries that have not yet paid their dues in full include the United States, China, Russia, and Mexico.

How much do permanent members of the Security Council get paid?

According to the current scale, adopted in December 2024 for 2025–2027, the United States of America’s contributions amount to 22.000 percent of the total budget, China’s – 20.004 percent, the United Kingdom’s – 3.991 percent, France’s – 3.858 percent, and the Russian Federation’s – 2.094 percent.

These countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto power.

Reflection of financial realities

The revised budget for 2026 reflects both current financial realities and the reforms under the UN80 initiative, which aims to comprehensively reform the Organization.

Proposed measures to improve its efficiency include relocating offices to regions with lower personnel costs, as well as creating common administrative platforms in New York and Bangkok.

Despite the cuts, key priorities remain: 37 special political missions will continue to operate, the UN Peacebuilding Fund will receive $50 million, the UN Resident Coordinator system will receive $53 million, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will expand its regional offices in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Dakar, Panama City, Pretoria, and Vienna.

What's next?

In the coming weeks, the Fifth Committee will discuss the proposed budget with heads of UN Secretariat departments and programme managers.

The committee will then present its report with recommendations to the plenary session of the General Assembly, with final approval of the UN budget expected by the end of December.

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October 17, 2025 Peace and security

Despite a three-year-old UN embargo, an estimated 270,000 to 500,000 illegal weapons—from pistols to military-grade semiautomatic rifles—are circulating in Haiti. Most of this arsenal is in the hands of armed gangs terrorizing the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its surrounding areas.

Haiti is currently in a state of profound security crisis. Rival criminal groups are waging a bloody battle for control of the capital, resorting to extortion, sexual violence, kidnapping for ransom, and murder.

In 2022, UN member states agreed to an arms embargo on Haiti, so why isn't it working?

© UNOCHA/J. Clark

Violence claims thousands of Haitian lives every year.

How many guns are there in Haiti?

Haiti produces neither weapons nor ammunition. However, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, up to half a million illegal weapons circulate in the country. These weapons are in abundance not only among gangs but also among numerous self-defense groups trying to protect their neighborhoods from violence.

In the capital region, with a population of approximately 2.6 million, the consequences of this state of affairs are catastrophic: in 2024 alone, more than 5,600 people were killed as a result of gang activity. The UN has documented mass killings, kidnappings, rapes, destruction of property, and blockages of access to basic services – particularly healthcare and education.

© CPB/HSI

Weapons seized by US law enforcement that were destined for Haiti.

What weapons are used?

There is no precise data, but a growing body of circumstantial evidence points to the use of modern, lethal weapons.

In February 2025, a shipment destined for Haiti from Miami was intercepted in the Dominican Republic. It included, among other items, a Barret M82 heavy semiautomatic rifle, sniper rifles, an Uzi submachine gun, and over 36,000 rounds of ammunition.

What does the UN resolution say?

The October 2022 UN Security Council resolution prohibits the supply of weapons and technical assistance to Haiti, as well as the training and financing of groups and individuals who threaten the peace and security of Haiti. Travel bans and asset freezes have also been imposed.

How do groups circumvent the embargo?

The main smuggling routes from the US – particularly from Miami and New York via the Dominican Republic – are rife with lax controls and corruption. Some shipments are intercepted, but smugglers have alternative routes – weapons also come from Venezuela and other South American countries.

Contraband is often disguised as humanitarian or commercial cargo. Furthermore, bandits often end up with assault rifles registered to private security firms.

© UNICEF/R. Erol

Residents flee the Solino neighborhood of Port-au-Prince after increased gang attacks in May 2024.

What is the UN doing?

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach at the national, regional, and international levels. Haitian customs and border services lack the necessary technical resources—the country lacks a single large-format container scanner.

Given that most shipments are made by sea, it is critical to strengthen controls at ports and along the border with the Dominican Republic. The UN is helping coordinate the efforts of countries in the region, providing technical support for weapons tracing, customs control, and financial investigations.

Since Haiti produces neither weapons nor ammunition, cutting off ammunition supplies could paralyze armed groups and stop terror against civilians. But that's not all.

“The key to the embargo’s effectiveness is the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows,” the UNODC emphasizes.

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October 17, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: Tom Fletcher in Gaza, the Secretary-General presented the budget for 2026, the implementation of the Kurdistan Workers' Party's decision to dissolve itself, the adoption of the Zero Emissions Framework from Shipping postponed, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Humanitarian aid in Gaza

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher arrived in the Gaza Strip today, in the city of Deir el-Balah. Fletcher visited a bakery supported by the World Food Programme and met with staff from the UN and partner agencies, thanking them for their work "under extremely challenging conditions." He noted that humanitarian teams are implementing a 60-day plan to scale up life-saving assistance despite the enormous challenges.

UN budget

UN chief Antonio Guterres presented his today budget proposal for the Organization for 2026 To the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, responsible for administrative and financial matters, the Secretary-General emphasized that the effective implementation of UN mandates remains a key focus: more than 70 percent of the planned quantitative indicators envisage productivity increases of 10 percent or more. The proposed programme budget for 2026 is $3.715 billion, a 15.1 percent decrease compared to the approved budget for 2025.

Kurdistan Workers' Party

The UN Secretary-General continues to monitor progress on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) decision to disband and disarm, the UN chief's spokesman said. He stated that this decision, if implemented, would be another important step toward a peaceful resolution to the protracted conflict. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to act in good faith in implementing the agreements reached.

Emissions from shipping

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced the suspension of the extraordinary session of its Marine Environment Protection Committee. Participants were expected to adopt amendments to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, including the IMO Zero Emissions Framework. The session will resume in 12 months. This is expected to allow member states to continue their work to achieve consensus on the Framework.

Extreme poverty

Today is celebrated International Day for the Eradication of PovertyIn his message, the UN Secretary-General called for policies that include fair wages, affordable healthcare and housing, quality education, and a comprehensive social protection system. Meanwhile, new data, published by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Initiative on Poverty and Human Development, demonstrate the close links between the climate crisis and poverty.

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October 17, 2025 Peace and security

A severe funding shortage threatens to paralyze UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. The organization warns that due to delays in member states' contributions, it will be forced to reduce patrols, close field offices, and repatriate thousands of blue helmets.

As Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix noted, the current crisis is "more serious than ever before" and is caused by the partial non-payment of assessed contributions—mandatory payments made by Member States to fund UN work in the world's most unstable regions. These revenues remain significantly below the approved budget for 2025–2026.

This week, speaking to military and diplomats at a peacekeeping conference in New Delhi, Lacroix again warned of the consequences of such a situation and said that the work of peacekeepers the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians depend on.

Large-scale cuts

The UN Secretary-General has instructed all missions to develop cost reductions of 15 percent from their annual budgets. This will result in an approximately 25 percent reduction in the number of military and civilian personnel. These measures will affect all key areas of peacekeeping missions – from patrolling and civilian protection to logistics, aviation, and administrative support.

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations warns that fewer peacekeepers on the ground means fewer patrols to monitor ceasefires, fewer safe areas for civilians and less support for humanitarian operations in places such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

A call for solidarity

Jean-Pierre Lacroix called on all Member States to pay their contributions "in full and on time" and to stand united against "campaigns of misinformation and disinformation about peacekeeping operations."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres In his address to countries contributing military and police personnel to peacekeeping missions, he also called for stable funding, emphasizing that without it, UN peacekeeping operations will not be able to fulfill the mandates assigned by the Security Council.

Preventing Confrontation

In July, the General Assembly approved a peacekeeping budget for 2025–2026 of $5.38 billion—slightly down from $5.6 billion the previous year. This budget covers the costs of missions and global support centers in Entebbe, Uganda, and Brindisi, Italy.

However, the implementation of the plans depends on whether countries provide these funds.

Peacekeeping accounts for less than half a percent of global military spending, estimated at $2.7 trillion in 2024, but remains one of the UN's most significant tools for maintaining international peace and security.

"Some people ask why peacekeeping missions are still needed," Colin Stewart, former head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, told UN News Service shortly before his retirement. "The answer is simple: peace is maintained precisely because the missions do their job. Without them, mistrust between parties can easily escalate into confrontation."

The decisive moment

Since 1948, more than two million peacekeepers from around the world have served in the most dangerous conditions, helping implement ceasefire agreements and creating space for political dialogue and peace processes. More than 4,400 peacekeepers have died in the line of duty.

In the year of its 80th anniversary, the UN stands at a "turning point" and must adapt their peacekeeping operations to new global realities.

"The challenges we face are real," he noted. "But so are our chances to overcome them—if we remain united in our goals, pragmatic in our actions, and steadfast in our commitment to peace."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.