Prevent

• Pakistan urged the UN Security Council to prioritize diplomacy and de-escalation to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East following Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. • Islamabad officially condemned the strikes and expressed its firm support for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. • The Pakistani government warned that continued fighting would exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis in the region.

• UN special political missions have served as a critical, often invisible instrument for maintaining global peace throughout the organization's 80-year history. • These missions focus on preventing the escalation of conflicts through diplomatic efforts that range from modest interventions to historic agreements. • The significance of these operations lies in their ability to resolve crises quietly, meaning many of the UN's greatest successes are the conflicts that never reach the headlines.

If we don’t know the source, not only do humans remain at risk but wildlife can suffer needlessly via retaliationWhile virologists and public health departments were palpitating over the news of an Andes virus infectious disease outbreak on a cruise ship (13 cases, three deaths), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the Bundibugyo virus, the root of the current Ebola outbreak (currently more than 1,250 cases and at least 362 deaths), was smouldering under the radar.Bundibugyo virus is a horrifying, highly fatal pathogen. Symptom onset is sudden and includes headaches, diarrhoea, malfunctioning kidneys and liver, and, less frequently, internal and external bleeding (hence the term “haemorrhagic disease”). Grimly, contagiousness remains after death, meaning the family and loved ones of the deceased can be exposed when they wash and clothe the body in preparation for the funeral. Continue reading...

• Rebel fighters besieging El Obeid, Sudan, are using drone attacks that have put approximately 500,000 civilians at risk of large-scale atrocities. • The ongoing conflict has displaced over 14 million people internally and pushed millions toward famine while severely limiting humanitarian access. • Sudan is facing a public health crisis with concurrent outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever, and cholera, the latter causing 120 deaths and 1,102 cases since Monday.

• The CDC is providing updates on Ebola outbreaks currently affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. • The agency is also preparing its "activation" strategy for the upcoming 2026 World Cup to manage public health risks. • These efforts highlight the CDC's role in monitoring global infectious disease threats and coordinating health safety for major international events.

• The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced the creation and activation of a special communication channel aimed at preventing the escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. • MFA spokesperson Al-Ansari confirmed during a press briefing that the mechanism is currently operational to facilitate conflict resolution. • This initiative is critical because the Strait of Hormuz is a vital global maritime chokepoint for oil shipments, where instability can trigger international economic shocks.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a renewed global commitment to combat terrorism by addressing its root causes rather than relying solely on security measures. • Guterres warned that terrorist threats are evolving, emphasizing that a rights-based approach is essential to prevent radicalization and ensure long-term stability. • The initiative matters as it seeks to shift the international strategy toward prevention, arguing that ignoring socio-economic grievances can inadvertently fuel extremist recruitment.