Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
NSFAS BOARD INAUGURAL MEDIA BRIEFING
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) cordially invites members of the media to the inaugural NSFAS Board Media Briefing. This session aims to provide insights into governance and administrative developments at NSFAS, provide updates on the 2025 academic year application process and disbursement of allowances, improvements of ICT systems and appeals processes.
Details of the Media Briefing:
Dates: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Venue: Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS), Pretoria
Time: 13H00
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Artificial Intelligence
Deputy Secretary-General Travel
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sudan
Security Council
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Thailand
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the General Assembly’s decision to establish two new mechanisms within the United Nations to promote international cooperation on the governance of artificial intelligence (AI).
The establishment of the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance marks a significant step forward in global efforts to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence while addressing its risks. This pathbreaking milestone underlines Member States’ commitment to build on the Global Digital Compact adopted as part of the Pact for the Future in September 2024.
The Global Dialogue on AI Governance will provide an inclusive platform within the United Nations for states and stakeholders to discuss the critical issues concerning AI facing humanity today.
The Scientific Panel on AI will serve as a crucial bridge between cutting-edge AI research and policymaking. By providing rigorous, independent scientific assessments, it will help the international community to anticipate emerging challenges and make informed decisions about how we govern this transformative technology.
The Secretary-General will shortly be launching an open call for nominations for the Scientific Panel, which will present its annual reports at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance to take place in July 2026 in Geneva and 2027 in New York.
The Secretary-General calls on all stakeholders to support this historic initiative and contribute to building a future where artificial intelligence serves the common good of all humanity.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the situation in the Gaza Strip, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs cites a report today from the Ministry of Health that another three people have died from malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of such reported deaths to 303, including 117 children.
At the same time, the Israeli military has issued a new displacement order covering approximately one square kilometre in Gaza City’s Ad Daraj and Ash Sheikh Radwan neighbourhoods.
People continue to flee in fear for their lives, seeking safety wherever possible. Between 14 August – when the offensive on Gaza City was announced – and yesterday, partners tracking population movements in Gaza recorded more than 36,200 displacements, including over 11,600 from the north to the south of the Strip.
The majority of displaced people came from neighbourhoods in Gaza City, with more than two thirds moving to Deir al Balah and nearly a third heading to Khan Younis.
Turning to the health situation, yesterday, hospitals in Gaza warned of severe shortages of blood units, with daily needs exceeding 350 units. With many patients critically injured by hostilities, more blood is needed to save lives, yet community donations have plummeted due to famine and malnutrition. The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent appeal to replenish blood stocks in hospitals.
Meanwhile, obstructions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the flow of aid into and within the Gaza Strip continue to constrain delivery of life-saving assistance by the UN and its partners. Yesterday, six out of 12 planned missions that required coordination with the Israeli authorities were facilitated; most of them were to move supplies into and within southern Gaza and collect fuel from the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Another three missions to collect cargo from Kerem Shalom and Zikim were impeded and therefore only partially accomplished, while two other missions had to be cancelled by the organizers. One mission to carry out road repairs in Khan Younis was denied by the Israeli authorities.
OCHA stresses that with famine now confirmed in Gaza governorate, the humanitarian consequences of ongoing hostilities, displacement, and aid obstruction are even more devastating. We urgently call for an immediate ceasefire and full, unhindered humanitarian access across the entire Strip to bring an end to the suffering of civilians.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=26%20August%202025
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مشاهدة المزيد من الأحداث الحية وعند الطلب في اللغة العربية مباشر من تلفزيون الأمم المتحدة على شبكة الإنترنت
: http://webtv.un.org/ar
Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Ismael Zambada Garcia also known as El Mayo, 75, of Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty to being a principal leader of a continuing criminal enterprise — the Sinaloa Cartel (the Cartel), one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world — in addition to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, together with Deputy Minister Andries Nel, briefs the media following the statement issued by the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System announcing the postponement of the commencement of its hearings.
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General / Gaza
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon / Israel
– Israel / Houthis
– Sudan
– Syria
– Pakistan
– Rohingya People and other Communities / Myanmar
SECRETARY-GENERAL/GAZA
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of Palestinians today in Israeli strikes that hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Those killed in addition to civilians, included medical personnel and journalists.
We want to extend our condolences to families and colleagues of those journalists killed, especially those representatives of the Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera, who are in this room or online.
These latest horrific killings highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their vital work amid this brutal conflict.
The Secretary-General recalls that civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for a prompt, and impartial investigation into these killings.
He reiterates that medical personnel and journalists must be able to perform their essential duties without interference, without intimidation, and without harm, and in full accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages being held in Gaza.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that ongoing air strikes and hostilities, including attacks on healthcare, are causing further casualties and damaging or destroying critical civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
With famine conditions now confirmed in Gaza governorate, hunger and malnutrition among children are deepening. UN partners working on nutrition warn that in any food crisis, children with underlying health conditions are affected first and without proper nutrition, water and care, their condition worsens quicklier.
Less aid means more malnutrition; the UN and its partners continue to call for the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.
Today, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said that 11 people have died from malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of people who have died due to malnutrition and hunger to 300. That, again, is according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Across the Strip, people continue to be displaced while seeking safety and shelter. UN partners tracking population movements in Gaza report that since 20 August, some 5,000 people are estimated to have been displaced from northern Gaza to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. Some 8,000 others have been displaced to the west of Gaza City. This brings the total number of new displacements since the end of the ceasefire in mid-March to more than 800,000.
Meanwhile, OCHA warns that aid convoys in Gaza continue to face delays, they continue to face movement obstructions and many other obstacles. Yesterday, out of 15 humanitarian missions that required coordination, the Israeli authorities facilitated seven, which included the collection of fuel from Kerem Shalom crossing and its distribution to areas where it is needed most. Four missions had to be either cancelled by the organizers or were denied outright by Israeli authorities. The remaining ones were initially approved but then impeded on the ground and only partially accomplished.
UN partners said that several education facilities across the Gaza Strip, all used as shelters for displaced people, were attacked last week.
With local authorities announcing that final exams for over 35,000 high school students are due to be held in two weeks, we and our partners reiterate our call for the protection of education facilities in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces released a World Health Organization (WHO) colleague who had been detained now for more than a month. WHO welcomed the release and called, once again, for the protection of health staff and all humanitarians workers.
OCHA continues to call for the protection of civilians, including humanitarians, health workers and journalists. None should ever be a target.
LEBANON/ISRAEL
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports continued Israel Defense Forces’ military activities, including air violations and patrolling, in southern Lebanon.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=25%20August%202025
