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Ukraine Deepens Gulf Security Ties with New Defence Pacts in UAE and Qatar

  The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, meets President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Doha, Qatar. Ukraine has expanded its defence partnerships in the Gulf, securing new agreements with both the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy toured the region amid rising regional tensions. These deals focus on countering missile and drone threats and reflect Kyiv’s effort to leverage its battlefield expertise to build long‑term security ties.  During a rapid diplomatic tour of the Gulf, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy secured new defence cooperation agreements with both the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The accords come as regional tensions escalate due to ongoing Iranian missile and drone activity, prompting Gulf states to seek partners with advanced air‑defence capabilities. In Qatar, officials announced a defence cooperation agreement that includes collaboration on countering missile threats and unmanned aerial systems. Ukr...

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Mpox Emerges as Global Health Crisis: Africa Declares Emergency

 

In a concerning development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time. This decision comes on the heels of a similar continental emergency declaration by African health officials. The virus, known for causing painful, pus-filled lesions and severe illness, first gained global attention in 2022. Although case counts cooled down after widespread vaccination efforts, this year presents a more grim situation.

Across 18 African nations, thousands of infections have been reported, with a highly-transmissible variant spreading beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even vulnerable newborns are falling ill in overcrowded hospitals. The lack of necessary vaccines and therapeutics in hotspots exacerbates the crisis. Year-to-date, Africa has seen over 15,000 mpox cases and nearly 500 deaths, representing a 160% increase compared to 2023.

Toronto, too, faces a resurgence of mpox cases. Officials urgently advise at-risk residents to get vaccinated. Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) estimates a need for 10 million mpox vaccine doses, but the continent has procured only 200,000 doses so far. Coordinated international efforts are crucial to halt these outbreaks and save lives.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize vaccination to combat this global health crisis.


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