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Territorial Disputes Dominate Geneva Peace Talks

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll sit before closed-door talks with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak  (not pictured) on ending Russia's war in Ukraine, at the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine convened in Geneva for a new round of U.S.-mediated peace talks, with territorial disputes emerging as the central point of contention. The discussions, held over two days, come amid heightened pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged Kyiv to “come to the table fast” in pursuit of a settlement.  Both sides remain deeply divided over land claims, which have become the primary obstacle to progress. The Kremlin has signaled that territorial issues will dominate the agenda, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced concerns that Kyiv is facing disproportionate p...

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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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