(Peace and Security – Syria) Nearly a year on from the fall of Assad, Syrians still lack many basic necessities as the transitional government works to shore up the economy and build social cohesion. Humanitarian conditions are “extremely serious,” UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi told the Security Council on Wednesday. There are over 16 million people in need of aid with hundreds of thousands displaced, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office (OCHA). – Top Syria Envoy: Humanitarian situation is ‘extremely serious’ | UN News
(Peace and Security – Ukraine) At least 25 people were killed and dozens more injured in a new wave of overnight strikes across several regions of Ukraine, the United Nations said on Wednesday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attacks, which also damaged homes and critical civilian infrastructure, including health and educational facilities. – Deadly overnight attack in Ukraine condemned by senior UN officials | UN News
(Health – Artificial Intelligence) Use of artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating in healthcare – but basic legal safety nets that protect patients and health workers are lacking. The warning comes in a report by the UN World Health Organization’s (WHO) office in Europe, where AI is already helping doctors to spot diseases, reduce administrative tasks and communicate with patients. The technology is reshaping how care is delivered, data are interpreted, and resources are allocated. “But without clear strategies, data privacy, legal guardrails and investment in AI literacy, we risk deepening inequities rather than reducing them,” said Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. – UN calls for legal safeguards for AI in healthcare | UN News
