The push follows a multi-agency review led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), amid growing complaints from parents, educators and advocacy groups .

What is driving the concern?

The issue extends beyond gaming content to how interactions on the platform can evolve.

Roblox allows users—many of them minors—to create and interact in virtual environments with built-in chat and voice features. Regulators said these tools can be exploited by bad actors.

Officials outlined a pattern where harmful activity begins with contact inside games, then shifts to private messaging or external platforms where monitoring is limited.

Police have reported cases where children’s interactions on Roblox “spilled into more dangerous channels,” including exposure to violent content and potential grooming.

Lawmakers have also raised concerns over weak age verification and moderation gaps, which may allow such behaviour to go undetected at scale.

Why is this a priority now?

Officials point to the scale of youth internet use in the country.

Data cited by child welfare authorities show that 95% of Filipinos aged 12 to 17 are online, increasing the exposure of minors to digital risks.

“It's really harmful… it’s a ticking time bomb,” a Council for the Welfare of Children official said.

The review also follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen online child protection measures.

What actions are being considered?

The CICC earlier gave Roblox a deadline to respond to allegations involving illegal activities, including cases linked to child exploitation. Regulators warned that failure to engage could lead to access restrictions.

Telecom firms including PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications have said they are prepared to implement any government directive, including blocking access.

What changes do regulators want?

Authorities are pushing for stronger safeguards, including tighter age verification, improved moderation tools, and systems to detect attempts to move minors to external platforms.

They are also calling for closer coordination, with officials saying Roblox must establish a direct presence in the Philippines to respond more quickly to law enforcement requests.

For now, the platform remains accessible, but regulators say further action will depend on Roblox’s response and its willingness to address safety concerns.

The report said progress in reducing child deaths has slowed sharply. Under-five deaths have fallen by more than half since 2000, but the pace of reduction has slowed by more than 60% since 2015.

“No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing – and at a time where we’re seeing further global budget cuts,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.

Newborn deaths now account for nearly half of all under-five mortality worldwide. The report linked those deaths mainly to preterm birth complications, problems during labour and delivery, and infections.

Among children aged one to 59 months, infectious diseases remained a leading cause of death. The nine leading infections accounted for 43% of under-five deaths globally. Pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria remained major killers, especially in high-burden settings.

For the first time, the report gave a global estimate of deaths directly caused by severe acute malnutrition. More than 100,000 children aged between one month and five died from it in 2024. Some of the highest numbers were recorded in Pakistan, Somalia and Sudan.

Deaths were heavily concentrated in a small group of countries. These included Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and Nigeria . The report said conflict, climate shocks, invasive mosquitoes, drug resistance and weak access to prevention and treatment continued to drive mortality there.

Children in fragile and conflict-affected settings were nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than children elsewhere.

The UN also estimated that 2.1 million children, adolescents and young people aged five to 24 died in 2024. Li Junhua, the UN’s under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, called the findings “a stark reminder” that many countries are off track to meet child survival targets under the Sustainable Development Goals.

The countries at greatest risk in Asia include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand , Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Asia’s large population , the study noted, makes the region particularly vulnerable. 

"Asia's scale means that when health systems fail, the human cost is immense, and in 21 countries across the region, decades of development gains are now at risk of being reversed," said Deepali Khanna, senior vice president and head of Asia at the Rockefeller Foundation.

“These outcomes are not inevitable, but avoiding them requires country-led financing and resilient, self-reliant systems that can protect the most vulnerable and save lives,” Khanna added.

Children most affected

Millions of lives, the study warned, could be lost if development gains achieved over the last two decades are reversed, with children being especially vulnerable to the effects of a potential aid pullback. 

Without sustained aid, around 5.4 million children under the age of five could die, according to the study.

Dr. Davide Rasella, study coordinator at ISGlobal, said that development assistance is “among the most effective global health interventions available,” adding that withdrawing support now could reverse decades of progress, leading directly to millions of preventable deaths.

Over the past 20 years, aid has saved millions of lives across the 93 countries analysed. 

Child mortality fell by 39%, deaths from HIV/AIDS by 70%, and deaths from malaria and nutritional deficiencies by 56%. Aid has also strengthened healthcare systems and improved preparedness for disease outbreaks.

The study models two scenarios for the period 2025–2030. A mild defunding scenario, with a 10.6 per cent yearly reduction, could result in 9.4 million preventable deaths, including 2.5 million children under five. A severe scenario could see the loss of 22.6 million lives.

The study builds on previous research showing the potential impact of dismantling USAID, which alone could have caused 14 million preventable deaths by 2030. The new analysis includes all OECD donor countries, offering a comprehensive assessment of global aid defunding.

According to the World Health Organisation, one paediatrician should care for no more than 50 children with complex health needs. In Tanzania, however, access to specialised care remains limited, particularly outside major urban centres.

The country’s health professionals told The Citizen that the shortage is one reason neonatal deaths, particularly those occurring within the first 28 days of life, continue to account for a significant share of under-five mortality. While Tanzania has made notable progress in reducing maternal deaths, improvements in newborn and child survival have been slower.

“This gap explains why preventable deaths still occur,” said Prof Pascal Rugajo, Dean of the Aga Khan University (AKU) Medical College in Tanzania. He noted that as maternal mortality declines, national health priorities are increasingly shifting toward strengthening specialised care for children.

Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, maternal mortality reportedly dropped from about 556 deaths per 100,000 live births to around 104, a milestone that earned international recognition. However, specialists caution that achieving similar gains in child health will require significantly expanding the number of trained paediatricians.

Dr Elisamia Ngowi, one of the newly graduated paediatric specialists, said the current ratio is not sustainable. “One specialist cannot adequately serve thousands of children,” he said, adding that advanced training improves early diagnosis and management of complex childhood illnesses.

According to the files, investigators flagged Kenya and Somalia as locations associated with paedophile activity, while Tanzania and Senegal were identified as transit points used in Epstein’s international movements. Coastal areas such as Malindi in Kenya were mentioned as places frequented by individuals connected to the network 

Several emails contained in the files suggest Epstein coordinated travel to Kenya involving young women, some described in the correspondence as “finally turning legal.” In other exchanges, associates discussed arranging “safaris” and “internships,” language that experts say can be used to mask trafficking activity.

One email from 2013 references Epstein’s communication with a Kenyan businessman who said he was attending the inauguration of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. While the correspondence itself does not allege criminal conduct by Kenyan officials, it illustrates Epstein’s proximity to influential figures and international events.

Other messages, some written jokingly, included disturbing references to bringing children from Kenya. Investigators say such language reflects common patterns in trafficking networks, where casual wording is used to obscure exploitation.

The documents also point to Tanzania’s role as a transit hub, with Epstein’s associates visiting high-end destinations such as Mnemba Island. Children from Ethiopia , Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan were allegedly trafficked through regional ports, including Mombasa, according to investigative records cited in the files.

The released material does not accuse governments in the region of wrongdoing.

According to recent data, Nigeria records around 7.5 million live births annually, while Europe, together with Russia, see roughly 6.3 million births per year.

Nigeria’s high fertility rate, which averages around 4.6 births per woman, plays a big role in these figures. That rate is well above global averages and far higher than most of Europe, where fertility rates commonly fall below replacement level (about 1.4 to 1.6 children per woman).

By contrast, much of Europe has a deeply aged population and decades of low birth rates. Countries such as Italy, Spain and Germany have fertility well under replacement level, contributing to slower natural population growth and, in some cases, declining native population totals.

Russia in particular illustrates this trend as its fertility rate is among the lowest in the world at roughly 1.4 births per woman, and official statistics show persistent declines in the number of births as the population ages.

Low fertility rates in Europe are already prompting incentives for families, reforms in parental support, and debates about immigration policy as governments seek ways to stabilise future population size and workforce strength.

Nigeria’s youth-heavy population and higher birth rates, on the other hand, have helped it become a demographic powerhouse , even as many European countries confront ageing populations, shrinking workforces and fiscal pressures linked to elder care.

Nigeria’s demographic trends also carry implications. Rapid population growth can fuel economic expansion if accompanied by investment in education, health and employment.

The World Economic Forum suggests that "A population projected to reach 400 million by 2050 needs jobs aligned with a fast-digitising economy. But youth unemployment remains among the highest globally, with 23% of young Nigerians actively looking for work, while another 32% are out of employment altogether. Employers also report persistent shortages in technical and digital skills, underscoring the need for coordinated investment."

The boys, aged between 11 and 15, disappeared during a military security operation in the southern neighbourhood of Las Malvinas on 8 December 2024. Witness testimony and evidence presented at trial indicated that the children were detained by soldiers and later found dead in a rural area outside Guayaquil, with severe injuries prior to their deaths.

Five additional soldiers received shorter sentences of 2.5 years for their cooperation with prosecutors, while one officer was acquitted. The trial, which followed months of investigation and international attention, highlighted both procedural scrutiny and demands for accountability from civil society groups and rights organisations.

The convictions come amid wider debate in Ecuador over the use of military forces in civilian security operations. The case has drawn attention beyond the country’s borders, underscoring broader global concerns about human rights and the conduct of armed forces in internal security roles. Observers say the ruling could have implications for how other nations address allegations of abuse during counter‑crime operations.

According to the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), the government will gradually increase reimbursement levels for prenatal check-ups while ensuring that the basic costs of delivery are fully covered nationwide.

Zhang Ke, party secretary and director of the NHSA, said the goal is to achieve “basically zero” personal payments for childbirth expenses that fall within the medical insurance catalogue, starting next year. 

The aim is that insured women will not need to pay for standard inpatient delivery services within policy limits. 

Seven provincial-level areas, including Jilin, Jiangsu and Shandong, have already implemented full reimbursement for in-hospital childbirth medical costs covered by policy , effectively removing personal financial burdens for standard deliveries.

Officials stressed that the commitment applies to basic medical services. Expenses incurred at premium-priced hospitals, or for drugs and medical materials outside the insurance catalogue, will remain the responsibility of individuals.

The NHSA also plans to expand maternity insurance coverage to include flexible workers, migrant workers and people in new forms of employment, reflecting changes in China’s labour market and employment patterns, according to Xinhua.

At present, China’s maternity insurance covers around 255 million people. Authorities view broader eligibility as a key lever to support family formation, particularly among younger urban workers who often lack stable employer-based benefits.

Zhang said the insurance system will be adjusted to align more closely with the country’s population development strategy, including the inclusion of eligible labour analgesia services in insurance payments and the continued promotion of full reimbursement for policy-covered maternity costs.

Beyond childbirth, the government is also advancing reforms to medical insurance payment mechanisms and long-term care insurance, while encouraging commercial insurers to develop supplementary products, according to Xinhua.

The measures come as China grapples with a shrinking and ageing population, with policymakers increasingly turning to fiscal and social policy tools to lower the cost of having children and stabilise long-term demographic trends.

For the first time this century, the number of children dying before the age of five is projected to increase. In 2024, an estimated 4.6 million children died before turning five. That figure is expected to rise to 4.8 million in 2025.

“That means more than 5,000 classrooms of children, gone before they ever learn to write their name or tie their shoes… It doesn't have to be like this,” Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, said.

The report attributes the rise to a significant decline in global development assistance for health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that external health aid will decrease by 30% to 40% in 2025 compared to 2023, severely disrupting health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Projections in the report suggest that continued funding cuts of 20% could result in an additional 12 million child deaths by 2045. If the cuts reach 30%, the figure could rise to 16 million.

 “If we take this path, we’re the generation that almost ended preventable child deaths. Almost eradicated polio. Almost wiped malaria off the map. Almost made HIV history… But we can’t stop at almost. We know kids are dying. We know why. And we know how to stop it,” the report stated.

Amidst significant aid cuts by the United States government under President Donald Trump, the Microsoft founder has pledged $200 billion of his wealth to charity and revealed earlier this year that most of it will be directed towards Africa, with the main goal of ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, eliminating deadly infectious diseases, and reducing poverty across the continent over the next two decades.

Funding cuts have resulted in a 70% reduction in some countries for vital services like disease surveillance, immunisation, maternal care, and emergency preparedness and response, according to WHO survey data from 108 LMICs gathered in March 2025. 

The Goalkeepers report outlines several interventions with high potential to save lives. These include strengthening primary health care systems, maintaining routine immunisation programmes, improving vaccines , and using data to drive better decision-making.

According to the report, primary health care systems that cost under $100 per person annually could prevent up to 90% of child deaths.

Since 2000, the number of child deaths worldwide has decreased by half as a result of vaccines being given to the most vulnerable children, the report noted.

“And every dollar spent on immunisation gave countries a return of $54.”

Amid rising global economic and humanitarian pressures, including climate shocks, food security threats, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation says the new plan aims to reach those still left behind: vulnerable children, their families, and communities in fragile circumstances.

In practical terms, the strategy promises to ramp up programmes that will protect children from harm and improve their education.

“Our core actions will protect children from harm, strengthen their education, improve their health and nutrition, help families build resilience and support communities to adapt to climate and economic challenges,” emphasised World Vision Rwanda’s National Director, Pauline Okumu.

Rwanda has made remarkable social and economic progress over the past decades, guided by national vision plans such as Vision 2050 . But the country still faces structural challenges of poverty, limited rural access to services, inequality, and vulnerability to climate and economic shocks.

In this context, World Vision Rwanda’s strategy could act as a powerful supplement to government efforts, targeting the most vulnerable children who risk being left behind otherwise.

Since beginning long-term, child-focused programmes in the early 2000s, World Vision Rwanda has intervened through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, child protection, health, nutrition and livelihoods programmes by delivering clean water access to more than 1 million people between 2018 and 2023, and enabling over 678,500 individuals to access livelihood support and financial inclusion services.

According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Twitch qualifies for the ban because its livestreaming and real-time interaction features pose risks for younger users.

Other services, such as Pinterest, LegoPlay and WhatsApp, have been allowed to remain accessible for teenagers. Several additional platforms are still under review.

Twitch, which has more than 7 million livestream artists, said most of its audience is between 18 and 34. It did not disclose how many users are younger, though current rules already prohibit anyone under 13 from joining.

The legislation has faced heavy pushback from tech companies, which argue that enforcing strict age limits online is practically unworkable and that the policy has been rushed. Critics say without reliable age-verification technology, the ban may function more as a political statement than a meaningful barrier.

Even so, the move is being closely watched by governments exploring their own approaches. 

New Zealand ’s Prime Minister has pledged to pursue similar laws, and officials in the Netherlands have advised parents to keep children under 15 off apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

As it stands, Australia now holds one of the toughest positions on youth access to social media . 

The report focused on Africa, a critical market where Nestlé holds a market share exceeding 50% and where annual Cerelac sales surpass USD 250 million.

With the assistance of various civil society organisations in Africa, Public Eye collected and analysed nearly a hundred Cerelac products sold in 20 countries on the continent. Analysis conducted by Inovalys, a specialised agri-food laboratory, found that more than 90% of the products contained added sugar, often in high quantities.

The findings show that Cerelac products sold in Africa contain significantly more sugar than those sold elsewhere:

In contrast, in Switzerland, where Nestlé is headquartered, the main baby cereal brand contains zero added sugar. Similarly, in key European markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom, all Cerelac products targeted at babies six months and older have no added sugar.

Experts and advocates warn that the practice carries serious public health consequences on a continent where obesity is rapidly increasing. 

In 2019, 24% of the world's overweight children under the age of five lived in Africa. 

Previously thought to be a problem in high-income countries, overweight is becoming more common in low- and middle-income countries; in Africa, the number of overweight children under the age of five has increased by nearly 12.1% since 2000.

WHO has long cautioned that early exposure to sugar can create a lasting preference for sugary products, serving as a major risk factor for overweight and obesity. 

The report also highlighted a lack of transparency, noting that for about two-thirds of the analysed products, the amount of added sugar was not disclosed in the nutritional information on the packaging, which critics argue “undermines consumer rights and public health”.

While Nestlé promotes Cerelac as being fortified with vitamins and minerals to "help fight malnutrition".

Nestlé maintained that it has a "consistent approach to nutrition for all babies everywhere" when contacted by Public Eye. The company asserted that it fully complies with national legislations and that its internal guidelines set an added sugar threshold well below that stipulated by the international standard of the UN Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Nestlé also stated that it declares sugar content transparently according to local regulatory requirements: “We do not mislead consumers.”

Nestlé further stated that it has accelerated the global rollout of Cerelac with no added sugar, including in Africa, and aims to introduce variants with no added sugars to all markets where it operates by the end of 2025.

Civil society organisations from Africa are calling on the multinational to immediately comply with the WHO guidelines. In an open letter, 20 organisations across countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and Tunisia, demanded that the food giant immediately stop adding sugar to its baby foods.

Chiso Ndujkwe-Okafor, Executive Director of the Nigerian Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), whose country is the largest market for Cerelac in Africa, called on Nestlé to “align with WHO guidelines”.

Advocacy groups warned Nestlé, stating, “All babies have an equal right to healthy nutrition—regardless of their nationality or skin colour. All babies are equal. So do the right thing. The world is watching.” 

A previous 2024 petition signed by 105,000 people was delivered to the company, but Nestlé has reportedly been “turning a deaf ear” to the appeal.

Instead, he was enrolled in a boarding school in the country after being sent there in March 2024. 

The court decided that the boy, whose identity has been withheld, must remain in Ghana until he completes the equivalent of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).

According to court documents, the boy’s parents decided to relocate him as a “protective measure” due to concerns about his behaviour in London. These concerns included repeated school absences, unexplained cash, and possession of a knife. The teenager denies involvement in any criminal activity or gang affiliation.

The case came to light after the boy contacted the British High Commission in Accra and the UK-based charity Children and Family Across Borders. The charity facilitated his connection with the International Family Law Group, which represented him in court. He described himself as “scared and desperate” and expressed a strong desire to return to the UK.

In February 2025, the court sided with the parents, citing the risks of returning to the UK. However, in June, the Court of Appeal granted the boy’s request for the case to be reconsidered. The latest judgement upheld the original decision, determining that his return would further disrupt his education and family stability.

“I am acutely aware that the conclusion I have reached does not accord with [his] wishes and how that will feel for him... [He] has the talent, ability and intelligence to make this work together with his family. It will be difficult, but they all have the common aim for [him] to return to live with his family," said Judge Mrs Justice Theis. 

Now nearly 15, the boy remains enrolled in a school in Ghana and is working toward completing his GCSEs.

He describes his experience in Ghana as distressing, stating he was “living in hell” and “desperate” to return to the UK. He reported feelings of social isolation, noting he does not speak Twi, has difficulty making friends, and suffers from social anxiety.

The boy's mother has said that she would be unable to care for him in the UK at this stage. “It is really hard to be away from him... I feared and continue to fear that if he were to come back now, he could end up dead. I know he does not see it like that…” she said.

James Netto, the boy’s solicitor from The International Family Law Group,  told Global South World shortly after the boy had won his appeal in June, that the case hinged on the fact that he had been misled about the purpose of his travel and “his very strong wishes to return to his home, which is in London.”

Following the new ruling, Netto stated that the boy’s “position remains unchanged: he wants to return home.”

Roblox Corporation, in a meeting with Malaysian authorities, pledged to strengthen its safety features.

“They gave their assurance that they would enhance safety through the use of AI technology and human monitoring, and are willing to work with the Malaysian government, especially when it comes to data sharing and compliance with government regulations,” Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh wrote on Facebook on Monday.

The stabbing has shocked households across Malaysia, where Roblox has more than one million users.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said he bans his own children from playing the game, citing its addictive nature and impact on behaviour.

“As a 12-year-old boy, it’s better that he is out playing with his friend,” Fahmi said.

In 2024, Roblox reported 85 million daily active users worldwide — a number that has likely grown as the multi-game platform continues to attract younger audiences.

While this stabbing is one of the most tragic incidents linked to Roblox, there have long been concerns over the platform’s safety features.

Parents have reported cases of grooming by adults posing as children, incidents often blamed on the platform’s inadequate real-time age verification, which relies heavily on AI moderation.

Roblox founder and CEO Dave Baszucki has previously said that while the company enforces rules on in-game behaviour, parents ultimately bear responsibility for monitoring their children’s access.

Fahmi echoed that view: “Devices cannot replace parents. Devices are not nannies.”

From 2015 to 2020, Muslim women in countries like Finland recorded an average of 3.1 children per woman, compared to 1.7 among non-Muslims.

Pew’s analysis explains that this difference stems from two main factors: age and fertility. Muslim populations in Europe tend to be younger and have higher fertility rates, while non-Muslim populations are older and generally have fewer children.

Many European nations now have overall fertility levels well below the “replacement rate” of 2.1 — the average number of children needed to maintain a stable population. Without migration or shifts in birth trends, that means gradual population decline.

But Pew researchers caution that fertility alone doesn’t explain Europe’s demographic future. Factors like migration, education, urbanisation, and economic conditions all influence how populations evolve. They note that while Muslim birth rates are higher, they are not static, they often decrease as communities settle, integrate, and adapt to local social and economic environments.

The data comes at a time when Europe faces growing concerns over aging populations, labor shortages, and social integration. Policymakers in countries such as Germany, France, and Sweden are debating how to balance immigration, family policies, and workforce demands in the decades ahead.

Ultimately, the Pew findings highlight a simple but significant reality: fertility trends are not just about numbers, they reflect deeper social shifts. Europe’s demographic future will depend not only on how many children people have, but also on how societies adapt to change.

The surgery involved implanting a closed-loop brain acquisition and stimulation system (ANS), a device that can monitor brain signals in real time and respond immediately to abnormal neural activity. By reading and stimulating the brain simultaneously, the system allows doctors to precisely regulate irregular brain waves responsible for seizures.

“This technology provides real-time, accurate intervention in abnormal neural activity,” said Professor Guo Yanwu, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. “It gives patients with drug-resistant epilepsy a new avenue for treatment.”

Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, and up to a third of patients do not respond to medication. For children like the 12-year-old patient, repeated seizures can severely impact development and quality of life.

Disclaimer: The image used in this story is AI-generated

Professor Mehari Fisseha, a human rights advocate and international law and diplomacy scholar based in Ireland, joined Ismail Akwei on the Global South Conversation to discuss how entrenched the neglect and abuse of children is in Ireland under the watch of Tusla. 

“...even my own family member was taken from the family members, and then this child was given a wrong medication and then he was sexually molested, physically beaten up. I mean, a lot of things happened to these kids. I mean, there are lots of children in the country that are actually sexually molested,” he said.

“Between 2019 until 2024, 1265 children have been missing. So where are these children? The Minister for Children said we cannot find these children; some of them died, and some of them are nowhere to be found. Is this not crime against humanity?” he questioned.

Recently, another investigation has been opened to find a child who is presumed dead after he was reported missing in North County Dublin, prompting a press conference on September 3, 2025, by Minister for Children Norma Foley, who has asked Tusla to conduct well-being checks on cases closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to RTE , Ireland’s National Television and Radio Broadcaster, the Minister described the case as "hugely disturbing". This latest case comes just one year after schoolboy Kyran Durnin was first reported missing from his Drogheda home, also presumed dead.

Professor Mehari Fisseha has called for unity among families who have experienced injustice to speak up against the actions and inactions of Tusla as he does.

“They have to come together, and these are their children. They have to come together and fight for justice…I am an academician. I'm a human rights law expert and a professor. I will never keep quiet because if I do that, that is unethical…I will fight for social justice, I will fight for human rights, I will fight for African children and African people . In general, I will fight for humanity, whether it's a white, green, yellow, or red child. I will fight for justice, he said. 

Our attempt to reach Tusla at the time of this publication was unsuccessful.

Watch the interview attached to this story.

Parents will receive about US$500 every year for each child under three years old, who was born on or after January 2025.

This is the first time the central government has rolled out such a scheme across the entire country, after years of smaller local efforts that did little to stop the drop in population.

Children born before 2025 but still under the age of three will also get support, though the amount will depend on how many months remain before their third birthday.

The payments are part of Beijing’s wider campaign to encourage more people to have children after decades of strict birth limits and a rapidly ageing population.

China’s population has been decreasing for three years in a row.

Even though there was a slight rise in births in 2024, many couples are still unsure about starting families, with concerns over high living costs, job security, and the pressures of raising children.

These worries have kept birth numbers low, despite earlier policies such as tax breaks, longer parental leave, and cash rewards in some cities.

A sharp drop in marriage registrations last year has also contributed to the country’s problems.

Susan Mohammed Marouf, a nutritionist at the Patients’ Friends Society, warned of the dire situation. “We currently have four child patients in the Therapeutic Nutrition Department, all of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition. This is due to a lack of nutritional supplements and basic foods necessary for maintaining health,” she said.

Marouf explained to Viory that the shortage of essential foods including proteins, vegetables, and fruits, has led to widespread malnutrition, worsening the condition of the most vulnerable.

“Malnutrition is affecting all age groups, particularly children, who are the most vulnerable in society. Their condition has worsened since the ban on aid and supplements,” she noted, adding that even medical staff are struggling to perform their duties due to food scarcity.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that 10 more people died from famine-related causes on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from hunger to 111. The health system has nearly collapsed, with 38 hospitals reportedly destroyed.

“Today, most people suffer from malnutrition, including medical staff, who are unable to perform their duties properly. Doctors are so fatigued due to a lack of food that they cannot treat patients properly, not to mention children, who are the most vulnerable. Their conditions are even more severe,” Marouf added.

The World Health Organisation has described the situation as “mass starvation caused by a blockade preventing the entry of food and medical aid.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has labelled it a “horror show.”

Israel, however, has denied responsibility, with government spokesperson David Minster claiming that the shortages are “man-made,” blaming Hamas for the crisis.

According to her, the announcement is especially important for Uganda, where malaria remains the leading cause of death among children.

“Malaria remains the number one killer of children under the age of 5,” she said. “So this is something that doctors are struggling with,” she added, “because treating babies under the age of 5, but only having doses available for children over 5kg, meant that you're risking toxicity, increased toxicity when you're treating these children. And it was really a challenge.”

The latest malaria figures show Uganda continues to carry a heavy burden, with more than 16,000 deaths in a single year. Most of the victims are children under five, especially newborns who have limited access to safe treatment options.

Developed by Novartis and approved by Swiss authorities, the drug will now be rolled out in several African countries, including Uganda.

It has been designed for babies weighing under 5kg, an age group previously left out of malaria treatment plans.

“For that mother with a newborn facing this disease, with no safe medicine available, it has been heartbreaking,” Krystal said. “This is excellent news. We’re making ground," she added.

The hospital, overwhelmed and under-resourced, has resorted to placing multiple infants in a single incubator or using blankets for warmth.

One tragic case involves Mohammed Natiez, whose baby girl died shortly after birth when no power was available to support her survival.

His wife had been severely injured in an Israeli airstrike and, according to CGTN, underwent an emergency C-section. Natiez blames the fuel crisis for his daughter’s death.

"It was the lack of fuel that killed my daughter. If there had been fuel, she would still be alive. We are just sitting in the tent. Tell me, what could a child like this have done (to deserve this)?" he queried.

The bereaved father is pleading for fuel to be made available to the hospital to protect the remaining babies.

"There are many more babies like my daughter who could die because of the fuel shortage. Please, send fuel to the hospital. This should not have happened. Send fuel to the hospital, to the children," he added.

Palestine's health ministry has revealed that over 58,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli-Hamas war started in October 2023.

What they said

 The Tianshui city government said the school’s principal and others were detained “on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food.” A local paediatrics professor was cited in media reports as saying , “There could be chronic lead poisoning, meaning exposure over a period of more than three months.”

Despite repeated commitments, Gumbonzvanda stressed that women and girls remain disproportionately affected by poverty, unpaid care work, gender-based violence, and exclusion from decision-making. “These disparities are not accidents , they reflect fiscal and financial systems that systematically ignore or reinforce patterns of discrimination, especially for women in marginalized communities, including women with disabilities,” she said.

Gumbonzvanda emphasised that investing in gender equality is not just a moral imperative but an economic one. “The economic case of action is overwhelming. Closing gender gaps in employment could add trillions of dollars to global GDP,” she noted.

Yet current investments fall far short. “We continue to underinvest in half of the world ’s population, a devastating waste of human potential and economic opportunity,” she warned. “The urgency has never been greater. Intersecting crises, debt burdens, climate impacts and economic instability are deepening gender inequalities at alarming rates.”

With just five years left to achieve the SDGs, UN Women is calling on governments, development banks, and the private sector to step up their commitments. “The private sector must scale up gender lens investing, supporting women-led enterprises and inclusive supply chains,” Gumbonzvanda urged. “Without transformative financing for gender equality, we will fail not only SDG5 but the entire 2030 Agenda.”

A report by the Centre for Public Integrity revealed that accommodating ruling Frelimo party politicians on boards of state-owned companies cost over 185 million meticais (USD 2.8 million) in 2023. The NGO noted that the spending on just 33 non-executive board members in seven enterprises surpassed what the state pays 1,760 low-tier public servants. “HCB had two non-executive members, to whom it paid a total of 77.2 million meticais per year,” the report said. “The amount refers to the non-executive members of seven public companies and institutions, namely Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), which operates the Cahora Bassa dam on the Zambezi River; the insurance company EMOSE; the rail and port company, CFM; the Matola Silos and Bulk Terminal (STEMA); the National Investment Bank (BNI); the Mozambique Stock Exchange (BVM), and the Mozambique national publishing house (Imprensa Nacional),” reads the report. For its part, the BNI had eight non-executive members up until 2023, earning a total of 16.8 million Meticais a year, Club of Mozambique reports.

Debt-for-climate swaps gaining

Mozambique is pursuing debt-for-climate swaps to redirect debt repayments into climate action. Finance Minister Carla Loveira explained, “We know how exposed our country is to climate change,” adding that there is “interest from some countries” in the swaps. “Mozambique is already designing a climate finance strategy,” she said at the UN’s Financing for Development conference in Spain, confirming that an agreement has been signed with Belgium. The minister added that “there is interest” from some countries in these debt-for-climate swaps, “There are interested countries, some of which have already expressed their interest, and we with which we have already reached an agreement, such as Belgium. And, therefore, this is a segment that we are working on,” Bulletin reports.

Insurgents preying on children in Cabo Delgado

Islamist insurgents in Cabo Delgado have been condemned for abducting over 120 children in recent days. “These armed groups are insurgents, they are terrorists, they are devils,” said Johan Viljoen of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI). Human Rights Watch called on militants to release abductees immediately, warning that “the surge in abductions of children in Cabo Delgado adds to the horrors of the conflict.” Viljoen added, “It is their nature to terrorize civilian populations, to abduct children,” Catholic World Report quotes. According to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, children are entitled to special respect and protection, including being shielded from hostilities, kept with their families, and receiving necessary care and aid. Viljoen, however, contends that insurgents abusing children, through actions like terrorizing civilians and abductions, demonstrate an inherent nature that defies this international legal standard. “Surely nobody would have been expecting them [the armed groups] to observe international law and to observe the Geneva Convention and all of that. It is their nature to terrorize civilian populations, to abduct children. They do it in whichever part of the world they operate,” Viljoen told CWR. The DHPI director decried the “terrible dangers” the children face, explaining that “the boys are forced to take up arms and to fight. The girls are either used for sex or to carry goods or to cook, or they are forced into marriage. So the children face huge dangers.”

TotalEnergies plans LNG project restart

TotalEnergies announced plans to resume its USD 20 billion Mozambique LNG project in 2025 after halting operations due to security threats. The project aims to produce 13 million tons of LNG per year, with expansion potential to 43 million tons. “This is a segment that we are working on,” the company said, positioning Mozambique as a major LNG exporter targeting Asia and the Middle East, Africa News reports. In 2024, TotalEnergies deployed two deepwater rigs in the country – one at the Moho permit and one at the Marine permit. The exploration phase has been completed, with drilling activities officially underway. Two wells have been drilled to date, with a third well in progress and a fourth being planned. Drilling activities come as TotalEnergies expands its presence in the country, increasing its stake in the Moho permit by an additional 10%. TotalEnergies is also accelerating the development of the Marine XX permit – a deepwater block currently in the exploration phase.

EU training boosts military capacity

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique trained over 450 Mozambican troops in the first half of 2025. Activities ranged from leadership and tactical driving to civil-military cooperation. “In a joint effort to contribute to the social and educational development of the local population,” the mission carried out solidarity initiatives benefiting children, including school supply donations and support for orphanages.

According to officials, a DNA test has confirmed the identity of the last victim of the Air India plane crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, bringing the death toll to 260. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 people on board and 19 others on the ground, with one survivor reported. Previous estimates had pegged the death toll higher, but 240 bodies were identified before this confirmation. Medical authorities indicated that the DNA matching process was complex due to severe damage to many bodies.

Mahaa News office vandalised in Hyderabad, allegations against BRS

Reports confirm that unidentified assailants attacked the office of Mahaa News in Hyderabad, vandalising vehicles and property on June 28. Congress MLC Venkat Balmoor has condemned the incident, attributing responsibility to BRS party leaders. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka is scheduled to visit the affected channel's office as authorities continue to investigate the attack.

Saquib Nachan, alleged ISIS leader, dies in Delhi Hospital

Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan, alleged chief of ISIS India , has died in a Delhi hospital following complications from a brain haemorrhage. Nachan, previously convicted for his involvement in the 2002-03 Mumbai blasts, was under medical care after being admitted from Tihar Jail. His death raises concerns over the ongoing investigations into terrorism in India.

India's unvaccinated children: Global ranking reevaluated

India has been reported to have the second highest number of unvaccinated children globally, with 1.4 million behind Nigeria's 2.5 million, according to The Lancet. However, analysis suggests that these figures may not accurately reflect India's vaccination efforts due to its large population. Experts highlight the need for more nuanced comparisons to understand the context of vaccination rates in such a populous nation.

Air India flight returns to Mumbai due to cabin emergency

An Air India flight from Mumbai to Chennai made a precautionary return on June 27 after a burning smell was detected in the cabin. The airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and provided support to passengers affected by the disruption. This incident follows other recent reports concerning aircraft safety and security measures within the airline.

His dispute was that he was deceived, and if he had known he was being sent to boarding school in Ghana, "there would have been no way I would have agreed to it," he wrote to the court. The boy, who had lived in the UK since birth, added that he was "mocked" and "never settled in" at the school in Ghana, and he just wants to go back home.

The High Court in London ruled in favour of the parents who argued that they feared for their son’s safety in London and the relocation wasn’t a form of punishment. 

The court ruled in favour of the parents in February 2025, and in June, the boy won a Court of Appeal bid for the case to be reheard.

Global South World spoke with the boy’s solicitor, James Netto of The International Family Law Group, about the extent of the rights of children under the full custody of their parents.

“What we were arguing is that… the older a child becomes and grows into a young person, into teenage years, into their adolescence and adulthood, the parental control, the parental rights over that young person, is diluted ever so often. And there's lots of case law that we have about young persons, if they understand what's going on, they can consent themselves to say medical treatment or issues concerning their religion or schooling or health care or housing,” he told Ismail Akwei in an interview.

James Netto added that the real conflict in this case is the parents admitting to deceiving the boy to move to Ghana as a form of protection, which “was the issue that the judge struggled with.”

“It was a huge shock to the parents. I think the court and all the lawyers in the room have a tremendous amount of sympathy for them, but they also have a tremendous amount of sympathy for him as well. I don't envy the judge who had to make the decision at the first time round because it is such a finely balanced polemic issue,” he said. 

“It came down to his strongly held wishes and feelings, the fact that his parents had deceived him into travelling as well. That was a very big factor, both for the first judge and also for the Court of Appeal. And also it was his very strong wishes to return to his home, which is in London. It's impossible to say what the court would have done in other circumstances, but it's not a UK versus Ghana case,” he said.

According to James Netto in an email shortly after the interview, they expect the date of the final hearing to be fixed on June 30, 2025 or later, and the family is considering mediation outside of the court.

Watch the full interview attached above.

This means that Vietnamese families can now give birth to more than two children.

This comes after the country experienced historically low birth rates in the last three years.

According to the health ministry, the fertility rate dropped from 2.11 children per woman in 2021 to 2.01 in 2022. Then from 1.96 in 2023 to 1.91 children per woman in 2024.

Unfortunately, many citizens have grown to be comfortable with the cap on childbirth. For many, children are expensive, and the cost of living , especially in urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is not helpful.

Thus, Tran Thi Thu Trang, an office worker and mother of three, says, "The government should increase people's salaries, prioritise children's tuition fees, provide free tuition or offer more healthcare support, so that people will change their views."

18-year-old university student, Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, told AFP that "Having children should match one’s financial situation, and allow time for personal well-being. Given how developed society is nowadays, I also want to prioritise self-care and beauty."

Tran Minh Huong, 22, on the other hand, cares less about any child policy or benefits as she plans not to have children.

"Even though I am Asian, with social norms that say women need to get married and have kids, it's too costly to raise a child," she said.

The plan outlines targeted measures to improve climate resilience and environmental awareness, particularly among the country’s younger population. With an estimated investment of over $1.1 million, the initiative focuses on education, risk mitigation, and sustainable water resource management.

According to UNICEF, approximately 460,000 children in Guinea-Bissau live in areas considered at high risk of flooding.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Viriato Cassamá, Minister of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action, described the plan as a step toward aligning environmental policy with child welfare. He emphasised that climate change poses risks to essential services, including clean water , healthcare, and education, and highlighted the importance of integrating child-centered strategies into broader climate efforts.

The minister also noted that the program aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and promote youth engagement through environmental education .

UNICEF Representative Inoussa Kabore noted Guinea-Bissau’s vulnerability to climate-related events, describing the country as among those most affected by climate change in the region. He affirmed UNICEF’s ongoing technical and financial support for the initiative.

The work plan forms part of a broader effort to enhance sustainable development and disaster preparedness in Guinea-Bissau, with particular attention to protecting the rights and well-being of children in the face of environmental challenges.

“Nigeria has the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and the second in the world,” she was quoted by Sahara Reporters .

She explained that around 600,000 Nigerian children are already suffering from acute malnutrition and that half of them are at risk of becoming severely malnourished.

According to UNICEF, children in this condition are up to 11 times more likely to die than healthy children.

The World Food Programme also voiced concern, warning that Nigeria has the highest number of people facing food insecurity on the continent.

The warning comes as aid agencies prepare for the 2025 lean season in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, regions still struggling with conflict and poverty.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it urgently needs $300 million to respond to the crisis.

Trond Jensen, who leads OCHA in Nigeria, said more than half that amount is needed just to provide food, healthcare, clean water, and shelter.

He warned that funding delays and cuts are already affecting efforts.

OCHA has already reduced its response plan from four million people to two million because of a $58 million funding shortfall.

Donor support has declined, with a freeze on US funding and cuts from other partners forcing aid groups to scale back.

Agencies are now calling on governments and international donors to act quickly to stop the crisis from deepening.

The UN has expressed deep concern over increasing deportations of vulnerable Haitians, particularly pregnant women and newborns, from the Dominican Republic. As reported by the IOM, on a single day, over 400 deportees, including mothers and infants, were sent back to Haiti, where they face dire living conditions. The UN emphasises the urgent need for humanitarian support upon arrival, highlighting the disruptive impact of escalating violence and limited resources in Haiti.

Dominican President Defends Immigration Policies Amid Criticism

Dominican President Luis Abinader has rebuffed allegations of racist policies regarding immigration after Amnesty International demanded an end to mass deportations of Haitians. As mentioned in Abinader's statements and reported by AA , he encouraged the rights organisation to direct its focus on the humanitarian crisis in Haiti instead. The President justified the controversial health protocols and border security measures as necessary to protect Dominican interests amid the ongoing migration crisis.

Nightclub Owner Acknowledges Structural Issues Before Tragic Collapse

Antonio Espaillat, co-owner of a nightclub in Santo Domingo, admitted that plaster tiles had frequently fallen from the venue's ceiling due to persistent water damage, long before a catastrophic roof collapse killed over 200 people. He revealed that the establishment had never received a structural review, despite ongoing issues. Families of victims are now pursuing legal action for alleged negligence. CP24 reports that the Dominican government has pledged to investigate the disaster.

Global Innovator Jonathan J to Boost Dominican Startups at INDOTEL 4.0 Congress

Renowned innovator Jonathan J. Mentor will serve as a judge and startup trainer for INDOTEL’s inaugural I+D Lab and International Congress 4.0, held May 6–7 at Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo. According to Dominican Today , Mentor joins top Dominican tech leaders to identify and accelerate standout startups, providing them with expert training, mentorship, and national recognition. Through the I+D Lab, INDOTEL aims to grow the digital economy, drive high-quality tech ventures, and position the Dominican Republic as a regional innovation leader.

Dominican Republic's Recent Crackdown on Undocumented Migrants in Hospitals

In a targeted operation, the Dominican Republic deported over 130 undocumented Haitian women and children from hospitals as part of an immigration crackdown initiated by President Abinader. Under new regulations, hospitals are required to verify patients' legal documentation before treatment, raising concerns from medical professionals who argue that such measures deter vulnerable migrants from seeking necessary healthcare, Channel 5 Belize reports.

Speaking at a recent event, FPB Acting CEO Ephraim Tlhako stressed the critical need for vigilance in the digital age.

“Sexual abuse perpetrated against children remains a growing concern, both in South Africa and globally,” the FPB said.

“We need to be aware, we need to be very vigilant on what our children are having access to. Because with that device that’s connected to the internet, that child is now communicating with millions and millions of strangers online,” SABC further quotes Tlhako

Tlhako noted that the online space poses unique and often more serious threats than the physical world . He emphasised that while government agencies are collaborating with departments such as Basic Education and Social Development, as well as with major social media platforms, parental involvement remains essential.

“ Government can come up with a lot of legislation, but it’s still our responsibility as parents to ensure that we are doing our part,” he added.

Child rights advocacy groups have echoed the FPB’s call, urging the government to step up its child protection frameworks, including better enforcement of digital safety laws and more public education on cyber risks.

The five-week crackdown, which ran from late February to March, involved police from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Officers raided 269 l ocations and seized hundreds of electronic devices, including computers, mobile phones, and storage drives. Investigators also found child abuse materials created using artificial intelligence.

In Singapore, 21 men aged between 23 and 61 were arrested for various crimes, including possessing and sharing child abuse materials, sexual assault, and threatening to leak intimate images.

Police said one 43-year-old man paid a young girl over several years to livestream sexual acts, while another 24-year-old man exchanged intimate photos with a victim and later threatened to release them online.

Both victims were from outside Singapore.

Authorities say the arrests highlight the growing threat of online child exploitation.

"These crimes cross borders, and we will continue working with international partners to bring offenders to justice," Singapore police said in a statement .

Police warn that anyone caught with child abuse materials could face up to five years in jail, while those distributing such content could get up to seven years. Both crimes also carry heavy fines or caning in some jurisdictions.

The operation is one of the biggest of its kind in Asia, and police say investigations are ongoing.

This means children can no longer be physically disciplined at home, in schools, or in care centres.

The law follows global efforts to protect children's rights and promote positive parenting.

It also aligns with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international agreement that Thailand has signed.

Violent discipline at home has been decreasing in Thailand, but it remains a concern.

A 2022 survey by the National Statistical Office and UNICEF found that 54 percent of children under 14 had experienced physical or psychological punishment at home.

This was lower than the 75 percent recorded in 2015, but experts say no child should face any form of violence.

UNICEF welcomed the new law and called it a major step toward ending violence against children.

The organisation also urged the government to help parents learn non-violent ways to discipline their children.

Research shows that bans on corporal punishment work best when combined with education on positive parenting.

UNICEF Thailand said it would continue working with the government and communities to protect children and promote their rights. While more work is needed, this law is seen as an important move toward a safer future for children in Thailand.

In recent years, Chile’s fertility rate has fallen to one of the lowest in Latin America, driven by social, economic, and cultural changes. Factors such as delayed childbearing, rising living costs, greater educational and career opportunities for women, and changing family dynamics have contributed to this demographic shift.

However, foreign-born women residing in Chile are helping to cushion the impact, making up a growing proportion of total births. Many of these women come from neighboring countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Haiti, and Colombia, and tend to have children at younger ages and in greater numbers compared to Chilean-born women.

Companies are digging up and processing lead waste, spreading toxic dust across communities.

This has lingered as a result of the issuing of mining licenses by the government, even though the law says unsafe mining should not be allowed.

Lead is a dangerous metal which causes brain damage, memory loss and even death, especially for children.  Pregnant women exposed to lead risk miscarriages and other complications.

Health experts say that almost all children living near the old mine in Kabwe have unsafe levels of lead in their blood.

Many need urgent medical treatment, but help is limited.

Mining in Kabwe dates back to British colonial rule. The mine was closed in 1994, but it left behind millions of tons of lead waste.

Since then, about 200,000 people have been exposed to contamination.

Families live close to piles of toxic waste, and children often play in these areas, unaware of the danger. Some small-scale miners even bring their children to work with them because they have no other way to make a living.

In recent years, businesses from South Africa , China, and Zambia have started mining in the lead-contaminated areas.

They have moved large amounts of waste and left new piles of toxic material near homes and workplaces. Satellite images show that by early 2024, at least nine waste piles had been dumped around Kabwe.

The Zambian government has the power to stop unsafe mining but is yet to take action, according to the Human Rights Watch . The law allows it to suspend operations or punish companies that break environmental rules. However, mining continues raising concerns.

In 2020, lawyers filed a case against the British company Anglo American, which ran the mine for decades. They wanted compensation for victims and a plan to clean up the area. The court dismissed the case, but the fight for justice is not over.

The government has promised to clean up Kabwe, but little has been done. A World Bank project has tried to reduce pollution, but the source of contamination remains. President Hakainde Hichilema has twice announced a government committee to address the problem, but no committee has been formed, according to the Human Rights Watch .

Kapinga's marital journey commenced in 1961, embracing polygamy under the influence of his father's encouragement in the 1960s.

A year later, after marrying his first wife, he had his first child, and his father encouraged him to expand the family, even offering to pay dowries for more wives.

Eventually marrying 20 women, Kapinga now lives with 16, including seven sisters who chose to marry him due to his admirable qualities.

Despite the size of his family, jealousy is not an issue in Kapinga’s home, where each wife has individual homes and kitchens.

"This is not just a home; it is a system, and it works,” Kapinga explained.

Kapinga is known to be a fair and understanding husband, keen to hear his wives of their issues instead of imposing authority. Conflicts that arise are often settled amicably among the wives or brought to him for resolution.

The family achieves self-sufficiency through farming practicalities, cultivating crops such as corn, beans, cassava, and bananas, supplemented by livestock.

Despite occasionally forgetting names among his numerous offspring, Kapinga vividly recalls them upon sight. His family has not been without tragedy, as he has mourned the loss of 40 children due to health issues and accidents.

Nevertheless, he maintains a focus on his family’s welfare. "This family runs because of the women; I am only here to guide them," Kapinga said.

Every year, millions of Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj, and the large crowds sometimes pose danger, especially for young children.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also said that people going for Hajj for the first time will be given priority this year.

Registration for Hajj 2025 has started, and Saudi citizens and residents can apply through the Nusuk app or an official website by confirming their details and listing any companions. Pilgrims can now also pay for their Hajj packages in three instalments.

Saudi Arabia has also made a big change to its visa rules, local reports say. From February 1, people from 14 countries, including India, will only be able to apply for single-entry visas.

Before this, many people entered Saudi Arabia on multiple-entry visas and performed Hajj without official permission, leading to overcrowding at holy sites.

The new rule affects travellers from several countries including Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Saudi Arabia has stopped issuing one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits for people from these countries.

Now, they can only get a visa that allows them to stay for 30 days.

The Brazilian federal police reported 88 passengers on the flight, while the Amazonas state government listed 79 - 62 men, 11 women, and six children. Many of the deportees, including families and children with disabilities, alleged mistreatment during the journey, including being handcuffed at their wrists, waists, and legs.

"There’s nothing to talk about that trip," said Edgar da Silva Moura, a deportee and computer technician. "The plane had technical issues; the turbines kept turning on and off. If it hadn’t been for divine intervention, I think it would’ve crashed." Moura also described dire conditions on board: "We were tied up, it was unbearably hot, there was no water, and children weren’t even allowed to use the bathroom."

Brazil's Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macae Evaristo, expressed alarm at the reports of abuse. "The complaints are very serious," Evaristo said. "Families, including children with autism or other disabilities, endured horrific treatment on that flight."

Moura echoed these sentiments, saying, "They treated us worse than dogs. A dog would have been treated better than us."

The Brazilian government has condemned the United States for its handling of the deportations, labelling the treatment of the migrants a violation of human dignity. The incident has fuelled calls for an investigation into the conditions faced by deportees and the oversight of international deportation processes.

From labour helping on farms, mechanics, and cooking to selling in the markets, children in the village of Abdullah Goth on the outskirts of Karachi do it all.

Apart from the non-profit Roshan Pakistan Foundation school catering to over 2, 500 people in the village, there has been no public or private school to nurture the curious minds of these children.

According to Humaira Bachal, an education advocate, the absence of government infrastructure and GDP allocation for education induces the prevalence of young workers in the village.

"Government infrastructure does not exist in places where there needs to be a school. And GDP that should be allocated to education is not being allocated, and this is why according to reports, we are going through an education crisis and we are not doing enough about it," she said. "Due to the economic crisis, education is no longer our [Pakistan families] top priority, so children are forced to become the primary breadwinners, whether they want to or not. As a result, leaving school becomes the first option."

Despite the obvious blurry lines in the hope of rural areas in Pakistan ever receiving the kind of education witnessed in the cities, the children in Abdullah Goth are optimistic.

10-year-old vegetable seller Taimoor Luqman said, "I will study and get an education, and when I grow up, I want to become a doctor."

On the other hand, Kamran Imran, a bike mechanic told AFP "I am going to learn new skills [at school and at work], and when I grow up, things will be different. I used to work all day, but then school started. Now, I attend school in the morning and work in the afternoon.

Pakistan's literacy rate remains low compared to many other nations. In 2022, literacy rates in Pakistan varied significantly, with Islamabad boasting a high of 96%, while the Torghar District had only 23%.

Gender and regional disparities are evident, with female literacy in tribal areas at just 9.5%, whereas Azad Kashmir enjoys a rate of 91%.

Additionally, Pakistan has the world's second-largest population of out-of-school children, totalling 22.8 million, second only to Nigeria.

Governor Seyi Makinde announced that security forces have arrested the organisers.

“This is a very sad day,” Governor Makinde said in a statement . “We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.”

Children injured in the stampede were taken to nearby hospitals, and parents were urged to check for their missing children.

Video footage from the scene showed a large crowd of children as some were being carried away from an open field. Nigeria’s emergency services deployed a team to assist the victims.

Organisers of the program had planned to host up to 5,000 children this year, promising prizes like scholarships.

According to Governor Makinde, an investigation has begun into the incident. He warned that “Anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the move as the "right thing to do," even if enforcement challenges remain. 

Melbourne residents shared varied perspectives on the issue. Abbie Cubbon, 25, said the law has “the right intentions,” adding that social media exposes young users to content that may not be appropriate for developing minds. 

Arthur McCormack, 19, echoed these sentiments, recalling how some of the content he encountered online was “traumatic.”

While supportive of the ban, he questioned its feasibility: “I’m not sure how really it will be carried out.” 

Other residents were more critical. Luke Rushbrook-Stock, 24, highlighted concerns about the practicalities of enforcement and potential privacy issues. “It might mean a lot of older Australians are going to have to provide ID to these digital companies,” he warned. 

Meanwhile, Emily Beall, 41, doubted the law’s effectiveness, saying, “I don’t think there’s a way really even to police it. Like, I don’t think it will actually change a lot.” 

Social media companies and advocacy groups have also weighed in. Industry giants criticised the legislation as rushed and ambiguous, with many questions left unanswered. UNICEF Australia cautioned that the ban might push children into less regulated and potentially more harmful online spaces. 

Social media firms that fail to comply face penalties of up to AUD 50 million (USD 32.5 million). 

Despite widespread protests, a second reading of the bill was passed in September, with proponents arguing it would “protect girls from immoral relationships.” The amendment could make Iraq the country with the world’s lowest age of consent, with Iran currently having the second lowest at 13.

Law 188 , also known as Iraq’s personal status law, has long been praised for its progressive stance on women’s rights in a region where such protections are often limited. However, if the new amendment passes, it would set back decades of progress by removing the legal marriage age of 18 and making it possible for girls as young as nine to marry.

Civil rights advocates are sounding the alarm. Razaw Salihy, an Iraq researcher at Amnesty International, called on lawmakers to reconsider the proposed changes. "These amendments would strip women and girls of crucial protections and allow for child marriages," she is quoted by the Standard .

Further emphasising that the amendment could have severe impact on the lives of women and girls across Iraq.

Civil society groups and international human rights organisations continue to advocate against the amendments, warning of lasting repercussions on women’s rights and protections in Iraq.

Under this law, couples can now request a reprint of their marriage certificates with specifications of a Muslim marriage at R20 ($1.1).

Minister for Department of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber who announced the milestone commended the move, describing it as coming “hundred of years later than it should have been”.

“The Department of Home Affairs is proud to announce that we have issued the first-ever South African marriage certificates officially recognising the “type of marriage” as “Muslim”,” a statement on X said. “This is a major step towards enhancing the dignity of this faith community” and “a celebration of South Africa’s unity diversity.”

Before this, Muslims in the country were limited to the option of either choosing the customary or civil marriage options on the marriage registration form.

Without proof of marriage, particularly women were often denied their rightful claims when their spouses passed away or when the marriage ended.

The Divorce Act of 1979 was amended after President Ramaphosa signed the Divorce Amendment Bill into law in May.

The amendments define what a Muslim marriage is under the Act as well as establish provisions to protect the interests of dependent and minor children in the event of death or annulment of the marriage.

Taiwo Oguntoye, the 39-year-old organiser of the festival, explained the cultural significance of twins in Yoruba tradition. "Twins bring favour, fame, and wealth to their parents in unique ways. In Yorubaland, we celebrate their birth, which might be why we have the highest number of twins in the world ," he said.

Oguntoye also emphasised the strong bond shared by twins, describing it as a destiny beyond their control.

A visiting traditional king from Ogun State, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle expressed his belief that the festival has global potential. "By the grace of God, I believe this festival will soon attract twins from all over the world to Nigeria, to Igbo-Ora, to celebrate themselves," he said.

The festival’s organisers are planning to host the world's largest gathering of twins next year, hoping to build a dedicated "twins village."

Preet Inder Singh, 30, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2020 and had his semen cryopreserved before starting chemotherapy, which could affect his fertility.

His parents, Gurvinder Singh and Harbir Kaur, requested the release of the sample from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in December. When attempts to get the sample failed, the Indian couple moved to the Delhi High Court in 2021.

Justice Prathiba Singh who presided over the case concluded that reproductive material like sperm is considered “property” or “an estate.” She ruled that Singh's parents, as “Class-1 legal heirs” under the Hindu Succession Act, are entitled to the sample.

The court explained that Singh had explicitly consented to the preservation of his sperm, indicating he intended it for procreation.

“The son of the petitioners intended for the semen sample to be used in order to bear a child. He may have hoped to live after chemotherapy but nature willed otherwise," The court's verdict was quoted by The Indian Express .

"From the consent given for semen sample preservation, the deceased son’s last wish can also be discerned. When he passed away, the parents being the heirs of the deceased, and semen samples being genetic material and constituting property, the parents are entitled for release of the same,” the verdict added.

The ruling recognized the grandparents' desire to continue their deceased son's legacy after the parents expressed their willingness to take full responsibility for any child born via surrogacy using the preserved sperm.

Eliane's dog beauty centre offers various services, including "chromotherapy" (a soothing treatment using coloured lights), hair hydration, and shampoo baths. They even have a "low stress" area for anxious pets.

Rodrigues recalls when dog care was minimal, often limited to food scraps and basic cleaning with household detergents. “Nowadays it's a more specialized process,” she told AFP, as an employee examines a puppy’s fur under a microscope.

The Pet Institute of Brazil reports that the country is home to around 160 million pets; 62 million dogs and 30 million cats, 42 million birds, and 2.8 million reptiles making it the third-largest pet population in the world, after China and the United States .

This figure stands in contrast to the roughly 40 million children under 14 in Brazil. As the birth rate declines and the middle class expands, pets have increasingly become family members.

"When you have a pet, when you have a dog, and you're willing to have one, you're also willing to spend, right?" Silvana Matos, a pet owner argued.

She proudly carries her two Pomeranians, Fénix and Bento, who receive top-notch treatments, including moisturizing therapy for Fénix and care for Bento's alopecia.

Rodrigues estimates that maintaining a dog like Bento and Fénix costs between 500 and 800 reais (about $100-$150) monthly. "Love is like that. When a child needs something, the mother spends. Regardless of whether it is expensive or not," Matos explains, drawing parallels to parenting.

The Brazilian pet market generated 68.7 million reais (approximately $12.5 million) in 2023, reflecting a 14% growth from the previous year. This market is primarily driven by food and veterinary services, which increasingly include alternative therapies like chiropractic care and acupuncture.

These kinds of families usually consist of several children born to a single mother in a few years as well as multiple generations.

Let's take a look at some of the most remarkable large families in history.

The Vassilyev Family (Russia)

Feodor Vassilyev and his first wife, Valentina hold the record for the most children born to a couple. Between 1725 and 1765, the Russian couple had 69 children across 27 births. This included 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets, and 4 sets of quadruplets. The man is believed to have had an extra 18 more children with his second wife, bringing the total number to 87.

Mr. and Ms. Kirillov (Russia)

Mr. and Ms. Kirillov, a couple from Russia had 57 children in 21 births. The children included 4 sets of quadruplets, 7 sets of triplets, and 10 sets of twins. They had their last birth in 1755.

Barbara and Adam Stratzmann (Germany)

Having their last birth in 1498, Barbara and Adam Stratzmann are claimed to have had 53 children, including 1 set of septuplets, 1 set of sextuplets, 4 sets of triplets, and 5 sets of twins.

Mariam Nabatanzi Babirye (Uganda)

By the age of 36, Mariam had given birth to 44 children, including 3 sets of quadruplets, 4 sets of triplets, and 6 sets of twins, due to a rare genetic condition. As of 2023, 38 of her children are still living. Her last childbirth was in 2016.

Elizabeth and John Mott (England)

Elizabeth and John Mott were a couple from Monks Kirby, England. Elizabeth Mott gave birth to 42 children, making her one of the mothers with the most children in history by 1720.

1,112 cases have been tallied by the DOH this year alone. These figures represent almost 34 times that of the same period last year.

“All 54 deaths are less than five years old,” DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo was quoted .

There has been a rise in pertussis cases over the past six weeks in five regions in the main Luzon island, central and southern Philippines.

“Of the total pertussis cases thus far recorded, 77 percent were less than five years old. Adults, aged 20 and older, account for only around four percent of the cases, “ he added .

Parents have since been urged to send their children from six weeks old upwards vaccinated.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It spreads quickly through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

The disease can cause serious complications, especially for babies. Immunisation is the best prevention method. The Department of Health (DOH) urges parents to vaccinate their infants starting at six weeks old.