Senior Agricultural Assistant Bernard Thompson and President of the Beekeepers' Association Glenroy Blackman examine the development of the apiculture industry in Barbados and the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Security to encourage its growth.

INSIDER'S REPORT - BEES – A SOURCE OF LIFE

Four hospitals in north Gaza and Gaza governorate have been forced to shut down since 1 September, leaving just 14 facilities still functioning across the Strip. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that dozens more are affected by evacuation orders, lack of access and nearby violence that has forced them out of service.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, WHO’s spokesperson Tarik Jašarević said on Friday that “more violence only means more injured people, more casualties.”

Hospitals already face crippling shortages of medicines, supplies and safe access for health workers and patients, compounded by repeated displacements. Over 15,000 people urgently need medical evacuation, yet transfers are moving “very, very slowly,” the UN health agency insisted.

WHO reiterated its appeal for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access, stressing that only then can medical supplies, emergency teams and other life-saving support reach what is left of Gaza’s shattered health system.

Picture Credit: WHO


CLIP – Only 14 hospitals left functioning in Gaza as violence escalates: WHO

• WHO says four more Gaza City hospitals shut amid Israeli offensive
• Sudan: Khartoum returnees shelter crisis, warns IOM
• Ukraine: WFP food boxes provide lifeline for frontline communities 

Audio Credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 26 September 2025 - Gaza update, Sudan, Ukraine

There was a wealth of stories to follow at high-level week of the UN General Assembly, from the conference on the Israel-Palestine two-State solution, to the ambitious pledges made at the Climate Summit, and the launch of two bodies aimed at finally creating truly inclusive international AI governance.

But one theme that shone through was the importance of multilateralism and the work of the United Nations.

Conor Lennon and Laura Quinones from UN News break it all down in this special episode of The Lid Is On.

Audio: Conor Lennon, UN News
Music: Joachim Harris (all rights reserved)
Photo: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

UNGA80: Eight decades on, we need the UN more than ever

CARICOM Deputy Programme Manager, Agriculture, Ms. Selvine Stephenson-Grant was interviewed by St. Kitts and Nevis Freedom FM radio station ahead of the opening of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis 29 September-3 October 2025

19th CWA - CARICOM Deputy Programme Manager, Agriculture, Ms. Selvine Stephenson-Grant interview

Janelle Skinner shares her journey of living with a disability and the strategies she uses to maintain good mental health and resilience.

THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY

• Ukraine suffers renewed, massive Russian strikes overnight  
• Gaza: UN Human Rights condemns healthcare attacks
• Maria Ressa: It’s time to push back against AI and Big Tech’s threat to truth

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 29 September 2025 - Ukraine, Gaza, AI

As war in Ukraine intensifies, five European countries – Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland and Poland – withdrew this year from the Ottawa Convention banning landmines and the Convention on Cluster Munitions – a move that is deeply concerning Tamar Gabelnick.

As Director of both the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the Cluster Munition Coalition, she was in New York urging action to defend the conventions last week as world leaders addressed the General Assembly.

In an interview with UN News’s Cristina Silveiro she said considering Russia’s continuing invasion it made sense to focus on self defence – but anti-personnel landmines “remain the dumbest weapon in the world” and “it’s pure chance who they will strike.”

Audio credit: Cristina Silveiro
Photo credit: ICBL/Jaweed Tanveer

Anti-personnel landmines: 'The dumbest weapon in the world’

• With all eyes on possible deal to end Gaza war, UN aid agencies stress need for ceasefire 
• Afghanistan: Taliban internet blackout impacts lifesaving relief effort 
• DR Congo crisis leaves peace a distant prospect, Security Council hears

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 30 September 2025 - Gaza, Afghanistan, DR Congo

At just 15 years old, Zunaira Qayyum has already emerged as a climate champion and a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls’ Empowerment in Pakistan.

In 2022, she began researching how floods and heatwaves in her hometown of Hub, Balochistan, were forcing girls out of school. Her work earned her recognition as one of the winners of UNICEF’s Policy Research Challenge the following year.

Today, children across Pakistan face mounting threats from floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events, which are making access to education increasingly difficult.

UN News’s Hareem Ahmed spoke with Zunaira about her advocacy for gender and climate justice, as well as her views on the importance of youth inclusion in climate action.

Audio credit: Hareem Ahmed, UN News

‘Our Voices Matter’: young climate leader calls for girls’ empowerment

A larger and more robust force in Haiti could help “turn the tide” against murderous gangs and give Haitians hope for the future, according to the UN’s designated expert on the human rights situation in the Caribbean country, William O’Neill.

Up to 90 per cent of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince is controlled by numerous gangs who murder with impunity and take hostages for ransom.

A UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) has been unable to stem the violence, but it is hoped the transition to a new, larger and better equipped Gang Suppression Force could prove decisive. 

UN News’s Daniel Dickinson asked Mr. O’Neill how important it is to establish the new force.  

Audio credit: Daniel Dickinson, UN News

‘More robust force needed to turn the tide’ in Haiti

The Barbados Government Information Service has been established since 1958 as the Barbados Government's public relations and information arm.   This dynamic channel profiles Barbadian people, places and programmes which make up this Caribbean island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  We hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.  We want to hear from you.

INSIDER'S REPORT - BEES – A SOURCE OF LIFE

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