From Our Editors: June 22 - June 29

We feature Dina Craissati this week with her amazing collection of B&W photography from her visit earlier this year to Cuba. "Despite the dire socioeconomic conditions in Cuba, reflected in Havana by endless rows of decaying old buildings, long lines for food rations, rare and empty stores, major electricity cuts, and a dominant number of weathered vintage cars, the city vibrates and captivates. And this is entirely due to the people living in it....," Dina writes. You will discover why if you follow the link. 

Ramesh Shrestha in his inimitable style raises pertinent questions about the future of capitalism under the title Capitalism - a Lonely Shepherd. "Will this miracle system last forever or is it transient or is it just a mirage...?"  he asks and continues with "Are there alternatives to Capitalism?" as he sets out to explore them in turn. Read on for his nuanced and yet reasoned conclusion through his synthesized findings.

 

Nuzhat Shahzadi's Juneteenth 2025 celebrations finds her out-and-about on a sunny day "to mingle with the crowd." It turns out to be a happy day for her, despite the sunshine and the scorching heat, to be reminded and reassured in turn that "---justice is possible. Fairness can exist." Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves in the US. It is often considered the nation's second Independence Day.

The resignation of Sigrid Kaag, UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, is an important but little-noted event. Such principled and bold moves by senior UN Civil Servants with proven track records are rare but strike a note on the need for reforms. "I'm not trying to be cynical," Sigrid is reported to have stated, "It's good to send a signal that things need to change" Read the full article on the Disillusioned UN Envoy to Gaza by David Isaac, Jewish News Syndicate (JNS).

Robert Cohen provides a link to a Sky News interview with James Elder reporting on Gaza's current situations, which he finds to be "somewhat the most perilous time for families." Robert Cohen strikes a poignant note commenting on the video report with his observation: "How can (this) extraordinary, heartbreaking, first hand testimony like James Elder's not break the world's silence and complicity?"

Fouad Kronfol in turn has shared yet another article by Sudha S Reddy drawing our attention to starving the innocent children of Gaza. This powerful oped, which is a "must read," lays bare "the horrors unfolding in Gaza as famine becomes a deliberate weapon."

There is much more to read on news articles relevant to the UN and UNICEF in our daily News Links. Note that we update these links every day, so don't wait until the end of the week to be up to date.  Did we miss something important? Let us know 

Kul Gautam has made An Appeal to American Colleagues to join him at Results.org in writing to Congress on "Trump administration's decimation of US foreign aid programs." The appeal makes a strong plea to tell Congress to fund the fight against global poverty. 

Don't miss the exchange of views between Kul Gautam and Mukesh Kapila in Kul's "In Defense of Bill Gates".

Read also an article by Nicholas Kristof in NY Times titled The US Cannot Solve All the World's Problem, which has been shared by Robert Cohen and Kul Gautam. It defends US humanitarian aid as both morally imperative and highly cost effective. He concludes: "We cannot save every dying child....But our inability to save lives does not imply that we should save none."

Much is happening around UN80 and we should not miss out on important dates. 26 June marks the 80th Anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco although it had to wait till 24 October 1945 for it to be ratified and come into force. We have a number of articles this week for you on this landmark event and you may wish to read in particular the UNSG's remarks that its founding principles are “under assault like never before,” stressing the document “is not an à-la-carte menu.”  Click here for the article.

We also have a repeat FOGGS Appeal on UN80 with A Call to Reclaim the Purpose of the UN Charter at 80 that you may wish to sign in solidarity if you have not already done so.

UN under fire: Ban Ki-moon and Helen Clark warn the UN is crippled by dysfunction; staff unions call UN80 reforms reckless and damaging. There is more for you in the  News Link we have provided for this week.

Missing You Richard Reid: We have an Obituary on Richard who passed away suddenly and peacefully on 6 April 2025 at the age of 91. His daughter has in turn provided links for those who wish to order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory or make a donation for charity.

Comments

And here is the link to comments received from our readers on various articles published on our Blog through the week.

Gautam Banerji

Editor for the Week