It is likely that most XUNICEF members live in apartments, but also a sizable number in single family houses. These latter usually have open spaces around their residences which they can use for different purposes. Paula Claycomb describes how she has been working at growing fruits/vegetables for the family table and both her successes and complications. We wonder how many other readers have done the same and what their experiences have been.
Our Columnists
Nuzhat Shahzadi describes the public library near her home and from there articulates various points of view about right or wrong.
Ramesh Shrestha shares another thought piece on capitalist economies and their detrimental effects on humanity and asks what other system must the world devise and put in place in order to improve human relations and humanity's continuation.
Ken Gibbs amuses us with another "family" story, this one related to the use of computers by different members and the hilarious situations that can arise from each member's interests and usage .
Horst Cerni had a close call with a potential financial scam and he describes how it developed ,its different aspects and how he, fortunately, ended it without being adversely affected. Our readers will certainly have been approached by similar scams and might want to share their experiences on the Blog.
Siamak Namazi provides some personal thoughts about the bombing by Israel of Tehran's Evin Prison where his father Baquer and he were incarcerated for many years.
Doreen Lobo reminds us about the celebration of the 40th anniversary of LIVE AID which premieres on 13 July.
Fouad Kronfol submits an article about the dangers of techno-politics and how it could be adversely affecting humanity. Also another on how almost all our everyday gadgets (TV, computers, etc) are spying on our personal information.
From UNICEF
Nuzhat Shahzadi describes the public library near her home and from there articulates various points of view about right or wrong.
Ramesh Shrestha shares another thought piece on capitalist economies and their detrimental effects on humanity and asks what other system must the world devise and put in place in order to improve human relations and humanity's continuation.
Ken Gibbs amuses us with another "family" story, this one related to the use of computers by different members and the hilarious situations that can arise from each member's interests and usage .
Horst Cerni had a close call with a potential financial scam and he describes how it developed ,its different aspects and how he, fortunately, ended it without being adversely affected. Our readers will certainly have been approached by similar scams and might want to share their experiences on the Blog.
Siamak Namazi provides some personal thoughts about the bombing by Israel of Tehran's Evin Prison where his father Baquer and he were incarcerated for many years.
Doreen Lobo reminds us about the celebration of the 40th anniversary of LIVE AID which premieres on 13 July.
Fouad Kronfol submits an article about the dangers of techno-politics and how it could be adversely affecting humanity. Also another on how almost all our everyday gadgets (TV, computers, etc) are spying on our personal information.
From UNICEF
We finally see an update on the status of the much ballyhooed Centres of Excellence that UNICEF proposes to set up in its Future Focus Initiative as part of efforts at down-sizing the organization and its finances in light of expected revenue cuts. From my reading I give them an A+ for presentation (graphics, colour schemes, detailed info etc.) but an F for clarity and implementability.. ;..Frankly I will bet my last Dollar of Pension if anyone from the Executive Board has read or understood what is being proposed. Any clarifications from our readers will also be much appreciated.
Pension
The UNJSPF July newsletter includes a reminder that for those not using the digital system (DCE) the printed certificates of entitlement (CoE) for 2025 began to be mailed to beneficiaries on 1 July. The printed CoE is also now available in the MSS for download and home printing. The article also mentions that for those who did not submit a CoE for 2024, their payments may have stopped in June.
The UN Tribunal has ruled that a senior investment officer at UNJSPF was wrongfully dismissed in a case involving whistleblower retaliation, ordering reinstatement or substantial compensation. Even more troubling, the fund’s former chief has taken a job with a major vendor—potentially violating UN post-employment rules.
The Gaza tragedy
Tom McDermott writes about his feelings and memories of the Buq'a Cafe that was reduced to rubble by a 500 lb. Israeli bomb that killed dozens of Palestinians enjoying some "down time" in this cafe by the sea.
The testimony of Dr. Feroze Sidhwa a US physician who served in Gaza to the UNSC is one of the most riveting expressions of condemnation of the genocide being perpetrated on Palestinians and Robert Cohen sends a video on protestors in New York demanding UNSC action to end genocide in Gaza.
Also in the same vein, the UN's Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese minces no words in describing how the Gaza genocide is being financed by many companies and corporations and the UN shares a list of companies that are complicit.
Tom McDermott shares an article about the uproar among UNFPA staff over extension of an agreement with Israel.
GAVI
The suspension of US funding for GAVI seems to have been based on one faulty study using long out of date data.
News Links
We post daily links to news articles relevant to UNICEF, the UN, and child rights issues. Did we miss something important? - let us know. Also let us know whether you find these daily and weekly compilations helpful.
Lighter Stuff
PS As in every summer, vacations, travel, health issues and other preoccupations mean that our volunteer editorial group is less than at full quorum, so we address another request to our readers for anyone who is willing to join the Editors so we are able to continue producing the weekly XUNICEF News and Views Digest. It does not require much time or effort but it reinforces the solidarity of XUNICEF. Please consider joining us. Thank you.
Fouad Kronfol
Editor of the week
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