International
WHO warns of additional problems for the Ukrainian health system in the face of a difficult winter
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Ukraine is perhaps facing its most complicated winter after the massive Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, which have caused additional problems for the health system, hit by almost 2,000 attacks since the Russian invasion in 2022.
“Ukraine is approaching its third winter in the middle of war, probably the most difficult,” said the WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, who has carried out a week-old mission through Ukraine, at a press conference in Kiev.
2,000 attacks on medical infrastructures
The Belgian doctor recalled that to date the WHO has confirmed almost 2,000 attacks on Ukrainian health, including hospitals, health workers and patients, to which are added the Russian bombings of the last six months against the country’s energy network, which have caused massive power cuts.
“The frequent power outages in summer are already causing havoc with signs of danger for the winter,” Kluge warned, who said that, by endangering the storage and distribution of vaccines, Ukraine could experience an increase in preventable diseases.
Increase in waterborne infections
“Or water systems could be compromised, since water distribution sites depend on an uninterrupted power supply,” he added, which in turn could lead to an increase in diseases transmitted by water and food.
In turn, the lack of heating and ventilation systems in winter could contribute to an increase in respiratory infections, from the flu to COVID-19.
Antibiotic resistance
Kluge also drew attention to the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
“We have cases of injuries that simply do not heal as a result of antibiotic resistance, which is a situation with possible consequences far beyond Ukraine if medicines become useless,” he explained.
Supply of generators and heating equipment
The WHO regional director stressed that, in response to concerns about the power supply, the organization and health authorities are accelerating efforts to install generators and other crucial equipment in health facilities.
A total of 15 heating units are being installed in eight Ukrainian regions, he said.
In turn, in order to face the danger of antimicrobial resistance in the short term, Ukraine now has one hundred laboratories that carry out the surveillance of drug-resistant bacteria, compared to only three in 2017.
Kluge pointed out that another cause for concern during the winter is the risk of increased mental health problems.
Millions of people at risk
“It is estimated that about 10 million people are already at risk of suffering from mild to serious mental health problems. With the war about to be three years old, these problems only increase, and the realities of the winter season could worsen the situation,” he warned.
All this when more than 80% of households say they have problems getting the medicines they need. 6% say they don’t have access to essential medicines and a third don’t have enough money to buy medicines, he explained.
Kluge stressed that primary care is being given priority for the winter.
“Until the end of the year, when winter has really arrived, we will have installed about 40 modular primary care clinics in six regions,” he said.
“I reiterate how vital it is for the Ukrainian health system to resist and overcome the challenges of the war and the imminent winter, including attacks on health that constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” he concluded.
International
7 in 10 mexicans born poor stay poor, new report finds
Seven out of ten Mexicans born into poverty remain poor throughout their lives, highlighting an urgent need for public policies focused on promoting social mobility through equal opportunity, according to civil society organizations.
The 2025 Social Mobility Report in Mexico, published by the Espinosa Yglesias Center for Studies (CEEY), reveals that 73% of individuals born into the bottom 20% of income households in Mexico — Latin America’s second-largest economy — continue to live in poverty based on income.
The report signals a worrisome stagnation in social mobility, defined as the ability of individuals to improve their socioeconomic standing compared to that of their parents. This lack of upward movement indicates that one’s economic origins are largely inherited, according to CEEY.
Geographically, disparities are stark:
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In northern Mexico, 37% of those born in poverty remain there.
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In the south, that number rises dramatically to 64%.
Gender gaps are also evident. Among those born in wealthier households, women experience less upward mobility, with a rate of 47% compared to 53% for men.
The report also notes that 48% of economic inequality in Mexico stems from inequality of opportunity — placing Mexico among the top ten countries with the highest opportunity inequality across 50 nations analyzed globally.
International
Spain hits record 46°C in June amid scorching heatwave
Spain registered a record-breaking temperature of 46°C (114.8°F) on Saturday, June 28, in El Granado, Huelva — a southern town near the Portuguese border — marking the highest temperature ever recorded in June in the country, according to Spain’s national meteorological agency, Aemet.
The temperature was officially recorded at 4:40 p.m. local time, surpassing the previous June record of 45.2°C (113.4°F)set in Seville back in 1965, also in the Andalusia region.
Like many parts of Southern Europe, Spain is experiencing a severe heatwave, with large areas of the country facing temperatures above 40°C even though summer has just begun.
As one of Europe’s countries most vulnerable to climate change, Spain has endured its three hottest years on recordfrom 2022 to 2024, marked by repeated heatwaves and temperature extremes.
Climate scientists have long warned that global warming is amplifying the intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts — trends now evident across the Iberian Peninsula and the broader Mediterranean region.
International
Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary city policies
The Republican administration of Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on Monday against Los Angeles officials, challenging the city’s sanctuary policies as illegal amid an intensifying federal immigration crackdown.
The Department of Justice accused the Democratic-led city of interfering with federal immigration enforcement, arguing that its sanctuary policies have contributed to “violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement” recently seen in Los Angeles.
“The sanctuary city policies were the cause of violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in an official statement.
The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, names Mayor Karen Bass, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and the entire City Council as defendants.
While Los Angeles had long been considered a sanctuary city for immigrants, the City Council officially adopted the designation through a municipal ordinance in November last year, following Trump’s election to the presidency.
The legal action seeks to limit local authorities’ cooperation with federal immigration agents under Trump’s policies.
With over one-third of its population being immigrants, Los Angeles has become a flashpoint in the battle against Trump’s anti-immigration agenda, which began with his campaign promise to deport millions.
Tensions in the city escalated earlier this month after an increase in workplace immigration raids, sparking mass protests downtown. The situation further intensified when Trump overrode California Governor Gavin Newsom and ordered the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to the area.
7 in 10 mexicans born poor stay poor, new report finds
Spain hits record 46°C in June amid scorching heatwave
Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary city policies
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