International
The UN calls for a humanitarian pause in Gaza to vaccinate against polio
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called on Friday for a humanitarian pause in the conflict in Gaza to develop a polio vaccination campaign aimed at more than 640,000 children under the age of ten and facing “serious challenges.”
In a press conference, Guterres called on the parties to the conflict to provide “immediate concrete guarantees” for a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause for the safe delivery of vaccines and medical care, and to protect workers and health facilities from bombing.
“Let’s be clear: the definitive vaccine against polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. But in any case, a break due to polio is essential. It is impossible to carry out a polio vaccination campaign while war sweeps everywhere,” he said.
He recalled that the campaign is carried out with a decimated health infrastructure and insecurity for health workers and communities.
The vaccination campaign arises after polio was detected in wastewater samples in Gaza, which puts hundreds of thousands of children at risk, so he warned of the “urgent” need for global action to contain its spread.
Last month, the Ministry of Health of Gaza declared a polio epidemic, days after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the presence of the disease in wastewater.
“Polio doesn’t care about dividing lines and polio doesn’t wait. Preventing and containing the spread will require a massive, coordinated and urgent effort,” said Guterres, who did not indicate when that campaign would begin.
A UN statement states that the organization plans to start a two-phase campaign at the end of this month. On August 7, WHO announced the shipment of 1.2 million vaccines to Gaza.
He explained that, due to the devastation in Gaza, vaccination coverage of at least 95 percent will be necessary during each phase of the campaign to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce its occurrence.
Guterres also indicated that the medical teams of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), the largest provider of primary health care in Gaza, are ready to administer the vaccines and help with logistics.
The campaign will involve 708 teams in hospitals and primary health care centers, he said, reiterating that many barely work and 316 community outreach teams throughout Gaza.
And he stressed that for a successful campaign they will need safe transport of vaccines and personnel, fuel, reliable internet service and telephone to inform the communities, as well as security so that children and families can reach the centers and that they are protected from bombing.
“Polio goes beyond politics. It transcends all divisions, so it is our shared obligation to unite, to mobilize, not to fight against the people, but against polio,” he said.
International
Gates Foundation to close by 2045 as Bill Gates pledges to donate $200 Billion
When Bill and Melinda French Gates established the Gates Foundation in 2000, they envisioned an organization that would continue its work for decades after their deaths. But now, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates says he doesn’t want to wait that long to give away most of his fortune.
On Thursday, Gates announced that he plans to donate “virtually all” of his estimated $200 billion fortune over the next 20 years and will dissolve the foundation on December 31, 2045.
The announcement comes amid deep cuts by the Trump administration to funding for health, foreign aid, and public assistance programs — the very causes the Gates Foundation supports. The shift raises concerns about setbacks in global health research and critical development initiatives.
Gates says he wants to accelerate the foundation’s work in global health and equity, and hopes the move will inspire other billionaires to follow suit. In a blog post published Thursday morning, he emphasized that the foundation’s final phase should serve as a model for large-scale philanthropic impact.
This new pledge builds on Gates’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy. Alongside French Gates and Warren Buffett, he co-founded the Giving Pledge in 2010, which encourages billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth either during their lifetimes or in their wills. The campaign now has more than 240 signatories worldwide.
International
Bill Gates accuses Elon Musk of endangering the world’s poorest children
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft turned global health philanthropist, sharply criticized Elon Musk in a recent interview with The New York Times, saying the tech billionaire is “the richest man in the world and is involved in the deaths of the world’s poorest children.”
At 69, Gates announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will cease operations by 2045, and he urged the next generation of billionaires to step up. However, he expressed concern that today’s wealthy individuals are less committed to humanitarian work than they were two decades ago.
He cited Elon Musk as a prime example: “He’s the one who cut the USAID budget. He shredded it — all because he didn’t attend some party that weekend.”
Gates argued that Musk “could have been a great philanthropist,” but instead, “the richest man in the world is now contributing to the deaths of the world’s poorest children.” He pointed to how cuts to USAID have disrupted essential programs fighting HIV, malaria, and polio.
Gates called on the global elite to do more: “It’s not that we’re running out of rich people. There will be more, and they’ll reflect on what AI has done — or hasn’t — and what governments have done — or haven’t.”
Looking ahead, he urged future billionaires to commit to greater philanthropy, especially as his own foundation phases out: “The rich of today should do more. The rich twenty years from now should do more.”
Despite his criticisms, Gates maintained his trademark optimism. He dismissed fears that repeated U.S. administrations will continue cutting humanitarian budgets: “I don’t think there will be administration after administration slashing these things. If we look 20 years ahead, I believe we’ll continue reducing child mortality.”
Gates also expressed faith in artificial intelligence, suggesting it can provide medical expertise in remote regions on par with doctors with decades of experience — potentially even better than what’s available in wealthy countries.
International
VP JD Vance to World Cup visitors: “Enjoy the game, then go home”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance issued a light-hearted but firm warning to international visitors planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“We know we’ll have visitors, probably from close to a hundred countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to enjoy the games,” said Vance during a press conference on Tuesday focused on the organization of upcoming major sporting events in the U.S.
“But when it’s over, they’ll have to go home,” he added.
Vance, speaking in a joking tone, also mentioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying, “Otherwise, they’ll have to speak with Secretary Noem.”
The comment came during the first joint working session aimed at preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 national teams and take place across multiple cities in North America.
Gates Foundation to close by 2045 as Bill Gates pledges to donate $200 Billion
Bill Gates accuses Elon Musk of endangering the world’s poorest children
VP JD Vance to World Cup visitors: “Enjoy the game, then go home”
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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