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.

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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.

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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.

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“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

Air Canada suspends JFK flights amid soaring fuel costs linked to Iran conflict

Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June through late October, citing rising jet fuel costs driven by the conflict involving Iran.

“Since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, some routes and less profitable flights have become economically unviable, so we are making adjustments accordingly,” the airline said in a statement.

Despite the suspension, the carrier confirmed it will continue operating 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Air Canada expects to resume its JFK operations after October 25.

Meanwhile, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a temporary ceasefire in the region. However, jet fuel shortages could persist even if the truce holds.

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Fuel accounts for between 25% and 30% of operating costs for most airlines, and carriers worldwide have responded to the crisis by raising fares and suspending select routes due to safety and profitability concerns.

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.