A new narcotics law in Thailand has meant that people who use drugs are more able to access care for treatment of conditions like HIV, but the virus remains a ‘critical health concern’, according to the UN.

BRATISLAVA, Jul 21 (IPS) - In a surprise move, pharma giant Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has agreed not to enforce some of its patents on a lifesaving TB drug, making generic versions available in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

NEW YORK, Jul 21 (IPS) - How do you get a seat at the table when you can’t even access the building? This question loomed as activists, faith-based leaders, and NGO representatives gathered at the NY Ford Foundation. They discussed how to amplify the voice of civil society organizations at the UN Headquarters across the street.

LONDON, Jul 21 (IPS) - Eswatini heads to the polls soon, with elections scheduled for September. But there’s nothing remotely democratic in prospect. The country remains ruled by King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, who presides over Eswatini with an iron fist. Mswati dissolved parliament on 11 July, confident there’s little chance of people who disagree with him winning representation.

TBILISI, Georgia, Jul 21 (IPS) - Iran is not interested in a highly powerful Russia that could block Iranian ambitions in the South Caucasus and Middle East. At the same time, a too weak Russia would constitute a dangerous development paving the way for greater Western influence along Iran’s northern border and potentially even leading to the reversal of Moscow’s dependence on Tehran.

Award-winning Somali-Canadian artist K’naan Warsame, creator of the chart-topping unofficial World Cup anthem Wavin’ Flag, released Refugee in late June, saying he wants to flip the word’s meaning “and make it something that people will wear proudly”.

Two top officials underlined the UN’s commitment to Africa’s development during a dialogue with representatives from NGOs, civil society, academic institutions and the private sector, held at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday.

A long-serving staffer with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been shot and killed in Yemen.

Access to social protection is a fundamental human right, yet a recent UN human rights report shows that numerous women and girls worldwide are still unable to access provisions such as social security payments and pensions.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan is impacting food security and migration across West and Central Africa, depleting scarce resources, exacerbating inter-communal tensions and putting major stress on the already underfunded humanitarian response, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.