FREETOWN, April 10 (IPS) - As Sierra Leone prepares for its next national election in 2028, political parties across the country have begun setting strategies and preparing to select their candidates. However, persons with disabilities say they remain poorly represented and are calling on political parties to nominate them as candidates ahead of the election.

Read the full story, “Will Sierra Leone’s Democracy Make Room for Persons with Disabilities?”, on globalissues.org →

Fighting continues across parts of the Middle East, with renewed exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Humanitarian needs are deepening, with rising civilian casualties, mounting displacement and growing strain on services. Diplomatic efforts continue with high stakes negotiations due to start Saturday between the US and Iran over the faltering ceasefire deal. Lebanon is an active war zone and the Strait of Hormuz is still effectively closed. Stay with us for live updates. App users can follow coverage here.

Read the full story, “MIDDLE EAST LIVE 10 April: Fear and uncertainty grow in Lebanon as conflict grinds on”, on globalissues.org →

With Lebanon still reeling from Israel’s devastating airstrikes on 8 April, UN humanitarians reported new fears of attacks on ambulances and looming food shortages in the south of the country on Friday.

Read the full story, “Lebanon airstrike casualties ‘still under the rubble’ as ambulances, hospitals face new threats”, on globalissues.org →

As Sudan approaches the third anniversary of a brutal civil war, millions remain displaced and hungry while the health system lies in ruins, with no end to the violence in sight, UN agencies said on Friday.

Read the full story, “Sudan: 14 million displaced; hunger and attacks on health continue as war enters fourth year”, on globalissues.org →

Haiti is facing “one of the most severe and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere,” a senior UN aid official warned on Friday, underscoring the need for continued global attention to alleviate suffering there.

Read the full story, “Haiti’s freefall demands urgent global action as millions face hunger and violence”, on globalissues.org →

After a 10-day journey around the far side of the Moon, the four astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission are set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean late on Friday.

Read the full story, “New era for space dawns as Artemis astronauts return”, on globalissues.org →