Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
A joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union reveals that 74% of EU member countries use artificial intelligence (AI) for medical imaging, disease detection, and clinical decision-making. Additionally, 63% provide chatbot services to assist patients, demonstrating efforts to deploy AI safely and responsibly in health systems. The report emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to be skilled in AI technologies to ensure patient care standards. It also stresses broad consultation with patients and the public to enhance trust in AI applications, warning that lack of engagement could result in resistance to AI-supported healthcare .
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) welcomed a new protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection, agreed to by the Congolese Government and armed groups including AFC and M23. The agreement, reached during talks in Montreux, Switzerland, aims to facilitate rapid, safe, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in eastern DR Congo who continue facing hardships due to ongoing conflict. MONUSCO spokesperson Ndeye Khady Lo emphasized the need for all armed actors to prioritize civilian welfare. A memorandum was also signed to implement the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus to improve monitoring, though MONUSCO noted that certain security conditions are necessary to maintain its effectiveness .
Independent UN human rights experts expressed serious concerns over reports of torture, suicide attempts, and deaths at the Navapolatsk Correctional Colony in Belarus. The case of journalist and blogger Ihar Losik, reportedly subjected to prolonged isolation and denied contact, was highlighted as especially alarming .