UN warns of global food crisis if Strait of Hormuz closure prolonged
via Le Matin1 min read
The UN Secretary-General has warned that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global food crisis, pushing millions into hunger and poverty, particularly in Africa and South Asia. He noted that over 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 commercial vessels are currently trapped due to navigation risks and restrictions. The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of respecting international law and strengthening dialogue and cooperation among states, regional organizations, and maritime industry actors. The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, stated that straits used for international navigation should not be closed and that no legal basis exists for a country to impose discriminatory payments or conditions in these passages. He warned that any deviation from these principles would set a harmful precedent and severely compromise the integrity and stability of maritime transport. Dominguez also mentioned that the IMO has developed an evacuation framework for stranded seafarers and ships, ready for immediate implementation. The UN reports that approximately one-fifth of global oil trade, one-fifth of liquefied natural gas, and nearly one-third of internationally traded fertilizers pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Attijariwafa bank and its Club Afrique D茅veloppement have announced the launch of JamSalam, a pan-African artistic residency. Developed in collaboration with the group's African banking subsidiaries and the Attijariwafa bank Foundation, JamSalam aims to be a continental platform for intercultural dialogue, promoting exchanges among young African talents through a shared artistic project. The 2026 edition of JamSalam will take place in Tahannaout, Marrakech, from July 15 to 30, bringing together 15 young talents aged 20 to 35. The residency's theme is "In the name of Touma茂, hope for life," honoring Touma茂, the oldest known representative of the human lineage discovered in Chad in 2001. Works created during this collective residency will be exhibited at the next International Africa Development Forum, organized by Club Afrique D茅veloppement. An auction of these creations is also planned, with all proceeds donated to a community in need. The selected artists will form the JamSalam 2026 alliance, becoming part of the Attijariwafa bank Club Afrique D茅veloppement community.
The 2026 World Cup will feature six remarkable stadiums, each with unique architectural and technological features. The SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, inaugurated in 2020 at an estimated cost of $5.5 billion, boasts a transparent ETFE roof and a 900-ton, 360-degree "Infinity Screen by Samsung." The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, built for $1.6 billion and opened in 2010, will host the final on July 19, 2026, featuring a facade with color-changing aluminum louvers and an interior designed without columns for optimal visibility. Atlanta, Georgia's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, inaugurated in 2017, is noted for its retractable roof with eight metallic petals and a circular "Halo Board" screen, making it the world's first major stadium to achieve LEED Platinum ecological certification. The AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, opened in 2009, impresses with its monumental structure supported by 91-meter steel arches and central LED screens covering over 2,300 square meters, alongside 36-meter high retractable glass doors. Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, inaugurated in 1966 and renovated for 2026, is built on dried lava from the Xitle volcano and will be the first stadium to host three World Cups 1970, 1986, 2026, including the opening match of the 2026 edition. Finally, the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Monterrey, opened in 2015, known as "El Gigante de Acero," features an asymmetrical design inspired by a brazier, offering views of Cerro de la Silla, and a self-ventilat
Several Meta services, including Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, are experiencing widespread disruptions today. Since mid-afternoon, many users have reported being suddenly disconnected or encountering difficulties accessing their accounts normally. Initial reports indicate that the incident primarily affects web browser access, with users being redirected to login pages or receiving error messages when trying to access their news feeds, messages, or content. Mobile applications appear to be functioning more erratically depending on user profiles and regions. Reports quickly multiplied on specialized outage tracking platforms and on X, where users sought to confirm if the issue stemmed from their connection, device, or Meta's servers. The concentration of reports suggests a technical incident on the platform side, though its precise origin remains unknown. Meta has not yet provided an official explanation for the outage, so it is unclear if it is an authentication problem, a server incident, a web infrastructure malfunction, or a broader disruption affecting multiple group services. Users are advised to avoid repeated login attempts, check official Meta channels, and be wary of fake messages promising to "repair" account access, as phishing campaigns often exploit such confusion.