The United Nations has called for stronger global media engagement on humanitarian crises around the world, particularly the situation in Yemen.

The organisation said that limited international attention is hampering awareness and support, at a time when millions face deepening food insecurity, health risks and shrinking aid resources.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Julien Harneis, made the call on Monday, during a news conference on the humanitarian situation in the country.

He warned that the situation in Yemen is expected to deteriorate further in 2026, amid worsening food insecurity, economic pressures and reduced funding for critical services.

Harneis noted that in 2025 alone, about 19.5 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance, while the Humanitarian Response Plan was only 28 per cent funded.

He attributed the bleak outlook to economic and political decisions that were exacerbating food insecurity across all parts of Yemen.

According to him, the worsening food situation is already manifesting in rising levels of malnutrition and increased pressure on the health system.

Harneis noted that Yemen’s health system had been supported by the United Nations, in collaboration with the World Bank for the past 10 years, but warned that this support would significantly reduce.

“We’re going to see a major change there, where the health system is not going to be supported in the way it has been in the past, and that is going to have very major consequences.

“Yemeni government lacks the capacity to finance and sustain the health system, leaving the country vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

“In a country which has already seen the highest rates of measles in the world, and which has frequently had cholera epidemics, we’re going to be very vulnerable to epidemics across the country, particularly in the North,” Harneis added.

The UN official said that humanitarian operations in northern Yemen were further complicated by the detention of 73 UN personnel as well as the seizure of UN offices.

He described the detentions as part of a broader pattern, noting that staff of international NGOs, embassy workers, activists and political actors, had also been detained often without public attention.

Harneis said that the UN was working with the broader humanitarian country team, including international and national NGOs, to explore how other organisations could step in to cover gaps left by the UN.

He, however, stressed that some capacities were unique to UN agencies.

“Only the UN agencies have the scale of response that is required for a country where, for example, 2,300 primary health care facilities have been supported by UN agencies.

“No INGO has the capacity to support all of that,” he said.

He acknowledged that the humanitarian community would attempt to restructure and reorganise its response, but described the current circumstances as “deeply challenging”.

On media coverage, Harneis said that while regional and Arabic-language media paid attention to developments in Yemen, there was limited access to areas outside government control.

He added that although humanitarian organisations regularly briefed the UN Security Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation, international media engagement remained insufficient.

“The international media is not engaging with Yemen in the way that is needed now and the UN also needs to do more outreach.”

He clarified that while food insecurity was a major concern, it was not the direct cause of death.

He argued that food insecurity contributes to malnutrition, but so do poor access to clean water and lack of access to healthcare services.

According to him, when these factors combine with poor socio-economic conditions, they result in malnutrition, leading to increased mortality and morbidity, especially among children.

Harneis consequently, identified Nutrition, public health at the primary healthcare level, as well as freedom and security, as key priorities for humanitarian actors.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scenes” which overshadowed their victory in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final when they walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco.

“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.

It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” said Infantino in a statement. “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.”

African football’s showpiece event was marred by most of the Senegalese players walking off the pitch when deep into injury time of normal play, with the match all square at 0-0, Morocco were awarded a spot-kick following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.

Senegal’s former Liverpool star Sadio Mane remained on the pitch and urged his teammates to come back onto the pitch for the penalty.

They were already furious at having a goal disallowed at the other end for a soft-looking foul minutes earlier.

Meanwhile, trouble broke out in the stands as some Senegalese fans tried to enter the field of play and became involved in fighting with security personnel.

The game was held up for almost 20 minutes before Diaz could take the penalty, and his weak ‘panenka’ kick was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Pape Gueye then went on to score a brilliant goal in the fourth minute of extra time to give his team a 1-0 win.

Infantino, while congratulating Morocco on “a fantastic tournament, both as runners-up and exceptional hosts” — a boost ahead of them co-hosting the men’s 2030 World Cup — said teams have to abide by the match officials’ decisions.

“We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play,” he said.

“Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”

Infantino, who will be hoping there are no such scenes in this year’s World Cup finals being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, said images such as those on Sunday sent the wrong message to supporters round the world.

“It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for fans in the stadiums and millions watching around the world,” he said.

“The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated. I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.”

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Reaffirming its strong commitment to free technical education and skills development, the Federal Government has announced the commencement of applications for admission into Federal Technical Colleges across Nigeria.

The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education following the approval of the initiative by the Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa.

The initiative according to a statement by the director of education, Folashade Boriowo on Monday, aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand access to quality technical and vocational education and to equip young Nigerians with practical, employable, and industry-relevant skills.

Registration for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Technical Colleges will open on Monday, 26th January 2026, and close on Sunday, 24th May 2026.

The entrance examination will be conducted nationwide on Saturday, 6th June 2026.

Prospective candidates are required to complete their applications through the official National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) online portal via the designated website.

The Ministry emphasises that possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory for all applicants and remains a prerequisite for successful registration.

The Federal Government further reiterates that technical education in Federal Technical Colleges is fully funded upon admission, underscoring its commitment to human capital development, youth empowerment, and enhanced national productivity.

Admission is open to candidates aged between 13 and 20 years. Parents, guardians, and prospective candidates are advised to strictly comply with all application requirements and obtain information solely from official channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and designated examination bodies.