World News Brief: Call for action against child labour, ICC prosecutor suspended, WFP raises awareness in Egypt

Today, nearly 138 million children remain trapped in child labor worldwide, including 54 million children engaged in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety and development.

“This is unacceptable – we must accelerate action,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the International Labor Organization, ILOin a video message.

He called for renewed global commitments through expanded access to decent work, education, social protection and stronger legal protections.

Ensure progress

This year theme, Red Card for Child Labor: Fair play for children, decent work for adultshighlighting the need to ensure every child can learn, play and grow in a safe environment.

Which has just been adopted Marrakesh Global Framework for Action Against Child Labor aims to provide a roadmap to achieve these goals, with a focus on decent work for parents, universal access to quality education, stronger social protection systems, and strengthening laws and institutions.

For the first time, the framework also introduces measurable indicators and accountability mechanisms designed to track implementation and maintain momentum, beyond the 2030 target.

“Together, let us act with urgency and determination to end child labor,” Houngbo urged.

The ICC’s chief prosecutor has been suspended as investigations into sexual offenses continue

That International Criminal CourtProsecutor Karim Khan has been suspended “with immediate effect” following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ICC President’s office confirmed its executive committee’s decision to refer disciplinary proceedings against prosecutors to the court’s 125 Member States, pending a final decision.

Mr Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations, which first emerged in 2024 when various allegations related to a female colleague in The Hague were reported, involving a prominent British lawyer.

The ICC governing body will send the conclusions reached through an internal investigation to members, who will decide on Khan’s future in a special session held at a later date. The agency also emphasized that the suspension does not prejudge the outcome of the case.

“Enhancing the dignity, rights and aspirations of court employees is a top priority for court leadership,” the President’s office said.

The International Criminal Court is an independent judicial body established under the Rome Statute, adopted in 1998 and in force since 2002. Although not part of the United Nations, the ICC works closely with it in a cooperative framework to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes.

WFP brings food security to the big screen in Egypt

United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is turning cinema screens across Egypt into a platform to raise awareness about hunger and food security through a new campaign called Not My Day.

Ahead of the film’s nationwide screening, the campaign uses storytelling to highlight the often overlooked role food security plays in shaping everyday life.

Developed in partnership with the Video and Film Makers Guild and creative production center Tayarah, the promotional video reached audiences in cinemas across the country.

Screening on 46 cinema screens through June 17, the campaign comes at a time when funding shortfalls continue to threaten vital food aid programs.

Familiar faces

The campaign features well-known Egyptian public figures, including actor Ahmed Magdy, iEvents founder Amr Mansi, chef and culinary academy founder Mona El Banna, award-winning chef Mostafa Seif, and chef Peri Saleh.

Each appears to be describing their daily routine, before the viewer realizes that they are instead recounting the real-life experiences of people supported by the WFP in Egypt.

By placing familiar voices behind stories of food insecurity, the campaign highlights how access to food underpins dignity, stability and opportunity.

Through this campaign, the agency is “engaging new audiences in the conversation about food security in a way that has never been done before,” said Rawad Halabi, WFP Director and Representative in Egypt.