Global intergovernmental body pursuing peace, security, development
The US Treasury has designated Palestine Action as a "specially designated global terrorist" group and has blacklisted its assets, following a UK proscription last year. Washington has frozen US-based property and barred Americans from dealing with the group while pointing to break-ins, damage to defence sites and social-media calls for similar actions.
Rohingya refugees have faced rising hostility in Malaysia and continuing displacement in Bangladesh as camp conditions deteriorate. Malaysia has announced a plan to repatriate up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals, begun screening detainees and introduced a national registration system, while Bangladesh refugees have held rallies demanding safe return and aid cuts are worsening hunger risks.
Palestinian health officials say a 17-year-old was killed and several others were wounded in a spate of settler attacks across the West Bank, including Sa’ir, Masafer Yatta and Jenin. Israeli forces are conducting arrests and raids while Palestinian authorities report widespread damage and displacement.
Dead and missing rise after floods near the Nepal-Tibet border. Authorities warn of possible second floods as rescue operations continue. Foreign nationals are among those unaccounted for, with UK tourists among the missing.
A Himalayan flood triggered by an ice-rock avalanche has killed at least eight in Nepal and caused widespread damage and hundreds missing along the Nepal-Tibet border. Officials say 384 tourists are unaccounted for, with hundreds of locals also affected. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities warn of possible further floods.
Sudan’s conflict continues with battlefield pressure on the RSF and army, defections rising, and civilians bearing the brunt as regional spillovers complicate any path to peace. International diplomacy is nudging for a humanitarian truce, while new rounds of talks are planned in Addis Ababa.
The UK has signalled it is moving to sanction Israel over its West Bank E1 settlement tenders, warning that the move threatens the two‑state solution. Britain is preparing a comprehensive set of measures, including potential trade and other restrictions, while international condemnation grows.
The Times of Israel, BBC Business, France 24 and Bloomberg report that Israel has opened tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 corridor, east of Jerusalem. The move draws international condemnation and raises concerns about a two-state solution. France, Germany, Italy and the UK join in urging reconsideration, while the EU and UN caution on the broader implications for regional stability.
Massive floods across Nepal and Tibet have killed dozens and left hundreds missing. Rescue efforts are underway, with thousands of troops deployed and international aid flowing in as authorities warn of continuing danger from dammed lakes and downstream river surges.
The U.S. State Department says three Americans have been rescued and no U.S. deaths have been confirmed in the floods triggered by a glacier collapse along the China-Nepal border. Dozens of pilgrims and travelers, including Americans, remain unaccounted for as towns reel from damage from the flash floods near Mount Kailash.
President Trump has ordered a substantial reduction in this month’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, citing his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un and the drills’ cost. The US and South Korea have agreed to shorten and scale back the exercises; Seoul has said the drills started as scheduled while Pyongyang has dismissed outreach and warned that scaled-back drills remain provocative.
Iran has executed a detainee convicted of 'operational action in favor of hostile groups' as protests over economic hardship surge. The judiciary says others were executed in connection with the rallies, which authorities blame on foreign-backed unrest. Rights groups report casualties far higher than government tallies.
President Trump has announced what he called the "most crushing economic operation ever" against Iran, warning any country or company that provides a lifeline to Tehran will face "tremendous economic consequences." Treasury officials have signalled stepped‑up secondary sanctions while Iran has warned it will hit back; markets have reacted with higher oil prices and weaker US equities this week.
Six armed pirates hijack the Eritrean-flagged MT Sibu 1 east of al-Mukalla, Yemen, steering toward Somalia’s Puntland coast. The incident marks the latest in a string of hijackings by Somali pirates since April, with concerns rising over extended reach and security along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Puntland deploys coastal forces and condemns near-coast strikes; the IMB recorded 38 piracy incidents in H1 2026.
CEPI has awarded up to $16.5m to Minapharm Group to advance a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine through preclinical work and into a Phase I trial expected to take place in Africa. The move makes Minapharm the fifth developer backed for Bundibugyo candidates as the DRC outbreak has passed roughly 5,600 confirmed cases and more than 2,700 deaths.
Somalia faces a deepening hunger emergency as drought, conflict and displacement collide with severe funding cuts. The World Food Programme and UNICEF warn millions of people, including nearly 1.9 million children at risk of malnutrition, will feel the impact unless funding improves. Health facilities are closing, and aid delivery is increasingly constrained as prices rise and households reduce meals.
Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank face intensified pressure as settler violence and military raids continue. In Qusra, a 15-day siege has displaced families and raised concerns about movement restrictions, while rights groups warn of escalating displacement and the broader impact of settlement expansion.
Mexican authorities are enforcing a new transit arrangement for deported nationals, routing Mexicans via Guatemala and Honduras before return to Mexico within 24 hours, as the United States widens cooperation with Latin American partners. Officials say this tactic is aimed at deterring migration, while Mexico protests and seeks clarity on legal protections for its citizens.
Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law as war with Russia continues. A former defence minister has called for wartime elections, prompting a presidential debate. Zelenskyy says elections during war are a risk that could split the country, while allies discuss conditions to conduct votes safely.
Liberian authorities have charged former vice president Jewel Howard-Taylor and three foreign nationals in a widening case tied to alleged transnational cocaine trafficking. Prosecutors say the network used Liberia as a transit hub to Europe, with Howard-Taylor facing multiple charges as the investigation expands. Her lawyers call the case politically motivated as the government pursues a sweeping drug crackdown.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak has become the nation’s deadliest and fastest-spreading on record. Since declaring the outbreak on May 15, confirmed infections have risen to 5,290 with 2,516 deaths, most occurring in the past 20 days. Health workers face mounting danger as attacks and fatigue threaten the response, while funding gaps threaten containment. World bodies call for immediate international support.
The Israeli Defense Forces have admitted firing at a family’s car as they fled an evacuation route, killing six in Gaza City. Two medics in the rescue ambulance were killed as it approached. Investigations are launched, but families and Red Crescent responders question the justice and timing.
Drones and missiles have struck Kryvyi Rih and Kyiv, leaving dozens dead and many injured. Attacks come as Ukraine reports intensified Russian strikes and a growing toll on civilians amid ongoing fighting.
Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity over the May interception of a flotilla heading to Gaza. The justice ministry has requested Interpol red notices as part of a case against 35 people. Israel denies the allegations and vows to continue actions against Ankara.
A joint letter published in Le Monde by 102 signatories urges France and the United Kingdom to uphold international law in Palestine, arguing for equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians. It accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing in the occupied territories and calls for penalties on settlements and arms transfers while urging humanitarian access.
A trio of reports shows diaspora Jews and Israel facing shifting loyalties amid a backdrop of antisemitism and the Gaza war. Diaspora leaders warn that faith in Israel as a homeland is waning for some young Jews, while Birthright programs strive to maintain a personal connection.
Updates show renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza amid ongoing U.S.-backed ceasefire efforts. Officials warn of a potential breakdown, with Palestinian casualties rising and international pressure mounting over disarmament and civilian protection.
Ukraine has launched a 40-day drone campaign to pressure Moscow by striking energy infrastructure and cargo chains, while Russia responds with strikes on Ukrainian energy and grain routes. The two countries are clashing over Black Sea routes, threatening global grain supplies and heightening regional instability.
Kazakhstan has moved to a single-chamber Kurultai under a new constitution. A snap election has brought seven parties into the 145-seat parliament, with most observers expecting Tokayev's allies to dominate. Turnout is high as voters weigh reforms linked to Just Kazakhstan.
France and Saudi Arabia have signed a €6bn agreement to build three theme parks near Cergy‑Pontoise, northwest of Paris, led by Qiddiya Investment Company. One park has been described as manga‑themed and inspired by Dragon Ball Z. The project has been presented as creating about 22,000 jobs and will open in stages over several years.
The United Nations monitors have arrived in Minembwe to verify violations of the Doha Framework ceasefire as fighting persists in eastern DR Congo. Swiss-brokered peace talks have yielded a roadmap for negotiations, with a regional verification mission on the ground.
Kites and balloons launched from Gaza are again crossing into southern Israel, prompting warnings from Israeli officials to stop the practice and warning of intensified strikes. The issue has drawn statements from Hamas, the UN, and international observers as civilian safety remains at the center of the dispute.
Barrack’s comments about Israel’s status over the Golan Heights have sparked renewed international criticism and intensified debate over U.S. policy dating back to 2019. The ambassador says the remarks describe historical status, not UN positions, and emphasizes that ongoing negotiations shape the region’s future.
Syria and Israel are engaging in high-level talks aimed at halting Israeli strikes and reviving a security agreement, with the United States mediating and discussions touching on a joint operations room and possible security zones. Syria insists on sovereignty and demands no restrictions on rebuilding its armed forces as talks continue.
A Damascus court has found Ahmad Hassoun, Syria’s former grand mufti, guilty of inciting violence and supporting the regime, delivering a life sentence and additional terms. The ruling comes amid a wave of trials against Assad-era officials as the new authorities push for accountability.
The U.S. Southern Command has confirmed lethal strikes against low-profile vessels linked to drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. The administration is pressing allied nations to extend operations onto land; critics warn of civilian harm and legal questions. Officials say the goal is to disrupt narco-terror networks and stem drug flows into the United States.
Incumbent Hichilema has won a second term with 60% of the vote. Mundubile and running mate have been questioned for treason; courts are closed amid clashes between security forces and opposition, blocking legal challenges to results. The government is extending security measures while the inauguration nears.
UNMISS patrol en route to Pajut in Jonglei state has been ambushed, killing two peacekeepers and wounding others. A Quick Reaction Force has been deployed to secure the area, with UN officials condemning the violence and calling for investigations amid fears of a slide back toward civil war in South Sudan.
The Trump administration has expanded third-country deportations, sending thousands to about 24 countries, including Liberia, Equatorial Guinea and Uganda. Deported migrants report harsh conditions, with some arriving in chains and held at facilities with limited medical care. Critics call the practice a loophole that bypasses due-process protections.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced new economic measures designed to squeeze Iran’s economy and isolate Tehran further. Iran’s leadership warns against entrenchment, while markets react to currency pressures and potential retaliation. The move follows Trump’s public calls for economic D‑Day and a broader strategy of secondary sanctions.
The United States has imposed new sanctions on nearly 60 entities linked to Iran’s oil revenue, cyber operations and nuclear-related procurement as part of a broader effort to sever Tehran’s economic lifelines. Tehran has rejected the measures, while allies weigh responses and potential countermeasures.
Gunmen have attacked Kenscoff, killing residents and setting homes ablaze in a night of terror. The assault harms civilians, displaces thousands, and intensifies calls for security reinforcements ahead of December elections.
The United States proposes expanding the UN arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and drone-related technology, while the Security Council weighs tougher measures amid intensifying drone strikes and external support. Darfur remains a flashpoint as the embargo’s future hinges on a veto-wielding Security Council.
Latin American governments are renewing ties with Israel, recognizing sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and restoring diplomatic channels after years of strain. Venezuela and Colombia are central to a broader regional realignment, with other states re-engaging in Israeli cooperation and security ties.
Several global bodies have renewed a push for legally binding limits on autonomous weapons. They warn the technology is evolving at record speed and civilians must be protected as negotiations in Geneva prepare for a November meeting on strengthening the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Gao Zhen, a U.S.-based artist of the Gao Brothers, has been sentenced to three years in a Hebei prison for works the Chinese authorities deem insulting to revolutionary figures. He has been detained since August 2024. Amnesty International and UN rights groups condemn the ruling as a crackdown on artistic expression. His wife aims to reunite with him in the U.S. and continues to pursue an appeal.
UN forces have condemned Israel’s raid on the Qalandia Training Centre in East Jerusalem, where UNRWA provides vocational training to around 340 Palestinian students annually. Israel says the site is being repurposed under new laws; UNRWA denies ownership claims and warns of a dangerous breach of international law. The operation follows other closures and defunding pressures against UNRWA.
A weekend attack on Kenscoff, above Port-au-Prince, has escalated violence as a gang leader threatens to execute hostages if police harm gang members. Authorities warn the assault tests Haiti’s security and political process ahead of December elections. Survivors and officials describe widespread destruction and shifting strategy by police and UN-backed forces.
A wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa has prompted mass repatriations. Ghana declines a MTN donation for evacuees, while Malawi reports large-scale repatriations. The continent faces ongoing displacement as regional protests coincide with government evacuations.
A fire on the third floor nursery at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad has killed 14 newborns, with more than a dozen others rescued. Authorities launched an urgent inquiry, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a comprehensive investigation while government agencies review hospital safety protocols.