Primary UN body for international peace and security
Aid cuts have reduced services across Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar while refugee numbers continue to rise and living conditions worsen. Malaysia has begun screening Myanmar nationals for a 5,000-person repatriation scheme and has detained and processed groups of Rohingya; rights groups warn returns could put people at risk.
Norway plans a legislative package to ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements across the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The bill also targets real estate and commercial activity linked to settlements, with consultations running for three months.
The memorandum of understanding on ending the war has been signed in Switzerland and will see the Strait of Hormuz reopen to commercial traffic. Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions will follow in a 60‑day window, with promises to lift sanctions and unfreeze assets. Officials say the immediate end to hostilities includes Lebanon, and reconstruction plans will be developed.
The New Arab and Al Jazeera reports detail responses to Bezalel Smotrich’s move to revoke Hebron agreements, transferring planning and construction powers to Israeli authorities in the H2 zone. Palestinian officials condemn the action as a violation of international law, while settlements expansion and related violence intensify across the West Bank and Gaza.
The UN Secretary-General has visited Port-au-Prince amid gang violence, with UN figures showing 2,300 killed, 1.5 million displaced, and 300,000 in Port-au-Prince. The new Gang Suppression Force is to start operations with multinational troops to support Haiti’s police and armed forces. Prime Minister Didier-Fils-Aimé emphasizes elections and republican rule as security remains paramount.
The UK has pushed for a closer relationship with the EU, while not rejoining the bloc, as leaders discuss a second summit and a youth mobility scheme. Prominent Labour figures have signalled varying openness to rejoining the EU, though the party remains committed to not re-entering the single market or freedom of movement.
The text of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding has been released, outlining an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts, respect for sovereignty, a 60-day window to reach a final agreement, and steps to restore trade, sanctions, and economic plans. Drafts from multiple outlets show near-identical provisions, with negotiations urged within the 60-day limit.
The Israeli Defense Forces have intensified strikes against Hamas and allied groups in Gaza, targeting commanders and operational cells. Across the Gaza Strip, the IDF says it is destroying weaponry, reconciling with ceasefire terms, and pursuing a broader security objective. Palestinian casualties and continued political negotiations shape the evolving conflict.
Ukraine has warned it may recalibrate its ceasefire offer if the UN Security Council delays a resolution calling for a full, unconditional end to hostilities. Kyiv says Russia’s war effort has faced disruptions, as strikes and drone attacks target both military and civilian sites. The war remains unresolved as Ukraine signals potential direct talks may resume, while international support and Russian responses continue to evolve.
The RSF is expanding its presence around El-Obeid, raising alarm of potential offensives. The UN and other bodies warn of atrocity risks while drone strikes disrupt civilian life and humanitarian access.
Ten years after Brexit, Europe has moved on while the UK contends with its legacy. EU states see Britain as an ex-partner navigating a changed landscape; the UK faces ongoing questions about economic model, immigration rules, and future ties. Readers are guided through how this shift shapes politics and daily life.
Rwandan and Congolese officials remain locked in a dispute over commitments under a Washington-brokered peace deal, with UN experts noting M23 remains active and minerals continue to flow from conflict zones. Western governments have stepped up sanctions, and the ICJ case against Rwanda has widened the international response.
U.S. Central Command has carried out strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites after Iran allegedly attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows a fragile, recently signed framework aimed at unlocking Lebanon-Israel diplomacy and stabilizing the region. Escalating exchanges threaten the Ceasefire and freedom of navigation in the waterway.
All Africa reports ongoing talks between Somali authorities and international partners. Discussions cover security, border management, government institutions, port development, and stabilisation efforts. The AU mission in Somalia relies on UN support for logistics, financing and coordination, while the US has signalled shifts in funding and policy that could affect future operations.
Israel maintains a security zone in southern Lebanon while pressuring Hezbollah to disarm. Netanyahu says Israel will stay until the threat is eliminated, amid a new framework with Lebanon and ongoing US talks with Iran. The situation has hardened, with Israeli forces showing a long-term posture and Hezbollah resisting demilitarisation.
The Palestinian technocratic committee administering post-war Gaza has concluded two days of talks in Cyprus on easing humanitarian suffering and planning reconstruction. The NCAG says discussions focused on immediate relief projects, governance, and transparency for donors, with further steps to be announced when conditions are met.
The UN Human Rights Council is debating Sudan’s El-Obeid crisis after warnings of a fresh siege and potential atrocities. Volker Türk has described signs from El-Obeid as a clear red alert, urging world leaders to act amid 18 months of siege-like conditions and drone strikes affecting civilians and infrastructure. A draft resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Rights groups warn the US-brokered Lebanon-Israel framework agreement could block victims from pursuing accountability for war crimes, with Clause 3 and Clause 13 cited as limiting access to international courts. Lebanese officials defend sovereignty while thousands remain displaced. The debate centers on accountability, justice and the future path to peace.
Coalition spokesperson has said the group’s threats to Saudi Arabia are an attempt to divert attention from Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and regional partners are urged to move from condemnation to deterrence as tensions rise around shipping routes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
The US-backed Board of Peace has scaled back its Gaza reconstruction plan to a small pilot camp near Rafah and authorised limited international stabilisation personnel. Hamas has dissolved its Gaza governing body but has not agreed to disarm. Israel has refused major troop withdrawals, continued strikes and delayed legal agreements needed for larger deployments; large-scale rebuilding is unlikely before Israel's October election.
The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes this weekend and on Monday, reversing a recent interim ceasefire and re‑opening doubt over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire "over," ordered further strikes and revoked a temporary oil waiver. Oil has jumped into the high $70s–$80s and global markets have fallen.
Saudi Arabia has championed an international pledge to empower women in cybersecurity and strengthen cooperation on cyber policy at a UN Human Rights Council session. The resolution, submitted by Riyadh’s Geneva mission, builds on a 2020 crown prince initiative and aims to boost participation, skills development and safe digital environments worldwide.
A roundup of how AI openness debates, OpenAI leadership views, and the legal battles over social media's impact on youth are shaping tech policy and the public conversation.
Yemen's Houthi movement has declared an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, saying it will close the Bab al‑Mandab to Saudi vessels in retaliation for a reported Saudi blockade of Houthi ports and last week's strikes on Sanaa airport. The announcement has raised fears of renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping and wider disruption to oil routes that already bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN has condemned Hamas for obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza, with reports of armed groups entering food-distribution points and a WFP warehouse. The EU commits almost 900 million euros to early recovery and reconstruction, while donors seek conditions for disbursement amid ongoing conflict and calls for Hamas disarmament.
Yemen’s Houthis have escalated tensions by declaring a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in response to attacks on Sanaa airport. The move follows recent strikes and missile exchanges with Saudi forces, risking a broader regional confrontation that could disrupt global oil flows via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Los Angeles prosecutors have presented texts, photos and forensic evidence at a preliminary hearing accusing singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, of murdering and sexually abusing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Evidence shown has included long-running messages, indications of a pregnancy and abortion, purchases of tools and a body bag, and DNA matches tying blood in Burke’s garage and a Tesla to the victim.
Drones and missiles target Saudi energy infrastructure amid a broader surge in US-Iran hostilities. Riyadh says the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed militias; Iraqi authorities condemn the strikes while Yemen’s Houthis claim to have attacked Saudi shipping. The lull in fighting is punctuated by new strikes across the region as mediators push for talks.
Haitian gangs control large parts of Port-au-Prince and rural areas, escalating violence and humanitarian needs. The U.N. and U.S. officials warn of a dire situation as Washington contemplates ending TPS for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States and seeks international help for security and relief efforts.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has criticised Lebanon’s participation in US-mediated talks with Israel in Rome and has rejected a June framework that ties Israeli withdrawals to verified disarmament and Lebanese army deployments in pilot zones. Technical teams have met in Rome while Israeli strikes, demolitions and clashes in southern Lebanon are continuing and Beirut is pressing Washington for verification guarantees.
Yemeni authorities have moved to resume crude exports from Hadramout and Al-Dhabba ports, directing revenues toward salaries and services. Security forces are tightening patrols around oil facilities and transport routes amid rising tensions with the STC and ongoing clashes with the Houthis. Officials warn that resuming exports will require robust protection for pipelines and ports, and that trust from buyers hinges on sustained security.
The International Criminal Court has withdrawn charges against Abdallah Banda after prosecutors say key witnesses are no longer credible and new testimony could not sustain a conviction. Judges have approved the withdrawal, stressing it does not preclude later charges for similar facts. The decision affects 103 victims and comes amid broader scrutiny of the ICC.
The IPC reports that food security and child nutrition have improved in Gaza as access to humanitarian aid expands, but conditions remain crisis-level across governorates. Israel’s restrictions and ongoing fighting continue to threaten gains, with crossings limited and prices high.
Candidates for the UN secretary-general post have presented reform-minded visions amid a funding and credibility crisis. Straw polls begin late July with a January 2027 appointment target; Latin America is pushing for a regional rotation.
The United Nations chief has urged the immediate removal of sanctions on Syria as he concludes a two-day visit, stressing Syria’s crossroads and the need for investment to rebuild infrastructure, institutions and livelihoods. He has met interim leadership, civil society and UN peacekeepers, while calling for international support to accelerate recovery and safe returns for refugees.
The United States and France clash over the reappointment of UN rights chief Volker Türk, with Washington walking out of a Security Council session as France accuses the US of lecturing the world. The General Assembly has extended Türk’s term despite US opposition, highlighting strains between Washington and the UN and among Western allies.
Protests linked to the JAAC have escalated as elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceed in three phases amid a nationwide crackdown. Officials report clashes and casualties, while JAAC demands political reform and abolition of reserved refugee seats. International observers call for access and transparency as media restrictions intensify.
Lebanon’s President and Turkey’s leader have discussed ways to expand Ankara’s role in security for southern Lebanon as UNIFIL’s mandate ends. While Erdogan signals interest in contributing to a post-UNIFIL framework, observers caution that Israel may oppose Ankara’s involvement. The talks come amid broader regional tensions and stalled diplomacy.
The UN Security Council’s informal straw polls have begun to shape the field for secretary-general. Rebeca Grynspan leads on encouragement votes, with other candidates including Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Rafael Grossi, Macky Sall, Michelle Bachelet, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, and Olara Otunnu. The process remains flexible, with multiple rounds possible and no consensus yet.
The coalition to protect Red Sea shipping is expanding as Saudi Arabia leads talks with dozens of countries. Britain has not yet joined the coalition but is weighing its response while warning of threats to maritime navigation.
The roadmap text is published by major outlets today, showing a phased approach to Gaza’s governance with NCAG taking over civilian functions and an International Verification Committee monitoring progress. Hamas has agreed to the plan; Israel has not commented. The timeline calls for Phase 2 after verified Phase 1 completion, with audits and asset protection.
Houthis have launched repeated drone, missile and naval strikes that have damaged Yemen’s Mocha port, killed dozens and forced the port’s suspension. The group has claimed a drone hit on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery and renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb, while Yemeni government forces have mounted counter‑attacks across multiple fronts.
Lebanon and Israel have identified a shortlist of potential foreign partners to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, with the United States overseeing which nations participate. Negotiations remain in the early stages, and the next round is scheduled for early September.
Iran and Oman say transit-management talks are approaching final stages, yet Tehran conditions, compensation demands and US policies keep a full reopening uncertain. Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz persist as oil markets react to the blockage and regional tensions.
The seventh round of talks mediated by the United States between Lebanon and Israel has stretched into a third day in Rome. Negotiators are debating prisoner releases and, controversially, the transfer of remains of Lebanese Jews buried in Beirut and Sidon. Israel ties progress to resolving long-standing disappearances and to uncovering the fate of Ron Arad. Beirut says it cannot locate such records, complicating what was meant to be a humanitarian issue.
The Gaza ceasefire framework is facing renewed pressure as Netanyahu rejects the 15-point plan, insisting Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal. U.S.-led mediators say the roadmap remains operative, while Hamas calls on Washington to pressure Israel. Violence persists, with casualties mounting in Gaza and settlements in the West Bank intensifying.
Colombia has recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, joining the United States as the only UN member state to back Israel’s claim. The move follows the new president’s pledge to align more closely with Israel and to restore ties after disagreements with the previous administration. Reactions are swift, with Syria and other regional powers condemning the decision as a breach of international law.
Afghan Taliban diplomacy in Kabul and Europe is shaping migration policy. Germany has expanded deportations and opened Taliban‑led missions, raising safety concerns for Afghan activists and refugees who fled the regime. The move comes as Western states balance pragmatism with human rights warnings.
Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have intensified, striking Mocha and al-Makha ports as government forces and militants trade strikes across Marib, Taiz and the western coast. The violence threatens shipping lanes, raises regional tensions, and risks drawing in regional powers as talks for a ceasefire stall.
Residents in Masafer Yatta and West Bank villages have reported repeated settler attacks, property damage and soldiers escorting or standing by during incidents. Witnesses have described settlers grazing livestock in homes' gardens, arson, and assaults near mosques. Humanitarian groups have recorded high demolition and displacement rates since October 2023.