Global intergovernmental body to maintain international peace and security
Palestinian communities face encroachment as Israeli settlers, backed by a hard‑line government, move to seize springs and designate heritage sites. Water diversions near Fasayil contribute to a new “Herod’s Pool,” while funding for archaeology signals a broader push to consolidate control over land and memory in the West Bank.
The US‑backed Board of Peace has presented a six‑month, $2.45bn, 66‑project recovery programme for Gaza while warning that full reconstruction will require about $71.4bn over the next decade. Implementation has not begun because the plan depends on Hamas disarming, Israeli cooperation and major donor funding that remains largely unpaid; Israeli forces continue to control large parts of the Strip.
The Green Party conference has adopted a motion declaring Zionism to be racism and calling for a single democratic Palestinian state. Several MPs oppose it, including four of five Green MPs, while Israel condemns the motion and bans the party leader from entering the country. The debate exposes tensions between grassroots members and elected officials and raises questions about the party’s governance.
Malaysia has begun repatriating Myanmar nationals after detaining thousands and arranging the first group of about 1,476 to travel by Myanmar naval ships to Yangon. The government says returns are voluntary and part of a 5,000-person programme; the UN and rights groups have said they cannot verify voluntariness and warn returnees, including possible Rohingya, face grave risks in a country at war.
Britain has warned it could expel up to about 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel closes the UK consulate in East Jerusalem on Thursday. Israel has ordered the consulate to shut within 30 days after Britain announced sanctions on goods and services linked to West Bank settlements. British officials have tried last-minute talks to avert the closure but have not reached a deal.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo's influence, is aiming to extend its Nations League success as it hosts upcoming fixtures. Ronaldo has left the camp amid a dispute over his role, while Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix push Portugal’s attack alongside coach Jorge Jesus—who has signalled Ronaldo’s potential return.
Benjamin Davis has been dismissed from the FAO after a 26-year tenure, amid controversy over his Gaza hunger brief and moments of silence protests. Qu Dongyu has warned staff about firing more for political activism, while Davis argues the dismissal undermines the UN’s human-rights mandate. The case now moves to the FAO’s internal justice process.
The United States reports a new deportation of a Nicaraguan dissident who was released after protests in 2018. He has been deported to Managua and detained again in the same prison where fellow critics were tortured. Human rights groups say the crackdown has driven hundreds of thousands to flee, while Washington presses for accountability amid ongoing expulsions.
Five British men have been detained near RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vans. Police have bail conditions on the suspects, and investigators are examining possible links to Iran and other foreign actors. Iran denies involvement as the investigation continues.
The government has announced plans to transform the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute into a full Ghana Space Agency to coordinate space activity, promote national programmes, and foster research and innovation. Cabinet approval paves the way for a Bill to establish the agency, with legal and operational backing to manage space initiatives.
A cross-cultural look at how stuffed vegetables—from peppers to tomatoes—are being redefined across cuisines, tracing techniques, fillings and heritage, while spotlighting new trends in home cooking and dining culture.
Lenacapavir, branded Yeztugo in the US, has a twice-yearly injection form of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Its introduction in parts of the Middle East and North Africa comes with cheaper generics set to be available in 2027, while many countries in the region face barriers to testing and treatment.
Protests in Pristina and across Kosovo have intensified after the Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three other KLA leaders of war crimes. Lawmakers face pressure as opposition pushes to limit the court’s mandate, with parliamentary votes and potential early elections shaping the political crisis ahead of an EU-mentioned path to reform.
Yemen’s government forces and allied militias are intensifying operations against Houthi positions across Taiz and along the Bab al-Mandeb coast. The coalition says it is targeting Houthi sites with air cover, while the Houthis have sought to extend their grip on western Yemen. Civilians remain displaced as fighting tightens its grip on strategic routes and coastal corridors.
Portugal has secured a 4-2 win over Denmark, while Germany beats Serbia 2-0 and the Netherlands draw with Greece as part of Nations League action. Ireland defeats Israel 3-0 amid security concerns surrounding the Israel fixture. Ronaldo remains on the bench for Portugal in Oslo.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening high-level ties amid regional tensions, inviting Gulf allies to the GCC-EU Summit and coordinating on issues including Yemen and security. Multiple meetings signal a thaw and shared interests as Riyadh hosts the event.
City Hall’s Strategy to Combat Antisemitism has increased hate-crime funding and education initiatives, but critics say it fails to define antisemitism or address anti-Zionism. Politically charged debate continues as pro- and anti-Israel voices mobilize around a plan aimed at protecting Jewish communities in New York City.
A joint South Korean–UN investigation has concluded that North Korean mines caused a September 21 blast in the DMZ that wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has demanded an official apology and is conducting mine-clearing; Pyongyang has denied responsibility and has launched a ballistic missile from Wonsan, escalating tensions.
Iran has executed two men for the deaths of four security officers during January protests, with authorities citing charges of armed group membership and national-security undermining. Rights groups report higher death tolls and warn of a broader push to intimidate dissidents amid ongoing security measures following February regional tensions.
The Gaza conflict has intensified since Oct. 2023, with widespread destruction across Gaza and the displacement of more than 2.1 million people. Recent satellite imagery and UN assessments show 82% of structures damaged and about two-thirds destroyed, including major landmarks and the port. International bodies have raised alarms over humanitarian crisis while ceasefire conditions remain fragile.
Ukraine’s long-range drones and missiles have continued to target Russia’s oil refining capacity, with officials reporting strikes on refineries from Moscow to Siberia. The war’s aerial campaigns are escalating, with Kyiv’s forces claiming a major hit on energy infrastructure and Moscow warning of broader damage.
Starbucks has opened two stores in Urumqi, Xinjiang, after selling a controlling stake in its China business to Boyu Capital. The move signals a strategic shift toward domestic growth, even as Western critics label Xinjiang-linked operations controversial. Boyu aims to scale to up to 20,000 stores in China, with Xinjiang as a first stop.
Yemen's internationally recognised government has announced a nationwide military offensive to retake territory from the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. The move follows Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast, the cutting of Taiz's main supply road and Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Aramco sites. Saudi-led air strikes are supporting the counteroffensive.
The UN World Food Programme has condemned an aerial attack on two trucks carrying humanitarian food in South Kordofan. A driver has been killed; the vehicles, clearly marked as aid transport, were travelling from Dilling to Kadugli. WFP is urging an immediate, independent investigation and full accountability, as aid operations face a growing security risk.
Parliament replaces Agila Saleh with Al-Salhin Abdelnabi Al-Obeidi, amid ongoing efforts to unify Libya’s fractured institutions. The shift follows Haftar ally Saleh’s weakening position as Saddam Haftar consolidates influence in the east; US-led diplomacy seeks a path to national cohesion.
Palestinian children displaced by the Gaza war are studying in El-Arish, Egypt. A volunteer teacher has set up a free school that now serves nearly 400 students, with support from Misr El Kheir Foundation. The effort aims to preserve Palestinian curriculum and provide stability and healing for the children.
The Green Party at its Brighton convention has passed a motion calling Zionism a form of racism and backing a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine with equal rights for all. The vote was 1,022 to 813, prompting condemnation from Jewish groups and Israel’s government.
Since the latest round of indirect talks around the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has demanded seven conditions for reopening, while the US signals readiness for further talks or renewed military actions. A tanker has been struck in Hormuz; Britain’s UKMTO confirms damage but no crew injuries or environmental impact. Washington is shifting to economic pressure after months of bombardment and blockade.
Pacific leaders gathering in Nadi and Tuvalu are pushing to keep 1.5C within reach, secure faster climate finance, and elevate oceans in the climate regime ahead of COP31. Attendees include national leaders and finance chiefs; Tuvalu appeals for urgent support as sea levels and extreme weather threaten island life.
Syria and Israel face a renewed phase of tensions along the Golan and southern Quneitra as Israeli engineers advance the Sufa 53 line, extending a fortified route inside or near the contested buffer zone. Syria condemns the move as a violation of the 1974 disengagement and UN resolutions, while regional actors urge restraint.
Israel has stated it will continue targeting anyone involved in the Hamas attack and hostages, as violence and casualties in Gaza mount after the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Leaders mark anniversaries and pledge resolve amid ongoing conflict and post-war planning.
A three-year reflection marks the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing war. Survivors and families confront memory, trauma, and political debate as the nation remembers the victims and assesses the conduct of the war.
Gaza remains under strain as displacement, injuries, and psychological trauma persist for millions. UN and NGO assessments highlight vast needs, with hundreds of thousands of children affected by violence, loss, and disrupted services amid ongoing humanitarian challenges.
The Malian army, with Russian-backed forces, has re-entered Kidal. Tuareg separatists withdrew without direct fighting, citing disproportionate aerial power. Analysts say the move is symbolic and not decisive in the broader fight against jihadist and separatist groups.
The Irkutsk case has prompted the WHO to demand more information as officials in Russia contest the link to a plague outbreak. Western officials warn that incomplete data risks a broader health scare.
The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed new strikes against Saudi Arabia, targeting airports and military sites as fighting in Yemen widens. Saudi forces say they are intercepting missiles north of Riyadh, while ground and air operations on Yemen’s western coast intensify. The conflict risks disrupting regional shipping routes amid a broader regional confrontation.