A global intergovernmental body established in 1945 to maintain international peace, security, and cooperation.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage has struck the Moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, carving a new crater and throwing up a plume of dust. South Korea’s Danuri orbiter has photographed the site and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is due to image the impact next week. Scientists are analysing the collision to study crater formation and risks from lunar debris.
Since July 18 Ukraine has struck multiple Wildberries warehouses across Russia, causing fires, deaths and major stock losses. The campaign has put at least 1.5 million sq m of warehouse space out of operation, forced evacuations and pushed merchants toward bankruptcy. Wildberries and Russia are discussing compensation and possible state support.
Scientists have found that human-caused warming has made the hot, dry and windy weather that fuelled this summer’s wildfires far more likely: roughly 20 times more likely in central Spain and about twice as likely in parts of France. The results accompany mass evacuations, record burn areas and heavy smoke that has crossed international borders.
The Taliban-era ban on girls' secondary education persists as multiple reports show rising suicides and personal tolls among Afghan women. New investigations quantify deaths and ongoing suppression, while international condemnation continues amid economic and health concerns.
Nigel Farage has unveiled "Operation Fortress": a plan to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel and return people to France or Belgium. The proposal has drawn legal and military scepticism, French condemnation and accusations from rivals that it is a distraction from financial scandals.
Several West and southern African governments have repatriated tens of thousands of nationals and lodged diplomatic protests after months of anti-migrant unrest in South Africa. Two Ghanaians have filed a petition at the International Criminal Court accusing Pretoria of failing to prevent widespread attacks; Nigeria and Ghana have evacuated citizens, opened autopsies and offered reintegration support.
Member states and rights groups critique Thailand’s high-profile greeting for Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing. The Thai government frames the trip as calibrated re-engagement aimed at regional stability and ASEAN peace, while critics say the display legitimizes a military-led administration and prolongs the country’s civil war.
The government has doubled National Crime Agency officers tackling smuggling and is changing the approach to small-boat crossings. Crossings are down this year, and officials say this reflects tough enforcement and new cooperation with French authorities. The PM stresses safe routes and dialogue with the EU as Ceuta incidents reshape EU dynamics.
Europe faces a blistering heatwave and spreading wildfires. Hungary and Romania scale back energy use; Italy imposes red heat alerts amid scorching temperatures; Greece, France and Spain tackle blazes as drought tightens water supplies. Israel also records extreme heat and hazards for heat-related health risks.
OpenAI hosted a luxury influencer retreat in upstate New York to promote ChatGPT Work, featuring farm-to-table dining and nature-themed activities. While attendees shared glossy posts, critics question the environmental cost of data centers powering AI and accuse the event of greenwashing.
The Iraqi government has pledged to bring all armed groups under state control by the end of September. US-Saudi strikes on PMF sites highlight tensions as factions resist disarmament. Analysts warn of regional escalation and political backlash as factions align with external backers.
Cuba has been pushed into an acute crisis by a US oil blockade that began in January. The blockade has caused repeated nationwide blackouts, supply shortages and strained hospitals even as Havana has approved limited economic reforms to allow some private imports and services. The CIA has secretly created a Cuba task force to intensify influence operations against the island, according to briefed sources.
Iran has executed multiple men convicted over killings during January’s nationwide protests, including two public hangings in Isfahan’s Alikhani (Malekshahr) Square. Videos and witness accounts show residents chanting and trying to block the executions before security forces dispersed the crowd. Rights groups say executions and hunger strikes at Ghezel Hesar prison have risen since January.
Oil benchmarks have fallen sharply after US President Donald Trump has said he called off planned strikes on Iran and reported that talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will begin. Brent has dropped from above $100 to about $83 and US crude has fallen below $80, while markets and bond yields are reacting to lower geopolitical risk premiums.
Technical delegations from Lebanon and Israel have met in Rome this week to progress a US-brokered framework that links Israeli withdrawals to verified Hezbollah disarmament and Lebanese army deployments in pilot zones. Talks are running as Israeli forces continue strikes and demolitions in southern Lebanon and as Beirut presses for more pullbacks and international verification.
The White House has hosted industry leaders to discuss a voluntary framework reviewing cybersecurity across the AI sector. OpenAI, Google and Anthropic are involved as the administration finalizes how frontier models will be evaluated under a forthcoming framework.
Courts have halted the crocodile moat project at Ketziot Prison as judges review the plan amid animal-welfare concerns and political pressure. The injunction restricts transfers of Nile crocodiles until a final ruling is issued, while environmental officials warn of risks to animals and staff.
The Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence, replacing acting DNI Bill Pulte. Clayton has faced questions about his stance on the 2020 election and national security credentials, while Republicans push for steadier leadership in the intelligence community as major policy debates continue.
Lebanon says it will pursue legal action over Israeli actions in southern Lebanon as negotiations in Rome aim to move forward on the June framework. Human rights figures warn of potential war crimes amid continued demolitions and displacement.
Tensions in the Red Sea have intensified as Houthis escalate maritime attacks and a blockade against Saudi-linked shipping. Attacks target vessels, widen regional confrontation, and threaten global energy routes amid ongoing US-Iran tensions.
Malaysia is reviewing a plan to repatriate up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya refugees, while rights groups warn of risks and rising anti-Rohingya sentiment. Detention depots are screening Myanmar nationals for returns, and officials emphasise voluntary processes and safety criteria amid international concerns.
Palestinian and Israeli actors have sustained a cycle of violence as settlement expansion continues. Recent attacks by settlers and Israeli forces have targeted villages like Umm al-Khair and Kafr Malik, threatening homes, livelihoods and access to water. The expansion agenda, supported by new outposts and broader land confiscation, is reshaping life in the occupied West Bank.
Russia’s use of North Korean missiles against Ukraine is rising again as Moscow expands military ties with Pyongyang. A North Korean missile unit is reported to be based in Voronezh, with about 90 personnel and up to 120 missiles planned. Western analysts stress rising threats to Ukraine’s air defences and power grid as the war persists.
New data show El Niño is strengthening and could drive higher global temperatures this year. Forecasts warn of drought in some regions and wetter conditions in others, with implications for food security and disaster readiness.
Admiral Paparo has said some actors are using false claims of legitimacy to pressure neighbors; tensions in the South China Sea persist as the U.S., Philippines and ASEAN push for a binding code of conduct while China expands its maritime presence. Talks on a regional code have accelerated, with a year-end target in reach.
Tens of thousands have entered Ceuta amid a border surge. Morocco and Spain report conflicting casualty figures as prosecutors open an investigation. Broad diplomatic tensions rise as social media claims and regional politics intersect with the crisis.
South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Yangsan records 42.5C, the hottest on record; Seoul and other cities face severe heat warnings. Authorities have activated new disaster measures, deploy cooling efforts, and warn residents to stay indoors and hydrate as power demand and health risks rise.
Uganda’s army chief has unveiled a statue of Yonatan Netanyahu in Entebbe to commemorate the raid’s courage and the enduring ties between Uganda and Israel. Attendees included Israeli and Ugandan officials; the event follows the 1976 Entebbe rescue and signals evolving diplomatic relations.
Civilians at a local customary court in Garra al-Zawaya, North Darfur, have been killed and wounded after a drone strike. Emergency Lawyers says the attack targeted civilians during a court session held under a tree, with community leaders present. The RSF controls the area and has been accused of mounting mass atrocities across Darfur. The broader conflict has displaced millions and raised UN warnings of mass atrocities.
Displaced Gazans struggle to feed their families as shortages persist despite increased aid. Workers face unemployment while high prices strain budgets; some turn to barter and credit as the UN notes worsening food insecurity.
Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, reverting to its traditional designation. The government says the move strengthens national identity and heritage; the UN and several foreign ministries have updated their listings accordingly. A referendum was not pursued, with lawmakers endorsing the change after “extensive discussions.” The transition will also affect the country’s international code and demonym.
Clashes have intensified in western Tigray near the Sudan border as federal forces and the TPLF renew hostilities. Both sides accuse each other of violating the Pretoria peace deal. Civilians are fleeing across the border into Sudan, raising regional instability.
The twin earthquakes have devastated La Guaira, leaving thousands homeless and destroying hundreds of buildings. The interim government has expanded access to international aid while authorities struggle to chart the full scope of the disaster and ongoing recovery.
Recent fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF has intensified across multiple fronts. Humanitarian access remains constrained, with millions in need and aid convoys increasingly at risk. International efforts to de-escalate are ongoing as the Quintet presses for a ceasefire and a Sudanese-led political process.
A wave of attacks has killed and wounded civilians in Ukraine while Moscow claims damage to cargo vessels and oil facilities. Ukrainian drones hit targets deep inside Russia; Russia responds with glide bombs and port strikes. The conflict is intensifying as both sides deploy long-range strikes and disrupt infrastructure.
The Khalra case in Punjab remains a touchstone for human rights accountability after Paramjit Kaur Khalra and Sikh activists were subjected to disappearances, torture, and killings tied to state actions during the 1980s. Recent films and international attention rekindle debates over state accountability and freedom of expression.
Ukrainian authorities have released video of a drone chase, culminating in an explosion that injured a vegetable vendor in Kherson. Kyiv, UN rights monitors, and international leaders condemn the attack as a barbaric war crime; both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians.
Gaza City hosts the largest funeral since the 2023 start of the war as 112 bodies—from the Abu Shreia and Hassayna families—are recovered from Sabra rubble. The operation follows a two-week effort supported by the ICRC, with thousands still missing and the toll rising beyond 73,000 dead according to Hamas-run health authorities.
Hasina has addressed journalists in Delhi on the second anniversary of Bangladesh’s uprising, insisting she will return to Bangladesh and rejoin politics. Bangladesh’s government seeks extradition, while India says the request is under examination. A memorial museum marks the uprising, and protests in Dhaka have intensified. The region’s relations are scrutinised as Hasina’s return looms.
Thousands gather in Gaza City as 112 bodies are buried after rescue teams recovered them from Sabra and surrounding sites. Families mourn 308 relatives from a November 2023 attack, with 157 still missing. The funerals unfold under a continuing ceasefire while confrontations and calls for investigations persist.
International concern grows as a series of confrontations around Jerusalem’s holy sites prompts new diplomacy. A Jordan-hosted emergency meeting seeks to address risks to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Christian sanctities, while regional actors warn of consequences for stability ahead of October elections.
The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington in a reciprocal move after Brazil declined to approve President Trump’s nominee for ambassador in Brasília. The Brazilian diplomat faces no expulsion, and her visa will be restored if Brazil grants agrément to the American nominee. The dispute coincides with Brazil’s October election and broader bilateral disagreements.
Migrant surge into Ceuta has largely reversed, with tens of thousands returning or attempting to return. About 1,000 unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta, while families and other migrants have receded. A 17-year-old girl recounted watching her eight-year-old brother drown amid chaotic crossings. The toll and counts vary by source, but the pattern is clear: Spain is managing a large migration spike and repatriation while Moroccan authorities report additional deaths.
Thousands rally as Imran Khan remains in custody; activists allege prolonged confinement and restricted access to medical care. Amnesty International and UN mechanisms raise concerns about treatment in jail, including solitary confinement and restricted legal access. Separate UK probe concerns surround a Pakistani politician's alleged past abuse and international implications.
More than 180,000 customers will face 48-hour water withholding cycles starting Friday as Puerto Rico battles a worsening drought, aging infrastructure, and mounting political pressure. Officials say trucks will deliver drinking water with hospitals and elder care prioritized; the duration of rationing remains unclear.
Iran has intensified capital punishment on national security charges since March, with at least 56 people executed and more than 100 at risk amid anti-government protests. Executions for drug offences continue at an alarming rate, and concerns over fair trial guarantees persist as public and closed-door sentences are handed down.
In Ceuta, approximately 140 people have died and tens of thousands have crossed into the Spanish enclave. Morocco denies involvement, while Spain and partner nations assess diplomatic fallout and security responses. The situation remains fluid as border controls tighten and international reactions intensify.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have concluded that Israeli strikes on 22 April in al‑Tiri, southern Lebanon, deliberately hit journalist Amal Khalil and wounded photojournalist Zeinab Faraj. The groups say video, photos, witness testimony and a Red Cross deconfliction request show Israeli forces knew or should have known the women were civilians and that rescue teams were impeded.
A trio of articles show a shifting US stance on Israel, with surveys indicating rising unfavourable views of Israeli government and society among Americans across parties. The debate is moving toward tougher U.S. policy, even as some voices call for accountability and humanitarian considerations.
The International Association for Tibetan Studies has cancelled its Nepal seminar, scheduled for Aug. 23–26, following requests from top government officials. Authorities have a history of restricting pro-Tibetan activities in Nepal, which hosts thousands of Tibetan refugees and maintains close ties with China. The Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations are monitored. No official reasons were given.