Explore

Attacks on aid workers hit record high in 2025, UN says

Attacks on aid workers hit record high in 2025, UN says

By Emma Farge GENEVA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A record number of humanitarian workers were attacked last year, driven partly by increased use of armed drones, the United Nations said on Wednesday, calling the trend "appalling".

South Sudanese Basketball Player Wenyen Gabriel Appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

South Sudanese Basketball Player Wenyen Gabriel Appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

Wenyen Gabriel, a professional basketball player born in Sudan and a former refugee, has been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Gabriel, whose family fled South Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War and eventually resettled in the United States through a UN program, aims to use his platform to raise awareness about the plight of refugees. He intends to amplify the voices of those affected by conflict in his home country, emphasizing that they should be seen as human beings, not just statistics. Gabriel recently inaugurated a basketball court in Maban, South Sudan, a village hosting several refugee camps, including Doro camp, where he met displaced families.

U.S. to Develop Plan with Israel for Gaza Humanitarian Aid Distribution

U.S. to Develop Plan with Israel for Gaza Humanitarian Aid Distribution

The United States and Israel have agreed to formulate a plan to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians in the Gaza Strip without benefiting Hamas. This development was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The agreement comes amidst escalating conflict in the region, with concerns about the distribution of aid and the potential for it to be diverted. The plan aims to address the critical needs of the civilian population in Gaza while maintaining security protocols to prevent resources from falling into the hands of the militant group. This collaborative effort underscores the U.S.'s commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts in the conflict zone and its strategic partnership with Israel.

Canada Reduces Military Presence in Africa and Europe to Prioritize Domestic and Allied Defense

Canada Reduces Military Presence in Africa and Europe to Prioritize Domestic and Allied Defense

Canada is significantly scaling back its military footprint in Africa and parts of Europe, with plans to conclude several operations by mid-2027. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will end Operation SOPRANO in South Sudan and Operation CROCODILE in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, Operation CALUMET in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, which supports the Multinational Force and Observers, will see its personnel reduced from approximately 40 to 10 by the end of 2026. Non-African deployments are also affected, with Operation KOBOLD in Kosovo concluding by the end of 2026 and Operation SNOWGOOSE in Cyprus ending by mid-2027. These changes are part of Canada's broader strategy to reallocate military personnel and capabilities towards higher-priority defense requirements, focusing on defending Canada, strengthening the Euro-Atlantic region, and supporting stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Donor fatigue guts demining in Asia, as active conflicts draw away funding

Donor fatigue guts demining in Asia, as active conflicts draw away funding

Land mines and unexploded bombs from conflicts of the last century still plague parts of Southeast Asia, claiming lives and limbs each year

A Palestinian American's journey to his West Bank home under settler siege

A Palestinian American's journey to his West Bank home under settler siege

By Pesha Magid QUSRA, West Bank, Aug 17 (Reuters) - He watched from thousands of miles away on a security camera feed as militant Israeli settlers encircled his West Bank house, fearing he could lose his home forever amid increasing Israeli seizures of Palestinian property in the occupied territory.

Chief Detained in Aweil West After Exposing Inmate Plight in Prison

Chief Detained in Aweil West After Exposing Inmate Plight in Prison

Tito Duang Dhieu, the paramount chief of Gomjuer Centre in Aweil West County, has been detained by the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the National Security Service. His arrest occurred on Friday after he visited Nyamlel Prison, took photographs of the inmates' living conditions, and subsequently shared them publicly without government authorization. According to Aweil West County Commissioner Abuol Akok Akok, Duang was transferred to Aweil town. The chief's visit followed the death of an inmate on Thursday, reportedly due to hunger and illness, prompting him to expose the prison conditions and seek assistance for vulnerable detainees. Photographs seen by Radio Tamazuj depicted inmates living in poor conditions. The Commissioner stated that Duang should have reported the issue to her first to address it through legal channels.

Canadian official condemns Israel’s 'unlawful invasion' and announces new aid to Lebanon

Canadian official condemns Israel’s 'unlawful invasion' and announces new aid to Lebanon

A Canadian official has condemned what he called Israel’s “unlawful invasion” of Lebanon

Russian missile attack kills 10 in northeast Ukraine, Zelenskiy vows response

Russian missile attack kills 10 in northeast Ukraine, Zelenskiy vows response

By Volodymyr Pavlov PECHENIHY, Aug 18 (Reuters) - A Russian missile attack killed 10 people on Tuesday in a village in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, adding that Kyiv would respond.

UN Human Rights Chief Urges Restraint Amid Escalating Civilian Toll in Yemen

UN Human Rights Chief Urges Restraint Amid Escalating Civilian Toll in Yemen

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has voiced significant alarm regarding the escalating civilian casualties in Yemen, calling for immediate de-escalation of hostilities. Since August 6, at least 17 civilian casualties have been reported in government-controlled areas due to attacks by Ansar Allah (Houthi group), with two additional casualties in Houthi-controlled areas in late July. These attacks include a missile strike on August 7 at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people in Ma'rib, injuring six civilians, including a child. Furthermore, missile and drone attacks on Al-Mokha port in Ta'izz Governorate on August 9 resulted in the deaths of three port workers and injuries to four others. The UN Human Rights Office is also verifying reports of subsequent attacks on Al-Mokha Port on August 14 and 15 that may have caused more civilian casualties. An attack on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on August 11 reportedly killed four crew members and injured several others. Tü...

Ukraine energy company says its facilities seriously damaged after 13 Russian strikes in a week

Ukraine energy company says its facilities seriously damaged after 13 Russian strikes in a week

Ukraine’s state energy company says Russia has attacked its facilities 13 times over the past week, with nearly 300 attacks this year

Myanmar confirms nearly 309,000 Rohingya in Bangladesh, says security issues delaying repatriation

Myanmar confirms nearly 309,000 Rohingya in Bangladesh, says security issues delaying repatriation

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government has verified that nearly 309,000 displaced people in camps in Bangladesh are former residents of the troubled Rakhine State, but repatriation will proceed only after security in Rakhine improves, the foreign ministry said.