Explore

Explainer-Why are world leaders at the UN next week and what will they talk about?

Explainer-Why are world leaders at the UN next week and what will they talk about?

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Sept 17 (Reuters) - World leaders gather in New York every September for several days of high-level debate starting on Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly. WHO SPEAKS WHEN?

Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes, Yemenis take to boats to flee as Middle East war spreads

Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes, Yemenis take to boats to flee as Middle East war spreads

By Nayera Abdallah and Yomna Ehab DUBAI, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis exchanged fresh strikes across their border on Thursday and Yemenis took to boats in the Red Sea to escape fighting, as the spreading Middle East war created new threats to global oil supplies.

Did China Always Rely on the Great Wall for Defense?

Did China Always Rely on the Great Wall for Defense?

The Great Wall of China, while often perceived as a singular, continuous structure, is in fact a complex series of fortifications built and modifie...

Congressman Rose Raises Somaliland Economic Access Bill at Treasury Hearing Amidst Presidential Visit

Congressman Rose Raises Somaliland Economic Access Bill at Treasury Hearing Amidst Presidential Visit

Representative John Rose (R-Tenn.) pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the Somaliland Economic Access and Opportunity Act (H.R. 7993) during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on September 15. This occurred hours after Representative Rose hosted President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of Somaliland in his Capitol Hill office. The bill, co-sponsored by Representative Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) and others, aims to identify and address barriers limiting Somaliland's access to the U.S. financial system. It mandates a Treasury report within 180 days of enactment, assessing compliance with international financial norms like Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) standards. The legislation also seeks recommendations for both Somaliland and the U.S. to align with IMF, World Bank, and FATF norms, and to explore steps for greater financial integration, including potential SWIFT access, though the source clarifies that SWIFT access is not the primary b...

Fatal building collapse highlights dangers plaguing Gaza nearly a year after ceasefire

Fatal building collapse highlights dangers plaguing Gaza nearly a year after ceasefire

A deadly building collapse in Gaza has highlighted ongoing hardships for Palestinians nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

IGAD Ministers Convene in Djibouti Amidst Worsening Horn of Africa Humanitarian and Security Crises

IGAD Ministers Convene in Djibouti Amidst Worsening Horn of Africa Humanitarian and Security Crises

Foreign ministers and senior government representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states have gathered in Djibouti City for the 74th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers. The meeting is taking place amidst a backdrop of worsening humanitarian and security challenges across the Horn of Africa. Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulkader Omar, is leading the session, which also includes representatives from international organizations, including the United Nations. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Chair of the IGAD Council of Ministers, highlighted the severe humanitarian situation, stating that nearly 49 million people in IGAD countries are acutely food insecure, and over 19 million are displaced. He noted that Sudan remains at the epicenter of some of the most serious crises, with ongoing conflict generating significant humanitarian needs and displacement. Despite these challenges, Gebeyehu also pointed to progress, including 7...

UN Agencies Warn of Imminent Collapse of Aid Networks in Sudan Amid Funding Shortages

UN Agencies Warn of Imminent Collapse of Aid Networks in Sudan Amid Funding Shortages

The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a stark warning that Sudan’s aid network is on the brink of collapse. Ongoing conflict, heavy rains, and continuous displacement are threatening to bring an 'imminent end' to the emergency relief supply provided through the IOM’s Common Humanitarian Pipeline. Without immediate donations, shelter and aid relief supplies are projected to be depleted by the end of the current month. The operational capacity of warehouses crucial for maintaining the pipeline can only be sustained until the end of the year. The war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has resulted in over 200,000 deaths and created the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis. Despite the escalating needs, global aid funding has seen a significant reduction, stretching resources thin. The IOM’s Director General, Amy Pope, emphasized that the entire humanitarian system could collapse within weeks wi...

UN Agencies Warn of Imminent Collapse of Aid Networks in Sudan Amid Funding Shortages and Ongoing Conflict

UN Agencies Warn of Imminent Collapse of Aid Networks in Sudan Amid Funding Shortages and Ongoing Conflict

The United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a stark warning that Sudan's aid network is on the brink of collapse. Ongoing fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), coupled with heavy rains and continued displacement, threatens to halt emergency relief supplies. Since April 2023, the conflict has reportedly killed over 200,000 people and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crisis. The IOM's network, comprising nearly 100 national and international NGOs, has provided aid to 2.8 million people since July 2023, but its reach is diminishing due to a significant reduction in global aid funding. Shelter and aid relief supplies are projected to be depleted by the end of the month without immediate donor support, and the operational capacity of warehouses can only be sustained until the end of the year. A total of 8.6 million people remain internally displaced in Sudan, with violence and floods continuously damaging shelters...

IOM Warns Sudan Aid Supplies Critically Low, Threatening Humanitarian Corridor Operations

IOM Warns Sudan Aid Supplies Critically Low, Threatening Humanitarian Corridor Operations

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a critical warning that emergency relief supplies for Sudan, distributed through its Common Humanitarian Corridor, are projected to run out by the end of September. This comes amidst escalating conflict, a growing number of displaced individuals, and the impact of heavy rains across the region. Since July 2023, the IOM's corridor has reached 2.84 million people, providing essential aid such as shelter materials and emergency household kits. However, the number of beneficiaries has declined significantly, from over one million in 2024 to 804,000 in 2025, and approximately 330,000 so far in 2026. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the dire situation, stating that the humanitarian system could collapse within weeks without immediate additional funding. The organization requires $15 million to maintain minimum operational capacity, which would support 305,000 people, while $42 million would enable an expansion of assistance to one million peop...

Representative Gregory Meeks and Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Discuss Strengthening U.S.-Liberia Partnership

Representative Gregory Meeks and Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Discuss Strengthening U.S.-Liberia Partnership

Representative Gregory W. Meeks, United States Representative for New York’s Fifth Congressional District and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met with His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, in Washington, D.C. The discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding partnership between Liberia and the United States. President Boakai expressed appreciation for the historic friendship and emphasized his administration’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across various areas. Key topics included Liberia’s democratic progress, economic development priorities, regional peace and security, trade and investment, and opportunities for stronger institutional and people-to-people partnerships. President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law, accountable public institutions, and creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth. He also underscored the importance of increasing America...

Yemen fuel shortage hampers migrants trying to flee conflict for the safety of Djibouti

Yemen fuel shortage hampers migrants trying to flee conflict for the safety of Djibouti

A fuel shortage in Yemen is hampering the movement of people fleeing the country’s escalating fighting and seeking safety across the Red Sea in Djibouti

Taliban Seeks Kyrgyzstan's Support for UN Security Council Positions

Taliban Seeks Kyrgyzstan's Support for UN Security Council Positions

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has requested Kyrgyzstan's support for Taliban positions at the United Nations Security Council. This request was made during a phone call with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev. Kyrgyzstan was elected in June as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. Muttaqi described Kyrgyzstan's election as a 'significant achievement' and emphasized the importance of 'mutual cooperation and support' between Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan within the Security Council framework. The two ministers also discussed high-level exchanges, political consultations, and efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, including expanding political ties and economic cooperation through trade, investment, and joint projects. Kyrgyzstan does not formally recognize the Taliban administration but removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations in 2024 and maintains political and economic contacts.