A growing number of people fleeing Sudan’s civil war have crowded into the city of El Obeid and nearby camps, creating worsening humanitarian conditions. Thousands of families arrive daily with little food or belongings, many traumatized, as fighting and drone attacks continue in the region.
Key Facts
Over 15,000 families have arrived in El Obeid since mid-July, joining more than 200,000 people displaced earlier in the year.
El Obeid was home to about 500,000 people before the war started more than three years ago.
Tens of thousands live in tented camps on the outskirts while most new arrivals come mostly on foot with few possessions.
About 85% of the displaced people are women and children; many men stay behind for farming.
Sudan’s civil war began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
Around 11.3 million people have been displaced nationwide, with some areas at risk of famine.
There have been numerous violent drone attacks, including “double-tap” strikes where a second drone hits rescuers after the first strike.
The RSF militia has been responsible for many civilian casualties, including a massacre in El Fasher in October 2025.
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In Lesotho, a small number of men are becoming midwives to help reduce high maternal death rates during childbirth. Traditionally, midwifery is seen as women’s work, but more male midwives are joining to support pregnant women in this mountainous country.
Key Facts
Lesotho has about 300 male midwives, though exact numbers by gender are not officially recorded.
The maternal death rate in Lesotho is about 530 deaths per 100,000 live births, much higher than the global average of 200.
Male midwives are rare worldwide, making up less than 1% of all midwives according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Midwifery is traditionally viewed as women’s work in Lesotho and many African societies have conservative views on men in this role.
Male midwives like Sehloho Sehloho provide prenatal care, helping women feel comfortable during their visits.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of maternal deaths globally, with around 180,000 pregnancy-related deaths each year on the continent.
WHO and UNICEF encourage more people, both men and women, to become midwives to address shortages in childbirth care professionals.
Sehloho Sehloho has worked as a midwife for two decades and travels long distances to clinics in rural areas.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are meeting in Kyrgyzstan for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The meeting includes leaders from Iran, India, Pakistan, and other countries, and aims to discuss cooperation amid tensions with Western nations.
Key Facts
The SCO summit marks 25 years since the group's founding and includes about a dozen member states.
Members include Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian countries, and Belarus.
Leaders attending include Putin, Xi, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, India’s Narendra Modi, Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, and Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov.
Russia and China have used SCO meetings to promote a multipolar world, positioning themselves against Western countries.
The summit occurs during conflicts in Ukraine and tensions between the US and Iran.
Russia and Iran have increased military and economic cooperation despite heavy Western sanctions.
The US recently imposed secondary sanctions on Iran’s trade partners in sectors like gold and technology.
China, a big importer of Iranian oil, has vowed to defend its interests against these sanctions.
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Guinea-Bissau held a referendum to decide on increasing the president’s powers and reducing the number of parliamentary seats ahead of a December election. The changes aim to strengthen the president's authority and simplify parliament, but the opposition opposes the move and called for a boycott.
Key Facts
Guinea-Bissau voted in a referendum to change its constitution before the December general election.
The new constitution would give the president more power and lower the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65.
Authorities believe these changes will reduce political conflict between the president and prime minister.
The military took control of the country in a coup last November after a disputed election.
The opposition claims the referendum weakens democracy and urged people not to vote.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced several coups since independence from Portugal in 1973.
The country faces high poverty rates and is a key route for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
Around 915,000 voters are registered, but many citizens are unhappy with the process and the proposed changes.
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The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln passed Singapore on its way home after a long mission in the Middle East. The ship will stop in Thailand to rest before returning to the United States.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a large U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
It was seen near Singapore early on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The ship supported U.S. military operations against Iran.
It stayed at sea for over 250 days without stopping, a record length of time.
Crew members experienced mental health challenges during the deployment.
There were shortages of supplies on the ship, including food and hygiene items.
The ship will visit a port in Thailand for rest and recovery.
After Thailand, the USS Abraham Lincoln will return to its base in the United States.
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The Madrid regional government spent €6.3 million on a penthouse that was meant to be a temporary office during renovations but can only be used as a residence. The purchase has caused controversy, with calls for transparency and an ongoing investigation into complaints about the acquisition.
Key Facts
Madrid’s regional government bought a €6.3 million penthouse in April 2024.
The property was intended as a temporary workspace for President Isabel Díaz Ayuso during office renovations.
Planning laws allow the penthouse to be used only for residential purposes, not as an office.
The flat is located in the upscale Chamberí neighborhood of Madrid.
Ayuso dismissed criticism and said the penthouse would be sold, with proceeds going to wildfire victims.
A judge is investigating five complaints related to the purchase.
The leader of Ayuso’s party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, said questions about the purchase remain unanswered.
Ayuso’s partner is awaiting trial for tax fraud and document falsification, but he denies the charges.
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A WhatsApp group chat called "Traders of Greater Europe" was used to move hundreds of millions of euros in cash worldwide to fund crime and extremism, including payments to ISIS militants in Syria. This cash transfer system, based on the hawala method, allows money to be sent without bank records and was uncovered through messages on the phone of a network leader arrested in Belgium.
Key Facts
The group chat had 532 members and over 82,000 messages from February to December 2022.
It was used to arrange large cash transfers across borders, sometimes over €5,000 per payment.
Payments reached British cities like Birmingham and London, and militant groups such as ISIS in Syria.
The system used, hawala, relies on trust-based brokers exchanging money without electronic records.
Hawala is illegal in most EU countries but legal in the UK if brokers are registered.
Belgian authorities arrested six money launderers connected to this network after a 2024 court case.
The arrested network leader’s phone contained evidence of at least 12,000 transactions.
Investigators described the operation as professional and highly organized without government oversight.
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At least 750 people have died and over 3,000 are missing after heavy floods and mudslides hit Nepal and Tibet near the China border. Rescue teams continue working, but bad weather and rising water levels are slowing efforts, and many foreign nationals and hydropower workers remain unaccounted for.
Key Facts
The floods and mudslides began after a glacier collapsed on Wednesday, causing heavy debris flow.
Nepal reported 734 deaths and 2,498 missing; Tibet reported 16 deaths and 546 missing.
Over 3,000 people are still missing in total across both regions.
Rescue teams face difficulties due to heavy rain and rising river water.
Around 933 hydropower workers are missing in Nepal, many believed trapped in tunnels.
A new lake formed in Tibet due to landslides, forcing rescuers to move to safer locations.
China identified 261 foreign nationals missing on the Tibetan side, including people from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Rescue work is ongoing as authorities focus on reaching trapped workers and recovering victims.
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Heavy floods along the Nepal-China border have caused widespread damage, killing hundreds and leaving thousands missing. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors while authorities warn of more possible flooding and urge residents to stay alert.
Key Facts
Catastrophic flash floods struck communities along the Nepal-China border.
The combined death toll in Nepal and Tibet has reached at least 640 people.
Nearly 3,550 people are reported missing in the affected areas.
Poor weather has slowed aerial rescue efforts.
Flood warning messages were sent to residents’ phones to prepare for more flooding.
Floodwaters have destroyed homes, vehicles, farmland, and infrastructure such as roads.
Authorities and rescue crews are working to clear a major highway linking Kathmandu to devastated areas.
Drones have been used to inspect damage and deliver relief materials to isolated locations.
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People protested in New York City against an event called "Universal Oneness" because it featured Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist group from India. The protests focused on opposing the presence and ideas of this group.
Key Facts
The event was called "Universal Oneness" and took place in New York City.
Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the RSS, attended the event.
The RSS is a Hindu nationalist group from India.
Demonstrators gathered to protest against the event and Bhagwat’s presence.
Protesters oppose the ideas associated with the RSS.
The protests highlight concerns about Hindu nationalism on an international stage.
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Myanmar’s military has regained control of several towns in Chin State after heavy fighting with rebel groups. The military used strong air attacks and added many new soldiers, while China played a role by arranging ceasefires and limiting weapons for some groups. The conflict, which started after a 2021 coup, remains intense with many deaths and displaced people.
Key Facts
Rebel fighters left the strategic town of Falam in April after a six-month military assault involving over 2,500 air strikes and around 1,000 troops.
Falam controls Chin State’s only airport and a trade route to India.
After Falam fell, three more towns in Chin State were taken by the military by late May.
The military launched a mass conscription to increase its troop numbers by tens of thousands.
China helped broker ceasefires between the military and some ethnic armed groups, and limited weapon supplies to others.
The conflict began after a military coup in February 2021 and the military’s violent crackdown on protesters.
More than 100,000 people have died in the conflict, 3.9 million have been displaced, and about one in three people needs humanitarian aid.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of the coup, became Myanmar’s president in April after elections that excluded major opposition parties.
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People in Golo, a town in central Darfur, Sudan, are fixing a difficult road by hand. They want to make it easier for emergency vehicles to reach their community, despite large rocks blocking the way.
Key Facts
Residents of Golo are repairing a rough road with their hands.
The road is in central Darfur, Sudan.
The repairs are meant to help emergency vehicles get through.
Large boulders on the road make the task very hard.
The effort is important for better emergency access to the community.
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Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, two British rightwing politicians, have recently competed for the favor of Giorgia Meloni, Italy's rightwing prime minister. An article causing confusion about Meloni's advice to British politicians was corrected, and Meloni’s team said she does not want to interfere in British domestic politics.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage leads Reform UK, and Kemi Badenoch is the Conservative leader in the UK.
Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s prime minister, known for her rightwing views and social conservatism.
A news article stated Meloni advised Badenoch not to work with Farage, but this was later removed following complaints.
Meloni’s team said she does not want to be involved in politics between British parties.
Badenoch posted a selfie with Meloni praising her direct style, sparking political debate.
Reform UK criticized Badenoch’s comments, and a former Tory MP accused her of lying about Meloni’s statements.
Meloni became Italy’s prime minister in 2022 and has a growing influence among global rightwing leaders.
Farage and others admire Meloni for gaining power despite challenges.
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Iceland held a close referendum on whether to restart talks about joining the European Union. The vote was almost evenly split, with just a small difference between those against and those for resuming membership negotiations.
Key Facts
About 270,000 people in Iceland were eligible to vote in the referendum.
Early results showed 50.1% voted No and 49.9% voted Yes to resuming EU talks.
Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir brought the vote forward due to international tensions, including concerns after President Trump showed interest in Greenland.
The main issue for voters was protecting Iceland’s fishing industry, which makes up nearly 40% of its exports.
Iceland is already part of the EU’s single market and a border-free travel zone called Schengen.
Fishery rights have been a long-standing obstacle to Iceland joining the EU.
A Yes vote means starting negotiations again but not immediately joining the EU.
Iceland has no military and relies on NATO allies for defense, while it supports Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.
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Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the country will keep control over its oil resources despite a new 25-year deal with the United States. The deal allows US and other foreign companies to help develop Venezuela’s oil fields while Venezuela retains ownership and receives revenue from oil sales.
Key Facts
Venezuela will hand over rights to develop 65 billion barrels of oil to the US and other foreign companies for 25 years.
Initial oil production goal is 1.5 million barrels per day from 17 strategic oilfields.
The deal includes developing 8 new oil blocks to expand Venezuela’s energy sector.
Venezuela will get $19 from every barrel sold to the US, potentially earning $209 billion per year depending on oil prices.
Venezuela says it will keep ownership and sovereignty over its natural resources.
The agreement aims to use foreign money, technology, and skills to fix Venezuela’s damaged oil industry.
US President Donald Trump announced the deal, which includes allowing US company Chevron to operate in Venezuela.
Venezuela’s leadership changed after US forces abducted then-President Nicolas Maduro earlier in the year.
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A bride-to-be named Denise Rivera accidentally dropped her engagement ring into the Hudson River while at a restaurant. A group of divers from the Hudson Valley Commercial Diving School happened to be nearby and helped recover the ring.
Key Facts
Denise Rivera lost her engagement ring in the Hudson River.
The incident happened near a restaurant by the river.
Divers from Hudson Valley Commercial Diving School were present at the restaurant.
These divers helped find and retrieve the dropped engagement ring.
The event took place around August 29, 2026.
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Two men are wanted by police for stealing a 200-carat diamond necklace from a museum in Vienna. The necklace once belonged to Egyptian royalty, and an international search is underway to find the suspects.
Key Facts
The crime involved the theft of a 200-carat diamond necklace.
The stolen necklace belonged to Egyptian royalty.
The theft happened in a museum located in Vienna, Austria.
Two men are the suspects in this case.
Police have launched an international manhunt to capture the suspects.
The necklace is a valuable and historic piece of jewelry.
Authorities are working with international partners in the investigation.
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A woman says she was thrown out of her seat and dragged along the tracks on a mountain coaster in Colorado, causing serious injuries. The incident is under investigation.
Key Facts
The event happened on a mountain coaster ride in Colorado.
The woman claims she was ejected from her seat during the ride.
She was dragged along the coaster tracks, which led to severe injuries.
Authorities are looking into the incident.
No further details about the cause or response were provided in the report.
Mountain coasters are outdoor rides where passengers ride down tracks on a small sled.
Safety rules and equipment are usually in place to prevent accidents on these rides.
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Independent bookstores in Hong Kong, known for offering books with ideas censored in mainland China, are facing pressure and closures. This comes after police arrested several booksellers under new security laws aimed at suppressing dissent in the city.
Key Facts
Hong Kong’s independent bookstores provide access to political books not allowed in mainland China.
Chinese university student Fleming Cheng visited a Hong Kong bookstore to read books critical of China’s government.
Four bookstores including Greenfield were targeted by police under a 2024 national security law.
Greenfield Bookstore announced it would close after its lease ended.
Another bookstore, Have A Nice Stay, planned to close due to financial difficulties and legal risks.
Hong Kong’s freedoms have been decreasing since Beijing introduced a national security law in 2020.
The authorities say the laws ensure stability in Hong Kong.
The 2015 disappearance of bookseller Lam Wing-kee highlighted long-standing pressure on politically sensitive bookstores.
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A memorial display in Berlin shows a car covered in bullet holes to remember six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The display represents the car of the Rajab family, found with 335 bullet holes.
Key Facts
The memorial is located in Berlin.
It recreates the scene of Hind Rajab’s killing.
Hind Rajab was a six-year-old Palestinian girl.
She was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The Rajab family car had 335 bullet holes.
Activists set up the display to honor her memory.
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