Hong Kong court convicts activists for Tiananmen vigils
21/8/2026: The Hong Kong High Court has convicted two activists for their role in organising the city’s annual vigil for the victims of China’s 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. The court ruled that a mission to “end one-party dictatorship” in China constitutes an attempt to “overthrow” the Chinese government.
Source: Human Rights Watch
DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreading exponentially
21/8/2026: The UN's Senior Ebola Coordinator has warned that the number of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo has doubled in the last 20 days. Efforts to contain the outbreak have been impeded by lack of funds, violence, and deaths of health workers from the disease.
Source: UN News
New US sanctions on International Criminal Court
19/8/2026: The US has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting the president and a senior prosecutor, alleging that the International Criminal Court is a threat to US national sovereignty. Although the Court is not part of the UN, the Secretary-General has expressed serious concerned at the latest US action.
Source: UN News
Why has microfinance failed to live up to its promise?
19/8/2026: Microfinance was once celebrated as Asia’s tool to lift people out of poverty, designed to provide financial services to low income people typically excluded from traditional banking. The stark reality is that, in addition to capital, entrepreneurs need skills and a sound business concept.
Source: The Conversation
The economy sustaining eastern Congo’s endless war
19/8/2026: The economy that sustains rebel militias is vital to understanding conflict in eastern Congo. Peace processes built around military and political settlements keep failing because control of territory is more important than winning major battles. Civilian populations suffer the consequences.
Source: African Arguments
Only 3 percent of Gaza’s cropland remains accessible and undamaged
18/8/2026: According to a new geospatial assessment released by UN agencies, accessible and undamaged cropland in Gaza has fallen by 25% since the October 2025 ceasefire. Before hostilities escalated in October 2023, agriculture supported the livelihoods of more than 560,000 people.
Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization
An agenda for philanthropy’s investment into AI for good
18/8/2026: In late 2025, 10 of the largest US foundations committed $500 million over five years to explore what artificial intelligence could do to deliver human-centered goals. Funding now needs to take the next step of identifying what AI should do.
Source: Devex
Refugees in South Sudan face extreme hunger as funds run out
14/8/2026: Food and nutrition assistance for the most vulnerable 240,000 refugees in South Sudan will end in September, cutting off a lifeline for people already living on the edge. Up to 3,000 refugees continue to arrive from Sudan each week.
Source: World Food Programme
Zambia resumes election vote count after disruptions
14/8/2026: Vote counting has resumed in Zambia after it was suspended amid reports of violence against officials and the theft of ballot papers. Around 8 million voters are choosing members of parliament and local councillors at more than 13,500 polling stations. European Union observers are monitoring the election.
Source: DW
An attack on healthcare every six hours, and no one held to account
14/8/2026: Across the world, healthcare venues and personnel have suffered more than 10,000 attacks in the past eight years, resulting in approximately 5,700 deaths and over 8,000 injuries. Most incidents occurred in Ukraine, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory, but other locations include Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the DRC, South Sudan, Russia, Syria and Nigeria
Source: UN News