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
Ambitious Global Tax Treaty remains within reach
13/8/2026: As the fifth round of negotiations concludes, the draft text of a UN Global Tax Treaty is moving towards a fairer allocation of tax on multinational profits between countries. Negotiations will continue until mid-2027.
Source: Greenpeace International
China influence has reshaped development finance conditions in Africa
13/8/2026: At the beginning of the twenty-first century, most foreign aid and investment flowing into Africa came from Europe and North America with explicit conditions attached. Since then Chinese financing and investment has shown less concern as to how African countries govern themselves.
Source: African Arguments
Rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions
11/8/2026: Four human rights groups have filed a lawsuit in US federal court challenging Marco Rubio's escalated campaign to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court. The sanctions undermine access to justice for victims of serious international crimes.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Türkiye seeks to transfer US cluster munitions to Ukraine
11/8/2026: Türkiye has requested permission from the US to “retransfer” to Ukraine tens of thousands of munitions that have been in Türkiye’s stockpiles for decades. Cluster munitions cannot be targeted with precision and endanger civilians. 112 countries have joined the international Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Source: Human Rights Watch