News

UN warns child violence risks deepen as 2030 target slips

The report says almost 19% of the world’s children now live in conflict zones. That compares with about 10% during the 1990s. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children worldwide. The total was nearly triple the roughly 17 million recorded in 2010. It includes refugee and asylum-seeking children, along with millions uprooted within their own countries by conflict and violence.
Climate hazards are adding another layer of risk for children around the world. Nearly half of all children, or 1.1 billion, face at least three overlapping climate hazards. Almost every child faces at least one such hazard, according to UNICEF’s 2026 climate risk assessment. More than 4 million children face as many as six overlapping threats. The hazards include drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, floods, fires, tropical storms and sand and dust storms.

Nepal-Tibet floods kill 919, leave 4,793 missing

Floods across Nepal and Tibet have killed 919 people, with 4,793 missing. Nepal’s toll is 903 dead and 4,247 missing, while Tibetan officials report 16 deaths and 546 missing. Rescue teams have saved 10,451 people, including 252 foreigners. 592 foreigners and 933 hydropower workers are still missing. 267 people are injured, with 156 discharged. Nepal has deployed 20,000 security personnel for search, rescue, and relief efforts. The flood hit the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District, causing widespread damage to infrastructure. Rescue teams are focusing on missing workers and isolated areas, with some trapped in blocked tunnels. Recovery teams are dealing with a large number of unidentified bodies.

Business

Nikkei drops as Japan bond yields hit three-decade highs

Japanese stocks came under sharp pressure Monday as the Nikkei 225 dropped nearly 2% in early trading. The benchmark fell 1.97% to 65,096.63 and later touched an intraday low of 64,832.10. Technology shares led much of the decline as investors reacted to higher bond yields and tighter interest rate expectations. The broader Topix also weakened early, falling 0.84% to 4,111.71. Japanese government bond yields rose at the same time, adding pressure to rate sensitive parts of the equity market.

Travel

Travel

Air Arabia sets December start for Sharjah Gdansk route

On Mondays and Saturdays, flight G9 0628 will leave Sharjah at 4 p.m. and arrive in Gdansk at 8 p.m. The return flight, G9 0629, will depart Gdansk at 8:50 p.m. It will reach Sharjah at 6:10 a.m. the following day. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Sharjah departures are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Return flights will leave Gdansk at 1:05 p.m. and arrive in Sharjah at 10:25 p.m. All published times are local.

Travel

Etihad sets December start for Abu Dhabi Gothenburg flights

The route will give Gothenburg its first direct air connection with the United Arab Emirates. It will also create the city’s first nonstop link to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers from western Sweden can connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across India and Asia. The new service also provides direct access to Abu Dhabi for travelers departing from the Gothenburg region. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Gothenburg and the wider western Sweden market.

South Korea tourism surplus reaches post-pandemic high

South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, its strongest monthly result since the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure marked a $1.44 billion improvement from June 2025, when the balance showed an $846.8 million deficit. Korea Tourism Organization data show June produced the second-highest monthly tourism surplus on record. Only October 2008 was higher, with a surplus of $661.5 million.

Travel

Spain begins temporary border checks for Italy arrivals

Spain has begun temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea, in response to Italy’s own temporary controls on arrivals from Spain. The measures include document checks at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Italy introduced its controls after a surge of migrants entered Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Despite Spain’s calls for Italy to withdraw its restrictions, both countries have maintained their border controls. The Schengen Area allows for temporary border checks in cases of public policy or security threats.

Technology

Health

Health

European Commission adds PCR support for Ebola outbreak

The European Commission has expanded its Ebola response with a €2.1 million purchase of PCR tests for the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. The agreement covers open-platform tests that laboratories can use with existing systems. Shipments are due to start in August as health teams confront a large outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and affecting parts of the wider region.

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Health

Australian team finds new way to tackle triple-negative breast cancer

Australian researchers from Adelaide University and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute have identified a novel molecular switch that drives the spread of aggressive tumors. Published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, the breakthrough study reveals that Australian researchers uncover a promising new way to tackle triple-negative breast cancer by restoring a critical regulatory molecule known as miR-342. The discovery opens new avenues to prevent life-threatening secondary cancers in organs such as the lungs and bones.

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Health

DR Congo allocated 70,000 doses for Ebola outbreak

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will receive 70,000 Ervebo Ebola vaccine doses as the Bundibugyo outbreak expands. Congolese authorities reported 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 deaths as of Aug. 18. The outbreak now affects 56 health zones across six provinces in the east and northeast. Authorities also listed 1,115 recoveries, while 730 patients remained in isolation or hospital care.

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