The driest spring in Scotland since 1964, followed by a hot summer, has caused critically low water levels, particularly in the east of the country. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has declared significant scarcity, the highest alert level, in the Ythan (Aberdeenshire) and North Fife catchment areas, restricting water abstraction for industry and agriculture. Further areas, including the Deveron and Don rivers in Aberdeenshire, may face similar restrictions. While ex-Hurricane Erin may bring rain, the long-term outlook is concerning.

Reservoir levels are alarmingly low; Backwater Reservoir, supplying 300,000 people near Dundee, is less than half full and emptying rapidly. Scottish Water is exploring emergency measures, including a temporary pipe network to supplement the reservoir from the River Isla, pending Sepa approval. Water tankers are transporting supplies from wetter western regions to alleviate shortages in the east. Average reservoir levels in eastern Scotland are at 56%, compared to a typical 81% for this time of year.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of Scotland's water resources to climate change and increasing population density in the east. Experts emphasize the need for more sustainable water usage, including exploring alternatives like rainwater harvesting, to mitigate future shortages and protect the environment.

Impact Statement: The water shortages underscore the impact of climate change on Scotland's water resources, impacting agriculture, industry, and domestic water supplies, necessitating urgent adaptation measures.

Irish rap group Kneecap has canceled its 15-date US tour due to band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's (stage name Mo Chara) upcoming court hearing in London on September 26. Ó hAnnaidh, 27, was charged in May with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in 2024. He denies the charge, and the band maintains it does not support Hamas or Hezbollah. The tour, which was fully sold out, was scheduled to begin in New York on October 1.

The band's statement cited the proximity of the court hearing to the tour's start date as the reason for cancellation. Ó hAnnaidh's defense team is attempting to have the case dismissed due to an alleged technical error in how the charge was filed. He has been on unconditional bail since June. Despite the cancellation, Kneecap's Canadian shows will proceed as planned.

Kneecap has faced previous controversies, including calls for their US visas to be revoked and criticism from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding their performance at Glastonbury. The group's pro-Palestinian stance has been a source of ongoing public debate.

Impact Statement: The cancellation impacts tens of thousands of fans who had purchased tickets to the sold-out US tour. The ongoing legal proceedings and their impact on Kneecap's touring schedule highlight the band's continued engagement in politically charged controversies.

A double-tap airstrike by Israel on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Monday killed at least 20 people, including five journalists. The first strike hit the hospital's top floor, followed 15 minutes later by a second strike on the same location as rescuers and journalists arrived. Victims included Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri, Associated Press journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Salam, photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha, and Ahmad Abu Aziz from Quds Feed. Another Reuters journalist, Hatem Khaled, was wounded. The attack prompted international condemnation, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling for an immediate ceasefire and US President Donald Trump stating he was "not happy about it." French President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as "intolerable." Israel claims, without evidence, that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes.

The Israeli military stated that a preliminary investigation into the strike had been ordered and that they "expressed regret for injury to uninvolved personnel," adding that Israel "does not target journalists as such." However, this follows a pattern of attacks on journalists in Gaza, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reporting at least 193 Palestinian journalists killed since October 7, 2023. News agencies, including Reuters and the Associated Press, condemned the attack and highlighted the ongoing dangers faced by journalists reporting from Gaza. The CPJ stated that Israel’s killing of journalists continues with impunity. Nasser Hospital is the only functioning public hospital remaining in southern Gaza.

Impact Statement: The attack has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, raised serious concerns about press freedom and the targeting of civilians during wartime, and sparked widespread international condemnation. The Israeli military's stated investigation is unlikely to lead to accountability given past patterns.

An Israeli military airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Monday killed five journalists, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama, and a total of 20 people. The attack, described as a "double-tap strike," targeted the main medical facility in southern Gaza as rescue workers and journalists responded to an initial strike. This incident occurred amidst Israel's intensified offensive to seize Gaza City and follows the recent killing of another Al Jazeera journalist, Anas al-Sharif. Al Jazeera condemned the attack as a "war crime" and part of a "systematic campaign to silence the truth," a sentiment echoed by numerous international organizations and governments, including the OIC, Turkey, Britain, Spain, Germany, France, the UN, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The PFLP blamed Israel and its allies, including the US, for the attack.

Several international organizations and government officials strongly condemned the attack. Al Jazeera, the OIC, and the CPJ denounced the killings as war crimes and violations of international law. Many world leaders, including those from Turkey, Britain, Spain, Germany, and France, expressed horror and demanded investigations and an immediate ceasefire. The UN called for a prompt and impartial investigation and urged action to stop the ongoing violence and famine in Gaza. Reuters also reported on the death of one of their contractors in the attack.

Impact Statement: The killing of journalists in Gaza has triggered widespread international condemnation and calls for accountability, highlighting concerns about press freedom and the escalation of violence in the region. The incident underscores the dire humanitarian situation and the need for urgent action to protect civilians and ensure access to information.

Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, Israel's military chief of staff, stated on Sunday that a deal to free Israeli captives held in Gaza was on the table, but a military offensive to seize Gaza City would pose a significant danger to their lives. He claimed that the military assault, which has led to widespread famine and the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, created conditions for a hostage exchange with Hamas. Israel's security cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss a truce proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt; Hamas has reportedly accepted this proposal, which includes a 60-day ceasefire and a staged prisoner exchange.

Despite the proposal and tens of thousands of Israeli protestors demanding an end to the war, Israel is proceeding with its plan to take Gaza City, home to nearly one million people. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza last week, with close to 514,000 people experiencing famine, a number projected to increase. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 62,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, and on Monday, an Israeli bombing of a hospital in Khan Younis killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.

Impact Statement: The ongoing conflict in Gaza presents a humanitarian crisis with the potential for a significant escalation if the planned assault on Gaza City proceeds. The possibility of a prisoner exchange remains, but the timing and success hinge on the decisions made by Israel's security cabinet.

Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned an alleged Israeli military incursion on Monday, stating that 60 Israeli soldiers entered Syrian territory near Mount Hermon, arresting six Syrians. The ministry described the action as a "grave threat to regional peace," citing the incident's proximity to Beit Jinn, an area with reported arms movements by Hezbollah and Palestinian groups. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani accused Israel of violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. This follows recent deadly clashes in Suwayda province and Israeli strikes on Syrian targets.

Separately, Syria announced that interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will address the UN General Assembly in September, marking the first such address by a Syrian leader in decades. Al-Sharaa's attendance follows Syria's recent efforts to rebuild and re-engage with the international community after years of civil war. This includes lifting of sanctions by the US and EU, and the signing of numerous economic agreements totaling $14 billion. Parliamentary elections are also scheduled for September.

Syria's actions at the UN and its economic progress signal a significant shift in its international relations following the end of the civil war and the toppling of Bashar al-Assad.

Torrential rains and flash floods across Pakistan, particularly impacting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have resulted in over 788 deaths since late June, including 200 children and 117 women. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority reports over 400 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, with thousands of homes damaged and billions of rupees in losses. A 7km lake formed in Gilgit after a mountain mudslide on Friday. Punjab province is on high alert, with 19,000 people evacuated due to rising river levels. Buner district reported the highest death toll, exceeding 200, with nearly 100 still missing.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Buner, describing the situation as "doomsday," and called for policy changes to address future flood risks. Criticism is directed at the government for permitting construction in flood-prone areas, including a resort built by a federal minister near a river. The Climate Change Minister, Musadik Malik, stated that the government will crack down on illegal construction and improve drainage systems. WaterAid Pakistan warns of widespread waterborne diseases due to 80% water contamination in affected areas. Experts, including Naseer Memon, attribute the severity of the floods to encroachment on floodplains, deforestation, and a lack of climate impact assessments for infrastructure projects. There are accusations that authorities downplayed the floods, attributing them to "cloudbursts" while ignoring planning failures.

Impact Statement: The devastating floods in Pakistan highlight the country's vulnerability to climate change and raise serious concerns about governance and urban planning. The high death toll and widespread damage necessitate significant international aid and long-term infrastructure improvements.

Finland's 830-mile border with Russia, once marked by simple posts, is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Finland's subsequent NATO membership, the border has been closed indefinitely, and a barrier fence is under construction along 120 miles. President Alexander Stubb has highlighted the historical tensions between the two countries, emphasizing the need for solutions. The border region is experiencing increased surveillance and concerns about illegal crossings, particularly by Russian defectors, including potential Wagner group members.

The Finnish border guard is adapting to this new reality, enhancing its technological capabilities and training conscripts, including women, to address the evolving security challenges. While cooperation on practical issues like forest fires persists, communication with Russian counterparts has decreased due to the geopolitical shift. The influx of Russian military personnel seeking asylum poses a significant challenge, prompting questions regarding how to manage potential war criminals.

Impact Statement: The changing dynamics along the Finland-Russia border reflect the broader geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine, highlighting increased security concerns and the evolving relationship between Finland and its eastern neighbor.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plans to launch its regional eco currency by July 2027, a pledge made at the Sahel Governance Forum in The Gambia. The eco, initially planned for 2020, faced delays due to economic disparities among members, fiscal challenges, political instability (including military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger), and the COVID-19 pandemic. The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS in January 2024 further complicated the process.

Economist Tsonam Akpeloo highlights the need for political alignment and economic stability for a successful currency union, suggesting Nigeria and Ghana as potential launch partners due to their economic size and relative stability, alongside Gambia and Ivory Coast. Analysts emphasize the need for shared rules and a strong central economic coordinator, drawing parallels to the European Union's euro adoption. Concerns remain about potential dominance by larger economies and the willingness of the three nations that left ECOWAS to participate.

The planned rollout will initially involve the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) members, followed by integration with the CFA franc-using nations. ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray affirmed the 2027 deadline, acknowledging remaining convergence criteria challenges. The long-term success hinges on stronger economies supporting weaker ones during crises, mirroring the EU's model. Akpeloo believes the eco could strengthen ECOWAS's global influence and attract foreign investment.

Impact Statement: The successful launch of the eco could significantly boost regional economic integration and ECOWAS's global standing, but considerable political and economic hurdles remain.

At least 20 people, including four health workers and five journalists, were killed in two airstrikes on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. The attacks, which damaged the hospital's main building and emergency staircase, also injured 50 others, including critically ill patients. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus strongly condemned the attacks, stating that the repeated assaults cripple already limited healthcare access in a region facing starvation. He called for an immediate ceasefire, echoing the sentiments of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini who decried the silencing of journalists reporting on the humanitarian crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the attacks, demanding an investigation and reiterating calls for a ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. Over 61,000 deaths have been reported in Gaza, and famine has begun to take root.

Impact Statement: The airstrikes on the Nasser Hospital represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid.

Some 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The 35th World Water Week, held in Stockholm from August 24th to 28th, emphasizes the connection between water and climate change, focusing on "Water For Climate Action." Safe drinking water is essential for sustainable development, socioeconomic progress, food production, and healthy ecosystems, playing a crucial role in adaptation to a warming world.

Improved water access creates opportunities, especially in landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). UN-Water will convene LLDCs—including Bhutan, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia—that have made progress toward SDG targets for water and sanitation. The lack of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene disproportionately affects women and girls, hindering poverty reduction and disease control efforts. UN-Water and partners will also address funding gaps in water and sanitation, exploring innovative financing mechanisms for universal access.

Impact Statement: The ongoing global water crisis necessitates urgent action to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation, particularly in developing nations, to support sustainable development and public health.

More than 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's Rakhine state for Bangladesh beginning August 25, 2017, following a military crackdown sparked by attacks from a militant group. They joined thousands already displaced by prior violence and discrimination, residing in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps. The UN Spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, highlighted the worsening conditions for Rohingya both inside and outside Myanmar, citing ongoing violence, forced recruitment, human rights violations, and the displacement of more Rohingya due to conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.

Further exacerbating the situation are reports of pushbacks, removals, and deportations, raising concerns about non-refoulement violations and shrinking asylum spaces. Funding cuts are severely impacting essential services such as education, food, healthcare, and protection. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated calls for civilian protection and renewed international solidarity, advocating for a comprehensive political solution involving the Rohingya and addressing the crisis's root causes. A High-level Conference on Rohingya and other minorities is scheduled for September 30th in New York.

The ongoing violence and displacement crisis, coupled with funding shortfalls and the lack of a durable political solution, continue to severely impact the Rohingya population.

Dr. Thierno Balde, WHO emergency hub head for West and Central Africa, evacuated from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in late January following the city's takeover by the M23 rebel group. Despite the escape, he felt compelled to return two weeks later, leading the agency's response to the crisis. Upon his return, he found Goma devastated, with reports of up to 3,000 dead, overwhelmed hospitals, and widespread fear. WHO warehouses, unlike others, remained unlooted, providing essential supplies.

The situation worsened with a cholera outbreak in a MONUSCO camp, quickly spreading to Goma due to poor sanitation. Simultaneously, Mpox spread from displacement camps into the city. Dr. Balde's team worked tirelessly to combat these outbreaks, facing challenges such as limited resources and the need to negotiate with M23 authorities. Despite securing a fragile channel of communication with the rebels, the mission was perilous, with staff facing threats and Dr. Balde experiencing significant personal and health consequences.

His return to Dakar after two months revealed the toll of his efforts on his health and family. The experience in Goma, however, left a lasting impression, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to humanitarian aid: "I had to be there." .

Impact Statement: The events highlight the challenges faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones and the devastating consequences of armed conflict on civilian populations and public health infrastructure in the DRC.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine's Donetsk region, where Russia reportedly seeks full control in exchange for a war freeze, is intensifying. Russian forces control approximately 70% of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk, making slow but steady gains. Humanitarian volunteers are evacuating civilians, including the elderly and children, from towns like Dobropillia, which is only 8km from Russian positions and under near-constant attack. The town is largely deserted, lacking water for a week, and shows extensive damage from Russian shelling and drone strikes. Evacuees describe harrowing experiences, including a man injured by a drone strike near his home.

Despite Ukrainian authorities claiming stabilization after a recent Russian incursion, residents feel compelled to leave. While some evacuees, like Anton, express a desire for peaceful negotiation, others, like Varia, believe concessions to Russia are futile. The situation is dire, with ongoing shelling and drone attacks, and the cost of holding the line is high for Ukraine's military, demonstrated by the grim situation at a National Guard field hospital. The medical personnel describe increasing casualties, worsened by the extensive use of drones and the prolonged fighting in cities like Pokrovsk. Concerns remain that the loss of this region would severely compromise Ukraine’s defensive position, putting neighboring areas at risk. Russia reportedly maintains a large reserve force ready to exploit any further vulnerabilities.

Impact Statement: The escalating conflict in Donbas highlights the human cost of war and the precarious situation facing Ukraine as Russia continues its advance and negotiations remain uncertain.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in a devastating surge in amputations, particularly among children, leaving the region with the highest child amputee rate globally. Hospitals like Al-Shifa in Gaza City are overwhelmed, treating patients like Mohammed Hassan, a young boy who lost his foot in a rocket attack, and Maryam Abu Alba, a child with a leg amputation and severe fractures. The UN estimates 4,500 new amputees need prosthetics, alongside 2,000 requiring ongoing care, with 24,000 injured needing rehabilitation. A shortage of humanitarian aid, exacerbated by disrupted supply routes, has further compounded the crisis.

The lack of resources extends beyond prosthetics. Thousands have been injured while seeking food and water amidst confirmed famine in Gaza governorate, impacting half a million people. Ibrahim Abdel Nabi, injured while searching for food and forced to create a makeshift prosthesis, exemplifies the desperation and immense suffering faced by many. He endured twelve operations after being injured, resulting in further amputation, and still uses a crude prosthesis despite the pain, all while supporting his family. His wife's plea, "God willing, we will live through this experience," encapsulates the widespread despair.

Impact Statement: The high number of amputations and lack of adequate medical care in Gaza highlight the devastating humanitarian crisis and underscore the urgent need for increased international aid and intervention.

Attacks on healthcare facilities have doubled between 2023 and 2024, resulting in over 900 health worker deaths globally, according to the UNFPA. This alarming trend continues into 2025, despite shrinking humanitarian funding. The ongoing war in Gaza has devastated the health system, leading to increased miscarriages, premature births, and newborn deaths. Similar devastation is seen in Sudan, where over 80% of health facilities in conflict zones are non-operational, and in Haiti, where ongoing gang violence has targeted hospitals and clinics. In Ukraine, over 300 attacks on healthcare by Russia since January 2025 have been recorded by the WHO, forcing women to travel long distances for care amidst constant fighting. The Democratic Republic of Congo also faces widespread destruction of maternal healthcare facilities, relying heavily on mobile health teams.

Healthcare workers in these regions face immense risks, delivering babies in hallways under fire, working day and night despite exhaustion, and even being killed while performing their duties. The closure of safe spaces for women and girls facing gender-based violence further exacerbates the crisis.

Impact Statement: The escalating attacks on healthcare systems globally are causing widespread suffering and death, undermining essential services and exacerbating existing humanitarian crises. The lack of funding and increasing insecurity are hindering the ability to provide critical medical care, particularly for women and children.

US and Qatari diplomatic initiatives aiming to establish lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have yielded limited positive change, according to a UN Security Council briefing on Friday. Despite a US-brokered peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, and a Qatari-facilitated Declaration of Principles between the Congolese government and M23 rebels, violence continues in eastern DRC, where numerous armed groups operate. The UN's resolution 2773 (February 2025) urging an end to violence against civilians has not prevented rising casualties. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee highlighted a significant escalation in North Kivu since April.

The DRC faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 5.9 million internally displaced persons and growing food insecurity. Ms. Pobee stated that the on-the-ground security situation hasn't improved despite diplomatic progress, citing attacks by the M23, Congo River Alliance (AFC), and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—a group linked to ISIL—as major contributors to increased civilian casualties. Humanitarian workers face significant risks while providing aid, and conflict-related sexual violence and child recruitment persist.

Ms. Pobee urged the Security Council to fully support current peace efforts and ensure compliance with resolution 2773. She emphasized that genuine engagement from all parties, combined with international support, is vital for achieving a lasting peace.

Impact Statement: The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC highlight the limitations of diplomatic efforts without effective on-the-ground security measures and sustained international commitment.