The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that countries can sue each other over climate change, including historical emissions. While the ruling is non-binding, legal experts believe it could have significant consequences, particularly for vulnerable nations. The case, initiated in 2019 by law students from Pacific islands, is considered a victory for those most impacted by climate change.

Flora Vano from Vanuatu, a country highly vulnerable to extreme weather, expressed relief at the decision, stating it recognizes the suffering and resilience of frontline communities. The ICJ's opinion could be used to pursue compensation from historically high-emitting countries, many of whom argued existing climate agreements like the 2015 Paris Agreement are sufficient. Judge Iwasawa Yuji stated that failing to develop ambitious climate plans constitutes a breach of Paris Agreement promises, and broader international law mandates environmental protection regardless of treaty participation.

The ICJ's advisory opinion, while non-binding, has influenced government actions in the past.

Impact Statement: This ruling could significantly impact international climate negotiations and legal actions, potentially leading to increased pressure on high-emitting nations to address climate change and compensate vulnerable countries.

A "large proportion" of Gaza's population is starving, according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. At least 111 people, including 80 children, have died from starvation in recent days. Over 100 aid agencies, including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, and Amnesty International, have accused Israel of blocking humanitarian aid, causing a "man-made" hunger crisis. Aid agencies report that tons of food, water, and medical supplies remain untouched due to access restrictions. An aid worker quoted in the agencies' letter described children wishing for death to escape hunger. Daily aid distribution is drastically reduced from pre-conflict levels.

The crisis unfolds amid escalating violence. Israeli strikes killed at least 21 Palestinians on Wednesday alone, including two journalists. Israel's military activity has intensified, while the death toll from the ongoing conflict has surpassed 59,000, with over 1,000 deaths attributed to attempts to reach food distribution points since May. The Israeli government has extended the detention of Gaza's acting director of field hospitals. While a ceasefire is being negotiated, serious obstacles remain. 28 countries, including the UK, have condemned Israel's actions, although they haven't yet threatened sanctions.

Impact Statement: The mass starvation in Gaza constitutes a major humanitarian catastrophe, demanding immediate international intervention to alleviate suffering and hold accountable those responsible for the crisis.

Ukraine continues to face intense Russian attacks, including drone and missile strikes targeting cities and infrastructure. From July 17th to 22nd, Ukraine reportedly countered 968 UAVs, with the largest attack occurring on July 22nd, involving 426 drones and various missiles. Russia also claims to have seized several Ukrainian towns. Simultaneously, Ukraine has launched long-range attacks against Moscow, including drone strikes on military production facilities like the Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant (June 11) and a gas pipeline in Khanty-Mansiysk (July 12).

In response, Ukraine's European allies have pledged increased military aid. The UK and Germany committed to jointly supplying anti-aircraft missiles. Germany also announced it will contribute five Patriot air defence systems, with the US prioritizing their replacement systems in production. The EU announced an 18th round of sanctions against Russia, targeting remaining energy imports and tightening financial restrictions. The EU also proposed a significant increase to its defence budget. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized boosting domestic arms production, aiming to increase domestically produced weapons from 40% to 50% within six months. A third round of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia has been proposed.

Impact Statement: The escalating conflict and increased Western support highlight the ongoing challenges in Ukraine and the evolving geopolitical dynamics.

More than 100 international aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Save the Children, and Oxfam, issued a joint statement warning of mass starvation in Gaza. They report that colleagues and the people they serve are "wasting away" due to a severe lack of food, medicine, and fuel resulting from the Israeli blockade, imposed in March and tightened after a resumed military offensive in October 2023. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 43 malnutrition deaths since Sunday, with the UN noting widespread exhaustion and collapse from hunger. The organizations cite the Israeli military's killing of over 1,050 Palestinians attempting to access food since May 27th as a significant impediment.

The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the blockade's impact on aid distribution. Only an average of 28 lorry loads of aid are reaching Gaza daily, with significant quantities of supplies remaining inaccessible due to bureaucratic restrictions, military zones, damaged infrastructure, and criminal activity. The UN reports that a quarter of Gaza's population faces famine-like conditions, with almost 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Doctors describe record rates of acute malnutrition and the spread of illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea. Prices of basic goods have skyrocketed, leaving most families unable to afford food. The organizations demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, removal of restrictions, and a return to a UN-led humanitarian response. Israel rejects the organizations' claims, accusing them of serving Hamas propaganda.

Impact Statement: The ongoing blockade and mass starvation in Gaza constitute a major humanitarian crisis demanding urgent international intervention. The situation threatens widespread death and instability in the region.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion declaring a "clean, healthy and sustainable environment" a human right. The ruling, delivered on [Date], states that failure to protect the planet from climate change may violate international law. ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions have cross-border effects and pose an "urgent and existential threat." The court outlined states' duty to cooperate in preventing climate harm and setting ambitious national climate targets.

The decision was welcomed by climate activists, including Vishal Prasad of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, who called it a "lifeline" for vulnerable communities. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, described it as a "powerful new tool" to protect people from climate change's impacts. The case was initiated following lobbying by Pacific Island students, with Vanuatu requesting the ICJ's clarification on states' legal obligations. The court heard testimonies from numerous countries and international organizations.

The ICJ advisory opinion, while not legally binding, carries significant legal weight and moral authority. It's expected to influence climate litigation and the upcoming COP30 negotiations. The ruling highlights the accountability of nations for climate change impacts and the need to move beyond "empty pledges." Experts anticipate it will be a crucial tool in holding governments accountable for climate action.

Impact Statement: The ICJ ruling significantly strengthens the legal basis for climate action, potentially impacting future litigation and international negotiations on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

California experienced 8,110 wildfires in 2024, more than any other US state. The Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles resulted in nearly $40 billion in insured losses and approximately 30 deaths. Senator Alex Padilla urged increased federal investment in fire preparedness, contrasting with President Trump's suggested reductions. Scientists predict an increase in wildfire activity as summer progresses, particularly in drought-stricken areas of southern California, although the intensity of the season remains difficult to predict due to various factors including weather patterns and human negligence.

Despite some progress in fuel reduction efforts like prescribed burns by Cal Fire, experts emphasize the need for greater scale to mitigate the impact of wildfires. Concerns are rising about potential negative impacts from federal cuts to weather forecasting and emergency services under the Trump administration, impacting crucial predictive modeling and response capabilities. These cuts have already resulted in staff reductions at the National Weather Service and internal challenges at FEMA. President Trump has also threatened to withhold disaster aid from states like California based on unrelated policy disagreements.

Impact Statement: The upcoming wildfire season in the US, particularly in California, poses significant risks due to a confluence of factors including drought conditions, potential political underfunding of crucial services, and the ongoing challenges of effective fuel reduction strategies.

More than 90 Ukrainian deportees from Russia are being held in a damp basement at the Dariala Gorge border checkpoint. They are unable to cross into Ukraine due to the ongoing war and Georgia's refusal to allow entry due to many having criminal records. Some have been held for nearly two months, with limited access to the outside, food, and medical care. A protest on July 20th included a self-harm incident by one detainee, highlighting the dire conditions. The situation is part of a larger crisis; approximately 800 Ukrainian deportees are believed to be stranded at Russian or Russian-Georgian border points.

Nikolai Lopata, a 45-year-old detainee, described the conditions, including a lack of beds and inadequate medical attention for those with illnesses such as epilepsy, HIV, and tuberculosis. Volunteers provide some aid, but conditions remain dire, with reports of attempted suicides. Georgia has cited the criminal backgrounds of many deportees as justification for its refusal to allow entry, while Moldova has suspended cooperation after some deportees failed to proceed to Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Russia to send the deportees directly to the Ukrainian border.

Impact Statement: The situation highlights a humanitarian crisis arising from the war in Ukraine, exposing the legal and ethical challenges faced by deportees and the limitations of international cooperation in addressing such issues. The potential for mass deportations following a Russian edict could significantly worsen the crisis.

Following over two years of civil war, Sudan is effectively divided. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), under General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, appointed Prime Minister Kamil Idris to lead a civilian cabinet in Port Sudan. However, al-Burhan overruled Idris, retaining key figures from powerful armed groups, Gebreil Ibrahim and Mini Arko Minawi, in ministerial positions controlling government revenue. Simultaneously, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, formed an alliance with several armed factions, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, to create a parallel government called Tasis. Tasis announced a 31-member leadership council, with Hemedti as head and al-Hilu as deputy.

Analysts suggest both SAF and RSF are attempting to maintain battlefield alliances by appeasing powerful militias. Tasis aims to gain international legitimacy, access aid, acquire advanced weaponry, and strengthen its negotiating position. Conversely, the Port Sudan government, while attempting to maintain control, faces increasing pressure to reward armed actors with political positions to retain their loyalty. This could lead to an expansion of ministries and potentially unsustainable financial burdens. The ongoing conflict risks creating numerous, competing militias vying for power, further destabilizing the nation and potentially leading to increased taxation and checkpoints across the country, regardless of which faction controls the area.

Impact Statement: The fragmentation of Sudan into competing armed factions and parallel governments threatens to prolong the civil war, destabilize the region, and create a protracted humanitarian crisis. The long-term implications include increased violence, economic hardship, and potential for further fracturing of the nation.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued a historic advisory opinion on climate change, declaring it an "urgent and existential threat." The court stated that greenhouse gas emissions are unequivocally caused by human activities and have cross-border effects. The advisory opinion, requested by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 following years of lobbying by vulnerable island nations, is non-binding but holds significant weight in establishing international obligations.

Vanuatu led a group of small states advocating for international legal intervention in the climate crisis impacting numerous South Pacific island nations.

Impact Statement: The ICJ's advisory opinion could influence future climate negotiations and legal actions related to climate change.

Villagers in Chhattisgarh, India, are mourning the loss of loved ones caught in the crossfire between government forces and Naxal rebels. Sukli Oyam's son, Ramesh, a millet farmer, was killed last year while bathing in a river, and Raje Ayam was shot in the back by security forces who mistook her home for a Naxal hideout. These incidents highlight the human cost of India's intensified counter-insurgency operations, Operation Black Forest, launched in early 2024 to eliminate the Maoist movement by March 31, 2026, a deadline set by Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah in February 2025.

The Naxal insurgency, inspired by Mao Zedong's ideology, began in 1967 and continues to affect central and eastern India. The conflict has intensified since 2019, with a significant increase in security personnel deployment and the use of advanced technologies. While the government claims accidental civilian deaths occur during crossfire, activists and human rights organizations allege extrajudicial killings, forced displacement, and other abuses by security forces. The conflict has resulted in nearly 12,000 deaths, including civilians, militants, and security personnel.

Impact Statement: The Indian government's aggressive campaign to end the Naxal insurgency risks exacerbating human rights violations and further alienating civilian populations caught in the conflict.

In the first half of 2025, Gaza experienced a 41% decline in its birth rate, with only 17,000 births recorded. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reports "catastrophic" conditions for pregnant women and newborns, citing a dysfunctional healthcare system, psychological stress, food deprivation, and the ongoing Israeli bombardment which has reportedly killed over 60,000 and displaced the entire Palestinian population multiple times. Hospitals and health facilities are damaged or destroyed, medicine and equipment are severely lacking, and ambulance services are impeded, leading to preventable maternal and infant deaths. UNFPA has 170 trucks of aid at the border, but Israel has not allowed them entry.

UNFPA and the UN are urging Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid, including fuel, medical supplies, and nutritional support. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that humanitarian operations are under severe strain due to security risks, unreliable crossings, and supply blockages. He indicated that the UN has plans to significantly scale up aid following a ceasefire, contingent upon Israel enabling safe and unimpeded aid delivery. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov visited Gaza and witnessed firsthand the dire conditions, while 109 relief organizations warn of mass starvation, widespread malnutrition, and overwhelmed hospitals.

Impact Statement: The ongoing conflict in Gaza is causing a humanitarian crisis with devastating consequences for pregnant women and newborns, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access.

A senior UN official, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, addressed the Security Council on the escalating conflict in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. He described the situation as "a nightmare of historic proportions," citing expanded Israeli military operations leading to mass displacement and the striking of UN premises, hampering aid efforts. At least 1,891 Palestinians have been killed since June 30th, with many deaths occurring while collecting aid near military distribution points. On the Israeli side, 13 soldiers have been killed, and 50 hostages are reportedly still held by Hamas and other groups. The UN also highlighted growing concerns about civilian casualties, including a July 17th strike on a Catholic church in Gaza City.

Mr. Khiari stressed the need for unimpeded humanitarian aid and for recovery and reconstruction to begin. He also noted the severe fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, exacerbated by withheld clearance revenues, and urged international support. The situation in the occupied West Bank, including high levels of violence, was also highlighted. Mr. Khiari reiterated that only a revived political process towards the two-State solution can deliver a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, significant loss of life, and widespread displacement. The severe fiscal crisis of the Palestinian Authority further complicates the situation, requiring urgent international intervention.

A second aid convoy from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), coordinated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reached Sweida on Wednesday. This followed a first convoy on Sunday. The aid included food, wheat flour, fuel, medicines, and health supplies from UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF. The aid is in response to deadly sectarian violence that has displaced over 145,000 people from Sweida to neighboring Dar’a and Rural Damascus.

OCHA is working with partners to provide further assistance to displaced people, including food, water, health services, and protection services. Mobile medical teams have provided over 3,500 consultations, and nearly 38,000 people have received food aid. Over 1,000 non-food item kits have also been distributed. Further UN inter-agency missions are planned to assess needs and deliver aid.

Impact Statement: The ongoing aid efforts are crucial in mitigating the humanitarian crisis caused by sectarian violence in Sweida and surrounding areas.

The UN Security Council convened for its quarterly open debate on the Middle East, focusing on the deteriorating situation in Gaza. UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari provided a briefing, highlighting severely restricted food entry and distribution, increasing malnutrition, and critical shortages of fuel and shelter supplies. The UN News provided live updates from the discussions.

Impact Statement: The UN Security Council's discussion underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention in Gaza.

The UN World Food Program (WFP) is suspending all emergency food and nutrition aid for 1.3 million people in northeast Nigeria due to critical funding shortfalls. This comes as Nigeria faces escalating violence and record levels of hunger, with nearly 31 million people experiencing acute hunger. WFP's food and nutrition stocks have been exhausted, with the last supplies leaving warehouses in early July. Without immediate funding, millions will be left without food assistance.

Over 300,000 children under two will lose access to lifesaving treatment as more than 150 WFP-supported nutrition clinics are set to close. The WFP Country Director, David Stevenson, warns that this is a growing threat to regional stability, as families pushed to their limits may resort to desperate measures, including joining extremist groups. The WFP urgently seeks $130 million to sustain operations through the end of the year.

Impact Statement: The suspension of aid will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria, potentially leading to increased displacement, malnutrition, and recruitment into extremist groups.

Nearly 1.3 million people have been displaced in Haiti due to escalating gang violence, with 15,000 more fleeing in the past week following attacks in Dessalines and Verrettes. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has screened over 217,000 children for acute malnutrition in 2025, treating 21,500—a small fraction of the projected 129,000 needing assistance. This is fueled by severe food insecurity affecting 5.7 million people (over half the population) between March and June. Over 1,600 schools remain closed, increasing vulnerability for children.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted the insufficient humanitarian response, stating that current aid is only a fraction of what’s needed. Insecurity hinders aid delivery, causing access challenges, supply shortages, and health facility closures. The Haitian humanitarian response plan has received less than 9 percent of the required $908 million. UNICEF has provided learning opportunities to over 16,000 children and mental health support to over 100,000.

The ongoing crisis in Haiti requires significantly more funding and improved security to effectively address the urgent humanitarian needs of the displaced population and vulnerable children.

Over 109 aid and human rights organizations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Doctors Without Borders (MSF), have issued a joint statement urging governments to take immediate action regarding the escalating starvation crisis in Gaza. The groups cite Israel's blockade as the cause, preventing the delivery of essential supplies despite tons of food, water, and medical aid sitting outside the enclave. Hospitals in Gaza report ten new famine-related deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 111. The UN reports over 1,000 deaths in recent weeks among those attempting to reach aid distribution centers.

The organizations demand a permanent ceasefire, the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the opening of all land crossings. They also call for the rejection of military-controlled aid distribution and a return to a UN-led humanitarian response, urging governments to halt weapons transfers to the region. The EU has warned Israel of potential action, while the US plans to send an envoy for ceasefire talks. Hamas has called for widespread protests. Aid workers themselves are facing starvation and describe the situation as a "man-made humanitarian crisis."

Impact Statement: The escalating starvation crisis in Gaza presents a major humanitarian catastrophe demanding immediate international intervention to prevent further loss of life and widespread suffering.