Foreign News
UN Chief Urges Immediate Action to prevent Israel-Gaza Conflict Spillover

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday voiced grave concern over the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza and stressed the need to prevent the violence from spreading into the wider region
The UN chief raised alarm over clashes along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, as well as reported attacks from southern Lebanon.
Guterres, who made the call at a news briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York, appealed to all the parties to avoid further spread of the conflict.
“I appeal to all parties – and those who have an influence over those parties – to avoid any further escalation and spillover,” he said.
The UN chief reiterated the need to always protect civilians, as guaranteed by international law.
“I call for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza,” he said.
The UN chief underscored that UN premises, hospitals, schools and clinics must never be targeted, and stressed the urgency of humanitarian access to the enclave.
“Crucial life-saving supplies – including fuel, food and water – must be allowed into Gaza. We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now,” he said.
According to the UN humanitarian affairs Coordination Office (OCHA), the death tolls in Israel from attacks by Palestinian armed groups, and in Gaza due to Israeli bombardments, have continued to rise, with mass displacement soaring across the enclave.
OCHA cited Israeli media, which reported that as of Tuesday evening, more than 1,000 Israelis, including foreign nationals, were killed and at least 2,806 people were injured, according to the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 830 Palestinians have been killed and 4,250 injured.
Over a tenth of the population in Gaza, more than 260,000 people, have been displaced since the start of the current conflict on October 7 and the numbers are rising fast.
Amidst the volatile situation, UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) reported that eleven of its staff members have been killed since Saturday, while 30 students its schools died and a further eight injured.
UNRWA is a lifeline for most of the roughly two million Palestine refugees in Gaza, providing essential services such as education and healthcare.
The conflict has forced the closure of its 14 food distribution centres as well as a reduction in operations.
In addition, about 220,000 Palestinians have sought shelter in about 90 UNRWA facilities across the enclave.
According to UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette, many staffers are still working.
She said, “We have people who are responding to the needs of the people in the shelters. They are giving them mattresses, a place to sleep, clean water, some food, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme (WFP).’’
At the same time, UN agencies, including WFP, highlighted the urgency of humanitarian corridors, and safe and unimpeded access passage for personnel.
Samer Abdeljaber, Palestine Country Director, described the situation as “devastating”.
He said,“We are on the ground doing everything we can to be sure the people in need – the ones who fled their homes, the ones living in shelters – are getting the food and help they need to survive.”
In the immediate aftermath of the conflict, WFP initiated food distribution to 100,000 people in UNRWA shelters, with a target of reaching over 800,000, requiring $17.3 million for immediate relief and $45 million over six months.
Meanwhile, senior UN officials, including the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, continue engagement with parties to the conflict and key stakeholders.
Wennesland held “productive meetings” on Wednesday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and other senior officials, according to a post on his official account on X, formerly Twitter.
He said the priority was to avoid further loss of civilian lives and provide access for humanitarian aid into Gaza. (NAN)
Foreign News
CAF Sanctions Kenya Again over Crowd Trouble

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-host, Kenya, for the second time in as many weeks over security breaches.
In a statement made available on Monday evening, the continental governing body said that it has limited entry to the 48,000-seat Moi International Sports Centre.
It also said that, known as Kasarani Stadium, can accommodate 27,000 fans for Sunday’s Group A match between Kenya and Zambia.
CAF said only electronic ticket holders would be allowed into the stadium, with thermal tickets prohibited.
The governing body warned that Kenya’s matches could be relocated from Kasarani Stadium if organisers fail to prevent further breaches.
“We trust these measures will be applied swiftly to protect competition’s integrity, ensure fan safety, and uphold confidence in Kenya’s commitment to the tournament,” CAF said.
The sanctions follow incidents on Aug. 10 when Kenya defeated two-time winner Morocco 1-0 in spite of playing the entire second half with 10 men.
The win put Kenya top of Group A with seven points.
The debutants would reach the quarterfinals with at least a draw against winless Zambia.
Last week, Kenya’s football federation was fined nearly 20,000 U.S. dollars for security lapses during the team’s 1-0 win over DR Congo in the tournament opener on Aug. 3.
In the latest case, CAF cited major lapses, including stadium gates and restricted service areas being overrun by ticketless spectators and holders of government-distributed physical tickets.
It also accused security personnel of losing control at exit points and allowing breaches of the perimeter fence that enabled thousands of ticketless fans to enter.
CAF had expressed alarm over the use of tear gas and flash grenades, reports of live ammunition fired near spectators and staff, and violent incidents such as stone-throwing at security personnel.
It also cited unsafe vehicle movement in spectator areas, inadequate police response, and the lack of medical incident reports in spite of injuries being reported.
Organisers were further criticised for insufficient communication tools and the absence of CCTV coverage at critical entry points.
Foreign News
Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza

Pop icon Madonna has made an appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip amid a starvation crisis that has sparked international outrage.
“You are the only one of us that cannot be denied entry,” the U.S. singer wrote on social media platform X late on Monday.
“We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.
“There is no more time,” she added.
Marking the 25th birthday of her son Rocco Ritchie on Monday, Madonna also announced plans to donate to humanitarian organisations working in Gaza.
“I feel the best gift I can give to him as a Mother is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,” she wrote.
A United Nations (UN) agency said late last week that “acute malnutrition among children in Gaza has reached the highest levels.”
In July alone, nearly 12,000 children lower than five in age were identified as acutely malnourished, with another 2,500 found to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this is the most life-threatening form.
Israel controls access roads to Gaza and has sealed off the coastal area.
Very little aid got into Gaza from March through May, when Israel began allowing in deliveries using a controversial private system that bypasses traditional UN agencies.
Under pressure from allies, Israel recently began permitting larger convoys into the territory, as aid airdrops take place overhead.
On Sunday, Irish rock band U2 issued a stinging critique of the Israeli government’s actions.
“We know Hamas are using starvation as a weapon in the war, but now so too is Israel and I feel revulsion for the moral failure,” frontman Bono wrote.
Foreign News
Putin Bans Foreign-made Clothing for Russian Army From 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday banning the procurement of foreign-made clothing and related gear for the country’s armed forces starting in 2026.
According to the decree, from Jan. 1, 2026, all uniforms and other clothing items for the Russian Armed Forces must be produced by Russian companies whose manufacturing facilities are located within the country.
By 2027, the requirement would extend to fabrics and knitted materials used in production, which must be domestically manufactured.
The measure aims to entirely exclude the purchase of foreign-made clothing and materials for the needs of the military, the decree said.
Military clothing and gear include uniforms, insignia, underwear, bedding, special clothing, footwear, equipment, and sanitary items.
Such supplies are procured through the Russian state defence order system.