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• UN Secretary-General informed the Security Council that 2025 recorded the highest number of armed conflicts since the Second World War. • The report highlighted record-breaking levels of acute hunger globally, marking a critical humanitarian crisis. • In a "shameful milestone," the UN confirmed simultaneous famines in Sudan and Gaza for the first time this century.

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo is expanding its response to an Ebola outbreak that has caused nearly 2,500 deaths as of August 18. • The government and aid partners have established five operational priorities to scale up the emergency response. • To protect critical personnel, the World Health Organization (WHO) has allocated 70,000 doses of the Ebola Zaire vaccine for front-line health workers.

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading recovery efforts in Venezuela following a series of earthquakes and floods. • OCHA is currently coordinating support across 80 local and international organizations, working alongside government authorities to provide relief. • More than 300,000 affected individuals have already received essential aid, including food, clean water, hygiene support, and health services.

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated $5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to aid Colombia. • The funding is designated to support the humanitarian response following a devastating earthquake that struck the region. • To ensure targeted aid, the UN is deploying specialized teams to assess the specific needs of the most impacted areas.

• Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir entered the final phase of its assembly elections on Monday amid heightened security measures. • The voting process is taking place following weeks of violent protests and reports of a crackdown by Islamabad-backed forces in the region. • The elections are facing significant opposition, with calls for a boycott from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

• Pakistan has indefinitely postponed elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) amid escalating political instability and widespread civil unrest. • The crisis is driven by a three-pronged resistance involving India's rejection of the polls, internal political rivalry, and intense protests from local residents. • Protesters, led by the JAAC, have issued a 38-point charter demanding judicial reforms, lower electricity prices, resource rights, and the release of detained activists.

Scotland’s former first minister says she will not visit Murrell in prison, where he is serving five-year sentence for embezzling SNP fundsNicola Surgeon has said she will not visit her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, in prison, has stopped speaking to him and views herself as a “mug” for worrying about his wellbeing and mental health earlier this year.During a podcast recording at the Edinburgh festival fringe, Scotland’s former first minister said Murrell had lied to her until the day he pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party. Continue reading...

• Voting in seven constituencies during the third phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been postponed indefinitely. • The decision follows a wave of violent protests and formal requests from local political figures and candidates citing the unstable security situation. • India has criticized the electoral process, labeling the entire exercise a farce.

• Pakistan's ruling party has secured a commanding lead in the legislative assembly elections for Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, winning 24 out of 34 seats. • The results, released on August 5, 2026, follow the completion of the first two phases of voting. • The victory comes despite weeks of protests and active calls for a boycott led by a banned political group.

• India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed recent local body elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a "complete farce" on Tuesday. • The Indian government claims the elections are a facade intended to mask Islamabad's brutal crackdown on citizens and widespread public protests. • Protests in PoK have escalated since last month, driven by rising living costs, political discrimination, and alleged atrocities against minority groups.

• India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned local body elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), labeling the process a "complete farce" and a "hollow electoral exercise." • The MEA asserts that Pakistan is using these polls to mask severe public unrest, which has seen massive protests since last month over political discrimination and inflated living costs. • The situation is critical as a security crackdown by Pakistani forces has reportedly led to the deaths of dozens of protesters.

• India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a "farce," accusing Islamabad of using the polls to mask a violent crackdown on dissent. • The MEA alleges that Pakistani security forces have killed at least 90 civilians since June during clashes with protesters led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). • The unrest stems from accusations of political interference and electoral manipulation by Pakistan, while the Pakistani government denies targeting civilians and defends its security measures.

• India has condemned the recent elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), labeling the process a "complete farce" amid allegations of electoral manipulation. • The region has faced severe turmoil since June, driven by widespread protests against inflation and high electricity tariffs. • Indian officials report that Pakistani forces have killed 90 people in the region since June to suppress the unrest.

• Air strikes, shelling, and shooting continued in Gaza over the weekend, resulting in dozens of casualties, including civilians, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. • Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported over 150 fatalities during July, marking the highest monthly death toll recorded so far this year. • These escalating attacks highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis and the increasing loss of life within the region.

• The Jammu Kashmir Awami Conference (JAAC) protest group has urged residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to boycott upcoming elections, labeling the process as "fraud at gunpoint." • JAAC leaders claim that any government formed through these polls will lack legitimacy and have called for supporters to join demonstrations in Muzaffarabad instead of voting. • This movement highlights significant political instability and a lack of trust in the electoral process within the region.

• A violent crackdown on protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), specifically in the hub of Rawalakot, has resulted in deaths and serious injuries to civilians, including teenagers as young as 15. • According to a BBC report featuring accounts from local residents, doctors, and families, the victims were targeted while protesting for basic rights. • The situation highlights a severe escalation of force by authorities against a population demanding fundamental civil liberties and government accountability.

• The PML-N party secured a victory in the second phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), marking a significant political shift in the region. • Security concerns escalated in northwest Pakistan with a rising death toll from attacks, while recovery efforts continue for climbers on Broad Peak. • Diplomatic activity intensified as Donald Trump announced new developments regarding talks with Iran and Aung San Suu Kyi held a rare meeting in Myanmar.

• Pakistan held the second phase of legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday. • The voting process took place amid significant unrest, particularly in Muzaffarabad, where residents reported rock-strewn roads and burnt vehicles. • Heavy security was deployed across the region following violent clashes between local protesters and security forces.

• At least 90 civilians have been shot dead by security forces in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) since June during protests for free elections and basic amenities. • The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the coalition leading the grassroots movement, reports that 20 activists were killed in clashes since this past Monday. • Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif defended the brutal crackdown, labeling the protesters as "enemies" and comparing them to India.

• A joint study by UNESCO and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean reveals that the region will have 38.3 million fewer school-age children by 2050. • The report highlights a significant demographic shift and recommends integrating data on births, migration, enrollment, and location to better manage educational resources. • This decline matters as it threatens the efficiency of current education systems and requires a strategic reallocation of funding to avoid wasted investment.

• The Jammu and Kashmir Awareness Campaign (JAAC) reports that 14 activists were killed and dozens injured during clashes with security personnel in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). • The violence occurs amid a phased election cycle, with the first round of voting already completed in Mirpur on Monday. • Further polling is scheduled for Muzaffarabad on August 2 and the Poonch division on August 10.

• India has strongly condemned the recent elections held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), labeling the process a "cosmetic electoral exercise." • The Indian government asserts that these polls are a strategic attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation of Indian territory. • This diplomatic clash highlights the ongoing territorial dispute over Kashmir and rejects Pakistan's claims regarding the region's governance and legacy.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan that any aggression against India will be met with a strong response, emphasizing a "zero-tolerance" policy toward terrorism. • Speaking at a statue unveiling ceremony in Nagaur, Singh stated that India's security policy has undergone historic changes over the last decade to better protect the nation. • The Minister ruled out diplomatic talks with Pakistan unless the focus is specifically on the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where voting is currently taking place amid violence.

• Elections for the legislative assembly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are scheduled to begin this Monday. • The three-phase voting process follows weeks of severe political unrest and violent clashes that resulted in multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries. • High security measures have been implemented to manage the polls amid the volatile atmosphere and ongoing instability in the region.

• Polling has commenced for a three-phase assembly election in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) amid violent protests and a heavy security crackdown. • Local residents are protesting economic exploitation and a controversial reserved seat system that historically ensures the party governing Islamabad maintains power in PoK. • The unrest highlights deep-seated grievances regarding political autonomy and the use of excessive force by security forces during the electoral process.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan that any acts of aggression against India will be met with a strong response, emphasizing a "zero-tolerance" policy toward terrorism. • Speaking at a statue unveiling ceremony in Nagaur, Singh stated that India's security policy has undergone historic changes over the last decade to better protect the nation. • The Minister indicated that India will not engage in bilateral talks with Pakistan unless the discussions specifically focus on the status of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

• China and Japan are providing conflicting accounts regarding whether their respective foreign ministers held discussions during last week's ASEAN regional meeting. • The disagreement centers on a potential interaction involving Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi during the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay, Philippines. • This discrepancy highlights the ongoing diplomatic tension and lack of coordination between the two East Asian powers.

• Recent attacks in Ukraine over the weekend resulted in at least 12 civilian deaths and numerous injuries across the country. • Infrastructure damage was reported at World Food Programme (WFP) warehouses in Dnipro and World Health Organization (WHO) facilities near Kyiv. • In response to the crisis, the UN and humanitarian partners successfully delivered 11 metric tons of essential aid to frontline communities in Kherson.