The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert regarding three Indian-made cough syrups found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical. The syrups—Coldref by Shresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR by Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Relife by Shape Pharma—were intended for children aged one to five. WHO tests revealed the presence of the chemical at concentrations 500 times higher than the approved limit. The alert follows the deaths of 17 Indian children in August after consuming Coldref syrup. Similar incidents in 2023 caused 141 child deaths in Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and The Gambia from contaminated Indian syrups. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has acknowledged the WHO warning and promised stricter quality monitoring and regulatory actions to prevent future tragedies.

The United Nations has announced plans to reduce about 25% of its peacekeeping troops and police across nine global missions in the coming months due to financial shortfalls and uncertainty over U.S. funding. Approximately 13,000–14,000 military and police personnel, along with significant civilian staff, will be affected. The reductions will impact missions in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Kosovo, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Golan Heights, and Abyei. The cuts follow the U.S. canceling nearly $800 million in peacekeeping funds for 2024–2025 and proposals to withhold 2026 funding. Bangladesh, one of the top troop contributors, could face disruptions in its deployments. Experts warn that these reductions could severely undermine the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions, with critics calling the U.S.’s unilateral decisions a major setback for global peace efforts.

Hamas has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza peace plan, agreeing to release all Israeli hostages, both alive and deceased. The move has been welcomed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose spokesman Stephen Dujarric said the announcement was encouraging. Guterres urged all sides to seize this chance to end hostilities, reiterating his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unconditional release of all detainees, and unrestricted humanitarian aid. He also praised Qatar and Egypt for their mediation. Following Hamas’s response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced Israel’s readiness to begin the first phase of Trump’s plan, which focuses on the hostages’ immediate release. The Israeli statement emphasized cooperation with the U.S. to ensure that any end to the war aligns with Israel’s policies while remaining consistent with Trump’s vision. The development marks a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the Gaza conflict, though challenges to lasting peace remain.

Algerian Ambassador Amar Benyama was moved to tears at the UN after reading a farewell letter from Palestinian journalist Mariam Abu Dakkar, killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital. Addressed to her 13-year-old son, the letter urged prayer instead of tears and leaving a legacy through her name. Benyama condemned Israel for targeting journalists, called Gaza a “living hell,” and urged the UN to enforce an immediate ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid, and prevent further genocide.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly preparing arrest warrants against Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on charges of apartheid. Former Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan completed the cases before stepping aside, but deputies are hesitating due to U.S. sanction threats. If issued, these would be the ICC’s first apartheid charges, recognized as crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. Rights groups and the ICJ have also accused Israel of unlawful occupation and systemic discrimination.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that Russia has won the Ukraine war, ahead of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska aimed at ending the conflict. Orbán, in power since 2010, maintains close ties with Moscow, opposes military aid to Ukraine, and rejects its EU membership bid. He was the only EU leader not to endorse a statement supporting Ukraine’s right to decide its future. Hungary relies heavily on Russian energy and has refused to send weapons to Kyiv.

The Israeli security cabinet committee approved a plan to establish full control over Gaza, prompting UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk to call for its immediate withdrawal. He stressed that the plan violates the International Court of Justice ruling demanding Israel end its occupation swiftly. Turk urged implementation of the two-state solution and protection of Palestinian self-determination. He warned the plan could cause forced displacement, mass suffering, and war crimes, while demanding release of detainees held by both Hamas and Israel.

The United Nations has reported that 1 million women and girls in Gaza are suffering from severe hunger amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Despite a partial pause in Israeli airstrikes to allow aid, humanitarian organizations warn that the assistance remains insufficient. Malnutrition-related deaths are rising, with many children affected. The situation has crossed famine thresholds in parts of Gaza, prompting calls for immediate ceasefire, life-saving aid, and prisoner releases to address this dire crisis.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), supported by the UN, has warned that Gaza is facing its worst famine crisis. Recent reports show widespread hunger, severe malnutrition, and rising death rates due to starvation-related illnesses. Nearly 2.1 million Palestinians are at severe risk, with Gaza City experiencing critical malnutrition. The ongoing Israeli blockade, imposed since March 2025, has restricted aid, worsening the food crisis. Since October 2023, 147 deaths from malnutrition, including 88 children, have been reported amid escalating conflict.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to take until late 2027 to deliver a final verdict on genocide allegations against Israel in Gaza. Despite credible evidence and urgent humanitarian needs, political pressures and procedural complexities have prolonged the process. Israel was supposed to respond on Monday to the genocide allegations made by South Africa. However, the court has extended the deadline by six months. The ICJ previously issued emergency orders which Israel largely ignored. Legal experts warn that although the ruling is delayed, Israel’s actions already meet the genocide criteria, urging the global community to act without waiting.

The Trump administration has announced the US will withdraw funding and participation from UNESCO starting December 2026, citing concerns over alleged anti-Israel bias. The Biden administration had rejoined UNESCO in 2023 after a five-year US absence. France, where UNESCO’s headquarters is located, rejected the US accusations and pledged support for the organization’s role in promoting education, tolerance, and cultural preservation. UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the US decision regrettable but affirmed continued operations despite reduced funding.

The International Criminal Court has rejected Israel's request to withdraw arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The court also denied Israel's plea to halt the ongoing investigation and said its jurisdiction is still under judicial review. Despite Israel’s objections and claims of acting in self-defense against Hamas, the arrest warrants remain valid. The ICC earlier dropped charges against Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri following credible reports of his death.

The World Health Organization has placed Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Regional Director for Southeast Asia, on indefinite compulsory leave. This development was reported by Health Policy Watch. In response, Maruf Kamal Khan, former press secretary to the BNP Chairperson, said this incident should be a lesson for all in power. He alleged that Putul was appointed through influence, misuse of state machinery, and manipulation, despite lacking qualifications, and that India’s support played a key role in her selection.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reports that one in three people in Gaza is going hungry due to extreme food shortages. Although limited aid has entered the region since May, it remains insufficient for the over 2 million residents. WFP warns of a high risk of famine if the conflict continues and aid access remains restricted. Food prices have skyrocketed, with flour costing 3,000 times more than before the war, and cooking oil nearly unavailable. Around 470,000 people may face extreme hunger by September.

Government debt worldwide is projected to hit $102 trillion in 2024, with developing countries holding nearly one-third of this amount. These countries spend a large share of their revenue on debt interest, limiting funds for essential services like health and education. UNCTAD warns of rising debt servicing costs, especially in Africa and Latin America, and calls for urgent reforms in the international financial system to support developing nations through increased liquidity and fairer access to resources during crises.