AnewZ Morning Brief - 7th August, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 7th August, covering the latest developments you need to know....
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a stark warning regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
According to a recent statement, 14.8 million people in the country are currently facing food insecurity, with 3.1 million of them experiencing emergency-level conditions.
With the arrival of Ramadan, the situation has become even more dire, with millions of Afghans now uncertain about where their next meal will come from. OCHA has underscored the urgent need for $1.09 billion to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population. However, the international response has been severely lacking, with only $9.9 million secured to date, a mere fraction of the required amount.
The humanitarian crisis has been further compounded by the political and economic instability that followed the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. In November 2024, OCHA reported that 23.7 million people, including 9.2 million children, remain in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite OCHA’s appeal for $3.1 billion in humanitarian funding for 2024, only $1.15 billion were received, a significant shortfall that severely hampered relief efforts.
Compounding the challenges, the United States, one of the largest contributors of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, has suspended all foreign aid since the new U.S. President took office in January 2025. This decision has had a devastating impact on humanitarian operations, as U.S. funding has historically been critical in supporting food, healthcare and education programs.
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump linked the resumption of aid to Afghanistan to the return of military equipment left in the country following the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The Taliban, however, has refused to comply with this demand, creating a stalemate that further delays the delivery of much needed assistance.
The suspension of U.S. aid, coupled with the lack of contributions from other donors, has left humanitarian organizations struggling to address the overwhelming needs of the Afghan people. The situation remains dire, with millions at risk of starvation and without access to basic necessities, underscoring the urgent need for increased international support and funding.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Ali Akbar Ahmadian, former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), as his special representative and head of the Headquarters for the Advancement of National and Strategic Projects.
Iran executed a man on Wednesday convicted of spying for Israel and passing on information about a nuclear scientist killed in Israel's June attacks on the Islamic Republic, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported.
A marine route survey has been launched for the construction of the Trans-Caspian Fiber Optic Cable which is an essential element of the 'Digital Silk Way' project, aiming to create a new digital corridor between Europe and Asia.
The President of Uzbekistan proposed developing a Global Agreement on Transit Guarantees for Landlocked Countries under the auspices of the United Nations. This initiative aims to ensure fair access to seaports and communication networks, reduce the risks associated with cargo transportation.
A women’s cooperative is turning back time — baking organic bread from 3,500-year-old recipes carved into clay tablets, using traditional methods and ingredients passed down through generations, in Türkiye’s Corum Province, once the heart of the Ancient Hittite Empire.
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