The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid has thrown the global famine response system into disarray, halting food shipments, shuttering relief programs, and cutting off vital early warning systems. Aid groups warn that without action, millions face worsening hunger.
The spending freeze, ordered by President Donald Trump on January 20, is set to last 90 days while his administration reviews foreign aid programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said emergency food assistance could continue, but aid organizations say distribution is stalled, leaving food worth $340 million in limbo.
The impact is immediate. USAID, the U.S. government’s main relief agency, has been shut down, delaying cash assistance in Sudan and Gaza, freezing food stockpiles, and blocking funds for community-run kitchens. Aid workers say volunteer programs feeding people in conflict zones have ground to a halt.
Compounding the crisis, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET)—a key U.S.-funded tool tracking global hunger trends—was shut down on January 27, leaving humanitarian agencies without critical data to prevent starvation. Millions of nutrient-rich food packets, designed for malnourished children, are now sitting in warehouses, with manufacturers ordered to pause production.
Aid experts say the U.S. contributed 38% of global humanitarian funding in recent years, making the freeze a seismic shift in international relief efforts. Without USAID and FEWS NET, they warn, global famine response is losing its steering wheel, with vulnerable regions left in the dark.
Humanitarian leaders have called for urgent clarity on exemptions to the aid freeze, fearing that critical food aid could expire before distribution resumes. If the halt continues, analysts say the world’s ability to prevent and respond to famine could collapse, setting back years of progress.
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The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at developing educational courses and training sessions for young parents.
The United States has designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”, accusing the Taliban of holding American citizens to gain political concessions and demanding the immediate release of detained Americans.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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