Sudan, DR Congo, Israel-Palestine.

Today's three stories you should know.

Aug 18, 2022

Sudan

At least 77 people have been killed and a staggering 14,500 homes destroyed as torrential rain lashed Sudan, causing rivers to break their banks. The UN said earlier this week that, according to the government, humanitarian organisations, and local officials, more than 136,000 people have been affected in some way by the flooding. The UN says it expects that number to rise with assessments ongoing and more heavy rain expected. Sudan in 2020 declared a three-month state of emergency over flooding that killed at least 100 people and deluged more than 100,000 houses.

Democratic Republic of Congo

A UN peacekeeping force has pulled out of a major city in east Congo after protesters took to the streets to slam it for failing to protect civilians. Butembo, with a population of about a million people, is one of several cities in the region hit by anti-UN demonstrations since last month. Dozens of people have been killed, including civilians, peacekeepers and police. UN peacekeepers have been in the DR Congo for about two decades but frequent attacks by dozens of rebel groups continue and civilians are often targeted. The peacekeeping operation, known as MONUSCO, has around 12,400 troops in the country and costs more than $1 billion per year.

Israel-Palestine

Today marks 100 days since the iconic Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli sniper. Her family used the day to reiterate their call on the United States government to conduct an independent investigation. Abu-Akleh was an American citizen but the Al Jazeera journalist’s family say the Biden administration has done little to advocate for justice since she was killed. Al Jazeera held solidarity vigils at its Doha headquarters and offices around the world today. In a statement, the network called on: “all international human rights and press freedom organisations, governments, journalists, and influencers to focus efforts on Thursday, August 18 by demanding justice for Shireen and accountability for her killers.”