A record number of at least 383 humanitarian workers have been killed in 2024, a 31% surge from 2023. UN chief António Guterres is urging governments to protect aid workers.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged governments to increase protection and support for humanitarian workers, following a record number of aid worker deaths in the previous year. According to the UN, at least 398 aid workers were killed globally, with the number of deaths rising by 31% between 2023 and 2024, largely due to ongoing conflicts such as the war in Gaza.

Guterres emphasized that international law requires the protection of humanitarian workers and called for greater accountability and political will to enforce these rules. The UN reports that, as of August 2025, 265 aid workers have already been killed, highlighting a continuing and troubling trend. The UN's relief chief has also warned that the global humanitarian system is under severe strain.

UN chief urges governments to protect aid workers

The United Nations on Tuesday called on governments to protect and support aid workers in honour of the World Humanitarian Day. In a video message, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the alarm after a record number of humanitarian workers were killed in 2024. Humanitarian workers are the last lifeline for over 300 million people caught in conflict or disaster. Yet, funding for that lifeline is drying up. And those who provide humanitarian aid are increasingly under attack. Last year, at least 398 workers, a record high, were killed across the world. From Gaza to Sudan to Myanmar and beyond. International law is clear. Humanitarians must be respected and protected. They can never be targeted. This rule is non-negotiable and is biting on all parties to conflict always and everywhere. According to UN data, the number of aid workers killed rose by 31% between 2023 and 2024, driven by the war in Gaza. State actors are the most common perpetrators. Yet, red lines are crossed with impunity. Governments have pledged action and the Security Council has laid out a pass to protect humanitarians and their life-saving work. The rules and tools exist. What is missing is political will and moral courage. On this World Humanitarian Day, let's honour the fallen with action. To protect every aid worker and invest in their safety. To stop the lies that cost lives. To strengthen accountability and bring perpetrators to justice. To end arms flows to parties that violate international law. Together, let us say in one voice, an attack on humanitarians is an attack on humanity. And let's act for humanity. The UN said this worrying trend shows no sign of slowing down this year. As of August 2025, 265 aid workers have already been killed. The UN's relief chief warned in March that the global humanitarian system had reached a breaking point.

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), ending the strike that began over the weekend involving 10,000 members and disrupted travel for more than 100,000 travelers per day.

Toronto

Air Canada reaches tentative agreement with flight attendant union

Forecasters are giving urgent warnings to millions of people who live along the East Coast as Hurricane Erin churns in the Atlantic. The storm will not make direct landfall but is expected to bring dangerous rip currents.

East Coast of the United States

Hurricane Erin to bring dangerous rip currents to U.S. East Coast

Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles woman known as the "Ketamine Queen," has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. Sangha could face up to 45 years in prison.

Los Angeles

"Ketamine Queen" to plead guilty in Matthew Perry's death

European leaders who converged on the White House for talks on the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated a united front regarding Ukraine's security on Monday, underscoring the issue as pivotal for the entire continent, not just Ukraine.

Washington

Ukraine Invasion

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As Hamas reportedly agreed to some ceasefire terms that would include the return of more hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to take more of Gaza.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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President Donald Trump said that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump tells Zelenskyy U.S. would help with security in a peace deal

Bolivia's presidential vote headed to an unprecedented runoff after elections Sunday that ended more than two decades of left-wing dominance in the Andean nation but signaled voters' trepidation about a major lurch to the right.

La Paz

Bolivia heads to runoff after historic defeat for the left

All Air Canada planes were grounded on Monday (August 18) after its 10,000 flight attendants refused a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian government.

Air Canada delays plans to resume operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday (August 18) for his meeting with President Donald Trump and other European leaders about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Taurean Small has more.

Trump meeting with Zelenskiy, European leaders at White House

Hamas on Monday informed mediators that it had accepted a ceasefire deal proposal submitted to it the day before, according to international and Israeli outlets.

Reports: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire proposal

Hurricane Erin will bring dangerously rough surf to parts of the U.S. East Coast. Over the weekend, Erin's outer bands lashed Puerto Rico with up to 7 inches of rain and flooding parts of the island.

Erin expected to bring dangerous conditions to U.S. East Coast

Ahead of his Monday meeting with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenksyy says his country will not give up any territory to Russia, even as the White House insists potential land swaps will be necessary. Willie James Inman reports.

Kyiv

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Thousands of Israeli protesters demanded a deal to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in one of the biggest demonstrations since the war in Gaza began. Debora Patta reports.

Thousands of Israelis protest in Gaza, call for end to fighting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to Washington on Monday under heavy U.S. pressure to agree to a swift end to Russia's war in his country, but determined to defend Kyiv's interests — without sparking a second Oval Office dust-up with Donald Trump.

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European leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine ahead of a Washington summit with U.S President Donald Trump. They emphasized unity, territorial integrity and security guarantees as essential to any peace deal.

Paris

European leaders stress unity with Ukraine ahead of peace talks

International condemnation and pressure from allies have done nothing to stop Israel's plan to displace the people of northern Gaza. Israel on Saturday (August 16) said it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza.

Israeli military prepares to move Palestinians to southern Gaza

Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in a nationwide strike amid fears further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Dozens of Israelis arrested in protest to demand end to Gaza war

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Anchorage

Trump told Zelenskiy that Putin wants more of Ukraine, source says

Efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw the state's congressional maps got new pushback from protesters at rallies across the country Saturday. Nearly 280 events took place in 34 states, according to organizers.

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West Virginia's governor says he will send up to 400 National Guard troops to the nation's capital at President Trump's request. They'll join other National Guard troops and federal agents already deployed with local police on the streets of Washington, D.C.

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President Trump reversed course Saturday, saying he is no longer seeking an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine, but now agrees with Russian President Vladimir Putin that pursuing a peace deal is the best way to end the war.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin described his meeting with President Trump as "frank, substantive and bringing us closer to making the necessary decisions." But the Alaska summit couldn't have been more far removed from the battlefields of Ukraine.

War-weary Ukrainians desperate for a ceasefire

In Ukraine, many do not believe Russia's president Vladimir Putin actually wants a ceasefire deal. They say Trump should stop making concessions to the Kremlin and for U.S President Donald Trump to demand an end to Russia aggression.

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San Juan

Hurricane Erin 'rapidly intensifies' to a Category 5

The Washington, D.C., police chief will remain in command of the local force following a settlement with the Trump administration over the federal takeover, but they are required to cooperate with the White House's immigration policy.

D.C. police retain some control after deal with Justice Department

The Atlantic Ocean's first hurricane of the season, Erin, has continued to gain strength and currently sits off the coast of Anguilla.

Hurricane Erin strengthens in the Atlantic

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine. The leaders did not announce a peace deal, but Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

Trump, Putin meeting in Alaska ends without a ceasefire deal

Talks between the U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, despite being widely anticipated as a possible turning point.

Zelenskyy set to meet U.S. president Monday after no ceasefire deal

For the first time in a decade, Vladimir Putin was on U.S. soil for a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump. The U.S. and Russian presidents were supposed to discuss a deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but they did not mention a ceasefire after the talks.

Breakdown