Afghanistan commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power on August 15, 2021. While some residents report improved security after decades of conflict, the regime faces criticism over restricted education access for girls and boys, economic hardship, and emerging insurgent challenges to their authority.
The UN World Food Programme warns that acute child malnutrition has reached critical levels in one-third of Afghanistan's provinces, with 3.7 million children projected to suffer from malnutrition this year as funding shortfalls force cuts to food distributions and clinic services.
The World Health Organization reported on June 30 that Venezuela's healthcare system is facing significant strain following deadly twin earthquakes, with damaged hospitals, missing staff, and growing concerns about infectious disease outbreaks and food shortages among survivors.
