August 31: Trump Global Health Aid Cuts and Nigeria Abductions

Global health aid cuts The Trump administration is pursuing agreements with more than a dozen governments that could cut U.S. global health aid to developing countries by tens of billions of dollars by 2030. An analysis says spending would fall below half its 2024 level, putting HIV/AIDS, Ebola and tuberculosis programs at risk. Separately, Sweden will end aid to Liberia on August 31, closing an embassy presence dating to 1961. Sweden has been Liberia's second-largest donor, and the withdrawal leaves sexual and reproductive health services facing an uncertain future. In Nigeria A surge in kidnappings and attacks on civilians is increasing pressure on President Bola Tinubu ahead of his reelection campaign. Hundreds of people were abducted from a mosque in northern Nigeria this month, while Tinubu has ordered an operation to rescue 600 people kidnapped in Niger state. Data cited in the report found the three months through June were Nigeria's most violent quarter since 1997. At the Grand Canyon More rain and thunderstorms are forecast after a major flash flood killed one person. About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for as search efforts continue. In Ukraine Russia has launched repeated drone attacks on Kyiv, with air-raid alerts lasting for long stretches and residents describing growing exhaustion. Some drones reportedly use jet engines, making them faster and harder to intercept. Russian strikes have also destroyed warehouses, leaving Kyiv shops short of supplies and ruining 12 million schoolbooks ahead of the new school term. Moscow says it is preparing further large-scale strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In the Gulf The United Arab Emirates says it intercepted a drone launched from Iran and denied reports that Al Menhad airbase was attacked. The claim follows exchanges of attacks between the United States and Iran, adding another point of risk in an already crowded regional confrontation.