Wars displace more 120m people as aid funding falls: UN
There were over two million more people displaced globally by the end of April 2025 than there were the previous year despite the return of nearly the same number of Syrians after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule, according to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australian diplomats in Middle East safe, accounted for
Australian embassy staff in Tehran and Tel Aviv are safe and accounted for amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Richard Marles says. Australians in the region should seek shelter in place, monitor the Smartraveller website and, if necessary, contact consular authorities, the deputy prime minister said. "We are able to report that our embassy staff in both Tehran and Tel Aviv are all accounted for and are safe," he told reporters in Geelong on Saturday. "There are a small number of Australian Defence Force personnel within the region. They, too, have all been accounted for and are safe but we will continue to monitor their ongoing safety." Iran and Israel are targeting each other with missiles and air strikes after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it developing a nuclear weapon. Australia was deeply concerned about the unfolding hostilities and specifically about the risks of escalation, Mr Marles said. "We well understand the threat that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents. "That program is a threat to international peace and security but because of this, we are calling on all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The government was expressly calling on Iran to exercise restraint so as not to risk broader conflict, he said. Israel hit dozens of sites on Friday as tensions soared after a United Nations agency found Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said from Fiji on Friday he was conscious of the threat posed if Iran became a nuclear state. "We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue and the United States have been playing an important role there," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on Saturday the targeting of population centres by Iran was "deeply troubling". "The Iranian regime's ability to acquire nuclear weapons poses a serious and direct threat to world peace and stability, especially as it continues to engage in terrorism by supporting its proxies: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen," she said in a statement. "Whilst we continue to urge caution, Israel has a right to defend itself. "Israel is exercising its sovereign right to defend its people and ensure the security of future generations. The world can never accept a nuclear-armed Iran." US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling diplomats out of the Middle East. Senior lecturer in international relations at Flinders University Jessica Genauer said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack Iran was likely driven by domestic concerns. "Netanyahu faces political dissatisfaction with his handling of the Hamas-Israel war," she said. "Recent suggestions that Trump is turning away from a close friendship with Netanyahu is further eroding Netanyahu's popularity. "By attacking Iran, Netanyahu hopes to reinforce the fear of an external threat to Israel - and support for his government as competent and tough on security." Australian embassy staff in Tehran and Tel Aviv are safe and accounted for amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Richard Marles says. Australians in the region should seek shelter in place, monitor the Smartraveller website and, if necessary, contact consular authorities, the deputy prime minister said. "We are able to report that our embassy staff in both Tehran and Tel Aviv are all accounted for and are safe," he told reporters in Geelong on Saturday. "There are a small number of Australian Defence Force personnel within the region. They, too, have all been accounted for and are safe but we will continue to monitor their ongoing safety." Iran and Israel are targeting each other with missiles and air strikes after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it developing a nuclear weapon. Australia was deeply concerned about the unfolding hostilities and specifically about the risks of escalation, Mr Marles said. "We well understand the threat that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents. "That program is a threat to international peace and security but because of this, we are calling on all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The government was expressly calling on Iran to exercise restraint so as not to risk broader conflict, he said. Israel hit dozens of sites on Friday as tensions soared after a United Nations agency found Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said from Fiji on Friday he was conscious of the threat posed if Iran became a nuclear state. "We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue and the United States have been playing an important role there," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on Saturday the targeting of population centres by Iran was "deeply troubling". "The Iranian regime's ability to acquire nuclear weapons poses a serious and direct threat to world peace and stability, especially as it continues to engage in terrorism by supporting its proxies: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen," she said in a statement. "Whilst we continue to urge caution, Israel has a right to defend itself. "Israel is exercising its sovereign right to defend its people and ensure the security of future generations. The world can never accept a nuclear-armed Iran." US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling diplomats out of the Middle East. Senior lecturer in international relations at Flinders University Jessica Genauer said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack Iran was likely driven by domestic concerns. "Netanyahu faces political dissatisfaction with his handling of the Hamas-Israel war," she said. "Recent suggestions that Trump is turning away from a close friendship with Netanyahu is further eroding Netanyahu's popularity. "By attacking Iran, Netanyahu hopes to reinforce the fear of an external threat to Israel - and support for his government as competent and tough on security." Australian embassy staff in Tehran and Tel Aviv are safe and accounted for amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Richard Marles says. Australians in the region should seek shelter in place, monitor the Smartraveller website and, if necessary, contact consular authorities, the deputy prime minister said. "We are able to report that our embassy staff in both Tehran and Tel Aviv are all accounted for and are safe," he told reporters in Geelong on Saturday. "There are a small number of Australian Defence Force personnel within the region. They, too, have all been accounted for and are safe but we will continue to monitor their ongoing safety." Iran and Israel are targeting each other with missiles and air strikes after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it developing a nuclear weapon. Australia was deeply concerned about the unfolding hostilities and specifically about the risks of escalation, Mr Marles said. "We well understand the threat that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents. "That program is a threat to international peace and security but because of this, we are calling on all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The government was expressly calling on Iran to exercise restraint so as not to risk broader conflict, he said. Israel hit dozens of sites on Friday as tensions soared after a United Nations agency found Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said from Fiji on Friday he was conscious of the threat posed if Iran became a nuclear state. "We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue and the United States have been playing an important role there," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on Saturday the targeting of population centres by Iran was "deeply troubling". "The Iranian regime's ability to acquire nuclear weapons poses a serious and direct threat to world peace and stability, especially as it continues to engage in terrorism by supporting its proxies: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen," she said in a statement. "Whilst we continue to urge caution, Israel has a right to defend itself. "Israel is exercising its sovereign right to defend its people and ensure the security of future generations. The world can never accept a nuclear-armed Iran." US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling diplomats out of the Middle East. Senior lecturer in international relations at Flinders University Jessica Genauer said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack Iran was likely driven by domestic concerns. "Netanyahu faces political dissatisfaction with his handling of the Hamas-Israel war," she said. "Recent suggestions that Trump is turning away from a close friendship with Netanyahu is further eroding Netanyahu's popularity. "By attacking Iran, Netanyahu hopes to reinforce the fear of an external threat to Israel - and support for his government as competent and tough on security." Australian embassy staff in Tehran and Tel Aviv are safe and accounted for amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Richard Marles says. Australians in the region should seek shelter in place, monitor the Smartraveller website and, if necessary, contact consular authorities, the deputy prime minister said. "We are able to report that our embassy staff in both Tehran and Tel Aviv are all accounted for and are safe," he told reporters in Geelong on Saturday. "There are a small number of Australian Defence Force personnel within the region. They, too, have all been accounted for and are safe but we will continue to monitor their ongoing safety." Iran and Israel are targeting each other with missiles and air strikes after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it developing a nuclear weapon. Australia was deeply concerned about the unfolding hostilities and specifically about the risks of escalation, Mr Marles said. "We well understand the threat that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents. "That program is a threat to international peace and security but because of this, we are calling on all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The government was expressly calling on Iran to exercise restraint so as not to risk broader conflict, he said. Israel hit dozens of sites on Friday as tensions soared after a United Nations agency found Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said from Fiji on Friday he was conscious of the threat posed if Iran became a nuclear state. "We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue and the United States have been playing an important role there," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on Saturday the targeting of population centres by Iran was "deeply troubling". "The Iranian regime's ability to acquire nuclear weapons poses a serious and direct threat to world peace and stability, especially as it continues to engage in terrorism by supporting its proxies: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen," she said in a statement. "Whilst we continue to urge caution, Israel has a right to defend itself. "Israel is exercising its sovereign right to defend its people and ensure the security of future generations. The world can never accept a nuclear-armed Iran." US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling diplomats out of the Middle East. Senior lecturer in international relations at Flinders University Jessica Genauer said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack Iran was likely driven by domestic concerns. "Netanyahu faces political dissatisfaction with his handling of the Hamas-Israel war," she said. "Recent suggestions that Trump is turning away from a close friendship with Netanyahu is further eroding Netanyahu's popularity. "By attacking Iran, Netanyahu hopes to reinforce the fear of an external threat to Israel - and support for his government as competent and tough on security."
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Perth Now
Australian diplomats in Middle East safe, accounted for
Australian embassy staff in Tehran and Tel Aviv are safe and accounted for amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Richard Marles says. Australians in the region should seek shelter in place, monitor the Smartraveller website and, if necessary, contact consular authorities, the deputy prime minister said. "We are able to report that our embassy staff in both Tehran and Tel Aviv are all accounted for and are safe," he told reporters in Geelong on Saturday. "There are a small number of Australian Defence Force personnel within the region. They, too, have all been accounted for and are safe but we will continue to monitor their ongoing safety." Iran and Israel are targeting each other with missiles and air strikes after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it developing a nuclear weapon. Australia was deeply concerned about the unfolding hostilities and specifically about the risks of escalation, Mr Marles said. "We well understand the threat that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents. "That program is a threat to international peace and security but because of this, we are calling on all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The government was expressly calling on Iran to exercise restraint so as not to risk broader conflict, he said. Israel hit dozens of sites on Friday as tensions soared after a United Nations agency found Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said from Fiji on Friday he was conscious of the threat posed if Iran became a nuclear state. "We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue and the United States have been playing an important role there," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on Saturday the targeting of population centres by Iran was "deeply troubling". "The Iranian regime's ability to acquire nuclear weapons poses a serious and direct threat to world peace and stability, especially as it continues to engage in terrorism by supporting its proxies: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen," she said in a statement. "Whilst we continue to urge caution, Israel has a right to defend itself. "Israel is exercising its sovereign right to defend its people and ensure the security of future generations. The world can never accept a nuclear-armed Iran." US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling diplomats out of the Middle East. Senior lecturer in international relations at Flinders University Jessica Genauer said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack Iran was likely driven by domestic concerns. "Netanyahu faces political dissatisfaction with his handling of the Hamas-Israel war," she said. "Recent suggestions that Trump is turning away from a close friendship with Netanyahu is further eroding Netanyahu's popularity. "By attacking Iran, Netanyahu hopes to reinforce the fear of an external threat to Israel - and support for his government as competent and tough on security."
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
'I tried to save them': US President Donald Trump says he knew attacks on Iran were coming as 78 killed in Israeli strikes
US President Donald Trump has revealed he knew Israel's attacks on Iran were coming, as he spoke to media about the devastating strikes which have left 78 people dead so far in the Gulf nation. On early Friday morning, local time, Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran nuclear facilities, claiming Tehran was days away from having enough material to produce 15 nuclear bombs. Iran retaliated, firing 100 drones towards Israel after vowing a "harsh and decisive" response to the strikes which killed senior military officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Israeli strikes on multiple targets a 'declaration of war' in a letter to the United Nations. Speaking later on Friday to media, Trump said Iran had the chance to be saved from the attacks in the shape of a nuclear agreement. "We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out," Trump told Reuters. "They can still work out a deal, however, it's not too late," he added. Trump backed Israel, describing its attack as "excellent" and "very successful" while spruiking the US' close relationship with their ally. 'We've been very close to Israel. We're their number one ally by far," Trump told Reuters, adding, "We'll see what happens." Trump had repeatedly pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay an Israeli attack to give diplomacy more time, though the President himself had threatened to bomb the Gulf nation if nuclear talks failed. Later on Friday, two U.S. officials said the U.S. military had helped shoot down Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. The Trump administration had been negotiating with Iran in the week leading up to the Israeli strikes, and the President appeared unsurprised when the attacks broke out. "We knew just about everything," he said. "We knew enough that we gave Iran 60 days to make a deal and today is 61, right? So, you know, we knew everything.' In negotiations with Iran, Trump sought to persuade the Iranians to give up uranium enrichment and was awaiting a counter-proposal from Iran. Tehran had balked at giving up enrichment, seemingly leaving little room for an agreement. "They seek enrichment. We can't have enrichment," Trump told reporters on Monday. He also flagged at the time "something" was potentially on the verge of happening soon, indicating he knew about the prospect of a planned attack from Israel. "I don't want to say it's imminent, but it looks like something that could very well happen. Look, it's very simple, not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful," he told reporters on Thursday before the raids began. -With Reuters
