France: WWII bomb destroyed in controlled explosion in Paris

Video provided by French police shows the controlled detonation of a large bomb dating from the Second World War in Colombes. After attempts to remove the bomb’s detonator failed at midday, authorities buried it and later destroyed it in a Read More …

France and UNDP Partnering for Peace, Building Resilience in Lebanon

When Lebanon emerged from the November 2024 ceasefire, the country faced daunting challenges: over 113,000 people still displaced, 1,526 contaminated sites, and strained public services. Turning this fragile peace into lasting stability requires concrete solutions that restore trust, rebuild communities, Read More …

France and UNDP: Partnering for Peace, Building Resilience in Lebanon

When Lebanon emerged from the November 2024 ceasefire, the country faced daunting challenges: over 113,000 people still displaced, 1,526 contaminated sites, and strained public services. Turning this fragile peace into lasting stability requires concrete solutions that restore trust, rebuild communities, Read More …

Ukrainian sappers to train at Middle East mine action school with funding from Paris

Ukraine will take another step toward the safe de-occupation and clearing of war remnants. On 4 August, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced that sappers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the State Special Transport Service will be trained at the Read More …

NZDF targets unexploded ordnance in Papua New Guinea

The Kiwis joined personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the United States and United Kingdom for Operation Render Safe, an operation that has been targeting explosive remnants of war (ERW) left throughout the Pacific after the Second Read More …

UNDP: 16 high-tech underwater drones to boost humanitarian demining in Ukraine

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has handed over 16 hi-tech uncrewed underwater systems (UUS) to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) and conducted an 8-day training course for SESU specialists on their use. This support was Read More …

Making south Lebanon safer: UNIFIL’s efforts in UXO clearance

Since the cessation of hostilities agreement on 27 November 2024, UNIFIL has carried out 34 clearance operations in south Lebanon, removing 91 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). While routine demining activities remain on hold, these efforts are Read More …

Lebanese Army receives bomb disposal equipment from France

A French military plane carrying bomb disposal equipment donated to the Lebanese Army landed Sunday at the Rafik Hariri International Airport, the army said on Tuesday. “The donation was received in the presence of officers from the Lebanese and French Read More …

Ukraine: Eight International Coalitions provide military assistance to Ukraine

Eight capability coalitions, each comprising between six and 21 countries, are actively assisting in addressing specific needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, according to Ukrinform. The Ministry noted that in September Read More …

France: Over 200 WWII Mortar Shells Discovered Under School Sandpit

Construction workers renovating a school playground in France over the summer vacation made a discovery that made their blood run cold. Beneath the school’s sandbox lay more than 200 mortar shells, grenades, and nearly a ton of machine gun cartridges Read More …

France bans sale of fireworks for upcoming Bastille Day celebrations after riots

Fireworks were among the weapons of choice during the unrest that exploded in France after a police officer shot dead a 17-year-old during a traffic stop on June 27 in Paris, rekindling long pent-up frustrations and accusations of systemic racism Read More …

Landmine Use in Ukraine

This background briefing surveys the types of landmines used in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022. Antipersonnel mines explode by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person, and can kill and injure people long Read More …

France: Police officer injured by petrol bomb as May Day protests turn violent

A police officer was seriously injured during May Day protests as unions in France rallied against new laws to raise the country’s pension age. More than 60 people have been arrested in clashes in Paris, Lyon and Nantes as a Read More …

French minister says protesters are firing mortars to fire explosives at police

France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has said ‘far-Left’ rioters were using mortars to fire explosives at the police amid the intensified violence between security forces and protesters on Saturday. Three police vehicles were completely burned out, and multiple officers injured. Read More …

France: Suspect killed and six police officers injured in house explosion during arrest

At least six police officers have been injured, including three seriously, in a house explosion in France, according to media reports. The gendarmes, French paramilitary police, had gone to the property to arrest a man who was then killed in Read More …

Cambodia: 11 nations attend NPMEC demining training course

The National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC) has launched the ASEAN and Regional Mine Clearance and Minefield Technical Training for UN peacekeeping missions which saw the participation of 11 countries. General Sem Sovanny, Read More …

France Renews its Commitment to Protecting Civilians Impacted by Explosive Ordnance in Iraq

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) welcomes the contribution of EUR 500,000 (approximately USD 495,370) from the Government of France, which will support the Government of Iraq in its efforts to protect civilians impacted by the threat of explosive Read More …

Ukraine: State Duma deputy’s security car blows up on French HPD anti-tank mine in Kherson region

The security car of State Duma deputy Alexander Borodai was reportedly blown up by a mine in the Kherson region, as reported on Monday, November 7. According to military correspondent Chingis Dambiev via his Telegram channel, the State Duma deputy’s Read More …