This article is published in association with United Nations. Peacekeeping operations in the Middle East are facing mounting security risks, funding pressures and political uncertainty, the head of UN peacekeeping warned on Friday. Briefing journalists by video link from Jeddah following an extensive visit to the region, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said there has been an uptick in […]Peacekeeping: Lacroix warns of rising threats to ‘blue helmets’ in Middle East
January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Peacekeeping operations in the Middle East are facing mounting security risks, funding pressures and political uncertainty, the head of UN peacekeeping warned on Friday. Briefing journalists by video link from Jeddah following an extensive visit to the region, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said there has been an uptick in […]World News in Brief: Gaza education update, the General Assembly at 80, Venezuela’s humanitarian needs
January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More children in war-ravaged Gaza are now back in the classroom, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Friday. Ten additional temporary learning sites in Gaza Governorate have been renovated so far this month, and more than 440 spaces are operational overall, serving roughly 270,000 pupils supported by more than 6,300 teachers. The […]Myanmar begins defence in landmark genocide case at UN World Court
January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Myanmar on Friday rejected allegations of genocide against the Rohingya minority, telling the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the Gambia’s case rests on “unsubstantiated allegations,” as public hearings continued in a landmark case on the application of the Genocide Convention. Addressing judges in The Hague, Ko […]Gaza humanitarian crisis ‘far from being over,’ UN aid coordination office warns
January 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Three months into the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the UN and partners have delivered tonnes of assistance items and carried out critical repairs, but this is only a temporary “Band-Aid” solution, a veteran aid worker has warned. “The humanitarian situation and crisis in Gaza is far […]Will AI kickstart a new age of nuclear power?
January 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence worldwide is putting electrical grids under huge pressure and many believe that, to meet that need without contributing to the climate crisis, a full-scale expansion of nuclear energy is essential. The global demand for electricity is growing at a vertiginous […]Game-changing international marine protection treaty comes into force
January 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Almost two decades in the making, an international agreement to protect marine life in international waters and the seabed is due to come into force on Saturday, marking a major step forward in efforts to ensure the health of ocean ecosystems for decades to come. Officially known […]Ukraine: Families in ‘survival mode’ amid Russian strikes and deadly cold
January 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Families across Ukraine are in “constant survival mode” amid ongoing waves of Russian missile and drone strikes that have left blocks without power for days at a time, while temperatures plunge to deadly lows, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday. “Families have actually reverted to […]Iran: UN urges ‘maximum restraint’ to avert more death, wider escalation
January 16, 2026 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As nationwide protests in Iran appear to ease after nearly three weeks of unrest and bloodshed, a senior UN official called on Thursday for action to prevent further escalation. Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee briefed an emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York called by the […]In Haiti’s storm-hit south, food vouchers restore choice and dignity for families
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Standing outside a colourfully painted building in southeastern Haiti, at the entrance to a bustling shop called Gods Will Depot where bags of food are stacked to the ceiling, Ketia surveys the large pile of groceries she has selected for her family: a big sack of flour, […]The UN is ‘worth fighting for’: General Assembly President
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With the multilateral system under pressure and under attack, Member States must fight for the United Nations, the President of the General Assembly said on Wednesday, laying out her priorities for its resumed 80th session. Annalena Baerbock noted that the New Year began with crises in Venezuela and Iran, […]11-year streak of record global warming continues, UN weather agency warns
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The past 11 years have been the warmest in the modern era, while oceans continue to heat up, too, says the UN weather agency. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Wednesday that 2025 was one of the three warmest years on record, continuing the streak of extraordinary […]East Jerusalem: Forced shutdown of UN clinic signals escalating disregard for international law
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The temporary closure of a UN-run health centre in East Jerusalem is the latest phase in “a pattern of deliberate disregard” for international law, the head of the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Wednesday. Israeli forces stormed the UNRWA-operated health centre on Monday and ordered it […]‘A torture that never stops’: Sri Lanka failing survivors of conflict sexual violence, UN says
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Conflict-related sexual violence in Sri Lanka remains largely unaddressed more than 15 years after the end of the civil war, with survivors still denied justice, recognition and reparations, according to a new report by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Tuesday. It concludes that a legacy […]Gaza: A ceasefire that still kills children is not enough, says UNICEF
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Airstrikes, drone attacks and hypothermia continue in Gaza despite the ceasefire, with more than 100 youngsters killed since early October, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday. “That’s roughly a girl or a boy killed here every day during a ceasefire,” UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told […]Increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol to save lives, urges WHO
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Beverages like sugary drinks and alcohol are too accessible and cost too little in most of the world – helping fuel obesity, diabetes, cancer and injury, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday. WHO is calling on governments to significantly increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol, […]Global employment stable but decent jobs in short supply
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Global unemployment remains stable, but progress toward decent work has stalled, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), which warns that young people continue to struggle in a job market which risks being further undermined by AI and trade policy uncertainty. According to […]Gaza: A ceasefire that still kills children is not enough, says UNICEF
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Airstrikes, drone attacks and hypothermia continue in Gaza despite the ceasefire, with more than 100 youngsters killed since early October, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday. “That’s roughly a girl or a boy killed here every day during a ceasefire,” UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told […]Iran: ‘The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop,’ UN rights chief says
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As anti-government demonstrations continue across Iran, the UN human rights chief said on Tuesday that he was horrified at the mounting violence directed by security forces against protestors, with reports of hundreds killed and thousands arrested. Volker Türk urged the authorities to immediately halt all forms of violence and repression against peaceful […]Ukraine war: UN appeals for $2.3 billion to support aid teams’ ‘heroic work’
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid ongoing and intensifying Russian attacks across Ukraine, the UN on Tuesday launched a $2.3 billion humanitarian appeal for 2026 to support 4.1 million of the country’s most vulnerable people. Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022, the UN and its partners […]Venezuela: UN independent investigators call for immediate release of all political prisoners
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More than 100 political prisoners have been released in Venezuela, the Government announced on Monday, just over a week after the seizure and rendition of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas by the United States. “Any step that restores liberty to individuals who have been arbitrarily detained is […]UN World Court begins landmark hearings on Rohingya genocide case against Myanmar
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Public hearings opened on Monday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a landmark case brought by the Gambia against Myanmar, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention over the military’s treatment of the Rohingya minority. The proceedings, held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, mark […]Gaza: Storms worsen already dire humanitarian situation, UN warns
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The humanitarian crisis across the Gaza Strip remains extremely serious, with harsh winter weather threatening to reverse recent gains in aid delivery, the United Nations said on Monday. Briefing correspondents in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that ongoing rainstorms are damaging and destroying fragile shelters, leaving […]Ukraine: Deadly Russian strikes push civilians deeper into winter crisis
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Ukraine has entered the new year under intensifying and deadly Russian attacks which have crippled energy systems and left millions without heating, electricity or water amid freezing temperatures, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Monday. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told ambassadors the start […]‘Beyond GDP’ economists push for clearer metrics on wellbeing, sustainability
January 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Top finance experts are meeting at UN Geneva this week to push for a radical shake up in the way economic growth is gauged, in response to concerns that GDP measurements provide little insight about progress on key sustainability targets that are vital to our survival. Backed […]At the heart of change: Spotlight Initiative highlights breakthroughs in tackling gender-based violence
January 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. When it comes to protecting women and girls from gender-based violence, change happens when they are “at the heart of every decision,” according to Erin Kenny, Global Coordinator of the Spotlight Initiative a United Nations–European Union partnership aimed at tackling all forms of abuse against women and […]UN chief ‘shocked’ by reports of excessive force against protesters in Iran
January 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General is shocked by reports of violence and excessive use of force by Iranian authorities against protesters across the country, urging restraint and the immediate restoration of communications as unrest enters its third week. “All Iranians must be able to express their grievances peacefully and […]Iran: UN human rights chief ‘deeply disturbed’ by protest-related violence
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN human rights chief has called for an independent and transparent investigation into reports of deaths and widespread arrests during ongoing nationwide protests in Iran, amid mounting concerns over the use of force by security forces. In a statement issued on Friday, Volker Türk said he […]Syria signals renewed cooperation on chemical weapons destruction
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Progress continues to be made towards eliminating remnants of the chemical weapons programme in Syria that was developed under the Assad regime, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday. Adedeji Ebo, Officer-in-Charge of the UN’s Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), welcomed a commitment by the new authorities to cooperate with […]UN’s ‘responsibility to deliver’ will not waver, after US announces withdrawal from dozens of international organizations
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed regret over the decision by the United States to withdraw from a number of UN entities, while underscoring that the system will continue to deliver on all its mandates. “As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget […]Global economy shows signs of steady but subdued growth
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The global economy has shown resilience amid turbulence during the past year, including shifting trade policies – yet growth remains subdued and far below pre-pandemic levels, the UN said in a landmark report published on Thursday. The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 predicts that global economic output will grow by 2.7 […]World News in Brief: Fighting intensifies in Syria’s Aleppo and South Sudan’s Jonglei state, acute hunger in Niger
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to be gravely alarmed by escalating hostilities in Aleppo, Syria, and mounting reports of civilian casualties, his Spokesperson said on Thursday. Clashes between government troops and Kurdish forces have intensified in recent days and tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Representatives of […]Ukraine: New strikes disrupt basic services for millions
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Several parts of Ukraine were hit by a new wave of Russian strikes between Wednesday and Thursday morning. The attacks over the last 24 hours left civilians reportedly killed and injured in the port city of Odesa, interrupting power and water supplies there, as well as in […]Human Rights Council elects Indonesian candidate President for 2026
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Human Rights Council – the world’s principal defender of vulnerable people worldwide – has elected an Indonesian diplomat to be President for 2026 in a first for the country. Under Council rules, presidents are appointed to serve for one year by the body’s 47 Member […]
