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 […]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 […]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 […]EU commits to strengthening partnership with Lebanon
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. During their joint visit to Beirut, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, António Costa, met with President of the Republic of Lebanon Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. On the first anniversary of President […]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 […]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 […]EU and Jordan deepen partnership with first-ever Summit
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the EU and Jordan are marking a key milestone in their long-standing relationship with a first-ever bilateral Summit. The EU was represented by President von der Leyen and President Costa, and Jordan by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The leaders took stock of […]Thirteen more lives lost in Sudan as 1,000th day of war looms
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Thirteen more lives – including children – were reportedly lost on Tuesday in another drone attack on Sudan’s North Kordofan region. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the latest fatalities come amid escalating violence, especially across the Kordofans, which continues to put civilians at “extreme risk” and drives […]World News in Brief: Storms in Syria, school attacks in Nigeria, strikes continue in southern Lebanon
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Thousands of displaced people in northern Syria are struggling to cope with freezing conditions after a severe snowstorm struck dozens of displacement sites, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Tuesday. The storm hit 90 sites across Aleppo, Idleb and Al-Hasakeh governorates on 31 December, affecting more […]Syria: Aleppo fighting leaves civilians dead, displaces thousands
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. At least five civilians have been killed and some 30,000 people displaced following renewed fighting in Aleppo, Syria, prompting calls from the UN for immediate de-escalation and a return to political talks. Clashes resumed on Tuesday between General Security Forces of the transition Government and the mainly […]Drones, fear and exhaustion: The daily reality of providing aid to Ukraine
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Almost four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, aid teams continue to adapt to the lethal reality of working in a modern war zone. For frontline workers like Oleg Kemin from the UN World Food Programme (WFP), this involves travelling deep into disputed territory along the […]West Bank: UN report warns of ‘systematic asphyxiation’ of Palestinian rights
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A sweeping UN human rights report released on Wednesday concludes that in the occupied West Bank, Israel is violating international law prohibiting racial segregation and apartheid, warning that the discriminatory practices have accelerated dramatically since late 2022 amid growing violence, repression and impunity. The report by the […]Thirteen more lives lost in Sudan as 1,000th day of war looms
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Thirteen more lives – including children – were reportedly lost on Tuesday in another drone attack on Sudan’s North Kordofan region. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the latest fatalities come amid escalating violence, especially across the Kordofans, which continues to put civilians at “extreme risk” and drives […]World News in Brief: Storms in Syria, school attacks in Nigeria, strikes continue in southern Lebanon
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Thousands of displaced people in northern Syria are struggling to cope with freezing conditions after a severe snowstorm struck dozens of displacement sites, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Tuesday. The storm hit 90 sites across Aleppo, Idleb and Al-Hasakeh governorates on 31 December, affecting more […]Venezuela’s people must be heard, insists UN human rights chief
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Responding to the seizure of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Tuesday reiterated deep concerns that the military operation undermined fundamental protections for sovereign countries. The US action made “all States less safe around the world”, said Ravina […]Venezuela crisis: UN aid effort continues amid political upheaval
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Venezuela’s political shock has sharpened global attention on a country already facing one of the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises. For the United Nations, the priority remains unchanged: protecting lives, sustaining basic services and supporting Venezuelans at home and across the region. The backdrop © UNHCR/Jaime […]Winter storms upended thousands in Gaza
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Some 65,000 households in the Gaza Strip were affected by the severe winter storms that whipped through the enclave last month, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday. “Tents were blown away or damaged, homes collapsed under storm conditions, and personal […]Robust Security Guarantees for a Solid and Lasting Peace in Ukraine – Statement of the Coalition of the Willing
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The members of the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine and the United States have convened today in Paris. We all stressed our commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the United Nations Charter principles, and welcomed the progress achieved, […]UN agency rolls out three-year plan to safeguard Ukraine’s bread basket
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Ukraine’s agricultural sector remains under intense pressure as the war continues to disrupt food production and endanger civilians, the UN food security agency warned on Tuesday, as it unveiled a new three-year plan to help farmers survive and protect their livelihoods. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization […]World News in Brief: Escalating violence in Sudan, civilian danger grows in Ukraine, Ethiopia aid cuts
January 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. In Sudan, civilians continue to bear the brunt of escalating violence, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions. In North Darfur, drone strikes on 3 January reportedly caused civilian casualties in the villages of Al-Zurq and Ghurair, including strikes on a market and a medical clinic, said […]Gaza: 100 per cent of basic food needs met for first time since 2023
January 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. For the first time since 2023, humanitarian assistance will provide Gazans with enough food to fulfil minimum nutritional needs. “The January round is the first since October 2023, in which partners had sufficient stock to meet 100 per cent of the minimum caloric standard,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane […]Iran protests: UN warns against further bloodshed
January 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As protests in the Iranian capital, Tehran – sparked by increasing economic hardship and a cost-of-living crisis – continued for a ninth day, the UN Secretary-General said he was “deeply saddened by the reported loss of life and injuries,” resulting from clashes between security forces and protesters. […]Maduro seized, norms tested: Security Council divided as Venezuela crisis deepens
January 6, 2026 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Security Council met on Monday against a sharply altered diplomatic backdrop, following US strikes on the Venezuelan capital and seizure of President Nicolás Maduro. Why it matters: Council members are split over whether Washington’s move upholds accountability – or undermines a foundational principle of international […]UN chief deeply concerned over ‘possible intensification of instability’ in Venezuela
January 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Invoking the bedrock principle prohibiting the use of force against the territory and independence of any State, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday there must be “full respect” for the UN Charter, in the face of the United States military intervention in Venezuela and […]Security Council LIVE: ‘The power of the law must prevail’ amid Venezuela crisis, says Guterres
January 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Security Council met in emergency session in New York to address the US rendition of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas, a move that has sent shockwaves through the region and beyond. The UN chief António Guterres told ambassadors there must be respect for national sovereignty, “political independence and territorial […]Security Council: New faces, old tensions as five nations take their seats
January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. From deploying peacekeepers to conducting quiet – but at times heated – diplomacy, the UN Security Council sits at the heart of global decision-making on war and peace. As of January, five new countries will have a seat around the iconic horseshoe table. Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic […]
