A former refugee takes on a world in flight

© UNHCR/Nikola Ivanovski UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, visits displaced families at a transit centre in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.This article is published in association with United Nations. Barham Salih has spent much of his life crossing borders, first as a young Kurdish exile fleeing repression in Iraq, and now as the UN top official for refugees, confronting a world in which more than 117 million people have been forced from their homes. He wasted […]

Middle East war: ‘Force of the law’ must prevail over the law of force, urges Guterres

Public Domain Smoke rises above Tehran, Iran.This article is published in association with United Nations. The US and Israel must end their bombing campaign before it spirals out of control, while Iran needs to stop attacking Gulf neighbours who have played no direct part in the war roiling the Middle East and beyond, the UN Secretary-General urged on Thursday. António Guterres was […]

World News in Brief: Rafah crossing reopens, gender inequality worsens global water crisis, rights defenders in Colombia

UN News The UN is supporting the medical evacuation of patients for treatment unavailable in Gaza.This article is published in association with United Nations. The Rafah crossing into Gaza reopened on Thursday for limited movement in both directions after a 20-day suspension, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners supported the medical evacuation of nine adult patients, most […]

Amid deepening crisis in Palestine, girls face rising risks and a mounting mental health emergency

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour A girl looks over the destruction of Gaza City.This article is published in association with United Nations. More than two years of unrelenting violence, displacement and loss have pushed children and young people in Palestine into what one UN official describes as a “profound mental health emergency”, with girls facing heightened risks, including a resurgence in child marriage. Sima Alami, adolescent and youth programme […]

Middle East war shockwaves ripple through Asia-Pacific fuel and supply chains

This article is published in association with United Nations.This article is published in association with United Nations. The fallout from the war in the Middle East is rippling far beyond the Gulf, disrupting fuel supplies, shipping routes and supply chains across Asia and the Pacific, with some of the region’s most vulnerable economies already feeling the strain through rising prices, rationing and threats to […]

World News in Brief: Yemen appeal, Middle East war roils Somalia, needs grow in Colombia

© UNICEF/Alaa Noman - YPN A mother holds her child near their home in the Al Adani neighbourhood of Al Hawtah, Yemen.This article is published in association with United Nations. UN aid teams in Yemen on Wednesday warned that the situation in the war-torn nation remains dire in a call for $2 billion in aid to deliver lifesaving assistance for 12 million people. This number includes women and children and comes after more than a decade of […]

The Basij Is Falling Apart: this Is What the End of the Islamic Republic Looks Like

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Ms. Sara Rahmati, an international relations graduate currently based in Berlin with an interest in Public International Law. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. For forty-seven years, Iranians have […]

Humanitarian needs in Gaza deepen as aid access remains constrained

© WFP/Jaber Badwan A woman carries food rations distributed by the World Food Programme in Almaghazi, Gaza.This article is published in association with United Nations. Humanitarian needs are continuing to grow again across Gaza, the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said on Wednesday, amid mounting pressures on aid delivery and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  “Families face ongoing hardship” as access to essential aid remains limited and many continue […]

‘No matter what’, UN Women vows to stay in Afghanistan, amid deepening rights crisis

© UNICEF/Amin Meerzad Some families have been displaced multiple times since the earthquake in Afghanistan's Kunar province.This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Women will continue delivering for Afghan women and girls despite sweeping restrictions and ongoing instability, a senior official said on Tuesday. The agency is operating in what it describes as the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis, where women are nearly four times less likely than […]

Afghanistan: UN condemns deadly attack on rehab centre in Kabul

© Unsplash/Farid Ershad Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city.This article is published in association with United Nations. Top UN officials condemned on Tuesday Pakistan’s overnight strike on a rehab centre that reportedly killed at least 400 people in Kabul, according to Taliban authorities, and injured more than 250 others. “A reported overnight strike on the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Facility in Kabul, managed by the […]

Nearly 5 million children are still dying annually before their fifth birthday: Here’s why

© UNICEF/David Boman A woman holds a newborn baby inside the labour ward of a hospital in Sokoto state, Nigeria.This article is published in association with United Nations. An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, according to new United Nations estimates released on Tuesday – highlighting a worrying slowdown in global progress on child survival. Most of these deaths are preventable with proven, low-cost interventions and […]

World News in Brief: West Bank displacement, Cuba fuel crisis, Sexual abuse safeguards, New ‘humancentric’ AI Advocate

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour A woman cooks dinner in the ruins of her home in Gaza.This article is published in association with United Nations. A new UN human rights report warns that expanding Israeli settlements are driving large-scale displacement of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank. According to the UN human rights office, UNHCR, more than 36,000 Palestinians were displaced in the year to October 2025 amid intensifying settlement activity and […]

Middle East war risks pushing 45 million more people into acute hunger

© WFP/Khadija Dia Food is distributed to displaced families sheltering in a school in Tariq Jdide, Beirut.This article is published in association with United Nations. The Middle East war could cause the worst disruption to lifesaving humanitarian work since COVID, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday, as the UN chief again demanded an end to the widening conflict. “The Secretary-General asserts once more that the war in the Middle […]

War-driven energy price spikes highlight value of renewables: UN climate chief

© IFRC/Vladimir Filonov Fossil fuel-powered factories are a major contributor to climate change.This article is published in association with United Nations. The disruption of global energy supplies is being felt worldwide, the UN’s top climate change official warned on Monday, as conflict in the Middle East drives oil and gas prices sharply higher – echoing the market turmoil triggered by the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the 2026 […]

World News in Brief: Deadly drone strikes in Sudan, families killed in West Bank, Ukraine casualties update

This article is published in association with United Nations. Relentless drone strikes across Sudan’s Kordofan and Darfur regions are causing civilian casualties and further restricting humanitarian access, the UN warned on Monday. Two people were reportedly killed in a strike on the town of Al Rahad, southeast of El Obeid in North Kordofan, where a hospital […]

‘Glimmer of hope’ in Haiti amid shifting gang frontlines

© WFP/Luc Junior Segur Aid is distributed by the World Food Programme in a downtown neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince.This article is published in association with United Nations. The liberation of territory from gangs and a more “motivated and visible” police presence has provided a “glimmer of hope” for Haiti as the Caribbean island nation continues to struggle with violence, insecurity and poverty. At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been […]

‘Hope’ for Haiti’s political future as some 300 groups reportedly register for upcoming elections

This article is published in association with United Nations.This article is published in association with United Nations. Haiti remains mired in a multidimensional crisis marked by weak institutions, political uncertainty, widespread gang violence and overwhelming humanitarian needs, but a recent new agreement by political groups offers “a moment of hope and progress for the Haitian people”, according to the UN’s most senior official in the Caribbean […]

Middle East war’s ‘spiral of conflict’ drives mounting civilian toll

© World Vision Smoke rises in Beit Mery, close to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, following an airstrike.This article is published in association with United Nations. The widening war in the Middle East and its growing impact on civilians came under scrutiny at the UN in Geneva on Monday, as independent experts briefing the Human Rights Council warned of escalating violence following the onset of Israeli and US strikes on Iran and counterstrikes […]

Middle East crisis: UN health agency releases emergency funds for Lebanon, Iraq, Syria

© IOM Mattresses are distributed to families in Lebanon by the UN migration agency, IOM.This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing another $2 million in emergency funds to support health systems in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as strikes against Iran by the US and Israeli continue amid counterstrikes across the Gulf and wider region by Tehran. The funds based on […]

Middle East war: Women in Lebanon forced to give birth on roadside

© Mousawat A mother and child displaced by the conflict in Lebanon receiving care at a clinic.This article is published in association with United Nations. As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel.  “There’s 11,600 pregnant women who […]

World News in Brief: Deadly drone attacks in Sudan, violence against women in the spotlight, more clashes in DR Congo

© UNICEF A UN convoy delivers vital aid to cut-off communities in Sudan’s South Kordofan State.This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday he was appalled by the devastating impact on civilians of increasing drone attacks in Sudan, amid reports that more than 200 civilians have been killed by drones since 4 March alone, in the Kordofan region and White Nile […]

Venezuela’s repressive State apparatus ‘intact’ despite leadership change

This article is published in association with United Nations.This article is published in association with United Nations. Venezuela’s repressive State apparatus remains operational despite the seizure of former President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces on 3 January, according to independent UN human rights investigators. “The structures that have sustained persecution for years have not been dismantled, nor have State policies been announced to […]

Aid operations strained across Middle East: WFP seeks $200 million to sustain food assistance

© WHO Tents set up inside a college in Beirut, Lebanon, provide accommodation for people who have been displaced by the conflict.This article is published in association with United Nations. Rising food prices, growing displacement and disruptions to global supply routes are placing millions of people across the Middle East at greater risk of hunger, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), which warns that the humanitarian system is struggling to keep pace with expanding needs. The […]

‘Perfect storm’: Lebanon crisis deepens as civilians bear the brunt

© WFP/Arete/Ali Yunes Some residents of Beirut who have been displaced by the conflict are now living on the streets of the Lebanese capital.This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as conflict, mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned. The current escalation began on 2 March, when outgoing fire by Hezbollah drew a strong retaliation from […]

UN relief chief condemns ‘$1 billion-a-day’ cost of war in Middle East

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour People living in Gaza have received humanitarian aid from the UN throughout the conflict with Israel.This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war in the Middle East, at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring and aid funding is falling dangerously short. “We’re seeing the consequences spread faster than we can respond”, warned the UN emergency […]

World News in Brief: Türk’s South Sudan ceasefire call, Ukraine strikes, Gaza food alert, Afghan returnees

© UNICEF/Mark Naftalin Attacks on civilian populations have been reported in South Sudan.This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Tuesday condemned accounts of “gruesome killings” of civilians in South Sudan, the destruction and poisoning of key water sources and fresh waves of mass displacement. Tweet URL https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=UN_News_Centre&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2031338097816855012&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.un.org%2Fen%2Fstory%2F2026%2F03%2F1167112&sessionId=2d6b0f89295cbfdd02b3278a2b0c8c07970d1373&siteScreenName=UN_News_Centre&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px In an appeal for an immediate ceasefire, he said that over the […]

‘Toxic rain’ warning from oil depot strikes amid ongoing Middle East war

© UNICEF/Azizullah Karimi Afghan returnees from Iran gather at the Islam-Border, near Herat in western Afghanistan (file).This article is published in association with United Nations. Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.  Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Human […]

Migration: the Civil Liberties Committee adopts a reform of EU return rules 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, the Civil Liberties Committee adopted its position on the proposed changes to the EU’s policy on the return of non-EU nationals illegally staying in the EU. With 41 in favour 32 against and 1 abstention, MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee adopted […]

Humanitarian crisis ‘worsening’ in Afghanistan as war erupts in the Middle East

© WFP/Danijela Milic Food aid is distributed by the UN in Parwan province, Afghanistan.This article is published in association with United Nations. Crises in the region on both Afghanistan’s longest borders are undermining the country’s stability, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Monday as concerns over Middle East crisis grow amid clashes with Pakistan and a worsening humanitarian crisis. The conflict in the Middle East is […]

EU steps up civil protection efforts and brings back 356 citizens home amid developments in the Middle East

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Two repatriation flights chartered directly by the European Commission have safely landed in Romania. The two flights brought back 356 European citizens who were stranded in the Middle East from Oman to Romania. For the first time ever, the Commission mobilised its own rescEU […]

Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates

© UNHCR People gather at the Masnaa border point in Lebanon as they wait to cross into Syria.This article is published in association with United Nations. On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering for the most vulnerable. In Lebanon alone, nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children […]

On day seven of Middle East war, no let-up in suffering

UNHCR UN refugee agency staff distribute emergency relief items to displaced people in Beirut, Lebanon.This article is published in association with United Nations. The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday. Seven days since Israeli and US bombing in Iran prompted ongoing counter-strikes across the Middle East, humanitarians confirmed massive […]

Commission suspends visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service or official passports under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports. They are now required to be in possession of a visa when entering the Schengen area for official purposes. It is the first time that the new […]
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