Leaders of UN and aid groups urge immediate release of 17 staffers being held by Yemen's rebels
The heads of six U.N. agencies and three international humanitarian organizations issued a joint appeal to Yemen’s Houthi rebels for the immediate release of 17 members of their staff who were recently detained along with many others also being held by the Iranian-backed group.
UN says violence against children in conflict reached extreme levels in 2023, including in Gaza
A new U.N. report says violence against children caught in multiplying and escalating conflicts reached “extreme levels” in 2023, with an unprecedented number of killings and injuries in crises, from Israel and the Palestinian territories to Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine.
The Latest | Israeli strikes kill at least 18 in central Gaza a day after attack on UN-run school
Health officials say overnight Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 18 people, including children, a day after 33 were killed at a United Nations-run school sheltering displaced Palestinian families.
Many leaders are more interested in power than helping end conflict, UN humanitarian chief says
The United Nations humanitarian chief says leaders in many conflict areas are more interested in power and political rivalries than in listening to the needs of their people, improving their lives and ending the fighting.
US urges UN Security Council to support cease-fire plan in Gaza announced by President Biden
The United States is urging the U.N. Security Council to support the three-phase plan announced by President Joe Biden aimed at ending the nearly eight-month war in Gaza, freeing hostages and sending massive aid into the devastated territory.
Papua New Guinea prime minister visits site of massive landslide estimated to have killed hundreds
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has visited the site of a massive landslide that is estimated to have buried hundreds of villagers in the South Pacific island nation’s mountainous interior a week ago.
Papua New Guinea landslide survivors slow to move to safer ground after hundreds buried
Traumatized survivors of Papua New Guinea’s massive landslide are hesitating to move to safer ground as the South Pacific island nation’s authorities prepare to use heavy machinery to clear debris and risk trigging another landslide.
AP interview: Divisions among the world's powerful nations are undermining UN efforts to end crises
The UN peacekeeping chief says deep divisions especially among the world’s most powerful nations have significantly undermined what the United Nations can do to help nations move from conflict to peace.
Authorities in Papua New Guinea search for safer ground for thousands of landslide survivors
Authorities in Papua New Guinea are searching for safer ground to relocate thousands of survivors at risk from a potential second landslide in the country's highlands, while the arrival of heavy earth-moving equipment at the disaster site where hundreds are buried has been delayed.
Spain, Ireland and Norway say they will recognize a Palestinian state. Why does that matter?
Spain, Ireland and Norway have said that they will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s offensive.
Chances of Cyprus peace talks restart look dimmer as Turkish Cypriot leader sees no common ground
Chances of restarting formal talks to mend Cyprus’ decades-long ethnic division appeared dimmer as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots told a U.N. envoy that he saw no common ground with Greek Cypriots for a return to negotiations.
The unprecedented destruction of housing in Gaza hasn't been seen since World War II, the UN says
The United Nations says the world hasn’t seen anything like the unprecedented destruction of housing in Gaza since World War II, and it would take at least until 2040 to restore the homes devastated in Israel’s bombing and ground offensive if the conflict ended today.
Russia proposes UN resolution on banning weapons in space, after vetoing similar UN-Japan draft
Russia has circulated a U.N. resolution calling on all countries to take urgent action to prevent putting weapons in outer space “for all time” a week after it vetoed a U.S.-Japan resolution to stop an arms race in space.
EU, UN reschedule launch of anti-human trafficking project in Cambodia after questions about venue
The European Union and United Nations abruptly rescheduled the launch of an anti-human trafficking program this week after being confronted with questions on the choice of venue: a Phnom Penh hotel owned by a Cambodian tycoon who has another property that has been used by human traffickers.
Russia vetoes a UN resolution calling for the prevention of a dangerous nuclear arms race in space
Russia has vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space, calling it “a dirty spectacle” that cherry picks weapons of mass destruction from all other weapons that should also be banned.
UN appeals for $2.8 billion to help 3 million Palestinians in desperate need of food and other aid
The United Nations is appealing for $2.8 billion to provide desperately needed aid to 3 million Palestinians, stressing that tackling looming famine in war-torn Gaza requires not only food but sanitation, water and health facilities.
Mexico wants UN to suspend Ecuador over its police raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito
Mexico’s president says his country wants the United Nations to suspend Ecuador from the world body as part of a complaint to the top U.N. court over Ecuador’s police raid last week on the Mexican embassy in Quito.
Palestinians want April vote on UN membership despite US saying peace with Israel must come first
The Palestinians want the Security Council to vote later this month on their revived request for full membership in the United Nations, despite the United States reiterating that Israel and the Palestinians must first negotiate a peace agreement.
With famine looming, aid group halts food delivery in Gaza after Israeli strike kills 7 workers
Some of Israel’s closest allies, including the United States, have condemned the deaths of seven aid workers who were killed by airstrikes in Gaza — a loss that prompted multiple charities to suspend food deliveries to Palestinians on the brink of starvation.
3 UN military observers, a Lebanese interpreter wounded in blast while patrolling southern border
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon says three United Nations military observers and a Lebanese interpreter have been wounded when a shell exploded near them while patrolling the southern Lebanese border.
Russian veto brings an end to the UN panel that monitors North Korea nuclear sanctions
Russia has vetoed a U.N. resolution in a move that effectively abolishes the monitoring by United Nations experts of U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program, though the sanctions themselves remain in place.
Russia and China veto US resolution calling for immediate cease-fire in Gaza
Russia and China have vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution calling for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.
US calls for vote Friday on UN resolution declaring that immediate Gaza cease-fire is `imperative'
The United States is calling for a vote Friday on a newly revised and tougher U.N. resolution declaring that “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war is “imperative” to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.
US spearheads first UN resolution on artificial intelligence — aimed at ensuring equal access
The United States is spearheading the first United Nations resolution on artificial intelligence, aimed at ensuring the new technology is “safe, secure and trustworthy” and that all countries, especially those in the developing world, have equal access.
UN envoy: Finding that some hostages were victims of sexual violence doesn't justify Israeli attacks
The U_N_ envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict is warning Israel that the finding of “clear and convincing information” that some hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct_ 7 attack in southern Israel were subjected to sexual violence “does not in any way legitimize further hostilities.”.
UN chief urges Sudan's warring parties to halt hostilities during Muslim holy month of Ramadan
The United Nations chief is urging Sudan’s warring parties to halt hostilities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, warning that the nearly year-long conflict threatens the country’s unity and “could ignite regional instability of dramatic proportions.”.
Haiti extends a state of emergency and nighttime curfew to try and repel widespread gang attacks
Haiti’s government says it is extending a state of emergency and nighttime curfew to try and curb violent gang attacks that have paralyzed the capital of Port-au-Prince in a fierce political battle for power.
New attacks by IS-linked group in Mozambique leave over 70 children missing. Thousands have fled
Aid agencies and local authorities say a surge of new attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated group in northern Mozambique has left more than 70 children missing and caused 100,000 people to flee their homes.
Politicians seek new alliances to lead Haiti as gangs take over and premier tries to return home
Haitian politicians started pursuing new alliances Wednesday, seeking a coalition that could lead the country out of the gang violence that has closed the main airport and prevented embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning home.
UN hands over 1st military base in Congo to begin its drawdown after decades in the country
United Nations peacekeepers have handed over their first military base to security forces in eastern Congo as part of an eventual withdrawal after decades of operating in the country, and as violence soars in the conflict-riddled region.
South Africa tells top UN court that it's accusing Israel of apartheid against Palestinians
South Africa has argued at the United Nations’ top court that Israel is responsible for apartheid against the Palestinians and that Israel’s occupation of land sought for a Palestinian state is “inherently and fundamentally illegal.”.