News

 Across war-torn Sudan, civilians continue to face ongoing attacks, starvation and cholera outbreaks. 

In 2021, an Afghan woman could have run for president – although none did. Spool forward to 2025, they can’t even speak in public. There is an edict from the Taliban which labels public speaking by women a moral violation.  

More than half the world’s population is under 30, and young people are leading grassroots efforts on issues from climate action to equality. Marking International Youth Day on Tuesday, the UN is highlighting the power of youth to transform their communities – and the wider world.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, UN officials warned on Monday, describing overflowing hospitals, critically malnourished children, and desperate civilians risking their lives to secure food for their families.

The UN Security Council has expressed alarm at the sharp escalation of violence in Syria’s Sweida region since mid-July, condemning attacks against civilians and calling for urgent protection and humanitarian access.

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has warned that the Gaza Strip faces a “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis, with no agency aid allowed in for more than five months and malnutrition deaths climbing sharply.

The UN Security Council is meeting in New York following the Israeli cabinet’s decision to again expand its military operation inside the Gaza Strip and take full control of the key population centre of Gaza City. UN chief António Guterres described it as a “dangerous escalation” for the two million civilians trapped in the enclave as well as the remaining Israeli hostages still held captive. Follow our Meetings Coverage Section’s live reporting of the crisis meeting and UN News app users can follow here.

For years, low-quality seeds have been a concern in Haiti, with continual climate shocks and political insecurity adding to the existing challenges that farmers face in their attempts to grow food. 

It’s essential to work towards a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict as the international community addresses the reality of starvation on the ground in Gaza, the Security Council heard on Sunday.

Climate change has worsened monsoon flooding in Bangladesh, putting women of child-bearing age at risk – but the UN reproductive health agency (UNFPA) is helping them prepare. 

By leveraging their central location, expanding regional connectivity and embracing transformative technologies, Africa’s landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are positioning themselves as vital contributors to the continent’s prosperity and sustainable development.

Millions of people returning to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries are receiving humanitarian support at the border, but they will need more help to rebuild their lives, according to UN-Habitat, the agency that advocates for sustainable communities.