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Reject bigotry and discrimination, UN chief says, urging everyone to combat Islamophobia

The UN Secretary-General has urged everyone to speak out against xenophobia and discrimination to combat a “disturbing rise” in anti-Muslim bigotry. In a message marking Saturday’s International Day to…

‘Without us, there is no future’: Youth take over UN Women’s Commission

“Support us and include us” to achieve real progress on advancing equal rights for all, young leaders told the Commission on the Status of Women, as the forum wrapped up the first week of its annual session at the UN Headquarters, in New York, on Friday…

In Bangladesh, UN chief vows to prevent Rohingya suffering as aid cuts loom

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in southern Bangladesh, vowed to do everything in his power to prevent further hardship as drastic aid cuts threaten food supplies and other critical relief efforts…

World News in Brief: Fresh fighting in eastern DR Congo, global trade update, elections in CAR, Pakistan train hijack

Fresh fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has displaced tens of thousands of families, with children particularly at risk, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday. Over…

Iran protests: Human Rights Council probe condemns online, app-based repression

The Iranian Government has continued to ramp up efforts to restrict the rights of civilians including young children as part of a concerted effort to crush dissent, investigators mandated by the UN Human Rights Council said on Friday.…

No food deliveries to Gaza as border closures continue

The UN emergency food relief agency has not been able to transport any aid into the Gaza Strip, due to the ongoing closure of all border crossing points, which is now in its twelfth day, the UN Spokesperson said on Friday…

Rights probe alleges sexual violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces used as ‘method of war’

Senior human rights investigators reporting to the UN Human Rights Council alleged on Thursday that sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinians – including children - have been increasingly used “as a method of war” following the 7 October 2023 attacks that…

‘Brighter future hangs in the balance’ in Syria after 14 years of war

The Constitutional Declaration issued by Syria’s caretaker authorities marks a pivotal moment in the country’s turbulent transition, with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen expressing cautious optimism about its potential to fill a legal vacuum and pave the way for a “credible and inclusive political…

Europe grapples with highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years

Measles cases in Europe have doubled in just a year, with the highest number reported since 1997, UN agencies announced on Thursday. “Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” warned Dr. Hans Kluge, the…

Conflict, hunger, poverty impede children's early development: Türk

Governments everywhere are “letting children down instead of lifting them up” as conflict, hunger, poverty and climate change hold back child development, UN rights chief Volker Türk told Member States in Geneva on Thursday…