Middle East crisis: Live updates for 26 November
With all eyes on a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, UN humanitarians have condemned the ongoing violence in Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel. Meanwhile, at UN Headquarters in New York, a special meeting was held to…
UN report reveals widespread restrictions on media freedom in Afghanistan
The joint report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, documented 336 cases of human rights violations against media professionals between August 2021 and September 2024. Threats to press freedom “Journalists and media…
Lebanon: UN rights chief adds voice to immediate ceasefire call
The development follows dire assessments from UN aid teams about the cost of “relentless” Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs since the weekend, resulting in extensive damage and significant casualties, and forcing more people to flee their homes. “The High…
No end in sight to ‘horror’ in Gaza, UN official tells Security Council
Briefing Ambassadors on the Security Council, Muhannad Hadi, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, outlined the impact of the conflict, which is now in its second year. “As winter approaches, the horror in Gaza continues to grind…
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy system risks nuclear disaster: rights experts
Their warning comes amid growing international concern about the vulnerability of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities which rely on a stable power grid to maintain critical safety systems. “The latest large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s electricity system has led to further…
Lebanon: UNIFIL concerned by attacks on Lebanese Armed Forces
The UN Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also seriously concerned by numerous strikes on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) despite their declared non-involvement in the hostilities, he added. The LAF have reported that at least 45 soldiers have been killed…
Countries remain divided as fifth UN plastics treaty talks begin
As delegates from 175 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea, on Monday for the fifth round of talks aimed at securing an international treaty to curb plastic pollution, lingering divisions cast doubts on whether a final agreement is in sight….
Haiti: Child recruitment by armed groups surges 70 per cent
According to the latest estimates, children now comprise up to half of all armed group members, with recruitment driven by widespread poverty, lack of education and collapse of essential services. “Children in Haiti are trapped in a vicious cycle –…
The trial that brought down a warlord
Our team took the Anthem Award’s gold medal in the diversity, equity and inclusion category announced earlier this week. The documentary follows the intricate proceedings that saw the DR Congo’s military court system prosecute Sheka in a landmark case followed around…
Gaza update: Fleeing families just have ‘the clothes on their back’
Speaking from an UNRWA school in Gaza City, which is in the north of the Strip, Ms. Wateridge said that, for almost 50 days, UN humanitarian missions have attempted to deliver supplies to northern Gaza, including besieged areas such as…