Gaza operations put on life support as fuel runs out and war rages on
Humanitarian agencies were forced to scale back as fuel and other items were depleted and diplomats were at an impasse.
Iran
Iran's foreign policy is dominated by its contentious nuclear program and its strained relationship with the international community. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal, and inspections by the IAEA are central to global concerns. While Iran insists on a peaceful program, its enrichment activities and withdrawal of cooperation with the IAEA have heightened tensions and triggered sanctions from the U.S. and E.U.
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Israel rejects cease-fire in Gaza as diplomats warn of war spreading
Israel pounded Gaza with increasingly intensifying airstrikes. The U.N. chief emphasized the rules of war must be obeyed.
Caught up in the war in Gaza, civilians anxiously await aid
Despite some humanitarian aid trickling into Gaza through Egypt's Rafah crossing, needs are soaring as tensions flare.
Reprisals against human rights defenders cited among 42 nations
A new report's evidence of threats and retaliation extends to 12 of the U.N. Human Rights Council's 47 member nations.
Danger of exhausting local water supply puts 1-in-4 at risk globally
'Extremely high water stress' afflicts 83% of the population in the Middle East and North Africa and 74% in South Asia.
U.N. starts unloading oil from Yemen tanker to prevent disaster
Without U.N. intervention, the tanker could have released as much as four times the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez in 1989.
Economic sanctions as a modern tool: Cruel to the most vulnerable?
A study finds sanctions contribute to a rise in mortality, poverty and inequality, and a decline in income and rights.
International arms control at a 'crossroads' over nuclear threats
The NATO chief emphasized the need to negotiate new arms control arrangements, despite broad geopolitical worries.
Rapprochement could help address the Middle East's climate problem
The Middle East and North Africa are particularly vulnerable to climate change, but many health impacts are unknown.
U.N. agrees to buy $55M crude carrier to prevent oil spill in Red Sea
A stranded supertanker, moored off the coast of Yemen near a pipeline to oil and gas fields, nearly sank in 2020.
Xi and Putin hold talks on sidelines of 8-nation regional security summit
At the SCO summit, China called its partnership with Russia 'as stable as mountains' despite some questions and concerns.
Assassination to intimidation: dissidents targeted across borders
Assassination and unlawful deportations are some of the methods that regimes use against activists and dissidents.
U.N. extends humanitarian aid border crossing to rebel-held Syria
The U.N. approved a compromise to keep open Syria's last non-government controlled border crossing for aid.
Nearly 3 million more displaced people from wars and conflicts
Despite the pandemic, the number of people fleeing for safety around the world rose to almost 82.4 million last year.
U.N. appeal falls short of Yemen's needs
International donors contributed US$1.7 billion for people starving in Yemen, an amount that leaders of humanitarian organizations called disappointing.
U.N. talks open on Syria national governance
Syrian representatives, dogged by mistrust from an almost decade-long civil war, began a fourth round of peace talks on a new system of governance.