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.
Iraq
Syria takes control of key border crossing for U.N. aid deliveries
The border crossing is essential for more than 4 million uprooted people in Syria who depend on humanitarian aid.
Syrian government's isolation eases with Arab bloc summit appearance
Syrian President Bashar Assad, formerly ostracized by most Arab nations, was warmly readmitted to the Arab League.
Status quo 'totally unacceptable' in quake-hit, war-ravaged Syria
"The tragic reality is that an effective response was hampered in part by challenges that relate directly to the unresolved issues at the heart of the conflict," the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the U.N. Security Council.
Groups cite high number of land mine casualties
At least 5,554 people were killed or wounded last year because they stepped on a land mine or other unexploded devices from war, a new report found.
Donors pledge €6.9 billion to help Syrians
Governments and organizations pledged €6.9 billion in humanitarian aid for people displaced inside Syria and for refugees who fled to neighboring countries.
Virus fears amplify appeals for Syria peace
Human rights experts warily eyeing the first cases of coronavirus in Syria renewed long-ignored calls for an end to the war, this time in the name of health.
IAEA reports Iran's uranium almost triples
Iran violated its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers by nearly tripling its stockpile of enriched uranium since November, IAEA reported.
Trump proposes steep cuts to global health
U.S. President Donald Trump sent a US$4.8 trillion budget plan to Congress proposing deep cuts to international organizations and global health programs.
Enraged Iran abandons nuclear deal limits
Iran announced it will no longer comply with most of the limits under the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with world powers, angrily reacting to a U.S. airstrike.
U.N. envoy amplifies Baghdad protestors
The top U.N. envoy to Iraq assured its parliament their role in hearing Baghdad protestors' demands is vital to restoring stability and peace.
U.N. chief urges Syrian civilian protections
The U.N. chief expressed concern over fighting in northeast Syria and called for "maximum restraint" as Turkish forces advanced on Kurdish fighters.
IEA: Oil supplies plentiful despite attacks
Global oil markets are well-supplied and companies have reserves to meet demand for more than a month despite attacks on Saudi Arabia oil production.
UNESCO-led Mosul project set for 2020
UNESCO said its US$100 million plan to reconstruct northern Iraqi city of Mosul's heritage, including its famed mosque destroyed by IS, will begin next year.
A record 41 million people are uprooted in their own nations
Disasters and conflicts drove nations atop a list of places adding to the 28 million people newly displaced at home.
Red Cross pleads for info on missing staff taken by militants in Syria
The kidnappings of the three ICRC staff six years ago had been kept secret until now out of fears for their safety.