U.S. vetoes U.N. cease-fire bid as Israelis push south into Gaza
Gaza's aid reached a breaking point as Israel fought to destroy Hamas and groups warned Palestinians face starvation.
Qatar
Qatar is a sovereign nation in the Middle East known for its immense wealth from natural gas and its active role in global diplomacy. It has positioned itself as a key mediator in international conflicts, notably by facilitating the 2020 peace agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban and brokering the release of hostages in high-profile negotiations.
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Negligible relief seen for people of Gaza as pause in fighting begins
The United Nations and agencies rushed to provide humanitarian aid as Israel and Hamas began a four-day truce.
Nations seeking to expand fossil fuel production despite climate pledges
Government plans would blow past limits needed to limit warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Leaked audio indicates U.N. climate summit host will try to limit scrutiny
In a recording, UAE officials anticipate a need to "minimize" attacks on the Gulf nation's human rights record at COP28.
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. labor conference led by Qatari despite migrant worker controversy
Delegates from 187 nations set aside concerns about human rights and migrant workers for Qatar's labor minister to head the International Labor Conference.
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.
Shadow lobbying is an E.U. open secret in its cash suitcase scandal
The shock within institutions sidesteps the root problem: widely accepted shadow lobbying in the European Union.
WTO subsidy talks to curb overfishing drag on
Diplomats failed to meet an end-of-year deadline for a deal on halting government subsidies that contribute to overfishing, WTO officials said.
Libyan sides agree to 2021 nationwide elections
Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to hold nationwide elections on December 24, 2021, the U.N. acting envoy for Libya said.
Libya reaches cease-fire deal at Geneva talks
Libya’s two main warring sides signed a U.N.-brokered cease-fire deal that also requires military pullouts by Russia, Turkey and other regional powers.
Anti-corruption sports organization in works
New momentum for creating a global organization to investigate corruption in sports surfaced as FIFA and UNODC signed a cooperation agreement.
Global coronavirus cases surge past 25 million
The world reached 25 million coronavirus infections, rising at a pace that indicates the pandemic has further accelerated since the 20 million mark.
World surpasses 20 million coronavirus cases
The world reached a staggering milestone surpassing 20 million COVID-19 cases with 736,000 deaths — a doubling of 10 million cases in just over six weeks.
WADA hands Russia 4-year global sporting ban over 'doping crisis'
The decision prevents Russia from staging official teams bearing its flag and anthem at premier events through 2023.
Nobel Prize-winning Suu Kyi due for showdown with U.N. genocide probe
Myanmar's leader will challenge the U.N. top court's prosecution of an alleged military-led genocide of Rohingyas.