World News in Brief: Yemen appeal, Middle East war roils Somalia, needs grow in Colombia

This number includes women and children and comes after more than a decade of prolonged conflict between internationally recognized government forces and Houthi separatist fighters who control the capital, Sana’a, as well as epidemics, climate shocks and funding cuts. UN data shows that 22.3 million people need aid relief and protection services across Yemen, where … Read more

Nearly 5 million children are still dying annually before their fifth birthday: Here’s why

Most of these deaths are preventable with proven, low-cost interventions and access to quality health care, the report stresses. For the first time, the analysis provides a comprehensive picture of not only how many children are dying and where – but also why, by fully integrating global estimates on causes of death. The Levels and … Read more

World News in Brief: West Bank displacement, Cuba fuel crisis, Sexual abuse safeguards, New ‘humancentric’ AI Advocate

According to the UN human rights office, imhrcmore than 36,000 Palestinians were displaced in the year to October 2025 amid intensifying settlement activity and settler violence. The report highlights a sharp rise in attacks by settlers, alongside demolitions, land seizures and severe restrictions on access to services, creating what it describes as a “coercive environment” … Read more

World News in Brief: Attacks on synagogues, Syria’s continuing rights violations, shocking abuse of women during childbirth

In Belgium, a powerful explosion on Monday outside a historic synagogue in Liege caused significant damage. Three synagogues across Canada were attacked in separate shootings last week. In the United States, an attacker was shot dead after crashing their truck into a synagogue and its preschool in Michigan on Thursday. He had reportedly lost family … Read more

World News in Brief: Deadly drone attacks in Sudan, violence against women in the spotlight, more clashes in DR Congo

“It is deeply troubling that despite multiple reminders, warnings and appeals, parties to the conflict continue to use increasingly powerful drones to deploy explosive weapons with wide-area impacts in populated areas,” said the High Commissioner. He renewed his call for both sides in the brutal civil conflict between rival militaries to fully abide by international … Read more

With Middle East ‘pushed to breaking point’, UN chief urges ceasefire, return to diplomacy

“Around the world, we hear much talk of peace, but we see far too little of it,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at a ceremony in Türkiye while accepting the Atatürk International Award for Peace. “International law continues to be trampled, power politics are gaining ground [and] inequalities are growing. New technologies, including artificial intelligence … Read more

At UN, Malala, Anne Hathaway call for action on women’s rights

The event blended reflection, celebration and urgency, highlighting both the progress made in advancing women’s rights and the growing challenges many women and girls face worldwide. The gathering in the General Assembly Hall brought together diplomats, advocates and activists, with speakers reminding the audience that progress on women’s rights has never come automatically – it … Read more

UN commission opens with focus on justice for women and girls

Taking place from 9 to 19 March, the Commission’s 70th session (CSW70) focuses on the priority theme ‘ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls,’ including by promoting inclusive legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws and addressing structural barriers that prevent women from claiming their rights. A question of power Speaking at the … Read more

An ‘alarming’ two-thirds of children say cyberbullying has increased

The report highlights “alarming trends” and “the urgent need for the entire online ecosystem to act faster and together to protect children,” the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said. The findings come amid increasing threats to children with growing conflicts, displacement, poverty, and levels of violence. “We meet today once again in a … Read more

World News in Brief: Türk’s South Sudan ceasefire call, Ukraine strikes, Gaza food alert, Afghan returnees

In an appeal for an immediate ceasefire, he said that over the past 17 days, more than 160 civilians have been killed. This includes at least 139 on 1 March by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group in the northern Ruweng administrative area. Civilians ‘lured’ to their deaths On 21 February, the High Commissioner … Read more