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UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday that drone strikes had recently damaged schools, a site housing internally displaced people and fuel stations and tankers amid a significant buildup of Rapid Support Forces militia and allied troops in the North Kordofan capital. Several Member States are warning that an increasing number of deadly airstrikes have … Read more

Key takeaways The report outlines findings across seven key domains: AI science, advances and trajectories Societal applications in science, health, education and agriculture economic implications Security, systems and environmental implications Human rights, information and democracy Cultural benefits, autonomy and child safety Management, governance and reliability “The science is here,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at … Read more

Just a few years ago, it could answer questions or generate text. Today, it can write computer code, analyze vast amounts of data, create realistic images and videos, help scientists discover new medicines and increasingly act on its own with little human supervision. However, while AI’s capabilities are accelerating, experts say that the rules ensuring … Read more

The decision taken by the General Assembly on Tuesday follows recommendations from its Fifth Committeewhich is responsible for administrative and budgetary matters. It comes as the UN continues to face a severe liquidity crunch as governments delay paying their mandatory financial contributions, forcing cuts across the system affecting everything from hiring to peacekeeping operations and … Read more

The convoy, operated by the John Dau Foundation, was transporting humanitarian staff returning from an Action Against Hunger training exercise when it came under attack on Monday along the route between Payuel Payam and Pajut, in Duk county. Four others were injured, and several civilians were also reportedly killed or wounded. “Humanitarian workers dedicate their … Read more

The newBlueprint for strengthening responses to fungal disease and antifungal resistanceissued on Tuesday, sets out practical steps to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and surveillance. fungal diseases affect more than 300 million people each year and are associated with high mortality, long-term illness and major losses in health and productivity worldwide. Growing global threat They range … Read more

Based on new data from 10 countries, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that at least 20 million children have used AI, with young people adopting the technology at rates more than three times faster than adults. Perhaps most strikingly, an estimated two million children – around one in 10 – said they turn to … Read more

“We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured,” the Kabul-based UN mission (UNAMA) said in a statement. Women and children among victims Women and children are among the victims, and the current casualty figures are preliminary and may increase as hospitals continue to treat the … Read more

The issue is the spotlight as the United Nations marks the organization’s Fourth Counter-Terrorism Weekbringing together more than 1,000 participants from some 119 countries, representing governments, regional organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector. Alexandre Zouev, UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, laid out the current landscape in an address in the General Assembly Hall … Read more

“We have seen an unprecedented spike in new types of drugs on the market, and worryingly, some are more potent or dangerous than before,” said Monica Juma, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). An estimated 331 million people used drugs in 2024, equivalent to 6.2 per cent of the world’s … Read more