UN News - Global perspective Human stories

• MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Further escalation drives uncertainty and suffering
  On day six of the war in the Middle East, there's been no let-up in bombs, drones and rockets targeting Iran, Israel, Lebanon and many Gulf States, while NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired at Türkiye by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran. We'll bring you the latest from the United Nations and our partners at headquarters and in the field. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
• Women’s rights are regressing worldwide, warns UN gender equality chief
  As an increase in conflicts leads to a significant spike in gender-based violence, women across the world face a “justice gap” with discriminatory laws reported in most countries, according to a report from gender equality agency UN Women, released on Wednesday. 
• World News in Brief: Afghan-Pakistan border clashes latest, murder of Iraqi women’s rights activist condemned, Chile leprosy milestone
  Clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have continued for a seventh straight day, with humanitarian access to affected areas still restricted, the UN said on Wednesday.
• Imprisoned Iranian protesters face ‘expedited’ executions
  As US, Israeli and Iranian strikes continued for a fifth day, a top Human Rights Council probe warned on Wednesday that Iranian prisoners including detained protesters face expedited death penalty proceedings.
• MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Conflict continues across region amid US, Israeli and Iranian strikes
  Violence in the Middle East is continuing into a fifth day, with US and Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks reported across several countries in the region. The escalating confrontation is disrupting airspace, transport and daily life while raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Follow our live coverage for real-time updates, reactions and humanitarian developments from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
• MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Fourth day of escalating conflict between US, Israel and Iran
  Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a fourth day, with US and Israeli military strikes against Iran and ensuing Iranian counter-strikes hitting targets across the region, disrupting airspace and transport routes. The situation has caused civilian casualties and raised fears of broader instability, including in Lebanon and the Gulf. We will bring you real-time reporting and updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
• How AI is already reshaping working conditions
  From delivery couriers compelled to follow the demands of online platform algorithms to content moderators who confront pornography and death every day while training artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the impact of new technologies on working conditions is becoming increasingly obvious.
• ‘The world is looking to you for clarity’, UN chief tells AI experts
  Secretary-General António Guterres told the inaugural meeting of a new independent group of experts on Artificial Intelligence convened by the UN that they have a huge responsibility to help shape how it is used “for the benefit of humanity”.
• Iran crisis: Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced and aid compromised
  On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs.
• Why medicinal plants matter on World Wildlife Day
  Medicinal plants and their varied uses span from ancient medicine to modern cosmetics and pharmaceuticals amid a surging demand for more.
• World News in Brief: Gaza crossings closed, fighting in Sudan continues, Afghanistan quake victims
  The escalating violence in the Middle East region is compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Melania Trump presides over historic session on children in conflict
  The UN Security Council convened in New York under extraordinary circumstances Monday: amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and repeated calls from the UN for restraint by all sides, the Council turns its attention to a long-standing but under-addressed crisis facing children in war zones. The United States, which holds the rotating presidency for March, decided to have First Lady Melania Trump chair the meeting. Usually, the UN ambassador or senior official takes the gavel. While there have been instances of First Ladies taking part in Security Council meetings, today was the first time a sitting First Lady has had the gavel. Follow speaker by speaker below, and UN News app users can go here. For daily in-depth meetings coverage, go here. 
• MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue from US, Israel and Iran as UN urges restraint
  Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a third day as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran aimed at regime change continue to cause loss of life and damage across the region, prompting Iranian missile and drone counter-strikes hitting targets in multiple countries. Explosions, airspace closures and military alerts have been reported from Tehran to the Gulf states and beyond. Follow our live coverage with updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow here.
• Iran crisis: Nuclear watchdog urges restraint amid ongoing strikes
  As the violent escalation in the Middle East entered a third day on Monday sparked by the bombing of Iran by Israel and the United States, the head of the UN atomic energy agency urged a return to diplomacy, given the “increasing risk to nuclear safety” in the region.
• Deadly bombing of Iran primary school ‘a grave violation of humanitarian law’: UNESCO
  The UN education agency, UNESCO, says that the bombing of a primary school during the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran on Saturday constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian law.
• Justice on the move: Mobile courts offer hope for communities in South Sudan
  Travelling more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) from Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State in southwestern South Sudan, a team of justice experts escorted by United Nations peacekeepers moved slowly along rough, dusty roads, determined to reach communities that have waited years for their day in court. 
• Iran strikes ‘squandered a chance for diplomacy’: Guterres
  “Everything must be done” to prevent wider escalation of war across the Middle East following joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, and retaliatory action from Tehran targeting multiple countries in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Saturday.
• MIDDLE EAST LIVE: UN Security Council meeting in emergency session over Iran
  The UN Security Council met in emergency session in the aftermath of major airstrikes across Iran on Saturday by the United States and Israel. In retaliation, Tehran launched its own attacks throughout the Middle East. UN chief António Guterres told ambassadors the action risks “igniting a chain of events that nobody can control in the most volatile region of the world.” He added that “everything must be done to prevent further escalation.” Follow our live coverage from UN Web TV below. UN News app users can follow here and full meetings coverage can be found daily, here.
• Attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes ‘undermine international peace and security’
  UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the heads of UN agencies have condemned Saturday’s joint Israeli and US attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and the Gulf Regions.
• ‘AI Kid of India’ urges young people to embrace technology
  16-year-old Raul John Aju – dubbed the “AI Kid of India” at home – is a business prodigy who advises government and industry and has created several innovative AI tools. 
• Eight years of captivity: Finding freedom and healing in Ukraine
  Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many people are trying to overcome deep-rooted trauma and rebuild what has been lost. 
• Guterres slams international failure to manage safe migration
  A 2018 agreement that aims to strengthen international cooperation on migration management must become reality, the UN Secretary-General said on Friday in New York. 
• UN unveils bold overhaul of strained humanitarian system
  On Friday the General Assembly was briefed on the latest developments of the UN80 Initiative – a system-wide reform effort to make the organisation more effective and fit for the future – including progress on the New Humanitarian Compact and on training and research reforms.
• World News in Brief: Epstein scandal highlights ‘silencing’ of women, Danish breakthrough on HIV transmission, Belarus rights update
  UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned on Friday that the Epstein and Gisèle Pellicot scandals are an illustration of intensifying threats to women and girls forced to suffer in silence.
• Forgotten conflict in South Sudan at ‘a dangerous point’, Türk warns
  South Sudan was the focus of debate in the UN Human Rights Council on Friday as escalating violence and political tensions – alongside a massive humanitarian emergency and war in neighbouring Sudan – threaten efforts to achieve lasting peace.