At 13, Sophie Lee began solo international travel, aiming to be the youngest to visit every country. Now 21, with 185 countries visited, she's nearing her goal, revisiting places for evidence and embracing the challenges of difficult destinations like Mali, Chad, and Venezuela.
Russian attacks on Kyiv killed 10 people and wounded 23, including two boys, as ballistic missiles struck five districts. Concurrently, Ukrainian drones successfully sank a large Russian container ship in the Black Sea.
The number of megacities (urban areas with over 10 million people) is projected to increase from 33 in 2025 to 37 by 2050, with Africa and South Asia driving growth, and potentially seeing the emergence of 'gigacities' like Lagos with over 100 million residents.
India urges de-escalation in West Asia after a surge in hostilities, condemning attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which affected Indian nationals, and emphasizes the need for free navigation and peace in the region.
Malaysia has ordered the UNHCR to temporarily halt refugee registrations while it implements a new national registration program (DPP). Rights advocates warn this move could leave newly arrived asylum seekers without proof of protection, creating a dangerous gap in a country without formal asylum law.
The US State Department's official policy to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) "brick by brick" is seen as a critical threat to international justice. This move, involving sanctions on officials and pressure on allies, aligns the US with autocrats and follows previous Trump-era actions against the ICC.
Six candidates vying to lead the United Nations debated the importance of restoring the organization's credibility in a restrained discussion, one week before the formal selection process begins. Hopefuls faced questions from diplomats, UN employees, and civil society representatives.
Antonio Guterres's second term as UN Secretary-General concludes December 31, with six candidates vying to replace him. The article profiles Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Rebeca Grynspan, Macky Sall, and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, highlighting their backgrounds, visions for UN reform, and the challenges they face in securing the role amidst scrutiny of the UN's effectiveness.
US lawmakers at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing expressed concerns that China's UN peacekeeping roles are concentrated in strategically sensitive regions to gather intelligence. Witnesses alleged these missions serve a dual purpose for the Chinese Communist Party, amid a partisan debate on Iran war funding.
O Brasil está prestes a superar os EUA como maior exportador agrícola global, impulsionado pelas tarifas de Donald Trump à China e pelo crescimento da produção brasileira de soja, carnes e algodão, conforme reportagem do Financial Times.
Russia's acting UN envoy Anna Yevstigneyeva voiced concern over delays in Haiti's election preparations, urging political forces to engage in dialogue and set final voting dates soon, amid the country's severe security crisis and vacant presidential office since 2021.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he stated he is considering whether to arrest Netanyahu during a coming United Nations summit, calling him a "war criminal."
The UN emphasizes housing as a fundamental human right, encompassing security, services, and dignity, not merely an investment. Financialization, climate change, and conflict displace millions, with over 1.8 billion in inadequate housing. Legal frameworks like the UDHR and ICESCR support this right, requiring governments to implement policies for adequate, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing for all.
A UN Women report reveals over a million women and girls lost critical support due to a record decline in foreign aid. 84% of women's organizations face increased demand, with many at risk of closure. US aid cuts are cited as a major driver of this "steepest annual decline" in global assistance.
A UN Women report reveals over a million women and girls have lost critical support due to a record decline in foreign aid. 84% of women's organizations report increased demand, with many facing closure, impacting survivors of sexual violence and displaced mothers.
Venezuela's earthquake death toll has climbed to 3,889, with over 16,700 injured and 17,900 displaced. Health officials warn of increased disease risk due to poor sanitation and limited medical access in shelters. The UN has appealed for $300 million in aid.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that African countries are undergoing a 'second awakening,' seeking to manage their own natural resources and ensure added value is realized on the continent, not exported. He noted this follows political independence gained after the UN's 1960 decolonization declaration.
Venezuela's government is urging countries holding its frozen assets to release them for earthquake recovery efforts. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto cited gold in the UK and finances in the US, while the UN launched an appeal for $296 million to aid the 3,685 earthquake victims.
China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, effective Wednesday, aims to forge a shared national identity but faces criticism from Taiwan, the UN, and rights groups for potentially threatening freedoms, especially for minorities like Uyghurs and Tibetans. Critics also point to a clause allowing liability for violations outside China, raising concerns about transnational repression.
Following Pauline Hanson's speech attacking multiculturalism, climate action, the UN, and the ABC/SBS, her poll numbers have stalled. Even One Nation supporters are reportedly concerned about her policy offerings. Guardian Australia and Essential Media discuss the impact of her pitch.
Amnesty International alleged Wednesday that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their attack on El-Fasher city between 2024 and 2025. The report, based on interviews with 247 victims or witnesses, found systematic attacks on settlements housing the Zaghawa people.
A UN report highlights AI's potential to widen global inequality, urging a shared framework for responsible development. It notes uneven adoption, with the global South lagging behind the North, and warns of "authoritarian capture" due to AI concentration in a few firms and countries.
Political philosopher Iason Gabriel joined DeepMind in 2017 to address AI's ethical implications, bridging the divide between AI safety and AI ethics. His work anticipated challenges like algorithmic bias and the need for value alignment in a pluralistic world.
Russia's acting permanent representative to the UN, Anna Yevstigneyeva, stated that Russia will not bargain under pressure or accept ultimatums. She accused Western members of the UN Security Council of direct complicity in Ukrainian crimes by supplying weapons to Kyiv, holding them politically and morally responsible.
