UN News
UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Global perspective Human stories

At UN, war crimes probe pledges to work for all in Hamas-Israel conflict

As President Trump launched the international Board of Peace plan for Gaza on Thursday, top independent rights experts tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with investigating grave abuses linked to the Hamas-Israel war pledged to continue their work seeking justice and accountability for all.

22 January 2026

Haiti crisis at breaking point as gangs tighten grip ahead of transition deadline

Haiti’s deepening crisis has reached a critical phase, senior UN officials warned the Security Council on Wednesday, as powerful gangs continue to expand their control across the country.

21 January 2026

Haiti explained: why the crisis is deepening — and what comes next

Haiti is entering 2026 facing one of the most complex crises in its recent history. On Wednesday, the Caribbean island nation will be high on the international agenda as the UN Security Council holds its first meeting of the year to update ambassadors. 

21 January 2026

UN Assembly president defends multilateralism, UN Charter in Davos

From Davos, the President of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday warned that the world has entered a “make‑or‑break” moment for multilateralism, saying the rules‑based order can survive only if states speak the truth and act when it’s hard. She called for a cross‑regional alliance to push back against growing lawlessness, disinformation, and power‑based politics.

21 January 2026

Cold kills another infant in Gaza as West Bank displacement intensifies

Another child in the Gaza Strip has died from hypothermia as winter weather continues to whip the enclave, the UN said on Wednesday, citing information from the health authorities. 

21 January 2026

UN strongly condemns demolition of UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem

The reported demolition underway early Tuesday of the headquarters of UN agency UNRWA by Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem - reportedly “under the watch of lawmakers and a member of the Government” - has prompted swift condemnation from the global body. 

20 January 2026

Mozambique floods heighten disease, malnutrition risks – UN agencies

Catastrophic flooding across Mozambique is devastating lives and livelihoods, sharply increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and malnutrition, while also forcing dangerous wildlife – including crocodiles – into flooded urban areas, the UN warned on Tuesday.

20 January 2026

Human trafficking depends on corruption at every step

In 2011, a trafficker in Chile was convicted for recruiting economically vulnerable Peruvian citizens and arranging for them to be brought into the country – destined to become victims of sexual exploitation. 

20 January 2026

Cold and dark: UN rights chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have cut heat, electricity and water to hundreds of thousands of civilians in freezing winter conditions, prompting the UN human rights chief to denounce the strikes as “cruel” and a clear violation of international law.

20 January 2026

Prison breaks and renewed clashes raise alarm in northeast Syria

The United Nations continues to monitor developments in northeast Syria following clashes between government troops and the Kurdish-led SDF militia during which scores of detained ISIL militants reportedly escaped from prison. 

20 January 2026