United Nations

Human rights groups accuse Iran of hanging victim of child marriage as regime steps up executions

Avandi, who was 17 when she was forced to marry, was accused of killing her severely disabled husband 11 months into their marriage, five years ago.

PROTESTERS DISPLAY a banner calling for a halt to executions in Iran during a rally in Berlin, Germany, on January 10, 2026, in support of the Iran protests.
 A participant stands near a logo of the World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018

World Bank warns of 16% rise in commodity pricing over Hormuz closure

Exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

Qatar’s alleged influence over ICC prosecutor raises concerns about legal neutrality - editorial

People arrive at the United Nations headquarters before a meeting on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the UN, in New York City, US, April 27, 2026.

Iran clashes with US, UAE, over position in UN nuclear non-proliferation conference


Food shortages and rising costs: UN agency warns of global food crisis if Hormuz remains blocked

The closure of the narrow waterway, which normally carries around a fifth of global Liquified Natural Gas supplies, will have a rippling impact beyond the Middle East, Maximo Torero warned.

A map showing the Strait of Hormuz is seen in this illustration taken June 22, 2025.

France, Spain's anti-Israel bias push Israel-Europe relations to new heights

Relations with Europe began deteriorating when the current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was sworn in as Israel’s most far-right coalition ever.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Jerusalem, October 24, 2023; file photo.

IDF Merkava tank rammed UNIFIL vehicles on two occasions on Sunday, UN force claims

UNIFIL alleges that an IDF tank rammed its vehicles twice in southern Lebanon and fired warning shots nearby, raising concerns over safety and freedom of movement.

UNIFIL Chief Maj.-Gen. Diodato Abagnara, attends a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, March 14, 2026; illustrative.

UN Watch demands democracies explain election of human rights abusers to UN positions

In UN Watch's press release, the NGO cited the UN's Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) recent nomination of Iran to the UN’s Committee for Program and Coordination.

UN HIGH COMMISSIONER for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet makes a speech at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, in February.

Ignoring Central Asia’s environmental crisis is a strategic mistake - opinion

Falling water levels also affect river transport and port operations. The Caspian Sea's declining levels threaten ecosystems and critical economic assets, including ports and energy facilities.

Illustrative image of a town in Central Asia.

PFLP-linked NGO closes Palestinian branch, citing Israel's red tape

Defense for Children International-Palestine announces closure, citing Israeli restrictions, while Israel has long designated the group as linked to the PFLP.

A person wearing the headband of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) attends a march to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil on March 11, 2025 in New York City; illustrative.

Chikli urges Jewish students to leave Belgian universities over Albanese honorary degree

The Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry published a brief that examined Albanese's conduct, calling it "fundamentally incompatible" with the responsibilities of her role.

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on December 24, 2025.

Italy summons Israeli ambassador after shots fired at UN in Lebanon

A defense ministry statement said the Italian logistics convoy was traveling from Shama to Beirut on Wednesday when, about 2 km after departure, the Israeli military fired warning shots.

The Italian flag waves over the Quirinal Palace in Rome, Italy May 30, 2018

Preliminary UN probe blames Israel and likely Hezbollah for peacekeeper deaths

The Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon, with UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric calling the incidents "unacceptable."

UN peacekeepers stand next to an armored vehicle during a patrol in southern Lebanon on February 22, 2026.

Hormuz war pushing millions into poverty, warns Bahrain Foreign Minister

Since the onset of the war with Iran, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined by more than 90%, a disruption that the UN warns could send 45 million people worldwide into acute hunger.

A worker rides a bicycle at the Zubair oil field in Basra, Iraq, April 6, 2026.