News headlines
At Davos, Guterres slams backsliding on climate commitments
- UN News

The world’s political and business elite present in Davos on Wednesday faced an uncompromising address from UN chief António Guterres as he rounded on a lack of multilateral collaboration in an “increasingly rudderless world” at risk from two existential dangers: climate change and unregulated Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Taliban's Decrees Worsen Crisis for Afghan Women, Banning All NGO Work
- Inter Press Service

Jan 21 (IPS) - Afghan women are enduring perhaps their most challenging time. Since the Taliban regained power four years ago, restrictions on women and girls have escalated, beginning with bans on education and paid employment.
The First Phase of Israel-Palestine Ceasefire Begins
- Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (IPS) - On January 15, 2025, the long-awaited ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas was approved, bringing the first bout of relief for the people of the Gaza Strip after 15 months of conflict. This has allowed for the exchange of prisoners and hostages between the two nations as well as a greater flow of humanitarian aid to be directed to Gaza. Although this only accounts for the first phase out of the three phase plan, it is uncertain if Israel will continue to uphold the negotiations of a truce after the first phase is completed.
Rethinking Africa’s Debt: Debunking Myths and Identifying Sustainable Solutions
- Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (IPS) - To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 aspirations, Africa requires an additional $1.3 - 1.6 trillion in financing.
A World Where Rich Get Richer, Poor Get Poorer - and Billionaires Rise
- Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (IPS) - Perhaps one of the UN's most ambitious and longstanding projects – the launching of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – is aimed, among other things, at helping developing nations eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. But that elusive goal has made little or no significant progress.
Food Systems Worsen Diets, Health
- Inter Press Service

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan 21 (IPS) - Corporate-dominated food systems are responsible for widespread but still spreading malnutrition and ill health. Poor diets worsen non-communicable diseases (NCDs), now costing over eight trillion dollars yearly!
What is the World Health Organization and why does it matter?
- UN News

When the plague, cholera and yellow fever rippled deadly waves across a newly industrialised and interconnected world in the mid-19th century, taking a global approach to health became an imperative. Doctors, scientists, presidents and prime ministers urgently convened the International Sanitary Conference in Paris in 1851, a precursor to what is now the largest of its kind: the World Health Organization, known as WHO.
World News in Brief: Hostilities in northeast Syria, response plan in Mali, Uyghur deportations in Thailand
- UN News

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued an alert on Tuesday over intensifying hostilities in the northeast in recent days.
Ceasefire in Gaza brings hope, but West Bank faces escalating violence
- UN News

The crisis in Gaza continues to remain acute, with UN humanitarians reporting critical shortages of water, food and efforts to deliver vital aid to the war-torn region. Meanwhile, escalating violence in the West Bank has further deepened concerns over civilian safety and access to assistance.
Security Council debates growing terrorism threat in Africa
- UN News

Africa tragically remains the epicentre of global terrorism, and more action is required to implement international commitments to combat this scourge, the UN Deputy Secretary-General told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Global Issues