United Nations
18 stories from Middle East Affairs.
Nine killed by war-era ordnance in Syria in past week
The United Nations said nine people, six of them children, died from explosions of munitions left over from Syria's conflict in the past week, with the deadliest incident in Daraa province.
Global coral bleaching accelerating, scientists warn
Scientists reported that coral bleaching is now occurring every five to six years, leaving reefs insufficient time to recover between episodes.
US pushes expanded arms embargo to choke Sudan conflict
The US ambassador to the UN and a senior Trump adviser say a proposed embargo should cover both sides of Sudan's war and all states and networks supplying them with weapons, without exceptions.
Cholera deaths climb in West Kordofan as war blocks aid
At least 10 people have died of cholera in Sudan's West Kordofan in the past two days, with fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces hampering aid deliveries.
Europe's Sentinel-3 satellites track climate indicators across land and sea
The European Space Agency's Sentinel-3 mission, which has monitored climate indicators for a decade, will expand with a third satellite to track oceanic and atmospheric change.
Serbia plans honors for convicted war criminal Mladić
Serbia's government announced plans to bury Ratko Mladić, convicted of genocide and war crimes, with the highest military and state honors, drawing condemnation from survivors' groups.
Qatar disputes Iran's account of where missiles struck
Qatar said Friday that UN-submitted records show Iranian missiles hit civilian areas, contradicting Tehran's claim that strikes targeted only US military facilities.
UN calls for restraint as Yemen fighting escalates
The United Nations called on Yemen's warring parties to exercise restraint on Friday as fighting escalated across multiple front lines, while also expressing concern over civilian safety in Gaza and the West Bank.
UAE pardons Egyptian poet al-Qaradawi after 10-year sentence
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has pardoned Egyptian activist and poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, whose family is the son of an influential Islamic scholar.
Bosnian leader Izetbegovic remembered as philosopher of resistance
An account of visiting Sarajevo and the grave of Alija Izetbegovic, Bosnia's wartime president, portraying him as a philosopher-leader who merged Islamic ethics with European history.
Russian developers rebuild Mariupol with tower blocks for security forces
Russian developers are demolishing damaged buildings in occupied Mariupol and replacing them with new apartment towers marketed mainly to Russian security forces, while former residents say they have been denied compensation.
Israeli settlers kill two Palestinians in West Bank village raid
At least 76 Palestinians have been killed in 2026 during settler attacks in the West Bank, prompting warnings from the United Nations and international organizations.
More than 340,000 Lebanese remain displaced as new school year begins
More than 340,000 Lebanese remain displaced six months into the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with thousands living in schools converted to shelters as the academic year begins.
Global food prices hit highest level since late 2022
Global food prices rose in August to their highest level since November 2022, driven by adverse weather, supply disruptions linked to regional conflict, and concerns about grain exports through the Black Sea.
Palestinian leader links settler attack to Israeli policy
Rouhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, said an incident in al-Mughayyir where Israeli forces and settlers killed two Palestinians showed that colonial terrorism has become official Israeli policy.
Airstrike destroys food aid for 5,800 in Sudan, WFP says
The World Food Programme said an airstrike destroyed two trucks carrying food supplies meant to feed 5,800 people for a month near the city of Al-Dalinj in South Kordofan state.
Libya's rival leaders agree on electoral rules in bid to hold elections within two years
Representatives of Libya's rival eastern and western governments signed an agreement two days ago that aims to hold parliamentary and presidential elections within 24 months by resolving disputes over electoral law and eligibility requirements.
Israel expands footprint in occupied southern Lebanon
Israel is establishing new military bases and infrastructure in occupied southern Lebanon and taking steps to maintain a long-term presence despite a ceasefire agreement.
