United Nations

Over 90 percent of people killed by western Afghanistan quake were women and children, UN says

By Riazat Butt, Associated Press

The chief of the UNICEF field office in the province said Thursday that women and children were more likely to have been at home when the morning quake struck.

Intense shelling has displaced 70,000 people in northwest Syria, UN agencies says

By Omar Albam, Associated Press

United Nations humanitarian officials have sounded an alarm over a humanitarian crisis in rebel-held northwestern Syria. They warned on Thursday that intense shelling by government forces displaced almost 70,000 people in recent weeks.

As desperation in Gaza grows, Israel says it won't allow aid to flow until Hamas releases hostages

By Joseph Krauss, Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press

International aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after Israel halted deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity to Gaza's 2.3 million people and prevented entry of supplies from Egypt.

Afghanistan reels from an earthquake that killed thousands

By Omid Haqjo, Associated Press

Saturday’s 6.3 magnitude quake killed and injured thousands when it leveled an untold number of homes in Herat province. Picking through the rubble on Monday, Asadullah Khan paused to think about a future marred by grief.

U.S. demands condemnation of Hamas at UN meeting, but Security Council takes no immediate action

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

The U.N. Security Council has held an emergency meeting behind closed doors with the United States demanding that all 15 members strongly condemn "these heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas."…

Pope Francis urges world leaders to act on climate change as planet nears 'point of no return'

By Nicole Winfield, Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Using precise scientific data, sharp diplomatic arguments and a sprinkling of theological reasoning, Francis delivered a moral imperative for the world to transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

What to know about a UN vote to send a Kenya-led force curb Haiti gang violence

By Dánica Coto, Associated Press

The U.N. Security Council is preparing to vote on a resolution to authorize a multinational force to Haiti led by Kenya to help combat violent gangs that have grown incredibly powerful and overwhelmed police.

Researchers have verified 1,329 hunger deaths in Ethiopia's Tigray region since the cease-fire

By Associated Press

A study by local health authorities and Mekele University in the regional capital found that hunger is now the main cause of death in Tigray, accounting for more than 68 percent of deaths investigated by the researchers.

Artificial intelligence is on the world's mind. Is the UN the place to figure out what to do about it?

By Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press

Governments at various levels are mulling or have already passed AI regulation. But many eyes are on the U.N. as perhaps the only place to tackle the issue at scale. The world body is set to convene an AI advisory…