Latest United Nations News

Climate talks shift into high gear. Now words and definitions matter at COP28

Dec. 07, 2023 00:08 AM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The mood is about to shift, the hours grow longer and the already high sense of urgency somehow amp up even more as the United Nations climate summit heads into its final week. Every sentence, every word — especially those about the future...

Fighting between Israel and Hamas rages in Gaza's second-largest city, blocking aid from population

Dec. 06, 2023 23:48 PM EST

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli troops battled Hamas militants Wednesday in the center of the Gaza Strip's second-largest city, the military said. The ground offensive has sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing to the territory's southernmost edge and prevented aid groups from delivering...

UN: Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities, worsening humanitarian conditions

Dec. 06, 2023 23:37 PM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities are worsening humanitarian conditions across the war-torn country, where heavy snow and freezing temperatures have already arrived, U.N. officials said Wednesday. Assistant Secretary-General...

The GOP debate field was asked about Trump. But most of the stage's attacks focused on Nikki Haley

Dec. 06, 2023 22:51 PM EST

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Four Republican presidential candidates were given several opportunities Wednesday to criticize former President Donald Trump, who was absent from the debate again. But they mostly targeted each other, with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley taking the brunt of...

UN chief uses rare power to warn Security Council of impending 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza

Dec. 06, 2023 22:08 PM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used a rarely exercised power to warn the Security Council on Wednesday of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and urged its members to demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. His letter to the...

Live updates | Fighting in southern Gaza city as Israel widens its offensive

Dec. 06, 2023 21:56 PM EST

The center of Gaza's second-largest city has seen fighting amid Israel’s widening air and ground offensive in the southern part of the territory that has displaced tens of thousands more Palestinians and worsened dire humanitarian conditions. Distribution of food, water and medicine have been...

Senior UN official denounces 'blatant disregard' in Israel-Hamas war after many UN sites are hit

Dec. 06, 2023 16:57 PM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees told The Associated Press on Wednesday there is no safe haven in besieged Gaza for civilians — not even in U.N. shelters and so-called “safe zones” designated by Israel. Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner...

How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate and what to look for

Dec. 06, 2023 14:47 PM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The number of candidates on stage is shrinking, but the fundamentals of Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate may be familiar to anyone who has watched the previous three meetings. No one has yet emerged as the clear Republican alternative to former...

After a fast start, COP28 climate talks now in murky middle of hope, roadblocks

Dec. 06, 2023 13:28 PM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — After a first-day blur of rare quick action and agreement, negotiators at a critical United Nations climate summit Wednesday finished up their first week in a more familiar place for them: the murky middle where momentum and roadblocks intertwine. ...

Activists say their voices are stifled by increasing rules and restrictions at COP28 climate talks

Dec. 06, 2023 11:29 AM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — This year's United Nations climate talks may have seen record numbers registered to attend, but activists who have spent years demonstrating at the annual event say their space to voice their demands is shrinking year on year. Held in Dubai in the...