Week in Review

Welcome to the United Nations View in browser

UN News Global perspective Human stories

Week in Review 18 January 2025

Catch up on this week's must-read stories It seems that finally, a ceasefire and hostage release agreement is in place to end the brutal fighting in Gaza which has killed more than 46,000 people in the shattered enclave. But the violence has not stopped yet, with dozens more civilians dead as the Israeli bombardment continues. Our correspondent in Gaza caught the pensive mood of families desperate to return home, and praying they are not killed before the guns fall silent. From the fires of war to the fires of LA – we heard from the FAO's expert on forests and climate that more prevention is crucial if we're to contain the wildfires which are becoming an increasing threat on every continent, due to extreme weather. With hope growing for a lasting peace in Syria and Lebanon, we heard from the Syrian shipwreck survivor-turned celebrated author who says she's going back to help reconstruct her homeland. The UN chief and High Commissioner for Human Rights were also in the region this week, pledging solidarity and support for both Damascus and Beirut in the months ahead. The suffering is relentless in Sudan, Haiti and Ukraine: we have updates from all three conflict zones this week and from the Secretary-General António Guterres, a positive New Year message to the General Assembly that "hope through action" can create a more peaceful and prosperous world – despite the unprecedented challenges.

Gaza ceasefire could boost aid deliveries to 600 trucks per day: WHO Amid reports that Israel's security cabinet has given the green light to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) expressed cautious optimism on Friday over the potentially major boost to aid relief in the devastated enclave. Read more Peace and Security 'Enough death and destruction': Gazans hope for ceasefire and a better future In the wake of Wednesday's announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas due to come into effect on Sunday, displaced Gazans – ground down by 15 months of devastating conflict – have told UN News they hope an end to their suffering is in sight.  Read more Humanitarian Aid Increase in climate-driven wildfires calls for more investment in prevention The deadly wildfires that have swept through the Los Angeles area, destroying whole communities and causing billions in damage, reveal why countries must invest more in stopping these devastating blazes before they start.  Read more Climate and Environment Sudan war becomes more deadly as ethnically motivated attacks rise The conflict in Sudan is taking an "even more dangerous turn for civilians", UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday.  Read more Human Rights First Person: Syrian refugee shipwreck survivor vows to help reconstruct shattered country Syrian refugee Doaa Al Zamel's harrowing tale of surviving a deadly shipwreck brought the horrors of fleeing war to a worldwide audience when it was told in the book "A Hope More Powerful Than The Sea" in 2017.  Read more Peace and Security New year sees uptick and expansion of fighting on Ukraine's frontlines The recent holiday and New Year season brought no respite in Ukraine, but rather an escalation and even expansion of the fighting, consistent with developments in 2024, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs said in a briefing to the Security Council on Thursday.  Read more Peace and Security UN human rights chief hails 'signs of new beginnings' in Lebanon and Syria The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Syria on Thursday, acknowledging the traumas both nations have endured over decades.  Read more Human Rights Guterres highlights 'hope through action' for 2025, amid continuing turmoil The world continues to grapple with unprecedented challenges but there are reasons for cautious optimism in 2025 - on a long-awaited Gaza ceasefire, climate action, tackling inequaity and harnessing AI for the public good - Secretary-General António Guterres insisted on Wednesday. Read more Peace and Security Haiti: spiralling gang violence has left more than one million displaced Surging gang violence in Haiti has caused a threefold rise in the number of people uprooted from their homes in a year, the UN migration agency, IOM, said on Tuesday, in a call for "sustained humanitarian assistance right now to save and protect lives". Read more Peace and Security

COPYRIGHT    |    FAQ    |    FRAUD ALERT    |    PRIVACY NOTICE    |    TERMS OF USE

Unsubscribe    |    Update preferences