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20 January 2026

A yellow CAT excavator demolishes a building in East Jerusalem, UNRWA headquarters, creating a pile of rubble and debris.

UN strongly condemns demolition of UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem

The reported demolition underway early Tuesday of the headquarters of UN agency UNRWA by Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem - reportedly "under the watch of lawmakers and a member of the Government" - has prompted swift condemnation from the global body.

Peace and Security

Elephant bones lie by a dried-out water source in Turkana County in the north of Kenya.

World enters era of 'global water bankruptcy'

The world has moved beyond a water crisis and into a state of global water bankruptcy, says a new flagship report released on Tuesday by UN researchers.

Climate and Environment

A woman carrying a large bag on her head and another woman holding a child walk through a street in Aleppo, Syria, as displaced civilians evacuate due to escalating hostilities.

Prison breaks and renewed clashes raise alarm in northeast Syria

The United Nations continues to monitor developments in northeast Syria following clashes between government troops and the Kurdish-led SDF militia during which scores of detained ISIL militants reportedly escaped from prison.

Peace and Security

Workers repair damaged power infrastructure in Ukraine. (file)

Cold and dark: UN rights chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine's power grid

Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have cut heat, electricity and water to hundreds of thousands of civilians in freezing winter conditions, prompting the UN human rights chief to denounce the strikes as "cruel" and a clear violation of international law.

Peace and Security

The technology will improve the production of privacy-preserving data and accelerate evidence-based policy in the fight against human trafficking

Human trafficking depends on corruption at every step

In 2011, a trafficker in Chile was convicted for recruiting economically vulnerable Peruvian citizens and arranging for them to be brought into the country – destined to become victims of sexual exploitation.

Law and Crime Prevention

On 19 January 2026, residents walk through a flooded street in Xai Xai, Gaza province, Mozambique, following extreme rainfall caused by climate change.

Mozambique floods heighten disease, malnutrition risks – UN agencies

Catastrophic flooding across Mozambique is devastating lives and livelihoods, sharply increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and malnutrition, while also forcing dangerous wildlife – including crocodiles – into flooded urban areas, the UN warned on Tuesday.

Humanitarian Aid