United Nations

14:36

WUF13

WUF13 opens in Baku with focus on housing, resilience and global urban reform

The 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) opened in Baku with ministers, UN officials and urban policy leaders. Participants call for action on housing, sustainable development and resilient cities, as rapid urbanisation is placing pressure on infrastructure, services and living conditions.

12:15

Gaza

Rat infestations spread through Gaza camps as sanitation crisis worsens

Thousands of displaced families in Gaza are facing growing infestations of rats and insects as worsening sanitation conditions and mounting waste deepen the humanitarian crisis across overcrowded camps, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

23:20

Rwanda genocide

Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga dies in UN custody aged 93

Félicien Kabuga, one of the last remaining suspects linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has died in custody at the age of 93, a United Nations court said on Saturday.

21:47

Expert view

Jeffrey Sachs: South Caucasus can become key connector in a multipolar world

Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus could become one of the world’s key strategic connectors in an emerging multipolar order.

08:36

World Urban Forum

Afghan environmental chief travels to Baku for World Urban Forum

Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has travelled to Baku to attend the 13th World Urban Forum, where climate change and safer cities will be discussed.

16:36

Expert view

Baku hosts landmark World Urban Forum as cities face climate and housing pressures

Baku is hosting the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), bringing together political leaders, urban planners, architects and development experts as cities worldwide face mounting pressure from climate change, rapid urbanisation and housing shortages.

21:28

Expert view

Baku prepares to welcome 32,000 delegates for World Urban Forum

Baku is preparing to host the World Urban Forum this weekend, with more than 32,000 participants from 180 countries expected to arrive in the Azerbaijani capital for the six-day event.

19:54

BRICS

BRICS ministers meet in Delhi as Iran war deepens and Gulf tensions rise

Foreign ministers from the expanded BRICS bloc gathered in New Delhi on Thursday (14 May) for a crucial two-day meeting overshadowed by the ongoing Iran war, internal tensions within the grouping and mounting fears over global energy supplies.

19:35

Kanak rights warning

UN committee warns France over Kanak self-determination rights in New Caledonia

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has warned that France risks undermining the self-determination rights of the Kanak Indigenous People in New Caledonia amid proposed political and constitutional reforms.

18:54

Hantavirus

WHO confirms five hantavirus cases linked to MV Hondius cruise outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five of eight suspected hantavirus cases linked to the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius. The U.N. health agency warned on Thursday (7 May) that more infections could emerge because of the virus’s long incubation period.  

16:52

View from Aghanistan

Kabul hosts diplomatic gathering ahead of World Urban Forum in Baku

Representatives from the diplomatic community, the United Nations and international organisations gathered in Kabul on Wednesday ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), set to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May.

09:04

Middle East conflict

Iran has executed 21 people and detained more than 4,000 since start of war, UN reports

The United Nations has said that at least 21 people have been executed in Iran and more than 4,000 arrested since the outbreak of war involving the United States and Israel on 28 February.

10:07

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 28 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 28th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

09:00

Middle East conflict

U.S. Iran clash at UN after Tehran gets nuclear non-proliferation role

The United States and Iran clashed at the United Nations on Monday over Tehran's nuclear programme and its selection to be one of dozens of vice presidents at a month-long conference to review the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

19:21

View from Kazakhstan

Central Asia food shortages deepen as climate and water pressures intensify

Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.

14:27

Middle East tensions

Iran denies internal rifts as tensions persist with U.S. and Israel

Iran’s leadership has presented a united front, rejecting claims of internal divisions amid continued tensions with the U.S. and Israel following a fragile ceasefire and stalled Iran–U.S. talks.

11:51

View from Iran

Iran slams Israel-U.S. bombing of its communications infrastructure and space facilities

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York strongly protested against U.S. and Israel targeting multiple civilian infrastructure related to communications and space centre facilities, and also urged regional countries to prevent their territory being used for "military aggression".

21:02

Haiti Hunger Crisis

WFP urges urgent funding as 5.8 million Haitians face acute food insecurity

More than half of Haiti’s population is facing acute food insecurity, prompting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to warn that recent progress in tackling hunger remains fragile and could quickly be reversed without urgent support.

14:32

UN session

Azerbaijan chairs UN ESCAP session in Bangkok, promoting inclusive growth and regional cooperation

Azerbaijan has taken centre stage in regional diplomacy after chairing a key UN session in Bangkok, highlighting inclusive growth and cooperation. The country’s leadership used the platform to underline global challenges and its own development vision.

21:34

Gaza

At least 47 women and girls killed daily during Gaza war, says UN Women

An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to new figures released by UN Women.

07:49

Middle East conflict

World leaders react positively to Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement

Nations and organisations and Beirut react positively to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese authorities negotiated the pause with Israel after an historic meeting on Tuesday in the U.S with President Donald Trump making the announcement on Thursday 16 April.

18:50

View from Afghanistan

UN says millions in Afghanistan received support despite aid decline

The United Nations says it reached millions of Afghans with healthcare, education and livelihoods support in 2025, despite declining global humanitarian aid and mounting pressures from displacement, climate shocks and operational constraints.

15:57

Sudan conflict

Germany pledges €20m for Sudan as Berlin conference seeks $1bn to tackle deepening humanitarian crisis

Germany has announced an additional €20 million in humanitarian support for Sudan as Berlin hosts a major international conference aimed at raising more than $1 billion to address one of the world’s most severe and increasingly overlooked crises.

17:11

Italy Israel

Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel amid rising Middle East tensions

Italy has suspended a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, marking a sharp shift in relations as tensions in the Middle East escalate.