Global Issues

The UN Secretary-General on Saturday called on the international community to intensify support for the Government and people of Lebanon, warning that the south of the country “risks being turned into a wasteland.”Read the full story, “In Beirut, Guterres demands end to Middle East war: Civilians ‘deserve to live without fear’”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, March 13 (IPS) - During a solidarity visit to Lebanon, the UN chief announced a flash appeal of USD 308.3 million to support humanitarian operations there in the wake of escalated fighting. Read the full story, “UN Launches 300 Million Dollar Humanitarian Appeal for Lebanon”, on globalissues.org →

AL-AZRAQ, SYRIA, March 13 (IPS) - In the Al-Azraq camp in northern Syria, 10-year-old Abeer Al-Qaddour sits, browsing a colourful book with intense focus and curiosity. Nearby stands a bus, elegantly inscribed with the words ‘The Cultural Bus’. Read the full story, “Syria’s Mobile Cultural Bus: Championing Cultural Justice, Delivering Art and Literature to Children of War”, on globalissues.org →

MOSCOW, March 13 (IPS) - Professor Jude Osakwe—a Nigerian scholar at the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Continental Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Africa (NIDOAF)—has reiterated the absolute truth over Reparations for Africa, noting that African governments have consistently expressed only ’emotional solidarity’ over Reparations instead of tackling and addressing, with seriousness, this pertinent issue within the context of diplomacy. Read the full story, “Why Does African Leadership Lack Coordination on Reparations?”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, March 13 (IPS) - Across the world, women remain vastly under-represented in political leadership, with the most powerful decisions still overwhelmingly made by men. In 2026, only 28 countries are led by a woman Head of State or Government, while 101 countries have never had a woman leader, according to the latest data released by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women. Read the full story, “Only 1 in 7 Countries is Led by a Woman – as Global Political Power Remains Dominated by Men”, on globalissues.org →

Escalating hostilities across the Middle East continue to drive civilian casualties, mass displacement and mounting humanitarian needs. Fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified, while millions across the region face growing risks from disrupted health services, overcrowded shelters and strained aid operations. UN agencies warn that children and vulnerable families are bearing the brunt as the conflict deepens and regional stability remains under severe pressure. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.Read the full story, “MIDDLE EAST LIVE 13 March: Displacement and civilian casualties mount across region”, on globalissues.org →

As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel. Read the full story, “Middle East war: Women in Lebanon forced to give birth on roadside”, on globalissues.org →

In a solidarity visit to the war-ravaged capital of Lebanon, the UN chief on Friday announced a flash humanitarian appeal of $308.3 million to support civilians there, after ongoing Israeli strikes countering rocket launches from Hezbollah left around 816,000 Lebanese internally displaced, a figure that looks set to rise.Read the full story, “UN chief launches major humanitarian appeal from war-torn Lebanon”, on globalissues.org →

More than five years after Myanmar’s military coup, international resolve to hold the junta accountable must not weaken, an independent human rights expert warned on Friday, as escalating violence and growing humanitarian needs push millions of civilians deeper into crisis.Read the full story, “Myanmar at a ‘crossroads’: The world must not forsake civilians there, urges UN expert”, on globalissues.org →

The first two weeks of March have seen a surge in violent attacks and acts of intimidation targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions across North America and Europe. Read the full story, “World News in Brief: Attacks on synagogues, Syria’s continuing rights violations, shocking abuse of women during childbirth”, on globalissues.org →