News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on September 23, 2025 in New York City. World leaders convened for the 80th Session of UNGA, with th

Packed hall as Trump goes off script on biggest stage

There wasn't a spare seat to be had in the gallery of the General Assembly, as people packed in to hear US President Donald Trump deliver a speak that covered war, climate and escalators.

Analysis and Comment • 24 Sep

Palestinian recognition dominates day one of UN Assembly

After France joined Western allies such as Britain and Canada yesterday in recognising a Palestinian state, our Global Security Reporter Yvonne Murray runs through the key take aways from Day One of the UN General Assembly in New York yesterday.

Analysis and Comment • 23 Sep

Vegetable oil prices rose 1.4% in August to their highest level in more than three years, the UN said today

World food prices at more than two-year high, FAO says

World food prices hovered around their highest level in more than two years in August, as costlier meat, sugar and vegetable oil offset cheaper cereals and dairy products, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization said today.

Business • 05 Sep

A drone light show spelling out Amazing Shenzhen in the sky over a group of people's heads

Chinese cluster now world's top innovation hotspot - UN

Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou has overtaken Tokyo-Yokohama to become the world's top cluster for innovation, the United Nations said today.

Business • 01 Sep

UN staff protesting in Geneva against deep funding cuts

'Not a commodity' - UN staff rally over deep funding cuts

Hundreds of UN staff have rallied in Geneva over deep funding cuts, especially from key donor the United States, which have led to mass-layoffs and threatened life-saving services around the world.

News • 01 May

The WFP is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, charged with preventing famine and serious hunger globally

WFP to cut quarter of staff as funding falls - staff memo

The UN World Food Programme will cut staff by 25-30% as funding for the global aid agency plummets, according to an internal email seen today by AFP.

Business • 28 Apr

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory condemned the latest strikes on Gaza

'No one is safe in Gaza', says UN Special Rapporteur

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has said that using "normalised language" gives the wrong impression about the situation in Gaza.

Middle East • 20 Mar

Gender-based violence service providers in Sudan recorded some 221 cases of child rape since the beginning of 2024

UN says children as young as one raped in Sudan

Children as young as one have been raped by armed men during the conflict in Sudan, the UN said, condemning it as a horror that should "shock anyone to their core".

World • 04 Mar

Keir Starmer speaking at the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan

UK vows to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035

The UK will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81% on 1990 levels by 2035, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced, as his government ramps up its ambitions on climate change.

Climate Change • 12 Nov 24

Antonio Guterres speaking during the opening ceremony of the COP29 conference in Baku

Pay up or face climate-led disaster, UN warns at COP29

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told world leaders at the COP29 summit to "pay up" to prevent climate-led humanitarian disasters, and said time was running out to limit a destructive rise in global temperatures.

Climate Change • 12 Nov 24

This year's COP29 meeting in Baku, in Azerbaijan marks the 29th such gathering since the UNFCCC took effect in 1994

Explainer: A guide to COP29 climate jargon

With UN climate talks tackling complex topics from energy policy to global financial aid, the annual summit has developed its own ever-growing lexicon.

Climate • 11 Nov 24

War in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan will dominate UN General Assembly discussions

What to expect at this year's UN General Assembly

World leaders are due to arrive in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly but the mood is sombre as global conflicts have spiralled. Yvonne Murray looks at what is to expected in the week ahead.

World • 22 Sep 24

The six days of speeches to mark the beginning of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly will start on Tuesday

What is the UNGA and what will world leaders talk about?

Every September, world leaders travel to New York to address the start of the annual United Nations General Assembly session.

Analysis and Comment • 20 Sep 24

There's a push for the Security Council to become more representative adding seats for Asian, African and Latin American countries and for the power of the veto held by the five permanent members to be reduced

UN chief urges leaders to fix global system for future

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said the multilateral system in place since the Second World War isn't working, and he wants world leaders to promise to fix it for future generations.

World • 20 Sep 24

The treaty will now be submitted to the General Assembly for formal adoption

UN approves its first treaty targeting cybercrime

UN member states have approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers.

World • 09 Aug 24

A man watches on as Ukrainian firefighters work to extinguish a blaze caused by a Russian strike on Odesa

EU backs €1.4bn Russian frozen asset plan to aid Ukraine

European Union governments agreed to use €1.4 billion in profits from Russian frozen assets for weapons and other aid to Ukraine, prompting Hungary to accuse fellow EU members of a "shameless" rule breach to bypass its objections.

Ukraine • 24 Jun 24

UNFPA chief Natalia Kanem said: 'The rights of women, girls and gender-diverse people are the subject of increasing pushback' (File image)

Women's bodies being turned into 'battlegrounds' - UN

Women's bodies have become political "battlegrounds", putting at risk 30 years of progress on sexual and reproductive health for women and girls, the UN has warned.

World • 17 Apr 24

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres painted a dark picture of the global outlook (file photo)

World has entered age of chaos, UN chief says

The world has entered "an age of chaos" and the UN is more dysfunctional than during the Cold War, UN chief Antonio Guterres has said in remarks to the General Assembly.

World • 07 Feb 24

The State has failed to address crises in health, housing, poverty and the cost of living, the IHREC said (Stock image)

State breaches rights over homelessness, poverty - IHREC

Crises in housing, homelessness and extreme poverty are violating economic, social and cultural rights in Ireland, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has said.

Ireland • 07 Feb 24

Palestinians appear to be a protected group under the genocide convention, the court said this afternoon

ICJ orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide

The UN's top court has ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

World • 26 Jan 24

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at a UN Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York City today

Ireland joins statement on Russian 'hypocrisy' at UN

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is in New York to take part in UN Security Council meetings today and tomorrow on Ukraine and the Middle East.

Ukraine • 22 Jan 24

A member of Israeli security forces inspects humanitarian aid trucks arriving from Egypt on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing

Israeli offensive real problem for Gaza aid - Guterres

All of the latest updates from the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as the UN Security Council passes a resolution to boost aid to Gaza, but stops short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Gaza • 22 Dec 23

Dr Edwards said that items on her list included a range of restraints from cage beds and interrogation restraints, known as 'tiger chairs'

UN seeks end to trade of 'inherently torturous' weapons

The UN's Special Rapporteur on torture has called for an end to the lucrative global trade in equipment and weapons used as instruments of torture.

UN • 12 Oct 23

The UN General Assemble got off to an underwhelming start as only one of the 'P5' leaders showed up

UN comes in for harsh criticism during annual meeting

World leaders descended on New York this week for the annual opening session of the General Assembly.

World • 23 Sep 23

Mr Varadkar said Ireland had implemented 80% of its national SDG programme

Varadkar tells UN that Russia must be held accountable

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told the UN General Assembly that Ukraine deserves the unqualified support of every member state in the United Nations and that Russia and its leaders deserve utter condemnation.

Ireland • 23 Sep 23