UN - Top Stories

1. Myanmar vote a ‘facade’ to entrench military rule, independent rights expert says

   An independent human rights expert has urged the international community to reject the electoral process organised by Myanmar’s military government, after the first round of voting revealed widespread coercion, exclusion and violence.

2. Aid continues despite winter hardship in Gaza and West Bank, UN says

   Despite harsh winter conditions and continuing access constraints, the UN and partners are maintaining large-scale humanitarian operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, with a focus on shelter, water, health and education.

3. World News in Brief: Fighting intensifies in Syria’s Aleppo and South Sudan’s Jonglei state, acute hunger in Niger

   UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to be gravely alarmed by escalating hostilities in Aleppo, Syria, and mounting reports of civilian casualties, his Spokesperson said on Thursday. 

4. Ukraine: New strikes disrupt basic services for millions

   Several parts of Ukraine were hit by a new wave of Russian strikes between Wednesday and Thursday morning.

5. Syria signals renewed cooperation on chemical weapons destruction

   Progress continues to be made towards eliminating remnants of the chemical weapons programme in Syria that was developed under the Assad regime, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday.