‘Dangerous nostalgia’ is a threat to multilateralism, UN Deputy Chief Warns

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General has warned that the foundations of the international rules-based order are under increasing strain, urging countries to recommit to the principles of the UN Charter and strengthen global cooperation.

Speaking recently, Amina Mohammed described the UN’s founding document as a guiding framework for international relations and called on governments to defend multilateralism grounded in international law, solidarity and human dignity.

“The UN Charter is our moral compass,” she said, stressing that the world must renew its commitment to the values that underpin global cooperation.

Charter Principles Under Pressure

Mohammed pointed to UN resolutions affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as longstanding support for a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians, as examples of the Charter’s principles being applied in practice.

However, she warned that the norms and legal foundations underlying such decisions are increasingly being challenged.

According to the Deputy Secretary-General, the erosion of these rules risks undermining the global system designed to prevent conflict and protect the sovereignty of nations.

Warning Over Erosion Of International Law

Mohammed cautioned that nostalgia for an era when powerful nations could bend rules to their advantage is threatening international cooperation.

She recalled remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who recently emphasised that the UN Charter cannot be treated as an “à la carte menu,” meaning countries cannot selectively follow international law only when it suits them.

The Deputy Secretary-General noted that smaller nations are often among the strongest defenders of the rules-based order because they understand how crucial international law is to protecting vulnerable states.

“If the rules do not protect the vulnerable, they protect no one,” she said.

Warning about the consequences of ignoring international norms, Mohammed said: “You either stand up for a rules-based order, or you pay the price of ignoring it. Yesterday the price was Venezuela, tomorrow it may be Greenland.”

Sustainable Development At Risk

Beyond geopolitical tensions, Mohammed warned that global progress on sustainable development is also under threat.

Rising geopolitical rivalry and economic disputes are jeopardising achievements made over decades, including reductions in poverty, improvements in maternal and child health and expanded access to education for girls.

Trade conflicts are restricting markets that once helped lift millions out of poverty, she said, while women’s rights in many parts of the world are facing renewed challenges.

She also highlighted a stark imbalance in global spending priorities. Military expenditure reached a record $2.7 trillion last year, while funding for development initiatives faces an estimated annual shortfall of $4.2 trillion.

Growing Inequality Highlighted

Mohammed also criticised the widening gap between the world’s richest and poorest populations.

She noted that while global wealth continues to grow, the benefits remain highly concentrated. The wealth of billionaires increased by roughly $2 trillion last year, while the poorest half of humanity controls only a tiny fraction of global wealth.

The Deputy Secretary-General pointed to recent international discussions on financing development as a pathway to address these inequalities. A UN conference held in Spain last year explored ways to create fiscal space for development, tackle the global debt crisis and reform international financial systems.

Call For UN Reform

Mohammed concluded by emphasising the need to modernise the United Nations itself to better respond to current global challenges.

The UN80 Initiative, a system-wide reform effort, aims to strengthen the organisation’s ability to deliver results despite limited resources and growing demands from member states.

She urged governments to support reforms that would allow the UN to operate more effectively and remain central to international cooperation.

“We need to reset the UN to preserve multilateralism,” Mohammed said, calling on countries to help build a stronger organisation capable of fulfilling the promise of the UN Charter in today’s complex global environment.

Syria: Renewed clashes risk derailing fragile transition

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

They urged swift implementation of recent agreements to prevent renewed fighting, protect civilians and preserve fragile gains made during the country’s transition.

A country still on edge

One year into Syria’s post-Assad transition, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced people have returned home, a sign of cautious progress.

But UN officials cautioned that the country remains extremely fragile after more than a decade of war.

The ISIL/Da’esh terrorist group continues to pose a persistent threat, sectarian and ethnic tensions remain unresolved, and the presence of foreign fighters and unsecured detention facilities raises serious security concerns.

At the same time, humanitarian needs remain acute, with only about a quarter of the funding required for winter assistance secured, leaving millions without adequate support amid extreme cold.

Regional dynamics are adding further strain. UN officials warned that continued incursions by Israel in southern Syria undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and risk further destabilizing an already volatile environment.

Against this fragile backdrop, the situation in northern and northeastern Syria has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks.

Talks stall, fighting resumes

Repeated attempts at dialogue and mediation between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have failed to prevent renewed violence, Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told ambassadors.

A further round of talks earlier this month did not advance implementation of a March 2025 agreement aimed at integrating the SDF into state institutions, UN officials said. Shortly afterward, clashes erupted in SDF-controlled neighbourhoods of Aleppo, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee.

“Following several days of intense fighting…tens of thousands fled, most of whom have started to return, dozens were killed, hundreds were wounded, and persons are still missing,” he said.

Although a ceasefire and “full integration agreement” was announced on 18 January with mediation by the United States and other partners, implementation quickly faltered.

Fighting resumed after talks broke down the following day, and clashes were still being reported in parts of Al-Hasakeh governorate and around Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane.

ASG Khiari briefs the Security Council.

“We strongly appeal for both sides to immediately adhere to a ceasefire…and engage in fleshing out and implementing the details of this latest understanding swiftly and in a spirit of compromise,” Mr. Khiari said, warning of an “alarming humanitarian and protection crisis” if the violence continues.

He said recent government decrees recognizing the linguistic, cultural and citizenship rights of Syrian Kurds were “encouraging initiatives” but stressed that they must be followed by inclusive political processes to build trust and national cohesion.

Fragile gains, deep needs

The political tensions are unfolding against a backdrop of immense humanitarian strain.

Edem Wosornu, Director of Crisis Response at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said recent fighting had once again exposed how vulnerable Syria remains after 14 years of war.

Clashes this month forced tens of thousands from their homes in Aleppo and triggered new displacement across Ar-Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Al-Hasakeh governorates.

As of 18 January, more than 13,000 people had fled Ar-Raqqa alone, many seeking refuge in overcrowded collective centres.

“The fighting has cut people off from clean water, some hospitals have been forced to close, and many children cannot attend school,” Ms. Wosornu said, adding that damaged roads, unexploded ordnance and winter storms were hampering aid deliveries.

OCHA Director Wosornu briefs the Security Council.

Displaced families are facing “bitter winter conditions,” she said, with urgent needs for shelter, food and heating. Heavy snow and extreme cold have affected nearly 160,000 people living in camps, damaging shelters and contributing to the deaths of two infants.

Despite access challenges, UN agencies and partners continue to deliver aid, including food, shelter, medical supplies and protection services. Emergency funding has been released to support displaced families, and reception centres have been established in Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli.

“Syria can make further progress,” Ms. Wosornu said, but this hinges on sustained humanitarian funding, increased investment in recovery and development, and active diplomacy to prevent further violence and protect civilians.

UN teams blocked from accessing Al Hol amid unrest

UN teams attempting to assess conditions at Al Hol camp in Syria’s northeast were unable to enter the site this week following its takeover by Syrian authorities, amid reports of looting and fires that left the situation tense and volatile.

Staff from UNHCR and UNICEF reached the camp on Tuesday and again on Wednesday but were prevented from accessing it due to security concerns. The teams nevertheless held constructive discussions with Syrian government representatives on site.

The Syrian authorities have indicated their willingness to provide security and other support to UNHCR and humanitarian partners to allow life-saving operations to continue.

The UN also stressed the need for any transfer of detention facilities holding suspected ISIL members from SDF control to the Syrian government to be carried out in an orderly manner and in line with international standards.

Al Hol camp, located in Hasakeh governorate, has for years housed tens of thousands of people — many of them women and children — including family members of suspected ISIL fighters, and has long been plagued by insecurity, humanitarian needs and limited access for aid agencies.

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World News in Brief: Ukraine Strikes, Nigeria Hunger Crisis And Kenya Drought Deepen Global Humanitarian Concerns

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Escalating conflict in Ukraine, a worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria and severe drought conditions in Kenya are intensifying humanitarian challenges across several regions, according to recent updates from United Nations agencies.

Officials warn that civilians are facing growing threats from armed conflict, climate shocks and food insecurity, with millions in urgent need of assistance.

Civilians Killed In Ukraine Attacks

Recent Russian strikes in Ukraine have continued to cause civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure.

According to the UN children’s agency UNICEF, attacks in the Odesa region on Wednesday killed a 17-year-old boy. The agency condemned the violence and urged an immediate halt to strikes targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure.

UNICEF said such attacks place children at particular risk and disrupt essential services on which families depend.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that attacks on the southeastern city of Kryvyi Rih resumed on Thursday after earlier strikes the previous day.

Humanitarian teams have been working to assist residents affected by the bombardment.

“Teams delivered shelter materials to cover damaged homes and provided protection services to the affected residents,” OCHA said, noting that harsh winter conditions are worsening the humanitarian situation.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk earlier condemned ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which have disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies.

“Civilians are bearing the brunt of these attacks,” Türk said. “They can only be described as cruel. They must stop.”

Food Aid Shortfall Threatens Millions In Nigeria

In West Africa, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that more than one million people in northeast Nigeria could soon lose access to emergency food and nutrition assistance unless additional funding is secured within weeks.

Nigeria is already facing one of its most severe hunger crises in recent years. Aid agencies estimate that nearly 35 million people could face acute or severe food insecurity during the upcoming lean season.

Among those most at risk are approximately 15,000 residents in Borno State who could fall into catastrophic levels of hunger, just one step away from famine.

The crisis has been worsened by renewed violence in northern Nigeria, where armed conflict has destroyed crops, displaced families and disrupted local food systems.

“Now is not the time to stop food assistance,” said David Stevenson, WFP’s country director in Nigeria.

He warned that cutting aid would have “catastrophic humanitarian, security and economic consequences” for communities already struggling to survive.

The WFP is seeking $129 million to maintain its operations in northeastern Nigeria over the next six months.

Severe Drought Worsens Food Crisis In Kenya

Meanwhile, prolonged drought conditions in Kenya are increasing food insecurity for millions of people.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two million people are currently affected following the October to December 2025 rainy season, which was among the driest on record.

The lack of rainfall has led to rising malnutrition levels, increased risks of disease outbreaks and disruptions to basic health services.

Ten counties in Kenya are currently experiencing drought conditions, including one classified at an “alarm” stage. An additional 13 counties in the country’s arid and semi-arid regions are also showing signs of drought stress.

The crisis is not limited to Kenya. Similar weather patterns are affecting neighbouring Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, placing millions more people at risk.

To support response efforts, the WHO has supplied emergency medical kits, including cholera treatment supplies and pneumonia kits, while pre-positioning essential equipment in counties considered most vulnerable.

However, the agency warned that urgent action is needed to ensure communities and livestock have access to sufficient food and safe drinking water.

Without rapid intervention, humanitarian officials caution that the situation could deteriorate further, placing additional strain on already fragile health and food systems across the region.

For every $1 spent protecting nature, $30 goes to destroying it; UN Urges Financial Overhaul To Protect Nature

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The United Nations has called for sweeping reforms in global financial systems, warning that current investment patterns are accelerating environmental destruction instead of supporting efforts to protect the planet.

A new report, State of Finance for Nature 2026, highlights a stark imbalance in global spending, showing that for every dollar invested in protecting nature, about thirty dollars are directed toward activities that damage ecosystems.

UN officials say reversing this trend will require governments and financial institutions to redirect investments toward sustainable projects that support both environmental protection and economic growth.

Investments Driving Environmental Damage

The report identifies several sectors responsible for a significant share of environmentally harmful investments.

Industries such as utilities, industrial manufacturing, energy production and basic materials are among those linked to major ecological pressures.

In addition, certain sectors benefit from large government subsidies that encourage environmentally damaging practices. These include fossil fuels, agriculture, water management, transport and construction.

According to the report’s authors, these financial incentives often accelerate deforestation, pollution and the degradation of natural habitats.

“If you follow the money, you see the size of the challenge ahead of us,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

She warned that investments that harm the environment are growing far more rapidly than funding for nature-based solutions.

“We can either invest in nature’s destruction or power its recovery – there is no middle ground,” Andersen said.

Nature-Based Solutions Offer Economic Benefits

Despite the current imbalance, the report argues that viable solutions already exist to reverse environmental damage while supporting economic development.

Researchers describe the possibility of a “big nature turnaround,” where investments in sustainable infrastructure and environmental restoration could create economic opportunities while protecting ecosystems.

Examples highlighted in the report include expanding green spaces in cities to reduce extreme heat and improve living conditions for urban populations.

Urban greening projects, such as parks and tree planting initiatives, can help counter the “heat island” effect that causes cities to become significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas.

Integrating Nature Into Infrastructure

Another strategy involves incorporating nature into infrastructure projects.

Road networks, energy facilities and other large-scale infrastructure developments can be designed to minimise environmental impact and preserve biodiversity.

The report also points to the development of new building materials capable of capturing more carbon than they emit during production. Such innovations could help reduce emissions in the construction sector, which remains one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas output.

Phasing Out Harmful Subsidies

To achieve meaningful progress, the report calls for governments to gradually eliminate subsidies that support environmentally destructive industries.

At the same time, policymakers are encouraged to increase funding for projects that restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity and reduce pollution.

Redirecting financial flows toward “nature-positive” investments, the report argues, could significantly reduce environmental damage while helping economies transition toward more sustainable models of growth.

UN officials say aligning financial systems with environmental goals will be essential if the world hopes to address climate change, biodiversity loss and other major ecological crises.

The report concludes that transforming the way global markets allocate resources could become one of the most powerful tools available to protect the planet while ensuring long-term prosperity for people and communities worldwide.

UN Assembly president defends multilateralism, UN Charter in Davos

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Speaking at the session Who Brokers Trust Now? at the World Economic Forum, Annalena Baerbock warned that multilateral institutions – long seen as the brokers of global trust – are under unprecedented strain as conflicts multiply and respect for international law erodes.

“Who brokers trust?” she asked. “In ordinary times, there would be a simple answer: multilateral institutions like the United Nations.” But, she added, these are “not ordinary times”.

Ms. Baerbock said the world is facing more conflicts than at any point in recent history. Since the start of 2026, she said, divisions have deepened further, leaving some Member States hesitant to act when circumstances demand principled conviction.

“Voices that were once outspoken in their support for all the three pillars of the United Nations Charter – peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights – fall more and more silent in the face of their erosion,” she said.

“The UN is not only under pressure but under outright attack.”

Facts and truths not up for negotiation

Ms. Baerbock stressed that trust cannot exist without truth and shared facts – foundations she said are increasingly undermined by deliberate disinformation.

“Without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust,” she said, quoting Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa.

She cautioned that falsehoods are rarely accidental, but are often deployed to “weaponize mis- and disinformation”, while diplomatic silence in the face of obvious falsehoods only deepens mistrust.

“We do not negotiate truths and facts,” Ms. Baerbock said. “We use them to negotiate, to broker trust.”

She highlighted the risks posed by artificial intelligence, noting that while AI offers enormous benefits, it is also being used to blur the line between truth and lies. Deepfakes, she said, are “systematically attacking women”, citing figures showing that the overwhelming majority of such content is pornographic and targets women.

UN Charter – ‘world’s life insurance’

Ms. Baerbock also highlighted that trust is impossible without common rules, arguing that respect for international law is not naïve idealism but a matter of enlightened self-interest.

“Trust is built on rules,” she said, likening the global system to competitive sports or markets where predictability and fairness are essential. “Why would you put your money into a business if the competition rules are totally unpredictable?”

Recalling the founding of the United Nations 80 years ago, she said leaders at the time chose cooperation after witnessing the catastrophic consequences of a lawless international order.

The UN Charter, she added, remains “the world’s common life insurance”, just as a rules-based economic order underpins global business and investment.

A call for broad alliance

The General Assembly President concluded by calling for a broad alliance – spanning governments, businesses and regions – to stand up for the international order and defend shared principles, even when it is politically or economically costly.

“Trust is brokered by those who hold up the common rules and principles, even when it is hard,” she said. “By those who act when action is required…and by those who speak the truth, when silence or distortion would be easier.”

The challenge now, Ms. Baerbock emphasised, is whether today’s leaders can act with the same courage and conviction as those who built the post-war international system.

“The founders of the United Nations understood that because they had seen what the alternative would mean, in a world where might makes right, there can be only one outcome: chaos and war.”

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World enters era of ‘global water bankruptcy’

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

For decades, scientists, policymakers and the media warned of a “global water crisis,” implying temporary shock – followed by recovery.

What is now emerging in many regions, however, is a persistent shortage whereby water systems can no longer realistically return to their historical baselines.

“For much of the world, ‘normal’ is gone,” said Kaveh Madani, Director of the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

“This is not to kill hope but to encourage action and an honest admission of failure today to protect and enable tomorrow,” he told a press briefing in New York on Tuesday.

Unequal burdens

Mr. Madani emphasised that the findings do not suggest worldwide failure – but there are enough bankrupt or near-bankrupt systems, interconnected through trade, migration and geopolitical dependencies, that the global risk landscape has been fundamentally altered.

The burdens fall disproportionately on smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, low-income urban residents and women and youth, while the benefits of overuse often accrued to more powerful actors.

From crisis to recovery?

The report introduces water bankruptcy as a condition defined by both insolvency and irreversibility.

Insolvency refers to withdrawing and polluting water beyond renewable inflows and safe depletion limits.

Irreversibility refers to the damage to key parts of water-related natural capital, such as wetlands and lakes, that makes restoration of the system to its initial conditions infeasible.

But all is not lost: comparing water action to finance, Mr. Madani said that bankruptcy is not the end of action.

“It is the start of a structured recovery plan: you stop the bleeding, protect essential services, restructure unsustainable claims, and invest in rebuilding,” he noted.

Costly tab

The world is rapidly depleting its natural “water savings accounts”, according to the study: more than half the world’s large lakes have declined since the early 1990’s, while around 35 per cent of natural wetlands have been lost since 1970, Mr. Madani said.

The human toll is already significant. Nearly three-quarters of the world’s population live in countries classified as water-insecure or critically water-insecure.

Around four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, while drought impacts cost an estimated $307 billion annually.

“If we continue to manage these failures as temporary ‘crises’ with short-term fixes, we will only deepen the ecological damage and fuel social conflict,” Mr. Madani warned.

Course corrections

The report calls for a transition from crisis response to bankruptcy management, grounded in honesty about the irreversibly of losses, protection of remaining water resources – and policies that match hydrological reality rather than past norms.

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‘Alarming’ increase in use of death penalty last year, despite global trend towards abolition

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The UN advocates for the universal abolition of the death penalty. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by 175 countries, protects the right to life and stipulates that, for countries that have not abolished capital punishment, it be imposed only for the ‘most serious crimes’ in exceptional cases.

OHCHR said the sharp increase in capital punishment last year was driven by executions for drug-related violations, for crimes people committed as children and for offences not meeting the ‘most serious crimes’.

“The death penalty is not an effective crime-control tool, and it can lead to the execution of innocent people,” said Volker Türk, UN Commissioner for Human Rights.

“In practice, the death penalty is also often applied arbitrarily and discriminatorily, in violation of fundamental principles of equality before the law.”

Geography of death

OHCHR’s monitoring reveals that no one region claimed the monopoly over capital punishment.

In Iran, at least 1,500 individuals were reportedly executed in 2025, with at least 47 per cent relating to drug offences.

In Israel, a series of legislative proposals is seeking to expand the use of the death penalty by introducing mandatory capital punishment provisions that would apply exclusively to Palestinians.

In Saudi Arabia, the reported number of executions exceeded the previous record of 2024, mounting to at least 356 people, where 78 per cent of cases were for drug-related offences. In Afghanistan, public executions continued, in breach of international law.

In the Americas, the United States saw the highest number of executions in 16 years – some 47 inmates who had been on death row.

Further south, at least 24 people were executed in Somalia and 17 in Singapore.

‘Encouraging steps’

However, OHCHR noted that several countries took ‘encouraging steps’ last year to limit capital punishment.

Vietnam reduced the number of offences punishable by death. Pakistan also removed two non-lethal capital offences but still retained 29.

Zimbabwe abolished on 31 December 2024 the death penalty for ordinary crimes, while Kenya initiated a legislative review of capital punishment.

Malaysia’s resentencing process reduced the number of people at risk of execution by more than 1,000 and in Kyrgyzstan, the Constitutional Court reaffirmed the prohibition of the death penalty.

So far, 170 countries have abolished or introduced a moratorium on the death penalty either in law or in practice.

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Prison breaks and renewed clashes raise alarm in northeast Syria

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Secretary-General António Guterres is following the continuing violence “with great concern,” Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Tuesday in New York.

The Secretary-General called for full respect for international law and the protection of civilians while also stressing the importance of securing detention facilities.

He urged the parties to continue dialogue, move forward in good faith, and work together to secure the implementation of all agreements.

Fearing for families

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, was “concerned about reports of renewed fighting between the Syrian Army and the SDF, despite the 18 January ceasefire agreement,” Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said earlier in Geneva.

Rolando Gómez of the UN Information Service (UNIS) there described the overall situation as “worrying, in particular the damage to critical infrastructure.”

He expressed concern for families unable to leave conflict areas and those who have been newly displaced.

A fragile transition

Syria remains on a fragile path to political transition following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and nearly 14 years of civil war.

The transitional government has been taking back territory in the northeast under Kurdish control and fighting has occurred in Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor and Al Hassakeh governorates.

Speaking in New York, Syria’s UN ambassador Ibrahim Olabi told journalists that the government and the SDF had reached “a common understanding” on several issues regarding the future of Al Hassakeh governorate.

The SDF will be granted “a four-day period for internal consultations to develop a detailed plan for the practical mechanisms for integrating the area,” he said during a media stakeout at UN Headquarters.

Syrian troops will not enter Al Hassakeh and Qamishli cities and will remain on their outskirts until a plan is finalised.

ISIL detention camps

Northeast Syria is home to several prisons holding thousands of ISIL fighters. The terrorist group, also known as Daesh, once controlled large swaths of the country and neighbouring Iraq in its attempt to establish an Islamist caliphate, committing mass executions, rape, forced recruitment and other atrocities along the way.

Tens of thousands of civilians with suspected ties to the militants, mainly women and children, are housed in separate detention camps such as notorious Al-Hol camp – home to over 30,000 people.

Ceasefire and clashes

The ceasefire announced on Sunday followed weeks of deadly fighting. The truce calls for the authorities to take over SDF-controlled areas and for its forces to be integrated into the national army, among other points.

Clashes resumed a day later during which roughly 120 ISIL fighters escaped from the prison in Al-Shaddadi city, according to media reports, though most have been captured.

Ms. Shamdasani recalled that OHCHR has long stated that any integration of security forces into Syrian State institutions, particularly SDF forces, “must take place within a proper human rights-based vetting process to ensure that any individuals involved in human rights violations or abuses are not integrated.”

Humanitarian support

Meanwhile, humanitarians have been providing assistance in the four affected governorates, incluidng trauma care, water and hygiene support, and psychosocial support, the UN aid coordination office OCHA reported on Monday.

Public services have been suspended in Deir-ez-Zor city and key transport routes temporarily closed, leaving civilians cut off from education and healthcare.

Furthermore, damage to critical infrastructure in Raqqa city has curtailed access between neighbourhoods and disrupted the main water supply.

OCHA noted that people continue to flee Raqqa and Tabqa cities, as well as Thawra town, and are heading towards Al Hassakeh and Qamishli governorates.

Hundreds of families remain unable to leave Tabqa and are sheltering in public facilities.

Assessments are underway to determine people’s needs as humanitarians continue to call for sustained, safe access to the population.

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Human trafficking depends on corruption at every step

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

A Chilean police officer stationed at the border collaborated on the scheme, enabling the crime.

Were it not for border guards, public officials and other entities who look the other way in exchange for money or sexual favours – or are themselves being extorted – human trafficking could not occur on a large scale, according to a new report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published on Monday.

It analyses more than 120 cases involving almost 80 countries – based on consultations with policymakers, prosecutors, investigators and independent experts from more than 30 countries – to expose the ‘hidden links’ between human trafficking and corruption.

Cloak of corruption

Human trafficking can include sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced begging, organ removal and even illegal adoption, among other forms of exploitation.

The report demonstrates how corruption permeates and facilitates every stage of human trafficking.

During recruitment and transport, corrupt officials provide documentation, overlook irregularities and collude with fraudulent recruitment agencies and organised criminal groups.

At border crossings, bribes and papers obtained through corruption allow persons to be moved across jurisdictions.

Asking for help can appear difficult or impossible once a person is exploited. Corruption shields operations in industries such as agriculture, construction, fisheries and domestic work, and helps keep victims of trafficking in situations of forced labour, sexual exploitation and forced criminality.

Finally, corruption obstructs anti-trafficking efforts, from police investigations and prosecutions to judicial decisions and assistance to victims.

Breaking the cycle

UNODC supports countries in breaking the cycle of corruption and human trafficking, including by ensuring national legislation applies stronger penalties when public officials are involved in trafficking and establishing safe reporting mechanisms for victims.

Other UN agencies are also supporting the effort. Backed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Moldova announced last week that it is strengthening its ability to identify and stop cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, through the new headquarters of its Passenger Information Unit (PIU).

The PIU is equipped with advanced UN software that improves passenger data collection, analysis and rapid response. Moldova is the seventh country to adopt this system, following in the footsteps of Norway, Luxembourg, Botswana, Georgia, the Philippines and Mongolia.

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Mozambique floods heighten disease, malnutrition risks – UN agencies

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The head of aid coordination office, OCHA, in the country, Paola Emerson, told reporters in Geneva that more than half a million people have been impacted by the floods, triggered by heavy rains in the first weeks of the new year.

“The numbers keep rising as extensive flooding continues and dams keep releasing water to avoid bursting,” she said.

Mozambique’s Gaza province is most affected along with Maputo and Sofala provinces.

‘Melting’ houses

Speaking from Xai-Xai, Gaza’s capital city, Ms. Emerson stressed that 90 per cent of the country’s people live in adobe houses, which are earth-based structures “that basically melt after a few days’ rains”.

Health facilities, roads and critical infrastructure are also heavily impacted. Ms. Emerson said that some 5,000 kilometres of roads have been damaged across nine provinces, including the main road linking the capital Maputo to the rest of the country, which is currently inaccessible, resulting in major supply chain disruptions.

Meanwhile, dams continue to release water even as heavy rains subside.

“From just one dam, up to 10,000 cubic metres-worth of water were being discharged. That is approximately 25 times the amount of water that could be held in the press briefing room you are in today, every second,” Ms. Emerson told journalists, seated in a room with capacity for more than 100 people.

“You cannot imagine the strength of this water and the impact it has on people and the infrastructure.”

National emergency

The Government of Mozambique has declared a national emergency and has established an emergency operations centre in Gaza province. Xai-Xai, which is near the Limpopo River, has been inundated, prompting evacuations. Ms. Emerson said that authorities have issued alerts for downtown Xai-Xai, “including warnings of crocodile risks in flooded areas”.

“River levels are rising and are reaching urban areas or heavily populated areas,” she said. “The crocodiles that are in the Limpopo River…are able to get into urban or populated areas that are now submerged underwater.”

Also speaking from Xai-Xai, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s Chief of Communication in Mozambique, Guy Taylor, warned that flooding is “turning unsafe water, disease outbreaks and malnutrition into a deadly threat for children”.

Lethal combination

The combination of waterborne diseases and malnutrition “can often prove lethal,” he said, stressing that even before the floods, four out of every 10 children in Mozambique experienced chronic malnutrition.

“This renewed disruption to food supplies, to health services and to care practices threatens to push the most vulnerable children into a dangerous spiral,” he insisted.

Mr. Taylor added that Mozambique is now entering into its annual cyclone season, creating the risk of a double crisis. “We can prevent disease, deaths and irreversible losses to children, but we need to act fast,” he said.

The UNICEF spokesperson described Mozambique as “a country of children and young people”, with an average age of 17.

“When floods and cyclones strike, as they have repeatedly and with increasing frequency over recent years, it’s the youngest and children who are hit hardest,” he concluded.

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UNRWA headquarters bulldozed in East Jerusalem

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Responding to the dramatic development, head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees Philippe Lazzarini described it as an “unprecedented attack” against the UN, whose premises are protected under international law.

The move represents “a new level of open and deliberate defiance of international law, including of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, by the State of Israel”, the UNRWA Commissioner-General said on X.

The same thing could happen to any other organization or diplomatic mission “anywhere around the world”, Mr. Lazzarini warned. “This must be a wake-up call,” he stressed.

Human rights chief’s ‘outrage’

Echoing those concerns, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his “outrage” at the incident, which marks a sharp escalation of tensions between the Israeli authorities and UNRWA.

“It compounds what we’ve been seeing for a while; attacking aid groups and UN actors who are trying to help,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner.

On 14 January, Israeli forces entered an UNRWA health centre in East Jerusalem and ordered it to close. At the time of the incident, the agency said its workers were “terrified”. In the coming weeks, water and power supplies to UNRWA facilities are scheduled to be cut, including to buildings used for health care and education.

“This is a direct result of legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in December, which stepped up existing anti-UNRWA laws adopted in 2024,” Mr. Lazzarini said.

Previously, UNRWA premises have been targeted by arsonists amid a “large-scale disinformation campaign” against it by Israel, the agency’s Commissioner-General maintained.

This was despite a ruling last October by the UN’s top court, the International Court of Justice, which restated that Israel was obliged “to facilitate UNRWA’s operations, not hinder or prevent them. The court also stressed that Israel has no jurisdiction over East Jerusalem,” Mr. Lazzarini noted.

“What happens today to UNRWA will happen tomorrow to any other international organisation or diplomatic mission, whether in the Occupied Palestinian Territory or anywhere around the world,” he continued. “International law has come under increasing attack for too long and is risking irrelevancy in the absence of response by Member States.”

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Amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, Chad shows ‘act of solidarity’

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

That’s according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who had discussions with over 40 leaders of Sudanese civil society in Northern State’s capital, Dongola, this week.

“But these representatives have also found the solution,” Mr. Türk said in a video on X. “There needs to be an all-out effort, both within Sudan and by the international community to help them, to facilitate their work.”

The conflict in Sudan which erupted in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the armed group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has uprooted some 9.3 million people and has brought about one of the world’s largest hunger crises.

Mr. Türk began his visit on Wednesday and is meeting with Sudanese authorities, civil society, humanitarian partners and people displaced by the conflict in Darfur and Kordofan. He will be holding two press conferences at the end of his visit on 18 January.

Chad shows ‘act of solidarity’

Since April 2023, more than 900,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in eastern Chad, with new arrivals every day, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.

The newly-appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih visited Chad this week for the first time in this capacity, where he met with Sudanese refugee families and local authorities.

Many of the refugees he met had been displaced multiple times since the conflict began. They described years of violent attacks and human rights abuses.

“What is unfolding in Sudan is a humanitarian calamity of overwhelming scale. Chad’s generous welcome of refugees is a powerful act of solidarity,” Mr. Salih said.

From displacement to solutions

Mr. Salih also acknowledged the host communities that have welcomed refugees despite economic hardship and environmental pressure.

He reiterated UNHCR’s readiness to work with the Government and others to facilitate economic opportunity and provide services for both refugees and the host communities.

The UN Refugees chief, Barham Salih (centre), speaks with Sudanese refugees at a women’s centre in Farchana, Chad.

“Visiting Chad and Kenya this last week, both countries clearly demonstrate how, with sustained international support, inclusive policies can move us from responding to displacement emergencies towards providing solutions,” Mr. Salih emphasised.

“When refugees are protected and included, they can rebuild their lives and contribute to the societies that host them. This is what I am seeing here, and this is the direction in which we must travel.”

Peacekeeping: Lacroix warns of rising threats to ‘blue helmets’ in Middle East

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Briefing journalists by video link from Jeddah following an extensive visit to the region, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said there has been an uptick in dangerous incidents involving peacekeepers and the fragile environment in which missions are operating.

He added that UN missions are continuing to deliver on their mandates despite increasingly challenging conditions on the ground.

“There is no pre-drawdown mandate,” Mr. Lacroix said of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stressing that the mission will continue to operate under its current authorisation until the end of December 2026.

UNIFIL, he said, remains focused on supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and advancing implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which brought an end to hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in 2006.

Mr. Lacroix said cooperation with Lebanese authorities and the LAF remained “excellent,” and welcomed recent statements by the Government regarding progress in establishing operational control in the south, while acknowledging that “a number of things remain to be done.”

Increasing danger

At the same time, he expressed grave concern over a growing number of hostile incidents affecting UN peacekeepers, particularly those involving the Israeli Defense Forces.

“The frequency of these incidents has been quite high – it has been increasing,” he said, warning that several encounters “could have had very tragic consequences” for peacekeepers.

He said he had raised the issue with Israeli counterparts, stressing that “it is in no one’s interest to put the lives of peacekeepers at risk,” and reminded all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel.

Mr. Lacroix also described widespread devastation in southern Lebanon, where entire villages and civilians remain unable to return to their homes, undermining prospects for recovery and reconstruction.

Beyond security risks, Mr. Lacroix highlighted the impact of funding shortfalls on peacekeeping operations, noting that UNIFIL and other missions have had to implement savings plans due to delayed or incomplete contributions by some Member States.

He praised peacekeepers for adapting under pressure, saying they had “succeeded in mitigating the impact” of financial constraints through innovation and operational adjustments.

Syria and regional dynamics

Turning to Syria, Mr. Lacroix said the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) continues to carry out its mandate with strong backing from both the Security Council and Syrian authorities.

However, he noted that conditions on the ground have changed significantly since Israeli forces established positions inside the area of separation defined by the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Established in May 1974, following the Yom Kippur War, UNDOF is mandated to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, and supervise the areas of separation as provided in the 1974 agreement.

“What we would want is a return to the situation where UNDOF would be the only military presence in the area of separation,” Mr. Lacroix said, describing recent talks between Israel and Syria, mediated by the United States, as “positive.”

UN Photo/Wolfgang Grebien

UNDOF peacekeepers on patrol in the Golan Heights.

Mine action and wider needs

He also underscored the growing importance of UN mine action efforts in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory overall, saying needs were “huge” and urging greater donor support.

“We are willing to do more,” Mr. Lacroix said, stressing that additional resources would be critical to protect civilians and support recovery in conflict-affected areas.

Myanmar begins defence in landmark genocide case at UN World Court

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Addressing judges in The Hague, Ko Ko Hlaing, speaking as Myanmar’s agent, said his country fully recognizes the importance of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide but firmly denies breaching its obligations under international law.

“A finding of genocide would place an indelible stain on my country and its people,” he said, describing the proceedings as “of fundamental importance for my country’s reputation and future.”

Mr. Hlaing accused the applicant of relying on what he called rudimentary and partisan, including reports by a fact-finding mission, “which are neither reliable nor objective, and were a condemnation without trial of Myanmar.”

UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/ Frank van Beek

Ko Ko Hlaing, Agent of Myanmar, addresses judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Myanmar acted against terrorists

Myanmar also rejected claims that its military’s so-called “clearance operations” in northern Rakhine state in 2016 and 2017 were genocidal in intent, maintaining they were counter-terrorism operations launched in response to attacks by the armed groups.

“Obviously, Myanmar was not obliged to remain idle and allow terrorists to have free rein of northern Rakhine state,” Mr. Hlaing told the Court, while acknowledging that civilians were killed and large numbers of people fled to Bangladesh as a result of the clashes.

He further disputed allegations that Myanmar denies the existence or rights of the Muslim population in northern Rakhine state, arguing that questions of citizenship, terminology and identity “have nothing to do with genocide.”

Myanmar said it has complied with all procedural orders of the Court, including provisional measures issued in January 2020, and has submitted regular reports on steps taken.

It also reiterated its stated commitment to the repatriation of displaced people from Bangladesh, citing bilateral agreements and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.

The case before the ICJ

The case stems from an application filed by Gambia in November 2019, accusing Myanmar of violating the Genocide Convention through acts allegedly committed during military operations in Rakhine state.

Those operations escalated in 2017, forcing more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh amid widespread killings, sexual violence and village burnings, according to UN investigations. Nearly one million Rohingya remain refugees in Bangladesh.

The hearings, which will continue through late January, mark the first time the Court is examining the merits of the case. The Court’s final judgment, which could take months after the hearings conclude, will be legally binding.

Iran: UN urges ‘maximum restraint’ to avert more death, wider escalation

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee briefed an emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York called by the United States to address the crisis.

Ms. Pobee described the situation in Iran as “fluid and deeply concerning”, noting that “protests continue, albeit reportedly at a smaller scale than last week.”

Against military strikes

She voiced alarm, however, over public statements suggesting possible military strikes on the country.

“This external dimension adds volatility to an already combustible situation. All efforts must be undertaken to prevent any further deterioration,” she said.

Moreover, UN Secretary-General António Guterres “remains convinced that all concerns regarding Iran, including those related to the nuclear issue and ongoing protests, are best addressed through diplomacy and dialogue.”

He also “urges maximum restraint at this sensitive moment and calls on all actors to refrain from any actions that could lead to further loss of life or ignite a wider regional escalation.”

Largest protests in recent years

The protests erupted on 28 December after shopkeepers in the Iranian capital Tehran took to the streets to rail against the collapse of the national currency, soaring inflation and worsening living conditions.

Demonstrations quickly spread across the country, turning into mass anti-government protests – the largest since the movement sparked by the September 2022 death in custody of Kurdish woman Jina Amini who was arrested for allegedly violating hijab laws.

Authorities imposed a near-total communications blackout that is still largely in place. Hundreds and even possibly thousands of protestors and bystanders have been killed, and more than 18,000 people are estimated to be detained, though the UN has not been able to verify these figures.

‘Terrorists’ and ‘rioters’ blamed

“The Government of Iran has stated that it was compelled to act after what it deemed ‘organized terrorists’ and ‘rioters’ infiltrated the protests and opened fire on both security forces and demonstrators, aiming to provoke foreign military intervention,” said Ms. Pobee.

“It has also blamed these elements for the killing of hundreds of civilians and members of the security forces.”

In a recent statement, the UN Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the reported excessive use of force by the authorities and upheld the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Civil society voices

Iranian journalist and political dissident Masih Alinejad was one of two civil society representatives invited to brief the Council.

“What is needed now to bring justice to those who order massacres in Iran is real and concrete action,” she said.

Iranian-American human rights activist and journalist Ahmad Batebi spoke about how he was arrested for protesting while a student and sentenced to death.

Mr. Batebi said that he was held in solitary confinement for two years, tortured, and forced to admit that he was a paid American spy.

US warns of wider repercussions

US Ambassador Mike Waltz stated that “the level of violence, the level of repression that the Iranian regime has unleashed on its own citizens…has repercussions for international peace and security.”

The Iranian people “are demanding their freedom like never before in the Islamic Republic’s brutal history,” he said, and underscored that President Donald Trump and the United States “stands by the brave people of Iran”.

He stressed that “the regime is solely responsible for the economic misery of the Iranian people and the repression of their freedom” and will be held accountable.

US ‘steering unrest’ in Iran, ambassador claims

Iran’s Deputy Permanent Representative Gholamhossein Darzi began his remarks by denouncing the two civil society briefers, saying they “represent the political agenda of the United States and Israeli regimes.”

Turning to the situation in Iran, the ambassador said that he was speaking on behalf of a “nation in mourning”.

“It is deeply regrettable that the representative of the United States regime, which requested this meeting, has today resorted to lies, distortions of facts and deliberate disinformation to conceal his country’s direct involvement in steering unrest in Iran towards violence,” he said.

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Will AI kickstart a new age of nuclear power?

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The world’s demand for electricity is soaring at an unprecedented pace. Projections indicate that by 2035, global consumption will surge by over 10,000 terawatt-hours, a figure matching the combined current usage of every advanced economy on Earth today.

A primary driver of this explosive growth is the rise of artificial intelligence. The technology is fueled by vast data centers, whose energy needs are staggering. A single medium-sized data center now consumes as much electricity as 100,000 homes. According to the International Energy Agency, demand from these facilities skyrocketed by more than 75% between 2023 and 2024. By 2030, they are expected to be responsible for over 20 percent of all electricity demand growth in advanced nations.

In the United States, the epicenter of the AI industry, the scale is even more pronounced. Forecasts suggest that before this decade ends, the power required for AI data processing will surpass the total combined electricity consumption of the country’s entire aluminium, steel, cement, and chemical manufacturing sectors.

The Nuclear Industry Sees Its Moment

Facing this daunting challenge, a unique summit took place last December. Policymakers, tech executives, and nuclear leaders from across the globe gathered at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna. Their mission: to explore a symbiotic future where nuclear power enables AI’s expansion, and AI, in turn, innovates the nuclear sector.

The logic is rooted in AI’s relentless operational needs. Training a top-tier AI model can require tens of thousands of computer processors to run non-stop for months. Meanwhile, daily AI applications are spreading into every corner of society, from healthcare and transport to education and agriculture. Every digital interaction consumes power.

“We need clean, stable zero-carbon electricity that is available around the clock,” said Manuel Greisinger, a senior manager at Google focused on AI. “This is undoubtedly an extremely high threshold, and it is not achievable with wind and solar power alone. AI is the engine of the future, but an engine without fuel is almost useless. Nuclear energy is not only an option, but also an indispensable core component of the future energy structure.”

A Bullish Vision for Atomic Energy

This view is championed at the highest levels. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi believes the nuclear industry is destined to be the bedrock of the AI revolution. “Only nuclear energy can meet the five needs of low-carbon power generation, round-the-clock reliability, ultra-high power density, grid stability and true scalability,” he declared.

The industry is mobilizing. Currently, 71 new reactors are under construction worldwide, adding to the 441 already operating. The United States, which hosts 94 plants has plans for ten more.

Tech giants are putting their money where their data is. Major companies have pledged support for the goal of trippling global nuclear capacity by 2050. In a landmark move, Microsoft signed a 20-year power purchase agreement that directly facilitated the restart of Unit One at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear plant.

The trend is worldwide. “Europe has the world’s densest digital corridors, with Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London as hubs,” explained Grossi. Traditional nuclear powers like France and the UK are reinvesting heavily, while newcomers like Poland are accelerating plans.

Russia remains a dominant exporter and developer of reactor technology. China is achieving parallel leadership, leading the world simultaneously in both AI development and the construction of new nuclear reactors. Japan is upgrading its data center infrastructure, and the United Arab Emirates has coupled its new nuclear program with ambitions to become a regional AI hub.

The Promise of Smaller, Faster Reactors

The urgent timeline is fueling interest in small modular reactors (SMRs). Unlike traditional mega-projects that take a decade to build, SMRs offer a nimble alternative.

“These kinds of reactors have a small footprint and upgraded safety systems, and can be deployed in nearby industrial areas, including data centre campuses,” Grossi said. “Tech companies that use them don’t have to worry about regional grid supply constraints or transmission losses. This will be a decisive advantage in areas where grid upgrades are slow.”

Though still emerging from the development phase, progress is swift. Google has signed a pioneering global agreement to purchase nuclear power from a fleet of SMRs, targeting operational status by 2030.

The search for reliable power is pushing boundaries. Google is also looking skyward, researching space-based solar networks to power massive machine-learning operations in orbit, taking advantage of constant, unfiltered sunlight. The company plans to launch two prototype satellites in early 2027 to test the concept.

Whether it’s reviving dormant reactors, betting on compact new designs, building traditional plants, or even gazing at the stars, the trajectory is clear. The world’s digital and energy futures are converging, pointing toward an energy system fundamentally reliant on nuclear power to sustain the civilization of tomorrow.

Training cutting-edge AI models requires tens of thousands of central processing units (CPUs) to run continuously for weeks or even months. At the same time, the daily application of artificial intelligence is expanding to almost all sectors such as hospitals, public administration, transportation, agriculture, logistics and education.

Every query, every simulation, every recommendation consumes power. “We need clean, stable zero-carbon electricity that is available around the clock,” says Manuel Greisinger, a senior manager at Google, focusing on AI. “This is undoubtedly an extremely high threshold, and it is not achievable with wind and solar power alone. AI is the engine of the future, but an engine without fuel is almost useless. Nuclear energy is not only an option, but also an indispensable core component of the future energy structure.”

Bullish nuclear industry

Mr. Greisinger’s view is shared by IAEA Director General Manuel Grossi, who believes that the nuclear industry is destined to be the energy partner of the AI revolution. “Only nuclear energy can meet the five needs of low-carbon power generation, round-the-clock reliability, ultra-high power density, grid stability and true scalability,” he declared.

The nuclear industry appears to be in bullish mood. Seventy-one new reactors are under construction, adding to the 441 that are currently operating globally. Ten are scheduled to be built in the US, which is already home to 94 plants, the largest amount of any country.

The tech giants that are using the data centres have pledged to support the goal of at least tripling global nuclear power capacity by 2050. Microsoft, for example, has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement that allowed Unit One of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, USA, to be restarted.

NOAA/OAR/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

Russia, with a research base proficient in mathematics and computer science, remains the world’s largest exporter in the field of nuclear energy, and is a leading operator and developer of advanced reactor technology, whilst China is making major achievements in both AI and nuclear energy.

“AI technology and the construction of artificial intelligence data centres are advancing simultaneously, and the number of new nuclear reactors in the world also ranks first in the world during the same period,” said the UN nuclear agency chief.

Japan is investing heavily in building and upgrading data centres to meet growing demand whilst, in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has established a nuclear energy programme and has emerged as a regional AI hub.

The IAEA supports training to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants like this one in the Czech Republic.

Tech Giants Bet on Mini-Reactors to Power AI Boom

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Sridhar P

The relentless growth of artificial intelligence is creating an energy crisis of its own. To feed the staggering power demands of massive data centers, the technology industry is turning to a new, compact solution: small modular reactors, or SMRs.

These next-generation nuclear units represent a stark departure from the traditional, colossal power plants that can take a decade to build and require enormous upfront investment. Instead, SMRs are designed to be leaner, safer, and faster to deploy.

“These kinds of reactors have a small footprint and upgraded safety systems, and can be deployed in nearby industrial areas, including data centre campuses,” explained Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He highlighted a key advantage for tech companies, noting they “don’t have to worry about regional grid supply constraints or transmission losses. This will be a decisive advantage in areas where grid upgrades are slow, and interconnection queues are long.”

While SMR technology is still advancing from research into real-world application, momentum is building. The IAEA is actively collaborating with global regulators and the nuclear industry to clear the path for widespread deployment. The goal is to see these smaller units operating in large numbers to meet surging electricity demands.

Google’s Nuclear Energy Pact

In a landmark move, Google has signed a pioneering agreement to purchase nuclear energy generated from multiple small modular reactor, a first-of-its-kind deal globally. If development stays on track, the reactors could be supplying clean power to Google’s operations by 2030.

Not content with terrestrial solutions alone, Google is also gazing skyward. The company is investigating the potential of space-based solar networks, which would use unfiltered solar energy in orbit to power large-scale machine learning operations. To test the concept, two prototype satellites are scheduled for launch in early 2027, where their radiation tolerance and data processing capabilities will be put to the test.

From restarting shuttered plants to constructing giant new reactors, and from betting on miniature atomic units to capturing sunlight in space, the strategies vary wildly. Yet energy experts observe that all these paths converge on the same inevitable conclusion: building a future-proof energy system capable of supporting advanced civilization will require a foundation built largely upon nuclear power.

Game-changing international marine protection treaty comes into force

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the legally binding UN treaty covers the ocean zones that lie beyond national waters (the “high seas”) and the international seabed area.

These regions make up over two-thirds of the ocean’s surface, representing over 90 per cent of Earth’s habitat by volume. This is because the ocean is deep, and most living space on Earth is underwater.

Here are some of the key things to know:

Why it matters

The BBNJ is designed to transform the “high seas” and international seabed into an environment to be managed sustainably for the benefit of all humanity.

It is also the first legally binding ocean instrument to provide for inclusive ocean governance, with provisions on the engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and on gender balance.

It is hoped that, once it is fully implemented, the Agreement will make a vital contribution to addressing the so-called “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Speaking to UN News, Tanzanian diplomat Mzee Ali Haji, who led his country’s negotiation team during BBNJ discussions, said that the agreement marks a major step in the protection of international waters.

“Everyone should bear in mind that there is now control of the activity in the high seas. For instance, when you pollute, you are responsible for your acts”.

The BBNJ strengthens the current international legal framework: it builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – in effect the “constitution for the oceans” – which has set the rules for maritime and seabed exploitation and marine protection since it came into force in 1994.

The agreement addresses gaps in the Convention, includes more detail on how to manage biodiversity and aligns ocean governance with modern challenges like climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the UN-brokered blueprint for solving the world’s most intractable challenges).

What does ‘entry into force’ mean?

After the entry into force, it becomes legally binding for the 81 nations that have ratified it so far, meaning that they agree to incorporate it into their national legislation.

The treaty specifies that it enters into force this Saturday: 120 days after it was ratified – accepted as legally by binding – by at least 60 countries.

Who’s signed up, and who hasn’t?

Many major economies have ratified the BBNJ, notably China, Germany, Japan, France and Brazil.

China has a particularly important impact on industries connected to the ocean (such as shipbuilding, aquaculture, fisheries and offshore oil and gas), exporting some $155 billion of ocean-related goods in 2023, according to UN trade agency figures.

The holdouts include the United States, India, the UK and Russia.

The US, the world’s biggest economy, is one of the top five ranked ocean-related goods exporters ($61 billion). Although the country adopted the treaty in 2023, it is not yet ratified, and the Senate has not acted on it.

India, one of the top developing-economy exporters ($19 billion), adopted the treaty in 2024 but domestic legislation on ratification is still pending. While the UK did introduce legislation on the matter in 2025, parliament is still to ratify it.

Russia remains one of the minority of nations that has neither adopted nor ratified the treaty, citing its wish to preserve existing governance frameworks, and ensure that freedom of navigation and shipping in international waters is guaranteed.

Is this a big setback for the treaty?

Despite the reluctance of some major economies to commit fully by ratifying, Mr. Haji is positive about the impact that the BBNJ, in its current state, will have.

“Developing countries and small island countries need support,” he says. “We expect that, in the future, they will accept this agreement, because it will help them. The protection of the high seas is the responsibility of all of us.”

What happens next?

The door remains open for more countries to ratify, which will make it more effective.

“When you negotiate something, you can’t get 100 percent people to ratify it or to accept it in one term,” says Mr. Haji. “Some just observe and then, when they see the advantages, they join. I believe that, in the future others will join”.

Apart from universal participation, the key to making the BBNJ work will be implementation – in other words, acting against those who break the rules.

According to the text of the agreement, the first meeting to monitor progress on both these fronts will take place no later than one year after the Agreement’s entry into force.

Japan Launches High-Seas Gamble to Break China’s Grip on Critical Minerals

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Sridhar P

In a bold move to secure its economic future, Japan has dispatched a research ship on a pioneering mission to the depths of the Pacific Ocean. The goal: to test the viability of mining rare earth elements from the seabed, a high-stakes effort to loosen China’s commanding hold on these vital resources.

The deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu set sail Monday from Shizuoka port, beginning a month-long expedition to waters near remote Minamitori Island, nearly 2,000 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. Its crew of 130 researchers and sailors will attempt a world-first feat: continuously lifting mineral-rich mud from a staggering six kilometers below the surface to test if the rare earths within can be practically recovered.

“For seven years, we have been preparing steadily for this. It is deeply moving to finally begin the confirmation tests,” said project leader Shoichi Ishii, speaking to Reuters as the ship departed against the iconic backdrop of Mount Fuji. “If this project succeeds, it will be of great significance in diversifying Japan’s rare earth resource procurement.”

A Mission Born of Strategic Urgency

The expedition is not merely a scientific endeavor; it is a direct response to growing geopolitical tensions. Japan’s urgency has intensified as Beijing tightens controls on exports of minerals with both civilian and military uses. Reports of broader restrictions on rare earth shipments to Japanese firms have added fuel to the fire, making resource security a top agenda item for global finance leaders.

Japan knows the cost of dependency firsthand. A 2010 diplomatic spat with China led to a sudden curtailment of rare earth exports, sending shockwaves through its high-tech manufacturing sector. Since then, Japan has halved its direct reliance on China from nearly 90% to about 60% by investing in overseas mines and boosting recycling.

Yet, the Minamitori project represents a more fundamental shift—the first serious attempt to establish a domestic source for these critical materials.

“The fundamental solution is to be able to produce rare earths inside Japan,” explained Takahide Kiuchi, an executive economist at Nomura Research Institute. He cautioned, however, that Japan remains almost completely dependent on China for certain heavy rare earths essential for technologies like electric vehicle motors.

A Long and Costly Road Ahead

Success is far from guaranteed. The Japanese government has already invested roughly 40 billion yen ($250 million) since 2018, with no production targets yet set and estimated reserves still undisclosed. If the current tests prove successful, a full-scale mining trial is tentatively scheduled for early 2027.

The economics remain a formidable hurdle. Seabed mining is notoriously expensive, though analysts note that sustained supply disruptions or sharply higher prices could eventually make the venture viable.

The venture is also being closely watched—and subtly challenged—by Beijing. During preliminary survey work last June, Chinese naval vessels operated near the research area, actions Ishii described as “intimidating.” China maintains its activities were lawful and has urged Japan not to “hype up threats.”

As the Chikyu steams toward its destination, it carries not just scientific equipment, but Japan’s hopes for a more secure and self-reliant technological future. The world will be watching to see if those hopes can be raised from the ocean floor.

11-year streak of record global warming continues, UN weather agency warns

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Wednesday that 2025 was one of the three warmest years on record, continuing the streak of extraordinary global temperatures.

After analysing eight international datasets, the organization said that global average surface temperatures last year were 1.44°C above the 1850 to 1900 average.

Two of these datasets ranked 2025 as the second warmest year in the 176-year record, and the other six ranked it as the third warmest year.

Warm despite La Niña

The fact that 2025 was very slightly cooler than the three-year average from 2023 is partly explained by the La Niña phenomenon, which is associated with colder weather.

But WMO insisted that any temporary cooling from La Niña is not reversing the long-term trend of warmer temperatures.

“The year 2025 started and ended with a cooling La Niña and yet it was still one of the warmest years on record globally because of the accumulation of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

The organization added that the high temperatures on land and sea last year helped to fuel extreme weather, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall and deadly tropical cyclones, underlining the need for early warning systems.

Ocean heat

Citing a separate study, WMO highlighted that ocean temperatures were also among the highest on record last year, reflecting the long-term accumulation of heat within the climate system.

Regionally, about 33 per cent of the global ocean area ranked among its historical (1958–2025) top three warmest conditions, while about 57 per cent fell within the top five, including the tropical and South Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, North Indian Ocean and Southern Oceans, underscoring the broad ocean warming across basins.

WMO will provide full details of key climate change indicators, including greenhouse gases, surface temperatures, ocean heat and other trends, in its State of the Global Climate 2025 report to be issued in March.