United StatesOwnership & classification
Ownership
UN News is the official news service of the United Nations, produced by the News and Media Division of the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), part of the UN Secretariat. It is not a private outlet: it is owned and operated directly by the United Nations intergovernmental organization, reporting on UN activities in multiple official languages, and is overseen by the General Assembly's Committee on Information.
Funding
Funded out of the regular budget of the United Nations Secretariat, which is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from UN member states. It carries no commercial advertising or subscriptions.
Affiliation & stance
As an in-house communications service of the UN, its purpose is to publicize and explain the work and priorities of the United Nations and its agencies. Because it is owned and funded by an intergovernmental state body rather than being commercially independent, it is classified STATE (institutional/intergovernmental), with content aligned to UN institutional positions.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 125
80/100
Factual
78/100
Objective
139
Articles
138
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源
DR Congo receives 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses as Bundibugyo outbreak spreads
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has received 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine amid the spreading Bundibugyo outbreak. The vaccine was originally designed to combat the Zaire ebolavirus responsible for the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. Following approval from the International Coordinating Group (ICG), the DRC requested these doses from the global stockpile. While the World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the allocation, it noted uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of Ervebo against the Bundibugyo strain. Clinical trials will determine its efficacy, while 20,000 doses will be used for testing and the remaining 50,000 distributed to healthcare workers. As of recent updates, the outbreak has resulted in over 5,000 cases and more than 2,300 deaths, marking it as the deadliest in the country’s history. The ongoing conflict involving the M23 armed group, supported by Rwanda, has complicated containment efforts by restricting access to affected regions and disrupting critical health services. In response, M23 has taken steps to manage the outbreak independently within its controlled territories.
Protecting our ‘most vital infrastructure’: Pushing back on desertification
The article discusses the growing threat of desertification, emphasizing its impact on global food security, water resources, and economic stability. It highlights the role of climate change factors such as rising temperatures, droughts, and deforestation in accelerating land degradation. The focus is on Mongolia, where over 77% of the land is degraded, and pastoralism remains a critical livelihood for one-third of the population. The article references the upcoming UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP17), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, which aims to address land restoration and sustainability. Key figures like UN Executive Yasmine Fouad and Mongolia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh stress the urgent need for global action, noting that 3.2 billion people are affected by land degradation and that the economic costs are substantial. The article underscores the importance of international cooperation, early warning systems, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Talks on launch of clinical trial of Ebola vaccine in DRC advance, WHO says
Discussions are ongoing between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate the initiation of a Phase 3 clinical trial for Merck’s Ervebo vaccine, aimed at combating the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the northeastern DRC. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the current outbreak is the second-largest on record and growing rapidly. While the vaccine targets the Zaire strain, recent studies suggest it might offer cross-protection against Bundibugyo. The WHO recommends including Ervebo in the trial, which would involve randomly assigning participants to receive the vaccine or a placebo. The trial will not use the 'ring vaccination' method used in the successful Ebola Ça Suffit trial in Guinea, opting instead for individual randomization based on findings from subsequent trials. Over 4,500 cases have been confirmed in the DRC, with over 2,060 deaths.
Ebola death toll in Congo rises to more than 2,000; confirmed cases exceed 4,000
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to escalate, with confirmed deaths surpassing 2,000 and total cases reaching over 4,381 as of the latest reports. This marks the 17th recorded Ebola epidemic in the country and is considered the most significant in DRC's history, potentially becoming the largest ever recorded globally. The outbreak originated in the northeastern province of Ituri and has spread to multiple provinces in the northeast and east, regions where state presence is weak and healthcare infrastructure lacks resources. The mortality rate stands at 45.9%, according to Congolese health authorities. The Minister of Health stated that the peak of the outbreak has not yet been reached but expressed hope that containment efforts would begin to show results within three months. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have recommended evaluating the approved Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, Ervebo, in clinical trials due to the lack of a specific vaccine for the current strain, Bundibugyo. A global stockpile of 500,000 doses of Ervebo, produced by U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Merck, is available to support these trials.
DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreading exponentially, UN responders warn
The deadliest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to spread rapidly, with over 5,290 infections and 2,516 deaths reported as of late August 2026. UN responders, including UN Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis, have warned that the outbreak is expanding exponentially, with half of all deaths occurring in just 20 days. Funding for the response efforts is critically low, and existing resources may run out within weeks. Harneis emphasized that delays in international support make the epidemic more dangerous and harder to control. The situation is compounded by ongoing attacks on healthcare workers, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to essential services in conflict-affected regions of the east. Despite these challenges, UN officials pledged to continue deploying medical and humanitarian aid.
AI for Good: How the UN uses AI to advance human rights
The article discusses various initiatives by the United Nations utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to advance human rights and address global challenges. It highlights projects such as accessible digital textbooks for children with disabilities, methane leak detection through AI systems, and AI-assisted tuberculosis screening. The UN emphasizes these efforts as practical applications of AI that directly benefit communities and contribute to environmental protection and healthcare improvements.
Somalia: Humanitarian aid cuts leave millions of children vulnerable to hunger
In Somalia, significant cuts in humanitarian aid have left millions of children vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. Hajio, a mother who lost her livestock due to drought, fled her home seeking assistance but was provided minimal aid. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder highlighted that over 200 health and nutrition facilities have closed, potentially rising to 618, leading to a 32% increase in children admitted to stabilization centers with severe acute malnutrition. The reduction in services means longer travel times for mothers and infants, resulting in delayed treatment and higher risks of preventable deaths. Nearly one million children under five, along with adolescent girls and women, face loss of access to essential nutrition services. These cuts occur amid escalating humanitarian needs, including a projected 1.9 million children affected by malnutrition and the compounding effects of civil war, climate change, and geopolitical tensions such as the US-Iran war.
New initiative launched to shield terrorism victims from online harm
The United Nations has launched a new initiative aimed at protecting terrorism victims from online harm, particularly the spread of misinformation and fake content that can distort their experiences and memories. The initiative was announced during the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. Survivors like Saynab Warsame from Somalia and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of a victim of the 2023 Hamas attack in Israel, shared personal stories highlighting the ongoing impact of terrorism and the need for global solidarity. The Victims of Terrorism Associations Network, established by the UN Counter-Terrorism Office last year, is driving this effort to support victims' rights and needs. The article includes accounts from various survivors across different regions, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll of terrorism and the importance of addressing both physical and digital threats.
Colombia earthquake: 1.2 million need aid as some communities remain out of reach
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, causing significant destruction and leaving over 300 people dead, 426 missing, and more than 4,500 injured. Humanitarian organizations estimate that 1.2 million people require aid, with initial efforts focusing on the most impacted regions of Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó, and Caldas. Over 134,000 homes have been damaged, and 30,000 destroyed, with road damage further isolating communities. Many residents remain in unsafe conditions, fearing roof collapses, and some are sleeping outdoors. The United Nations' IOM has identified temporary shelter sites but warns against creating 'magnets' for aid that neglect those staying with family or in improvised spaces. Heavy rainfall is exacerbating health risks, particularly in Chocó, where contaminated water increases the likelihood of disease. The Food and Agriculture Organization notes critical gaps in understanding the impact on agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.
Mpox: Children account for half of suspected cases in Guinea-Bissau
An outbreak of mpox has been reported in Guinea-Bissau, with children accounting for half of the 46 suspected cases, 16 of whom are under four years old. The situation has been classified as a 'major public health event' by UNICEF, marking the first known cases in the West African nation. While seven adult cases have been confirmed, no fatalities have been reported. The disease, related to smallpox, spreads through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated objects, raising concerns about increased transmission during the upcoming school reopening. UNICEF highlights critical gaps in surveillance and calls for $150,000 in emergency funding to support containment efforts, emphasizing the need for early detection, care, and prevention.
As elections near, South Sudan risks new atrocity crimes, warns rights probe
As South Sudan approaches its first national elections since gaining independence, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has issued a warning that rushing to hold elections without proper safeguards could lead to new atrocity crimes. The commission reported 407 ceasefire violations between August 2025 and January 2026, with renewed armed conflict occurring in multiple regions. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed in 2018, remains largely unimplemented, with key provisions such as the unification of security forces still pending. The commission highlights worsening political divisions, insecurity, and human rights abuses, emphasizing that the country is at one of its most dangerous moments fifteen years after independence. The report aligns with the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes, identifying multiple warning signs of potential mass atrocities.
Russian missiles kill 17 more in Ukraine as Guterres calls for ceasefire
On August 20, 2026, Russian ballistic missile strikes in and around Kyiv, Ukraine, killed 17 people and injured over 40, damaging residential buildings, a school, a children’s hospital, and a kindergarten. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attacks as violations of international humanitarian law, urging an immediate ceasefire. Ukrainian forces conducted significant drone attacks on Russian territory, resulting in casualties. UN relief chief Tom Fletcher noted the severe impact of the strikes and called for urgent de-escalation. The UN and its partners provided emergency aid, including medical care, food, and construction materials, while emphasizing the need for a lasting peace.