A senior UN political affairs official called for Israel and Hamas to restore the shattered ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday and release all remaining hostages, while one of those freed told the Security Council of his 500-day ordeal in captivity.

Read the full story, “Gaza: ‘Bring them all home now’, freed hostage tells Security Council”, on globalissues.org →

Three cities that share a healthy vision for their residents won UN World Health Organization awards on Thursday for their smoke-free parks, clean air initiatives and obesity-busting school lunch initiatives.

Read the full story, “WHO give clean bill of health to cities taking action on preventable diseases”, on globalissues.org →

Silence is not an option in the fight for human rights – that was the message on Thursday at an event honouring the legacy of the women who have shaped the United Nations’ commitment to gender equality.

Read the full story, “Trailblazers: UN’s ‘founding mothers’ remind all people to stand up for human rights”, on globalissues.org →

The legacy of the Syrian conflict, which saw the overthrow of the Assad regime in December last year, is that 16.5 million people are in dire need of assistance, making it one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, a senior UN humanitarian said on Thursday.

Read the full story, “Syria's humanitarian crisis: 16.5 million in need amid continuing conflict”, on globalissues.org →

Respect for human rights is not only a moral obligation but a necessity for economic stability, the UN’s top human rights official said on Thursday, during a visit to the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.

Read the full story, “Free societies are good for business says UN rights chief, wrapping up visit to Kyrgyzstan”, on globalissues.org →