Middle East
UAE's Lana Nusseibeh emerges as late contender for UN top job
Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, 48, of Palestinian descent, is a late contender for UN chief with Gulf backing, despite criticism over Israel ties and Sudan.
United Nations
United Nations: 16 The Indus Compass stories. Latest: UAE's Lana Nusseibeh emerges as late contender for UN top job. Key developments, background and…
16 stories on United Nations since 24 September 2026; the latest was published on 24 October 2026.
Key developments
- UAE's Lana Nusseibeh emerges as late contender for UN top jobLana Nusseibeh, a 48-year-old Emirati official of Palestinian descent, was formally nominated on Wednesday and has emerged as a late frontrunner in the race to lead the United Nations.
- UN warns El Nino is going 'off the charts', 50 million at risk of hungerThe WMO said the El Nino could be 'unprecedented in strength', with Pacific sea temperatures up to 3.8C above average.
- Pakistan at UN condemns Houthi attacks, demands end to Israeli settlementsPakistan told the UN Security Council that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia must stop at once, and demanded an end to Israeli settlements and settler violence.
- Pakistan tells UN Israel must withdraw from all occupied Syrian landPakistan's envoy Usman Jadoon told the UN Security Council that Israeli military actions in Syria violate international law and undermine regional peace.
- Pakistan presses UN on climate finance and respect for water treatiesAt the UN Second Committee, Pakistan sought $300bn in climate finance, debt reform and respect for water treaties amid its Indus dispute with India.
World
UN warns El Nino is going 'off the charts', 50 million at risk of hunger
The UN said the current El Nino could be the strongest on record and warned up to 50 million people could face more hunger without urgent action.
Islamabad
Pakistan at UN condemns Houthi attacks, demands end to Israeli settlements
Pakistan told the UN Security Council that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia must stop at once, and demanded an end to Israeli settlements and settler violence.
Islamabad
Pakistan tells UN Israel must withdraw from all occupied Syrian land
Pakistan's envoy Usman Jadoon told the UN Security Council that Israeli military actions in Syria violate international law and undermine regional peace.
Islamabad
Pakistan presses UN on climate finance and respect for water treaties
At the UN Second Committee, Pakistan sought $300bn in climate finance, debt reform and respect for water treaties amid its Indus dispute with India.
Islamabad
UN chief Guterres heads to Pakistan for talks on Iran mediation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visits Pakistan from October 6 to 8 to discuss Islamabad's role in mediating between the US and Iran, the Foreign Office said.
Azad Kashmir
Pakistan rejects India's 'internal matter' claim on Kashmir at UN
Pakistan told a UN General Assembly committee that Kashmir is a disputed territory whose status must be decided by its people, rejecting India's claim.
Americas
US deportations to third countries triggering a 'cascade' of rights abuses, UN experts warn
More than 20 UN experts said deportations to countries such as South Sudan and Libya expose people to torture and disappearance, and urged all states to halt them.
Europe
Swiss voters reject plan to limit sanctions to those backed by the UN
More than 70pc of Swiss voters rejected a stricter neutrality rule that would have barred sanctions without UN approval and closer ties with NATO.
Europe
Swiss vote on hard-right plan to write 'perpetual' neutrality into the constitution
Swiss voters decided whether to enshrine strict 'armed and perpetual' neutrality and ban sanctions not backed by the UN. Polls pointed to a clear rejection.
Europe
Pope Leo warns the UN is in a 'crisis of effectiveness' as dialogue risks becoming a 'charade'
Speaking at Unesco in Paris, Pope Leo said the UN faces a crisis of effectiveness and criticised leaders who use the law only when it suits them.
Middle East
At the UN, PM Shehbaz calls for open sea lanes, backs Saudi Arabia and warns India over Indus waters
In his UN General Assembly address, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged that Hormuz stay open, defended the Makkah defence pact and said blocking Indus waters would be an act of war.
Opinion
Editorial: A troubled UN is still the world's best forum, and Pakistan is showing why
The UN faces a crisis of effectiveness, but this week in New York showed why Pakistan still needs it. The answer is to strengthen it, not walk away.