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Torrential downpours have caused flooding in and around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, prompting a state of emergency to be declared in areas overwhelmed by heavy rains, with more than 80,000 displaced people sheltering in some 40 sites and camps, according to the latest update from the United Nations humanitarian wing.

More than 500 leading thinkers from the technological, academic, corporate, development and humanitarian world are convening today in Helsinki, Finland, for a summit co-organized by the Finnish Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to explore new technologies to improve life for the world’s most vulnerable children.

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today condemned the killing of two Syrian citizen journalists, found dead a little over a week ago in the city of Sanliurfa, in the southeast of Turkey.

On the second anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has commended the significant progress made in recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the Philippines, but remains concerned about the unmet needs of children and their families, some still living in temporary housing.

Without inclusive and climate-smart development, alongside efforts to rein in greenhouse gas emissions that protect the poor, agricultural shocks, natural disasters and the spread of diseases could push more than 100 million additional people into poverty by 2030, the World Bank warns in a new report released just weeks ahead of a major United Nations climate conference in Paris.

Wrapping up his first official visit to the Russian Federation, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O'Brien hailed Russia's “vital and strategic role” as a Member State actively engaged in global and multilateral relief efforts and emergency expertise.

Concerned over Libya's ongoing political, security and institutional crises and the rising threat of terrorism, the United Nations Security Council today urged all Libyan stakeholders to endorse and sign the recent UN-facilitated political deal and to move swiftly towards forming a Government of National Accord.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared that Ebola virus transmission has been stopped in Sierra Leone, as 42 days – two Ebola virus incubation cycles – have now passed since the last person confirmed to have the disease had a second negative blood test, and pledged continued support to the country towards the recovery of essential health systems.

In a report to the General Assembly, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus called on the country to start reforming its laws and practices that have for two decades stifled its citizens' right to freedom of expression.

Meeting ahead of the United Nations climate conference in Paris, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board, announced today that it approved $168 million of its funding for projects and programmes worth $624 million, marking the end of its launch phase and kick-starting the flow of climate finance to developing countries.