The recent UN report highlights Israel’s “de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture” over the past two years, citing severe beatings, sexual violence, and other inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees. The report also addresses the excessive use of administrative detention and notes a “marked deterioration” in detention conditions during the Gaza war, with an abnormally high death toll among Palestinian detainees. The UN committee expressed concern over the lack of accountability for these actions, despite evidence presented and Israel’s persistent denial of torture practices. Furthermore, the report pointed out a lack of criminal prosecutions for such actions, and notes the conviction of one soldier for repeatedly attacking detainees.
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A UN commission has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This conclusion is based on documented evidence of targeted killings, including children shot in the head, and the systematic destruction of hospitals, schools, and cultural sites. The commission also cites the use of starvation and the deliberate creation of unlivable conditions as evidence of genocidal intent. The commission’s findings are based on Israel’s actions and statements from leaders, leading them to the conclusion of genocidal intent.
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A UN commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing reasonable grounds to believe four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out since the start of the war. The report highlights statements by Israeli leaders and the pattern of conduct by Israeli forces as evidence of genocidal intent. This includes actions such as killing members of a group, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group, and preventing births. The Israeli foreign ministry has vehemently rejected the report, labeling it as “distorted and false,” while the commission maintains its findings are the strongest and most authoritative to date.
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A recent UN report indicates that North Korea is intensifying its use of the death penalty, particularly for those caught consuming or sharing foreign media. This crackdown is part of a broader trend of increased governmental control over all aspects of citizens’ lives, with surveillance aided by technological advancements becoming more pervasive. The report also highlights the government’s expanded use of forced labor and restrictions on freedoms, leading to widespread suffering and fear among the population. Interviews with defectors reveal that living conditions have deteriorated since Kim Jong Un’s focus shifted to weapons development, with many facing food shortages and a daily struggle for survival. The UN report also details the continued operation of political prison camps and instances of torture and abuse of detainees.
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A recent UN report highlights a concerning shift, with more children globally now considered obese than underweight. This trend, documented across 190 countries, reveals that the prevalence of obesity among those aged 5-19 has reached 9.4%, surpassing the 9.2% underweight rate. The report attributes this rise to the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods, which are replacing more nutritious options in children’s diets. Governments are encouraged to implement policies to combat this, including marketing restrictions and healthier food environments.
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In June 2025, the UN Monitoring Mission reported a record high of civilian casualties and fatalities in Ukraine, marking the worst month in the past three years. This alarming increase is largely due to Russia’s escalated use of long-range missiles and drones targeting urban areas, leading to 232 deaths and 1,343 injuries. The first half of 2025 saw a 54% surge in civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2024, with a 17% increase in deaths and a 64% rise in injuries. The UN has documented a total of at least 13,580 civilian deaths and 34,115 injuries since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
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A UN report reveals Iran executed at least 975 people in 2024, a record since 2015, surpassing the 834 executions in 2023. The majority of executions stemmed from drug-related and murder charges, with a concerning increase in women executed, including those convicted for murder in cases involving domestic violence. The report also highlights widespread human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on freedom of expression, particularly targeting journalists and minority groups. The UN urges Iran to halt executions and cooperate fully with international investigations.
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A UN commission documented a pattern of planned and organized attacks in Kherson, resulting in nearly 150 civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries, with victims targeted during daily activities. The attacks, which show no signs of Russian prevention, primarily affected men, women, and children. Ukraine condemned the attacks as a “shameful tactic of terror,” while Russia, having occupied and then lost control of Kherson, demands Ukrainian withdrawal as a condition for a ceasefire. International journalists and civilian testimonies corroborated evidence of systematic Russian torture during the occupation.
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The UN’s recent report alleging that 36 Israeli strikes in Gaza between March 18th and April 9th resulted in the deaths of only women and children is deeply disturbing. The sheer number of incidents, averaging more than one and a half per day, targeting such vulnerable populations is shocking and raises serious questions about the nature of these attacks. The report paints a grim picture, highlighting the potential for indiscriminate targeting and unacceptable levels of civilian casualties.
The scale of the tragedy becomes even more stark when considering the victims: women and children, many of whom were reportedly pregnant women or orphans.… Continue reading
A U.N. report details over 12,340 civilian deaths and more than 27,836 injuries in Ukraine from February 2022 to November 2024, with a significant increase in casualties caused by aerial bombs and long-range weapons in 2024. This surge, particularly notable in October and November, resulted from intensified Russian attacks on densely populated areas. The report highlights a threefold increase in civilian deaths from aerial bombs compared to 2023, and Russia’s use of long-range weapons, such as the Oreshnik missile, has raised serious concerns within the U.N. These escalating attacks are viewed as a deliberate tactic to intimidate Ukraine and deter Western support.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood