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'Now is the time of monsters': How religious leaders are failing their moral duty
From rabbis sanctioning a holy war to a Pope who won't name the aggressor, the world's great religions are facing a crisis of conscience over Gaza. Is their silence and complicity creating a Judaism without a soul and a Christianity without a heart?
The day the UN walked out of New York: How the UN lost its will to defy the US
In 1988, the UN forced Washington to its knees by moving to Geneva so Yasser Arafat could speak. Today, as the US blocks Palestinian leaders and arms Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the Assembly stays silent. Has the UN lost its courage?
'Faith, land and gold': The making of American culture
The relentless drive for faith, land and gold propelled a diverse people across a continent, creating an American culture from the collision of European traditions, African resilience and the raw wilderness itself.
Caravaggio’s two Matthews: Realism rejected, revelation remade
Between 1600 and 1601, Caravaggio recast the scene: out went the coarse, patron-spurned Matthew and dominating angel; in came classical dress, a lighter touch and a writer in charge.
The hidden war on honeybees: Murder hornets, parasitic wasps and the fight for survival
From hornets that can wipe out entire hives in under two hours to wasps that hollow bees from within, invasive predators are undermining apiculture worldwide.
Open letter to the UN: Protect press freedom and defend human rights
The deliberate persecution of journalists is spreading unchecked across the world. Without urgent and enforceable action, the UN risks abandoning its founding values of dignity, justice and truth.
The prophets of annihilation’: Inside the movement that sees genocide as god's will
For millions of Christian Zionists, the annihilation of Palestinians is not a crime to be condemned, but a sacred prophecy to be fulfilled. This is the story of the theological engine driving the war on Gaza.
89 seconds to midnight: The cost of lost empathy
Our greatest threat lies not only in nuclear arms or climate collapse but in the death of empathy itself. Unless we confront the four horsemen of exploitation, greed, colonialism and nationalism, nature will deliver the reckoning we refuse to face.
UN in Focus
The day the UN walked out of New York: How the UN lost its will to defy the US
In 1988, the UN forced Washington to its knees by moving to Geneva so Yasser Arafat could speak. Today, as the US blocks Palestinian leaders and arms Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the Assembly stays silent. Has the UN lost its courage?
When Kakistocracy Sanctions Humanity
US sanctions UN investigator Francesca Albanese for speaking out on Gaza, punishing her for naming those profiting from violence while the world watches in quiet complicity.
Another US veto condemns Gaza to further genocide
As Trump and Netanyahu cosy up in Washington again with fresh talks on Gaza, one thing is certain: there is no Israeli atrocity, however diabolical, that the US will not back. Here I pick at Dorothy Shea’s narrative after yet another US veto blocking moves to put an end to the genocide.
Revitalising Global Engagement: The Case for a United Nations Peace Corps
A UN Peace Corps can transform global indifference into active engagement, leveraging the American Peace Corps model to foster international cooperation and make a tangible impact in the global South.
'No place for the politicisation of aid': Why the West's UNRWA fund cuts are nakedly political
While accountability for wrongdoing of UNRWA is necessary, collective punishment that exacerbates the suffering of the vulnerable is neither just nor effective.
Frail and Ambiguous Words: How Diplomacy Hinders Peace in Gaza
In the UN's high-stakes negotiations, a pivotal linguistic duel over 'cessation' versus 'suspension' casts Gaza's fate into uncertainty.
Redefining Peacekeeping: The Case for a United Nations Corps of Peacekeeping Engineers
A proposed UN Corps of Peacekeeping Engineers could shift the focus from mere conflict containment to active infrastructural revival in war-torn states.
A Council in Deadlock: The UN's Faltering Quest for Peace in Gaza
UN peace efforts in Gaza are criticised as Security Council vetoes block cease-fire moves and expose the General Assembly's limited power.
Culture
'Faith, land and gold': The making of American culture
The relentless drive for faith, land and gold propelled a diverse people across a continent, creating an American culture from the collision of European traditions, African resilience and the raw wilderness itself.
Caravaggio’s two Matthews: Realism rejected, revelation remade
Between 1600 and 1601, Caravaggio recast the scene: out went the coarse, patron-spurned Matthew and dominating angel; in came classical dress, a lighter touch and a writer in charge.
More than Just a Gay Icon: Edmund White (1940-2025)
June began with the death of two literary giants: Edmund White (died June 3, 2025 at 85) and Frederick Forsyth (died June 9,2025 at 86). Our literary editor, Alex Liberto, had met and corresponded with the former and has written this touching tribute.
How Michelangelo’s "Fruit Basket" captures the fleeting essence of life
In Caravaggio's 'Fruit Basket', a mere wicker basket and its contents emerge as a profound meditation on life, light and the passage of time, showcasing the artist's early genius.
How Caravaggio's 'The Burial of Saint Lucy' Transforms the Divine into the Earthly
Caravaggio's portrayal, St. Lucy forsakes heavenly glory for a gritty burial scene, which reflects the artist's personal struggles and innovative use of light.
'Transcending Strokes': Caravaggio's Unmistakable Emotion in "Judith and Holofernes"
Unveiling the emotional tension in Caravaggio's 'Judith and Holofernes,' a dramatic narrative of good versus evil comes to light through distinctive stylistic elements.
English Poetry After WWII: The Rise and Evolution of Post-War Literature in The UK
In a world recovering from the devastation of war, how did English literature find its footing? Here are the most pivotal figures and movements that reshaped the post-war literary landscape.
Caravaggio's Crucifixion of St. Peter: The Unseen Heroism
Caravaggio's 1601 Crucifixion of St. Peter showcases mastery of light, human detail and transformative narrative in this iconic Baroque masterpiece.
Gallery
Contemporary Pottery From the Heart of Esfahan, Iran - In Pictures
Step into a world where tradition meets innovation in the works of Samira Ghafori and Anahita Ahmadi
The Fight to Eliminate Jiggers Disease - In Pictures
Joe Wain’s collection of photos portray the devastating effects of Jiggers Disease in Kenya.
Finland’s troubled history with Russia — A Story in Photos
Finland is a young country, but one with a heartbreaking history. In this photo timeline, which consists of 11 events showcasing 80 photos, we’ll guide you through the country’s tragic history with Russia.
Where water is a gift: The outskirts of Nairobi in pictures
A female tailor living in her one-roomed house made with corrugated metal sheets. © Anahita Ahmadi Two girls from the Masai tribe.
Portraits from Tanzania - In Pictures
Anahita Ahmadi's gallery consisting of portrait of Maasai people in Kenya.
The world stands up to Putin’s bloodthirsty antics — in pictures
Take a trip around the world with these photos of protestors standing up to Putin’s bloodthirsty antics.
The painful history of Ukraine — A photo timeline
A photo timeline of over 35 images explores 12 painful events from Ukraine's tragic history, suggesting the country's past is key to understanding its present fate.
Exploring the microscopic world: 10 stunning photos
In this gallery we will introduce you to 10 extraordinary microscopic photos. See if you can guess the object in question before reading the description on the side. Do also let us know if you have any suggestions about other items that look amazing under the microscope.
Human Rights
'Now is the time of monsters': How religious leaders are failing their moral duty
From rabbis sanctioning a holy war to a Pope who won't name the aggressor, the world's great religions are facing a crisis of conscience over Gaza. Is their silence and complicity creating a Judaism without a soul and a Christianity without a heart?
The day the UN walked out of New York: How the UN lost its will to defy the US
In 1988, the UN forced Washington to its knees by moving to Geneva so Yasser Arafat could speak. Today, as the US blocks Palestinian leaders and arms Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the Assembly stays silent. Has the UN lost its courage?
Open letter to the UN: Protect press freedom and defend human rights
The deliberate persecution of journalists is spreading unchecked across the world. Without urgent and enforceable action, the UN risks abandoning its founding values of dignity, justice and truth.
The Zionist experiment has failed: it must be abolished
Far from an aberration, Israel’s genocide is the fulfilment of its design. The era of two-state fantasies is over. Only a single, secular republic offers justice.
Nicaragua’s War on the Press: New Report Highlights Escalating Repression
UN-aligned recently partnered with FLED Nicaragua to translate their annual report from Spanish into English, highlighting the grave state of press freedom in the country. The assassination of retired Nicaraguan army officer and outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega, Roberto Samcam, on June 19 while in exile in Costa Rica, underscores the urgency of the crisis and the critical need to raise international awareness.
‘Held Hostage No More’: Harris, Democrats and the Price of Betrayal
Harris’s defeat is no tragedy; it’s a sliver of justice, a rare rebuke from voters who refuse to reward American indifference to suffering abroad.
‘Reaping what you sow’: Why Trump’s assassination attempt is unworthy to steal headlines
The shooting in Pennsylvania is the fruit of the toxic tree Trump, and consecutive US administrations, have cultivated. It's time our headlines focus on what actually matters.
‘If it ain’t broke... break it’: How the US betrayed free speech and the First Amendment
From hounding WikiLeaks' Assange to stifling peaceful students protesting genocide, America has abandoned its democratic values along with all notions of decency.
Interview
Sculpting Change: Two Women Reshaping Iran's Pottery Scene
Emerging from the vibrant tapestry of Iranian culture, Samira Ghafori and Anahita Ahmadi shape clay into powerful narratives of resilience and personal evolution.
Redefining Forest Boundaries: Sunil Pariyar on the Dalit Struggle and DANAR's Impact in Nepal
Sunil Kumar Pariyar talks about DANAR and the struggles and triumphs of the Dalit community as they strive to reclaim their rightful place in Nepal’s natural resource management.
The Journey of Immigrants in America: Experiences from Within
Personal interviews with Kevin, an immigrant from Rwanda, and a former employee of the International Rescue Committee, uncover the complex realities of immigration in America
How CalAnimals is making a difference for animals in California
Like many people who love their companion animals, it may be surprising how so many animals wind up in shelters unclaimed, says Jill Tucker, CEO of California Animal Welfare Association Tucker, who originally started her career in software, shifted into the animal sector in 2003, where she moved from California to Vermont to run an animal humane society organisation. From starting as a foster parent to making her way as the president of that same organisation, Tucker found herself as a leader in protecting animals.
Mridul Wadhwa on Conversion Therapy and Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
Mridul Wadhwa, CEO of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, spoke with UN-aligned about her journey into the gender-based violence sector and ways to tackle conversion practices and promote LGBTQ+ rights worldwide.
"All of the anger poured out of me like a volcano and I saw red"
Noor is sharing her experience as an immigrant child who came to England in the 70s from Morocco. At the time, Noor was still grappling with the English language and finding her place in High School. This is the third and final part of Noor's story.
“No, I wasn’t somebody just to be picked on”
This is the second part of Noor’s story. Noor is sharing her experience as an immigrant child who came to England in the 70s from Morocco. At the time, Noor was still grappling with the English language and finding her place in High School.
“I couldn't understand a word of it, but I loved choir singing”
Noor shares her experience as an immigrant child who came to England in the 70s from Morocco. At the time, she didn’t speak a word of English and was thrust into the British Primary School education system.
Comments
"I entrust you with Palestine": A murdered Gaza journalist pleads amid his people’s erasure
Julia Hartley-Brewer's racism is a common reality for brown man - I know, having experienced it firsthand
The Selective Outrage of the Tories: HS2 and Beyond
The Great Pretender: Boris Johnson's Deceptive Finale to his Controversial Tenure
UN-aligned’s views on strikes in England: Laying the blame where it should be
There is citizen journalism and there is The Gordian Magazine
Don’t let technology become a bane for future generations
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in India are not Behind