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Every day, we send countless emails, participate in video calls, use search engines and streaming services, and conduct online banking – and we take all of this for granted.

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February 2, 2026 International law

Five years after the military seized power in Myanmar, sexual violence continues to be widely used as a tool of war and repression "to punish and intimidate the population," said Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

According to her, since February 2021, the scale of rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence has increased sharply amid ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and a humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that approximately 11.6 million people, including six million women and girls, are in need of protection.

Systematic nature of violations

There are "horrific" reports of systematic sexual violence by the Myanmar military and affiliated forces "against women, girls, men, boys, and members of the LGBTQI community, regardless of ethnicity or religion" during raids in villages, at checkpoints, in detention centers, and online. Similar crimes are also reportedly committed by some opposition armed groups.

Serious risks remain for women and girls in Rakhine Statefrom among the Rohingya people, the statement said.

In July 2025, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar reported that evidence gathering was ongoing. crimes related to armed conflict, including rape with various objects and gang rapes against civilians of different ages and genders.

"The scale and brutality of sexual violence in Myanmar is shocking," Patten said, calling on the country's commander-in-chief and representatives of all parties to the conflict to immediately stop such crimes and hold those responsible accountable. The Special Representative recalled that since 2017, the Myanmar armed forces have been included in the annex to the Secretary-General's annual report on conflict-related sexual violence as a party credibly suspected of committing rape and other forms of sexual violence.

Entrenched impunity

Patten added that entrenched impunity in Myanmar emboldens perpetrators and deprives victims of the opportunity to seek justice. The Special Representative emphasized the need for accountability for crimes committed by all armed forces, including since the military coup.

Proceedings in the International Court of Justice Gambia v. MyanmarThe report, concerning Myanmar's failure to comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention against the Rohingya people, serves as a reminder that grave violations, including sexual violence, remain a focus of the international community. "I call on states to support efforts to bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice in independent and impartial courts and recommend that the Security Council refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court," Patten said.

Consequences of violence

Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Myanmar face severe and long-lasting consequences, as well as significant barriers to accessing care. They are subject to repression and stigma, and due to a lack of funding, they often don't receive the services they need.

Displaced persons from Myanmar in Asia also face difficulties accessing assistance due to their legal status and fear of arrest and deportation. The Special Representative noted the exceptional dedication and resilience of Myanmar women, members of the LGBTQI community, and local organizations, who, despite enormous challenges, continue to provide support to victims.

“I call on the international community to keep Myanmar a priority and mobilize all possible political, diplomatic, technical and financial support to ensure that survivors of sexual violence and affected communities have access to the medical, psychosocial, economic, educational and social assistance they need to rebuild their lives,” Patten said.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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February 2, 2026 Peace and security

A drone strike in the town of Ternivka, Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, killed and wounded mine workers returning home after their shift. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) reported this. Mission staff visited the scene and interviewed eyewitnesses.

According to local authorities, 12 civilians were killed and 16 others were injured in the attack.

Coal mine workers were traveling on a bus on their regular route from the mine in the Pavlograd district through Ternovka—approximately 65 kilometers from the front line—when Russian drones struck the bus. The explosions shattered the windows and shrapnel struck the bus, killing and injuring the passengers. People in other nearby vehicles and those who rushed to help the victims of the initial blast were also reportedly injured.

"Miners, like all civilians, must be able to go to work and return home without fear," said HRMMU Director Daniel Bell. "This incident demonstrates the danger civilians face when fighting affects everyday life—far beyond the active combat zone."

At the site of the attack, UN personnel recorded two craters—one in front of and one behind the destroyed bus—as well as visible debris from the drones used in the strikes. One witness reported seeing a drone and then hearing a series of explosions.

The injured miner told UN human rights activists that after the first explosion, he climbed out of the bus through the window, hearing the screams of those remaining inside, and then a second explosion occurred a few minutes later.

"This is all wrong," he told representatives of the HRMMU. "We're ordinary miners. People were simply returning home to their families."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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February 1, 2026 Peace and security

The volume of global trade, which the UN describes as "an engine of inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction," reached a record $33 trillion in 2024. At the heart of this extensive system are seaports and airports—key hubs through which the majority of global trade flows pass.

According to the World Economic Forum, over 90 percent of global trade is carried in containers, with more than 860 million units shipped annually. Air cargo, which accounts for approximately 35 percent of global trade by value, is also growing rapidly: in 2024, its volume increased by more than 10 percent compared to the previous year.

However, cross-border trade, so vital to global economic stability, remains vulnerable to organized crime and terrorist groups that use international routes to smuggle weapons, drugs, people and other illicit goods.

This article explains why effective border controls are critical to the security and sustainability of the global economy, and how the UN helps countries protect trade and travel.

How criminal groups exploit borders

Border crossings often become entry points for illegal goods—from weapons and drugs to counterfeit medicines, cultural artifacts, and counterfeit goods. They can also be used by criminals themselves, including drug traffickers and terrorists.

Criminals conceal contraband in containers, luggage, and even on the bodies of carriers. Criminal networks bribe border officials, customs officials, and logistics companies to ensure illegal shipments pass undetected. More sophisticated criminals hack port systems or use counterfeit codes to reroute cargo to their desired destinations.

Why is this important?

Insufficient border management capabilities and weak cross-border cooperation create dangerous gaps in trade routes. Criminal networks quickly adapt, merge with other groups, and find new ways to move goods and people, threatening the security of states and consumers.

Effective border control protects public health by restricting the flow of illicit drugs and preventing the distribution of counterfeit medications. It also increases legal revenue for states by supporting legitimate trade and depriving criminal networks of financial resources.

A robust control system prevents chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists and blocks the smuggling of chemical precursors used to produce drugs and explosives. It also helps prevent the illegal trade in wildlife and the movement of hazardous waste, reducing pressure on ecosystems and risks to human health.

What does the UN do?

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), together with the World Customs Organization and Interpol, helps countries strengthen control over air, sea, and land borders. As part of this work, 192 national cargo and passenger control units have been established in 89 countries.

These units conduct risk assessments, identify and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo, and mail. They ensure coordination between countries of origin, transit, and destination, and collaborate with the private sector to disrupt illicit cross-border flows and criminal networks.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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January 30, 2026 Peace and security

Military tensions between government forces and opposition groups in South Sudan are "rapidly escalating." Speaking at a press briefing at UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Acting Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Anita Kiki Gbeho, saidJonglei State has become a "hotbed of tension", where civilians find themselves caught in the crossfire.

More than 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes this month as a result of the conflict, according to the UN representative, who also serves as the Resident Coordinator in the country.

She also warned of the spread of cholera. This month alone, over 500 cases have been registered across the country. Meanwhile, treatment centers are overcrowded and lacking medications and other essential supplies.

Difficulties in delivering aid

Although humanitarian operations continue, access is hampered by road and river restrictions, hindering aid delivery and medical evacuations.

The world's youngest state gained independence in 2011, but soon descended into civil war. Clashes erupted between forces loyal to the national army led by President Salva Kiir and supporters of the main opposition leader, Riek Machar, who is currently on trial on serious charges, including murder, which he denies.

After the opposition achieved some gains, government forces launched an offensive in three counties in Jonglei State this week. All civilians and humanitarian workers were urged to evacuate.

Humanitarian facilities were looted

According to Gbeho, "humanitarian facilities are being looted and destroyed (including at least seven in Jonglei), and humanitarian workers are being intimidated." UN peacekeepers are also facing similar difficulties.

The disruption of aid deliveries and peacebuilding efforts is affecting civilians. UNMISS warns that "all the conditions for a humanitarian catastrophe are present."

Speaking via video link from South Sudan, Gbeho stressed that despite the release of $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, "more assistance is needed."

Restore peace

Despite the acute shortage of resources, the priority remains "ending the fighting, protecting civilians and preserving the peace process," as well as working with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to "restore commitment to the 2018 peace agreement."

Recalling about in the words of the UN Secretary-GeneralGbeho emphasized that "the solution to the current crisis must be political, not military." She called on South Sudan's leaders to take "urgent action to end the fighting, reduce tensions through inclusive dialogue, and return to consensus-based decision-making."

The Defining Moment

In conclusion, Gbeho emphasized that only the South Sudanese themselves can change the situation for the better.

She called the current stage "a defining moment—a critical crossroads for South Sudan." According to the head of the UN mission, decisions made now could lead the country either to peace or to further escalation of the conflict.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.