U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during the opening of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, 23 February 2026. (Keystone/Valentin Flauraud)

🇺🇳Human rights under attack, says UN secretary general in Geneva. António Guterres warned the Human Rights Council of an erosion of the rule of law, in what may be his last address in person to the Geneva-based body as he prepares to step down as UN chief at the end of the year.

🕊️Next round of Ukraine peace talks could be this week, Kyiv says. Kyrylo Budanov, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, told reporters another round of negotiations could take place this week, after last week's efforts in Geneva failed to produce a breakthrough. The venue hasn't been confirmed, though sources point to Geneva. A significant swap of prisoners of war is under negotiation, according to Budanov.

💸Global Fund fundraising shortfall hits country allocations. The organisation aimed at fighting Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV is making its lowest allocation since 2020 for the next two years, putting countries already struggling from aid cuts in a difficult position.

🇻🇪Venezuelan foreign minister demands 'immediate release' of Maduro. Addressing the Human Rights Council as it began its winter session on Monday, Yvan Gil Pinto called on the US to free the Venezuelan president and his wife, snatched from Caracas on 3 January 2026.

🛠️Ukraine reconstruction estimate jumps 12 per cent to $588 billion, World Bank says. The cost of rebuilding the war-torn country spiked significantly due to the damage to energy infrastructure caused by Russian attacks in the last year. The assessment comes just as the war enters its fifth year.

🥤Japan to hold international conference on plastic pollution in Tokyo in March. The unofficial meeting will gather some 15 countries and regions, including the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union, as they seek to break a stalemate in negotiations caused by deep divisions between those who want an ambitious, legally binding agreement and those who prefer voluntary measures to curb plastic pollution.