The international community's failure to prevent conflicts and promote security is its greatest failing to date, writes United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. To achieve its full potential, the UN must strengthen institutions and help build more resilient societies to prevent countries from destabilizing and resorting to violent conflicts, he writes.

The United Nations is creating a task force to reduce incidents of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers. The task force must come up with a strategy for measurable improvement and its mission will be discussed in an upcoming Report of the Secretary-General on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation.

A study suggests that iron deficiency may provide children with natural protection against malaria. "Iron supplementation completely reversed the observed protection and hence should be accompanied by malaria prophylaxis," the study notes.

Women's rights groups in India are planning nationwide protest events after several politicians' dismissal of mass assaults on women in Bangalore on New Year's Eve. The protests will coincide with a women's march set for Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C.

Heavy flooding in southern Thailand has killed 21 people and shut down infrastructure, affecting almost 1 million people. Military forces have been deployed to evacuate flood victims, construct temporary shelters and provide relief aid.

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders are meeting today at the United Nations to discuss reunifying the divided island after 40 years. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to attend the conference and has called the meeting a historic opportunity for progress toward peace.

UN official condemns killing of Israeli soldiers in truck attack

"Cutting UN Funding is Like Punishing Madison Square Garden When the Knicks Lose"

@UNFoundation: 10-year-old girls are the #GlobalGoals generation. Learn how all can benefit from their gain: http://ow.ly/Pk7P307Lb09