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Tracing Norway’s diplomatic journey from Trygve Lie’s pivotal role as the first United Nations secretary-general to its instrumental part in the Oslo Accords, a landmark agreement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Norway has long been a beacon of international peace and neutrality.Its commitment to these principles faces new tests with the current war on Gaza, raising questions about its arms export policies and the indirect implications for regions in turmoil.Amid these complexities, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide talks to Al Jazeera.

Amidst challenges like poverty, protests and the impact of climate change, Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes focuses on transforming the city.In his third term, he’s developing Rio as a smart city, blending technology with environmental sustainability and social integration.In response to climate change, Paes aims for as many as 40 percent "green" jobs by 2030.Reflecting on Rio’s experience in hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, his advice is to avoid simultaneous events.Find out more as the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, talks to Al Jazeera.

Amidst challenges like poverty, protests and the impact of climate change, Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes focuses on transforming the city.In his third term, he’s developing Rio as a smart city, blending technology with environmental sustainability and social integration.In response to climate change, Paes aims for as many as 40 percent "green" jobs by 2030.Reflecting on Rio’s experience in hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, his advice is to avoid simultaneous events.Find out more as the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, talks to Al Jazeera.

In a world where literature often mirrors the pulsating heart of society, Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song stands out as a beacon of emotional and narrative depth.This masterpiece delves into the complexities of human experience, weaving a story that resonates deeply with the themes of tyranny and resilience.Set against a backdrop that parallels global conflicts, Lynch portrays the struggles of a mother in a totalitarian regime, drawing parallels with real-world events.We dissect how his novel is a poignant exploration of human spirit under oppression as Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch talks to Al Jazeera.

Once a 15th-century maritime power, Portugal sparked the Age of Discovery and established a global empire.But, as the winds of change swept around the world in the 19th century, Portugal entered an era marked by decolonisation and a shift towards democratic principles in international relations.How does this history shape Portuguese diplomacy amid contemporary global conflicts like those in Gaza and Ukraine?Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho discusses Portugal's strategies and reflects on its transformative journey as he talks to Al Jazeera.

Following the Cold War’s ideological rift, East-West rivalry persists, fuelled by advances in AI, cybersecurity, telecommunications and biotechnology.Emerging from conflict, Serbia, once a war-torn nation, has left its pariah status behind.Two decades after reintegration into the international community, it focuses on science and technology to bridge global divides.Jelena Begovic, Serbia’s minister of science, technological development and innovation, talks to Al Jazeera about the nation’s advancements and its future aspirations.Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribeFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglishFind us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeeraCheck our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile@AljazeeraEnglish#Aljazeeraenglish#News

Social media influencers Nicole Jenes and Rathbone discuss the role of social media in shaping public opinion during the Gaza war. They explore using comedy and satire to shed light on the conflict, emphasize double standards and hypocrisy, discuss the power of TikTok as a political messaging tool, and highlight the importance of empathy and speaking out.

The United Nations, a longtime advocate for human rights through treaties and laws, faces stark realities.Despite its efforts, rights violations persist, especially in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, where life, safety and basic needs are severely compromised.Meanwhile, emerging technologies and the climate crisis further challenge these rights.Addressing these critical issues, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, talks to Al Jazeera.Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribeFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglishFind us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeeraCheck our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile@AljazeeraEnglish#Aljazeeraenglish#News

Nine weeks into Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, the United Nations faces increasing challenges in delivering aid to the besieged and bombarded enclave.Israel’s offensive has displaced 85 percent of the population. About 1.3 million people are crammed into UN facilities there, exceeding their capacity four times over. These facilities have also been frequent targets of Israeli attacks.Additionally, the killings of humanitarian aid workers in air strikes further complicate the crisis.This situation raises concerns about the UN’s ability to operate in Gaza effectively.Martin Griffiths, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, provides insights on these issues as he talks to Al Jazeera.Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribeFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglishFind us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeeraCheck our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile@AljazeeraEnglish#Aljazeeraenglish#News

For 74 years, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, has provided healthcare, education and social services to many.Yet, the war on Gaza has severely affected UNRWA as Israeli air strikes have hit its facilities and killed at least 130 of its humanitarian workers.UNRWA’s work was recognised at the Doha Forum 2023, where we caught up with its commissioner general.Philippe Lazzarini talks to Al Jazeera.