The United Nations (UN) on Thursday paid tribute to 168 of its personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2024, including 126 who were killed in Gaza.
"We have suffered unspeakable and unprecedented losses in Gaza. This past year alone, 126 of our colleagues were killed in Gaza, including 125 women and men who worked for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). Some were killed with their families. I repeat my call for full accountability," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the annual memorial service held at the UN headquarters in New York.
Speaking to reporters earlier Thursday, Guterres noted that more than one in every 50 UNRWA staff members in Gaza had been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, marking the highest staff death toll in UN history.
"To the world I say, we will not grow numb into suffering. We will not accept the killing of UN personnel. We will not accept the killing of humanitarians, journalists, medical workers or civilians as the new normal anywhere and under any circumstances. There must be no room for impunity," said the UN chief.
Guterres reflected on the nature of their work, describing it as more than just a job, but a calling. He noted that all the fallen colleagues answered the call to serve humanity in their own quiet ways, demonstrating determination without seeking recognition.
He emphasized that they represented humanity in action and urged that, during a time when some may question international cooperation and multilateralism, it is important to remember the lives taken far too soon.
126 UN personnel killed in Gaza in 2024, Guterres calls for accountability
126 UN personnel killed in Gaza in 2024, Guterres calls for accountability
The number of temporary accommodation registrations of foreign nationals in Shanghai hit a record high of 7.139 million in 2025, up 49.6 percent from the previous year, the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau said at a press briefing on Thursday.
The figure, which had already doubled in 2024, points to a continued rise in the number of foreign nationals visiting and staying in the city, highlighting the metropolis's growing appeal to international visitors.
Shanghai also issued more than 200,000 visas and residence permits to foreigners for the second consecutive year in 2025.
Long-term permits, including residence permits, accounted for a share 10 percentage points higher than the previous year, reflecting growing demand for extended stays.
Officials said the increase mirrors Shanghai's expanding openness and improving services for foreign visitors and residents.
"In 2025, Shanghai processed 7.139 million temporary accommodation registrations for foreigners. Following a doubling from the year before last, the figure rose by another 49.6 percent year on year, marking a historical high in the number of foreign nationals coming to Shanghai," said Song Weiqi, deputy head of the administration corps.
Accommodation registrations are required for foreigners staying in China. In 2025, 94.7 percent of temporary accommodation registrations were handled directly by hotels, resulting in a convenient check-in process.
Among foreigners residing in Shanghai's residential communities, 84.8 percent opted for online self-reporting via a multilingual platform that offers efficient, flexible registration.
Meanwhile, to ease the surge in passport applications for foreign travel ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday in mid-February, the administration corps announced plans to extend service hours for residents.
Shanghai hits a record-high 7.14 million expat accommodation registrations in 2025
