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Negotiators meet in fourth round over global rules in plastics treaty
The chair of the talks called for optimism despite divisions among plastic-producing nations and those urging restraints.
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Diplomats examine AI risks to peace and potential for global oversight
The U.K.'s push at the U.N. Security Council could serve as a starting point for a multilateral approach toward addressing the serious security risks posed by artificial intelligence.
For world's poorest nations, economic outlook is bleak
As interest rates soar and the economy slows, the World Bank sees an 'enduring setback' for developing economies due to high interest rates, war in Europe and the pandemic.
U.N. stalemate over autonomous weapons enters second decade
Delegates in Geneva were able to muster a non-binding report that essentially prolongs a decade-old geopolitical impasse.
DIANA makes low-key entrance as NATO’s DARPA-style innovation hub
The new technology accelerator, known by an acronym that shares its name with a storied goddess, quietly began taking shape a year before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Climate-impacted global bleaching of corals threatens marine fisheries
Climate scientists have warned for decades about bleaching of coral reefs, which are nurseries for commercial fisheries.
U.N. climate chief says next 2 years will be 'essential' to saving the planet
This year and next mark the countdown to a 2025 deadline for governments to strengthen their carbon-cutting plans.
Trillions needed for anti-poverty goals to deal with climate, debt, war
A new U.N. report shows how prioritizing debt over services like health care and education plagues the developing world.
Difficult pandemic treaty talks to be extended with extra spring session
Negotiators and officials aim to wrap up so that May's 77th World Health Assembly can consider a proposed text.
Disease, hunger, violence threaten millions of refugees in Africa
WHO warns disease and hunger are at alarming levels in the Congo, where almost 10 million people are on the move.
Uneven post-pandemic recovery widens gap between rich and poor
Europe dominates the top rankings as development in half of the world’s poorest nations falls below pre-pandemic levels.
Hunger and starvation menace as warring generals tear apart Sudan
The U.N. Security Council demanded an immediate end to fighting in Sudan during Ramadan, which begins Sunday.
Environmental aid and recovery in conflicts a highlight of U.N. summit
Armed conflicts and planetary crises were top concerns of the U.N. Environment Assembly, which adopted 15 resolutions.
Negotiators meet in fourth round over global rules in plastics treaty
The chair of the talks called for optimism despite divisions among plastic-producing nations and those urging restraints.
Haiti on brink of collapse, famine as the rule of criminal gangs spreads
Escalating violence prompts U.N. condemnation as lawless gangs terrorize and displace thousands and impede aid.
Global climate change is pushing natural systems to the 'tipping point'
Warming threatens to upend ecosystems from Mongolia and the Amazon to crucial ocean currents in the North Atlantic.
Brazil vows to push for elusive U.N. reforms during its G-20 presidency
Non-veto wielding nations have tried for years to reform the U.N.'s post-World War II power structure with little success.
Russia forces disbandment of U.N. panel monitoring N. Korea sanctions
A Swiss-led U.N. Security Council committee will find it harder to deal with 'suspicions' of sanctions violations.
China's Belt and Road Initiative recast as 'open, green and clean'
The summit marking BRI's 10-year anniversary notably drew Russia's President Vladimir Putin as a guest of honor among leaders and officials from 130 nations.
IAEA to monitor Japan's release of water from Fukushima nuclear plant
The U.N. agency's report last month concluded that Japan's plans were consistent with international safety standards.
Extreme weather is 'new norm' as sea level rise threatens Pacific areas
WMO said the summer of extremes continues: July was the hottest month ever recorded and the high-impact weather continues through August.
European court links Swiss climate inaction to human rights violation
The France-based court was created to uphold the European Convention on Human Rights, which took effect in 1953.
NATO ally Poland urges Europe to come to grips with this 'pre-war era'
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warns 'literally any scenario is possible' in Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine.
With 2 new members, NATO trainings and Nordic area expand
Sweden does not share a border with Russia, but its coastlines stretch 3,218 kilometers to its east along the Baltic Sea.
New institute launches to ensure quantum computing benefits all
The Open Quantum Institute began a three-year pilot phase hosted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Report finds Israel did not provide evidence of UNRWA staff militancy
The group of organizations that reviewed the U.N. agency recommends several ways of strengthening its neutrality.
U.S. vetoes resolution seeking full U.N. membership for Palestine
The humanitarian nightmare and attacks on civilians in Gaza dominated the U.N. Security Council's quarterly open debate.
Human Rights Council demands nations halt arms transfers to Israel
The U.N. body also demands Israel be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Some humanitarian work suspended in Gaza after deadly Israeli airstrike
At least 200 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza — more than 95% Palestinians – since the outbreak of war.
Accelerated melting in the world's cryosphere alarms climate scientists
New measurements show a dramatic decline in the health of glaciers and sea ice, perpetuating the cycle of warming.
China and Russia keep commission blocked from Antarctica safeguards
Deadlock stymied a third East Antarctica protection plan. Only twice before has the panel created marine protected areas.
'Continuous advance' of climate crisis pushes 1.15° C. warming
Droughts, floods and heatwaves drove food insecurity and mass migration as communities on every continent were hit by massive costs, the World Meteorological Organization said.
Nearly even odds of 1.5 degrees by 2026
Within the next five years the world has an almost 50-50 chance of temporarily surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold, WMO reported.
Editors' Picks
Progress is 'slow and mixed' for women joining national parliaments
IPU's chief Martin Chungong says its statistics show that 'women bear the brunt of the hate in the political space.'
Environmental aid and recovery in conflicts a highlight of U.N. summit
Armed conflicts and planetary crises were top concerns of the U.N. Environment Assembly, which adopted 15 resolutions.
European court links Swiss climate inaction to human rights violation
The France-based court was created to uphold the European Convention on Human Rights, which took effect in 1953.