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Pandemic treaty negotiators in final stretch ahead of May deadline
WHO's chief warned that 'a torrent of mis- and disinformation' affects pandemic treaty negotiations restarting this week.
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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.
Nations pushing for AI governance around issues of access and privacy
A top U.N. official cites strong concerns about mental privacy, which is 'a line that we should not cross at all' as AI develops.
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.'
'Extinction' of U.N. climate agency by 2050 to serve as measure of success
Simon Stiell, who heads U.N. climate efforts, envisions winding down his agency into merely a 'data repository'.
IMF sees path to 'soft landing' for the global economy in its latest outlook
IMF forecasts a strengthening global economy as inflation cools, but warns of the threat of wars and other disruptions.
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.
ECOWAS holds emergency session urging coup nations not to withdraw
The West African regional bloc confronted a political rift over the 'potential exits' of nations led by military juntas.
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.
Trump says he'd encourage Russia to attack 'delinquent' NATO members
The former U.S. president indicated that he would violate the North Atlantic Treaty if re-elected to the White House.
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.
Top U.N. panel hears evidence of North Korea human rights abuses
The U.S., Albania, Japan, and South Korea led a U.N. Security Council session that shone a spotlight on starvation and repression under Kim Jong Un's regime.
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.
Sweden’s NATO bid is assured with Hungary's vote, in a blow to Russia
The bid required approval by all NATO members, including Turkey and Hungary which each won concessions.
In Munich, leaders confront strains of wars in Europe and Middle East
The summit is focused on Europe's uncertain security, clouded by Russia's threat and America's political turmoil.
Partial funding by Western nations restored to UNRWA for aid in Gaza
Several top donors including Australia, Sweden, Canada, and the E.U. resumed funding contingent on agency reforms.
WTO biennial summit goes extra day but lacks any new major agreements
From fishing subsidies to agricultural reforms, the World Trade Organization failed to reach common ground.
Conditions continue to worsen in Gaza as officials warn of famine
Humanitarian groups demanded a probe into an 'apparent mass killing' at an aid drop where Israel blamed a stampede.
Most countries side against Israel during ICJ's six days of hearings
The International Court of Justice heard testimony on the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of Palestinian territories.
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
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.
It’s here: Global warming takes center stage in season of records
Don't say we weren't warned: Extreme weather events and new records are becoming the norm as our polluted Earth suffers warming oceans, raging fires and rising floods.
A year of firsts for Somalia's U.N.-backed all-women media team
Bilan is marking its first anniversary with a look back at what U.N. Development Program calls "a year of smashing taboos and shining a light on stories other media have long ignored."