Study finds 37% rise in illegal profits from forced labor over past decade
By far the largest share of the US$236 billion a year in illegal profits comes from forced commercial sexual exploitation.
John Heilprin
Award-winning U.N.-accredited journalist, with 30+ years on four continents, almost half of it for AP in Washington, New York and Geneva.
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Geneva
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
WFP food aid pauses as U.S. blocks another U.N. resolution on Gaza
Aid workers witnessed 'unprecedented levels of desperation,' confirming Gaza’s 'precipitous slide into hunger and disease.'
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.
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.
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.
'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'.