New U.S. "Space Force" may test space law
America's "Space Force," the military's first new branch in more than 70 years, could breach space law and prompt a U.S. withdrawal from yet another treaty.
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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World Bank warns of $55 trillion debt
Developing nations ran up $55 trillion of debt in 2018 as part of an eight-year debt surge that is the largest in a half-century, the World Bank said.
Trade association seeks $5 billion fund to cut shipping emissions
London-based ICS proposed creating an organization to run a $5 billion fund for eliminating carbon from global shipping.
Poor nations focus of global refugee forum
Six countries and the U.N. opened the first Global Refugee Forum to help poor nations overwhelmed by taking in people fleeing for safety across borders.
Marathon U.N. climate summit falls short
The U.N. climate summit ended in Madrid without resolving how to put a price on carbon and only partial agreement on more ambition in cutting pollutants.
UNAIDS dismisses #MeToo whistleblower
A whistleblower whose sexual assault probe upended UNAIDS was fired over misconduct claims in what she believes is "a blatant act of retaliation."
Alpinism added to UNESCO heritage list
Alpinism, named for the range where it took root, won UNESCO recognition as a celebrated pursuit with an "intangible" cultural heritage worthy of protecting.
Europe unveils climate-neutral Green Deal
The E.U. plans to create "the first climate-neutral continent by 2050," a three-decade blueprint to sustainably overhaul Europe's trade, industry and politics.
Nobel laureate denies Rohingya genocide
Once an icon of democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi went to the International Court of Justice to deny Myanmar's military committed genocide against Rohingyas.
U.S. forces WTO appeals court shutdown
The global commerce system suffered a serious blow when WTO's appellate body was brought to a halt by U.S. opposition to refilling judges on its bench.
WADA hands Russia 4-year sporting ban
The World Anti-Doping Agency's executive committee banned Russia from competing at international sports events for the next four years.
UNDP warns inequality drags on progress
Inequalities in education, health and living standards caused a 20% loss in global progress towards aspects of needed "human development" last year.
Iran pressured to stick with nuclear deal
Britain, France and Germany demanded that Iran remain in the fraying 2015 nuclear deal, but did not press to reactivate U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Group of nations seek more scrutiny of the U.N.'s peacekeeping abuses
Six nations pushed for more accountability in U.N. peacekeeping at a meeting on progress towards ending mismanagement, sexual abuse and other violence.
Gavi approves new Ebola vaccine stockpile
A public–private global health partnership said it will invest US$178 million to establish an emergency stockpile of 500,000 Ebola vaccine doses worldwide.
Russia offers renewal of New START treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to immediately renew the New START nuclear weapons treaty between his country and the U.S. It expires in 2021.