Economic sanctions as a modern tool: Cruel to the most vulnerable?
A new study finds economic sanctions in target countries contribute to increases in mortality, poverty, and inequality, and to declines in per-capita income and human rights.
Ronald Powers
Veteran journalist, storyteller, photographer, with 40+ years at AP as a reporter, national editor and Washington bureau supervisor.
Washington
El Niño could push temperatures even higher: climate agencies
The onset of a possible El Niño climate event later this year combined with rising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could push global temperatures to a new warming record.
Red Cross finds around half of all armed groups are state-supported
New ICRC guidelines are meant to protect innocent civilians and detainees against violence by non-state armed groups.
Pushed to the brink: War, disaster, lost rights challenge kids worldwide
From the killing fields of Ukraine to the earthquakes of Turkey and Syria, children struggle in an often indifferent world.
Researchers find 1.77B children worldwide lack basic safety net
The number of children without basic social protections is increasing worldwide, UNICEF and ILO say in a new study.
Lost childhoods: Ukraine's most innocent victims in Putin's war
The global demands for peace grow as humanitarian aid workers emphasize the war's devastating effect on children.
United Nations seeks additional US$5.6 billion in aid for Ukraine
As Putin's war in Ukraine nears the one-year mark with no end in sight, the U.N. again calls on the international community to step up with billions more in aid for civilians and refugees.
Pollution, climate change feed drug-resistant 'superbugs'
Fed by pollution and climate change, strains of bacteria immune to all known antibiotics may become a major cause of death by mid-century, says the U.N. environment agency.
Watchdog finds scant progress in fight against corruption
As the world becomes a less peaceful place, a new report finds a clear connection between more violence and corruption.
World's aging dams lose storage capacity at alarming rate
Trapped sediment robs dams of storage capacity. Storage loss by 2050 will equal the combined yearly water use of Canada, China, France, India and Indonesia, says a U.N. University report.
Chinese health officials pressed for COVID-19 spike data
WHO is seeking more information from Beijing about the COVID-19 surge in China while many nations impose travel restrictions. The E.U. is offering China free vaccinations.
U.N. summit clinches 196-nation deal to halt biodiversity loss
Negotiators reached the 30% by 2030 or "30 by 30" deal – which would improve on the 17% of land and 10% of water now protected – just as the almost two-week United Nations Biodiversity Conference, or COP15, was due to end.
IEA: Global coal use to peak before solar, wind overtake it
Driven by rising energy costs and supply uncertainties caused by the war in Ukraine, governments and businesses increasingly look to solar and wind as reliable energy sources. They will overtake coal, but not for a few more years.
Biodiversity summit poses call to act, decade of protections on line
UNEP's chief describes the summit as an opportunity to 'secure our life-support system, to make peace with nature.'
UN seeks record $51.5 billion in aid to extend ‘lifeline’ worldwide
While many developing nations suffered droughts and floods, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted food supply lines.
Venezuelan deal sets stage for US$3B in frozen assets to go to aid fund
The agreement restarts negotiations and clears the way for Chevron to resume pumping Venezuelan oil.