Most nations failed to meet WHO fine particle pollution standards
Ambient fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 is considered the world’s leading environmental health risk factor.
Australia
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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.
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.
Hotter than ever, world holds U.N. climate talks under cloud of doubt
'Minutes to midnight': World hits 1.4° of warming as Dubai summit opens with new report disputing a leader's credibility.
'World Court' gains new judges and Russia loses seat with U.N. election
The election adds only the sixth female judge and denies Russia a seat for the first time in the court's 77-year history.
Nations seeking to expand fossil fuel production despite climate pledges
Government plans would blow past limits needed to limit warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Switzerland, Sweden and U.S. top WIPO's global innovation rankings
The world's five biggest science and technology clusters are now in East Asia; Japan's is the largest and China has the most.
U.N. expert points to systematic Russian torture of Ukrainians
At the end of a weeklong visit, the U.N. investigator's findings of an orchestrated state policy contradict Moscow’s denials.
Global climate litigation to force action more than doubles in 5 years
As climate litigation increases, the body of legal precedent grows, forming an increasingly well-defined field of law.
U.N. stalemate over autonomous weapons enters second decade
Delegates in Geneva mustered a non-binding report that essentially prolongs a decade-old geopolitical impasse.
Study says bottled water industry undercuts safe drinking water for all
The bottled water industry is expected to grow to $500 billion a year in sales but isn't aligned with the U.N.'s Global Goals.
Male-only parliaments are no longer as gender parity slowly advances
Six nations have gender parity or a women's majority: Rwanda, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, New Zealand and U.A.E.
WHO presses Chinese health officials for data on COVID-19 spike
The U.N. health agency sought information from Beijing about the COVID-19 surge as nations impose travel restrictions.
Global vows to millions of migrants and refugees still largely unfulfilled
Most of the world's 8 billion inhabitants prefer to stay within their nation of birth, but almost 1-in-20 have left that behind.
Health officials warn of COVID-flu collision as temps drop in North
Concerns are rising about the risk of a "twindemic" of COVID-19 and influenza as their seasons collide this winter.
Researchers seek greater Indigenous peoples' voice in climate policy
Indigenous communities have long coped with climate uncertainties. Researchers suggest tapping that knowledge.