Switzerland, Sweden and U.S. top WIPO's global innovation rankings
But the world's five biggest science and technology clusters are now in East Asia; Japan's is the largest and China has the most.
Australia
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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.
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.
More frequent wildfires globally seen as sign of climate 'tinderboxes'
A UN report finds wildfires are burning longer and hotter, and will likely become more frequent in some areas.
Humanitarian aid groups confront toll of pandemic on poor nations
U.N. officials released a 2021 humanitarian plan that projects a 40% increase in people who need aid from a year earlier.
IAEA cites progress in nuclear and radiation safety since Fukushima
Japan strengthened inspections as part of efforts to improve regulation in the wake of the Fukushima Daichi accident.
Student-led 'strike' gains steam ahead of U.N. climate summit
Millions of children worldwide skipped classes to send a message they want governments to lead on the climate crisis.
Trump's refugee and humanitarian aid faulted for 'cruel practices'
Refugees International gave the Trump administration's U.S. practices a 'failing grade' for a second year in a row.
Europeans probe Facebook's bid to establish a new cryptocurrency
The E.U.'s antitrust probe of the Libra project focuses on concerns it would improperly shut out rival payment systems.
Experts say Myanmar's foreign arms trade fuels human rights abuses
A U.N. fact-finding mission urged the international community to sever ties with Myanmar’s military.
U.S. military officials are bracing for withdrawal from U.N. postal agency
The military delivered more than 88,000 tons of packages and letters last year and must now plan for a possible disruption.
China dismisses rebuke at U.N. Human Rights Council over Uyghurs
The condemnation came from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan and New Zealand, along with 17 European nations.