Acute hunger hits nearly 282 million people as famine looms in Gaza
The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity has increased every year since 2019.
Global Issues
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Wealthy nations to provide US$11B for World Bank-led global solutions
The wars in Europe and the Middle East, climate change and soaring national debts hung over the annual talks.
Climate-impacted global bleaching of corals threatens marine fisheries
Climate scientists have warned for decades about bleaching of coral reefs, which are nurseries for commercial fisheries.
U.N. climate chief says next 2 years will be 'essential' to saving the planet
This year and next mark the countdown to a 2025 deadline for governments to strengthen their carbon-cutting plans.
Trillions needed for anti-poverty goals to deal with climate, debt, war
A new U.N. report shows how prioritizing debt over services like health care and education plagues the developing world.
Difficult pandemic treaty talks to be extended with extra spring session
Negotiators and officials aim to wrap up so that May's 77th World Health Assembly can consider a proposed text.
Geological organization rules the Anthropocene is not a formal epoch
IUGS rejected declaring that we live in a new epoch defined by far-reaching human impacts on the planet since the 1950s.
U.N. General Assembly adopts first resolution on artificial intelligence
Proposed by the U.S. and co-sponsored by China and more than 120 other nations, its passage represented a moment of international cooperation through science diplomacy.
Recycling rates falling behind the pace of e-waste generated globally
Just 22.3% of all the e-waste - any product that has a plug or battery - was properly collected and recycled in 2022.
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.
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.
U.N. weather agency has ‘red alert’ warning as Earth grows ever hotter
WMO reports 2023 smashed climate records at previously unimaginable levels, bringing 'misery and mayhem.'
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.
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.'
'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'.
IMF sees path to 'soft landing' for the global economy in its latest outlook
IMF forecasts a strengthening global economy as inflation cools, but warns of the threat of wars and other disruptions.