Global carbon emissions projected at record high with 2-3% annual rise
Ahead of U.N. climate talks, studies show carbon dioxide released in 2018 will be the biggest increase in seven years.
Global Issues
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'Instaplomacy' worth 1,000 missives as leaders turn to social media
Instagram is the fastest-growing social media network among leaders, organizations and governments and the third most popular for global diplomacy after Twitter and Facebook.
Global patent filings show steady rise, but at slowing growth rate
China is responsible for much of the growth as innovation becomes the main intellectual property battleground.
Global trading rules galvanize G-20 leaders amid U.S.-China tensions
The Group of 20's final communiqué expressed concern about the future direction of the World Trade Organization, which U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to leave.
Nations' plans for cutting carbon emissions are dangerously off-track
Global greenhouse gas emissions, rather than fall, rose in 2017 by 0.7 gigatons to 53.5 gigatons, after three years of decreases.
Global financial regulator presses for more U.S. engagement
The Financial Stability Board monitors and recommends ways of strengthening the world's financial architecture.
International Finance Corporation case is a challenge to immunity rules
Justices are deciding if the World Bank's financial lending arm has the same immunity as nations, which could alter the amount of protection — and independence from courts — that staff are given at organizations operating under U.S. laws.
In surprise vote, Interpol picks South Korean for next president
The world's largest international police organization, which was expected to elevate a senior Russian security official to the top job, shifted gears after politicians and activists protested.
U.N. environment chief resigns after audit finds excessive plane flights
Aside from the money and time, the image of a jet-setting executive director in charge of an agency that sets environmental and climate agendas made for poor optics.
Russian tipped to take helm of Interpol despite U.S. political outcry
Interpol's general assembly meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was expected to select a Russian frontrunner.
Human rights and children's issues take lead in organizations' retweets
The U.N.'s new human rights chief and UNICEF are generating thousands of engagements on Twitter, another sign of how indispensable social media has become for organizations.
Scientists narrow the hunt for non-visible dark matter in the universe
One of the hottest pursuits in particle physics is the search for clues about dark matter, a theoretical material that does not emit light or energy and cannot be directly observed.
Postal union scrambles to address U.S. criticism on mail delivery rates
The action came days after the Trump administration said it intends to withdraw from the 144-year-old organization.
Experts dash false hopes that climate change won't bring misery
The Nobel Prize-winning U.N. panel on climate change said it's life or death for much of the planet as soon as 2040.
Critics see lost chance on fighting noncommunicable diseases
Low- and middle-income countries and the poorest and most vulnerable populations worldwide are the hardest hit.
Global appeal at U.N. seeks freedom for captive journalists and free press
The special gathering at U.N. headquarters in New York highlighted the many challenges to press freedoms globally.