New e-data shipping rules come online to standardize public data
The International Maritime Organization requires industry upgrades and streamlining electronic information exchanges.
Global Issues
Global issues are complex challenges that require international cooperation, from mitigating climate change to addressing global poverty and geopolitical conflicts. Of the U.N.'s 169 targets for sustainable development, only 35% are on track or making moderate progress toward their 2030 deadline.
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Former Trump economic adviser begins World Bank presidency
David Malpass now oversees one of the most important international organizations set up after World War II.
Protection areas for night skies multiply with growing movement
The movement against too much artificial light at night celebrates International Dark Sky Week in April.
Climate-linked extreme weather blamed for rising impacts globally
Flooding, the worst of the impacts globally, continued to affect the largest number of people, more than 35 million.
More children die of illness due to contaminated water than from war
Hundreds of millions of youth are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases because more countries suffer from conflicts.
Students in Friday strike movement demand climate action worldwide
Climate protests organized in 2,083 cities across 125 nations made for one of the world's biggest ever demonstrations.
As World Wide Web turns 30, its inventor urges 2.0 ethics upgrade
Since unleashing his invention on the world at CERN, Tim Berners-Lee has continued to wrestle with the implications.
Human rights agenda seen to be 'losing ground' around the world
The Human Rights Council began with warnings of broken norms despite some powerful movements for social justice.
Vatican summit pledges to end children's sex abuse cover-ups
The global scandal has threatened generations of children, the Catholic Church's credibility and the pope's leadership.
U.N. health agency looks at a new strategy toward air pollution
The strategy is part of a draft report from the World Health Organization's chief on health, environment and climate.
Davos leaders urger stricter rules for data governance and tech sector
Among the proposals for reining in big tech are the creation of a new system for data oversight and a common digital market.
Merkel says a world without multilateralism will 'end in misery'
Germany's chancellor noted some 'disquiet in the international system,' referencing the Trump administration.
Nature and climate crises come into focus amid Davos extravagance
Dire environmental challenges and climate change took center stage at the World Economic Forum's annual gathering.
IMF forecasts a modest slowdown in the global growth rate to 3.5%
That updated forecast is down from the 3.7% growth rate from last year that had been expected to continue in 2019.
Globalization and cooperation top draw of populism in WEF poll
The poll's findings ran counter to the well-publicized sound and fury of dozens of populist leaders or political parties.
IMF is wary of governments piling up unsustainable levels of debt
The global financial institution has acknowledged difficulties in assessing the problem among developing nations.