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New front in humanitarian aid: the questionable price of new efficiency

3 min read

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Critics say the digital transformation is happening faster than governance can keep up, putting sensitive aid data at risk.

The treaty is nearing the 60 nations needed to take effect.

Energy & Environment

Negotiators debate funding and governance for high seas treaty

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The U.N.-brokered treaty is close to becoming law, with 52 countries signed on and eight more needed to make it official.

OCHA says humanitarian teams continue to receive reports of tents, schools, homes and medical facilities coming under attack, with scores of people killed or injured every day.

Humanitarians & Peace

Famine declared in Gaza as U.N. humanitarian chief pleads for access

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U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher delivered a scathing condemnation of Israel's role in 'a preventable famine.'

Climate & Health

Global economy dimmed by rising temps as worker productivity drops

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New guidance from five decades of research reveals worker productivity declines 2-3% for every degree above 20°.

The U.S., along with China, Israel and Russia, are not members the ICC, which was founded in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

Justice & Accountability

ICC slams U.S. sanctions as "flagrant attack" on judicial independence

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The Trump administration targeted two judges from Canada and France and two deputy prosecutors from Fiji and Senegal.

The U.S. and the E.U. account for 44% of the global economy.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Framework for a new U.S.-E.U. deal confirmed to rebalance trade links

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A 15% U.S. tariff rate on most European goods is a key point, with specifics on the auto tariffs tied to E.U. lawmaking.

The U.N. marked World Humanitarian Day calling for more support and respect for aid workers.

Humanitarians & Peace

Deadliest year for aid workers driven primarily by wars in Gaza and Sudan

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Beyond Gaza, where most aid workers were killed, Sudan was the second most dangerous country for humanitarians.

European leaders court the U.S. president for support for Ukraine.

Security & Geopolitics

NATO leader sees 'breakthrough' in White House stance on Ukraine

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described U.S. President Donald Trump's shift toward security guarantees 'a big step.'

Heni Unwin, a Māori marine scientist with the Aotearoa Plastic Pollution Alliance, speaks at a rally outside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations in Geneva during the plastic treaty talks.

Energy & Environment

Advocates see human rights path forward for stalled plastic treaty

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Leaders argue any successful treaty must be built on partnership with and respect for Indigenous communities.

Klaus Schwab founded the World Economic Forum in 1971 to promote cooperation and address global challenges.

Justice & Accountability

Schwab cleared by WEF; Fink and Hoffmann named interim co-chairs

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Schwab is dropping a criminal complaint against the whistleblowers and a separate legal action against WEF.

After a 5:30 a.m. plenary was announced, the chair of the global plastic treaty talks was still waiting for delegages to fill the assembly hall inside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations at 6 a.m.

Energy & Environment

Back to Busan: Global plastic pollution treaty talks end in disarray

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The U.N.-hosted talks failed to overcome opposition to reducing plastic production among oil and gas producers.

Demonstrators with the Break Free From Plastic global movement demand a strong global plastics treaty in Geneva.

Energy & Environment

Deadlock on production, chemicals as global plastic treaty talks falter

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The latest draft text omitted any legally-binding production limits and a dedicated section on chemicals of concern.

With just one day left for negotiations, delegates to the plastic treaty talks fiercely debated the new draft of a global plastic pollution treaty that would not limit plastic production.

Energy & Environment

Draft U.N. plastic treaty lacks teeth on production and chemicals

3 min read

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Many nations rejected a draft that avoids setting quantitative caps on production, relying on a less stringent approach.

Human rights experts and scientists say a lack of transparency by the plastics industry prevents people from making informed decisions about their exposure.

Energy & Environment

Study indicates global involuntary exposure to toxic plastic chemicals

3 min read

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A global network of nonprofit groups advocating for stronger regulation underscored the need for a plastic treaty.

A mosaic of irrigated crops in South Africa.

Energy & Environment

Scientists urge global food system overhaul to avert farmland crisis

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Their plan would ‘bend the curve’ of land degradation by reducing food waste and restoring half of degraded lands.

Climate & Health

Washington vows retaliation over U.N. shipping emissions plan

2 min read

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The move comes ahead of a critical vote to adopt a new fuel standard and global carbon pricing mechanism for emissions.

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