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A homeless person's tent at the busy intersection of K Street and 21st St., near lobbyng firms, the IMF and World Bank, in downtown Washington.

Justice & Accountability

Trump's D.C. crackdown draws fire weeks after U.N. rebuke on policy

2 min read

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The U.N. official's position directly clashes with the Trump administration, an indicator of a potential legal battle.

European Commissioner Jessika Roswall speaks to reporters inside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations alongside Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunick.

Energy & Environment

Global plastics treaty 'drama' on a knife-edge over production caps

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European officials say they will not accept a deal 'at any cost' but maintain the bloc is ready to 'build bridges' to succeed.

The U.S.-China clash highlights how the world's two largest economies are extending their competition into global trade.

Security & Geopolitics

Panama Canal's future a point of contention at U.N. Security Council

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The U.S. warns of Beijing’s growing influence, while China accuses Washington of fabricating a pretext to seize the canal.

Justice & Accountability

Killings of six more journalists in Gaza spark outrage, condemnation

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International Federation of Journalists' general secretary denounced deliberate targeting of journalists as a "war crime."

Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of South Africa's Gauteng Province, at right, briefs South Africa's Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, at left, and other officials.

Security & Geopolitics

U.S.-South Africa rift complicates Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg

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Pretoria's ambitious agenda for the G-20 focuses on inclusive growth, food security, AI, debt relief, and climate finance.

Midway through the final Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, campaigners says nations are not on track to deliver a treaty that will protect people and nature.

Energy & Environment

U.N. plastic treaty talks face deep divisions as deadline nears

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Ecuadoran diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso, who chairs the proceedings, said 'progress made has not been sufficient.'

The World Trade Organization says it expects higher tariffs over time will weigh on trade, bringing next year’s expected trade volume growth down to 1.8% from 2.5% previously.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

WTO forecasts trade headwinds as U.S. tariffs soar to century high

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Asian economies are projected to remain the largest positive driver of world merchandise trade volume growth in 2025.

Justice & Accountability

Probe of WEF founder nears end as organization charts path in turmoil

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While the board has said the allegations remain unproven, the investigation is the focal point of an internal power struggle.

Swiss National Day celebrations on Aug. 1 in Bern's Federal Square.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Trump tariffs widen trade war, threatening allies and global rules

4 min read

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The U.S. tariffs for about 90 countries further undermine the global trade system led by the World Trade Organization.

Swiss artist Bertrand Cazenave's installation of 500 jellyfish outside the Palais des Nations in Geneva is made from recycled materials.

Energy & Environment

Lobbyists outnumber E.U. diplomats at plastic treaty talks, analysis shows

2 min read

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Corporate presence at the INC-5.2 negotiations in Geneva raises concerns about the integrity of the final treaty text.

Preah Vihear Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Security & Geopolitics

International monitors to de-escalate conflict by UNESCO site

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The ceasefire provides a much-needed pause but a definitive resolution has eluded Thailand and Cambodia for decades.

A concept image of NASA’s Fission Surface Power Project.

SciTech Diplomacy

NASA fast-tracks lunar nuclear reactor amid new space race

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NASA's plan is governed by a complex framework of international accords including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

Outside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations in Geneva, "The Thinker’s Burden" was created for the INC 5.2 Global Plastics Pollution Treaty negotiations by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

Energy & Environment

Plastic treaty talks open with longshot bid for consensus deal

4 min read

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The negotiations in Geneva are the sixth round of talks since 175 nations agreed in 2022 to create a legally binding treaty.

The crisis in Sudan has uprooted entire communities, with children forced to flee their homes and 80% of children not in school.

Humanitarians & Peace

A generation at risk as Sudan's humanitarian crisis deepens

3 min read

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The crisis uprooted entire communities, with children 'reduced to just skin and bones' and 80% of them not in school.

Energy & Environment

Geneva's plastic treaty talks at make-or-break moment for ocean health

5 min read

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The 10-day session at the U.N.'s European headquarters is widely seen as the definitive moment for a global accord.

The IPU speakers' conference meets once every five years.

Security & Geopolitics

Global parliamentarians call for unity and stronger multilateralism

3 min read

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The declaration underscored that complex global problems demand unified responses and strong political will.

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