Italy undecided about exiting China's Belt and Road Initiative
As the only G-7 member to have joined Beijing's sprawling global pact, Italy had indicated it would leave. But now Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the decision is still up in the air.
Asia-Pacific
Nuclear tensions fuel disarmament agenda for Hiroshima G-7 summit
Humanitarian leaders say the risk of nuclear catastrophe is the highest 'since the worst moments of the Cold War.'
G-7 pushes back against aggressive nuclear moves by Russia and China
The Group of Seven's nonproliferation directors expressed alarm that Russia, China and North Korea have all been pushing to expand their nuclear-armed capabilities.
U.N. staff and appeal for aid in limbo from Taliban ban on Afghan women
Most of the employees who work for the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan are Afghan nationals, women and men, who have been told to stay home because of the ban.
Vanuatu's 'epic' win lets top U.N. court set climate obligations
Prodded by Vanuatu and other nations, the U.N. General Assembly will ask the ICJ based in The Hague for an unprecedented legal opinion on nations' legal obligations to fight global warming – and the consequences if they don't.
WHO fires Western Pacific regional chief over 'findings of misconduct'
The global health organization said it plans to hold a closed-door election to replace Dr. Takeshi Kasai in October.
ASEAN leaders' talks focus on peace in Myanmar and South China Sea
Southeast Asian foreign ministers sought to defuse conflicts from Myanmar's military takeover and China's expanding footprint, along with North Korea's aggressive missile testing.
Asia-Pacific rocked by growing hunger, nutrition and health crisis
The new U.N. report blamed the “5F” crisis – a combined lack of feed, fertilizer, financing, food and fuel – for the growing hunger, lack of nutrition and associated medical issues in the region due to conflicts, climate and other factors.
U.N. political mission clarifies how it uses cash in Afghanistan
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan disputed the Taliban-controlled bank's portrayal of US$40 million in aid as if it had some say over the cash. UNAMA said it alone distributes the stacks of dollars pictured in the bank's tweet.
Flood aid conference raises US$9B for Pakistan rebuilding
Climate-induced devastating floods submerged a third of Pakistan last year, affecting 33 million people and leaving 1,739 dead, and could force 9 million people into poverty.
U.N. says Myanmar's mass pardons include some 300 political prisoners
Though the release of political prisoners in Myanmar is a relief to those unfairly detained and their families, the U.N. human rights office notes the military junta is still holding thousands of others in detention for opposing military rule.
Chinese health officials pressed for COVID-19 spike data
WHO is seeking more information from Beijing about the COVID-19 surge in China while many nations impose travel restrictions. The E.U. is offering China free vaccinations.
Aid groups warn of deadly consequences from Taliban ban against Afghan women in NGOs
NGOs and humanitarian organizations, many of them staffed and led by women, provide critical life-saving services for many people in Afghanistan, including health care programs for pre- and post-natal and infant care staffed by women.
APEC leaders condemn Russian war in Ukraine, global economic impacts
Recovering from the nearly three-year COVID-19 pandemic is a priority for the organization along with dealing with climate change, food shortages and inflation.
World's two biggest carbon polluters, U.S. and China, agree to resume climate negotiations
Biden and Xi signaled a deal was struck after a three-hour meeting in Bali, Indonesia on the sidelines of a Group of 20 major economies summit. Beijing had suspended climate talks with Washington in August to protest a visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California.
Beneath handshake and smiles, tensions in focus as Biden, Xi meet on sidelines of G-20 in Bali
Biden and Xi discussed working together on climate, debt relief, health and global food security. and "agreed to empower key senior officials to maintain communication and deepen constructive efforts on these and other issues."