Scientists reopen contentious question on valid carbon offsets
A new study suggests temporary carbon storage may have a legitimate role in climate mitigation, though not for CO₂.
China
China is a global power with the world’s second-largest economy and an increasing geopolitical rivalry with the United States. As the U.S. has reduced its engagement with certain multilateral institutions, China has increasingly sought to fill that vacuum by increasing its funding to the U.N. and placing its nationals in leadership roles.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Europe seeks strategic minerals in its own urban mine waste streams
Recovering valuable materials from products in circulation is becoming part of industrial and security planning in Brussels.
The Vatican moves into AI diplomacy
Pope Leo XIV’s first AI encyclical positions the Catholic Church inside a widening international struggle.
Macron, Guterres back African push for U.N. Security Council reform
France joined African leaders in calling for Security Council reform and more African representation in global institutions.
Ecuador's Espinosa becomes fifth candidate to lead United Nations
If elected, Espinosa, Bachelet or Grynspan would become the first woman to serve as U.N. chief since the U.N.’s founding.
Organizers say RightsCon canceled in Zambia over Chinese pressure
Access Now says foreign interference over Taiwenese activists forced cancellation days before leading human rights summit.
Undersea infrastructure risks rise as U.S. panel warns of sabotage threats
Senate hearing highlights Baltic Sea activity, legal gaps and global risks to underwater cables and energy networks.
Global military spending hits record as Europe and Asia drive growth
U.S. decline over Ukraine war masks faster growth elsewhere as wars and long-term security shifts drive spending.
Nuclear treaty review opens amid war, testing threats, failed consensus
After repeated failures, nations will try again to agree on disarmament, nonproliferation and peaceful nuclear energy.
U.N. chief candidates diverge on priorities, converge on deadlock
In General Assembly dialogues, candidates show shared values but offer no specifics on reshaping power structure.
U.S. senators split over U.N. reform through budget cuts and nationalism
Senators agreed the U.N. needs revamping to align with American interests but diverged over precisely how to do that.
The Global South is rethinking AI but not yet controlling it
As governments reframe AI around justice and sovereignty, control over infrastructure and governance is elsewhere.
Leadership race for U.N.'s top job narrows ahead of public hearings
Withdrawals and regional divisions unsettle the field, while closed-door straw polls and veto power shape the outcome.
Governments turn to AI firms as new layer of governance emerges
Direct agreements with developers reflect a shift toward operational oversight as regulatory systems lag behind.
Europe drives surge in global arms transfers as U.S. dominance expands
New data show Ukraine as world’s largest arms importer while Russian exports collapse and NATO members rearm.
U.N. holds Iran emergency session as Trump says Khamenei 'is dead'
'We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security,' the U.N. chief told the U.N. Security Council.