Nuclear diplomacy suffers major setback in Russia’s war on Ukraine
The total number of nuclear warheads fell worldwide, but the amount of operational nuclear weapons started to rise.
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
Slovenia outdistances Belarus in U.N. vote that reflects war in Europe
The U.N. General Assembly's vote for the next five seat-holders on the powerful Security Council for 2024-25 delivered a resounding win to an E.U. member over a Russian ally.
Argentinian meteorologist Celeste Saulo to lead U.N. weather agency
Saulo, who has led Argentina's National Meteorological Service since 2014, is the first woman elected as WMO's chief.
Talks open on plastics treaty to defuse environmental 'time bomb'
About 69% of all the plastics produced, mainly through fossil fuel burning, are used just once or twice before they are thrown away. About 22% is mismanaged. Just 9% is recycled.
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.
More than 100 armed conflicts, most lasting for more than 30 years
A Swiss-led U.N. Security Council session called on all countries and armed groups to fulfill their obligations for protecting civilians under international humanitarian law.
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.'
DIANA makes low-key entrance as NATO’s DARPA-style innovation hub
The new technology accelerator from NATO quietly began taking shape a year before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At U.N. forum, Swiss promote science and diplomacy for solutions
The first Swiss-led U.N. Security Council open debate mirrored GESDA's brand of anticipatory science and diplomacy.
U.N. vote opposes Taliban constraints against females
A U.N. Security Council resolution calls on Afghanistan's de factor rulers to quickly restore the rights of women and girls.
'Continuous advance' of climate crisis pushes 1.15° C. warming
Droughts, floods and heatwaves drove food insecurity and mass migration as communities on every continent were hit by massive costs, the World Meteorological Organization said.
UNICEF raises alert over lagging confidence in childhood vaccines
Public perception of the importance of vaccines for children fell during the pandemic in 52 of 55 countries studied.
International arms control at a 'crossroads' over nuclear threats
The NATO chief emphasized the need to negotiate new arms control arrangements, despite broad geopolitical worries.
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.
Developing nations forecast to lose $800B from debt and slowdown
UNCTAD expects global growth in 2023 to drop to 2.1%, but only if financial fallout from higher interest rates is contained.
Rapprochement could help address the Middle East's climate problem
The Middle East and North Africa are particularly vulnerable to climate change, but many health impacts are unknown.