The Vatican moves into AI diplomacy
Pope Leo XIV’s first AI encyclical positions the Catholic Church inside a widening international struggle.
Global Issues
Global issues are complex challenges that require international cooperation, from mitigating climate change to addressing global poverty and geopolitical conflicts. Of the U.N.'s 169 targets for sustainable development, only 35% are on track or making moderate progress toward their 2030 deadline.
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WHO assembly backs major health measures as financial strains mount
New strategies on antimicrobial resistance, financing and radiation protection approved - while doing 'more with less.'
NPT review ends in deadlock as Iran dispute exposes nuclear divisions
The third consecutive failure of a nuclear treaty review shows widening tensions over the world's nonproliferation regime.
U.N. top court backs workers' right to strike in landmark labor ruling
International Court of Justice says strikes are protected under a core ILO convention, resolving a long-running dispute.
WHO-backed commission urges climate emergency declaration
European former leaders and health officials call for climate change to be treated as a security and public health crisis.
Joint expert report finds digital failures may cascade across borders
Experts say resilience planning has not kept pace with reliance on satellites, cables, data centers and power grids.
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.
Hunger entrenches across conflict zones as global food crises deepen
Global Report on Food Crises shows rising need around the world, weakening response capacity and widening data gaps.
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.
Global growth downgraded as IMF warns war shocks energy markets
War-driven supply shock and Strait of Hormuz disruption force downward revisions even in best-case scenarios.
IMF chief warns Iran war shock strains growth, energy and food
Georgieva says oil and gas disruptions drive inflation risks, could push millions into hunger even if a ceasefire holds.
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.
CERN's Sharma: Global science runs on trust not just new technologies
CERN senior scientist Archana Sharma argues for negotiation, credibility and coordination to underpin shared systems.
Pandemic treaty talks extend to final stretch as equity dispute persists
The move allows more time for negotiators 'to work towards convergence,' as the meeting report's negotiated text put it.