World's aging dams lose storage capacity at alarming rate
Storage loss by 2050 will equal the combined yearly water use of Canada, China, France, a U.N. University report shows.
Global Issues
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Study shows efforts to restore Earth's depleted ozone layer are 'on track'
The ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 values by around 2066 over the Antarctic and by 2045 over the Arctic.
A rallying cry for human rights at the heart of social media platforms
Alarmed at a sharp increase in the use of the racist “N” word on Twitter, the experts said all the major social media corporations must immediately show greater accountability for online hatred spewed at people of African descent.
Halfway to 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals need a rescue
The United Nations and its allies aren't giving up on efforts to clinch at least some of the 17 anti-poverty Global Goals for 2030 that have been set back by the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, and other major crises.
Passing of Pelé mourned as his legacy of sport for peace lives on
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Pelé was unique in so many ways: the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times; an athlete with incomparable skills and imagination; and the ability to rise above racism and poverty.
Global vows to millions of migrants and refugees still largely unfulfilled
Most of the world's 8 billion inhabitants prefer to stay within their nation of birth, but almost 1-in-20 have left that behind.
U.N. summit clinches 196-nation deal to halt biodiversity loss
Negotiators reached a 30% by 2030 or '30 by 30' deal just as the almost two-week U.N. Biodiversity Conference was ending.
Small island nations ask U.N. tribunal for climate opinion
The request is based on "the fundamental importance of the oceans as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and the direct relevance of the marine environment to the adverse effects of climate change on small island states."
IFJ reports 67 journalists, media workers killed on job this year
IFJ says the killings point to an "urgent" need for an international treaty on the safety and independence of journalists and other media professionals.
U.N. measure offers legal protection for aid in sanctioned regimes
Proponents said its passage is critical with 339 million people in need of aid and nearly 50 million on the verge of famine.
IPU reports a record number of parliamentarians face threats
A sharp increase in threats against women parliamentarians was seen in 2022, almost quadruple from just eight years ago.
Biodiversity summit poses call to act, decade of protections on line
UNEP's chief describes the summit as an opportunity to 'secure our life-support system, to make peace with nature.'
U.S. backs WTO deadline extension on patent waivers for COVID-19
WTO has long deadlocked over a proposed annual waiver of parts of a major intellectual property agreement.
ILO reports more than 1-in-5 experience workplace violence
Only 23 nations ratified an ILO treaty that entered into force in 10 nations and will take effect in 13 others next year.
U.S. open to New START talks with Russia after both 'prepared to meet'
The U.S. and Russia agreed to renew New START for another five years in February 2021, just before it was set to expire.
UN seeks record $51.5 billion in aid to extend ‘lifeline’ worldwide
While many developing nations suffered droughts and floods, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted food supply lines.