U.N. health agency urges nations to update preparations for nuke risks
Almost half of WHO's `94 member nations said they "still lacked essential elements of preparedness for radiation emergencies."
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's chief wants the pandemic declared over. Not all experts agree.
Despite the temptation to end the pandemic, some leading health experts say it would be better to keep up the pressure.
Doomsday Clock set at 90 seconds to ‘midnight’ - closest ever in its history
The symbolic clock was reset closer to the symbolic hour of apocalpyse amid Russia's war in Ukraine, which raised the risk of a nuclear confrontation.
WHO points to $2.5B in 2023 humanitarian emergency needs
The money is needed for 54 emergencies worldwide that require an "unprecedented" response from donors to provide aid.
In a world of human rights abuses, some 'extraordinary potential' too
Human Rights Watch points to a "litany of human rights crises" but also a silver lining – some "cracks" emerged in authoritarian regimes.
WEF: Biggest risk to economy is cost-of-living crisis and social unrest
WEF's report finds the biggest short-term risk to the world economy is a globalized cost-of-living crisis and widespread social unrest.
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.
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 17 anti-poverty Global Goals for 2030 have been set back by the 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.