People, wildlife, planet pay cost of convenience for single-use plastics
A plastic layer in Earth’s geological record may become our legacy, marking a moment we turned into a single-use planet.
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Surveys show majority of public still trusts U.N. despite an overall decline
The U.N. appears to be more trusted than many governments, other multilateral institutions, and regional organizations.
Appeals court keeps U.S. tariffs for now as Trump sharply rebuffs judges
The Trump administration argued the political branches, not courts, 'make foreign policy and chart economic policy.'
From disease to pollution, health leaders asked to do more with less
Much of the financial angst this year was caused by the absence and impending withdrawal of the United States.
WHO's $1.7B budget shortfall forces major contractions and reshuffling
'To be blunt, we cannot do everything,' WHO's chief said in announcing a management overhaul and other cuts.
U.N. chief: Structural reform in the works, but members need to pay up
A major financial squeeze is hitting the embattled U.N., which is owed $5.1 billion for its regular and peacekeeping budgets.
U.S. and China agree to hit 90-day pause in trade war after Geneva talks
Both sides moved to suspend most tariffs on each other's goods after an intense weekend of Swiss-hosted negotiations.
CERN's lead-to-gold conversion is the 'dream of medieval alchemists'
CERN announced that lead ions smashed together broke the atoms into more recognizable forms such as lead to gold.
System-wide funding cuts bring aid disruptions and U.N. staff protests
With the loss of billions in financial support, the U.N. must weigh potential widespread downsizing and consolidation.
China reportedly using 'puppet organizations' against its critics
A human rights group and journalists question Beijing's use of 'Chinese government-organized NGOs' at the U.N.
Trump orders U.S. to expedite permits for deep seabed mining
The order would allow exploratory mining of the ocean floor that is overseen by an organization the U.S. hasn't joined.
U.S.-Iran nuclear talks advance as IAEA points to 'crucial' timing
Washington and Tehran held a second round of negotiations. The U.N. watchdog said an Iranian atomic bomb is 'not far off.'
Nations make 'history in Geneva' with landmark pandemic treaty deal
WHO members finally reach consensus on a draft pandemic agreement after 13 formal rounds of meetings since Dec. 2021.
E.U.'s €20B plan calls for AI gigafactories with 'green computing'
Europe's 'AI continent' would offer up to five large-scale but power-hungry facilities drawing Big Tech with simpler rules.
WTO and E.U. chiefs warn of global consequences from Trump tariffs
Markets plunged in Asia, Europe and the U.S. as leaders were shocked at Trump's tariffs and the risk of a global trade war.
U.N. panel's major powers urged to seek accountability for aid attacks
Officials updated the 2024 death toll for humanitarian workers to 377 people across 20 countries, the worst year on record.