Nepal floods expose challenge of forecasting cascading hazards
A new flood alert forced evacuations as rescuers seek nearly 1,000 missing people, underscoring the forecasting challenge.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked nation in Central Europe, known for its mountains, lakes, and highly developed economy. The country has a long-standing policy of armed neutrality, which has allowed it to host the headquarters of many international organizations, including the U.N. office in Geneva.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Arms treaty monitor says export restrictions often lag civilian harm
New assessment finds transparency at its lowest level since the Arms Trade Treaty took effect as conflicts test the rules.
U.N., Red Cross warn autonomous weapons nearing a ‘moral red line’
Renewed appeal seeks binding prohibitions as governments approach a decision on whether to launch negotiations.
Europe's summer shows weather extremes of a warming climate
As much of Western Europe endures record heat blasts, other parts of the continent remain unusually cool and wet.
New plastics treaty text tests path out of negotiating deadlock
Plastics treaty chair offers informal roadmap to resume talks, but environmental lawyers say it sidelines global controls.
As aid funds shrink, archivists warn of risks to the humanitarian record
UNHCR's archives are a test case for humanitarians struggling to preserve institutional memory in an era of retrenchment.
China launches intergovernmental body to shape global AI governance
Twenty-nine countries joined the Shanghai-based organization as Beijing offered aid to developing nations.
Economists and AI leaders call for guardrails as AI's impact accelerates
A rare coalition says policymakers must prepare for changes that could unfold faster than previous industrial revolutions.
Who protects the cables that carry the internet?
An ITU-led effort is trying to strengthen one of the world's least visible but most important forms of infrastructure.
AI in humanitarianism on display at AI for Good Global Summit 2026
Humanitarians are using AI for crisis assessment and decision support, but still insist humans make operational decisions.
As war moves online, the ICRC wants its protective emblem to follow
ICRC launches a new phase of a project to extend protections to cyberspace as services become vulnerable to online attacks.
The U.N.'s AI governance vision pushes coordination, not regulation
Discussions in Geneva revealed concern over fragmented regulation, unequal access and the need for safeguards.
Sustainable Development Goals pose a difficult test for multilateralism
Can a divided and polarized world still work together to confront problems that no nation can solve alone?
The U.N. moves to build an architecture for AI governance
A new scientific panel, global political forum, leadership commission and summit shape the U.N.'s approach to AI.
Human Rights Council divided as U.N. warns of atrocities in Sudan
European countries push for strong action while China and others emphasize Sudan's sovereignty amid rising violence.
Who gets to govern AI? U.N. panel warns access alone is not enough
Report argues countries may gain access to AI but lose influence over standards, infrastructure and governance.