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.
United Nations
The United Nations is the world's primary forum for diplomacy and peace. Founded in the wake of WWII to prevent global conflict, this organization of 193 member nations now serves as the stage for addressing our most pressing challenges — from climate change to human rights. We cover the U.N.'s policies and efforts to build a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world.
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Major powers fuel new conflicts as aid to poorer nations declines
A new U.N. assessment says wars, energy shocks and shrinking aid push vulnerable economies deeper into debt.
Ecuador's Espinosa becomes fifth candidate to lead United Nations
If elected, Espinosa, Bachelet or Grynspan would become the first woman to serve as U.N. chief since the U.N.’s founding.
Anthropic, South Africa and the emerging divide in AI governance
As AI companies debate moral reasoning in AI, the Global South struggles to build credible systems for AI oversight.
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.
Silent plea with teddy bears echoes U.N. findings on Ukrainian children
Two Ukrainian advocacy groups are raising awareness for children abducted from Ukraine by Russia during the war.
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.
Ship seizures, stalled talks deepen Hormuz crisis as global risks mount
Rather than de-escalation, the Iran war shifted toward control of shipping flows in the strait while talks remain uncertain.
U.S. senators split over U.N. reform through budget cuts and nationalism
Senators agreed the U.N. needs revamping to align with American interests but diverged over precisely how to do that.
Three years into Sudan's war, women and girls suffer explosion in violence
U.N. Women says its 'gender alert' highlights the surge in sexual violence that is a defining feature of the war.
Kallas warns of ‘gravest’ breakdown in international law since WWII
E.U.'s foreign policy chief warned of a 'new world' being shaped by 'coercive power politics' as global rules erode.
Groups call out Trump's potential war crime threats against Iran
International law, civilian protections and the rules of war are in sharp focus due to Trump's far-reaching military threats.
The Global South is rethinking AI but not yet controlling it
As governments reframe AI around justice and sovereignty, control over infrastructure and governance is elsewhere.
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.
Security disputes and U.N. efforts raise pressure for global AI rules
Leaders, multilateral initiatives and defense conflicts all point to the widening gap between capability and governance.