Top U.S. diplomat defends key foreign aid cuts at House hearing
The Trump administration and its allies in Congress sparred with Democrats over America's spending and stature abroad.
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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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.
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.
U.N.'s worst fiscal crisis forces restructuring bid to stay relevant
The U.N. could mark its 80th anniversary by streamlining and reassuring donors taxpayer money reaches people in need.
ICJ finishes public hearings into Israeli obligations on Gaza aid
A Palestinian diplomat told the U.N.'s top court that Israel uses aid as a 'weapon of war,' targeting civilians and aid workers.
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.
A papal messenger of climate action and 'hope, humility and humanity'
U.N. leaders hailed Pope Francis as a champion of the environment and tireless advocate of refugees and migrants.
The Elders' chair Santos: The next U.N. chief 'should be a woman'
Colombia's former president Juan Manuel Santos says his nation's peace process benefited from women leaders.
Myanmar junta seeks aid, struggles to deal with devastating earthquake
U.S. Geological Survey predictive modeling shows the death toll from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake could exceed 10,000.
Trump drops Stefanik's U.N. envoy nod over narrow margin in House
In a surprise turnaround, the U.S. president wants the New York Republican congresswoman to stay in her job.
UNESCO opens global ministerial dialogue on science diplomacy
Experts agreed science and diplomacy need to evolve to build trust, solve problems, and promote national interests.
'Spiraling weather and climate impacts’ from record carbon levels
The U.N. weather agency says some human-induced effects will be 'irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years.'
Slowing gains among women in parliaments as rights are attacked
The averate rate of gains for women-held seats accelerated between 2000 and 2015, but slowed in the last decade.
Trump and Putin usher out 80 years of U.S.-led security and cooperation
Trump's embrace of Putin and contempt for long-established transatlantic ties is an existential crisis for Europe and NATO.