The Race to Save 100 of the World’s Most Threatened Species
The Phoenix Species Project will provide sustained funding and technical support to locally led recovery programs in 30 countries, testing whether major philanthropy can help address a persistent gap in global conservation. The Bezos Earth Fund and conservation organization Re:wild have launched a $200 million initiative to support the recovery of 100 of the world’s […]
First UN Leadership Straw Poll Offers an Early Look at the Race to Succeed Guterres
NEW YORK — The first informal vote in the contest to select the next United Nations Secretary-General has revealed a closely contested field, with the two highest-performing candidates separated by one vote and no contender yet demonstrating clear support across the Security Council. In the closed-door straw poll held Thursday, the Council’s 15 members were […]
Hawaiʻi Adopts Clean-Fuel Standard and New E-Bike Safety Rules
HONOLULU — Hawaiʻi has enacted two transportation measures establishing a statewide clean-fuel program and new rules for electric bicycles and other small electric mobility devices. Governor Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2999, now Act 258, and House Bill 2021, now Act 259, as the state seeks to reduce transportation emissions while updating regulations for technologies […]
Timor-Leste Turns to Solar and Storage in Bid to Break Diesel Dependence
DILI, Timor-Leste — Timor-Leste has secured an $85.7 million financing package for its first utility-scale solar and battery storage project, advancing efforts to modernize its electricity system as the country confronts the decline of its petroleum revenues. The project will include a 73.7-megawatt solar plant, an 80.2-megawatt-hour battery storage system, transmission lines and supporting infrastructure […]
Winnie Byanyima Is Fighting to Keep the End of AIDS Within Reach
At AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, the UNAIDS Executive Director urged governments to protect decades of progress as declining international financing, unequal treatment access and rising infections in parts of the world threaten the global response. At the 26th International AIDS Conference, Winnie Byanyima delivered a message of guarded optimism and growing urgency: the […]
The Science Behind Europe’s Wildfires: New Study Shows Climate Change Greatly Increased Fire Risk
As firefighters continue to contain the historic wildfires that have swept across France and Spain, new scientific research is providing one of the clearest assessments yet of how climate change influenced the weather conditions that fueled this summer’s fires. A rapid attribution study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) initiative found that human-caused climate change […]
Iraq Emerges as a Critical Front in the Iran Conflict as U.S.-Saudi Strikes Test Baghdad’s Authority
BAGHDAD — Coordinated U.S. and Saudi strikes against Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq have opened a significant new front in the broader regional conflict, intensifying pressure on Baghdad to assert greater control over militias that are formally connected to the Iraqi state but retain varying degrees of political and military autonomy. The strikes targeted facilities […]
Circle Acquires IBM’s Blockchain Patent Portfolio in Major Intellectual Property Deal
NEW YORK — Circle has acquired IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio, expanding its intellectual property holdings as competition continues among technology companies and financial firms developing digital financial infrastructure. The transaction gives Circle control of more than 680 patent families and nearly 1,000 issued patents worldwide. Circle said the acquisition makes it the largest holder of […]
The Race for Critical Minerals Reaches the UN Security Council
UNITED NATIONS — The global contest for the minerals powering clean energy, advanced technologies and modern weapons systems moved to the center of international security discussions last Wednesday, as the United Nations warned that poorly governed competition could deepen conflicts and prevent resource-rich developing countries from benefiting fully from their natural wealth. During a July […]
Historic Wildfires Sweep France and Spain, Putting Europe’s Climate Resilience to the Test
France and Spain are racing to contain major wildfires before another period of extreme heat raises the risk of renewed outbreaks, after fires forced hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists to leave threatened communities. Firefighters have made progress against several of the largest blazes, but authorities warn that persistent drought, rising temperatures and shifting […]
