United Nations

The Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT; 1.25 – 0.8 Myr) marks a transition from the “41-kyr world”, in which the Earth alternated between cold and warm periods about every 41,000 years, to the “100-kyr world” in which the Earth remained predominantly under glacial conditions but was punctuated every 80,000 to 120,000 years by interglacial periods. Variations in orbital forcing, the “pacemaker of the ice ages”, are stable across the MPT and thus cannot be invoked as a driver of this transition. Thus, most hypotheses call upon a forcing that drives a secular change, a feedback in the Earth system that changes/emerges, or a combination of the two.One hypothesis for the MPT suggests that a long-term decline in (glacial) atmospheric CO2 levels led to a cooling, facilitating the formation of extensive ice sheets in North America and a sea-level drop of approximately 70 m (Bintanja & van de Wal, 2008). Accordingly, decreasing atmospheric CO2 concentration may have played a central role in driving this global cooling. Despite recent advances in marine and ice core CO₂ reconstructions (Nuber et al., 2025; Marks Peterson et al., 2025) the change of greenhouse gas forcing across the MPT remains uncertain for CO2.In order to investigate the role of atmospheric CO2 across the MPT, greenhouse gases and the stable carbon isotopic composition of CO2 (δ13C-CO2) were measured on discrete ice core samples from the Beyond EPICA ice core. For this purpose, a coupled Laser induced sublimation extraction – Quantum Cascade laser Absorption Spectrometer (LISE-QCLAS) was used, allowing the simultaneous and semi-continuous extraction and measurement of CO2, CH4 and N2O as well as δ13C-CO2 on air samples of only 1 – 2 mL, corresponding to 10 – 15 g of ice.This talk will present the first ice core data capable of capturing glacial–interglacial variations in atmospheric CO₂ across the MPT. Additionally, we will present the first unconditionally pristine measurements of δ13C-CO2 during the 41-kyr world. These data will allow us to explore the underlying biogeochemical processes that may be responsible for the new modes of atmospheric CO2 variability we have observed.

Introduction Malnutrition among young children remains high in West Africa, with stunting (34.5%), wasting (6.7%), and micronutrient deficiencies (62%). Fortified, locally and Commercially Produced Complementary Foods (CPCFs) can help fill nutrient gaps, yet local production faces systemic challenges. Objective To assess the opportunities and constraints facing CPCF producers in Ghana, Niger, and Nigeria, and identify strategies to strengthen local production. Methods A literature review screening over 120 mixed sources mapped evidence on demand, production capacity, supply chains, costs, and regulation. Findings informed qualitative research. Five focus group discussions and 46 in-depth interviews were conducted with CPCF producers, regulators, financial institutions, and institutional buyers. Data were coded thematically using QDA Miner Lite. Results Producers reported operating below capacity and facing aflatoxin contamination. In Ghana, underutilization was linked to irregular demand and costly packaging. Nigerien producers highlighted obsolete machinery, high input prices such as premix and reliance on savings groups. Nigerian firms had invested in modern systems but faced volatile input prices, high energy costs, and frequent inspections. Regulatory compliances were hindered by limited awareness, high compliance costs, widespread illiteracy, and informal businesses. Consumer demand was shaped by affordability and trust, with imported brands often preferred. Adaptive strategies included single-serving sachet packaging, WhatsApp marketing, NGO-supported machine rehabilitation, bulk raw material purchasing, and producers and suppliers’ contract for quality. Conclusion CPCF producers demonstrate resilience but face systemic barriers. Coordinated action through targeted Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) financing, aflatoxin control, streamlined certification process, and demand creation is essential to unlock the potential of CPCFs in West Africa.

Abstract The rapid deployment of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) systems offers transformative opportunities for urban planning but introduces significant governance challenges. Drawing on historical lessons from Robert Moses and integrating insights from various indices and contemporary literature, this paper examines the risks of deploying AI agents with the potential to shape our cities without appropriate accountability mechanisms. The paper argues that urban AI must be governed through frameworks prioritizing transparency, ethics, public participation, and human-centric values to avoid reproducing inequities and to foster inclusive, adaptive city systems.

The world after the Cold War, once led by the United States (US), is shifting to a more intricate global system driven by rising competition between Washington and Beijing. As the US reconsiders the future of its ‘rules-based international order’ and views China as a competitor, the latter is pushing its own idea of shared growth and global partnerships through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This rivalry is unfolding across military, economic and tech fields, while smaller nations, uncomfortable with Western hegemony, are building new alliances. The outcome is a changing and unpredictable world order where fewer diplomatic links and shifting loyalties increase the chance of US-China friction, impacting regional and international stability and order. Pakistan finds itself in a tricky spot between its strong bonds with China and the US that is building a closer relationship with India. As Washington and New Delhi get friendlier and Beijing strengthens its strategic ties with Islamabad, Pakistan's decisions will be crucial in shaping not just its own path but also the stability of South Asia. Against this backdrop of evolving global and regional power dynamics, we convened leading foreign policy thinkers for our written symposium, ‘Navigating the Emerging US-China Power Balance: Implications and Pathways for Pakistan.’ They included Pakistan’s former foreign secretary and current director general of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) Sohail Mahmood, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, China and United Nations (UN) and former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan and Pakistan’s former ambassador and permanent representative to the UN and other international organizations Zamir Akram. What follows are the questions we asked and the in‑depth perspectives they shared.