WORLD IN BRIEF : UNITED NATIONS : U.S. and Russia Lead Debtors List

The United Nations is owed nearly $1.753 billion in regular and peacekeeping dues and would have to cease peacekeeping operations at the end of the year without an inflow of cash, according to a U.N. report. An accompanying table listed the United States as the biggest overall debtor to the organization, followed by Russia. In mid-July the United States owed just over $555 million in regular dues and $202.4 million for peacekeeping, for a total of $757.4 million. Russia was $138.1 million in arrears to the regular budget and owed $277.4 million for peacekeeping operations, for a total of $415.5 million.