WHO presses Chinese health officials for data on COVID-19 spike
The U.N. health agency sought information from Beijing about the COVID-19 surge as nations impose travel restrictions.
Ronald Powers
Veteran journalist, storyteller, photographer, with 40+ years at AP as a reporter, national editor and Washington bureau supervisor.
Washington
U.N. summit clinches 196-nation deal to halt biodiversity loss
Negotiators reached a 30% by 2030 or '30 by 30' deal just as the almost two-week U.N. Biodiversity Conference was ending.
IEA forecasts global coal use will peak before solar, wind overtake it
Governments and businesses increasingly look to solar and wind as reliable energy sources that will one day replace coal.
Biodiversity summit poses call to act, decade of protections on line
UNEP's chief describes the summit as an opportunity to 'secure our life-support system, to make peace with nature.'
UN seeks record $51.5 billion in aid to extend ‘lifeline’ worldwide
While many developing nations suffered droughts and floods, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted food supply lines.
Venezuelan deal sets stage for $3B in frozen assets to go to aid fund
The agreement restarts negotiations and clears the way for Chevron to resume pumping Venezuelan oil.
Now in its fourth decade, campaign fights most pervasive rights violation
The 16-day campaign involves thousands of organizations in 187 nations and runs until Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
Sustainable food cold chain key to fighting waste and climate change
Millions of vaccine doses a year and nearly a third of all food produced is lost or wasted, according to new estimates.
Early warning for extreme weather planned as Europe temps accelerate
The U.N. proposed a system for reaching everyone on Earth with early warnings against extreme and dangerous weather.
World bankers meet amid global inflation and recession threats
With leadership under fire and a mix of crises, finance ministers and central bankers held World Bank meetings.
Researchers seek greater Indigenous peoples' voice in climate policy
Indigenous communities have long coped with climate uncertainties. Researchers suggest tapping that knowledge.
Hunger from climate, conflicts and rising prices hits developing world
With 50 million 'a step away from starvation,' humanitarian groups calculate a person dies of hunger every four seconds.
Global Fund raises record amount but falls short of $18B goal
Reeling from pandemic setbacks, the world's largest disease-fighting fund sought money to work in more than 100 nations.
Widespread racism in focus at U.N. review of U.S. racial justice record
Entrenched racism, white nationalism, aggressive policing and xenophobia stifle the rights of Americans nationwide.
Pandemic sets back childhood vaccinations for first time in 30 years
The report blames misinformation, conflicts and wars, lockdowns, supply chain disruptions and diverted resources.
Street renamed to honor murdered political journalist Jamal Khashoggi
The street renaming honors the journalist assassinated by the Saudis because of his writings about the repressive regime.