After 80 years, Atlantic Charter 2.0 is agreed
The U.S. and the U.K. signed a "revitalized" version of the 1941 Atlantic Charter to focus on 21st century risks such as cyber attacks and rising temperatures.
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific is a vast region that encompasses Asia and the nations of the Pacific Rim. It is home to over 4.3 billion people and is the world's fastest-growing economic zone. Its economic dynamism and geopolitical importance make it a critical hub for global trade.
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Open Skies lapse weakens U.S.-Russia ties
Russia withdrew from a treaty meant to lower the risk of conflict between Western nations and post-Soviet Russia, soon after the U.S. abandoned it.
G-7 backs 15% minimum global tax rate
Finance ministers from the Group of Seven agreed to set a global minimum corporate tax of at least 15% to deter multinationals from using tax havens.
WHO chief urges treaty and 'lot of work'
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus closed out the World Health Assembly with a warning against complacency and an appeal for a global pandemic treaty.
WEF calls off Singapore summit over pandemic
The World Economic Forum cancelled a summer version of its annual meeting in Singapore and pushed its annual Davos meeting to "the first half of 2022."
U.S. blocking call for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
The U.S. prevented the U.N. Security Council from issuing a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers.
Expert panel says pandemic was preventable
An independent expert panel faulted the World Health Organization and world leaders with a slow-moving response to the coronavirus pandemic.
WHO grants emergency use of China's Sinopharm
WHO added a Chinese shot to its list of COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use, providing COVAX another option to broaden vaccine access.
Methane cuts urged as cheaper climate path
A new U.N. report recommended methane emissions cuts as the most efficient way of preventing another 0.3 degrees Celsius of global warming.
U.S. and WTO chief push IP vaccine waiver
The United States and WTO chief backed waivers to vaccine patent protections aimed at speeding efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic.
E-commerce rises to 19% of all retail purchases
Global online sales among seven major economies jumped to almost one-fifth of all retail sales last year during the pandemic, UNCTAD reported.
Diplomats see progress on Iran nuclear talks
Major powers completed a third round of talks in Vienna amid "cautious and growing optimism," seeking ways to resuscitate the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.
Global COVID-19 infections top 150 million
Two of every five cases were in the United States, India and Brazil alone — with more than 3.1 million deaths and 87 million recoveries worldwide.
ASEAN calls for end to Myanmar killings
Nine Southeast Asian nations demanded that the military in Myanmar — the tenth ASEAN member — should immediately cease all violence and killings.
Biden summit buoys climate treaty hopes
A two-day global climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden ended with leaders and companies pledging to decarbonize the world economy.
COVAX expands with World Bank backing
The World Bank approved US$2 billion in financing for COVID-19 vaccines in 17 developing countries as part of a two-year US$12 billion package.