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.
China
China is a global power with the world’s second-largest economy and an increasing geopolitical rivalry with the United States. As the U.S. has reduced its engagement with certain multilateral institutions, China has increasingly sought to fill that vacuum by increasing its funding to the U.N. and placing its nationals in leadership roles.
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New multilingual tool helps organizations monitor threats
Journalists, lawyers, activists, fact checkers, regulators and others have been using a new tool to fight disinformation.
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.
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.'
Researchers seek greater Indigenous peoples' voice in climate policy
Indigenous communities have long coped with climate uncertainties. Researchers suggest tapping that knowledge.
American elected as successor to Chinese head of U.N. telecom agency
ITU's next secretary-general will take over a key agency that regulates and sets standards for global telecommunications.
Xi and Putin hold talks on sidelines of 8-nation regional security summit
At the SCO summit, China called its partnership with Russia 'as stable as mountains' despite some questions and concerns.
Showdown over U.N. report on alleged China abuses in Xinjiang
A closely watched U.N. report finds China's persecution of Muslim Uyghurs may constitute crimes against humanity.
Russia shortens Syrian lifeline of aid deliveries
Obstructed by Russia's demands, the U.N. Security Council agreed to a six-month entension for cross-border humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria.
World's first permanent war crimes tribunal 'unfortunately' still needed
It has been 20 years since U.N. diplomats stood and cheered when a treaty won enough support to launch the global court.
U.N. health agency says virus 'lab leak theory' needs more study
After two years of discounting the controversial theory, WHO urges a closer look into 'this and all other possible pathways.'
Assassination to intimidation: dissidents targeted across borders
Assassination and unlawful deportations are some of the methods that regimes use against activists and dissidents.
U.N. human rights chief says her China visit did not find answers
Michelle Bachelet acknowledged she was unable to adequately judge the situation for Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province.
More frequent wildfires globally seen as sign of climate 'tinderboxes'
A UN report finds wildfires are burning longer and hotter, and will likely become more frequent in some areas.
Nations agree to new scrutiny of U.N. vetos
Prompted by its own paralysis over Syria and Ukraine, the U.N. moved to prevent abuse of power by Russia and other permanent Security Council members.
Organizations turn to airlift for Afghanistan
The U.N. health agency and other international organizations began airlifting emergency supplies to Afghanistan through neighboring Pakistan and its airline.