Trump starts U.S. withdrawal from WHO
U.S. President Donald Trump gave notice to the U.N. triggering a one-year withdrawal process from the World Health Organization over the pandemic.
Global Issues
Global issues are complex challenges that require international cooperation, from mitigating climate change to addressing global poverty and geopolitical conflicts. Of the U.N.'s 169 targets for sustainable development, only 35% are on track or making moderate progress toward their 2030 deadline.
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Path steepens to 2030 anti-poverty goals
The U.N.'s annual forum on progress towards its 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 opened with a big challenge made far harder by the pandemic.
WHO's updated pandemic timeline inflames the controversy over China
As WHO gears up for an investigation into its handling of the pandemic, its new COVID-19 timeline raises more questions.
Global e-waste rises 21% in 5 years and is predicted to double by 2030
A big problem, the organizations say, is that collection and recycling programs don't keep pace with the rising pollution.
Global tourism may lose $3.3 trillion
The global coronavirus outbreak could cause as much as $3.3 trillion in losses to the global tourism industry if the pandemic lasts a year.
Security Council backs COVID-19 cease-fire
The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for cease-fires worldwide so that everyone can focus on ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pandemic fueled by 'profound inequalities'
The U.N. human rights chief says the challenge of preventing abuses is rising sharply as racism and social inequalities accelerate the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. rules foreign NGOs lack speech rights
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that foreign affiliates of U.S.-based organizations lack free speech rights.
U.S. chided for 'rapid decline' in freedoms
Crackdowns on protesters and journalists landed the U.S. on a global alliance's updated watchlist of nations dogged by "serious concerns" for civic freedoms.
Coronavirus infections overtake 10 million
The world reached two tragic milestones on Sunday — 10 million COVID-19 cases and 500,000 deaths — with 1 million infections added in the past six days.
At 75, U.N. Charter remains a 'touchstone'
The U.N. Charter, signed 75 years ago at the end of the U.N. Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, remains a global "touchstone."
Illegal wildlife profits are soaring despite global efforts to crack down
The Financial Action Task Force reported that the illegal wildlife trade launders up to $23 billion in profits a year.
IMF forecasts 4.9% drop in world economy
The IMF estimated a 4.9% drop in global GDP for 2020, sharply revising its earlier prediction of a 3% drop due to the pandemic.
Nations defend ICC against U.S. sanctions
The world's first permanent war crimes tribunal won support from 67 nations opposed to U.S. attempts to block a probe of alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
ITU seeks to counter online pandemic risks with new guidelines
The U.N. telecom agency says the pandemic raised the risks to countless kids who spend hours glued to tablets or computers.
Global coronavirus cases exceed 9 million
Global coronavirus cases surged past 9 million killing 470,000 people — an increase of 1 million infections in just six days — led by the U.S. and Brazil.