China sanctions NGO heads and U.S. lawmakers
China announced economic sanctions on 11 NGO leaders and U.S. lawmakers, in a retaliatory move against outspoken critics of its crackdown on Hong Kong.
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.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Cybercrime and terrorism profit off pandemic, posing global challenge
The pandemic is being exploited to radicalize would-be terrorists and target vulnerable health care networks.
Nationalism rejected on 75th A-bomb anniversary
On the 75th anniversary of the first atomic bombing, Hiroshima's mayor called on world leaders to ban atomic weapons and boost international cooperation.
ILO child labor treaty gains universal backing
The ILO said a two decade-old convention outlawing the worst forces of child labor has gained universal ratification among all of its 187 member nations.
Generation of students at risk from school closures
A generation of children could suffer major setbacks if nations fail to sufficiently contain the coronavirus so schools can reopen, according to UNESCO data.
UNICEF says lead poisons up to 800 million kids
A third of the world's children have elevated levels of lead in their blood that could lead to irreversible harm, UNICEF and Pure Earth reported.
COVID-19 'most severe' health emergency
The coronavirus pandemic is the worst global public health emergency to be declared under a 13-year-old international law for deadly disease outbreaks.
WHO calls Pompeo remarks 'unacceptable'
WHO's chief denounced U.S. allegations he is subservient to the Chinese government and helped cover up Beijing's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organizations call on G-20 to cancel debts
Four anti-poverty international organizations called on G-20 finance ministers to cancel debts in poor nations so they can deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO warns 'normal' is still a long ways off
WHO warned there will be "no return to the 'old normal' for the foreseeable future" as COVID-19 spreads and too many governments fail to act effectively.
Chronic hunger threatens 130 million more
The number of people not getting enough nutrition rose by 60 million since 2014 — and the pandemic may add up to 132 million more this year.
Eight candidates in running for WTO chief
Eight contenders from Britain, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and South Korea have until September 7 to campaign for the job of WTO chief.
WMO warns of 1.5° C. limit by 2024
A key threshold of the 2015 Paris Agreement against the worst effects of global warming could be reached within five years, WMO warned.
Nations slam Trump's move to leave WHO
Nations and public health critics denounced the Trump administration's announced U.S. departure from WHO as an irresponsible and wrong-headed move.
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.
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.