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.
United Nations (U.N.)
Founded at the end of World War II, the New York-based United Nations is an international organization with 193 member nations. It began with 50 nations meeting at San Francisco in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. Over two months, the U.N. Charter was created as the basis for the organization's hope of preventing another world war. Founding members Britain, China, France, the Soviet Union and the United States took permanent veto-wielding seats on the powerful Security Council.
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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."
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.
Brave lone voice of youth climate activism takes on the 'emperors'
In a podcast, Greta Thunberg invokes a 183-year-old tale that captures the thinking needed to solve the climate crisis.
U.S. derides U.N. effort to counter racism
The top American diplomat rebuked the U.N. Human Rights Council a day after it commissioned a report on racism and police brutality.
WHO warns pandemic keeps 'accelerating'
The world faces “a new and dangerous phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic that requires more vigilance and restraint while easing lockdowns, WHO said.
Nations authorize 'systemic racism' report
The U.N. Human Rights Council approved a resolution calling for a report on systemic racism and police brutality against Black people.
U.N. refugee agency says war and conflict uprooted 1% of humanity
An unprecedented 79.5 million people - two-fifths of them children - were forcibly displaced as of the end of 2019.
Kenya wins race for fifth new UNSC seat
Kenya won election to the U.N. Security Council, joining with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway in gaining a seat on the world body's most powerful arm.
U.N. urged to probe U.S. and global racism
The world's top human rights body heard calls for it to authorize two separate U.N.-mandated Commissions of Inquiry into racism in the U.S. and worldwide.
U.N. forecasts foreign investments plunge
New business investment globally will likely drop by up to 40% this year and 10% in 2021 from the COVID-19 pandemic, UNCTAD reported.
Trump order meant to hold up ICC probe
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against ICC officials who investigate alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan.
U.N. experts condemn U.S. crackdowns
U.N. human rights experts called on U.S. authorities to end the use of violence towards demonstrators protesting systemic racism and police brutality.