Candidates vie to become next WTO chief
The embattled WTO shifted to selecting a new director-general in an expected race between candidates from Mexico, Africa and Europe.
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.N. cancels usual summit of world leaders
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the United Nations will not summon world leaders to its annual gathering for the first time in its 75-year history.
Group of nations take on plastic in oceans
The U.N. General Assembly launched a new group dedicated to tackling marine plastic pollution by building support for a new global agreement.
Racism flagged in U.N. reviews of the United States' human rights record
Dozens of nations repeatedly urged the U.S. to eradicate systemic racism and police brutality, but not much changed.
Trump postpones 'outdated' G-7 summit
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters will delay the annual G-7 summit until fall, after German Chancellor Angela Merkel declined an invitation.
Trump to end U.S. involvement with WHO
U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, attempting to deflect blame for U.S. crises.
U.N. climate summit delayed until 2021
The U.N.'s annual climate summit planned for November in Glasgow, Scotland, will be postponed for a year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
U.N. expert: Saudi case a 'parody of justice'
The head of the U.N. team that investigated Jamal Khashoggi’s death dismissed pardons that could allow Saudi authorities to release his killers.
U.S.-China feud dominates WHO assembly
Under U.S. pressure, the World Health Assembly unanimously approved a resolution calling for a review of WHO's pandemic response.
Suspect arrested in 1994 Rwanda genocide
After 25 years on the run, Félicien Kabuga, a high-profile fugitive in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, was arrested outside Paris to stand trial in a U.N. court.
Officials say Olympic safety will not be easy
The heads of the IOC and WHO acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic makes next year's Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics unpredictable.
Virus enters world's largest refugee camps
Officials sounded the alarm after the first COVID-19 infections were detected at the world's largest refugee settlement for Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
U.N. report forecasts 3.2% economic drop
The world economy is projected to shrink by 3.2% in 2020 — its biggest contraction since the 1930s Great Depression — due to the pandemic.
Security Council halted by U.S. on cease-fire
The U.S. blocked a U.N. Security Council vote to end global hostilities amid a pandemic — the same day diplomats emphasized lessons from World War II.
Singaporean chosen as next WIPO director
WIPO's top governing body appointed Daren Tang, a lawyer from Singapore, to serve as its next chief in a contest reflecting U.S.-China tensions.
U.N. appeal for pandemic aid triples to help nations battle pandemic
The U.N. more than tripled its humanitarian aid appeal to US$6.7 billion, up from US$2 billion, for vulnerable countries.