WHO's COVID origins investigation in China has become 'very difficult'
The U.N. health agency says it updated its plans based on China's response but there's been "no quiet shelving of any plans" for investigating how the COVID-19 pandemic began.
John Heilprin
Award-winning U.N.-accredited journalist, with 30+ years on four continents, almost half of it for AP in Washington, New York and Geneva.
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NATO allies to step up support for Ukraine's 'grinding war of attrition'
The move reflects Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for vastly more heavy weaponry and ammunition – not to mention missiles, tanks and fighter jets – to launch an expected spring counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Malta elevates sea level rise on the world's peace and security agenda
The tiny island nation made the case that more attention must be focused on the threat of rising sea levels and gaps in international law about how to handle the loss of land.
U.N. aid chief laments 'failure' as 50,000+ quake toll expected
The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 earthquakes that hit Turkey and northern Syria a week ago rose to more than 36,000 people as the search continued for loved ones trapped in the rubble despite a closing survival window.
At Munich summit, a focus on democracy versus autocracy
Human rights has become "a major flashpoint in the growing systemic competition" between competing ideologies and governance systems, according to the summit's annual report.
Groups scramble aid as Turkey-Syria earthquake toll reaches 20,000
Fresh snowfall, freezing temperatures and a disrupted cross-border operation between southern Turkey and war-torn northern Syria added to the despair, frustration and anger.
ASEAN leaders' talks focus on peace in Myanmar and South China Sea
Southeast Asian foreign ministers sought to defuse conflicts from Myanmar's military takeover and China's expanding footprint, along with North Korea's aggressive missile testing.
Keywords for the next pandemic: accountability, equity, solidarity
Chief among the questions over a proposed pandemic treaty is an "accountability gap" that undermines the proposed treaty's potential, an independent coalition of global leaders said.
Pandemic treaty 'zero draft' gives WHO 20% share of responsibility
The rationale for the World Health Organization's proposed pandemic treaty is to erase the "gross inequities" between rich and poor that's been a scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. says Russia is violating terms of the New START nuclear arms treaty
The United States says Russia won't allow American inspectors to inspect its arsenal to ensure compliance with the post-Cold War agreement the two nations renewed for five years in 2021.
We're still living in a pandemic, U.N. health agency chief and panel agree
World Health Organization leaders agree COVID-19 remains an emergency but the pandemic may be approaching "an inflection point" of higher immunity resulting in fewer deaths.
U.N. health agency urges nations to update preparations for nuke risks
As recently as May almost half of WHO's 194 member nations said they "still lacked essential elements of preparedness for radiation emergencies," according to senior agency officials.
Odesa historic center added to UNESCO's World Heritage List
The listing means 194 nations that are party to the 1975 World Heritage Convention must commit to not deliberately cause direct or indirect damage to Odesa, and to help protect it.
WHO's chief wants the pandemic declared over in 2023. Some experts say that may not be a good thing.
Despite the temptation to end the pandemic, some leading health experts say it would be better to continue living with the official designation, which keeps up the pressure on authorities and civilians alike to act with caution.
Asia-Pacific rocked by growing hunger, nutrition and health crisis
The new U.N. report blamed the “5F” crisis – a combined lack of feed, fertilizer, financing, food and fuel – for the growing hunger, lack of nutrition and associated medical issues in the region due to conflicts, climate and other factors.
Doomsday Clock set at 90 seconds to ‘midnight’ - closest ever in its history
The symbolic clock was reset closer to the symbolic hour of apocalpyse largely due to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has raised the risk of a nuclear confrontation with the West.