IAEA supports plan to release Fukushima water
The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency offered support for Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima into the ocean in 2023.
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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Iran trumpets nuclear progress amid U.S. talks
After a week of U.S.-Iran proximity talks on the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's president announced Tehran is testing a centrifuge to speed uranium enrichment.
U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees reinstated as U.S. aid recipient
The United States pledged to restore aid to the Palestinians, almost two-thirds of it earmarked for UNRWA.
ICC hails reversal of Trump-era sanctions
The International Criminal Court hopes to 're-engage' with the United States after it revoked former Trump administration sanctions and visa restrictions.
Primary forest loss up 12% despite pandemic
Old-growth tropical forest losses rose 12% in 2020 accelerated by commerce and climate-related factors, according to Global Forest Watch.
WHO report points to animal source of virus
The coronavirus was likely transmitted initially from bats to humans through another animal and not from an accident in a Chinese lab, scientists reported.
World leaders propose new pandemic treaty
Twenty five nations joined with the European Council and World Health Organization in making an "urgent call" for creation of an international pandemic treaty.
U.N. investigator takes charge at Amnesty
Amnesty International named Agnès Callamard as its new secretary general, tapping a veteran human rights investigator to lead a 60-year-old organization.
Delays foreseen with COVAX vaccine deliveries
International organizations acknowledged significant delays in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to poor nations due to pressure from India.
NATO ministers agree to climate strategy shift
Foreign ministers to NATO agreed to elevate the importance of global warming and other major environmental threats in military planning and strategy.
Women 'excluded' from COVID-19 task forces
Government efforts to fight the pandemic include just one woman for every three men on average, according to UNDP, which urged more gender equality.
Turkey exits 'human rights convention of women'
The Turkish president withdrew his nation from Europe's first legally binding treaty on preventing violence against women and removed the central bank chief.
WMO cautions against seasonal easing on virus
The U.N. weather agency advised governments against relaxing COVID-19 restrictions based on assumptions the coronavirus will decline with warm weather.
America commits to rights overhaul in U.N. review
The U.S. accepted four-fifths of the almost 350 recommendations for improving its human rights record that other nations served up in a U.N. peer review.
U.N. says U.K. nuke plans would violate NPT
The U.K.'s decision to boost its nuclear warhead stockpile would breach the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, a U.N. spokesperson said.
U.N. handoff to Libya's new unity government
The U.N.-backed administration in Libya transitioned to an interim government without a hitch in a process leading to nationwide elections in late December.