WHO virus team to enter China this week
China announced it is "ready to receive" World Health Organization experts this week on an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
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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Geneva
U.S. and U.N. roles at odds in Western Sahara
Pro-independence leaders in Western Sahara want the Biden administration to resolve a contradiction: U.S. policy runs counter to U.N.-led peace efforts.
Global coronavirus cases surpass 90 million
Confirmed COVID-19 infections exceeded 90 million — two-thirds in the Americas and Europe — with 1.93 million deaths worldwide.
WHO urges end to bilateral vaccine deals
The head of the U.N. health agency asked wealthy countries to stop hoarding most of the world's COVID-19 vaccine supply, saying it hurts poorer nations.
Organizations alarmed at U.S. Capitol mob attack
International organizations reacted with shock and sadness at the state of American democracy after pro-Trump insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol.
China negotiating with WHO over experts visit
China said it is still negotiating the dates and terms of a visit by a World Health Organization-led team to study the origins of COVID-19.
WHO chief criticizes China over virus team
The U.N. health agency chief expressed rare displeasure with China over delays preventing a scientific team from investigating how COVID-19 originated.
Vaccine nationalism hangs over 2021 recovery
Richer countries locked up most of 2021's COVID-19 vaccine supply despite the COVAX Facility's multilateral efforts to ensure all nations have equal access.
Iran begins 20% uranium enrichment
Iran resumed enrichment of uranium to 20% in a move closer to weapons grade levels and further away from the 2015 nuclear deal.
WHO lists first COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use
The WHO listed Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine Comirnaty® for emergency use, the first such designation since the pandemic began earlier this year.
E.U. and China reach pact on business investment
The European Union moved to clinch a business investment deal with China despite concerns from the United States and human rights organizations.
Vaccine approvals add promise for COVAX use
Britain and Argentina authorized emergency use of a coronavirus vaccine that adds momentum to its anticipated global use by international organizations.
WHO warns even deadlier pandemic may surface
WHO officials ended the year with a warning that a future pandemic more severe than the coronavirus may hit one day if the world is not ready.
WTO delays IP waiver proposal for pandemic
A proposal for WTO to suspend IP protections of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments is set to expire this month, kicking the issue over to 2021.
COVID-19 cases exceed 80 million worldwide
The world surpassed 80 million confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1.75 million deaths, as the coronavirus keeps accelerating and affects nearly every region.
U.K. and E.U. reach post-Brexit trade deal
Britain reached a tentative free-trade deal to lessen the chaos of its departure from the European Union, the world's biggest trading bloc.