Counterterrorism forum goes independent
A global task force to fight online extremism announced it will become an independent watchdog organization led by an executive director and a board.
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
Nations adopt 2030 health coverage goal
The U.N. General Assembly called on all nations to work towards enabling everyone to have affordable, quality health services by 2030.
Scientists point to gaps in climate ambition
A day before the U.N. Climate Action Summit, climate science groups said nations must reduce "glaring and growing gaps" between intention and action.
Youth at U.N. demand bold climate action
Students and young leaders met for the first U.N. Youth Climate Summit to demand world leaders "walk the talk" and “stop wasting time" to save the planet.
Syrian cease-fire plan blocked in UNSC
Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution seeking to impose a cease-fire in northwest Syria's Idlib governorate, the last rebel stronghold.
Major investors pressure for climate action
More than 500 institutional investors urged governments to finally take significant action to reduce carbon emissions.
UPU drama over Trump challenge affects U.S. voting and opioids
Delegates will consider what to do in the face of the announcement last year by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw his nation's participation.
U.N. panel urges Myanmar genocide trials
A special U.N. fact-finding mission urged the world to hold Myanmar's military responsible for "genocidal acts" against the Muslim Rohingya minority.
Slow progress getting more kids in classes
Over the past decade, there has been only slight progress in sending more children to classrooms worldwide. One-sixth of school-age kids lack an education.
IMF predicts hit to global GDP from tariffs
The IMF said tariffs imposed or threatened by the U.S. and China could reduce global economic output by 0.8% in 2020 and cause more losses later.
Trump ally fills long-vacant U.S. ambassador post to United Nations
Incoming envoy Kelly Craft took up her new job issuing a terse statement while declining to take questions from reporters.
UNESCO-led Mosul's heritage reconstruction project is set for 2020
The US$100 million plan will reconstruct Mosul's cultural heritage, including its famed 12th-century al-Nuri mosque.
Facebook's new Libra Association pursues Swiss payments license
A Swiss payments license would make Facebook's proposed cryptocurrency subject to Swiss financial regulators.
Iran defies nuclear deal with centrifuge use as stockpile grows
IAEA confirmed Iran is preparing to use arrays of more advanced centrifuges, in another violation of the deal.
As temperatures rise, climate gains status as top threat to human rights
The U.N. human rights chief says the climate crisis is a top threat and U.S. detention of migrant children is alarming.
Trump's refugee and humanitarian aid faulted for 'cruel practices'
Refugees International gave the Trump administration's U.S. practices a 'failing grade' for a second year in a row.