Expert panel says pandemic was preventable
An independent expert panel faulted the World Health Organization and world leaders with a slow-moving response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Facebook-backed digital currency reboots
Facebook's global digital currency project is abandoning Switzerland as its hoped-for regulatory home and planning to launch a U.S.-based payment system.
WHO grants emergency use of China's Sinopharm
WHO added a Chinese shot to its list of COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use, providing COVAX another option to broaden vaccine access.
Methane cuts urged as cheaper climate path
A new U.N. report recommended methane emissions cuts as the most efficient way of preventing another 0.3 degrees Celsius of global warming.
U.S. and WTO chief push IP vaccine waiver
The United States and WTO chief backed waivers to vaccine patent protections aimed at speeding efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic.
E-commerce rises to 19% of all retail purchases
Global online sales among seven major economies jumped to almost one-fifth of all retail sales last year during the pandemic, UNCTAD reported.
Diplomats see progress on Iran nuclear talks
Major powers completed a third round of talks in Vienna amid "cautious and growing optimism," seeking ways to resuscitate the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.
Global COVID-19 infections top 150 million
Two of every five cases were in the United States, India and Brazil alone — with more than 3.1 million deaths and 87 million recoveries worldwide.
Challengers for U.N. chief lack official standing
The U.N. is considering one candidate for secretary-general in 2022 — incumbent António Guterres — despite the emergence of self-nominated challengers.
Biden summit buoys climate treaty hopes
A two-day global climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden ended with leaders and companies pledging to decarbonize the world economy.
U.N. inspectors find promise and hype with blockchain technology
Ten U.N. agencies use blockchain and most others plan to despite environmental issues, data privacy, and cyber risks.
COVAX expands with World Bank backing
The World Bank approved US$2 billion in financing for COVID-19 vaccines in 17 developing countries as part of a two-year US$12 billion package.
China rejects call for U.N. probe in Xinjiang
China lashed out against Human Rights Watch's report calling for a U.N.-led probe of alleged crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province.
Thunberg calls vaccine inequity a 'moral test'
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined WHO in calling on rich nations to stop hoarding vaccines and start accelerating the spread of shots worldwide.
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.
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.