Global COVID-19 cases exceed 3 million
Global confirmed cases of COVID-19 passed 3 million as New Zealand, several European nations and a few U.S. states took steps to ease lockdowns.
Asia-Pacific
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U.N. finds abuses with some lockdowns
The U.N. human rights chief warned some governments are abusing emergency powers to fight the pandemic by resorting to police brutality and other tactics.
WHO aid is latest U.S.-China battleground
China raised its donations for the WHO's pandemic efforts to US$50 million a week after U.S. President Donald Trump halted the U.N. agency's U.S. funding.
IRENA says renewable energy boosts GDP
Governments could use energy transformations to create jobs, meet climate targets and produce GDP gains of US$98 trillion by 2050, according to a new report.
Leaders decry Trump cuts to WHO funding
World leaders and public health authorities denounced U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to halt funding for the World Health Organization.
WHO chief repudiates Trump scapegoating
Two weeks after praising U.S. leadership in the pandemic, the U.N. health agency chief pushed back against White House attempts at scapegoating.
Uprooted 70 million at risk in virus spread
The coronavirus pandemic threatens to disproportionately harm more than 70 million people who have been forcibly displaced by wars and violent crises.
U.N. launches $2 billion anti-virus plan
The U.N. asked governments and private donors to provide $2 billion to meet emergency health needs in the poorest countries coping with the pandemic.
Europe's mixed progress toward U.N. goals
Air pollution levels exceed recommended health limits in all but 10 mainly European countries, but most lowered carbon emissions and expanded forest cover.
WHO: World's first coronavirus pandemic
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic — the global spread of a new disease — marking the first time a coronavirus has gained that distinction.
ICC allows Afghanistan war crimes probe
The ICC ruled unanimously to authorize an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and American-led forces.
Ex-U.N. chief Pérez de Cuéllar dies at 100
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the fifth U.N. chief from 1982 to 1991, who arranged an Iraq-Iran cease-fire and aided democracy in his native Peru, died at age 100.
Democracy on decline in health checkup
Freedom House warned of a continued decline in global democracy in an annual checkup blaming a "leaderless struggle" undercut by autocrats and populists.
U.N. targets nexus of terror and small arms
The U.N.'s counterterrorism chief launched a new project taking on the threat posed by terror groups, organized crime and trafficking in illicit small arms.
U.N. agencies say kids lose 'liveable planet'
Children who grow up in countries least responsible for global warming suffer twice as many health problems as wealthier nations that pollute the most.
Afghan refugees seek return after 40 years
Afghan refugees appealed to Pakistan and the U.N. for more support at a conference, hoping to return home after four decades of fleeing wars and conflict.