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.
Asia-Pacific
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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.
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.
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.
Pandemic hits anticipated halfway point
One year on, the pandemic has prompted one of the most remarkable scientific efforts — and brought into sharper focus many of the world's inequities.
U.N. calls on Myanmar military to show 'restraint'
The U.N. Security Council unanimously agreed to condemn violence against Myanmar protesters and called on its military to exercise the 'utmost restraint.'
U.N. study shows 'horrifying' violence against women
About 30% of all women worldwide have been subjected to physical or sexual violence at least once during their lives, U.N. agencies found in a survey.
Risk of child marriage rising with pandemic
Child marriage is increasing with up to 10 million more girls at risk of becoming brides before the age of 18 due to the pandemic, UNICEF reported.
Myanmar's U.N. envoy defies ouster
A week after his nation's military tried to remove him, Myanmar’s U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun remained in his post, the chief U.N. spokesman said.
UNICEF sounds alarm over global school closures
The pandemic has kept 168 million children from attending schools and for many of them the consequences could be disastrous, UNICEF reported.
Analysis finds climate pledges 'fall far short'
The world's promised cuts in greenhouse gases come nowhere close to fulfilling the 2015 Paris Agreement, according to a new U.N. analysis.
COVAX starts global vaccine push in Ghana
The COVAX Facility's global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines finally launched with the delivery of 600,000 doses to Ghana's capital Accra.
U.S. seeks to rejoin Human Rights Council
The United States will campaign for a seat on the world's top human rights body, in another reversal of the former Trump administration's foreign policy.
IAEA to get 'less access' to Iran nuclear sites
The head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency and Iranian top officials announced Tehran will give international inspectors reduced access to nuclear sites.