Global coronavirus cases surge past 25 million
The world reached 25 million coronavirus infections, rising at a pace that indicates the pandemic has further accelerated since the 20 million mark.
Global Issues
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No remote learning for 463 million children
Nearly a third of the world’s 1.5 billion schoolchildren have been unable to access remote learning during school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
WEF postpones Davos gathering to summer
Summer hiking paths instead of winter ski trails await world leaders and power brokers at the World Economic Forum's next annual gathering in Davos.
IAEA chief negotiates nuclear access with Iran
Amid rising tensions on the U.N. Security Council over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, IAEA and Tehran said Tehran will allow inspectors at two nuclear sites.
Rebuilding tourism industry a U.N. priority
The pandemic could eliminate 40% of global tourism's 300 million jobs — one of every 10 — and trillions of dollars essential to developing economies.
WHO chief hopes for 2-year limit to pandemic
WHO's chief offered a tentative timetable for subduing the pandemic in less than two years if nations can pull together in fighting it.
WHO chief urges unity over 'vaccine nationalism'
WHO's chief said nations must band together and stop competing over access to future supplies of a potential vaccine if they want to beat the pandemic.
World surpasses 20 million coronavirus cases
The world reached a staggering milestone surpassing 20 million COVID-19 cases with 736,000 deaths — a doubling of 10 million cases in just over six weeks.
China sanctions NGO heads and U.S. lawmakers
China announced economic sanctions on 11 NGO leaders and U.S. lawmakers, in a retaliatory move against outspoken critics of its crackdown on Hong Kong.
Cybercrime and terrorism profit off pandemic, posing global challenge
The pandemic is being exploited to radicalize would-be terrorists and target vulnerable health care networks.
Nationalism rejected on 75th A-bomb anniversary
On the 75th anniversary of the first atomic bombing, Hiroshima's mayor called on world leaders to ban atomic weapons and boost international cooperation.
ILO child labor treaty gains universal backing
The ILO said a two decade-old convention outlawing the worst forces of child labor has gained universal ratification among all of its 187 member nations.
Generation of students at risk from school closures
A generation of children could suffer major setbacks if nations fail to sufficiently contain the coronavirus so schools can reopen, according to UNESCO data.
UNICEF says lead poisons up to 800 million kids
A third of the world's children have elevated levels of lead in their blood that could lead to irreversible harm, UNICEF and Pure Earth reported.
COVID-19 'most severe' health emergency
The coronavirus pandemic is the worst global public health emergency to be declared under a 13-year-old international law for deadly disease outbreaks.
WHO calls Pompeo remarks 'unacceptable'
WHO's chief denounced U.S. allegations he is subservient to the Chinese government and helped cover up Beijing's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.