Pandemic fueled by 'profound inequalities'
The U.N. human rights chief says the challenge of preventing abuses is rising sharply as racism and social inequalities accelerate the coronavirus pandemic.
Global Issues
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U.S. rules foreign NGOs lack speech rights
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that foreign affiliates of U.S.-based organizations lack free speech rights.
U.S. chided for 'rapid decline' in freedoms
Crackdowns on protesters and journalists landed the U.S. on a global alliance's updated watchlist of nations dogged by "serious concerns" for civic freedoms.
Coronavirus infections overtake 10 million
The world reached two tragic milestones on Sunday — 10 million COVID-19 cases and 500,000 deaths — with 1 million infections added in the past six days.
At 75, U.N. Charter remains a 'touchstone'
The U.N. Charter, signed 75 years ago at the end of the U.N. Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, remains a global "touchstone."
Illegal wildlife profits are soaring despite global efforts to crack down
The Financial Action Task Force reported that the illegal wildlife trade launders up to US$23 billion in profits a year.
IMF forecasts 4.9% drop in world economy
The IMF estimated a 4.9% drop in global GDP for 2020, sharply revising its earlier prediction of a 3% drop due to the pandemic.
Nations defend ICC against U.S. sanctions
The world's first permanent war crimes tribunal won support from 67 nations opposed to U.S. attempts to block a probe of alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
ITU seeks to counter online pandemic risks with new guidelines
The U.N. telecom agency says the pandemic raised the risks to countless kids who spend hours glued to tablets or computers.
Global coronavirus cases exceed 9 million
Global coronavirus cases surged past 9 million killing 470,000 people — an increase of 1 million infections in just six days — led by the U.S. and Brazil.
U.S.-Russia nuclear weapons talks restart
U.S.-Russia nuclear talks resumed after more than a year, despite unknown factors like China's non-participation and a U.S. presidential election.
A brave lone voice takes on the 'emperors'
In a podcast, Greta Thunberg invokes a 183-year-old tale that captures the thinking needed to solve the climate crisis and her surreal journey as an activist.
U.S. derides U.N. effort to counter racism
The top American diplomat rebuked the U.N. Human Rights Council a day after it commissioned a report on racism and police brutality.
WHO warns pandemic keeps 'accelerating'
The world faces “a new and dangerous phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic that requires more vigilance and restraint while easing lockdowns, WHO said.
Nations authorize 'systemic racism' report
The U.N. Human Rights Council approved a resolution calling for a report on systemic racism and police brutality against Black people.
UNHCR reports 1% of humanity displaced
An unprecedented 79.5 million people, or 1% of the world's population, were recorded as forcibly displaced as of the end of 2019, UNHCR reported.