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."
Global Issues
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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.
Brave lone voice of youth climate activism 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.
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.
U.N. refugee agency says war and conflict uprooted 1% of humanity
An unprecedented 79.5 million people - two-fifths of them children - were forcibly displaced as of the end of 2019.
Kenya wins race for fifth new UNSC seat
Kenya won election to the U.N. Security Council, joining with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway in gaining a seat on the world body's most powerful arm.
U.N. urged to probe U.S. and global racism
The world's top human rights body heard calls for it to authorize two separate U.N.-mandated Commissions of Inquiry into racism in the U.S. and worldwide.
U.N. forecasts foreign investments plunge
New business investment globally will likely drop by up to 40% this year and 10% in 2021 from the COVID-19 pandemic, UNCTAD reported.
Coronavirus infections climb past 8 million
The global tally of COVID-19 cases surpassed 8 million accompanied by 437,000 deaths, as new cases surged to about 100,000 a day.