U.N. report forecasts 3.2% economic drop
The world economy is projected to shrink by 3.2% in 2020 — its biggest contraction since the 1930s Great Depression — due to the pandemic.
Global Issues
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Coronavirus cases worldwide top 4 million
In just 12 days the world added a million confirmed COVID-19 cases, pushing the total to more than 4 million led by a surge in the United States.
Security Council halted by U.S. on cease-fire
The U.S. blocked a U.N. Security Council vote to end global hostilities amid a pandemic — the same day diplomats emphasized lessons from World War II.
U.N. appeal for pandemic aid triples to help nations battle pandemic
The U.N. more than tripled its humanitarian aid appeal to US$6.7 billion, up from US$2 billion, for vulnerable countries.
Global energy demand and CO2 plummet
Global CO2 emissions are on track to decline by almost 8% this year from the pandemic causing the biggest downturn in energy use since World War II.
Coalition offers schools reopening advice
Humanitarian organizations offered guidelines to help 1.5 billion students who face "an unprecedented risk" if the pandemic keeps schools closed for long.
Using the pandemic to 'rebuild our world'
Some good can come out from the pandemic if world leaders use it to "rebuild our world for the better" by investing in clean energy, the U.N. chief said.
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.
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.
U.N. resolution calls for global virus effort
The U.N. General Assembly urged all nations to join in ensuring universal access to medical supplies, drugs, future vaccines and testing for the pandemic.
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.
Global COVID-19 cases soar past 2 million
It took more than three months for global coronavirus infections to surpass the 1 million mark, and just over two weeks more to add another 1 million cases.
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.
IMF warns of worst recession since 1930s
The global economy will likely suffer the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression due to pandemic disruptions and shutdowns, IMF forecast.
UNESCO battles 'disinfodemic' over rise of false pandemic information
Disinformation and misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic pose a 'grave danger' to people around the world.