WHO and foundations launch virus fund
WHO and two international foundations launched a first-of-its-kind fund to help vulnerable populations and weak health systems cope with the pandemic.
Global Issues
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Global trade services growth weakens as coronavirus spreads
The World Trade Organization's services trade barometer shows a further decline from last September.
WHO: World's first coronavirus pandemic
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic — the global spread of a new disease — marking the first time a coronavirus has gained that distinction.
WMO warns Earth halfway to Paris limit
Signs of global warming are everywhere, WMO said in a report that found the world officially crossed the halfway point to a major climate crisis benchmark.
U.N. warns of US$2 trillion losses to virus
Trade economists who advise the U.N. warned COVID-19 could cost the world economy up to US$2 trillion in 2020 and push nations into recession.
U.N. reboots 1995 plan for gender equality
A U.N.-led global commission recommitted the world to achieving gender equality, in a relaunch and update of a quarter-century old landmark agreement.
WHO says coronavirus cases top 100,000
WHO announced the global number of confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed 100 000, a grim milestone requiring leaders to "step forward" and save lives.
Ex-U.N. chief Pérez de Cuéllar dies at 100
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the fifth U.N. chief from 1982 to 1991, who arranged an Iraq-Iran cease-fire and aided democracy in his native Peru, died at age 100.
UNCTAD sees US$50 billion exports drop
The global coronavirus outbreak likely caused a US$50 billion decline in worldwide manufacturing exports from China in February alone, UNCTAD reported.
Democracy on decline in health checkup
Freedom House warned of a continued decline in global democracy in an annual checkup blaming a "leaderless struggle" undercut by autocrats and populists.
G-7 pledges to fight new coronavirus risks
G-7 finance chiefs vowed to safeguard their economies from the coronavirus outbreak, but did not offer specifics about what they might be prepared to do.
WHO raises COVID-19 risk to 'very high'
WHO raised its global risk assessment for the coronavirus to “very high” as some nations struggled with containment and economic fears lashed markets.
U.N. issues 'call to action' on human rights
U.N. leaders challenged nations, businesses and citizens to respond to a "call to action" for greater efforts to withstand a rising tide of human rights abuses.
L'Arche probe discloses abuses by founder
L'Arche International, which supports people with learning disabilities, announced its late founder, Jean Vanier, sexually abused six women in France.
U.N. targets nexus of terror and small arms
The U.N.'s counterterrorism chief launched a new project taking on the threat posed by terror groups, organized crime and trafficking in illicit small arms.
U.N. agencies say kids lose 'liveable planet'
Children who grow up in countries least responsible for global warming suffer twice as many health problems as wealthier nations that pollute the most.