Iran begins 20% uranium enrichment
Iran resumed enrichment of uranium to 20% in a move closer to weapons grade levels and further away from the 2015 nuclear deal.
Middle East
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COVID-19 cases exceed 80 million worldwide
The world surpassed 80 million confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1.75 million deaths, as the coronavirus keeps accelerating and affects nearly every region.
Global coronavirus cases exceed 70 million
Confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 70 million with 1.58 million deaths as the pandemic raged out of control and nations pinned hopes on rolling out vaccines.
UNEP report points to catastrophic warming
Unmet promises to cut carbon emissions put the planet on track for temperatures to rise "in excess of 3 degrees Celsius this century," UNEP reported.
New U.N. 'day' to aid efforts against epidemics
After holding its first high-level session on the pandemic, the U.N. General Assembly created a new "international day" to prevent health crises like COVID-19.
Global coronavirus cases surpass 60 million
The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections across the world topped 60 million with 1.4 million deaths as drug makers rush to produce new vaccines.
G-20 pledges global access to vaccines
G-20 leaders ended a summit promising to make COVID-19 vaccines affordable and equally accessible for all and to support the U.N. health agency.
G-20 agrees to 'common framework' for debt relief
The G-20 major economies agreed to a framework for more debt relief among poor nations, responding to appeals from humanitarian and economic leaders.
Days after election, U.S. rights under inspection
With U.S. elections just barely decided, the U.N. Human Rights Council finished putting America's human rights record under a microscope.
WTO to be led by woman from Nigeria or S. Korea
The final phase of a race to become WTO's next director-general began with two well-qualified women from Nigeria and South Korea vying for the top post.
Experts urge G-20 to outdo debt suspensions
Experts cautioned a move by the world's richest countries to give the poorest ones more time to pay off debts will not do enough to alleviate massive suffering.
China, Russia join U.N. Human Rights Council
Despite criticism from the U.S. and human rights groups, China, Cuba and Russia were among 15 nations that won seats on the U.N. Human Rights Council.
U.N. rights chief censures virus-fueled hotspots
The U.N. human rights chief denounced violence in Belarus and systemic racism in the U.S. among hotspots of global turmoil compounded by the pandemic.
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.
Security Council further tightens Syria aid
The U.N. Security Council, bowing to Russia, constricted aid for Syrians in areas still beyond Syrian government control to just one Turkish border crossing.
New evidence of Syrian war crimes found
U.N. experts unveiled fresh evidence of Syrian war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in opposition-held Idlib province since November.