Latest News

Unsplash/Robin Sommer

Environmental racism in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’, must end, say UN human rights experts

2 March 2021
Human Rights

The further industrialization of so-called “Cancer Alley” in the southern United States, known for its pollution-emitting chemical plants, should be halted according to a large group of independent UN human rights experts, who on Tuesday branded it a form of “environmental racism”. 

© UNICEF/Dhiraj Singh

Equitable vaccine delivery plan needs more support to succeed: COVAX partners

2 March 2021
Health

The equitable coronavirus vaccine delivery initiative COVAX that has delivered its first doses to West Africa and Latin America in the past few days, is a credit to international solidarity, but potential obstacles must be overcome if a fully global rollout is to be achieved, UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday.

WFP/Gabriela Vivacqua

UN agencies appeal for $266 million to feed refugees in eastern Africa

2 March 2021
Migrants and Refugees

A funding shortfall is putting the lives of some three million refugees in eastern Africa at risk, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday. 

UNDP

Reflect nature’s ‘true value’ in economic policies and decisions, UN chief urges

2 March 2021
Economic Development

Nations must start weighing up the cost of economic profit against damage to the environment if they are to have a chance at a sustainable future, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday. 

UNICEF/KC Nwakalor

Abducted girls released in northwest Nigeria, as fresh attacks rock country’s northeast

2 March 2021
Peace and Security

While the release of more than 200 girls abducted from their school on Friday in northwest Nigeria is a welcome development said senior UN officials there on Tuesday, civilians and aid facilities have come under attack in the country’s northeast, highlighting the plight of civilians who have suffered years of conflict and insecurity.  

© UNICEF/Milequem Diarassouba

‘We sink or we swim together’: 5 things you need to know about COVAX

1 March 2021
Health

COVAX has been trending in stories about the COVID-19 pandemic in recent days, particularly in relation to the shipment of vaccines to Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the first to arrive in Africa. Here’s a UN News recap of what COVAX is, and why it is so important.

IAEA/Dean Calmaa

UN’s nuclear watchdog agency will not be ‘bargaining chip’ in Iran nuclear deal

1 March 2021
Peace and Security

The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog agency told journalists on Monday that inspections in Iran should not be used as a “bargaining chip” to revive a troubled nuclear deal. 

IMF/Saiyna Bashir

COVID-19 cases rise for first time in seven weeks: WHO

1 March 2021
Health

After six consecutive weeks of decline, COVID-19 cases worldwide increased last week for the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. 

© UNICEF

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire begin history-making COVAX vaccination drives

1 March 2021
Health

As the first recipients of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine doses through the UN-partnered COVAX initiative, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana began their vaccine rollouts on Monday, prioritizing frontline workers and vulnerable groups, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Unsplash/Liza Pooor

Russia responsible for Navalny poisoning, rights experts say

1 March 2021
Human Rights

Russia is responsible for the poisoning and attempted killing of jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny, two independent UN rights experts said on Monday, issuing an “open call” for an international investigation into the incident.