WHO

UN-Watchers Expect the Worst From Trump at General Assembly Next Week

September 16, 2020

The General Assembly is surely going to be a very interesting place this month — even if world leaders are staying home for the annual opening debate because of the pandemic. On Monday, Sept. 21, the General Assembly is hosting a special session to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. For this …

General Assembly, US Foreign Relations, US-UN Relations, WORLDVIEWS

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THIS WEEK @UN

Climate Change Risks, Israel-Palestine Covid-19 Crisis, UN’s Partial Reopening

July 24, 2020

by Allison Lecce

The Security Council held a climate change and security debate, led by Germany, nearly 10 years since the first and last time the Council met on this specific issue and agreed to a presidential statement on it. The Dominican Republic also led a meeting on climate change in January 2019. Although no resolution was …

Climate and Environment, This Week @UN, US-UN Relations

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THIS WEEK @UN

US Severs Ties to the WHO, Security Council Vetoes, Counterterrorism Week

July 10, 2020

by Allison Lecce

In a final straw to the current troubles between the World Health Organization and the United States, the Trump administration notified United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on July 6 of its withdrawal from the agency, effective July 6, 2021. But the story may not be over, as Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, tweeted: …

Climate and Environment, General Assembly, Secretary-General, Security Council, This Week @UN, US-UN Relations

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COVID-19

In the Pandemic, $3,200 Drugs for the Rich and Sanitizers Too Pricey for the Poor

July 6, 2020

by Barbara Crossette

Across the world, the rise of nationalist leaders has prompted fears that democracy and international cooperation are endangered. Now the public health systems of many countries are also being menaced by the politics of authoritarianism in the Covid-19 pandemic era. On June 29, the United States announced that it had more or less cornered …

Covid-19

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THIS WEEK @UN

Finally, a Global Cease-Fire Resolution, US-Iran Venom, Desperate Syrians

July 2, 2020

by Allison Lecce

The United States took a beating in the Security Council on Tuesday in its goal to extend the arms embargo in the Iran nuclear deal, but the next day all 15 members of the United Nations’ elite body adopted a resolution calling for a global cease-fire during the pandemic to enable successful humanitarian responses. …

This Week @UN

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THIS WEEK @UN

UN Staffers’ Right to Protest, More Struggles in Mali, US to Sanction ICC Employees

June 12, 2020

by Allison Lecce

Starting in June, a summary of the most important news on the United Nations’ work in New York City and worldwide will be highlighted weekly. The news will be drawn from the UN spokesperson’s media briefings, our original reporting and other sources. We look forward to your feedback on this new series, called This …

This Week @UN

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THIS WEEK @UN

Upheaval in the US, More Disaster in Yemen, UN’s Phased Reopening

June 5, 2020

by Allison Lecce

Starting in June, a summary of the most important news on the United Nations’ work in New York City and across the world will be highlighted weekly. The news will be drawn from the UN spokesperson’s media briefings, which are held daily during the workweek, as well as our original reporting and other sources. …

This Week @UN

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COVID-19

Trump Quits the World Health Organization. The Victim Is the United States.

May 29, 2020

by Barbara Crossette

Two weeks after President Trump fired off a characteristically intemperate letter to the director-general of the World Health Organization, accusing him of incompetence in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis, the reputation of the agency has been damaged far less than the image of the United States. That is, to judge by the reaction of global …

Covid-19, US-UN Relations

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COVID-19

Never Underestimate the Grit of Malawians to Survive the Coronavirus

May 25, 2020

by Antonio Menendez de Zubillaga

LILONGWE, Malawi — Ever since an expatriate tourism adviser labeled Malawi the “warm heart of Africa” in the 1970s, Malawians have worn the title proudly, sparing no effort to welcome visitors with open arms. My family and I felt immediately at home here in Lilongwe, the capital. We arrived in April 2018, as part …

Africa, Covid-19

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COVID-19

In Geneva’s Lockdown, Getting to Know Your Neighbors

May 7, 2020

by Peter McCarey

GENEVA — If your idea of normal is Glasgow or New York City, you might think, Geneva is in lockdown? How can they tell? In our building, a row of nine townhouses, it’s been sweet. Here’s an odd stat: three of the families have three daughters, no sons. There’s just one little boy, suitably timid, …

Covid-19

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COVID-19

Trump’s Break-Up With the WHO and the US Push for a Vaccine

May 1, 2020

by Irwin Arieff

Just how crazy is Donald Trump’s campaign to punish the World Health Organization over its apparent “China-centric” bias in the midst of a deadly pandemic? Let us count the ways. At the top of the list: It may contribute to a big setback for Trump himself. When the United States president announced on April …

Covid-19, US Foreign Relations, US-UN Relations

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COVID-19

In Spain, a Strong Sense of Solidarity Drives Endurance in the Pandemic

April 27, 2020

by Susana Malcorra

MADRID — The first two cases of Covid-19 infections here were identified on Feb. 26, 2020. That day, 23 people had become infected in Spain in less than 24 hours. Three days later, the number was 80. From then on, Madrid rapidly became the city with the most cases in the country, and by …

Covid-19, Health and Population

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COVID-19

Sergio, Legendary UN Troubleshooter, Gets His Own Hollywood Biopic

April 16, 2020

by Dali ten Hove

The much-anticipated biopic among United Nations watchers, “Sergio,” a drama relating the tale of Sergio Vieira de Mello, opened today on Netflix. It features the actors Wagner Moura as Sergio and Ana de Armas as his partner, Carolina Larriera. Who was Sergio Vieira de Mello? And why is he the subject of a Hollywood …

Covid-19, UN Diplomats

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COVID-19

A Plea for Multilateralism From the Windy City

April 15, 2020

by Thomas G. Weiss

CHICAGO — American cities have an intimate association with the United Nations. That relationship started in San Francisco 75 years ago later this month and continues today and, one hopes, tomorrow in the New York and Washington headquarters for the UN and the Bretton Woods institutions. Chicago is my sabbatical base and an intriguing …

Covid-19, Secretary-General, US-UN Relations

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COVID-19

Trump, Following Up on His Earlier Threat, to Withhold Funding to WHO

April 14, 2020

by Dulcie Leimbach

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, announced from the Rose Garden of the White House on April 14 that he was withholding funding to the World Health Organization, pending a “60 to 90 day” review of its handling of the coronavirus crisis and seeming bias toward China, where the Covid-19 outbreak originated in …

Covid-19, Health and Population, US-UN Relations

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WHO

UN-Watchers Expect the Worst From Trump at General Assembly Next Week

Climate Change Risks, Israel-Palestine Covid-19 Crisis, UN’s Partial Reopening

US Severs Ties to the WHO, Security Council Vetoes, Counterterrorism Week

In the Pandemic, $3,200 Drugs for the Rich and Sanitizers Too Pricey for the Poor

Finally, a Global Cease-Fire Resolution, US-Iran Venom, Desperate Syrians

UN Staffers’ Right to Protest, More Struggles in Mali, US to Sanction ICC Employees

Upheaval in the US, More Disaster in Yemen, UN’s Phased Reopening

Trump Quits the World Health Organization. The Victim Is the United States.

Never Underestimate the Grit of Malawians to Survive the Coronavirus

In Geneva’s Lockdown, Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Trump’s Break-Up With the WHO and the US Push for a Vaccine

In Spain, a Strong Sense of Solidarity Drives Endurance in the Pandemic

Sergio, Legendary UN Troubleshooter, Gets His Own Hollywood Biopic

A Plea for Multilateralism From the Windy City

Trump, Following Up on His Earlier Threat, to Withhold Funding to WHO

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