Geneva

A woman is shown holding back a curtain and entering a salon with painted over pictures of women on either side of the doorway.

UN warning of Taliban actions and impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Top of The World: The Taliban are increasingly under scrutiny over their promises of a different governance. And, North Korean officials said the country had successfully tested long-range cruise missiles over the weekend. Also, Peruvian officials are debating what to do with the body of Abimael Guzmán, the leader of the brutal Shining Path insurgency who died on Saturday.

UN warning of Taliban actions and impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrive to meet at the Villa la Grange, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Biden and Putin both place a ‘high priority’ on cybersecurity, says presidential adviser after Geneva summit

Biden and Putin both place a ‘high priority’ on cybersecurity, says presidential adviser after Geneva summit
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are shown walking toward each other with their hands outstretched for a shake.

Biden and Putin begin face-to-face talks in Geneva

Biden and Putin begin face-to-face talks in Geneva
Men in orange and yellow jackets lift a box of vaccines from COVAX off of a truck bed

Norway's minister calls on others to follow his country's lead in sharing COVID-19 vaccines

Norway's minister calls on others to follow his country's lead in sharing COVID-19 vaccines
Greek and Cypriot flags flutter on poles on the left, as Turkish and Turkish Cypriot breakaway flags fly between minarets on the right

As Cyprus' leaders convene for peace talks in Geneva, some Cypriots say 'expectations are low'

As Cyprus' leaders convene for peace talks in Geneva, some Cypriots say 'expectations are low'
Marion Koopmans (R)is shown holding a folded white paper and reaching out to shake the hand of Liang Wannian.

WHO draft report says animals likely source of COVID-19

A joint World Health Organization-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is "extremely unlikely," according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.

WHO draft report says animals likely source of COVID-19
A demonstrator displays a picture of the defaced image of the commander in chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, also chairman of the State Administrative Council to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb. 17, 2021. The UN expert on human

UN Human Rights Council starts work to address a ‘pandemic of human rights abuses'

Experts say that as the US rejoins the UN Human Rights Council, it should hold allies — and itself — accountable for human rights violations. 

UN Human Rights Council starts work to address a ‘pandemic of human rights abuses'
Delegates, wearing masks, listen to speeches during the 45th session of the Human Rights Council, at the European UN headquarters in Geneva, Sept. 14, 2020.

At the UN review of US human rights, the Trump administration gets an earful

For the Trump administration, the UPR is a final chance for it to defend its policies — and “America first” attitude — to the global community. And while the Trump administration claims it has made gains in human rights, representatives from evaluating countries listed events which, they said, run counter to that narrative.

At the UN review of US human rights, the Trump administration gets an earful
Medical staff use thermometers during checks for coronavirus (COVID-19) at the border crossing with Italy in Vrtojba, Slovenia, on March 11 , 2020.

World leaders must act so coronavirus won't 'overwhelm the systems,' epidemiologist says

Despite medical experts and the WHO raising the alarm over coronavirus, world leaders — particularly in the Western world — must do more to show they are taking the threat seriously, says epidemiologist Marcel Salathé.

World leaders must act so coronavirus won't 'overwhelm the systems,' epidemiologist says
People are shown in all white medical protective gear and face masks while working on a medical supply line.

Geneva car show axed; coronavirus wipes $5 trillion off world markets

The rapid spread of coronavirus raised fears of a pandemic on Friday, with countries on three continents reporting their first cases and Swiss authorities cancelling the giant Geneva car show.

Geneva car show axed; coronavirus wipes $5 trillion off world markets
Venezuela's disputed President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he speaks during a special session of the National Constituent Assembly to deliver his annual state of the nation speech, in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 14, 2020.

The US has renewed its support for Venezuela's opposition. What does it mean?

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump welcomed Juan Guaidó at the State of the Union speech, while other members of Venezuela’s National Assembly lobbied at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, with the support of Washington’s mission.

The US has renewed its support for Venezuela's opposition. What does it mean?
Dozens of birds are shown flying next to large electricity pylons on a smoggy afternoon.

Global temperature rises could bring 'destructive' effects, UN says

Global temperatures could rise sharply this century with "wide-ranging and destructive" consequences after greenhouse gas emissions hit record levels last year, international climate experts warned on Tuesday.

Global temperature rises could bring 'destructive' effects, UN says
Kofi Annan

Former UN leader Kofi Annan dies in Switzerland

In Geneva, the Kofi Annan Foundation announced his peaceful death after a short undisclosed illness with "immense sadness", saying he was surrounded in his last days by his second wife Nane and children Ama, Kojo and Nina.

Former UN leader Kofi Annan dies in Switzerland
Global average CO2 concentrations rose at a record rate in 2016 to more than 403 parts per million up from 400.00 ppm in 2015, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Concentrations of CO2 are now nearly 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.

There's more CO2 in the atmosphere now than any point in almost a million years

The World Meteorological Organization says atmospheric concentrations of CO2 surged to a new record level in 2016. That puts even greater pressure for countries to cut carbon pollution to avoid catastrophic climate change.

There's more CO2 in the atmosphere now than any point in almost a million years
A voter holds his national identity card as he waits to cast his vote at a polling station in Quetta, Pakistan, May 11, 2013.

More than 1 billion 'invisible people' worldwide have no proof of identity

More than 1.1 billion people worldwide officially don't exist — going about their daily lives without proof of identity. The issue leaves a significant fraction of the global population deprived of health and education services.

More than 1 billion 'invisible people' worldwide have no proof of identity