Pandemic treaty talks are in high gear (again). There's a tight deadline.
Negotiators have until next year to try for a deal in WHO's decision-making body, but aim for a special session this year.
Climate & Health
Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Wildfires. Food shortages. Widespread species extinctions. Global pandemics. Every other issue is secondary. The climate crisis is a health crisis — a reality highlighted by WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who points to the links between extreme weather, disease, and noncommunicable diseases. We report on the science, politics, and economics at the heart of this urgent global issue.
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Atmospheric CO2 is accumulating faster than any time we've known
In 1958, climatologist Charles David Keeling pioneered CO2 measurement in the atmosphere on a Hawaiian volcano.
New U.N. climate report warns 'quantum leap in ambition' needed
When nations update their pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions next year, only a massive improvement will work.
Summit clinches $1 billion for U.N. health agency's funding gap
WHO says it needs $11.1 billion for its core work over the next four years, but has only $4 billion in projected income.
WHO chief sees chance of finishing pandemic treaty talks by end of year
If an agreement is reached before the end of the year, the World Health Assembly would need to meet in December.
Teams deliver polio vaccine to more than half a million children in Gaza
The original target for the campaign was 640,000 children, which may have been an overestimate due to the war.
WMO sees 'vicious circle' of climate change, wildfires, and air pollution
People's health, nature and farmland all suffer from the spiraling negative impacts, says the U.N. health agency.
WHO's new global guidance takes aim at antimicrobial resistance
The guidance comes weeks before the U.N. General Assembly takes up the issue of AMR at its high-level meeting this month.
U.N.: Rising seas pose threat to coastal cities, island nations
With the Earth growing hotter and the oceans becoming warmer, rising sea levels threaten islands and coastal areas.
WHO's global mpox plan won't cover at least $100M in vaccine costs
The U.N. health agency's $135 million mpox plan covers mainly 'international support to national mpox responses.'
WHO declares spread of mpox in Africa a global health emergency
Alarmed at the spread of a new variant, the U.N. health agency's move follows an previous one that ended last year.
For 466 million children, extreme heat has doubled in two generations
Many of these children lack any modern means to endure the soaring temps that particularly afflict eight African countries.
Africa CDC declares mpox surge its first continental health emergency
WHO will convene an emergency panel to determine if the mpox outbreak in Africa is a global public health emergency.
Heat, drought and death: A deadly combination around the globe
The effects of climate change hit hard from the bombed streets of Gaza to the glitzy venues of the Paris Olympics.
E.U. court rules commission must disclose vaccine contract details
The E.C. must disclose indemnity clauses protecting drugmakers and officials who negotiated contracts.
Along the Rio Grande, disputes over water heat up with climate change
A little known international organization is in charge of mediating U.S.-Mexico water sharing during a time of drought.