Initial evidence shows the risk from the new variant is “very high” and could cause surges with severe consequences, the U.N. health agency said.

Europe is again at the pandemic’s center with COVID-19 now the leading cause of death on the continent, WHO reported, as nations tighten preventive measures.

Negotiators from 197 countries clinched a “watered down” consensus agreement on a climate deal after two weeks of United Nations-brokered climate talks.

U.N. researchers concluded the world is headed to 2.5 degrees C. of warming by 2100 because nations will not do what is needed to combat climate change.