Keywords for the next pandemic: accountability, equity, solidarity
Chief among the questions over a proposed pandemic treaty is an "accountability gap" that undermines the proposed treaty's potential, an independent coalition of global leaders said.
John Heilprin
Award-winning U.N.-accredited journalist, with 30+ years on four continents, almost half of it for AP in Washington, New York and Geneva.
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Geneva
Pandemic treaty 'zero draft' gives WHO 20% share of responsibility
The rationale for the World Health Organization's proposed pandemic treaty is to erase the "gross inequities" between rich and poor that's been a scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. says Russia is violating terms of the New START nuclear arms treaty
The United States says Russia won't allow American inspectors to inspect its arsenal to ensure compliance with the post-Cold War agreement the two nations renewed for five years in 2021.
We're still living in a pandemic, U.N. health agency chief and panel agree
World Health Organization leaders agree COVID-19 remains an emergency but the pandemic may be approaching "an inflection point" of higher immunity resulting in fewer deaths.
U.N. health agency urges nations to update preparations for nuke risks
As recently as May almost half of WHO's 194 member nations said they "still lacked essential elements of preparedness for radiation emergencies," according to senior agency officials.
Odesa historic center added to UNESCO's World Heritage List
The listing means 194 nations that are party to the 1975 World Heritage Convention must commit to not deliberately cause direct or indirect damage to Odesa, and to help protect it.
WHO's chief wants the pandemic declared over in 2023. Some experts say that may not be a good thing.
Despite the temptation to end the pandemic, some leading health experts say it would be better to continue living with the official designation, which keeps up the pressure on authorities and civilians alike to act with caution.
Asia-Pacific rocked by growing hunger, nutrition and health crisis
The new U.N. report blamed the “5F” crisis – a combined lack of feed, fertilizer, financing, food and fuel – for the growing hunger, lack of nutrition and associated medical issues in the region due to conflicts, climate and other factors.
Doomsday Clock set at 90 seconds to ‘midnight’ - closest ever in its history
The symbolic clock was reset closer to the symbolic hour of apocalpyse largely due to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has raised the risk of a nuclear confrontation with the West.
Sweden’s NATO bid put in jeopardy after Quran burning in Stockholm
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan threw cold water on NATO’s expansion in the wake of weekend protests in the Swedish capital by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.
WHO points to US$2.5B in 2023 humanitarian emergency needs
The money is needed for 54 ongoing emergencies around the world that require an "unprecedented" response from donors to provide aid such as medicines, supplies, and training for health workers, according to U.N. health agency officials.
Protesters at Davos target climate inaction and carbon-intensive rich
The mounting frustration and anger over inaction on climate change is compounded by outrage over the many rising inequalities around the world between rich and poor.
Ukraine’s first lady presses Davos leaders for Western aid
Zelenska, whose nation has now been at war with Ukraine for nearly a war, said it's outrageous that Russia's aggression can lead to thousands of civilians killed, millions of people displaced and disruptions to global food and energy supplies.
U.N. political mission clarifies how it uses cash in Afghanistan
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan disputed the Taliban-controlled bank's portrayal of US$40 million in aid as if it had some say over the cash. UNAMA said it alone distributes the stacks of dollars pictured in the bank's tweet.
The Davos gathering, driving up private jet traffic in a climate crisis
An analysis shows the number of private jet flights to and from airports serving Davos during the 2022 meeting caused CO2 emissions equivalent to about 350,000 average cars.
Outrage over UAE appointing oil exec to lead next U.N. climate talks
Along with overseeing one of the world's biggest oil companies, Sultan Al Jaber is the UAE's minister of industry and advanced technology and chief executive of renewable energy company Masdar, based in Abu Dhabi.