Global Fund raises record amount but falls short of US$18B goal
Reeling from pandemic setbacks, the world's largest disease-fighting fund sought money to work in more than 100 nations.
Climate & Health
Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Wildfires. Food shortages. Mass coral reef deaths and widespread species extinctions. Global pandemics. Every other issue is secondary. In a world of climate change, direct impacts on humanity are evident where we live and work and on the health and well-being of many populations. Climate change is a truly global issue; fighting it demands global cooperation and financing through summits, known as COPs, and landmark treaties like the Paris Agreement.
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Denmark first to offer U.N.-led climate compensation
Denmark became the first nation to pledge aid money for U.N.-led "loss and damage" climate funding meant to help vulnerable developing nations.
WHO chief sees pandemic 'finish line'
With the number of deaths from COVID-19 reaching its lowest point of the pandemic, WHO's director-general for the first time said "the end is in sight."
Organizations call for fossil fuel ban treaty
Nearly 200 public health organizations want a "fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty" to end global dependence on carbon emissions linked to air pollution.
The Commonwealth's new head may be king of environment and climate
King Charles III, the new monarch, has long been an outspoken voice on climate, deforestation and pollution.
Famine is 'at the door' in two areas of Somalia, U.N. warns
Famine looms in parts of Somalia between October and December, the U.N. humanitarian chief warned.
U.N. settles on new climate leader for 'decisive decade' of urgent action
Simon Stiell, a former senior official in Grenada's government and engineer, has been appointed the new U.N. climate chief.
WHO warns of waterborne diseases in Pakistan
Flood-ravaged Pakistan faces major public health threats from waterborne and infectious diseases, the World Health Organization cautioned.
Talks fail to clinch global ocean treaty
Diplomats suspended talks after they could not agree on a proposed treaty to protect marine species and minerals in high seas covering 43% of Earth.
U.N. declares healthy environment a human right
A second vote in the United Nations solidifies international recognition that everyone's access to a clean and healthy environment is a fundamental right.
Monkeypox declared a global health emergency
WHO's chief declared monkeypox a global health emergency, citing a rapid escalation in cases to more than 16,000 among 75 nations and territories.
Pandemic sets back childhood vaccinations for first time in 30 years
The report blames misinformation, conflicts and wars, lockdowns, supply chain disruptions and diverted resources.
Pandemic 'nowhere near over' with new surges
The public health experts who declared COVID-19 was a pandemic said it isn't over yet because new variants "may present an even greater health threat."
Nations approve first guidelines for valuing nature
The IPBES guidelines could prod decision-making beyond just politics and economics to deal with our massive loss of species and rising temperatures.
Global hunger spikes to 9.8% of world population
Global hunger soared last year to affect almost one-in-10 people on the planet even before Russia's war in Ukraine, five United Nations agencies reported.
Europe in 'urgent' fight against monkeypox
Monkeypox cases tripled in Europe over the past two weeks in what WHO calls a race to prevent the virus from becoming entrenched in the region.