Airlines to help U.N. spread COVID-19 vaccines
Sixteen airlines joined a UNICEF-led initiative to push for speedier deliveries of coronavirus vaccines and medical supplies among 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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WHO adds vaccines for emergency use
WHO listed two of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccines for emergency use, only the second instance of approvals granted since the pandemic began.
China and U.S. spar over WHO probe
Chinese diplomats pushed back against U.S. skepticism about whether Beijing fully cooperated with WHO scientists investigating the pandemic's origins.
WHO team focuses on virus from animals
The initial spread of the coronavirus among people most likely originated from an animal and not from a Chinese lab, WHO-led scientists told journalists.
U.N. chief taps Bloomberg for key climate role
Michael Bloomberg was reappointed to the role of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres' special envoy on climate ambition and solutions.
Lockdowns keeping fish off the hook
FAO expects a 1.3% decline in global aquaculture production and overall drop in fish supply, consumption and trade revenue for 2020.
Poll finds wide agreement on 'climate emergency'
A U.N. survey found 64% of 1.2 million people polled in 50 nations — all of them video gamers — called climate change a global emergency.
Global COVID-19 cases exceed 100 million
Confirmed cases of coronavirus surged past 100 million people — one of every four cases in the United States alone — with 2.1 million deaths worldwide.
Summit marks U.S. re-entry to climate fight
A global summit's mood was perhaps best reflected in the U.N. chief beaming at the new U.S. climate envoy's pledge to restore American climate leadership.
Study finds most large dams obsolete by 2050
Most of the world's population by mid-century will face risks living downstream from tens of thousands of aging concrete dams, says a U.N. University report.
WHO welcomes U.S. back to the 'family'
WHO basked in renewed U.S. cooperation as President Biden sent Dr. Anthony Fauci to repair damage from the Trump administration's withdrawal.
U.S. reversals on global health and climate policy
Moves to rejoin WHO and the Paris climate treaty were among a burst of immediate directives issued by U.S. President Joe Biden upon taking office.
Panel cites 'early failings' in virus response
An expert panel faulted WHO along with China and other nations in a report that found numerous "lost opportunities" to try to head off the pandemic.
WHO chief angered at rich grip on vaccines
The WHO chief expressed moral outrage at rich nations' young, healthy adults getting vaccinated ahead of poor nations' elderly and health care workers.
Virtual Davos targets pandemic-era mistrust
Thousands normally descend on Davos this time of year. But with the pandemic still raging, WEF will meet virtually to take on mistrust and division.
Leaders stoke ambitions to reverse nature crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron and U.N. and World Bank leaders hosted a virtual summit to improve the planet's health and save biological resources.