Genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (archive). Top stories of the day | Monday: Gaza, climate, COVID-19, plane crash UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza shuts down after Israeli raid, 2024 breaks another temperature record, five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane.
Strikes on Gaza hospitals
Gaza’s health system is under renewed threat after the Kamal Adwan hospital was forced to close following a raid by Israeli forces, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. The hospital’s director was detained during the raid, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, calling for the release of the Kamal Adwan director. The Ahly and Wafa hospitals were reportedly attacked on Monday. The WHO director-general called for an end to attacks on hospitals and for the Gazan population to have access to health services and humanitarian aid.
Record warming
2024 was the hottest year on record, with record temperatures having been set in each of the past ten years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said. Greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, leading to further warming, the WMO warned. In his New Year’s message, the UN chief called on the global community to reduce emissions and support the transition to renewable energy in 2025.
Five Years of COVID-19
Five years ago, on December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) country office in China recorded information about cases of “viral pneumonia” in Wuhan. Over the coming weeks, months and years, COVID-19 changed the lives of people around the world. WHO called on the international community to honour the victims, express gratitude to health workers and commit to learning from the pandemic for a healthier future.
Air crash investigation
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 on 25 December 2024. ICAO called on its member states to provide their full cooperation to the independent investigation, with the participation of all affected States. In the interests of aviation safety, ICAO stands ready to support the investigation by sending an expert to serve as an observer on the international team.