Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk along the street in Tokyo, Japan

Discussion: What researchers have learned about the omicron variant

Some parts of the world are still battling the omicron variant of COVID-19, while others seem to be somewhere around its peak. Join The World’s reporter Elana Gordon for our regular series of conversations about the pandemic. She will moderate a panel on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 12 p.m. Eastern time, and will be speaking with epidemiologist Bill Hanage of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

People pass through Waterloo train station, in London, during the morning rush hour

Wary, weary world slams doors shut, fearing omicron variant

COVID-19
Men in suits, some wearing masks and sunglasses stand together

Will Ghebreyesus’ pandemic report card earn him a second WHO term?

Leaders
A young child is shown laying on a striped blanket and wearing a mask with a man sitting and facing the opposite direction looks on at the Yangtze River.

Panel suggests WHO should have more power to stop pandemics

COVID-19
Marion Koopmans (R)is shown holding a folded white paper and reaching out to shake the hand of Liang Wannian.

WHO draft report says animals likely source of COVID-19

COVID-19
A man is shown wearing shorts and a t-shirt praying outside the windows of an improvised ICU.

Brazil reports record death toll from COVID-19 as hospitals overwhelmed

Top of The World

Top of The World: On Tuesday, Brazil registered a record daily number of deaths due to COVID-19 and hospitals are buckling under the strain of widespread infections. And, an official from Myanmar’s National League for Democracy has become the second party figure to die in custody after the Feb.1 coup. Also, the WTO is meeting Wednesday to discuss a proposal for a temporary intellectual property waiver on coronavirus vaccines.

A line of vehicles are shown next to a row of orange traffic cones leading to a National Guard official at a mobile coronavirus testing facility.

Discussion: Can advances in testing counter surging COVD-19 cases?

The surge in coronavirus cases around the world led by states like Florida in the US serves as a reminder of the urgent need for more testing. But those who can get a test must sometimes wait days for the results. As part of our regular discussion series on the coronavirus, The World’s Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with epidemiologist Michael Mina, from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health who addressed the latest advances in COVID-19 testing.

A painting on a wall shows a person dressed in full head to two medical protective gear with a red backpack and spray hose.

Discussion: What’s next in the fight against the coronavirus?

The coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 9 million people globally and caused 440,000 deaths worldwide. With countries starting to reopen while we await vaccines and treatments, what can we expect next and how can we prepare and respond? As part of our series of conversations addressing the coronavirus crisis, The World’s Elana Gordon moderating a discussion with epidemiologist Caroline Buckee from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is shown sitting with a red tied and jacket with his hand on his chin.

WHO chief promises review of coronavirus response, China defends its performance

COVID-19

The head of the World Health Organization said on Monday an independent evaluation of the global coronavirus response would be launched as soon as possible, and China backed such a review.

A close-up photograph of three women are shown hugging and wearing protective face masks.

WHO head pushes back on Trump; OPEC standoff with Russia; COVID-19 causing economic crisis

Top of The World

The director general of the WHO is calling for unity and an end to the “politicization” of the coronavirus crisis, pushing back on US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the organization. Also, eyes are on OPEC talks today and whether Russia and Saudi Arabia will agree to production cuts as crude prices have crashed to an 18-year low. And in Italy, some overworked doctors are getting a little help from Tommy, a robot nurse.