France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> As Extreme Heat Deaths Mount in Europe, WHO Urges Urban Redesign 11/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following a severe May heatwave, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new global guidelines on Thursday in Berlin to accelerate climate adaptation and structurally overhaul health systems and urban spaces. Over the past four years, extreme heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives across Europe, positioning it as the deadliest climate-related hazard. As new climate […] Continue reading -> Africa and Europe Announce €100 Million in Joint Initiatives to Strengthen Health Systems 21/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan The African Union and the European Commission have concluded three agreements worth €100 million aimed at strengthening Africa’s health systems. The first initiative supports the national public health institutes of 10 African countries to enhance disease surveillance, early warning systems, emergency response, research and laboratory services. The second, announced at the One Health Summit in […] Continue reading -> WHO Director General in Germany for Series of High Level Meetings – What’s At Stake? 14/04/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Germany, a high stakes week for Germany’s future role in the World Health Organization agency may be unfolding in Berlin. On Monday, Tedros began a two-day high-level visit to Germany at the invitation of the World Health Summit where he has served as a patron. The […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: Europe is Blocking Health Equity – And It Knows It 23/03/2026 Guilherme Faviero & Nithin Ramakrishnan Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading -> Deepening Middle East Conflict Displaces Millions; Threatens Water and Air Quality 13/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The deepening conflict across the Middle East has displaced nearly 3.2 million people in Iran, according to new estimates by UNHCR, as well as nearly 800,000 people in Lebanon, mostly in the southern region, according to a new WHO situation report. After the Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March firing barrages […] Continue reading -> German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
As Extreme Heat Deaths Mount in Europe, WHO Urges Urban Redesign 11/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following a severe May heatwave, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new global guidelines on Thursday in Berlin to accelerate climate adaptation and structurally overhaul health systems and urban spaces. Over the past four years, extreme heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives across Europe, positioning it as the deadliest climate-related hazard. As new climate […] Continue reading -> Africa and Europe Announce €100 Million in Joint Initiatives to Strengthen Health Systems 21/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan The African Union and the European Commission have concluded three agreements worth €100 million aimed at strengthening Africa’s health systems. The first initiative supports the national public health institutes of 10 African countries to enhance disease surveillance, early warning systems, emergency response, research and laboratory services. The second, announced at the One Health Summit in […] Continue reading -> WHO Director General in Germany for Series of High Level Meetings – What’s At Stake? 14/04/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Germany, a high stakes week for Germany’s future role in the World Health Organization agency may be unfolding in Berlin. On Monday, Tedros began a two-day high-level visit to Germany at the invitation of the World Health Summit where he has served as a patron. The […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: Europe is Blocking Health Equity – And It Knows It 23/03/2026 Guilherme Faviero & Nithin Ramakrishnan Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading -> Deepening Middle East Conflict Displaces Millions; Threatens Water and Air Quality 13/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The deepening conflict across the Middle East has displaced nearly 3.2 million people in Iran, according to new estimates by UNHCR, as well as nearly 800,000 people in Lebanon, mostly in the southern region, according to a new WHO situation report. After the Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March firing barrages […] Continue reading -> German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Africa and Europe Announce €100 Million in Joint Initiatives to Strengthen Health Systems 21/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan The African Union and the European Commission have concluded three agreements worth €100 million aimed at strengthening Africa’s health systems. The first initiative supports the national public health institutes of 10 African countries to enhance disease surveillance, early warning systems, emergency response, research and laboratory services. The second, announced at the One Health Summit in […] Continue reading -> WHO Director General in Germany for Series of High Level Meetings – What’s At Stake? 14/04/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Germany, a high stakes week for Germany’s future role in the World Health Organization agency may be unfolding in Berlin. On Monday, Tedros began a two-day high-level visit to Germany at the invitation of the World Health Summit where he has served as a patron. The […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: Europe is Blocking Health Equity – And It Knows It 23/03/2026 Guilherme Faviero & Nithin Ramakrishnan Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading -> Deepening Middle East Conflict Displaces Millions; Threatens Water and Air Quality 13/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The deepening conflict across the Middle East has displaced nearly 3.2 million people in Iran, according to new estimates by UNHCR, as well as nearly 800,000 people in Lebanon, mostly in the southern region, according to a new WHO situation report. After the Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March firing barrages […] Continue reading -> German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
WHO Director General in Germany for Series of High Level Meetings – What’s At Stake? 14/04/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Germany, a high stakes week for Germany’s future role in the World Health Organization agency may be unfolding in Berlin. On Monday, Tedros began a two-day high-level visit to Germany at the invitation of the World Health Summit where he has served as a patron. The […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: Europe is Blocking Health Equity – And It Knows It 23/03/2026 Guilherme Faviero & Nithin Ramakrishnan Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading -> Deepening Middle East Conflict Displaces Millions; Threatens Water and Air Quality 13/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The deepening conflict across the Middle East has displaced nearly 3.2 million people in Iran, according to new estimates by UNHCR, as well as nearly 800,000 people in Lebanon, mostly in the southern region, according to a new WHO situation report. After the Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March firing barrages […] Continue reading -> German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Pandemic Talks: Europe is Blocking Health Equity – And It Knows It 23/03/2026 Guilherme Faviero & Nithin Ramakrishnan Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading -> Deepening Middle East Conflict Displaces Millions; Threatens Water and Air Quality 13/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The deepening conflict across the Middle East has displaced nearly 3.2 million people in Iran, according to new estimates by UNHCR, as well as nearly 800,000 people in Lebanon, mostly in the southern region, according to a new WHO situation report. After the Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March firing barrages […] Continue reading -> German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Deepening Middle East Conflict Displaces Millions; Threatens Water and Air Quality 13/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The deepening conflict across the Middle East has displaced nearly 3.2 million people in Iran, according to new estimates by UNHCR, as well as nearly 800,000 people in Lebanon, mostly in the southern region, according to a new WHO situation report. After the Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March firing barrages […] Continue reading -> German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
German Parties Back Social Media Ban for Minors, Legal Hurdles Loom 25/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Following the lead of Australia, France, and Spain, Germany’s governing parties have found common ground on a proposal to ban social media for children. But as politicians prepare strict age restrictions, experts warn that significant legal roadblocks and data protection concerns could stall the legislation. At a recent party conference in Stuttgart, the centre-right Christian […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Attacks on Healthcare Spike as War in Ukraine Enters Fifth Year 24/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure is accelerating, with strikes targeting hospitals, ambulances, and medical workers surging by nearly 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a statement by the World Health Organization Europe region (WHO/EURO) released on Tuesday. The cumulative […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Danger Remains Despite a Drop in Measles in the European Region 11/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia dropped by three-quarters in 2025 compared to the previous year – but the decline is partly due to the virus running out of people to infect after spreading rapidly through under-vaccinated communities. Preliminary data from 53 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region reported 33,998 measles […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts