World Health Assembly hopes to reinforce pandemic preparedness after bold treaty project stalls

GENEVA — The World Health Organization begins its annual meeting on Monday with government ministers and other top envoys hoping to reinforce global preparedness for the next pandemic in the devastating wake of COVID-19. But the most ambitious project, to adopt a pandemic “treaty,” has been shelved for now after 2 1/2 years of work … Read more

Efforts to draft a pandemic treaty falter as countries disagree on how to respond to next emergency

GENEVA — A global treaty to fight pandemics like COVID is going to have to wait: After more than two years of negotiations, rich and poor countries have failed — for now — to come up with a plan for how the world might respond to the next pandemic. After COVID-19 triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended … Read more

Rock band Cage the Elephant emerge from loss and hospitalization with new album ‘Neon Pill’

NEW YORK — To say Cage the Elephant’s latest album had a turbulent birth would be an understatement. The band dealt with the deaths of loved ones, the pandemic and their lead singer’s arrest and hospitalization. “It’s no secret that I had a medical crisis,” Matt Shultz tells The Associated Press from Nashville on the … Read more

Status of Chinese citizen journalist who reported on COVID unknown on day of expected prison release

BANGKOK — The whereabouts of a Chinese citizen journalist who served four years in prison for reporting on the early days of the pandemic in Wuhan and was expected to be released Monday are unknown, raising concern from activists. Zhang Zhan, who had been sentenced to four years in prison on charges of “picking quarrels … Read more

1 lawmaker stops South Carolina health care consolidation bill that had overwhelming support

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A bill that would have consolidated six South Carolina heath care agencies and was overwhelmingly passed by both chambers of the General Assembly died on the session’s final day Thursday in a procedural move by a member angry he was mocked by his colleagues. Republican Rep. Josiah Magnuson has been against the … Read more

Inflation ETF may be in a sweet spot even if Fed cuts rates

It’s an exchange-traded fund designed to profit from higher rates. But even if the Federal Reserve starts to cut this year, Horizon Kinetics’ James Davolos thinks his firm’s Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL) is in a sweet spot.  “We’re actually going into the mature phase of inflation,” the firm’s portfolio manager Davolos told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” … Read more

Countries struggle to draft ‘pandemic treaty’ to avoid mistakes made during COVID

GENEVA — After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak. A ninth … Read more

California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role

ORLANDO, Fla. — During three years of working as a parade performer at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California, Zach Elefante always has had a second or third job to help him earn a living. Unlike the experiences of his peers at Disney’s parks in Orlando, Florida, where there is a much smaller talent pool, … Read more

Preventing future pandemics goal of new U.S. partnership with 50 countries – National

Descrease article font size Increase article font size President Joe Biden’s administration will help 50 countries identify and respond to infectious diseases, with the goal of preventing pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak that suddenly halted normal life around the globe in 2020. U.S. government officials will work with the countries to develop better testing, surveillance, … Read more

Biden administration announces new partnership with 50 countries to stifle future pandemics

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s administration will help 50 countries identify and respond to infectious diseases, with the goal of preventing pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak that suddenly halted normal life around the globe in 2020. U.S. government officials will work with the countries to develop better testing, surveillance, communication and preparedness for such outbreaks … Read more