International
Climate disasters to cost trillions more without prevention, UN warns
Natural disasters have led to real economic losses of up to $2.3 trillion—ten times higher than previously estimated direct costs—due to their cascading impacts and the widespread damage they inflict on ecosystems, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.
The study warns that these costs will continue to rise as the climate crisis worsens, with developing countries bearing the brunt. Many of these nations are forced to take on additional debt to cover emergency response and post-disaster recovery expenses.
The report emphasizes that decisions made today—especially concerning land-use planning, investment strategies, and energy systems—will play a decisive role in determining future risk exposure for communities worldwide.
Among the most alarming examples is the accelerated melting of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. This could raise sea levels by more than half a meter, threatening coastal infrastructure valued at over $1.8 trillion.
Island nations like Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, as well as major coastal cities such as New York and Jakarta, are among those at serious risk, the report notes.
Another consequence of more frequent and intense disasters is the rising cost of insurance premiums, shrinking coverage, and insurers pulling out of high-risk areas. In Australia, for example, more than half a million homes could become uninsurable by 2030 due to the growing flood risk.
Despite these escalating threats, the report shows that the majority of funding still goes toward emergency response. Of the $137 billion in disaster-related development assistance disbursed between 2005 and 2017, 96% went to relief, reconstruction, and recovery. Only 4%—around $5.2 billion—was invested in prevention and preparedness.
The report also highlights stark disparities: while North America incurred $69.57 billion in direct disaster losses in 2023, this only represented 0.23% of its GDP. In contrast, Micronesia’s $4.3 billion in losses amounted to a staggering 46.1% of its GDP.
“This reveals the disproportionate burden that disasters place on small and vulnerable economies,” the UN concluded.
International
Netanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday that Israel will not halt its offensive in Gaza until achieving its two primary objectives: the elimination of Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages still held by the Islamist group in the enclave.
“We have a mission to complete: the elimination of Hamas and the return of our hostages. We will not relent for a single moment. These are two interconnected goals,” Netanyahu declared during a visit to the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the main intelligence arm of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Netanyahu expressed full confidence that both objectives are attainable, referencing the confrontation with Iran in June as proof of Israel’s capabilities: “It was an enormous achievement of historic proportions,” he said.
“This combination of political leadership and military levels, and then the synergy between intelligence, the air force, and other branches — this combination delivered the result,” he added.
International
Vatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
El Vaticano ganó $72,156,935.57 en 2024, un 35% más que el año anterior, gracias a sus propiedades financieras e inmobiliarias, con más de 5,400 inmuebles en todo el mundo, según el balance publicado este lunes por la Administración del Patrimonio de la Santa Sede (APSA).
En total, se trata de 4,234 inmuebles en Italia, de los cuales el 92% se localizan en Roma y sus alrededores, mientras que otras 1,200 propiedades inmobiliarias están en el extranjero, incluidas ciudades como París, Ginebra, Lausana y Londres.
Los beneficios de $72.1 millones suponen $53 millones más que en 2023 y de ellos $44 millones provinieron de inversiones, según el informe, en el que se afirma que el Vaticano activa su cartera “con el objetivo de diversificar las inversiones y distribuir el riesgo”.
Además, se explica que la APSA transfirió $96 millones para su uso en el presupuesto general del Vaticano como contribución extraordinaria para cubrir las necesidades financieras de la Santa Sede y el déficit de la Curia romana, los diferentes organismos que componen el Gobierno de la Iglesia católica.
International
Hepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
Around 300 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis B, C, or D, and 1.3 million die each year — mostly from cirrhosis and liver cancer — the World Health Organization (WHO) reminded on World Hepatitis Day, urging stronger global action toward its eradication.
“Every 30 seconds, someone dies from severe liver disease or liver cancer linked to hepatitis — but we have the tools to stop this,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement marking the day.
The organization also highlighted that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, joining hepatitis B and C, which were already confirmed as cancer-causing.
According to IARC studies, hepatitis D — which only affects individuals already infected with hepatitis B — is linked to a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer compared to those infected solely with hepatitis B.
Netanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
Vatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
Hepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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