With high death rates and sluggish vaccination campaigns, countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean should be at the front of the line, the W.H.O. says.

Progress and tensions in Biden-Putin meeting.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia speaks to reporters after his meeting with President Biden. The two met for the first time as tensions escalate between the world leaders.

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen testified to Congress on Wednesday about economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus. Yellen promoted Biden’s policies on paid family leave and education as the best way to fix long-existing disparities.

The Wednesday airstrikes were in response to incendiary balloons sent into Israel by Hamas. The exchange came after tensions rose on Tuesday when Israel’s new government permitted far-right Jews to march through Palestinian areas of Jerusalem.

Ukrainian officials said they would not cooperate without a seat at the table.

Scientists have described a new family of brittle stars from a single specimen from a seamount off New Caledonia.