A recap of Thursday’s top stories: Dozens of migrants drowned off Mauritanian coast; measles grip Samoa as social media campaigns spread misinformation worldwide; UN chief on lifting landlocked countries from poverty; Guterres lauds volunteer spirit and millions face food insecurity in Zambia.

UN teams are on the ground in Samoa as the country combats a deadly measles epidemic.

Measles deaths and infections in 2019 are set to “substantially exceed” last year’s toll when more than 142,000 people died from the preventable disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

Although soils are essential for human well-being and the sustainability of life on the planet, they are threatened on all continents by natural erosion, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on World Soil Day, calling for their protection.

As the impacts of climate change continue to be felt around the globe, there is an urgent need for effective large-scale action.

The UN Climate Change secretariat, the Chilean government and the Spanish government are working together to make COP25 (2 – 13 December) in Madrid, Spain, as sustainable and climate-friendly as possible.

During the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid in December, fifteen countries will share updated information on their climate actions.

Two publications were presented at the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid this week that shine a light on current climate action and lay down pathways to climate neutrality by mid-century, required to meet the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is calling for enhanced cooperation between the transport and tourism sectors to combat climate change.

More fast-tracking and greater funding are needed to reinvigorate the global response.