U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
President Donald Trump has previously criticized the World Health Organization as well as proposing a budget cut. Now, in a move that many may have already seen coming, Trump has announced to withhold funding for the WHO for the same criticism.
BBC reports that in the latest press briefing at the White House, Trump announced halting funding for the UN organization, reiterating his previous criticism that the organization made wrong calls in handling the pandemic. Trump continued to accuse WHO of failure to fulfill its duty in handling the pandemic, as well as covering up the spread of the virus in China and said that they should be held accountable.
“I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus...The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable,” said Trump.
The United States is the organization’s single biggest funder providing $400 million last year alone. The US is also the worst-hit country as of late, with over 500,000 cases and over 25,000 deaths, the state of New York alone suffering from over 100,000 cases and over 10,000 deaths.
Trump has also highlighted his desire to lift the nationwide lockdown and reopen the United States by May, with May 1st being the desired date. However, top health expert Dr. Anthony Fauci mentioned in another interview that there is no set date as to when the lockdown can be lifted and that it would depend on how the outbreak plays out over the next few weeks.
Previously, Trump claimed to have total authority to reopen the country and lift the lockdown. “When somebody is president of the United States, the authority is total,” said Trump in a previous briefing when asked if he had the authority to override the state governors’ orders.
The US Constitution states that state governors alone have the authority to maintain public order and safety in their respective states. The President cannot override the orders that were already set in place by the governors.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo then criticized Trump’s remarks during his own press conference. “His proclamation is that he would be king, that’s what a king is. A king has total authority. That statement cannot stand,” said Cuomo.
