UAE Exits OAPEC Amid Shift Toward Independent Oil Strategy and Market Uncertainty 
Iran Proposal on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. Blockade Faces Rejection from Trump 
Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss and Diabetes Drugs Starting July 1 
FDA Warns Novo Nordisk Over Misleading Ozempic Ad Claims 
Novo Nordisk Shares Tumble After CagriSema Misses Key Trial Endpoint 
Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Opening Door for Potential Ukraine Defense Support 
Cuba Condemns New U.S. Sanctions, Calls Measures “Collective Punishment” 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Weight-Loss Drug Ads Take Over the Super Bowl as Pharma Embraces Direct-to-Consumer Marketing 
Novartis’ Vanrafia Shows Strong Phase 3 Results in IgA Nephropathy, Paving Way for Full Approval 
RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny Over David Geier’s HHS Role and Vaccine Review Work 
Ukraine Drone Strikes Hit Russian Oil Port Primorsk and Naval Targets 
Taiwan President Lai Defends Global Engagement During Eswatini Visit Amid China Criticism 
Trump Announces “Project Freedom” to Aid Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz 
U.S. Fast-Tracks $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies Amid Rising Tensions 
US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany Amid Growing Rift with European Allies 
US Gaza Coordination Overhaul Raises Concerns Over Ceasefire and Aid Efforts 
President Donald Trump announced that he will halt the U.S.’s funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the UN agency of mismanaging and covering up the virus’ spread. However, Trump’s decision sparked criticisms from various parties such as House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi as well as China.
“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,” Donald Trump announced at a White House news conference on Tuesday, BBC reported.
The U.S. President accused the WHO of failing its basic duty. “The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable,” Trump said. “The outbreak could have been contained at its source.”
The Trump administration will conduct a review, which could last from 60 to 90 days, and decided whether or not the U.S. should resume funding the UN agency. The U.S. is the largest source of funding for the WHO as it gave the organization more than $400 million for its 2018-2019 budget.
Donald Trump’s decision alarmed various sectors as they fear withholding the funding might affect the agency’s ability to effectively respond to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds,” Bill Gates tweeted.
The Microsoft founder also highlighted the WHO’s importance in combating the pandemic. “Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them,” Gates added. “The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also criticized Trump’s decision calling it dangerous and senseless. “The President's halting of funding to the WHO as it leads the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic is senseless,” Pelosi said in a statement, according to Aljazeera.com. “This decision is dangerous, illegal and will be swiftly challenged.”
China also criticized Trump’s decision to halt funding to the U.N. agency. “This U.S. decision will weaken the WHO’s capabilities and undermine international cooperation,” foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday, Bloomberg reported. “China will as always support the WHO in playing an important role in international public health and global anti-epidemic response.”
