UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
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 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
The United States First Lady Melania Trump has been obliged to cancel yet another event amid the COVID-19, aka coronavirus, pandemic. She also publicly recognized the efforts of medical professionals while reminding her constituents to adhere to health and safety guidelines.
Melania Trump events canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
The White House announced Monday that it decided to cancel this year’s Easter Egg Roll following the National Emergency Declaration on the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event has been one of the oldest traditions in the White House, dating back to the 1870s.
“The health and safety of all Americans must be the first priority, especially right now,” Mrs. Trump said in an official statement. “I deeply regret this cancellation, but we need to make difficult decisions in the short-term to ensure a healthy country for the long-term.”
This is not the first time in the White House’s history that the event needed to be canceled. The Easter Egg Roll did not take place from 1917 to 1920 and from 1943 to 1952 due to the two World Wars. It is then not surprising for Mrs. Trump’s office to have come up with this decision this year, given the public health crisis in the U.S.
This is also not the first event Mrs. Trump has canceled this month. The first lady was supposed to host a campaign fundraiser for his husband’s 2020 reelection bid in Beverly Hills, California, this Wednesday. However, it was not clear whether the cancellation was due to coronavirus since Mrs. Trump’s spokesperson only mentioned “scheduling conflict” as the reason the event will not push through.
Melania Trump coronavirus tweet focuses on health workers
Mrs. Trump has also been reminding Americans about the public health guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before the Easter Egg Roll was confirmed to be canceled, Mrs. Trump shared on Twitter the CDC’s recommendation to cancel all events with over 50 attendees for the next eight weeks.
I want to take a moment to thank the medical staff, doctors, nurses & first responders who are working tirelessly to help keep our country healthy & safe.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 16, 2020
On Monday, Mrs. Trump also took to Twitter her message for medical professionals, first responders, and health workers thanking them for their “tireless” service. In another online post, she encouraged her followers to keep in mind the safety guidelines from the CDC to prevent the virus from spreading further.
