
-
One dead, 10 hospitalized in Pennsylvania steel plant explosions
-
Trump meets with Intel CEO after demanding he resign
-
Sabalenka survives massive Cincinnati struggle with Raducanu
-
Straka skips BMW but will play PGA Tour Championship
-
Chinese man pleads guilty in US to smuggling protected turtles
-
One dead, dozens injured in Pennsylvania steel plant explosions
-
Trump signs order to extend China tariff truce by 90 days: US media
-
Pollock earns first enhanced England contract as Farrell misses out
-
Iraq announces nationwide power outage amid 'record' heat
-
Harry and Meghan sign reduced deal with Netflix
-
Child dies in Italy as European heatwave sets records and sparks wildfires
-
Trump says dealing 'nicely' with China as tariff deadline looms
-
Trump expects 'constructive conversation' with Putin
-
Trump says Nvidia to give US cut of China chip sales
-
No bread, no fuel, no dollars: how Bolivia went from boom to bust
-
Europeans plan Ukraine talks with Trump before he meets Putin
-
Women's Rugby World Cup to adopt flashing mouthguards to signal head impact
-
Trump deploys National Guard in Washington crime crackdown
-
Stocks cautious before tariff updates, US inflation data
-
UK scientist's remains found on Antarctic glacier 66 years on
-
Records smashed as new heatwave bakes southwest France
-
The shrill is gone: AOL to shut down dial-up internet
-
Al Jazeera journalists hold vigil for staff slain in Gaza
-
Trump deploys National Guard to tackle Washington crime
-
Man City's Grealish to join Everton on loan: reports
-
Talks for landmark plastic pollution treaty stretch into second week
-
EU clears Just Eat takeover by Dutch group Prosus
-
Injured skipper Callender still in Wales squad for Women's Rugby World Cup
-
Gazans mourn Al Jazeera staff killed by Israel
-
Colombia presidential hopeful dies after June rally shooting
-
Stocks cautious before tariff updates, US data
-
India look to break 'final barrier' in Women's World Cup
-
Springboks move captain Kolisi to No 8 for Australia opener
-
Mourners gather in Gaza for funeral of Al Jazeera staff killed by Israel
-
Tributes to legendary Japan striker hailed by Pele
-
Indian top court orders roundup of stray dogs in Delhi
-
Indonesia, Peru strike trade agreement as leaders meet
-
Japan boxing to hold emergency meeting following deaths
-
Chinese vessels collide while pursuing Philippine boat in South China Sea: Manila
-
Australia to recognise Palestinian state
-
Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight
-
Four days left to square the circle on global plastic pollution treaty
-
'My boss raped me': Japanese prosecutor's fight for justice
-
Asian markets waver to start key week for trade, US data
-
Marcos says Philippines would be dragged 'kicking and screaming' into Taiwan war
-
China's Gen Z women embrace centuries-old script
-
With poetry and chants, Omanis strive to preserve ancient language
-
Australia women's rugby team lose trump card Caslick for World Cup
-
New tensions trouble small town America in Trump's second term
-
Al Jazeera says 5 journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
SCU | 0% | 12.72 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.04% | 23.571 | $ | |
RBGPF | 5.47% | 76 | $ | |
BCC | -1.67% | 80.74 | $ | |
NGG | 0.31% | 71.23 | $ | |
SCS | 0.5% | 15.96 | $ | |
RIO | 0.45% | 62.14 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.04% | 23.06 | $ | |
JRI | -0.34% | 13.39 | $ | |
BTI | 1.87% | 58.33 | $ | |
BCE | 0% | 24.35 | $ | |
GSK | -0.24% | 37.71 | $ | |
RELX | 0.08% | 48.04 | $ | |
AZN | 0.72% | 74.07 | $ | |
RYCEF | -0.07% | 14.34 | $ | |
BP | -0.56% | 33.95 | $ | |
VOD | 1.3% | 11.51 | $ |

WHO regrets Trump move to pull US from organization
The World Health Organization said Tuesday it "regrets" US President Donald Trump's decision -- just hours after taking power -- to withdraw his country from the UN agency, saying it hoped he would reconsider.
Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticized over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the White House after his inauguration, Trump said the United States was paying far more to the United Nations body than China, adding: "World Health ripped us off."
Washington, comfortably the biggest financial contributor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial support that is critical to the WHO's operations.
The UN health agency expressed disappointment Tuesday over Trump's decision.
"WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans," spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a press briefing in Geneva.
"We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe."
The American withdrawal could leave global health initiatives short of funding.
This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO.
During his 2017-2021 first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic's early stages.
That move was later reversed under Joe Biden's administration.
Jasarevic stressed it would take one year from formal notification being deposited with the UN for the United States to leave the WHO.
- China promises support -
The European Commission voiced "concerns" at Trump's decision, warning it could undermine the response to future pandemics.
"If we want to be resilient to global health threats, we need to have global cooperation," commission spokeswoman Eva Hrncirova told reporters. "We trust that the US administration will consider all this ahead of the formal withdrawal."
In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the UN agency.
"The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened," Guo Jiakun said.
"China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities... and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity."
In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to "pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO" and to "identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO."
The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden's 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy -- designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats -- "as soon as practicable."
Several experts expressed dismay at the withdrawal.
"We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it," Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on X.
"The decision to withdraw weakens America's influence, increases the risk of a deadly pandemic, and makes all of us less safe."
Others warned that by exiting the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad.
"Instead of being the first to receive vaccines, we will be at the back of the line," Lawrence Gostin, professor of public health law at Georgetown University, wrote on X.
"Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation."
The timing comes amid mounting fears over the pandemic potential of the current bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and claimed one life in the United States.
Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world's first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021 -- negotiations now set to proceed without further US participation.
R.Fischer--VB