World Health Organization losses the U.S. over virus response; China gets lashes too

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MANILA – The Associated Press (AP) published a report May 30 that the United States of America had cut its ties with the World Health Organization (WHO) over the latter’s handling the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

It says President Donald Trump on May 29 terminated its relationship with the global health body over its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in China and warned that “he would begin the process of withdrawing special trade benefits for Hong Kong because of the Chinese government’s imposition of a new security law.”

According to AP, Trump has been complaining for many weeks about the WHO as the virus death toll surged in the U.S. and blamed the global health body for its failure to adequately respond to the outbreak because China has “total control” over the health organization. He said Chinese officials “ignored” their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured it to mislead the world when the virus was first discovered.

President said from the White House “We have detailed the reforms that it must make and engage with them directly, but they have refused to act.” He continued that “Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating the relationship.”

The U.S. is the largest source of financial support for the WHO and its exit would weaken the organization significantly. WHO is about to loss US$450-million of the US, which Trump plans to “redirect the money to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs.” China provides US$40-million to the organization. 

The termination of support to the global health body and the cancellation of visas for some Chinese citizens, are manifestations of the widening rift between the two countries.  Tensions over Hong Kong have been increasing for more than a year as China mounted its action against protesters and asserted more control over the city once occupied by Britain.

Trump further said his administration would begin eliminating the “full range” of U.S. agreements with Hong Kong, including on trade and extradition. He further said the State Department would begin warning their citizens of threat of surveillance and arrest when visiting Hong Kong and that the U.S. would be suspending entry of certain Chinese citizens in the country.  There is a big possibility also for the expulsion of thousands of Chinese graduate students at U.S. universities.

House committees to hold hearings during break

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Spread the loveMANILA – The House of Representatives has authorized for its committees to conduct hearings during the five-week congressional break, extending until late April.

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