The head of the World Health Organization says he will begin an independent evaluation of the U.N. health agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic “at the earliest appropriate moment.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the pledge Monday after an independent oversight advisory body published its first interim report about the U.N. health agency’s response to COVID-19 from January to April.
The 11-page report raised questions such as whether WHO’s warning system for alerting the world to outbreaks is adequate, and suggested member states might need to “reassess” WHO’s role in providing travel advice to countries.
The advisory body’s review and recommendations appeared unlikely to appease the United States administration, which has been scathing in its criticism of WHO — in part over President Donald Trump’s allegation that it had criticized a U.S. travel ban that he ordered on people arriving from China, where the outbreak first appeared late last year.
Trump ordered a temporary suspension of funding for WHO from the United States — the health agency’s biggest single donor — pending a review of its early response. But the review panel, echoing comments from many countries, said such a review during the “heat of the response” could hurt WHO’s ability to respond to it.
Former President Donald Trump spoke out against a potential protective order that would prevent him from disclosing evidence in the 2020 election case.
Ohio voters rejected a ballot measure that would make it harder to pass constitutional amendments, including an upcoming vote on abortion.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a national monument designation for the greater Grand Canyon.
The Supreme Court is reinstating a regulation aimed at reining in the proliferation of ghost guns, firearms without serial numbers that have been turning up at crime scenes across the nation in increasing numbers.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has met donor requirements to participate in the first GOP debate.
A special election is underway in Ohio that could affect abortion access.
Thousands of Los Angeles city employees, including sanitation workers, lifeguards and traffic officers, walked off the job Tuesday for a 24-hour strike alleging unfair labor practices.
Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating interference in the 2020 presidential election.
Ohio voters have resoundingly rejected a Republican-backed measure that would have made it more difficult to pass abortion protections.
President Joe Biden will announce a national monument designation at the Grand Canyon.
