As the United States is set to formally withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Tuesday that the move will make both the country and the world "unsafe."
On his first day back in the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the country from the WHO. The United Nations received the formal notice two days later.
Under the organization's charter, the withdrawal takes effect one year after notice is given.
It's not really the right decision, Tedros said, expressing his hope that the United States will reconsider its decision and rejoin the WHO.
He added that much of the work done by the WHO is beneficial to the United States, and "that's why I said the U.S. cannot be safe without working with WHO."
The WHO chief also said that the organization is gradually addressing its funding issues through budget adjustments and structural reforms.
U.S. withdrawal from WHO makes the world "unsafe," says WHO chief
U.S. withdrawal from WHO makes the world "unsafe," says WHO chief
A Chinese mainland spokesperson has accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of abusing judicial power to silence dissent after Taiwan regional internet influencer Chen Chih-han was indicted.
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, spoke at a press briefing on Wednesday in response to a question about the prosecution of Chen, better known as "Guan Zhang" or "gym boss."
The New Taipei district prosecutors alleged on January 8 that Chen, who runs a YouTube channel, knowingly used "inflammatory language" during a livestream despite being aware of the channel's large and diverse audience and the likelihood that his remarks would spread widely, according to media reports.
She said the case exposed political manipulation of the judicial system.
"The DPP authorities is abusing judicial means to intimidate and suppress the Taiwan people who support cross-Strait exchanges, attempting to create 'green terror' and restrict the freedom of the Taiwan public. In essence, this serves the separatist agenda and will inevitably face opposition and rejection," Zhu said.
Mainland spokesperson slams DPP authorities over prosecution of internet celebrity
