WHO regrets U.S. decision to withdraw from organization
Geneva/Washington: The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States' decision to withdraw from the global health body, following an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on his first day in office.
The executive order, one of several signed upon Trump's return to the White House, formally initiated the process of pulling the U.S. out of the WHO. The order cited "unfairly onerous payments" made by the U.S. to the organization, as well as the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. It also pointed to concerns over the agency’s failure to implement reforms and its perceived susceptibility to political influence from certain member states.
In response, the WHO released a statement underscoring its role in global health, highlighting its efforts in combating diseases, strengthening health systems, and addressing health emergencies. The organization emphasized the U.S.'s long-standing involvement, noting that it has been a founding member since 1948 and actively participated in its governance.
"For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats," the statement read. "Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication."
The WHO acknowledged that reforms to improve its accountability and effectiveness are already underway, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening global health governance.
Despite the U.S. decision, the organization expressed hope that the move would be reconsidered and emphasized its willingness to maintain a productive partnership with the country.
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Congress using hijab issue to pacify minority anger, alleges Karnataka LoP R Ashoka
Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka has accused the Congress government of using the hijab issue to placate what he described as discontent among minority voters after the Davanagere by-election.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Ashoka alleged that the state government, instead of addressing issues such as price rise, corruption, farmers’ distress and law and order, was attempting to retain its minority vote base by reviving the hijab issue.
Referring to the 2022 dress code introduced by the BJP government, which prohibited hijab in schools and colleges, Ashoka said the Karnataka High Court had upheld the policy and emphasised the importance of discipline in educational institutions.
He questioned the Congress government’s move to revisit the issue and asked whether setting aside the court-backed policy to benefit one community could be described as secularism.
Ashoka further alleged that while the government was willing to permit hijab, it continued to prohibit saffron shawls.
He accused the government of dividing students on religious lines rather than treating schools and colleges as spaces of equality.
Drawing a comparison with Mamata Banerjee’s government in West Bengal, Ashoka claimed that excessive appeasement politics had harmed the state and warned that the Congress in Karnataka could face a similar political response.
He said voters in Karnataka would teach the Congress a lesson for what he termed “vote-bank politics” and for compromising constitutional and judicial principles.
