International
WHO Urges Trump To Reconsider Pulling Out USA from Membership

The World Health Organization, WHO, has urged United States President, Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw the country from its membership.
Recall that the president, shortly after assuming office, yesterday, had signed an executive order to withdraw the country from the global health body.
He cited a string of reasons for his action, among which included WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its alleged failure to adopt urgently needed reforms.
Trump further alleged that while WHO demands what he referred to as “unfairly onerous payments” from the United States, China pays less.
Reacting to the action of the United States President, the World Health Organization, said it hopes “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 WHO’s reaction read:” The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization. millions of people around the globe.”
The WHO’s reaction read:” The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.
“The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board.
“For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats.
“Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries.
This work continues. “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. “
Business
Nigeria to Partner with Google on AI and digital innovation

President Bola Tinubu is currently in talks with Google to strengthen the country’s role in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
Announcing the discussions on X after meeting Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, Tinubu said the partnership would expand cloud infrastructure, upskill workers, foster AI research, boost cloud adoption, and position Nigeria as a global tech hub.
The President cited Nigeria’s AI progress, including work with Awarri Technologies and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR) to develop AI tools and a Large Language Model (LLM) for Nigerian languages.
Tinubu said the talks with google aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Communications Ministry and NITDA providing oversight and overseeing implementation.
Tinubu, who is currently in Paris on a private visit, will also attend the AU Summit in Addis Ababa before returning to Nigeria.
International
Gaza: Trump, Jordan’s king set for tense meeting

President Donald Trump of the United States will on Tuesday meet Jordan’s King Abdullah for a tense encounter following the US president’s Gaza redevelopment idea and threat to cut aid to the US-allied Arab country if it refuses to resettle Palestinians.
Trump’s proposal, floated one week ago, for the US to take over Gaza, move its shell-shocked residents, and transform the war-ravaged territory into the Riviera of the Middle East prompted a negative response from the Arab world.
The concept has introduced new complexity into a sensitive regional dynamic, including a fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hamas on Monday said it would stop releasing Israeli hostages from Gaza until further notice, alleging that Israel was violating the agreement to end strikes that have pummeled Gaza.
Trump later proposed canceling the ceasefire if Hamas doesn’t release all remaining hostages it took on October 7, 2023, by the weekend.
King Abdullah has said he rejects any moves to annex land and displace Palestinians. On Tuesday, he is expected to tell Trump such a move could spur radicalism, spread chaos in the region, jeopardize peace with Israel, and threaten his country’s very survival.
For his part, Trump has modified aspects of his initial proposal and doubled down on others. He has expressed increasing impatience with Arab leaders who see the idea as unworkable.
AFP
International
Trump stops enforcement of US law banning bribery of foreign officials

The United States of America President, Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the US justice department to stop prosecuting Americans accused of bribing foreign government officials to win business.
The new Trump’s order mandates the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, to pause prosecutions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 until she issues revised enforcement guidance that promotes American competitiveness.
“Future FCPA investigations and enforcement actions will be governed by this new guidance and must be approved by the attorney general,” the document said.
In a further analysis of the development, according to the White House, the law puts US firms at a disadvantage to foreign competitors because they cannot engage in practices that are “common among international competitors, creating an uneven playing field.”
“American national security depends on America and its companies gaining strategic commercial advantages around the world, and President Trump is stopping excessive, unpredictable FCPA enforcement that makes American companies less competitive,” according to a copy of a White House factsheet cited by Reuters.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International said the FCPA made the United States a leader in addressing global corruption.
Reacting to the development in a statement, Gary Kalman, executive director of Transparency International US, said Trump’s executive order “diminishes— and could pave the way for completely eliminating— the crown jewel in the US’s fight against global corruption.”.
Recall that in the past weeks, Trump has signed several executive orders, including dismantling US Agency for International Development.
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