The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed regret on Tuesday over the decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw the United States from the global health body.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic addressed the media, stating, “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organisation.

“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.”

The move comes after Trump, on his first day back in the White House, signed an executive order initiating the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, citing dissatisfaction with the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its failure to implement necessary reforms.

He also criticized the alleged political influence over the WHO. “That’s a big one,” Trump said, referring to his previous attempt to exit the organization in 2020, which was blocked by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Public health experts have sharply criticized the decision. Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, called the move a “strategic error,” warning that it could potentially increase China’s influence in global health matters.

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Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University, labeled the decision as “a cataclysmic presidential decision,” adding that it undermines both world health efforts and U.S. leadership on the global stage.

In response, China reiterated its support for the WHO.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, emphasized, “The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened. China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”

In a bold and controversial move on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump fired four senior officials appointed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, and signaled additional dismissals as imminent.

The announcement was made in Trump’s first Truth Social post following his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States.

READ MORE:Trump Completes Return To White House, As 47th US President

“Our first day in the White House is not over yet! My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again,” Trump wrote in the post, titled “YOU’RE FIRED.”

The dismissed officials include Jose Andres of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition; Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council; Brian Hook of the Wilson Center for Scholars; and Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President’s Export Council.

Trump used his signature phrase from The Apprentice to emphasize their departure: “YOU’RE FIRED!”

The dismissals are part of a series of sweeping actions Trump has undertaken to reverse Biden-era policies and assert control over federal governance.

Among his first executive orders, Trump instituted a regulatory freeze, halting the implementation of any new rules until his administration has reviewed them.

Additionally, he ordered all federal employees to return to full-time, in-office work, reversing remote work policies from the previous administration.

In a further demonstration of his intent to reshape government, Trump suspended 78 executive orders issued during Biden’s tenure and reiterated his campaign pledge to streamline the federal workforce.

During his 29-minute inauguration speech, Trump outlined his vision for what he called a “Golden Age” in America while delivering sharp criticism of Biden’s administration.

He accused the previous administration of being “radical and corrupt,” pointing to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires as evidence of its inability to manage domestic crises.

Several government institutions are now preparing for significant upheaval as Trump’s administration moves to implement additional campaign promises, including potential department closures and cuts to civil service roles.

Trump’s immediate and decisive actions have drawn both praise and criticism.

Supporters argue these steps are necessary to restore efficiency and align the government with Trump’s vision, while critics warn that such abrupt changes could deepen divisions and create instability within federal agencies.

A South Korean court will decide on Saturday whether to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was arrested earlier this week over an alleged attempt to impose martial law.

Yoon, detained in a pre-dawn raid on Wednesday, is accused of trying to suspend civilian rule on December 3, citing threats from “anti-state elements.”

His attempt to deploy soldiers to storm parliament failed, as lawmakers rejected the martial law declaration just six hours after his surprise announcement.

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The fallout was swift: Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to face impeachment and arrest.

Investigators accuse him of insurrection, a charge that could result in life imprisonment or even execution if proven.

The Seoul Western District Court will review a request to extend Yoon’s detention by 20 days during a 2:00 p.m. (0500 GMT) hearing on Saturday.

If approved, the extension would allow prosecutors additional time to prepare a formal indictment.

Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, said the embattled president plans to attend the hearing “with the intention of restoring his honour.”

The court has closed public access to its premises, citing safety concerns as Yoon’s supporters gathered outside.

Waving South Korean and American flags, they have called for the dismissal of the detention extension request.

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is leading the probe into Yoon’s failed martial law bid. The president reportedly resisted arrest for weeks, staying holed up in his guarded residence until Wednesday’s raid.

In a statement following his detention, Yoon said he surrendered “to avoid bloodshed” but questioned the legality of the investigation.

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His legal team claims he has already provided his position and has refused to answer further questions.

Yoon’s impeachment is under separate review by the Constitutional Court, which could permanently remove him from office and trigger fresh elections within 60 days.

The president has missed the first two hearings, but the trial will proceed in his absence.

Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, has intensified its push against Yoon.

The party hailed his arrest as “the first step” toward restoring constitutional order. Late Friday, lawmakers passed a bill to launch a special counsel investigation into the failed martial law plan.

The crisis has left South Korea in political uncertainty. Despite winning the presidency in 2022, Yoon has faced mounting opposition, with his impeachment exposing sharp divisions in the country’s leadership.