Briefly

SWITZERLAND

WHO airs concern over Washington withdrawal

As the United States is set to formally withdraw from the World Health Organization this month, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on 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, US 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 the notice is given. "It's not really the right decision," Tedros said, expressing his hope that the US will reconsider its decision and rejoin the WHO.

UNITED STATES

Denmark, Greenland ministers to meet Vance

The Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers will meet with US Vice-President JD Vance at the White House on Wednesday following weeks of threats by President Donald Trump to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump has said the strategically located and mineral-rich island is vital to US security and the United States must own it. Greenland and Denmark say the island is not for sale, threats of force are reckless and security concerns should be resolved among allies. Prominent EU countries have backed Denmark. Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenland counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt are expected to show a united front in the meeting with Vance and other US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Xinhua - Agencies