World condemns Trump’s WHO funding cuts.
US President Donald Trump’s move to halt funding to the World Health Organisation, over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has prompted condemnation from world leaders who appealed for cooperation and unity.
Trump, who has reacted angrily to accusations his administration’s response to the worst epidemic in a century was haphazard and too slow, had become increasingly hostile towards the UN agency before announcing the halt on Tuesday.
WATCH: Trump halting funding to the WHO. Post continues after video.
The WHO, which is based in Geneva, had promoted China’s “disinformation” about the virus that likely led to a wider outbreak than otherwise would have occurred, Trump said.
A US official told Reuters that Trump made the move despite pushback within his administration, especially from top health advisers.
The WHO has been appealing for more than $A1.6 billion to fund operations against the pandemic.
The pay cut will effect every minister as well as chief executives with the public service.
Upon being informed of the decision the leader of the opposition also volunteered for a pay cut.
Ardern takes home an annual wage of $NZ 470,000. A six month reduction will see her forgo roughly $47,000.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out a pay cut for himself and federal staff here. He says the government preferred the current pay freeze for politicians and top ranking public servants, rather than a cut.
Health officials in New Zealand announced a further 20 cases of the virus yesterday, bringing their total to 1386 and nine deaths.
Local news outlet Stuff reports a man who tested positive has died in his home, but his death is yet to be officially verified.
Racist attacks in Queensland.
Queensland police have laid 22 charges for racially motivated offences, following 16 complaints that range from wilful damage and public nuisance, to robberies and assaults.
Chinese Australians have been targeted by abuse because of COVID-19, with verbal abuse and graffiti among the offences.
READ: 'People wait for the next lift to avoid me.' I'm being racially-abused because of coronavirus.
Aussies turning to booze.
One in five Australians are buying more alcohol than usual during the coronavirus pandemic.
70 per cent are drinking more than normal, and one third are consuming alcohol every day, confirms a YouGov poll of more than 1000 Australian adults.
People reported drinking to cope with stress, with many drinking alone.
They also admitted to drinking more than planned and starting earlier in the day.
UK outbreak 'peaking.'
Britain's coronavirus outbreak is probably peaking officials say.
So far 12,868 people have died in the UK, with some warning the country may end up with the worst death rate in Europe.
The government is expected to announce today that it will extend its current lockdown restrictions which have been in place since March 23.
G20 to freeze debt for poorest countries.
Finance officials from the Group of 20 major economies have agreed to suspend debt service payments for the world's poorest countries through the end of the year, a move quickly matched by a group of hundreds of private creditors.
The actions to freeze both principal repayments and interest payments will free up more than $US20 billion ($A32 billion) for the countries to spend on improving their health systems and fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
The debt standstill offer is open to the world's poorest and least-developed countries, as defined by the World Bank and the United Nations.
- With AAP.
Feature image: Getty.
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