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World Health Organization officials, donors, and diplomats gathered in Geneva this week amid significant funding challenges following the United States decision to withdraw from the agency, according to Reuters.

The US, which contributed around 18 percent of WHO’s funding, was absent from the assembly as the organization faces a $600m budget shortfall for 2025 and plans a 21 percent funding cut over the next two years.

The WHO will focus on core priorities like vaccine approval, outbreak response, and providing treatment guidelines while scaling back training programs and offices in wealthier countries. Despite President Donald Trump’s recent comments hinting at a possible reversal, global health leaders say the US remains on course to officially leave the WHO in January 2026, Reuters reported.

Russia has banned Amnesty International, labeling the human rights group “undesirable” for allegedly promoting “Russophobic projects” and supporting Ukraine. The Russian prosecutor’s office accused Amnesty of justifying crimes by Ukrainian “neo-Nazis” and calling for Russia’s political and economic isolation. The ban prohibits the organization from operating within Russia, Reuters reported.

Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, documenting alleged war crimes since the full-scale invasion in 2022. The group has also faced criticism for reporting on Ukraine’s wartime conduct. Russia has previously banned several foreign NGOs under laws targeting groups critical of the Kremlin.

The European Commission has cut its economic growth forecast for the EU, citing higher US tariffs and rising uncertainty.

In its spring 2025 Forecast, the Commission lowered GDP growth estimates to 1.1 percent for 2025 and 1.5 percent for 2026, down from 1.5 percent and 1.8 percent previously.

Eurozone growth is now projected at 0.9 percent in 2025 and 1.4 percent in 2026.

Israel has declared that it will permit a limited amount of food supplies into Gaza, easing an eleven-week siege that has driven the region to the brink of famine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that a worsening hunger crisis might hinder Israel's renewed military campaign against Hamas.

“The food shortage has reached extreme levels,” a resident of Khan Younis told the BBC.

The decision comes as Israel steps up its ground operations in Gaza, with intense airstrikes continuing overnight. Local hospitals have reported around 100 deaths in the last 24 hours, including several youngsters.

Israel states its ongoing operations aim to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas. Of the 58 believed to remain in Gaza, official’s estimate that up to 23 may still be alive, BBC reported.