A collection of some of the top sports photos in the past week by AP photographers around the world.
A Colombia fan poses for a photo prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Argentina at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi eyes the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Cristian Olivera during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Canelo Alvarez lands a right to Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Rayssa Real of Brazil in action during the women quarterfinals at the Street Skateboarding Worlds, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Fans watch from the 11th fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Fans watch as the sun sets during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Arizona Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwsw a pass as a teammates helmet flies off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Joel Dahmen hits from the 14th fairway during the first round of the Procore Championship PGA golf tournament at the Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas can't get to a ball hit for a two RBI single by Chicago Cubs' Miguel Amaya during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Workers prepare a large American flag on the field before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Landover, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Athletes compete in the men's 5000 meters during the Diamond League final 2024 athletics meet in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Frederic Sierakowski)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Denver Broncos players during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Spain's Lucia Corrales, left and Canada's Florianne Jourde fight for the ball during a U-20 Women's World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Cali, Colombia, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Dutch players celebrate defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out of a U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Pascual Guerrero Olympic stadium in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill eyes a ball during a team practice session, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
A participant competes in the dressage event at the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Philadelphia Phillies' Kody Clemens, right, is doused by teammates Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh after hitting a walkoff single off Tampa Bay Rays' Garrett Cleavinger during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák moves the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Rémi Walter, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Colton Herta celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Nebraska fans cheer for the defense as they play against Northern Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Houston Astros' Jason Heyward walks through the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Europe's Carlota Ciganda hits from the third tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursome match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Washington State players run out onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Click to Gallery
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Colombia fan poses for a photo prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Argentina at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi eyes the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Cristian Olivera during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Canelo Alvarez lands a right to Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Rayssa Real of Brazil in action during the women quarterfinals at the Street Skateboarding Worlds, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Fans watch from the 11th fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Fans watch as the sun sets during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Arizona Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwsw a pass as a teammates helmet flies off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Joel Dahmen hits from the 14th fairway during the first round of the Procore Championship PGA golf tournament at the Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas can't get to a ball hit for a two RBI single by Chicago Cubs' Miguel Amaya during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Workers prepare a large American flag on the field before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Landover, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Athletes compete in the men's 5000 meters during the Diamond League final 2024 athletics meet in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Frederic Sierakowski)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Denver Broncos players during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Spain's Lucia Corrales, left and Canada's Florianne Jourde fight for the ball during a U-20 Women's World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Cali, Colombia, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Dutch players celebrate defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out of a U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Pascual Guerrero Olympic stadium in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill eyes a ball during a team practice session, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
A participant competes in the dressage event at the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Philadelphia Phillies' Kody Clemens, right, is doused by teammates Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh after hitting a walkoff single off Tampa Bay Rays' Garrett Cleavinger during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák moves the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Rémi Walter, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Colton Herta celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Nebraska fans cheer for the defense as they play against Northern Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Houston Astros' Jason Heyward walks through the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Europe's Carlota Ciganda hits from the third tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursome match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Washington State players run out onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump used one of the flurry of executive actions that he issued on his first day back in the White House to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization for the second time in less than five years — a move many scientists fear could roll back decadeslong gains made in fighting infectious diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Experts have also cautioned that withdrawing from the organization could weaken the world’s defenses against dangerous new outbreaks capable of triggering pandemics.
Here’s a look at what Trump’s decision means:
During the first Oval Office appearance of his second term, Trump signed an executive order detailing how the withdrawal process might begin.
“Ooh," Trump exclaimed as he was handed the action to sign. "That’s a big one!”
His move calls for pausing the future transfer of U.S. government funds to the organization, recalling and reassigning federal personnel and contractors working with WHO and calls on officials to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by” WHO.
This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to sever ties with WHO. In July 2020, several months after WHO declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic and as cases surged globally, Trump’s administration officially notified U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the U.S. was planning to pull out of WHO, suspending funding to the agency.
President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s decision on his first day in office in January 2021 — only to have Trump essentially revive it on his first day back at the White House.
It is the U.N.’s specialized health agency and is mandated to coordinate the world’s response to global health threats, including outbreaks of mpox, Ebola and polio. It also provides technical assistance to poorer countries, helps distribute scarce vaccines, supplies and treatments and sets guidelines for hundreds of health conditions, including mental health and cancer.
“A U.S. withdrawal from WHO would make the world far less healthy and safe,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Global Health Law at Georgetown University. He said in an email that losing American resources would devastate WHO's global surveillance and epidemic response efforts.
Dr. Tom Frieden, a former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Trump's move "surrenders our role as a global health leader and silences America’s voice in critical decisions affecting global health security.”
“We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it,” Frieden said in a statement. “This decision weakens America’s influence and increases the risk of a deadly pandemic.”
Yes, as long as he gets the approval of Congress and the U.S. meets its financial obligations to WHO for the current fiscal year. The U.S. joined WHO via a 1948 joint resolution passed by both chambers of Congress, which has subsequently been supported by all administrations. The resolution requires the U.S. to provide a one-year notice period should it decide to leave WHO.
It’s extremely bad. The U.S. has historically been among WHO’s biggest donors, providing the U.N. health agency not only with hundreds of millions of dollars, but also hundreds of staffers with specialized public health expertise.
In the last decade, the U.S. has given WHO about $160 million to $815 million every year. WHO’s yearly budget is about $2 billion to $3 billion. Losing U.S. funding could cripple numerous global health initiatives, including the effort to eradicate polio, maternal and child health programs, and research to identify new viral threats.
American agencies that work with WHO would also suffer, including the CDC. Leaving WHO would exclude the U.S. from WHO-coordinated initiatives, like determining the yearly composition of flu vaccines and quick access to critical genetic databases run by WHO, which could stall attempts to produce immunizations and medicines.
At a September campaign rally, Trump said he would “take on the corruption” at WHO and other public health institutions that he said were “dominated” by corporate power and China.
His executive order Monday said the U.S. was withdrawing from WHO “due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China and other global health crises” and cited the agency’s “failure to adopt urgently needed reforms” and its “inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.”
WHO made several costly mistakes during the pandemic, including advising people against wearing masks and asserting that COVID-19 was not airborne. The agency only officially acknowledged last year that the virus is indeed spread in the air.
During its efforts to stop COVID-19, WHO also dealt with the biggest sexual abuse scandal i n its history, when media reports revealed that dozens of Congolese women had been sexually harassed or assaulted by health responders working to contain Ebola. The AP found senior managers were informed of some instances of sexual abuse when they occurred in 2019 but did little to stop them or punish perpetrators.
In a statement Tuesday, WHO said it “regrets” Trump's announcement.
“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,” the organization said.
“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,” WHO said.
At a Geneva news briefing on Tuesday, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the U.S. contributed 18% of WHO's budget in 2023, making it the single biggest donor that year. He declined to say what the U.S. withdrawal might mean for WHO.
Cheng reported from Toronto. Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)