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'Now or never' for pandemic accord, says WHO chief after US pulls out

U.S. President Donald Trump stands during the national anthem prior to to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida.[AFP]

The head of the World Health Organization insisted on Monday it was "now or never" to strike a landmark global accord on tackling future pandemics, despite the United States withdrawing from negotiations.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said no country could protect itself from the next pandemic on its own -- three days after US President Donald Trump's administration formally told the United Nations health agency it would play no further part in the pandemic agreement talks.

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