WHO SPENDS BIG ON TRAVEL
london» The World Health Organization routinely spends about $200 million a year on travel — far more than what it doles out to fight some of the biggest problems in public health, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press.
As the U.N. health agency has pleaded for more money to fund its responses to health crises worldwide, it also has been struggling to get its travel costs under control. Senior officials have complained internally that U.N. staffers break the rules by booking perks like business-class airplane tickets and five-star hotels.
Last year, WHO spent about $71 million on AIDS and hepatitis. On malaria, it spent $61 million. And to slow tuberculosis, WHO invested $59 million. Still, some health programs do get exceptional funding — the agency spends about $450 million trying to wipe out polio every year.
On a recent trip to Guinea, WHO directorgeneral Dr. Margaret Chan stayed in the biggest presidential suite at the Palm Camayenne hotel in Conakry. The suite has an advertised price of $1,008 a night.
New title for train hero: graduate ●
sacramento, calif.» A man credited with helping prevent an armed attack on a French train is celebrating his college graduation — a year late, owing to all the attention that followed the 2015 train crisis. Family and friends were there to cheer 24-year-old Anthony Sadler at Saturday’s graduation at Sacramento State.
In August 2015, Sadler was one of three Northern California men who helped tackle a gunman moving through a Parisbound train. France awarded the three the Legion of Honor, and Sacramento welcomed their return with a parade. Sadler took time off from his studies for a speaking tour.
Melania opts to keep her head bare ●
riyadh, saudi arabia» Ignoring President Donald Trump’s past admonition, U.S. first lady Melania Trump did not cover her head Saturday when they arrived in Saudi Arabia on the opening leg of his first international tour since taking office. Two years ago, then-citizen Trump criticized then-first lady Michelle Obama’s decision to go bareheaded on a January 2015 visit with her husband.
“Alien: Covenant” edges “Guardians” at weekend box office
● hollywood» “Alien: Covenant” edged out “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” in a weekend space battle at the box office.
Ridley Scott’s latest “Alien” exploit opened with $36 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Guardians” was close behind, with slightly more than $35 million in its third week of release.
Fox’s “Alien: Covenant” is a dark, R-rated scare-fest about slimy space monsters; Disney’s “Guardians” is a sweet, family-centered romp across the cosmos.