As the US death toll went past 96,300 on Thursday, the US Administration has decided to fly the flag at half staff for the next three days at all locations within the country and abroad in honour of those who fell victim to Covid-19.
“I will be lowering the flags on all federal buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the Coronavirus,”
I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2020
President Donald Trump tweeted.
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The President also on Thursday threatened to pull out of the ‘Open Skies Agreement’.
The treaty that allows nations to conduct aerial surveillance of nations with their permission has been a bone of contention between the US and Russia. 35 nations are part of this treaty.
Senior officials have pointed out that it may take over six months for President Trump to make a decision regarding this.
Trump said: “I think we have a very good relationship with Russia. But Russia didn’t adhere to the treaty. So until they adhere to it, we will pull out.”
Russia has been accused of not permitting US overflights, especially over Georgia. This has prompted the US to issue a threat of pulling out.
In 2019, the US had pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Treaty.