US President Donald Trump is suspending funding towards the World Health Organisation while a review is carried out.
He accused the group of 'failing in its basic duty' in responding to the coronavirus.
Almost 2 million people have tested positive for the disease - including over 600,000 cases in the United States.
President Trump has faced scrutiny of his own response to the crisis, having repeatedly downplayed the risk of the virus earlier this year.
***
The HSE is to consider starting to test nursing home residents in homes where no COVID-19 clusters have been found.
Yesterday saw the the Republic's highest number of deaths in a single day recorded, with a further 41 people losing their lives after being infected with the virus.
A total 406 people have now died, while there are 11,479 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
187 of the deaths occurred in nursing homes, and Dr Tony Holohan last night said authorities want to begin testing in homes where there have been no cases to date to 'proactively start to identify' any infections.
***
The parliamentary parties of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will be briefed on an agreement to enter government today.
The two party leaders approved the framework agreement yesterday potentially paving the way for an historic grand coalition.
If approved by TDs, senators and MEPs, the document will then be shared with other parties like the Greens, Social Democrats and Labour - all of whom have previously ruled out the prospect of entering a FF/FG coalition.
***
A post mortem will take place this morning on the body of a man who died following a stabbing in Co Clare.
Gardaí were called to the scene of the stabbing at Gordon Drive in Ennis at around 3pm yesterday afternoon.
A man in his late 30s who was arrested following the attack remains in custody in Ennis Garda Station.
***
A man has died after being struck by a car in Co Meath.
It happened near the Junction 8 exit of the M1, south of Drogheda, shortly after midnight.
He was walking on the motorway when he was hit by a car, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the car was not injured.
