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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Warren endorses Biden | WHO says it regrets Trump move to halt funding | Global coronavirus cases top 2 million | Retail sales plunge | Stocks dip | Dem leaders try to box out McConnell in relief talks | Treasury orders Trump's name on stimulus checks | DC bar lowers cocktails in buckets to customers

NEWS THIS MORNING

Warren jumped on the Joe train:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenBiden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon MORE (D-Mass.) officially endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE's presidential campaign this morning.

Warren wrote in an email to supporters: "Joe Biden has spent nearly his entire life in public service. He knows that a government run with integrity, competence, and heart will save lives and save livelihoods. And we can't afford to let Donald Trump continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of every American."

Screenshot of her endorsement email to supporters: https://bit.ly/3bc14u7

Why her endorsement is important: Warren became the last of the major former Democratic presidential competitors to back Biden.

Other former Democratic candidates who have not endorsed Biden: "Jay Inslee Jay Robert InsleeBarr asked prosecutors to explore charging Seattle mayor over protest zone: report Bottom line Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE, John Hickenlooper John HickenlooperGardner on court vacancy: Country needs to mourn Ginsburg 'before the politics begin' Vulnerable GOP incumbents embrace filling Supreme Court seat this year GOP campaign director: 'There's no doubt that Republicans will control the Senate' MORE, Steve Bullock Steve BullockSenate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Pence seeks to boost Daines in critical Montana Senate race Trump's fear and loathing of voting by mail in the age of COVID MORE, Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioNew York to honor Ginsburg with statue in Brooklyn The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill New York again pushes back in-person classes MORE, Marianne Williamson Marianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson discusses speaking at People's Party Convention Fewer people watched opening night of Democratic convention compared to 2016 Marianne Williamson: Democratic convention 'like binge watching a Marriott commercial' MORE." (Via NBC's Sahil Kapur) https://bit.ly/2z66Tv7

It's Wednesday. I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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IN THE WHITE HOUSE

WHO is to blame?:

President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE announced yesterday that he is halting funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). https://bit.ly/2RGdDWJ

Why: Trump said "to assess the World Health Organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus."

Trump's allegations: "The WHO's attack on travel restrictions put political correctness above life-saving measures. The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain, vet and share information in a timely and transparent fashion," Trump said. He also accused the WHO of treating the U.S. unfairly, pointing to the contributions from the U.S. versus China.

How long the review will take: Between 60 and 90 days

REACTION FROM THE WHO:

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news briefing this morning: "We regret the decision of the President of the United States to order a halt in funding to the World Health Organization ... The United States of America has been a longstanding and generous friend to WHO and we hope it will continue to be so." https://bit.ly/2XKgodk

REACTION FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The Chamber's executive vice president Myron Brilliant said in a statement: "The Chamber supports a reformed but functional World Health Organization, and U.S. leadership and involvement are essential to ensuring its transparency and accountability going forward ... However, cutting the WHO's funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization's critical role assisting other countries -- particularly in the developing world -- in their response." https://bit.ly/3enPe1P

REACTION FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA):

The AMA urged President Trump to reconsider, calling the move a "dangerous step in the wrong direction." https://bit.ly/2RGdDWJ

The AMA said in a statemen: "Fighting a global pandemic requires international cooperation and reliance on science and data. Cutting funding to the WHO – rather than focusing on solutions – is a dangerous move at a precarious moment for the world."

RETAIL SALES PLUNGED IN MARCH:

Retail sales dropped 8.7 percent in March, the biggest decline on record. https://bit.ly/2XCnQr3

THIS A.M. -- STOCKS DROP AGAIN:

Markets dipped this morning following a record retail sale drop in March and Trump's announcement to halt the WHO's funding. https://bit.ly/2RIhVx0

The numbers: "The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 500 points, or 2.1 percent, while the S&P 500 was down 62 points, or 2.2 percent."

WHERE THINGS STAND

Global cases surpass 2 million this morning:

More than two million people in the world have tested positive for COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University: https://bit.ly/2z0Q4S1

An 11-year-old byline in The New York Times:

For The New York Times, 11-year-old Henry Dodd explains what it's like to have virtual school. https://nyti.ms/2xmJnth

"Kids are getting more bored by the day. We wish we could go back to school to see our friends. But some of us are also really scared about getting the coronavirus, and we don't want our friends and family to get it either. That's what kids across the country told The New York Times (where my dad works) when they were asked about learning from home during the coronavirus outbreak."

The full piece -- with illustrations from children: https://nyti.ms/2xmJnth

LATEST WITH CORONAVIRUS AID

You block Mitch while we go negotiate.

OK, break!:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, "Congressional Democratic leaders are trying to box out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE (R-Ky.) by negotiating a deal with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinLawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal United Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid House Democrats plan to unveil bill next week to avert shutdown MORE and President Trump to provide $251 billion in new funding for small businesses." https://bit.ly/2V8sPy1

The calculation by Dem leaders: "Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Trump is betting big on the suburbs, but his strategy is failing 'bigly' Trump orders flags at half-staff to honor 'trailblazer' Ginsburg MORE (D-Calif.) calculate that Trump will be eager for a deal when funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a popular small-business lending program, is projected to expire Thursday, when another wave of unemployment claims become public."

What to expect: https://bit.ly/2V8sPy1

WHERE SCHUMER AND MNUCHIN STAND ON A SMALL BUSINESS LENDING DEAL:

They appear to be getting closer. What we know: https://bit.ly/2yYd97P

HOW THE UNPARALLELED HEALTH CRISIS HAS LED TO UNPRECEDENTED FEDERAL SPENDING:

Via The Hill's Niv Elis: https://bit.ly/3baOlHX

Tidbit -- notice if your stimulus check says 'President Donald J. Trump' printed on it:

Via The Washington Post's Lisa Rein, "The Treasury Department has ordered President Trump's name printed on stimulus checks the Internal Revenue Service is rushing to send to tens of millions of Americans, a process that could slow their delivery by a few days, senior IRS officials said." https://wapo.st/2VytxDB

Is this routine?: "It will be the first time a president's name appears on an IRS disbursement, whether a routine refund or one of the handful of checks the government has issued to taxpayers in recent decades either to stimulate a down economy or share the dividends of a strong one."

Keep in mind: "Treasury officials disputed that the checks would be delayed."

NOTABLE TWEETS

The view in London:

BIRD'S EYE VIEW: Stunning timelapse shows the streets of London almost completely deserted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. https://t.co/JOaDzgVam2 pic.twitter.com/rHKlnFXtvP — ABC News (@ABC) April 15, 2020

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

10 a.m. EDT: President Trump hosted a phone call with "banking, financial services, food and beverage, hospitality and retail industry groups."

11 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence participated in a phone call with the College Football Playoff Management Committee.

Noon: President Trump hosted a phone call with "health care, tech, telecommunications and transportation industry groups."

2 p.m. EDT: President Trump hosts a call with "agriculture, construction/labor/workforce, defense, energy, and manufacturing industry groups and thought leaders."

3 p.m. EDT: President Trump hosts a call with sports industry groups.

3 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leads a White House Coronavirus Task Force meeting in the Situation Room.

WHAT TO WATCH

11 a.m. EDT: Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) gave an update on his state's outbreak. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2z40xfB

1 p.m. EDT: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is holding a press briefing on the coronavirus outbreak. Livestream: https://cs.pn/3cjSWYx

5 p.m. EDT: The White House Coronavirus Task Force holds a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/2K7lt7I

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Spiral Ham Day.

Ummm, *hard click*:

Via Eater Washington, D.C., "lowering cocktails in buckets is just one way D.C. bars are getting creative right now." https://bit.ly/3bcs6BE

Because I wouldn't dangle that carrot without following through: Here's a video of cocktails being lowered in a bucket: https://bit.ly/2K4HUdx

And to give you an afternoon distraction, here are two very confused golden retrievers: https://bit.ly/2XCPGDG