UN Faces Imminent Financial Collapse, Secretary-General Warns
The United Nations is at risk of financial collapse by July, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday, urging member nations to pay their dues. According to Euronews, Guterres stated that the UN faces chronic budget problems due to member states not paying their mandatory contributions in full or on time.
The organization has been forced to implement hiring freezes and cutbacks as a result of the financial strain. Guterres' warning comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has, in recent months, reduced its funding to some UN agencies and has rejected or delayed some mandatory contributions, according to Euronews.
In other global news, explosions were reported in Iran. Euronews reported that a powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas earlier today. The blast occurred in an eight-story building, with parts of the lower floors severely damaged and windows throughout the building shattered. According to Hormozgan's Crisis Management Organisation, investigations into the cause of the Bandar Abbas incident are ongoing. The organisation noted that 14 people were injured following the explosion in a residential complex. Israel has denied involvement in the explosions, according to Euronews.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned of a "deepening crisis" five years after the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. Sky News reported that the coup, which took place on February 1, 2021, overturned "the will of the people" and removed their political freedom.
In Bangladesh, concerns are growing among religious minorities ahead of the upcoming national election. According to Al Jazeera, electoral periods in Bangladesh have historically seen spikes in communal and political violence, with religious minorities often bearing the brunt. Sukumar Pramanik, a Hindu teacher in Rajshahi city, told Al Jazeera that the upcoming election could be his final test of trust in politics.
In Europe, hundreds of Danish veterans protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday. Euronews reported that the demonstration was over comments by the Trump administration that downplayed their combat contributions and over threats to take control of Greenland. Parallel protests in Milan opposed ICE's role at the upcoming Winter Olympics.
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