UN chief orders travel, meetings, heat cut over cash crisis
United Nations: Meetings cancelled. Escalators stopped. Official travel limited. UN documents delayed. Air conditioning and heating reduced.
These are some of the measures Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has ordered effective Monday at all UN facilities and operations around the world to deal with the United Nations' worst cash crisis in nearly a decade.
The UN chief said in a letter to the heads of all UN entities that the emergency measures "will affect working conditions and operations until further notice."
UN management chief Catherine Pollard told the General Assembly's budget committee Friday that 128 countries had paid USD 1.99 billion in dues for the UN's 2019 operating budget by October 4.
She said USD 1.386 billion is owed for this year by 65 countries including more than USD 1 billion by the United States.
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US Embassy advises Americans to reconsider Hajj travel
Riyadh: The United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised American citizens to reconsider travel to the country, including participation in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, amid the ongoing regional conflict.
In a travel advisory, the embassy urged US nationals to exercise caution and review their plans in light of the current security situation.
It specifically advised Americans to reconsider “participation in Hajj this year” to the holy city of Mecca.
