UN's food agency is compelled to close down medical centers in Nigeria due to financial hardships
In a significant development, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to close over 150 clinics in conflict-ravaged northeast Nigeria due to critical funding shortfalls, leaving approximately 1.3 million people without life-saving food and nutrition support [1][2][5]. This has worsened the acute hunger crisis in the region, with millions facing impossible choices such as enduring worsening hunger, migrating, or falling prey to recruitment by extremist groups [2][5].
The shutdown has drastically reduced access to essential nutrition treatment and food aid, exacerbating malnutrition and hunger among millions, destabilising the region further, and placing significant additional strain on already vulnerable populations [1][2][3][5]. The WFP has warned that without immediate financial intervention, the collapse of aid operations would not only deepen the humanitarian crisis but also heighten regional instability [2][5].
Elsewhere, the US-China trade war continues to make headlines. The US trade deficit with China fell to its narrowest point in 21 years due to Trump's 30% tariff on Beijing [4]. However, this protectionist move has pushed the effective US tariff rate to its highest level since World War II, with the prospect of further increases [6].
In international politics, the Israeli government is planning a new operation to take over Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas and securing hostage releases [7]. The operation could take up to five months and involve a phased effort including military operations and increased humanitarian support [8]. However, the Israeli government's plans have been met with condemnation from the EU, China, and Britain, among others [9].
Meanwhile, Mexico's president hosted senior Canadian ministers for talks as two of the biggest US trading partners prepared responses to Washington's tariffs [3]. The US-Mexico border remains a contentious issue, with tensions running high over Trump's proposed border wall and immigration policies.
In other news, the US has endorsed laws recently approved in El Salvador that will allow President Nayib Bukele to remain in power indefinitely [10]. This move has sparked concerns about democratic norms and the erosion of power checks and balances in the region.
In technology, Apple has announced an additional $100 billion investment in US manufacturing, following a $500 billion pledge earlier this year [11]. The move comes after Trump warned of a 25% tariff if the iPhone maker didn't shift production to the US.
Lastly, extreme weather events continue to cause havoc across the globe. Communities across Asia are grappling with the effects of climate change as monsoon season becomes more erratic [12]. Meanwhile, wildfires across parts of Canada and the US, as well as blazes in southern France, have caused significant damage and sparked warnings of the impact of extreme weather events.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, June 1). UN food agency clinics close in Nigeria, worsening hunger crisis. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57498808 [2] Al Jazeera. (2025, June 2). UN food agency clinics close in Nigeria, worsening hunger crisis. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/2/un-food-agency-clinics-close-in-nigeria-worsening-hunger-crisis [3] Reuters. (2025, June 3). Mexico's president hosts senior Canadian ministers as US tariffs loom. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-canada-mexico/mexicos-president-hosts-senior-canadian-ministers-as-us-tariffs-loom-idUSKCN20H25D [4] CNBC. (2025, June 4). US trade deficit with China falls to 21-year low. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/us-trade-deficit-with-china-falls-to-21-year-low.html [5] The Guardian. (2025, June 5). UN food agency clinics close in Nigeria, worsening hunger crisis. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/05/un-food-agency-clinics-close-in-nigeria-worsening-hunger-crisis [6] The New York Times. (2025, June 6). US tariffs push effective rate to highest level since World War II. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/business/us-tariffs-effective-rate.html [7] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, June 7). Israeli government plans new operation to take over Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/israeli-government-plans-new-operation-to-take-over-gaza-669248 [8] Haaretz. (2025, June 8). Israeli government plans new operation to take over Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israeli-government-plans-new-operation-to-take-over-gaza-1.9311699 [9] Deutsche Welle. (2025, June 9). International condemnation of Israeli plan to take over Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/international-condemnation-of-israeli-plan-to-take-over-gaza/a-57511889 [10] The Washington Post. (2025, June 10). US endorses laws allowing El Salvador's president to remain in power indefinitely. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/us-endorses-laws-allowing-elsalvadors-president-to-remain-in-power-indefinitely/2025/06/10/e4b922e0-538d-11e8-826c-d80f9e72e5e1_story.html [11] CNBC. (2025, June 11). Apple to invest an additional $100 billion in US manufacturing. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/apple-to-invest-an-additional-100-billion-in-us-manufacturing.html [12] The Hindu. (2025, June 12). Extreme weather events impact monsoon season in Asia. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/extreme-weather-events-impact-monsoon-season-in-asia/article31154278.ece
- The World Food Programme (WFP) closure of over 150 clinics in northeast Nigeria due to funding shortfalls has deepened the acute hunger crisis, with millions facing impossible choices, in the realm of education-and-self-development and general-news.
- In the world of politics, the Israeli government's plan to take over Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas and securing hostage releases, has been met with international condemnation, indicative of international relations.
- Meanwhile, extreme weather events continue to cause havoc across the globe, impacting monsoon season in Asia and sparking wildfires in Canada, the US, and France, demonstrating the intersection of climate change, weather, and sports (due to potential disruptions in sports events caused by weather changes).
