标签： North America

At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, significant financial governance discussions unfolded during the 55th Special Session of the UN Board of Auditors and the 65th Session of the UN Panel of External Auditors held from November 24-25, 2025. The meetings brought together top auditing officials from member states to address critical financial oversight matters within the UN system.

Hou Kai, China’s Auditor General and representative on both UN auditing bodies, participated actively in the proceedings. The special session featured comprehensive reviews of audit activities conducted during the second half of 2025, while participants also formulated the strategic audit plan for 2026 and addressed specific matters referred by UN legislative bodies.

In his address, Hou acknowledged the substantial achievements made by the Board throughout the year, emphasizing their contribution to ongoing UN reform initiatives, management optimization, and governance enhancement. With his six-year term concluding in mid-2026, Hou expressed confidence that China’s audit team would maintain its commitment to independence and professional excellence in executing the UN General Assembly’s mandate, ensuring both continuity and quality in audit outcomes.

The parallel session of the Panel of External Auditors facilitated substantive exchanges between Hou, fellow panel members, and UN officials. Discussions centered on several priority areas including the UN80 Initiative’s implementation framework, financial and administrative challenges, digital transformation efforts, and standardized audit practices across the UN system.

During his New York visit, Hou additionally inspected Chinese audit operations at the UN Secretariat, engaging with on-site auditors. He emphasized the importance of adhering to international auditing standards while maximizing China’s expertise in economic oversight. Hou encouraged the team to maintain focus on their core responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to developing a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable United Nations.

In the wake of a shooting incident near the White House that left two National Guard soldiers critically injured, the United States has halted all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakamal, allegedly arrived in the US from Afghanistan in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to assist Afghan refugees following the US withdrawal from the country. President Donald Trump labeled the attack as an ‘act of terror’ and vowed to reassess the immigration status of all Afghan nationals who entered the country under his predecessor, Joe Biden. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Lakamal had been granted asylum earlier this year. The incident occurred near the Farragut Square Metro Station, where the suspect reportedly ambushed the soldiers before being subdued by other National Guard members. In response, Trump has imposed a travel ban on Afghan nationals and ended a temporary protected status program for Afghan migrants. The Pentagon has also announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, to bolster security.

US President Donald Trump has vehemently criticized a New York Times article that highlighted his age and apparent signs of fatigue, labeling the publication as an ‘enemy of the people’ and personally attacking the female author of the report. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, the 79-year-old Republican leader dismissed the claims, asserting that he is in peak physical and cognitive condition. Trump emphasized his recent ‘perfect physical exam’ and a cognitive test he claims to have ‘aced,’ while also listing his accomplishments, including last year’s election victory and a robust US stock market. Despite his vigorous defense, the Times report noted a reduction in Trump’s public events and domestic travel compared to his first term, alongside instances where he appeared to fall asleep during official duties. The article also raised questions about his health, citing an October MRI scan and visible physical ailments. Trump’s aggressive response included derogatory remarks about the reporter, continuing a pattern of personal attacks on journalists. The Times stood by its reporting, stating that its coverage is based on factual, firsthand reporting and will not be deterred by intimidation tactics.