Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), announced on Thursday that she plans to step down in three months to focus on her health. The 71-year-old widow of the late U.S. Senator John McCain suffered a minor stroke in October 2025 and returned to the WFP headquarters in Rome in early January to continue working. “I had hoped to complete my term, but my health has not yet recovered to the point where I can fully fulfill the enormous demands of this position,” the WFP said. “This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.” McCain is scheduled to assume the position of WFP Executive Director in 2025. Previously, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and officially assumed the position on April 5, 2023.

The World Food Programme (WFP), established in 1961, is the world’s largest humanitarian organization.

— Reuters

White House Announces: Melania Trump to Chair UN Security Council Meeting (September 11, 2011)

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump leave the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 2026, to attend the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol. Reuters/Tom Brenner

WASHINGTON — The White House announced that First Lady Melania Trump will chair the United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, when the United States will assume the monthly presidency.

Melania Trump will emphasize the importance of education in promoting tolerance and world peace at the meeting. Her office said in a statement Wednesday that this will be the first time a sitting U.S. First Lady has chaired the 15-member Security Council.

Since his first term as president, Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the United Nations, calling the 198-member world organization inefficient and in dire need of reform.

Trump’s tone was more moderate at the Security Council’s inaugural meeting last week. Trump stated that the Peace Council is a global conflict resolution initiative aimed at replacing the United Nations, raising concerns among many leaders. On February 19, Trump described the Peace Council as a potential successor to the United Nations. Trump said, “The Peace Council will essentially oversee the United Nations and ensure its proper functioning. We will strengthen the United Nations, modernize its facilities… We will provide financial support to ensure its sustainable future.”

– Reuters