Republicans Equate Aid Workers With Terrorists In Hearing On U.N. Funding

Republican lawmakers repeatedly equated aid workers with Hamas terrorists during a heated hearing Tuesday as they called for the U.S. government to permanently stop funding the United Nations agency responsible for helping Palestinian refugees in Gaza. Last week, the U.S. and more than a dozen other countries paused aid to the United Nations Relief and … Read more

Restoring U.S. funding for UNRWA depends on investigation: spokesperson – National

The United States will wait for the results of the United Nations’ investigation into the allegations staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel before it resumes delivering aid, a spokesperson said. “We have suspended our contributions to UNRWA pending the results of this investigation,” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said … Read more

Israel vows to stop UN agency’s activities in Gaza after war

Israel vowed Saturday to stop the UN humanitarian aid agency in Gaza from operating after the war, and called for its chief to resign, after the sacking of staff accused of involvement in the October 7 attack. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Friday it had fired several employees over Israel’s accusations, promising … Read more

U.N. Court Acknowledges Genocide Risk In Gaza, Dealing Historic Blow To Israel And U.S.

The International Court of Justice on Friday issued a stunning initial ruling in South Africa’s legal challenge to Israel’s devastating U.S.-backed military offensive in Gaza — acknowledging that there is a plausible risk of Israel committing genocide there and issuing six orders for a change in Israel’s conduct as it combats the Gaza-based Palestinian militant … Read more

UN agency fires staff after ‘shocking’ allegation of roles in Israel attacks – National

The United Nations agency charged with delivering aid to Palestinians has fired staff members accused of being involved in the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed. A statement posted to the United Nations Relief and Works agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) website on Friday morning says … Read more

LGBTQ Advocates Urge The United Nations To Intervene In Texas

Five human rights groups issued a letter to the United Nations on Monday, arguing that Texas legislation has violated the rights of queer and trans people in the state. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Equality Texas, GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin … Read more

Ethnic violence in Darfur, Sudan killed up to 15,000 people last year: UN report – National

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people were killed in one city in Sudan’s West Darfur region last year in ethnic violence by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militia, according to a United Nations report seen by Reuters on Friday. In the report to the U.N. Security Council, independent U.N. sanctions monitors attributed the toll … Read more

UN chief warns of ‘serious unintended consequences’ in AI development

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the assembly during the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos on January 17, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) Fabrice Coffrini | Afp | Getty Images United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday called on political and business leaders to prioritize … Read more

Rabbis Stage Protest, Call For Cease-Fire Inside United Nations

More than 30 rabbis and rabbinical students staged a protest at the United Nations on Tuesday morning, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as Palestinian authorities say the death toll from the U.S.-backed Israeli invasion of the territory approaches 23,000. The rabbis, who gained access to the building as part of a guided tour, entered … Read more

Oil industry veteran to lead COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Minister for ecology and natural resources and formerly an executive at state oil company SOCAR Mukhtar Babayev (C) visits at the Norm cement plant in Baku, on February 23, 2023. Azerbaijan named on January 5, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev minister to preside over the November 2024 COP29 meeting, in Baku, on January 6, 2024. Tofik … Read more