United Nations

UN Human Rights Council calls for end of weapons sales, shipments to Israel

By Jamey Keaten, Associated Press

The sweeping but non-binding measure at the Human Rights Council takes aim at an array of Israeli actions such as impeding access to water and blocking shipments of humanitarian aid into Palestinian areas.

Palestinians will seek full UN membership again, but U.S. is almost certain to block the request

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

In September 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered the Palestinian Authority's application to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

Russian veto effectively ends the UN panel that monitors North Korea nuclear sanctions

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

Russia's vote on Thursday prompted Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its weapons purchases from North Korea for use in its war against Ukraine, in violation of sanctions.

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings for food and water into Gaza

By Associated Press

The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in its military campaign launched after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

Around 19 percent of food is wasted globally as 783 million people face chronic hunger, UN says

By Carlos Mureithi, Associated Press

Besides leaving people hungry, food waste means needless greenhouse gas emissions and amounts to a misuse of the land and water required to raise crops and animals.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths is stepping down for health reasons

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths is stepping down for health reasons after nearly three years of trying to tackle mounting crises in Ukraine, Gaza and Africa. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq made the announcement Monday.

Netanyahu cancels Israeli delegation’s trip to Washington after U.S. abstains on UN Gaza cease-fire resolution

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

The United States, which abstained, warned that the resolution approved on Monday could hurt negotiations to halt hostilities.

Blinken meets Israeli leaders as U.N. prepares to vote on a cease-fire resolution

By Associated Press

The United Nations Security Council will vote Friday on a U.S.-sponsored resolution declaring “the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war.

UN chief urges the EU to avoid humanitarian ‘double standards’ over Gaza and Ukraine

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

European Union leaders are being urged to show the same respect for international law in Gaza as they aim to uphold in Ukraine. The appeal comes as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face possible famine in Gaza.

The UN adopts a resolution backing efforts to ensure artificial intelligence is ‘safe, secure and trustworthy’

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

The resolution aims to close the digital divide between rich developed countries and poorer developing countries and make sure they are all at the table in discussions on AI.