Cameron Makes Surprise UK Cabinet Comeback in Sunak Reboot
Rishi Sunak appointed David Cameron as UK foreign secretary, a shock return to government for a man who
2023-11-14 00:22
U.N. Security Council schedules a vote on a resolution urging humanitarian pauses, corridors in Gaza
After four failed attempts, the U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which would call for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip" in the Israel-Hamas war. The final draft watered down language from a “demand” to a “call.” It also watered down a demand for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups” to a call. Malta, which sponsored the resolution, called for the vote after lengthy negotiations. Several diplomats said they expect it to be adopted. That requires nine “yes” votes from the 15-member council and no veto by any of its five permanent members: the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France. The draft resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire. It also doesn’t refer to Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed around 1,200 people and took some 240 others hostage. Nor does it cite Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza that Gaza's health ministry says has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children. The draft asks that “all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.” U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council’s requests for action. Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council has called for cease-fires in wars from the Balkans to Syria “with little or no impact.” The Security Council, which has the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, has been paralyzed since the war began by its internal divisions. This is especially the case between China and Russia, which want an immediate cease-fire, and the United States, which has called for humanitarian pauses but objects to any mention of a cease-fire which its close ally Israel strongly opposes. The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a “sufficient number of days” for unhindered access by the U.N., Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need. It says the pauses also should allow for repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts. In the four previous tries for Security Council approval, a Brazil-drafted resolution was vetoed by the United States, a U.S.-drafted resolution was vetoed by Russia and China and two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get the minimum “yes” votes. After the fourth failure, frustrated Arab nations turned to the 193-member General Assembly and succeeded in getting wide approval for a resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza meant to lead to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It was the first United Nations response to the war. But unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they are a barometer of world opinion. The vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Of the five veto-holding Security Council members, Russia, China and France voted in favor, the United States voted against and Britain abstained. The General Assembly resolution was adopted Oct. 27, and Israel agreed Nov. 9 to four-hour pauses. But only very limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing. The Crisis Group's Gowan said U.S. opposition to a cease-fire “is a gift that keeps on giving for Russia diplomatically.” He said that while many diplomats think Russia is demanding a cease-fire “for largely cynical reasons to make the Americans look bad,” Moscow’s position “is closer to the mainstream of council thinking, and the U.S. looks isolated.” “A U.N. cease-fire call would embarrass but not really constrain the Israelis,” he told the AP. “But the U.S. clearly feels that even such a symbolic move is too much of a political risk.” Read More Tourists find the Las Vegas Strip remade for its turn hosting Formula One Ohio commission approves fracking in state parks and wildlife areas despite fraud investigation The UK government wants to send migrants to Rwanda. Here's why judges say it's unlawful Vatican plans to gradually replace car fleet with electric vehicles in deal with VW Discrimination charge filed against Michigan salon after owner's comments on gender identity Advocates scramble to aid homeless migrant families after Massachusetts caps emergency shelter slots
2023-11-16 02:56
Ukraine-Russia war - live: Putin ‘may use sea mines to attack civilian ships and blame Kyiv’
Russia may use sea mines to target non-military ships and blame Ukraine for any attacks, the British government has said. Declassified intelligence warned last month that the Russian military had attempted a missile strike against a cargo ship in the Black Sea. The UK believes Russia could continue targeting civilian shipping, including by laying explosive devices in the approach to Ukrainian ports. However, Vladimir Putin’s army wants to openly avoid sinking ships in order to blame Ukraine for attacks, the government said. Foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “Russia’s pernicious targeting of civilian shipping in the Black Sea demonstrates Putin’s total disregard for civilian lives and the needs of the world’s most vulnerable. “The world is watching – and we see right through Russia’s cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for their attacks. We and our allies stand united against Putin and his attempts to harm Ukraine, and thus harm the rest of the world.” Read More Former Russian state TV journalist gets 8 1/2-year sentence in absentia for Ukraine war criticism Russia facing ‘functional defeat’ in the Black Sea – but Kyiv allies warn they are running out of ammunition Russia may attack civilian ships with sea mines and blame Ukraine, UK warns
2023-10-05 13:28
Who is Karen Attiah? Megyn Kelly calls writer 'rabid antisemite' over her support for pro-Hamas tweet
Karen Attiah also received backlash from several others as Megyn Kelly posted about her
2023-10-12 16:19
Why did Amy Schumer decline the movie 'Barbie'? Actress says she 'really enjoyed' watching the film
'They definitely didn’t want to do it the way I wanted to do it, the only way I was interested in doing it,' Amy Schumer said
2023-07-25 03:22
DOJ says it's assessing the situation along the Texas-Mexico border amid 'troubling reports' over migrant treatment
The Justice Department is assessing the situation along the Texas-Mexico border following reports that Texas troopers were told to push back migrants into the Rio Grande and ordered not to give them water, calling those reports "troubling" in a statement to CNN.
2023-07-20 02:50
Migrants waiting at US-Mexico border blow off steam with soccer
By Jose Luis Gonzalez CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico The ball flies. The teen runs and heads it straight into
2023-08-05 01:54
Three key priorities in crucial US-China talks
The two rival superpowers are having their most important talks in years. Here are the points of tension.
2023-06-18 04:52
How unusual is it for the House to fail to pass a rule? A look at the recent history
Since 1995, the House has failed to pass a rule eight times, all during Republican-led House chambers -- until this year.
2023-09-22 04:27
Miles of land glows orange as planes fly over Turkey wildfires
Footage shared by Turkish authorities shows planes flying over miles of land glowing orange as wildfires rage. Blazes are burning in the coastal areas of Kas, Kemer, Manisa and Tasagil. Extreme temperatures of over 40C have been recorded in recent days. “We are fighting with all our might to control the fires,” Turkey’s forest management department wrote, sharing the video on social media. Elsewhere in Europe, holidaymakers have been forced to flee Rhodes and Corfu as wildfires have engulfed parts of both Greek islands following days of extreme heat. Read More Helicopters battle wildfires fuelled by strong winds in Turkey Heatwave: Scorching temperatures cook egg instantly under sun in Turkey Wildfires grip Turkey as extreme heat sweeps across Europe
2023-07-25 17:51
Logan Paul’s ex-girlfriend Chloe Bennet once blasted WWE star for controversial YouTube project: ‘You’re going to crash and burn’
Logan Paul almost destroyed his own career by uploading a vlog of his visit to Japan's infamous Aokigahara Forest
2023-09-09 15:47
Spain's PLD Space plans first rocket launch test on May 31
MADRID Spanish company PLD Space said it plans its first test of a suborbital reusable rocket on Wednesday,
2023-05-30 21:58
You Might Like...
Who is Ryan Bradford? White supremacist known for antisemitic speech arrested on meth and ammunition charges
Japan protests to S.Korea over military drill on disputed islands
Humanitarians want more aid for Gaza, access to hostages under Israel-Hamas truce. And more time
Target sued by investor over backlash to LGBTQ merchandise
EU Is Bystander in Musk’s X Drama as Powers Yet to Kick In
'Can you hear me sobbing?': Swifties gush over Travis Kelce's sweet nickname for Taylor Swift
Will he go by plane or train? How Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia for another meeting with Putin
Why has Idaho murder house demolition stopped? Officials to revisit decision before Bryan Kohberger's trial concludes
