World politics
fromwww.npr.org
1 week agoUS threatens to revoke the Palestinian UN ambassador's visa
The U.S. threatens visa revocation for Palestinian UN delegation members unless the Palestinian ambassador withdraws his vice president bid.
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly called for an end to a US economic embargo on Cuba for a 33rd year, despite lobbying by Washington that included sharing an accusation that up to 5,000 Cubans are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. It adopted a resolution with 165 votes in favour, seven against and 12 abstentions. Unlike previous years, the US convinced Argentina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Paraguay and Ukraine to join it and Israel in voting against the resolution.
The former head of Syria's al-Nusra Front had a $10m bounty on his head for organising multiple terrorist attacks throughout Syria, often targeting civilians. This week, however, after toppling the dictator Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive last December, he is being feted in New York as he meets with world leaders in the first visit to the United Nations general assembly by a Syrian head of state since 1967.
Several protest groups blocked traffic on Tuesday to prevent dignitaries, including President Trump, from entering the United Nations General Assembly on the first day of the 80th meeting of global heads of state. Photo by Dean Moses For one week every fall, New York plays host to the United Nations General Assembly, an annual summit that brings together dozens of world leaders,
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed in New York where he will attend the United Nations general assembly and try to drum up support for a US-led peace effort to end the war in Ukraine. We are doing everything to stop the war, he wrote on X on Tuesday, adding that he had two dozen meetings scheduled. The Ukrainian leader is expected to meet US president Donald Trump and other world leaders on the sidelines of the UN meeting, and deliver an address on Wednesday.
But on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Saudi co-hosts assembled a large gathering of world leaders and top diplomats spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. A speakers list included the presidents of Brazil, Turkey, South Africa and Indonesia; prime ministers of Australia, Canada, Spain Belgium and Ireland; the kings of Jordan and Monaco; the U.N. secretary general and many other dignitaries.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is scheduled on Monday afternoon to speak at the White House about medical findings related to children, according to his official schedule. A White House official told ABC News to expect a "historic" announcement related to autism. An official said the president will announce "historic progress" on his pledge "to address America's rising rate of autism."
Police officials say they are expecting a surge in gridlock, and in turn subway ridership, throughout Manhattan over the coming week. Roads are expected to be closed, and traffic is expected to be slowed as world leaders, including President Donald Trump, are expected to descend on the Big Apple. With the increase in commuters surrounding such a high-profile event, cops are asking the public to be mindful of their surroundings and immediately contact the NYPD if they see something suspicious.
On Monday, September 22, a moment of decision will take place on New York's East River at the United Nations General Assembly. France, Canada, and Belgium intend to recognize Palestine as a state, and the United Kingdom is also likely to take the step. The goal is to exert pressure on Israel to end the Gaza war and initiate a new peace process. Of the 193 UN members, almost 150 have already recognized Palestine as a state.
And, the NYC DOT said in an e-mailed statement Tuesday, drivers can expect congestion-packed commuting days into and across midtown continuing through the coming holiday season, warning of "slowest of the year" traffic speeds. In fact, the NYC DOT has identified 20 such "Gridlock Alert" days beginning next week and into the Christmas holiday season - days when traffic is expected to be at its slowest and most-congested. U.N. General Assembly Week tops the list.