Latest United Nations General Assembly News

UN General Assembly demands ceasefire in Gaza and backs UN agency helping Palestinian refugees

Dec. 11, 2024 20:12 PM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban. The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9, with 13...

Closely-watched international climate case in the Hague wraps up its first week of testimony

Dec. 06, 2024 13:53 PM EST

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A closely-watched international climate case that could yield guidance for governments around the world wrapped its first week of arguments before the top court of the United Nations in The Hague Friday. The case, though not binding, is expected to spell out what...

Key UN committee adopts resolution paving the way for a first-ever treaty on crimes against humanity

Nov. 23, 2024 01:08 AM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A key U.N. General Assembly committee adopted a resolution late Friday paving the way for negotiations on a first-ever treaty on preventing and punishing crimes against humanity after Russia dropped amendments that would have derailed the effort. The...

UN General Assembly condemns the US economic embargo of Cuba for a 32nd year

Oct. 30, 2024 17:06 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to condemn the American economic embargo of Cuba for a 32nd year after its foreign minister strongly criticized the Biden administration and expressed hope a new president would end it. The vote in the...

Where has Cameroon’s 91-year-old leader been? In Europe, an official says

Oct. 08, 2024 17:39 PM EDT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in Cameroon on Tuesday dismissed widespread speculation about the health of 91-year-old President Paul Biya after a long public absence, saying he is on a visit to Europe and doing well. Biya was last seen in public at the China-Africa summit in...

Leaders depart UN facing prospect of a wider Mideast war — but with a blueprint for a better future

Sep. 30, 2024 21:03 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — They gathered at the United Nations surrounded by unsettling warnings of an escalating conflict that could engulf the Middle East and further shatter international relations that are based on "multilateralism" — nations working together and sharing power. A week later,...

On a day when isolated nations get their say at the UN, North Korea reups condemnation of US

Sep. 30, 2024 20:10 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — North Korea condemned the United States and its allies Monday for “stirring up military confrontations still further" by engaging in war games in the Asia-Pacific region and “talking unceasingly” about regime change in the diplomatically isolated nation. U.N....

US opts out of running for reelection on UN Human Rights Council

Sep. 30, 2024 16:35 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has decided not to seek a second consecutive term on the much-maligned U.N. Human Rights Council, the State Department said Monday. The administration had made U.S. membership on the Geneva-based council a priority when it took office in...

Behind the loudest issues, the UN is a world stage for disputes that are often out of the spotlight

Sep. 29, 2024 17:51 PM EDT

The world’s greatest stage is the sprawling Midtown Manhattan complex where leaders meet each year to discuss humanity’s future. The United Nations' most powerful body — the Security Council — is paralyzed by disputes, so this year's most varied speeches were delivered before...

Humanitarians enlist entertainers and creators to reach impassioned youth during United Nations week

Sep. 29, 2024 08:34 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A lively discussion broke out backstage during Climate Week NYC between a TikTok comedian, a buzzed-about actress, a Latin cuisine entrepreneur and a cooking content creator. Convened by World Food Program USA to educate the panel's audiences — over 1.8 million...