INTERNACIONAL
Trump urged to review UN immunity, lax visa rules amid national security concerns
A 1947 agreement outlining obligations as host of the United Nations continues to give employees and their family members relatively unfettered access to the U.S.
At a time of increased national security fears and immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, experts are urging a re-examination of the host nation agreement with an eye to the functional immunity granted to U.N. staff and the limited vetting given to those with U.N. visas.
«The United States appears to have taken a relaxed view of the individuals entering the country associated with the U.N., either as employees or as representatives of various country missions. And yet we know that U.N. employees have had, and continue to have, close, direct relationships with terrorist organizations, like UNRWA and Hamas,» Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, told Fox News Digital.
UN WATCHDOG PROJECT CALLS ON DOGE CAUCUS TO ‘AUDIT’ THE INTERNATIONAL ORG
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s minister for foreign affairs, talks with Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Bayefsky said there is «a disconnect between the welcome routine and the significant harm to American interests. Hosting the U.N. does not require the host country to facilitate or endure threats to its national security.»
The federal government grants G visas to employees, spouses and children of international organizations, including the U.N., who reside in, or are visiting, the U.S. According to the State Department’s website, «if you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa. The exceptions to this rule are extremely limited.» The Department of State also explains that «Embassies and consulates generally do not require an interview for those applying for G-1 – 4 and NATO-1 – 6 visas, although a consular officer can request an interview.»
Hugh Dugan, a senior advisor to 11 U.S. former ambassadors to the U.N., told Fox News Digital that it «appears to me that the issuance of the G visas for [U.N. employees] is a relatively rubber stamp exercise.» While not requiring interviews of personnel has «become a matter of convenience, frankly, we should always be able to assess a threat to our country.»’
Dugan, a former National Security Council special assistant to the president and senior director for international organization affairs, said nations like Russia and China are only allowed to travel a certain distance from U.N. headquarters. «We are mindful of our adversaries’ activities and presence here, but the door is open to participate in the U.N. and the host country agreement makes that possible so that no country would be barred because of a certain political atmosphere or issue that might be brewing between us and them.»
Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi displays the photo of Gen. Kasim Soleimani at the United Nations. (Peter Aitken for Fox News Digital)
Fox News Digital asked the State Department whether it requires interviews for staff from adversarial member states, including Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, North Korea, Iran and China, but received no response. A State Department spokesperson reiterated that consular officers «have full authority to require an in-person interview for any reason.»
Peter Gallo, formerly an investigator with the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), told Fox News Digital that he is particularly concerned about the functional immunity granted to U.N. staff participating in activities related to their employment. Gallo explained that «U.S. legal system has come to accept that pretty much it’s a blanket coverage.» He added that «immunity breeds impunity.»
REPUBLICANS SEEK TO BLOCK THE REAPPOINTMENT OF UN OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF ANTISEMITISM
Gallo claimed that there is an epidemic of sexual offenses and misconduct among U.N. staff. He cited an incident in which a U.N. employee outside the U.S. sexually harassed «a young female in his department.» Gallo said it took two years after receipt of the investigation report for an investigation to be completed, which resulted in the demotion of the offending employee. Gallo said the employee who was harassed, and her harasser remained in the same organization.
Gallo said that if employees take part in misconduct while based at U.N. headquarters, the U.S. government should be able to examine cases and determine whether staff should retain their G visas.
Dugan said that if U.N. personnel «knew that [immunity] could be lifted at any time by us… they might start behaving a lot differently.»
China’s Vice President Han Zheng addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 21, 2023. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
In response to questions about whether U.N. staff have been accused of sexual misconduct in the U.S., or whether U.N. staff who engaged in misconduct have had their G visas revoked, a State Department spokesperson explained the department «generally does not provide» revocation statistics. They also said that «all visa applicants, no matter the visa type and where they are located, are continuously vetted. Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa, to ensure the individual remains eligible to travel to the United States.»
The spokesperson said officials of the U.N. «are expected to respect applicable laws of the United States, including criminal laws. Failure to do so may constitute an abuse of privileges of residence.» They added that this «applies for those who hold diplomatic immunity for their positions as well.»
Among staff who have raised internal alarm bells is U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, who traveled to the U.S. in 2024 to deliver a report before the Third Committee of the General Assembly. Albanese, whose antisemitism has been condemned widely by senior U.S. diplomats and the State Department, was allowed to tour multiple U.S. college campuses while in the U.S.
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In addition to qualifying for «rubber stamp» G visas, staff of international organizations like the United Nations can qualify for green cards if they have spent half of at least seven years of employment inside the U.S., or have been in the U.S. for a combined total of 15 years prior to retirement.
INTERNACIONAL
Waltz calls UN a ‘cesspool for antisemitism’ as Trump administration pushes major reforms
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EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz is calling for sweeping reform at the world body, placing the fight against antisemitism at the top of the agenda as the Trump administration pushes for changes across the institution.
In an exclusive on-camera interview, Waltz argued that confronting antisemitism should be a central pillar of any overhaul of the U.N., alongside a broader return to what he described as the organization’s core mission of peace and security.
«The U.N. has an atrocious history and record when it comes to antisemitism. Number one, it’s a cesspool for antisemitism in many ways,» Waltz said. «This administration is determined to fight it.»
TRUMP ADMIN WEIGHS TERRORISM SANCTIONS AGAINST UN PALESTINIAN AID AGENCY OVER HAMAS ALLEGATIONS
U.S Ambassador to United Nations Michael Waltz speaks with Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon before a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to consider a U.S. proposal for a U.N. mandate to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Nov. 17, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
He framed the issue as both urgent and historic, linking rising global antisemitism and the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks to what he said must be a renewed commitment inside international institutions.
«We have to live up to the mantra of never again,» Waltz said. «As we see antisemitism on the rise around the world… after October 7th, in particular, we have to live up to that mantra.»
Waltz pointed to Holocaust remembrance and survivor testimony as essential tools in combating denial and historical revisionism, saying education must be central to any U.N. response.
«It’s about education. It’s about fighting back on these ridiculous denials of the Holocaust,» he said. «But most importantly, while we still have them, it’s about hearing from the survivors and hearing their personal stories.»
Memorials at the site of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, Israel, on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images )
He added that U.N. forums should elevate survivor testimony rather than political messaging.
«My recommendation to the U.N. is, get the diplomats and the politicians out of the way, let’s just hear from the survivors because their stories are compelling, they are tragic, they need to be heard and documented, and they certainly can’t ever be denied,» Waltz said.
The ambassador’s remarks come as the administration calls for broader structural reform at the United Nations, including changes to how it approaches development aid, humanitarian operations and leadership.
WALTZ TO ROOT OUT ANTISEMITISM, ELIMINATE ‘WOKE’ PROGRAMS, GET ‘BACK TO BASICS’ AT THE UNITED NATIONS
A view of the United Nations Headquarters building in New York City, United States on July 16, 2024. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Waltz said Washington wants to see a more focused institution centered on conflict prevention and peacekeeping, with less reliance on traditional aid frameworks.
«I see, and I think what the president sees, is a much more focused U.N. that we have taken back to the basics of promoting peace and security around the world and enforcing peace when conflict breaks out through its peacekeeping forces,» he said.
The push for reform comes against the backdrop of longstanding criticism from U.S. officials and watchdog groups over how Israel is treated within the U.N. system and concerns about antisemitism linked to some U.N.-affiliated bodies.
UNRWA, the U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years. Reports by education monitoring organizations documented content in materials used in UNRWA-linked classrooms that delegitimizes Israel or includes antisemitic themes.
Media investigations after Oct. 7 further intensified attention on the agency, with allegations involving staff and militant ties triggering donor freezes and internal probes.
An independent review commissioned by the United Nations acknowledged neutrality challenges and recommended stronger oversight and vetting mechanisms.
ISRAEL’S NETANYAHU DEMANDS WESTERN GOVERNMENTS ACT TO BATTLE ANTISEMITISM: ‘HEED OUR WARNINGS’
Photos released by the Israeli Defense Force show three individuals that the Israeli military claims are Hamas terrorists inside an UNRWA compound in Rafah. (IDF)
Beyond UNRWA, critics have pointed to structural patterns across the U.N. system. Israel remains the only country assigned a permanent agenda item at the U.N. Human Rights Council, mandating discussion at every session.
At the General Assembly, Israel has frequently been the subject of more country-specific resolutions than any other state in many annual sessions.
Successive U.S. administrations have described that focus as disproportionate.
U.N. officials reject the characterization of institutional antisemitism, arguing that scrutiny reflects the scale and duration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and humanitarian concerns, and pointing to reforms underway within agencies including UNRWA.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz raises his hand to vote in favor of a draft resolution authorizing an International Stabilization Force in Gaza on Nov. 17, 2025. (Adam Gray/Getty)
Waltz said confronting antisemitism must remain a priority as the U.N. prepares for leadership changes and debates over its future direction. He placed combating antisemitism within that broader reform push, alongside other policy priorities and future leadership decisions at the world body.
«So those are just some of the things in addition to… taking on antisemitism… getting… good, strong leadership in the U.N. going forward that we hope to get done during our time here.»
anti semitism,united nations,israel,state department,holocaust
INTERNACIONAL
Controles pediátricos antes de la vuelta a clases, una herramienta clave para detectar problemas a tiempo
(Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)
El inicio del año escolar trae consigo nuevos hábitos, compras de útiles y reorganización de la vida familiar. En ese contexto, también surge un momento oportuno para retomar los controles de salud de los niños.
La visita anual al pediatra cumple un rol central, no solo para cumplir con requisitos escolares, sino para acompañar el desarrollo integral, prevenir enfermedades y detectar posibles dificultades de manera precoz.
Uno de los aspectos más importantes dentro de estas consultas es la evaluación del crecimiento. Registrar de forma periódica el peso y la estatura, y compararlos con las curvas de referencia definidas por organismos internacionales como la Organización Mundial de la Salud, permite a los profesionales identificar desviaciones que podrían indicar problemas médicos.
(Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)
“El seguimiento de la talla es, en muchos casos, el primer signo visible de que algo en el organismo no está funcionando como debería”, señaló el doctor Javier Chiarpenello, médico endocrinólogo y jefe del Servicio de Endocrinología del Hospital Provincial del Centenario, en Rosario.
“Cuando un niño no crece a un ritmo esperable según su edad, sexo y en relación a su talla medio-parental es decir su talla objetivo genética marcada por la talla de sus padres, puede estar cursando un trastorno hormonal, nutricional, una enfermedad crónica o una condición genética que debe ser estudiada y tratada cuanto antes”, agregó el médico.
Muchas veces, estos cambios pasan inadvertidos en el entorno familiar. Sin controles frecuentes, resulta difícil notar si el crecimiento se desacelera o se detiene. Por ese motivo, los especialistas aconsejan realizar chequeos regulares, entre dos y tres veces al año según la edad, incluso cuando no existen síntomas evidentes.
(Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)
De acuerdo con la OMS, una estatura inferior a la esperada puede relacionarse con déficits nutricionales, enfermedades crónicas, infecciones repetidas o alteraciones hormonales. Por eso, la talla funciona como un indicador general del estado de salud infantil.
“Es fundamental que las familias comprendan que la talla baja es mucho más que un rasgo meramente estético y tiene consecuencias puede condicionar el desarrollo físico, emocional y social del niño a lo largo de su vida”, advirtió Inés Castellano, presidenta de la Asociación Civil Creciendo.
Entre las señales que deben alertar a las familias, Castellano mencionó situaciones como una diferencia marcada de altura respecto a otros niños de la misma edad, un crecimiento que parece haberse detenido, la falta de recambio de ropa o calzado durante largos períodos, o cuando un hermano menor supera en altura al mayor. También puede ser un indicio que el niño sea confundido con alguien más pequeño.
(Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)
La identificación temprana de estas situaciones resulta fundamental. Cuando existe un diagnóstico confirmado, los tratamientos disponibles pueden mejorar de manera significativa la estatura final y el bienestar general.
“En aquellas situaciones donde se identifica un déficit de la hormona de crecimiento, por ejemplo, la terapia con hormona de crecimiento recombinante es el tratamiento de elección”, explicó Chiarpenello. “Consiste en la administración de una medicación que se aplica por vía subcutánea, y cuya eficacia ha sido ampliamente demostrada. Lo más importante es comenzar cuanto antes y sostener el tratamiento de forma adecuada, ya que su cumplimiento juega un rol crucial en la talla final alcanzada”, sostuvo.
Este tratamiento se encuentra incluido dentro de las prestaciones obligatorias del sistema de salud argentino y se utiliza en diferentes patologías, entre ellas el déficit de hormona de crecimiento, el síndrome de Turner, la insuficiencia renal crónica y algunas formas de retraso del crecimiento desde el nacimiento.
(- Europa Press)
Sin embargo, los especialistas aclaran que no todos los casos requieren terapia hormonal. “Es esencial realizar una evaluación completa. Muchas veces se trata de variantes normales del crecimiento, como la talla baja familiar o el retraso constitucional, que no implican enfermedades y solo necesitan seguimiento”, aclara Chiarpenello.
Cuando la terapia resulta necesaria, la constancia es determinante. En especial durante la adolescencia, mantener el tratamiento puede resultar un desafío. “Sabemos que, en especial en la adolescencia, puede haber dificultades para mantener el esquema de inyecciones. Por eso, hoy contamos con autoinyectores electrónicos que almacenan datos sobre el uso del dispositivo, lo cual nos ayuda a monitorear la constancia y adherencia del tratamiento y trabajar en conjunto con la familia para optimizar los resultados”, añadió el endocrinólogo.
Otra dificultad frecuente es la interrupción del tratamiento, lo que reduce su efectividad. “Cada vez que un chico interrumpe la administración de la terapia, ya sea por decisión propia o por demoras en la provisión, el tratamiento pierde eficacia. Lamentablemente, esto sucede más seguido de lo que debería”, comentó Castellano. “Desde Creciendo orientamos a las familias para que puedan sortear estas barreras y las acompañamos en todo el proceso. Guiándolos en la gestión administrativa, y los reclamos necesarios. Y brindando información sobre sus derechos”.
(Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)
La Asociación Civil Creciendo brinda apoyo gratuito a familias de todo el país que atraviesan estas situaciones. Su trabajo incluye asesoramiento, acompañamiento emocional, talleres y orientación legal, con el objetivo de facilitar el acceso al tratamiento y fortalecer las redes de contención.
“Muchas veces, cuando llega el diagnóstico, las familias no saben por dónde empezar. Desde Creciendo brindamos información clara y herramientas para gestionar la situación de la mejor manera posible”, expresó Castellano. Y subrayó: “también buscamos desmitificar muchas ideas que aún circulan sobre el crecimiento infantil. No se trata de esperar a que el niño ‘pegue el estirón’. No se trata solo de crecer, también es importante crecer bien, correctamente. Si hay una duda, es mejor consultar y no quedarnos con esa incertidumbre”.
Desde el ámbito médico, también existe un trabajo continuo para reforzar la importancia de estos controles y mejorar la detección precoz. “Todavía hay colegas que derivan al especialista más tardíamente o que subestiman una talla baja sin profundizar la evaluación. Parte de nuestro trabajo es educar también dentro del sistema de salud”, concluyó Chiarpenello.
En definitiva, el comienzo de las clases no solo marca el regreso a las aulas, sino también una oportunidad para revisar la salud infantil en forma integral. Completar el calendario de vacunación, controlar la visión y la audición y supervisar el crecimiento forman parte de un seguimiento esencial para asegurar un desarrollo saludable y una mejor calidad de vida futura.
salud,pediatría,médico,niño,consulta,revisión auditiva,otoscopio,clínica,prevención,infancia
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Iran claims it is open to compromise with the U.S. on a nuclear deal if the administration is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, a senior Iranian official said Sunday.
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, also said in an interview that the ball was «in America’s court to prove that they want to do a deal,» adding: «If they are sincere, I’m sure we will be on the road to an agreement.»
«We are ready to discuss this and other issues related to our program if they are ready to talk about sanctions,» Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC.
TRUMP SAYS NUCLEAR TALKS IN OMAN WERE ‘VERY GOOD,’ CLAIMS IRAN WANTS A DEAL ‘VERY BADLY’
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi says Iran is ready to compromise if the U.S. discusses lifting sanctions. (SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images)
Takht-Ravanchi’s comments came as Iran’s top diplomat traveled to Geneva for a second round of indirect talks with the U.S. delegation.
Abbas Araghchi left for the Swiss city following an initial round of negotiations last week with Oman again mediating the next round of talks, according to Iranian state media and the Associated Press.
U.S. officials, however, have emphasized that Iran — not the U.S. — is holding up progress in negotiations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Feb. 14 that President Donald Trump would prefer to reach an agreement but warned it was «very hard to do» one with Iran.
Past diplomatic efforts had collapsed in 2025 after Israel launched what became a 12-day war with Iran and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
SCOTT BESSENT SAYS IRAN UNDERSTANDS ‘BRUTE FORCE’ AS TRUMP WEIGHS OPTIONS AMID NUCLEAR STANDOFF
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025. (Maxar Technologies/AP)
But on Sunday, Takht-Ravanchi pointed to Tehran’s offer to dilute its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity as evidence of its willingness to compromise, the BBC reported.
Asked whether Iran would ship its stockpile of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium abroad, as it did under the 2015 deal, Takht-Ravanchi said it was «too early to say what will happen in the course of negotiations.»
One of Iran’s main demands is that talks focus on the nuclear issue. «Our understanding is that they have come to the conclusion that if you want to have a deal you have to focus on the nuclear issue,» Takht-Ravanchi said.
Takht-Ravanchi also said the «issue of zero enrichment is not an issue anymore and as far as Iran is concerned, it is not on the table anymore.»
TRUMP SAYS IRAN ‘SERIOUSLY TALKING TO US’ AS MILITARY SHIPS HEAD TO MIDDLE EAST
The USS Gerald R. Ford was ordered to move to the Middle East as the U.S. prepares for the possibility of sustained operations against Iran. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via AP)
Trump has since threatened further military action if a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program cannot be reached.
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The U.S. has also reinforced its military presence in the region amid heightened tensions and after spiraling protests across the country in December left thousands reportedly dead at the hands of the clerical regime.
iran,middle east,israel,nuclear proliferation,donald trump,marco rubio,geopolitics
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