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
Gulf states intercept hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones, issue joint condemnation with US
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Several Gulf states on Monday said they intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones over the past 24 hours as regional tensions escalated in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes against Tehran.
Bahrain’s National Communication Center said its air defenses intercepted 70 missiles and 59 drones targeting the kingdom.
Qatar said it downed two Iranian Su-24 fighter aircraft and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense reported intercepting nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 148 drones.
An Iran-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle is displayed at a rally in Azadi (Freedom) Square in Tehran on Feb. 11, 2026. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/via Getty Images)
Since the start of Iran’s retaliatory attacks, the UAE said it has detected 174 ballistic missiles launched toward the country, destroying 161 while 13 fell into the sea. Officials also said 689 Iranian drones were detected, with 645 intercepted and 44 falling within the country’s territory.
On Sunday, the UAE announced it was closing its embassy in Tehran and withdrawing its ambassador and diplomatic staff in response to the strikes.
Kuwait said its air defenses have intercepted and destroyed 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones since the attacks began, according to the state-run Kuwait News Agency.
TOMAHAWKS, B-2 STEALTH BOMBERS AND ATTACK DRONES POUND OVER 1,000 IRANIAN TARGETS IN 24-HOUR BLITZ
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said Monday two drones were intercepted near the Ras Tanura oil refinery, with debris causing minor damage, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
In response to the large-scale attacks, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and the United States released a joint statement condemning Iran’s «indiscriminate and reckless» missile and drone strikes across the region.
A Fox News map shows where Iran is retaliating with regional strikes. (Fox News)
The countries said the strikes endangered civilians, damaged infrastructure and violated the sovereignty of multiple states.
TRUMP SAYS US MISSION IN IRAN IS ‘AHEAD OF SCHEDULE,’ VOWS TO ‘EASILY PREVAIL’ OVER REGIME
A view of damage in Manama, Bahrain, after a kamikaze drone strike during Iran’s retaliatory attack on March 1, 2026. (Stringer/Anadolu/via Getty Images)
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«The targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behavior,» the statement reads in part. «We stand united in defense of our citizens, sovereignty, and territory, and reaffirm our right to self-defense in the face of these attacks. We remain committed to regional security and commend the effective air and missile defense cooperation that has prevented far greater loss of life and destruction.»
Jordan’s military said it intercepted 49 Iranian projectiles on Saturday, including 13 ballistic missiles, according to the Jordanian outlet Roya News.
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INTERNACIONAL
Aprueban discutir proyecto que crea registro nacional de pacientes diabéticos en Panamá
La Comisión de Trabajo, Salud y Desarrollo Social de la Asamblea Nacional prohijó el anteproyecto de ley que crea el Consejo Nacional de Diabetes, instituye un Registro Nacional de Personas con Diabetes, modifica normas vigentes y establece nuevas obligaciones en materia de educación nutricional y financiamiento.
En términos legislativos, el prohijamiento implica que la comisión acoge formalmente la iniciativa y la convierte en proyecto de ley para iniciar su discusión en primer debate.
A partir de ahora, corresponde abrir el periodo de consultas, recibir opiniones de instituciones, gremios médicos y organizaciones de pacientes, introducir posibles modificaciones y, de ser aprobado en comisión, enviarlo al pleno para segundo y tercer debate.
La propuesta, presentada por el diputado Eduardo Gaitán y respaldada por varios copatrocinadores, parte de un diagnóstico claro: Panamá enfrenta una alta carga de diabetes y carece de una estructura permanente de evaluación y seguimiento de las políticas públicas en esta materia.
En su exposición de motivos se advierte que la enfermedad afecta a aproximadamente el 14% de la población adulta del país, lo que equivale a unas 200 mil personas, y subraya las dificultades de acceso a glucómetros, medicamentos y tecnologías diagnósticas.
El eje central del proyecto es la creación del Consejo Nacional de Diabetes como órgano asesor adscrito al Ministerio de Salud. Según el articulado, este Consejo tendría funciones de coordinación interinstitucional, recomendación técnica y evaluación de políticas públicas orientadas a la prevención, tratamiento y control de la enfermedad.
Estaría integrado por representantes del Ministerio de Salud, la Caja de Seguro Social, el Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas, la Universidad de Panamá, el Ministerio de Educación, asociaciones de pacientes y gremios médicos especializados, con un sistema de rotación en el caso de organizaciones civiles.
El proyecto también instituye el Registro Nacional de Personas con Diabetes como base de datos obligatoria, interoperable y administrada por el Ministerio de Salud, con el fin de garantizar seguimiento clínico, trazabilidad y planificación sanitaria.
El sistema deberá ser interoperable, seguro y ajustado a la normativa de protección de datos personales, permitiendo dar seguimiento a la evolución de la enfermedad, medir niveles de control metabólico, identificar comorbilidades y registrar complicaciones como retinopatías, enfermedad renal crónica o amputaciones.
Con esta información, el Estado debiera mejorar la distribución de medicamentos e insumos, anticipar la demanda de servicios especializados y diseñar políticas basadas en datos reales y actualizados, no en estimaciones fragmentadas.
En paralelo, la iniciativa modifica la Ley 136 de 2020 para reforzar la obligación estatal de fomentar el autoanálisis de glucosa, actualizar protocolos conforme a guías internacionales y garantizar el suministro continuo de medicamentos y tecnologías como infusores subcutáneos de insulina. Además, incorpora la capacitación obligatoria y continua del personal de salud en el manejo integral y psicosocial de la diabetes.
Uno de los apartados más sensibles es el relativo a la educación nutricional y la restricción de bebidas azucaradas. El texto prohíbe la venta, distribución o promoción de estas bebidas en centros educativos públicos y privados e incorpora de forma obligatoria la educación nutricional y física en el currículo nacional desde la primaria como estrategia preventiva de enfermedades no transmisibles.
También refuerza los mecanismos de transparencia y rendición de cuentas sobre el uso del impuesto a bebidas azucaradas, incluyendo informes públicos anuales y audiencias de rendición de cuentas.
El proyecto va más allá al establecer que el Presupuesto General del Estado deberá destinar anualmente un monto no menor al 1% del Producto Interno Bruto para la ejecución de la ley y el cumplimiento de las normas relacionadas. Esta disposición abre un debate fiscal relevante, dado el impacto que una asignación de esa magnitud tendría sobre las finanzas públicas.
El contexto sanitario respalda la preocupación. Según estimaciones recientes de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, más de 830 millones de personas viven con diabetes en el mundo y la enfermedad es responsable de millones de muertes anuales por complicaciones asociadas.
En la Región de las Américas, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud ha advertido que la prevalencia continúa en aumento, impulsada por el envejecimiento poblacional, el sobrepeso, la obesidad y el sedentarismo. La diabetes tipo 2 representa la gran mayoría de los casos y concentra buena parte del gasto sanitario por sus complicaciones crónicas.
En Panamá, la diabetes figura entre las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad asociadas a enfermedades no transmisibles, junto con hipertensión y enfermedades cardiovasculares. Las autoridades sanitarias han señalado que el control metabólico deficiente incrementa la carga sobre hospitales y programas de hemodiálisis, así como el costo de medicamentos de alto impacto presupuestario.
Tras el prohijamiento, el proyecto deberá superar el primer debate en comisión, donde podrían introducirse ajustes técnicos o presupuestarios. Si obtiene dictamen favorable, pasará al pleno para segundo debate —etapa de discusión artículo por artículo— y luego a tercer debate para su aprobación final.
Posteriormente, corresponderá al Órgano Ejecutivo sancionarlo o vetarlo. El alcance del texto, especialmente en materia presupuestaria y tributaria, anticipa un debate intenso en el hemiciclo.
corresponsal:Desde Panamá
INTERNACIONAL
Pelosi’s war powers flip-flop exposed in resurfaced Obama-era clip contradicts Trump criticism on Iran
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A clip of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has resurfaced online where she flatly defended the then-Obama administration’s decision to strike Libya — without the congressional authorization she believes President Donald Trump should have secured before conducting his own strikes over the weekend.
«You’re saying that the president did not need authorization initially and still does not need any authorization from Congress on Libya?» a reporter asked Pelosi at a press event back in 2011.
«Yes,» Pelosi answered plainly.
The unambiguous answer contrasts sharply with Pelosi’s view of Trump’s strikes against Iran on Saturday.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
In a joint effort targeting Iranian military leadership, the U.S. and Israel killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, citing an imperative to halt Iran’s pursuit of developing a nuclear weapon.
Pelosi swiftly condemned the operation.
«President Trump’s decision to initiate military hostilities into Iran starts another unnecessary war which endangers our servicemembers and destabilizes an already fragile region,» Pelosi said in a post to X.
«The Constitution is clear: decisions that lead our nation into war must be authorized by Congress.»
Pelosi, alongside other Democrats, is pursuing a war powers resolution that would limit Trump from taking further military action against Iran without express congressional approval.
Trump’s strikes bear similarity to President Barack Obama’s decision to strike Libya in 2011 under Operation Odyssey Dawn.
In that operation, Obama ordered a series of strikes against Libya in March 2011, looking to deter Muammar Gaddafi from attacking civilian protesters.
FETTERMAN PRAISES TRUMP’S IRAN OPERATION AS ‘HISTORIC’ MOMENT FOR AMERICA AMID PARTY DIVISIONS
Sept. 14, 2012: President Barack Obama, accompanied by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, speaks during a Transfer of Remains Ceremony, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP)
Gaddafi, known as the «Mad Dog of the Middle East,» was the ruler of Libya from 1969 to 2011. He had a long and complicated relationship with the U.S. — at times aligning with national objectives and, at others, governing in a manner the U.S. couldn’t ignore.
The final straw came in the Libyan revolt of 2011, when demonstrations broke out in Benghazi and other cities. Like recent uprisings in Iran, Gaddafi met the threat to his rule with crushing force, marching his forces toward several Libyan cities that had resisted his power.
In what he described as attempts to uphold international law, Obama said the U.S., in partnership with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), had taken the strikes to protect Libya’s civilians to protect Libya’s civilians.
GOP REP MASSIE JOINS DEMOCRATS IN OPPOSITION TO US IRAN STRIKES
«We struck regime forces approaching Benghazi to save that city and the people within it,» Obama said in remarks after the attacks.
The strikes did not kill Gaddafi.
Gaddafi was killed later that year at the hands of revolutionaries in October.
Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi gestures to supporters as he speaks in Tripoli, Libya. As rebels swarmed into Tripoli late Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. (Associated Press)
While Obama said he had consulted a bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers, he did not pursue a declaration of war before carrying out his strikes.
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«So, for those who doubted our capacity to carry out this operation, I want to be clear: The United States of America has done what we said we would do,» Obama said.
Pelosi’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether she saw any key differences between the attacks carried out by Obama and those now ordered by Trump.
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