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Iran secures UN role with backing from UK, France, Canada, Australia as US stands alone
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Western democracies, including the UK, France, Canada and Australia, are facing backlash after allowing Iran and other authoritarian regimes to secure seats on influential United Nations (U.N.) bodies, with the United States standing alone in opposition.
The controversy stems from decisions by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a 54-member body that plays a central role in shaping U.N. policy and staffing key committees.
Critics warn the outcome could allow governments accused of human rights abuses to influence global policy and control which civil society groups are granted access to the United Nations.
TERROR SPONSOR IRAN GETS UN LEADERSHIP OVERSEEING CHARTER PRINCIPLES
Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution to unblock the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting on Iran and the Middle East at U.N. headquarters in New York on April 7, 2026. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
ECOSOC nominated the Islamic Republic of Iran to the U.N.’s Committee for Program and Coordination Wednesday, a body that helps shape policy on human rights, women’s rights, disarmament and counterterrorism.
The nomination is widely expected to be finalized, as the United Nations General Assembly typically approves such recommendations without a vote.
At the same session, ECOSOC elected China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, which oversees accreditation and access for thousands of NGOs operating within the U.N. system.
The United States was the only member state to formally break from consensus.
MIKE WALTZ TURNS TABLES ON IRANIAN ENVOY AT HEATED UN MEETING
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Feb. 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
In remarks delivered April 8, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Ambassador Dan Negrea said the U.S. «disassociates from consensus» on both decisions, calling several of the countries involved unfit for such roles.
«The regime threatens its neighbors and has, for decades, infringed on the Iranian people’s ability to exercise their basic human rights,» Negrea said, adding that «we believe Iran is unfit to serve» on the committee.
The decision drew sharp criticism from UN Watch, a Geneva-based watchdog group.
Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital: «By their cynical actions at the UN, major Western states have betrayed their own human rights principles, severely undermining the rules-based international order that they claim to support.»
«We note that the EU states clearly had another option. They did take action in recent years to stop Russia from getting elected to similar bodies, and so we deeply regret that they failed to do the same now to stop the election of serial violators such as Iran, China, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.»
«We salute the United States for their moral clarity and leadership in objecting to the election of the Islamic Republic of Iran and other brutal regimes.»
Neuer warned the composition of the NGO committee could allow authoritarian governments to influence which organizations are accredited, potentially sidelining independent human rights groups.
«This means dictatorships will have a majority on the committee in order to deny United Nations accreditation to independent organizations that call out their human rights violations, and to accredit more fake front groups created by the regimes,» he said.
Israel’s mission to the United Nations also pointed to political tensions surrounding the vote, saying Iran attempted to challenge Israel’s candidacy during the same ECOSOC session.
AMBASSADOR MIKE WALTZ LAYS OUT ‘AMERICA FIRST’ VISION FOR US LEADERSHIP AT THE UN
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani attends a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S. Feb. 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
Israel was elected to several U.N. bodies, according to the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, including the Commission on the Status of Women and the NGO Committee, despite opposition.
«Iran also tried to turn the elections at the UN into an arena for incitement against Israel and failed,» Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said. «Those who oppress women and trample on human rights in their own country will not teach us what women’s rights are.»
Ahead of the vote, around 70 civil society groups warned that countries with poor human rights records could secure seats on key oversight bodies, but the elections proceeded without a formal vote, a process known as approval «by acclamation.»
Critics argue that this procedure allows controversial candidates to secure influential roles with limited transparency or accountability.
The developments are likely to intensify scrutiny over how U.N. bodies are staffed and whether political considerations are outweighing human rights concerns.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S. Feb. 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
Fox News Digital reached out to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and U.S. mission for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations declined to comment.
united nations, france, war with iran, human rights united nations, iran, united kingdom
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Cruise ship outbreak leaves 3 dead as officials delay medical evacuations and probe hantavirus threat
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A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three people dead and several others ill, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement posted to X.
The U.N. health agency said one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.
The WHO said it is coordinating with governments and the ship’s operator to arrange the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, while continuing to assess the public health risk to those still on board.
«Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,» the WHO said. «Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.»
WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?
The cruise ship MV Hondius is stationary off the port of Praia, Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026. An outbreak of severe acute respiratory illness on board the ship has resulted in two deaths and one patient in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa. The patient tested positive for hantavirus, according to South African health officials. (AFP/Getty Images)
The outbreak is linked to the m/v Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.
Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the vessel, confirmed that three passengers died during the voyage and that one passenger is being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg.
Two crew members on board also require urgent medical care, the company said.
LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE OUTBREAK LINKED TO CRUISE SHIP HOT TUBS, CDC SAYS
The cruise ship MV Hondius is stationary off the port of Praia, Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026, amid an outbreak of severe acute respiratory illness that has caused two deaths and left a third patient in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa. The patient tested positive for hantavirus, according to South African health officials. (AFP via Getty Images)
As of late Sunday, authorities in Cape Verde had not authorized the disembarkation of passengers requiring medical treatment or broader medical screening, according to the company.
Local health officials have boarded the vessel to assess the situation but have not yet approved the transfer of symptomatic individuals to facilities on land.
«The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care,» the company said.
GENE HACKMAN’S HOME FOUND TO BE INFESTED WITH RODENTS AFTER WIFE DIED OF HANTAVIRUS
A 3D illustration shows the structure of hantavirus, an RNA virus transmitted to humans through rodent excreta that can cause severe illnesses including hemorrhagic fever, renal disease, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. (iStock)
Dutch authorities are working to coordinate the repatriation of those affected from Cape Verde to the Netherlands, though the effort depends on approval from local officials, Oceanwide Expeditions said.
Hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents’ urine or feces and can lead to severe respiratory illness.
«While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response,» WHO said.
There is no specific cure for the virus, though early treatment can improve survival.
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WHO said it has notified global health authorities under international regulations and is continuing to support the response.
«We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps,» Oceanwide Expeditions said.
world health organization, cruises, virus, outbreaks, viruses
INTERNACIONAL
Ataques ucranianos golpearon el puerto de Primorsk y otros activos navales rusos en el mar Báltico
Ucrania lanzó el domingo una de las mayores ofensivas con drones de las últimas semanas contra territorio ruso, con el puerto báltico de Primorsk como objetivo central. Los ataques dejaron un incendio en el terminal de exportación de crudo, alcanzaron un navío militar de la clase Karakurt, una lancha patrullera y un petrolero en el Báltico, y se extendieron a otras regiones del país, dejando al menos tres muertos y varios heridos. El presidente ucraniano, Volodymyr Zelensky, calificó la operación de exitosa y aseguró que causó daños significativos a la infraestructura portuaria.
El gobernador de la región de Leningrado, Alexander Drozdenko, confirmó que más de 60 drones fueron derribados durante la noche. Según su versión, el incendio fue extinguido con rapidez y no se registró derrame de petróleo. Zelensky describió en Telegram la destrucción de instalaciones del puerto y aseguró que la flota en la sombra también recibió golpes frente a Novorossiysk, el principal terminal exportador ruso en el mar Negro. “Estos petroleros eran utilizados activamente para transportar petróleo. Ya no”, escribió el mandatario.
Primorsk opera como terminal principal de Transneft para el envío de crudo al exterior, con capacidad para un millón de barriles diarios. Ya había sido atacado en varias ocasiones desde marzo. Según datos de Bloomberg, los ataques combinados a Primorsk y al puerto de Ust-Luga provocaron en la semana del 22 al 29 de marzo una caída del 43% en las exportaciones rusas de petróleo, con un coste estimado de más de 970 millones de dólares en ingresos perdidos para Moscú en solo siete días.
El ataque del domingo no es un hecho aislado. Primorsk fue golpeado al menos en tres ocasiones desde finales de marzo, en una campaña de hostigamiento sistemático diseñada para impedir las reparaciones antes de que el terminal recupere capacidad operativa. Según el Atlantic Council, los ataques ucranianos de 2026 han dejado de ser esporádicos para convertirse en oleadas coordinadas y repetidas sobre los mismos objetivos de alto valor. El propio Kremlin admitió que su defensa antiaérea no puede proteger “al cien por cien” la infraestructura crítica, una concesión inusual que revela la magnitud del problema.
Vantor/Handout via REUTERS
El objetivo estratégico de la campaña ucraniana es privar al Kremlin de los ingresos extraordinarios que le ha generado la guerra en Medio Oriente. El conflicto entre Estados Unidos e Israel contra Irán disparó el precio del crudo por encima de los 110 dólares por barril. El portavoz del Kremlin, Dmitri Peskov, reconoció el domingo que nuevas interrupciones podrían elevar aún más los precios, y sostuvo que menores volúmenes compensados por cotizaciones más altas seguirían siendo rentables para el Estado. Los analistas del Carnegie Endowment for International Peace han matizado esa ecuación: el crudo no exportado ahora podría llegar al mercado cuando los precios ya hayan bajado, convirtiendo la interrupción temporal en pérdida real.
El domingo, los ataques se extendieron a otras regiones. En Belgorod, un dron alcanzó un automóvil y mató a un hombre de 21 años y a su padre. En la región de Moscú murió el sábado un hombre de 77 años, y el alcalde Sergei Sobyanin confirmó que cuatro aparatos fueron derribados antes de llegar a la capital. En Smolensk, tres personas, entre ellas un niño, resultaron heridas cuando un dron impactó en un bloque de apartamentos.
En el frente terrestre, las fuerzas rusas avanzaban hacia Kostiantynivka, en el este de Donetsk. Las negociaciones de paz mediadas por Washington permanecen bloqueadas: las tres rondas celebradas este año en Abu Dabi y Ginebra no produjeron avances, en parte porque el conflicto con Irán ha desviado la atención de la Casa Blanca. La UE aprobó el 23 de abril su vigésimo paquete de sanciones, que eleva a 632 el número de buques rusos con prohibición de acceso a puertos europeos. La combinación de ataques directos, sanciones internacionales y golpes a la flota en la sombra configura una presión acumulada sobre las exportaciones energéticas rusas que Kyiv no tiene intención de aflojar.
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Top energy group warns wealthy foreigners are potentially bankrolling anti-data center campaigns across US
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Power the Future, a pro-energy advocacy group, is asking Congress to take a closer look at opposition to data centers springing up across the country.
In a letter to Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the group asked lawmakers to open formal investigations into millions of dollars in funding they believe is incentivizing nonprofits and local groups to take up an environmental stance against data centers.
In their view, it’s a movement that’s trying to look more grassroots than it actually is.
«We request that your committees open a formal investigation into a coordinated, billionaire-funded, and potentially foreign-backed political campaign designed to block the construction of data center and AI infrastructure across the United States, which sits among the most important economic and national-security buildouts of President Trump’s second term,» the letter reads.
FOREIGN BILLIONAIRES FUNNEL $2.6B TO US ADVOCACY GROUPS TO INFLUENCE POLICY, WATCHDOG REPORT CLAIMS
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., speaks to reporters after a closed-door deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 9, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
The letter highlights fears that American laws surrounding nonprofits, which shield donors from public disclosures, could be enabling wealthy ideologues to make donations that are difficult to track.
The group pointed to environmentally-minded nonprofits like the Sierra Club, Food and Water Watch, Earthjustice, Goods Jobs First, Piedmont Environmental Council, the Southern Environmental Law Center, MediaJustice and the Athena Coalition that have received — and spent millions — opposing their expansion.
New Venture Fund, the Sierra Club Foundation and the Sixteen Thirty Fund collectively received over $13 million from pro-environmental donors, according to grant reporting.
It’s unclear if those donations were made for the express intent of opposing data center constructions.
Even so, across the board, the groups affirm that data centers are costing more resources than they are worth at the expense of local communities’ environmental well-being.
Power the Future disagrees.
RAPID RISE OF AI PUTS NEW URGENCY ON CONGRESS TO UNLEASH AMERICAN ENERGY
The Douglas County Google Data Center in Lithia Springs, Ga., March 6, 2026. (Mike Stewart/AP)
Beyond generating tax revenue for communities and creating employment opportunities, Power the Future argued that the data centers enable the U.S. to stay competitive with foreign powers.
«Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has called opposition to that buildout a ‘surrender’ to China,» Power the Future wrote in its data center report.
«The compute infrastructure that trains AI models, processes intelligence data and powers the next generation of American economic and military advantage has to be built somewhere.»
Although the group’s founder, Daniel Turner, believes that part of the opposition may well come from legitimate local concerns about unwanted development in rural areas, he’s skeptical of the money being pumped into the picture.
‘BAD IDEA’: CONSERVATIVES WARN RED STATE DATA CENTER BILL WILL DERAIL TRUMP’S VISION OF ENERGY ‘GOLDEN AGE’
Racks of servers with colorful wires at a data center as AI expansion strains the power grid, prompting a proposal for tech firms to fund their own energy needs. (Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images)
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«There is certainly a lot for communities to discuss around data centers. But is it a paid operation by radical green groups who see banning data centers as the new banning the gas stove or banning the leaf blower?» Turner said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Power the Future has found 188 local opposition groups across 24 states that oppose data center expansion, according to its research.
infrastructure across america, controversies environment, congress, lobbying, energy in america
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