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
Zelenskyy tells Kremlin leaders they should ‘know where the bomb shelters are’ in ominous warning
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned leaders in Moscow that they should familiarize themselves with their nearest bomb shelter in an ominous warning Thursday.
Zelenskyy made the comment in an interview with Axios following his Wednesday address to the United Nations General Assembly. The Ukrainian leader says he received express permission from President Donald Trump to strike energy and infrastructure targets within Russia.
He also said he had requested that the U.S. supply Ukraine with a weapons system that he claimed would force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, though he declined to name the weapon.
«They have to know where the bomb shelters are,» Zelenskyy said of Kremlin leaders. «They need it. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case.»
TRUMP MOCKS NATO ALLIES FOR ‘FUNDING THE WAR AGAINST THEMSELVES’ WITH RUSSIAN ENERGY PURCHASES
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Kremlin leaders that they should find their nearest bomb shelter. (Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«They have to know that we in Ukraine, each day, we will answer. If they attack us, we will answer them,» he added.
Zelenskyy remained vague when speaking about the weapons system he had requested from the U.S.
RUSSIA SHIFTS FROM TALK TO ACTION, TARGETING NATO HOMELAND AMID FEARS OF GLOBAL WAR
«President Trump knows, I told him yesterday what we need, one thing,» Zelenskyy told the outlet.
«We need it, but it doesn’t mean that we will use it. Because if we’ll have it, I think it’s additional pressure on Putin to sit and speak,» he said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the United Nations earlier this week. (Ukranian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Trump this week shocked the international community when he flipped his position on the war in Ukraine and said he thinks Kyiv could re-take all of its occupied land that was seized by Russia.
«I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form,» he said Tuesday on social media.
«With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders from where this war started, is very much an option,» Trump added. «Why not?»
Trump argued this week that Ukraine can win its war against Russia. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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This position is a stark reversal from where he stood when he first re-entered office and, in an infamous February Oval Office meeting told Zelenskyy he «[didn’t] have the cards» to take on Russia, and repeatedly suggested Kyiv would need to make significant concessions to end the war.
Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report
ukraine,volodymyr zelenskyy,donald trump,vladimir putin,russia
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Former FBI Director James Comey has declared himself «not afraid» of President Donald Trump’s Justice Department after being indicted Thursday for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
«My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way,» Comey, who denies the allegations, said in an Instagram video. «We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either. Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant, and she’s right.»
«But I’m not afraid,» Comey added.
COMEY INDICTED FOR ALLEGED FALSE STATEMENTS, OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDING
Former FBI Director James Comey is sworn in prior to testifying before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 8, 2017. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
Comey was indicted by a grand jury following a probe centered on whether he lied to Congress during his Sept. 30, 2020, testimony about his handling of the original Trump–Russia investigation at the FBI, known inside the bureau as «Crossfire Hurricane.» The indictment also alleges Comey made a false statement when he testified that he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source. According to the indictment, that statement was false.
«My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system,» Comey continued. «I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.»
Patrick J. Fitzgerald will represent Comey in the case and said his client denies the charges.
«Jim Comey denies the charges filed today in their entirety,» Fitzgerald said in a statement. «We look forward to vindicating him in the courtroom.»
WATCH: James Comey indicted, charged with false statement and obstruction of justice
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEEKS TO INDICT FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY FOR ALLEGEDLY LYING TO CONGRESS
Fitzgerald previously served as special counsel in the Valerie Plame CIA leak probe and as U.S. attorney in Chicago, where he prosecuted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted in a corruption scandal in 2011.
The indictment marks a stunning legal turn for the man who once led the bureau through the Hillary Clinton email controversy and Russia investigation.
Comey will reportedly turn himself in on Friday, and his arraignment is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 9 before District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, a judge appointed by former President Joe Biden.
President Trump took to Truth Social Friday to celebrate the indictment and declared Comey a «dirty copy.»
«Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not, and I can’t imagine too many people liking him, HE LIED!» Trump wrote. «It is not a complex lie, it’s a very simple, but IMPORTANT one. There is no way he can explain his way out of it.»
Trump said Comey got «unexpectedly caught» but is off to a good start with the case being assigned to a Biden-appointed judge.
«He knew exactly what he was saying, and that it was a very serious and far-reaching lie for which a very big price must be paid!» Trump wrote.
The indictment alleges that Comey obstructed a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information in violation of 18 USC 1505.
Former FBI Director James Comey speaks onstage in New York in 2023. Comey was indicted on federal charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital also exclusively reported that former CIA Director John Brennan is under criminal investigation related to the Trump–Russia probe.
Under federal law, prosecutors have five years to bring a charge, with the five-year mark occurring Tuesday.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
james comey,donald trump,justice department,fbi,russia investigation,hillary clinton
INTERNACIONAL
Los ojos azules casi desaparecieron en Roma durante el Imperio: qué reveló un análisis genético
Un análisis genético reciente reveló un dato sorprendente: los ojos azules, presentes en una proporción relevante en Europa antes de la consolidación del Imperio Romano, experimentaron un descenso drástico durante ese período. Esta investigación abre nuevas preguntas sobre la composición genética de las poblaciones antiguas y los movimientos migratorios que modelaron la historia de Roma.
Antes de la expansión imperial, alrededor de uno de cada cinco habitantes de la Roma antigua tenía ojos azules. Sin embargo, durante el Imperio Romano ese porcentaje cayó a un 4%. Según datos publicados en Xataka, este fenómeno llamó la atención de genetistas y demógrafos, ya que cuesta explicar que una característica físicamente visible haya cambiado de modo tan marcado en tan pocas generaciones.
El investigador Davide Piffer recopiló el ADN de más de 4.000 individuos antiguos, lo que permitió comparar la prevalencia de ojos azules en distintas etapas de la historia europea. De acuerdo con el reporte, los romanos del período preimperial tenían una importante presencia de ojos claros, mientras que en la Roma medieval el porcentaje volvía a situarse cerca del 21%. El desplome del periodo imperial aparece como una excepción.
Según Piffer, la explicación se halla en los flujos migratorios y en la mezcla de poblaciones. En los primeros siglos de Roma, la base genética principal era anatolia, pero había una influencia apreciable de grupos yamnas procedentes de las estepas, que solían tener una mayor proporción de ojos claros. Cuando el Imperio adquirió su máxima extensión territorial, llegaron nuevos migrantes desde regiones internas y orientales, en quienes predominaban los ojos marrones. Solo tras la caída del Imperio, el ingreso de grupos germánicos, como los longobardos y ostrogodos, favoreció el regreso de la pigmentación clara.
A nivel molecular, el color de los ojos depende de dos genes muy próximos en el cromosoma 15: OCA2, que controla la melanina en el iris, y HERC2, que lo regula. Según Davide Piffer, en los individuos con ojos marrones, HERC2 activa OCA2 para producir pigmento. En cambio, una mutación específica limita esa función, lo que da lugar a una menor cantidad de melanina, percibida como tono azul o verdoso.
La genética permite establecer una “huella” en el ADN que indica la probable pigmentación ocular de personas de tiempos remotos. Esta posibilidad llevó a algunos investigadores a afirmar que, en realidad, no existen datos concluyentes sobre la prevalencia de ojos claros en la antigua Roma. El demógrafo Lyman Stone analizó la fiabilidad de las muestras y detectó límites inherentes a los métodos actuales.
De acuerdo con Stone, la población de la Roma imperial integró a muchos inmigrantes de orígenes diversos, en los que predominaba el color de ojos oscuro. Además, las propias fuentes genéticas disponibles podrían no ser suficientes para dar cuenta de la diversidad real, por lo que cualquier afirmación termina bajo revisión permanente.
Según National Geographic, estos estudios se insertan en un debate más amplio sobre la evolución de los rasgos fenotípicos en Europa. Por ejemplo, hasta la Edad del Hierro, la mayoría de los europeos tenía piel oscura, y la pigmentación clara es mucho más reciente de lo que suele creerse.
El análisis de restos emblemáticos, como el Hombre de Cheddar en el Reino Unido, refuerza la idea de que la pigmentación clara de los ojos y piel apareció antes de la Edad del Hierro en algunos individuos, pero solo se consolidó gracias a múltiples procesos migratorios y evolutivos posteriores. A pesar de que la tecnología genética actual ofrece una herramienta poderosa para desentrañar el pasado físico de Europa, la interpretación de los resultados requiere cautela por la degradación del material genético y la limitada representatividad de las muestras.
En síntesis, el estudio del ADN antiguo demuestra que la dinámica del Imperio Romano alteró de manera notable la distribución de los ojos azules en la región. Los datos muestran que factores como migraciones, prestigio cultural de ciertos rasgos y encuentro entre poblaciones modelaron la composición genética de los habitantes. Las oscilaciones en la proporción de ojos claros ilustran cómo características visibles pueden desaparecer en contextos históricos concretos, para luego resurgir gracias a nuevas olas migratorias.
Actualmente, la genética continúa ampliando el entendimiento sobre los cambios fenotípicos europeos. La reducción de la proporción de ojos azules en el Imperio Romano es solo un ejemplo de cómo la historia genética se construye con descubrimientos inesperados y revela una Europa antigua diversa, en constante transformación.
ray stevenson
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