Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
U.S. Appeals Court Rules Trump Can Remove Members of Key Federal Labor Boards 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Putin and U.S. Envoy Witkoff Hold “Truly Friendly” Talks as Ukraine Peace Efforts Intensify 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Australia Imposes Sanctions on Taliban Officials Over Human Rights Abuses 
Trump Backs Review of U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule After Hepatitis B Policy Change 
Israel has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to dissolve a commission investigating alleged human rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, citing systemic bias. In a letter seen by Reuters, Israeli Ambassador Daniel Meron accused the Independent International Commission of Inquiry of discriminating against Israel, stating it exemplifies “institutional discrimination” within the Council.
The commission, formed in May 2021 during a previous conflict between Israel and Hamas, has regularly drawn criticism from Israel for its findings. Most recently, it condemned Israeli military actions following Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023 attacks, asserting in a March report that Israel committed “genocidal acts” in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the report as biased and antisemitic.
The commission’s role includes collecting evidence that may be used in international legal proceedings, such as by the International Criminal Court. Israel, which disengaged from the Human Rights Council in February 2025, has long objected to the Council’s perceived anti-Israel stance.
Council spokesperson Pascal Sim confirmed that while Council President Jurg Lauber received the letter, only the Council’s 47 member states have the authority to dismantle the commission.
Tensions have escalated since Israel launched a large-scale offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas attacks, with ongoing international scrutiny. Israel maintains that the inquiry overlooks Hamas’ actions and unfairly targets its military operations. Meanwhile, the U.N. commission continues its mandate, deepening a rift between Israel and international human rights bodies.
The dispute underscores growing global divisions over accountability and impartiality in investigating the Israel-Palestine conflict. As diplomatic pressure mounts, the fate of the inquiry remains uncertain.
