Latest news with #TaherEl-Sonni
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
UN votes overwhelmingly to demand Gaza ceasefire
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
UN votes overwhelmingly to demand Gaza ceasefire
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. Australia voted in favour of the resolution. The resolution 'strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including wilfully impeding relief supply and access'. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was 'blood libel'. He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a 'farce' that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. 'It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works,' he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for 'those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers'. The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an 'immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire' and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians — a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Votes for the resolution: Australia Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Bhutan Bosnia-Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Canada Chad Chile China Colombia Congo Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Democratic People's Republic of Korea Denmark Djibouti Dominican Republic Egypt El Salvador Eritrea Estonia Finland France Gabon Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Honduras Iceland Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iraq Ireland Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao PDR Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Norway Osman Pakistan Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Republic of Korea Republic of Moldova Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Tajikistan Thailand Trinidad-Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Türkiye Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Republic of Tanzania Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vietnam Yemen Zimbabwe Votes against the resolution: The United States Israel Argentina Fiji Hungary Micronesia Nauru Palau Papua New Guinea Paraguay Tonga Tuvalu Abstentions: Albania Cameroon Czechia The Democratic Republic of Congo Dominica Ecuador Ethiopia Georgia India Kiribati Malawi Marshall Islands North Macedonia Panama Romania Slovakia South Sudan Timor-Leste Togo Did not vote: Benin Bolivia Central African Republic Comoros Equatorial Guinea Eswatini Haiti Madagascar Samoa Sao Tome-Principe Venezuela Zambia
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
UN overwhelmingly demands immediate Gaza ceasefire over US, Israel opposition
The text garnered 149 votes in favor, while 19 countries abstained and the U.S., Israel and 10 others voted against. UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favor, while 19 countries abstained and the U.S., Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told the General Assembly this was "blood libel." He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organization that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the U.N. Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Two-state conference Libya's U.N. Ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers." The U.S. last week vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favor of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than 2 million people, where the U.N. warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea told the General Assembly before the vote that the resolution "does nothing to free the hostages, improve the lives of civilians in Gaza, or bring us closer to a ceasefire, and is yet another performative action that erodes the credibility of this body." The vote came ahead of a U.N. conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The U.S. has urged countries not to attend. In October 2023, the General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza with 120 votes in favor. In December 2023, 153 countries voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Then in December 2024, it demanded - with 158 votes in favor - an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. — Reuters
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
UN votes overwhelmingly to demand Gaza ceasefire
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
News18
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
World Football Day 2025: 10 Legends Who Changed The Game Forever
Last Updated: World Football Day celebrates the power of football to unite people across cultures, nations, and backgrounds. World Football Day 2025: Last year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to recognise May 25 as World Football Day. In 2024, the day marked the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament featuring teams from all regions. Football, known as soccer in the United States, made its Olympic debut in Paris in 1924. This annual celebration is meant to honour the global impact of football as a unifying sport. It also sheds light on the role of football in promoting peace, development and women's empowerment. The day encourages all countries to celebrate the value of the sport through special events and competitions. Football traces its roots to ancient civilisations, with early versions of the game being played in China, Greece, and Rome. The modern version, however, emerged in 19th-century England, when official rules first came into place, leading to the foundation of the Football Association in 1863. World Football Day 2025: History From dusty fields to state-of-the-art stadiums, football has now grown into a global passion, with tournaments like the FIFA World Cup uniting nations and cultures. The proposal to designate May 25 as World Football Day was put forward by Libya's ambassador to the United Nations, Taher El-Sonni. The initiative received widespread support, with over 160 UN member states showing a thumbs-up to the resolution. While presenting the proposal, Ambassador El-Sonni highlighted football's global reach, emphasising its presence in communities of all sizes—from small villages to major cities. He also admitted it to be the most popular sport in the world. World Football Day 2025: Top 10 Footballers In 21st Century World Football Day 2025: Quotes
