Latest news with #UNAmbassador
CNN
3 days ago
- General
- CNN
‘Unbearable': Palestinian envoy breaks down at UN discussing children in Gaza
The Palestinian ambassador to the UN made an emotional address, saying more than 1,300 children have been killed in Gaza since Israel ended the ceasefire in March.
SBS Australia
4 days ago
- General
- SBS Australia
Australia tells UN recognising Palestinian statehood would build momentum for peace
Australia tells UN recognising Palestinian statehood would build momentum for peace Published 27 May 2025, 9:11 am Australia will send representatives to a key United Nations summit in New York next month that could pave the way for recognition of Palestinian Statehood. It follows Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations, James Larsen, spelling out Australia's support.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion: Why Trump's Ultimate Humiliation for Signalgate ‘Idiot' is a ‘Girl Job'
President Donald Trump's nomination of former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to the post of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations may seem like another instance of a disgraced white man failing up. It's not. Naming Waltz to the top UN spot is political castration. Of the last ten National Security Advisors, nine were men. Of the last ten U.S. Ambassadors to the UN, eight were women. In other words, the post Waltz may soon fill is a 'girl job.' Trump has always viewed the UN ambassadorship as suitable for a woman. A UN ambassador throws parties, chit-chats with guests, and happily nods while men drone on. It's basically a hostess gig and women are great at that. In his first administration, Trump named former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to the position where she oversaw the administration's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris climate agreement, and the UN Human Rights Council. When Haley left, Trump announced he'd found the perfect replacement. In fact, he declared, there wasn't 'anybody more competent in the world.' He was, of course, referring to his daughter Ivanka. But she turned down the job, noting 'I know the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley.' Instead, Trump selected Kelly Craft, a businesswoman and wife of a billionaire coal mining executive who contributed more than $2 million in the 2016 cycle. In his second administration, Trump started by following the same instinct that the UN ambassador–like his Press Secretary– should be a woman. In November, he chose New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik to succeed Linda Thomas-Greenfield who held the job in the Biden administration. Stefanik was thrilled with Trump's offer, noting that she was 'deeply humbled' to accept the nomination. Presumably, she was even more humbled when Trump took to TruthSocial on March 27 to insist, 'There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress…' The timing of that announcement was startling. There was speculation that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Stefanik were perhaps feuding. (They both denied this.) A better explanation may be that three days before Trump dropped Stefanik, journalist Jeffrey Goldberg reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was using the Signal app to discuss ongoing military maneuvers. Goldberg knew this because he had been mistakenly added to the Signal group chat by one emoji-loving ex-Army Special Forces officer. It's possible that the plan to move Waltz to the UN began that day with the hard-working, ever-faithful Stefanik being sacrificed to open the slot. On his end, Waltz is acting like he dropped his tray in the school cafeteria but it's all cool. The former Nat Sec Advisor took to the former Twitter to succinctly say, 'I'm deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation.' Heading into confirmation hearings, expect Waltz to feel less 'honored' and more humiliated. Senators, including some Republicans, will grill him over Signalgate. Waltz will have to defend his many bad choices, including his dumb and childish emojis. (These may be another reason why Trump might think Waltz deserves a 'girl job.' Who loves emojis more than a teenage girl?) If the senate decides not to confirm Waltz then Trump is off the hook for axing him. Trump remained supportive to a loyalist, keeping his hands clean while getting rid of another potential 'birdbrain.' If Waltz fails, perhaps Stefanik will re-emerge as a possibility. Leading the UN delegation would have boosted Stefanik who craves more international experience as a stepping stone to potential bigger jobs like Secretary of State or Vice President in Trump's third term. Or maybe former Haley will make a play to get her old job back. Trump vowed back in November that he would 'not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration.' But if no one else wants the job, she could make a case that she already knows where the bathrooms are. And if Waltz is confirmed, he will gladly take all the perks that come with the UN ambassadorship, including free travel and a swanky penthouse apartment at 50 United Nations Plaza. Still, it's a step down from being in the Pentagon inner circle. No one should be surprised if Waltz decides to put in minimal hours, follow Russia's lead on votes, and turn his 'girl job,' into 'a lazy girl job.'
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
White House conducting massive overhaul of National Security Council, officials say
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is ordering a massive overhaul of the National Security Council that will shrink its size and return many career appointees back to their home agencies, according to two U.S. officials and one person familiar with the reorganization. The move is expected to significantly reduce the number of staff at the NSC, according to the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive personnel matter. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been serving as national security adviser since early this month following the ouster of Mike Waltz, who was nominated to serve as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
'Flawless' host Switzerland glides past EU for next US trade deal, Trump aides say
GENEVA, May 12 (Reuters) - Switzerland has moved to the front of the queue for a trade deal with the United States, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday, after the Alpine country hosted surprisingly successful U.S.-China trade talks this weekend. Before receiving the two sides, Swiss officials met with Bessent and his team on Friday and with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss its own trade woes with Washington. In April the U.S. hit Switzerland with 31% tariffs, compared with 20% on the European Union and 10% on Britain. The decision stunned Swiss officials, and major Swiss firms have since made pledges to invest heavily in the United States. "The UK and Switzerland have moved to the front of the queue for trade deals but the EU has been much slower," Bessent said. Bessent was responding to a question at a press conference in Geneva about Switzerland's future as an intermediary amid perceptions that its neutrality is shifting and as Gulf countries step up. The EU has suggested it will not be pushed into an unfair U.S. tariffs deal and has proposed potential countermeasures. Britain sealed a quick but limited trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration last week. Switzerland has long sought to act as a bridge-builder during international crises, but analysts said it put in a special effort this time - pointing to its intimate choice of venue for the talks at the private residence of its U.N. ambassador. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said much of the negotiations with the Chinese were spent in the shady gardens of the opulent, 18th-century villa overlooking Lake Geneva. "Everything has gone off flawlessly," Greer said. "This may not seem important to those not involved, but the atmospherics provided by the Swiss government were incredibly conducive to the conclusions we had this weekend." China's He was also complimentary, praising Switzerland's "warm hospitality". That extended to the media: a Swiss official offered croissants and drinks to reporters waiting for hours outside. "Secretary Bessent saw Switzerland's determination to serve global interests but also to defend our own cause," said Vincent Subilia, Director General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.
