UN's Dance Dance Resolution: Protect the Tango

Fears of food, gas shortages as refugees flee

(NEWSER) - Since we last checked in, the situation in Mali following a soldiers' coup has spiraled, with rising concerns over food and gas shortages, violence, and indeed the country's "very existence," according to Le Monde . An update:

• The coup has driven more than 200,000 people from their homes to other parts of the region, the AP reports. The UN worries that major food shortages could be imminent, and "mayhem in these towns and cities is increasing," says a rep.

He ridicules US decision to cut off funds

(NEWSER) - The Daily Show made the rare decision to forego a guest last night in favor of a John Oliver piece that, according to Jon Stewart, was "so epic that it could not be contained." Oliver looked into the US move to cut off funding to UNESCO , the UN's global charity group, because of its decision to induct Palestine as a member. "UNESCO didn't care about the unfortunate circumstance they put America in," Oliver lamented. "All they cared about was some poor starving people." More»

Funds also frozen after Palestine's UNESCO membership

(NEWSER) - Palestine's membership in UNESCO has met a fierce response from Israel. A day after Palestine joined the United Nations' cultural body , Israel ordered the accelerated construction of 2,000 new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In what officials acknowledge is punishment for "unilateral actions," Israel has also temporarily frozen funds that it has collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, Voice of America reports. More»

Controversial move prompts cheers at UNESCO

(AP) - Palestine became a full member of UNESCO today, in a highly divisive move that the United States and other opponents say could harm renewed Mideast peace efforts. US lawmakers had threatened to withhold roughly $80 million in annual funding to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization if it approved Palestinian membership. Huge cheers went up after delegates approved the membership in a vote of 107-14 with 52 abstentions. "Long Live Palestine!" shouted one delegate. More»

Initial approval granted yesterday

(NEWSER) - Palestine's bid for statehood took one step forward yesterday as it gained initial approval for full membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Membership in UNESCO would allow Palestine to apply to protect its monuments and historical sites as World Heritage Sites, which would increase conflict with Israel since some of those sites are in disputed territory. But if membership is granted, US law may require a cutoff of all contributions to the UN and its agencies—a serious move, since 22% of UNESCO's budget comes from the US. More»