International
US Sanctions UN Palestine Rights Envoy Francesca Albanese Over Anti-Israel Stance
The United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on Palestinian rights, due to her stance against Israel.1 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Wednesday (July 9), stating that Albanese’s “political and economic attacks” against the United States and Israel would no longer be tolerated.2
Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter), “We will always stand by our allies’ right to self-defense.”
Albanese has a long history of submitting reports to the UN critical of Israel. She has notably labeled Israel an ‘apartheid state’ and described Hamas’s violence as ‘not unexpected’. Furthermore, she previously proposed accusing the United States of international crimes for President Donald Trump’s actions related to Iranian nuclear facilities.
Albanese has also voiced criticism against American defense technology companies. She has faced accusations of antisemitism, particularly for a past remark suggesting US foreign policy was controlled by a ‘Jewish lobby’, though she later retracted this comment.4
Anne Bayefsky, President of the human rights organization Human Rights Voices, welcomed the sanction, stating, “The US has finally taken action. This measure against Albanese’s incitement to violence and her attempts to deny Israel’s existence is timely.”
Israel also welcomed the sanctions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideo Sa’ar remarked, “It is time for the UN to open its eyes.” Danny Danon, Israel’s UN envoy, added that Albanese had “damaged the credibility of the United Nations.”
Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, called it a “courageous decision,” noting that a UN official had never before been sanctioned in this manner.
There has been no immediate reaction from the United Nations regarding the sanction.
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s North Maluku province, though authorities reported no casualties or damage. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency confirmed that the quake originated 10 kilometres beneath the surface.
The tremor hit the Halmahera region on Sunday and comes as Indonesia continues to experience frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where several tectonic plates converge.
Meanwhile, a separate 5.3-magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar’s coastal region the same morning. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 10:39am Bangladesh time, with its epicentre located in the Andaman Sea, about 267 kilometres west-southwest of Dawei. The tremor was also felt in parts of neighbouring Thailand, though no damage has been reported.
Just two days earlier, on 21 November, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka. The quake, which originated in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area, left 10 people dead and many others injured.
Despite a six-week-long ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, at least 24 Palestinians have been killed in renewed Israeli air and drone strikes. The attacks, which began early Saturday, also left 87 others injured, according to local health authorities. Children are reported to be among the dead.
Witnesses said the first strike targeted a car in northern Gaza City, followed by successive attacks in Deir al-Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp. In Gaza City’s Rimal area, a drone strike killed 11 people and injured 20 others. Rami Muhanna, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, confirmed that many of the wounded remain in critical condition.
In Deir al-Balah, a strike on a residential house left three people dead, including a woman. The blast was so powerful that nearby residents fled in panic. “This cannot be called a ceasefire,” said eyewitness Khalil Abu Hatab. “There is no safe place left.”
Hamas has accused Israel of repeatedly violating ceasefire terms and has urged the United States to intervene immediately. The group claims the strikes are targeting civilians and called for stronger international action to halt the attacks.
International observers warn that the renewed violence could escalate tensions further amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
The United States has designated Saudi Arabia as one of its most important non-NATO military allies, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday during a White House dinner held in honour of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump said the official designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally would elevate military cooperation between the two countries. The United States has granted this status to only 19 nations so far. He added that the decision had been kept confidential until the event at Saudi Arabia’s request.
The President also noted that the Crown Prince would play a role in a council being formed to establish peace in Gaza, adding that he himself would serve as its chairman, as previously stated.
Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States for the meeting. Discussions covered military cooperation, nuclear technology, artificial intelligence, and increased Saudi investments in the US. The Crown Prince announced plans to raise Saudi investments from 600 billion USD to 1 trillion USD.
Talks also included potential sales of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
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