Should the U.S. remain in the United Nations?

New York Times memo instructs journalists to avoid terms like "ethnic cleansing," "genocide," or occupied territory."

The New York Times instructed journalists covering Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip to restrict the use of the terms “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” and to “avoid” using the phrase “occupied territory” when describing Palestinian land, according to a copy of an internal memo obtained by The Intercept.The memo also instructs reporters not to use the word Palestine “except in very rare cases” and to steer clear of the term “refugee camps” to describe areas of Gaza historically settled by internally displaced Palestinians, who fled from other parts of Palestine during previous Israeli–Arab wars. The areas are recognized by the United Nations as refugee camps and house hundreds of thousands of registered refugees.The memo — written by Times standards editor Susan Wessling, international editor Philip Pan, and their deputies — “offers guidance about some terms and other issues we have grappled with since the start of the conflict in October.”While the document is presented as an outline for maintaining objective journalistic principles in reporting on the Gaza war, several Times staffers told The Intercept that some of its contents show evidence of the paper’s deference to Israeli narratives.Issuing guidance like this to ensure accuracy, consistency and nuance in how we cover the news is standard practice,” said Charlie Stadtlander, a Times spokesperson. “Across all our reporting, including complex events like this, we take care to ensure our language choices are sensitive, current and clear to our audiences.”Issues over style guidance have been among a bevy of internal rifts at the Times over its Gaza coverage. In January, The Intercept reported on disputes in the Times newsroom over issues with an investigative story on systematic sexual violence on October 7. The leak gave rise to a highly unusual internal probe. The company faced harsh criticism for allegedly targeting Times workers of Middle East and North African descent, which Times brass denied. On Monday, executive editor Joe Kahn told staff that the leak investigation had been concludedunsuccessfully.

Diplomatic Tensions Escalate as Mexico Takes Ecuador to World Court Over Embassy Raid

In a move that has sent shockwaves through international diplomatic circles, Mexico has initiated legal proceedings against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over a controversial police raid on its embassy in Quito. The incident, which Mexico claims violated the sanctity of its diplomatic mission, has escalated to a full-blown diplomatic crisis, with Mexico calling for Ecuador's suspension from the United Nations. This unprecedented step underscores the severity with which Mexico views the breach of international norms governing diplomatic relations.The raid, which took place last week, has been widely condemned by Mexico, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador leading the charge in seeking redress at the highest levels of international diplomacy. Mexico's legal action at the ICJ and its call for Ecuador's expulsion from the UN highlight the deep rift the incident has caused between the two Latin American nations. The fallout from the raid has not only strained bilateral relations but also raised questions about the respect for diplomatic immunity, a cornerstone of international relations.Ecuador's actions, defended by its government as part of a broader crackdown on crime, have nevertheless been criticized for overstepping the bounds of international law. The raid has been seen as a bold move by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, who has been characterized as taking a hardline approach to law enforcement. This incident has sparked a debate on the balance between national security measures and the inviolability of diplomatic missions.The controversy has also had repercussions within Ecuador, with former Vice President Jorge Glas going on a hunger strike in prison, highlighting the domestic political tensions exacerbated by the embassy raid. The international community is closely watching the ICJ proceedings, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for diplomatic relations and the enforcement of international treaties.As the legal battle unfolds in The Hague, the world is reminded of the delicate dance of diplomacy and the importance of adhering to international norms. The Mexico-Ecuador standoff serves as a stark example of how quickly diplomatic ties can unravel and the lengths to which nations will go to defend their sovereignty and the sanctity of their diplomatic missions.

United Nations Aid Truck Hit By Israeli Ammunition

UNICEF says one of its vehicles came under fire during an attempted aid delivery to northern Gaza on Wednesday April 12th."Yesterday a UNICEF vehicle waiting to enter north of Gaza was hit by live ammunition. The incident has been raised with relevant Israeli authorities. Sadly, humanitarians continue to face risks in delivering lifesaving aid. Unless humanitarian aid workers are protected, in accordance with IHL, humanitarian aid cannot reach people in need."

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