11 h. ago ‘They first come for great acts of culture’: Cate Blanchett sets up grant for displaced film

Actor and UN refugee ambassador gives warning about authoritarian regimes at launch of film fundAuthoritarian regimes “first come for great acts of culture” when they start to curtail civil liberties, Cate Blanchett warned as she launched a new grant for displaced film-makers.The two-time Oscar winner and goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), has teamed up with the international film festival Rotterdam’s (IFFR) Hubert Bals Fund to set up the Displacement Film Fund, which will support displaced film-makers or those with experience in refugee storytelling. Continue reading...

Culture

4 d. ago Israel says ‘external pressure will not divert’ it after UK pauses trade talks – Israel

Israel foreign ministry spokesperson accuses Britain of ‘anti-Israel obsession’ after UK pauses trade talks over blockade of GazaPhilippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of Unrwa, the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, has been speaking to Euronews.He said US President Donald Trump has the unique power to force Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “change the situation” in Gaza.I do believe that President Donald Trump has the necessary influence to change the situation in Gaza and make sure that the siege be lifted and that the population get access to the assistance it deserves.It’s an outrage that we are confronted by a situation of starvation when it comes to Gaza. It’s a completely fabricated one. We are in a situation where hunger and food are being weaponised for political and military purposes What is needed in Gaza is a massive, unhindered, uninterrupted assistance of supply to make sure that we are reversing the trend of the spreading hunger. Continue...

Politics

8 d. ago UN agency, Rohingya refugees allege Indian authorities cast dozens of them into the sea near Myanmar

Indian authorities last week allegedly forced dozens of Rohingya refugees off a naval vessel into the sea near Myanmar after providing them with life jackets, a United Nations agency, family members of the refugees and their lawyer said

Events

3 w. ago Unrwa says Israel has abused detained staff and used some as human shields

Accusation from UN agency comes as Red Crescent medic held since deadly Israeli attack on ambulances is freed The embattled UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, has accused Israel of abusing dozens of its staff in military detention and using some as human shields.The head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini, said that more than 50 staff members, including teachers, doctors and social workers, had been detained and abused since the start of the 18 month-long war in Gaza. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago World Food Program and other UN aid agencies slash jobs amid US funding cuts, officials say

The World Food Program and the United Nations refugee agency will slash jobs because of funding cuts, mainly from the United States

Society

4 w. ago In reverse of a longtime stance, US says UN Palestinian refugee agency isn't immune from lawsuits

The Trump administration has decided that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees is not immune from being sued, reversing the U.S. government’s longstanding position that the organization was protected from civil liability

Events