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China has canceled most of the overseas coal power projects it had planned when President Xi Jinping pledged in 2021 to stop funding such projects, but loopholes are allowing Chinese companies to continue investing in coal abroad, according to a new report. Xi made the pledge at the U.N. General Assembly in 2021 as part of efforts to tackle climate change. Five years later, global efforts to reduce coal use remain slow, while climate commitments are falling behind schedule. The report, released this week by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS), found that China has canceled 67% of the coal power capacity it planned to build overseas in 2021. The canceled projects totaled 61.5 gigawatts of capacity and are estimated to have prevented 6.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions over their lifetime. Experts, however, said China's pledge does not prevent private Chinese companies from investing in overseas coal projects. “Coal expansion hasn't stopped because of the nature of the pledge itself, which still allows private Chinese companies to invest overseas,” said Syahdiva Moezbar, an industry analyst with CREA in Jakarta. Southeast Asia remains heavily dependent on coalChina plays a major role in infrastructure financing across the Global South and is also the world's leading producer of electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines. Experts say its policies therefore have a major impact on the global shift toward renewable energy. China was the world's largest overseas coal financier before Xi made his 2021 pledge. “This marked the first time Beijing was willing to extend its emerging climate ambition beyond its borders,” said Li Shuo, director of the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub. China is also the world's largest annual emitter of carbon dioxide, although the United States remains the largest historical emitter. While China's coal consumption is slowly declining, it continues to lead the world in developing new domestic coal infrastructure. At the same time, China has become a global leader in clean energy. It dominates the electric vehicle market and is the world's largest producer of solar panels and wind turbines. Li said China's rapid growth in clean energy, both domestically and overseas, should encourage Beijing to give greater priority to renewable energy in its international energy strategy. Private projects create a loopholeIndonesia has emerged as the biggest destination for continued Chinese investment in coal power, with 17.1 gigawatts of China-backed capacity still planned, according to the report. Vietnam and Pakistan follow, with less than 4 gigawatts each in planned projects. In Indonesia, Chinese companies have helped finance coal plants that supply power directly to heavy industries such as nickel and aluminum smelters instead of the national electricity grid. These facilities are known as “captive coal” plants. “When commercial interests take precedence over China's broader green development commitments and the world's climate security, the benefits of China's remarkable clean-energy leadership are undermined,” said Xiaojun Wang, executive director of PACS. Energy security revives coal demandThe transition away from coal has become more difficult following energy shocks linked to the Russia-Ukraine war and the war in Iran. Southeast Asia, which has traditionally relied heavily on fossil fuel imports from the Middle East, was particularly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The region accounts for about one-fifth of global energy demand growth and has increased coal use to cope with energy shortages. The Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam all increased coal use during the Iran-related energy crisis. At the same time, countries across the region are expanding rooftop solar, encouraging electric vehicle use and exploring nuclear power. The International Energy Agency estimates that Southeast Asia will account for nearly 20% of global energy demand growth through 2035. It said the crisis is prompting countries to reconsider their energy policies and investments while placing greater emphasis on energy security. “The growing desire among countries in Southeast Asia to secure reliable energy supplies could bring about another round of coal fever,” Li said, adding that this would continue to test China's commitment to its coal moratorium. Li described the energy transition as “a two-party tango,” saying both China and the countries receiving its investments need to remain committed to reducing coal use. Five years after Xi's pledge, he said, “this saga is far from over.” Xi did not attend the U.N. General Assembly this week and instead met with U.S. President Donald Trump. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng represented China in New York and is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he asked U.S. President Donald Trump to urge Chinese President Xi Jinping to use Beijing’s influence over Moscow to help end Russia’s 4½-year invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he had not yet received details from the White House about Trump’s talks with Xi but expected to learn what was discussed. Zelenskyy visited the United States this week during the U.N. General Assembly and met with Trump on Tuesday as he sought greater international support for Ukraine. NATO countries have described China as a “decisive enabler” of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy shared further details of his U.S. visit in voice messages sent to journalists. US seeks initial technical talksZelenskyy said Washington wants the United States, Ukraine and Russia to begin technical-level talks before any meeting between their leaders. According to him, Ukraine is waiting for Washington to suggest a date for the talks, with U.S. officials proposing the United Arab Emirates as the venue. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Putin and Trump had discussed holding such a meeting during their phone call earlier this month. “I can’t give you any specifics” at this point, Peskov said. Representatives from the three countries held three rounds of talks earlier this year — two in Abu Dhabi and one in Geneva — but failed to make significant progress. Putin, speaking to reporters in St. Petersburg on Friday night, criticized recent Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russia and on Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine. He said proposals to restart negotiations remained on the table, but Moscow would carefully consider its response. Putin stressed that any decision on restarting the talks would be based on Russia’s interests. Zelenskyy calls for tougher sanctionsDuring his U.S. visit, Zelenskyy met with U.S. senators and members of Congress and thanked them for bipartisan support for a major sanctions bill targeting Russia. Trump signed the bill into law last week but has not yet implemented the measures. Zelenskyy said sanctions were important to putting pressure on Putin to return to negotiations and urged Trump to enforce them. “The sanctions are indeed strong,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the measures were now in the hands of the U.S. president. Trump approves Patriot production licensesZelenskyy also said Trump had confirmed a final decision to allow Ukraine to obtain licenses to produce Patriot air defense systems. Ukraine has been seeking more U.S.-made Patriot systems to defend against Russian ballistic missiles, but supplies have been limited since the war in Iran began on Feb. 28. Trump said in July that he would allow Ukraine to produce the systems itself, but later appeared to reconsider the decision. Calls for free Black Sea shippingUkraine and Russia are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food products. However, attacks on cargo vessels during the war have disrupted shipping through the Black Sea and raised concerns about food shortages. Zelenskyy said he held separate meetings in the United States with the leaders of India, Turkey, Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries that want safe and uninterrupted shipping through the Black Sea. He said those leaders were also expected to hold talks with Russian officials. Kyiv wants Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in the Black Sea so that full commercial deliveries can resume, Zelenskyy said. Ukraine seeks more financial supportZelenskyy said he also discussed Ukraine’s financial needs with the heads of the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission. Ukraine’s budget has come under heavy pressure because of wartime spending and falling production, while Russia’s economy has also been affected by the war. According to Zelenskyy, the European Union will extend its financial assistance to Ukraine, while the IMF will continue its support programs. He said most of Ukraine’s current funding gap is linked to weapons purchases. Future support could also involve technology-sharing agreements and joint drone production, he said. Ukraine is a major producer of military drones. Five killed in Ukraine strikesRussian aerial attacks on Ukraine overnight and into Friday killed five people and wounded 11, Ukrainian officials said. Russian authorities, meanwhile, reported that one person was killed and 21 wounded in Ukrainian long-range strikes. Zelenskyy said eight Ukrainian regions came under attack. He said Russian forces continued their round-the-clock attacks on Kyiv, striking an office building where four people were killed. A 14-year-old boy was also killed when a Russian strike hit an apartment building in Kyiv, while at least seven residents were injured, officials said. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces struck a missile-engine depot near Kyiv, among other targets. Zelenskyy said Ukraine also struck two oil refineries as part of its ongoing campaign to damage Russia’s economy. Unconfirmed Russian media reports said Ukrainian drones also hit a Russian military electronics plant and a synthetic rubber producer.

Persistent rain has flooded several parts of Thailand’s capital since Thursday afternoon, disrupting traffic and forcing some residents to leave their homes. Officials said Saturday that rainfall of more than 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) had accumulated in major canals across Bangkok. Floodwaters spread through several parts of the city, particularly central and eastern areas, leaving roads submerged and bringing traffic to a standstill. Thailand’s Meteorological Department forecast more heavy rain across most parts of the country through Sunday, attributing the conditions to a strong low-pressure system over the central region and increasingly active southwest monsoon winds. As of Saturday, flooding had affected more than 84,000 people in 21 provinces across Thailand, with the central region among the hardest-hit areas. The government said authorities had issued emergency alerts through the cell-broadcast system to residents in affected locations. Bangkok experienced heavy downpours throughout much of Friday, with intense rain continuing into Saturday. Images and videos showed major roads under water, while some vehicles were left stranded after drivers were unable to navigate the rising floodwaters. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said heavy rain was likely to continue through Saturday but expressed hope that floodwaters would gradually recede once the rain stopped. He said city authorities were working to drain the accumulated water as quickly as possible. Authorities established several shelters for residents who had to evacuate their homes. Some government facilities were also opened to provide parking areas for vehicles, officials said.  

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Iran has sent the United States a proposal that could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within seven days if certain conditions are fulfilled. Speaking to reporters at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Araghchi said Iran had delivered a “concrete seven-day plan” to Washington through Qatar. He said the seven-day period would begin once the United States agrees to the proposal. Under the plan, Washington would have to take a number of measures that Iran believes could require four or five days, Araghchi said. The strait would then be reopened on the sixth day, followed by the start of negotiations with the United States on the seventh day toward a final agreement covering mutually agreed issues. Araghchi said the measures expected from Washington were not new and had already been included in a memorandum of understanding signed by the leaders of the two countries in June. “If there is seriousness in the U.S. side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araghchi said. “The choice now rests with the United States,” he added, stressing that Iran would not accept coercion, threats or intimidation and would not give up its sovereign rights under pressure. The United States and Iran signed an MoU on June 18 aimed at ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. Under the agreement, the two sides were expected to begin negotiations within 60 days, with the deadline falling on Aug. 17, to reach a final deal. However, the future of the negotiations remains uncertain following a series of recent escalations between Washington and Tehran.  

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is known for his trademark dark sunglasses, which have become closely associated with his public image and political persona. Shah, 36, wore his signature full-frame rectangular sunglasses while delivering his maiden address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday. In his speech, he warned world leaders that climate change is threatening the fragile ecology of the Himalayas. Along with the sunglasses, Shah appeared in his familiar attire—a traditional black Nepali hat and a black blazer. According to The Kathmandu Post, Shah follows a specific practice regarding when he wears his sunglasses. He is often seen wearing them during parliamentary sessions, official ceremonies, military parades and photo sessions with foreign ambassadors. However, he reportedly takes them off during cabinet meetings, private discussions and joint meetings. How the Sunglasses Became Part of His Image The former rapper-turned-politician has carried his signature look from his music career into politics. His dark sunglasses have become a defining feature of his public persona, while he largely communicates with the public through social media and rarely gives interviews or holds press conferences. His distinctive eyewear has even become a commercial trend in Nepal. On the country's leading online shopping platform Daraz, searches for “Balen Shah glasses” bring up a range of sunglasses inspired by his trademark style. Shah first attracted national attention when he won the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate in 2022, defeating established political forces. His black suit and dark sunglasses helped reinforce his image as an outsider to Nepal's traditional party politics. Following a youth-led uprising in September 2025 that brought down the government of K.P. Sharma Oli, Shah retained his distinctive appearance throughout his campaign earlier this year. In the March parliamentary election that followed, his Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a landslide victory. Shah himself defeated Oli in an eastern constituency and went on to become prime minister. Since taking office, he has continued to appear in public wearing his trademark sunglasses. When Has Balen Shah Removed His Sunglasses? There have been only a few notable occasions when Shah has removed his sunglasses while addressing the public. In July, he took them off while speaking to the nation following deadly Hindu-Muslim clashes in southern Nepal. A month later, he again appeared without the glasses during a visit to areas devastated by floods. On another occasion, months earlier, Shah removed his sunglasses while addressing supporters and telling them, “I love you.” His preference for dark sunglasses also became a subject of debate in parliament. In August, House Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal barred the wearing of dark sunglasses during parliamentary proceedings amid concerns over public criticism. Later, however, The Kathmandu Post reported that Shah's office defended his choice, saying a doctor had advised him to wear sunglasses to protect his eyes from bright light. Source: NDTV

Natural springs and centuries-old pools across the occupied West Bank have traditionally offered relief from the region’s intense summer heat and served as an important source of water for Palestinian communities, supporting both tourism and agriculture. But access to many of these water sources is becoming increasingly restricted for the 2.8 million Palestinians living in the territory, as Israeli settlers, backed by a hard-line government, intensify efforts to take control of springs and archaeological and heritage sites. In one case this summer, water from a natural spring serving the Palestinian village of Fasayil was diverted to a nearby ancient pool. The people who redirected the water used it to fill the pool and promoted it as a new tourist attraction named after Herod, the Roman-appointed king of Judea. Under agreements reached in the 1990s, the pool is located in Area C, which remains under full Israeli military control. Research by Dror Etkes, head of settlement watchdog Kerem Navot, found that the land was privately owned. Palestinian farmer Saad Nemer of Fasayil said the diversion had severely affected his farmland. He said his family possesses documents showing ownership of the land. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for civilian affairs in the West Bank, acknowledged that the water had been diverted “without authorization” and said the matter would be investigated. Other swimming spots have also become flashpoints. An Israeli father of six was shot and killed last week by a Palestinian at a spring in the northern West Bank while he was swimming with his eldest son ahead of the Yom Kippur holiday. Israel backs Jewish heritage projects Israel has controlled the West Bank since capturing the territory, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, from Jordan and Egypt during the 1967 war. Since then, Israel has established settlements housing more than half a million Israelis on land Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal. Earlier this month, amid increased settler violence and actions that have displaced Palestinians, the British government accused Israel of turning “a blind eye” to what it described as “ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank — perpetrated by settler terrorists.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned settler violence but attributed it to a “handful of rioters” whom he said were harming the reputation of the “law-abiding settler public.” Israeli rights group B’Tselem said efforts to take control of and designate heritage sites are part of a broader campaign. In a report published this month, the group said such designations are used to strengthen claims about Israel’s and Jewish people’s historical, cultural and religious connections to the West Bank. Alon Arad, executive director of Emek Shaveh, an Israeli group opposed to the politicization of archaeology in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said naming the pool near Fasayil after Herod was an effort to associate the site with Jewish history. The site has never undergone archaeological excavation, making its exact construction date unclear. However, excavations by the archaeology unit of Israel’s Civil Administration have found other ruins in the area dating to Herod’s reign in the first century B.C.E. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu told The Associated Press that the pool would be drained after the Jewish holidays in early October so government archaeologists could conduct a full survey. Eliyahu praised those who diverted the water and said the government had allocated about $1 million to rehabilitate the site. He said this was part of at least $166 million allocated for excavations and infrastructure at more than 100 sites he described as connected to Jewish heritage in the West Bank. “We’ll turn this place into the Garden of Eden,” Eliyahu said while visiting the pool near the Petzael settlement. “There is no such thing as a Palestinian nation,” he added before entering the water. Water restrictions leave Palestinian fields dry The dispute over access to water in this fertile part of the West Bank reflects the broader struggle for control of the territory, particularly the Jordan Valley. Palestinians regard the area as an important agricultural region for a future state, while Israel considers it strategically important for its eastern border. Palestinians have faced restrictions and shortages in access to water since Israel took control of the West Bank in 1967. Interim peace agreements reached in the 1990s recognized Palestinian water rights but maintained a system under which about 80% of water extracted from the main aquifer was allocated for Israeli use. Settler attacks have further intensified the problem. According to a July report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, settlers damaged, destroyed or seized about 160 water and sanitation facilities, including pipelines and cisterns, in Palestinian communities in 2026. The report said attacks increasingly targeted shared water infrastructure and disrupted supplies to entire communities or large parts of them. In Al Auja in the Jordan Valley, the seizure of local natural springs by settlers has forced some Palestinian farmers to stop cultivating their land. Murad al-Juba, 53, once produced large quantities of fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupes, eggplants, bananas and tomatoes. But he said he has been unable to plant crops since settlers moved into the area, harassed residents and diverted the spring water. “All these farms depend on the spring, but today, the spring is gone, because the settlers took it,” Juba said. More recently, settlers have “completely taken over” the spring’s waterfall and transformed the surrounding area into a “quasi-military zone,” said Hani al-Njoum, the local mayor. He said the situation has seriously harmed both tourism and agriculture. “This land was bountiful,” Juba said. “Today, it is a desert.”

Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and restarting negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, provided Washington agrees to several conditions. Tehran wants the U.S. to end its naval blockade of Iranian ports, remove restrictions on Iranian oil exports, and maintain a ceasefire that also covers Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the proposal Friday outside the U.N. Security Council. He said the seven-day period would begin immediately after the United States accepts the plan. According to Araghchi, the initial measures would take roughly four to five days, with the Strait of Hormuz reopening on the sixth day. Talks between Iran and the U.S. would then resume on the seventh day to negotiate a broader nuclear agreement. The Strait of Hormuz has become Iran's most important source of leverage. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil and gas passed through the waterway. Disruptions there have affected international energy markets and created political difficulties for President Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections. The White House has said that American officials are engaged in constructive discussions with mediators regarding the conflict. It also said the United States is helping maintain significant oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. There was no immediate response from Gulf Arab governments. However, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press that Saudi Arabia remained doubtful about Iran's latest proposal. Proposal Similar to an Earlier Failed AgreementThe new plan, which Qatar presented to Washington, closely resembles an agreement reached in June, although the proposed timeline is much shorter. That earlier arrangement included a 60-day interim period but soon broke down after Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the strait. President Trump has indicated that he is not under pressure to reach an agreement, despite high oil prices contributing to inflation. In Iran, meanwhile, questions remain over whether powerful hard-line security officials would support compromises advocated by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi. Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, said Trump could become more flexible if he believes the proposal could provide political advantages before the midterm elections while also helping lower fuel prices. At the same time, Parsi pointed to significant mistrust, particularly concerns that Iran could use an agreement mainly to gain time to export more oil and reduce economic pressure. Diplomatic Contacts IncreaseThere have been additional indications that diplomatic efforts may be gaining momentum. Iranian President Pezeshkian met Qatar's prime minister early Friday. Qatar has played a central role in mediating between Iran and the United States, including during indirect discussions at the United Nations this week. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington would be willing to exchange ideas and messages if an opportunity arose. Nevertheless, repeated failures to reach an agreement have left both sides deeply suspicious of each other. The United States and Israel have attacked Iran twice while nuclear negotiations were underway, while Washington and Tehran have each accused the other of violating the June arrangement. Iran analyst Hamidreza Azizi of the International Crisis Group said Tehran may already believe Trump is unlikely to accept the proposal. He argued that Iran could be attempting to demonstrate that it was willing to pursue diplomacy, while portraying the United States as the side that disrupted negotiations through military action. Araghchi also said Friday that more than 5,000 people in Iran had been killed during the nearly seven-month U.S.-Israeli war. Uncertainty Over YemenThe proposed ceasefire would cover Lebanon, where Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have largely maintained a truce. It remains uncertain whether the arrangement would also address the renewed fighting involving Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia. Iran may believe that the Houthis' increased ability to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another major global shipping route, could increase pressure on Trump to accept an agreement. During the U.N. General Assembly, Araghchi met with his Saudi counterpart as Iranian officials held discussions with representatives of several countries involved in military confrontations with Tehran over the past year. The Saudi government reportedly remained skeptical of the latest proposal, particularly following increased Houthi attacks. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states had previously supported renewed negotiations during the summer. According to the person familiar with the discussions, they had been prepared to accept an arrangement allowing Iran a temporary role in managing the Strait of Hormuz. However, Saudi calculations changed after the Houthis captured strategic territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast and a major Saudi pipeline was attacked. Earlier in September, Gulf leaders were expected to meet in Oman to discuss a developing agreement between Oman and Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting was canceled after Saudi Arabia requested changes to the proposed arrangement. Iran accepted only some of those amendments. Divisions Emerge Within IranAlthough Iran's leadership has attempted to present a united front, disagreements have emerged over the country's approach to the war and negotiations. Some hard-line figures favor continuing or intensifying the conflict in an effort to obtain greater concessions from Washington. They have criticized Pezeshkian and Araghchi for pursuing diplomacy. Hard-line lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei criticized meetings with what he called the country's “aggressor enemy,” describing them as a sign of weakness. Iran's Assembly of Experts, the body of Shiite clerics responsible for appointing the supreme leader, declared that resistance remained the only option. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who previously served as a chief negotiator in talks with Washington, offered an unusually direct acknowledgment that Iran's leadership faces internal disagreement. He described one side as advocating war without providing a clear path to ending the conflict successfully, while another side risks underestimating Iran's own capabilities. Qalibaf warned that pursuing either extreme could damage the country — one by keeping Iran trapped in a continuing crisis and the other, in his view, by allowing national resources and dignity to be surrendered to its adversaries.

At least five people were killed and 31 others injured in Russian strikes targeting the Ukrainian capital on Friday, according to Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko. In a post on Telegram, Klitschko said one of the strikes hit an office building in the Solomianskyi district, killing four people, injuring seven others and sparking a fire in a nearby parking lot. A 14-year-old boy was killed in other strikes across the capital. The attacks damaged two multi-story apartment buildings, a healthcare facility and several non-residential structures, the mayor added. In the surrounding Kiev region, at least 11 civilian facilities were damaged in the strikes on Friday, according to regional governor Tymur Tkachenko. No casualties were reported in the region.

A powerful explosion collapsed an old two-story building and damaged neighboring structures in Athens' historic Plaka tourist district at the foot of the Acropolis on Friday morning, authorities said. At least three people were injured, including two female tourists rescued by firefighters from an adjacent building and hospitalized, and a passerby who sustained minor injuries. Police cordoned off the area as fire crews with sniffer dogs searched the rubble for missing occupants. According to resident Andreas Martzaklis and media reports, an elderly couple resided on the second floor, while three tourists were believed to be staying in a short-term rental unit in the collapsed building. The blast shattered all windows at the nearby First Greek Evangelical Church, forcing Pastor Giotis Kantartzis to announce outdoor Sunday services. Video footage showed street debris and smashed parked cars. While the exact cause remains unclear, local media suspect a gas leak triggered the explosion. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has criticized  diplomats who walked out of the U.N. General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium to deliver his address. In a post on social platform X, Waltz wrote, "Terrible to see all these ambassadors to the UN walk out on Israel". Comparing the incident to the previous day's session, he added, "Not nearly as many walked out on Iran yesterday – even after they machine gunned 40,000 of their own people". Dozens of foreign diplomats vacated their seats and exited the assembly hall as Netanyahu approached the speaker's stand. Waltz has previously pushed to shield Israel from international scrutiny, advocated for unconditional weapon deliveries, and dismissed human rights oversight as measures intended to undermine a U.S. ally. With inputs from Al Jazeera