Leeds went into the fixture having not scored in any of their past four league games. They had not netted with any of their past 64 shots.
But five minutes was all it took for Switzerland winger Okafor to net the opener with a smart first-time finish – their first league goal in 51 days.
He then doubled their lead in the 29th minute when his effort took a deflection off Leny Yoro on its way past Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
“To every player, every staff member that is with us, it’s a big compliment because we were fighting to the end and we deserved the three points,” Okafor told Sky Sports after helping end his club’s six-game winless league run.
Leeds will hope the victory will be the wind in their sails as they look to add to their points tally when hosting bottom side Wolves on Saturday, 18 April (15:00 BST).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, their top scorer with 10 goals, said as much after the game.
“It’s important we don’t read too much into the external noise and continue to focus on what’s in front of us,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s easy to come here and make history, but it doesn’t matter come the end of the season when the points tallies are in. That’s all we’re focused on.
“One game after another – making sure that we stay in the Premier League.”
His manager Farke echoed Calvert-Lewin’s sentiments.
“We have to stay humble,” he said. “We are not perfect. We are not the finished, end product. We are on a good path, on the way to achieving something really positive this season.”
After the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on 26 April, they will face fellow relegation candidates Burnley, Tottenham and West Ham in their final four games of the season.
And both extremely low and high levels of blood sugar can have negative and sometimes life-threatening consequences to your health.
Following an overnight fast, blood sugar readings under 100 milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood are considered to be normal, while those above 126 milligrams suggest a patient may have prediabetes or diabetes, according to the American Heart Association, leaving them at an increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
People can ensure their levels are in a normal range by cutting back on sugar in their diet and eating healthier sources of sugar. But which is more important to focus on, sugar or caloric intake?
Cutting back or upping your sugar intake is important in the short-term while calories have more long-term significance, registered dietitian Brittany Poulson explained Monday in VeryWell Health.
Healthy blood sugar levels are critical to stave off disease, according to experts. But does paying attention to calories or sugar matter more? (Getty)
“It is not an either-or situation,” she said.
“Sugar affects your blood sugar in the short-term, while calories influence your metabolic health over time. Focusing on only one can lead to missed opportunities for better control,” said Poulson.
To best protect their health people should pay attention to what they eat and when.
If left untreated, it can lead to kidney disease, heart disease and nerve damage.
Symptoms may include blurred vision, frequent urination, thirstiness, headaches and feeling tired, the National Library of Medicine says.
If you already know you may suffer from high blood sugar forgo sources of added sugars such as soda, cakes, sweetened cereals and white breads.
Pairing carbohydrates with protein or healthy fats can also slow down how fast the body absorbs sugar. That can mean adding a side of egg whites with toast or peanut butter with apple slices.
Carbohydrates that are high in fiber act similarly, so eating more sweet potatoes, oats and beans can help.
But overall eating patterns matter more than any single food, said Poulson.
So be mindful of portion sizes and fine-tune in a way that works for you. If need be, check your blood sugar levels using a glucose meter.
“Over time, small adjustments can lead to more stable blood sugar and greater confidence in your food choices,” she said.
Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar can be caused by missing a meal, being more physically active than normal, drinking alcohol and taking too much insulin or other diabetes medication, according to the CDC.
That can lead to shaking, sweating, dizziness, hunger and confusion, the National Library of Medicine explains.
To raise blood sugar levels, the agency recommends eating 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates – such as jelly beans and maple syrup – and waiting 15 minutes to recheck your blood sugar levels. It’s known as the 15-15 rule.
“If it’s still less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, repeat this process,” the agency says.
If blood sugar levels drop below 55 milligrams per deciliter, they are considered to be severely low and leave people at risk of seizures.
“You may not be able to treat it using the 15-15 rule. You also may not be able to check your own blood sugar or treat it by yourself, depending on your symptoms. Injectable glucagon is the best way to treat severely low blood sugar,” the CDC says.
Just a two-minute walk is enough to quickly reduce blood sugar levels, according to researchers (AFP/Getty)
A two-minute fix
But it’s not just diet that can mess with blood sugar.
Be aware that some peoples’ blood sugar may rise when not getting the recommended seven hours of sleep a night, when dehydrated, when drinking caffeine, when skipping a meal or when sunburned, according to the CDC.
Even the time of day can be a factor.
An early-morning surge in hormones can lead to a blood sugar spike and it can be harder to control blood sugar later in the day.
Getting regular exercise can lower blood sugar up to 24 hours or more after your workout by making your body more sensitive to insulin, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Parents are embracing ‘lazy parenting,’ a strategy that involves stepping back to foster independence in children. This approach encourages kids to tackle small challenges, solve problems, and learn from mistakes, building resilience and responsibility. It’s about mindful guidance, not neglect, allowing children to grow through everyday experiences and reducing parental pressure.
The word “lazy” usually carries a hint of guilt. It brings to mind undone chores, missed deadlines, and a lack of effort. So when the idea of “lazy parenting” began to circulate online, it raised eyebrows. Can parenting, one of the most demanding roles, ever be “lazy”? Or is this term simply misunderstood?The truth sits somewhere in between. What looks like laziness on the surface is often a quiet shift in how parents choose to guide their children. It is less about doing nothing and more about doing less of what does not matter, so that children learn to do more for themselves.
What ‘lazy parenting’ actually means
Despite the name, lazy parenting is not about neglect or indifference. It is about stepping back at the right moments. Instead of jumping in to fix every small problem, parents allow children to try, fail, and figure things out.It means not rushing to tie a child’s shoelaces when they can try. It means letting them solve small disagreements with siblings. It also means resisting the urge to constantly entertain them.At its core, this approach trusts the child’s ability to grow through everyday experiences. It replaces control with quiet guidance.
Why many parents are drawn to it
Modern parenting often feels like a race. There are packed schedules, constant supervision, and a pressure to “do everything right.” Over time, this can leave both parents and children feeling tired.Lazy parenting offers a pause. It reminds families that not every moment needs to be managed. Children do not need to be directed every minute of the day to learn or feel loved.Many parents find that when they step back, their children step up. Simple tasks become opportunities for independence, and daily life feels less rushed.
When balanced with warmth and guidance, it can support a calmer and more confident family environment.
How it can help children grow
Children learn best when they are allowed to experience small struggles. When everything is done for them, they miss out on building confidence.A child who packs their own school bag may forget a notebook once. But the next time, they remember. That small mistake becomes a lesson that sticks.This approach also encourages problem-solving. Instead of waiting for answers, children begin to think for themselves. Over time, this builds resilience, patience, and a sense of responsibility.
Where it can go wrong
There is a thin line between stepping back and being uninvolved. Lazy parenting works only when there is still emotional presence and support.If a child feels ignored or unsupported, the approach loses its value. Children still need boundaries, warmth, and guidance. They need to know someone is watching, even if that person is not stepping in right away.So the idea is not to withdraw, but to choose involvement carefully. Be present, but not overpowering.
Small ways to practice it at home
This style does not require big changes. It begins with small, everyday choices.Let children dress themselves, even if the outfit looks mismatched. Allow boredom to exist instead of filling every gap with screens or activities. Give them time to complete tasks, even if it takes longer.These moments may feel slow at first, but they often lead to stronger habits over time. The goal is not perfection, but growth.
So, is it enough to raise a happy family?
Lazy parenting is not a complete formula. No single approach is. But it can be a helpful piece of the puzzle.A happy family is built on connection, trust, and understanding. This approach supports those values by giving children space while keeping emotional bonds strong.In the end, it is not about doing less for the sake of it. It is about doing what truly matters, and letting go of the rest.Disclaimer: This article is for general awareness and does not replace professional parenting advice. Every child and family situation is different. Parents are encouraged to adapt approaches based on their child’s needs and consult a qualified expert if they have concerns.
The NBA playoffs are underway, with the Play-In tournament starting tomorrow. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the heavy favorite to repeat as champions. Colin Cowherd asks if the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, or anyone else can stop the Thunder.
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Mike Breen, the New York Knicks’ play-by-play announcer and star NBA voice with ESPN, is not happy with a key league move heading into the NBA Playoffs.
And he didn’t hold back his frustrations during the Knicks’ regular-season finale on Sunday night.
For the first time in NBA history, all local network broadcasts are being pushed out of the playoffs for nationally televised games. Those networks paid a premium to air the playoffs, but the league had always allowed the local home broadcast to be aired as well as the national TV spots in previous seasons.
ESPN play-by-play sports commentator Mike Breen looks on prior to the game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on Feb. 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 110-107.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Breen, alongside his longtime partner, Knicks great Walt “Clyde” Frazier, ripped the league’s decision on the final day of his broadcasting duties for the Eastern Conference squad.
“First time ever that no longer can the home team announcers and broadcasters televise the first round,” Breen mentioned during the 110-96 loss to the Charlotte Hornets while broadcasting on MSG.
“The entire playoffs are exclusive to national TV broadcasters. I mentioned this earlier this season. I think, personally, Clyde, it’s a poor decision. Fans want to hear their home team announcers, at least in the first round. For so many of us, they become part of the family.”
Breen added that he understands “the networks pay a fortune for exclusivity,” granted he works for one of those networks on ESPN.
“But fans deserve to be thrown a bone once in a while in terms of letting the home team have a little bit of the first round,” he continued.
The NBA reached a whopping $76 billion broadcast rights deal that kicked in at the start of this season, and it will last for the next 11 seasons. Like other pro sports leagues, the deal is carved out across various platforms, both long-standing networks and streaming.
ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen calls the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 17, 2024.(Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
While the NBA got together the deal it liked with Disney, Amazon and NBCUniversal, Breen hopes it would consider working something out to get local broadcasters back into the fold for the playoffs.
However, he knows how the business is at the end of the day.
“Somehow, if there’s any way they can work out some kind of compromise, I’m not hopeful for that, but it would be wonderful to have it because this is our final telecast of the season,” Breen said.
Breen, now, will focus on his ESPN duties as the lead commentator for the “Worldwide Leader” on the court. His famous “Bang!” call on clutch three-pointers has been synonymous with the biggest moments in the NBA Playoffs for years now, and that will get started very soon as teams in both the East and West gun for their shot at the Larry O’Brien Trophy and to call themselves NBA Finals champions.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning Finals champs, are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference once again, while teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers will battle them to be crowned conference champions.
Mike Breen looks on before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers during Round 2 Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.(Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)
In the East, Breen’s Knicks own the No. 3 seed, while the Detroit Pistons (No. 1) and Boston Celtics (No. 2) had successful regular-season campaigns to earn a top spot heading into the playoffs.
The Play-In Tournament will be the first games for the NBA Playoffs, which will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Then, the first round will split its tipoffs on NBC/Peacock, Prime Video and ESPN.
Contrary to popular belief, simply blowing a fan out a window may not effectively cool a room. Research indicates that directing airflow inward can create a more beneficial “cup effect” for air circulation and evaporative cooling.
Who hasn’t been there when it’s a scorching hot summer day, standing in front of a single box fan, trying to determine whether it’s actually cooling off the room? The old adage goes like this: when it’s stifling, set up the fan facing the window, and “blow” the heat out of the room. Doesn’t that sound simple enough? You are actually pushing the heat out of the room. Except, if you have done it and are drenched after ten minutes, the physics involved aren’t as straightforward as they seem.Air movement is not only about air itself but about the management of pressure and temperature zones. The principle of directing an airflow outwards is widely acknowledged, but its effectiveness heavily relies upon the external environment. Knowing how to manage these invisible streams of air will help create a cosy atmosphere in your bedroom without even using your thermostat.Negative pressure and “Cup effect”In the attempt to direct a fan outwards, one creates a sort of vacuum or, rather, negative pressure. When exhausting indoor air, the room is forced to draw air in again, which becomes effective when there is another window opened in a different area of the building that offers more shade.However, there is a catch. In a study titledAn Improved FFR Design with a Ventilation Fan: CFD Simulation and Validation, researchers used computational fluid dynamics to show how fan orientation changes the way air “hugs” a space. They found that fans blowing inward tend to create a cup-shaped airflow pattern. This pattern is often more effective at circulating air throughout the entire volume of a room, rather than just pulling a narrow stream of air toward a window.With fans blowing from the interior, the wind movement helps with heat transfer and speeds up the evaporation process in order to cool you down. On the other hand, if the fan blows outwards, it will exhaust some of the hot air, but you do not get that breeze or the “wind chill” effect that makes a warm day bearable.Strategies for dealing with warm, humid conditionsThis technique is bound to fail in humid environments, where replacing indoor air with outdoor air is not always enough. In cases where the temperature outside is, for example, 35°C, bringing in fresh air to replace the 32°C air indoors is futile.Research featured in the paper Airflow utilization in buildings in hot and humid areas of China highlights that in these specific environments, the goal should be “convective cooling.” This means you need high-velocity air moving directly over your skin to encourage evaporation. In these cases, having the fan blow inward, directly at the occupants, is almost always the superior choice. The study suggests that focusing on the “perceived” temperature through air movement is often more effective than trying to lower the actual thermometer reading of the room.
For humid conditions, high-velocity air directly on skin is key, and strategic fan placement utilizing the “stack effect” can enhance DIY ventilation.
Timing is essential for optimal DIY ventilation. During the heat of the day, use a fan to draw air into the building through your coldest and shadiest window opening. As soon as evening falls and temperatures outdoors fall below those indoors, it’s time to try cross ventilation. One fan draws cool air into the home through one end of the house while another exhausts warm air out the other end of the house for an instant high-speed tunnel effect to eliminate all day heat in minutes.Increasing your DIY ventilation effectIf you want to make your fans more effective, you should plan your route of airflow in advance. You lose effectiveness if there is dust build-up on the blades of the fan or on the window screen. Additionally, it’s best to place the intake fan where it is shielded by trees or an overhang to prevent drawing in any more heat from the outside environment.You could utilise your window height to the fullest potential. The hot air rises, so install a vent fan at the higher window and open a slightly lower window on the other end of your house. This stack effect will help the buoyant air push itself upwards to be exhausted first. Instead of thinking about your house as just another structure, imagine it as something that has to breathe in summer!
United States White House economists estimate the US has a shortage of 10 million houses, and say regulatory cuts could lead to more construction to stabilise prices, increase home ownership, and fuel faster economic growth.
The analysis, published in a new report on Monday, outlines both a political risk and a messaging opportunity for US President Donald Trump, whose public approval has slumped because of concerns about his tariffs, the US-Israel war on Iran, and his unfulfilled promises to slash inflation and unleash stronger growth.
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Trump signed two executive orders in March directing federal agencies to reduce housing regulatory burdens and make it easier for smaller banks to provide mortgages. But he has been slow to take other steps that would show that high housing costs are a top priority for his administration.
Meanwhile, the US-Israel war on Iran has driven up the cost of buying homes, with average rates for 30-year mortgages jumping from just under 6 percent to 6.37 percent.
Trump also has argued in favour of keeping home prices high to protect values for existing owners. “I don’t want to drive housing prices down,” Trump told his Cabinet earlier this year. “I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes, and they can be assured that’s what’s going to happen.”
The housing chapter of the annual Economic Report of the President, obtained by The Associated Press before its release, lays out a blueprint for how more home construction would help the middle class and the overall economy, setting up an argument that Trump could make to voters.
Put together by staff at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, it finds there would be 10 million more houses in the country if “homebuilding and the growth of the single-family housing stock had continued at their historical pace instead of falling dramatically” after the 2008 global financial crisis.
That crisis was caused largely by a wave of defaults in the housing market, where prices had been fuelled by problematic lending practices.
The analysis notes that home prices have risen 82 percent since 2000, while incomes are up just 12 percent — a mismatch that had been masked for a period by historically low mortgage rates.
But when rates jumped with inflation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, monthly mortgage costs also rose for buyers, and affording a home, a signifier of middle-class status, became a top concern for voters under 40.
The White House maintains that the executive orders in March, in addition to the plans to purchase mortgage-backed securities, show that the president is focused on housing issues.
Regulations
The report says that various regulations on home construction, which it calls “the bureaucrat tax”, add more than $100,000 in costs to building. That cost includes changing the building codes over the past decade, compliance costs and zoning approval fees, among other expenses.
By the report’s estimates, a reduction in those regulatory costs could help spur construction of as many as 13.2 million homes. That could add on average 1.3 percentage points to annual economic growth over the next decade and support two million manufacturing and construction jobs, it argues.
Trump could decide to make federal funding to state and local governments contingent on reducing some of the regulations, according to an administration official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the report before its release.
The report also attacks the green energy housing standards introduced during the administration of former US President Joe Biden as a factor in increasing construction costs. Those steps gave preferences for more efficient air conditioning units and water heaters as well as higher standards for the related ductwork.
But getting rid of some of those requirements could increase other costs for homeowners over the long run, such as utility bills.
The report relies on a 2021 analysis by the National Association of Home Builders that says the standards could add up to $31,000 to the price of a new home, while it could take as many as 90 years for a homebuyer “to realise a payback on the added cost of the home”.
It is not clear how much savings would occur from rolling back Biden-era housing standards because of existing legal challenges regarding their enforcement and different practices by states. In March, a federal judge in the US state of Texas agreed with 15 states led by Republicans that said the standards for federally backed housing were unlawful.
Michael Carrick suffered just a second defeat since taking charge in January, and his first on home soil, as the Red Devils’ Champions League charge took a hit against the relegation-battling FA Cup semifinalists.
Okafor sparked even wilder scenes than during last weekend’s quarterfinal triumph at West Ham as he overcame a knock to seal Leeds a memorable, and potentially vital, 2-1 victory at 10-man Man United.
Not since Jermaine Beckford struck in the FA Cup third round in 2010 had the Whites won at Old Trafford, and you have to go back to Brian Flynn’s goal back in 1981 to find their last league victory on enemy turf.
Okafor’s first-half double proved decisive at Old Trafford, where Lisandro Martínez stopped Ao Tanaka making things worse with an exceptional last-ditch challenge before boos greeted the halftime whistle.
The United defender would see red early in the second period after the VAR spotted him tugging Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s hair, but Carrick’s side showed spirit until the end.
Casemiro‘s thumping header set up a nervy conclusion and Calvert-Lewin produced a pivotal pair of late blocks as the hosts came up empty-handed against their elated rivals.
Stocks recovered from an earlier drop on Monday amid investor hopes that the U.S. and Iran could ease tensions despite an American military blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
Stocks rebounded throughout the day after opening in the red. The S&P 500 rose 69 points, or 1%, to close at 6,886, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 302 points, or 0.6%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.2%.
Oil prices also fell after trading above $100 a barrel most of the day. The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 3.1%, or $2.96, to $98.16 a barrel, according to Oilprice.com. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, increased 1.3%, or $1.25, to $97.82 a barrel.
Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply, has been significantly curtailed since the war began in late February. In April, an average of about 10 ships passed through the Strait each day, far below the roughly 129 ships that traveled through the waterway in the month before the war, marine transit data shows.
Despite the blockade, Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott, told CBS News that investors continue to assume that the sides will soon find an off-ramp and avoid further escalation.
“I think investors realize that this is probably a little bit more brinkmanship than necessarily the start of a significant re-escalation of the war, given the fact that we’re still theoretically in the midst of this two-week ceasefire in which negotiations still have a chance of coming back together,” he said.
Officials told CBS News Monday there is continued engagement between the U.S. delegation and Iran’s leaders, with one noting there’s “forward motion on trying to get to an agreement.”
Dr. Namrata Vijayvergia discusses a new study indicating a lower cancer risk for married adults due to social support and healthier lifestyles and the correlation between gardening and cognitive health.
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Anemia, a common blood disorder, may be a major risk factor for developing cancer.
That’s according to new research from Sweden, which sought to discover whether newly developed anemia is an early warning sign of cancer or death from any cause.
The study, published in BMJ Journals, looked at registry data from more than 380,000 Swedish adults – half were people with new-onset anemia and the other half were the same age and gender, but did not have anemia.
All participants were over 18 years old and cancer-free at the start of the study.
The results showed that people with incident anemia – new cases occurring over a specific period – had a significantly higher chance of being diagnosed with cancer, especially in the first three months, according to a press release. This included 6.2% of men and 2.8% of women.
Anemia, a common blood disorder, may be a major risk factor for developing cancer.(iStock)
Individuals with anemia also had a much higher chance of death during the 18-month follow-up.
Specific types of anemia were individually linked to disease progression and mortality, the researchers discovered.
Microcytic anemia – where the red blood cells are smaller than normal – was more frequently linked to cancer, especially types of disease that impact the digestive system and the blood.
Macrocytic anemia, a type of anemia where the red blood cells are larger than normal, was more strongly linked to overall mortality than cancer.
The researchers concluded in the study that new-onset anemia is a “strong and sustained risk marker” for both incident cancer and all-cause mortality.(iStock)
The researchers concluded in the study that new-onset anemia is a “strong and sustained risk marker” for both incident cancer and all-cause mortality.
Lead study author Elinor Nemlander, researcher at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society at the Karolinska Institutet, commented on the findings in a press release from the Swedish medical university.
“We found that both the risk of cancer and the risk of death are highest during the first months after anemia is detected, but that the increased risk persists later during follow-up as well,” she said. “Our findings suggest that anemia may be a sign of underlying disease rather than a condition in its own right.”
Specific types of anemia were individually linked to disease progression and mortality, the researchers discovered.(iStock)
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Nemlander noted that measures like red blood cell size are already “routinely available” in primary care, and that the study highlights how this existing data can be used to identify early risk.
“At the same time, the elevated risks persist over time, underscoring the need for structured follow-up and clear plans for continued evaluation, even when cancer is not initially identified,” she said.
As the study was observational, it shows an association, but does not prove that anemia causes cancer or death.
The research also did not measure for all causes of anemia, including alcohol use, malnutrition, chronic liver disease, inflammatory conditions and gynecological blood loss.
“Some of the results may also be influenced by who gets tested, underlying illnesses and differences in how anemia is evaluated in different healthcare settings,” Nemlander added.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
Western democracies, including the UK, France, Canada and Australia, are facing backlash after allowing Iran and other authoritarian regimes to secure seats on influential United Nations (U.N.) bodies, with the United States standing alone in opposition.
The controversy stems from decisions by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a 54-member body that plays a central role in shaping U.N. policy and staffing key committees.
Critics warn the outcome could allow governments accused of human rights abuses to influence global policy and control which civil society groups are granted access to the United Nations.
Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution to unblock the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting on Iran and the Middle East at U.N. headquarters in New York on April 7, 2026. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
ECOSOC nominated the Islamic Republic of Iran to the U.N.’s Committee for Program and Coordination Wednesday, a body that helps shape policy on human rights, women’s rights, disarmament and counterterrorism.
The nomination is widely expected to be finalized, as the United Nations General Assembly typically approves such recommendations without a vote.
At the same session, ECOSOC elected China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, which oversees accreditation and access for thousands of NGOs operating within the U.N. system.
The United States was the only member state to formally break from consensus.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Feb. 28, 2026.(Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
In remarks delivered April 8, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Ambassador Dan Negrea said the U.S. “disassociates from consensus” on both decisions, calling several of the countries involved unfit for such roles.
“The regime threatens its neighbors and has, for decades, infringed on the Iranian people’s ability to exercise their basic human rights,” Negrea said, adding that “we believe Iran is unfit to serve” on the committee.
The decision drew sharp criticism from UN Watch, a Geneva-based watchdog group.
Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital: “By their cynical actions at the UN, major Western states have betrayed their own human rights principles, severely undermining the rules-based international order that they claim to support.”
“We note that the EU states clearly had another option. They did take action in recent years to stop Russia from getting elected to similar bodies, and so we deeply regret that they failed to do the same now to stop the election of serial violators such as Iran, China, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.”
“We salute the United States for their moral clarity and leadership in objecting to the election of the Islamic Republic of Iran and other brutal regimes.”
Neuer warned the composition of the NGO committee could allow authoritarian governments to influence which organizations are accredited, potentially sidelining independent human rights groups.
“This means dictatorships will have a majority on the committee in order to deny United Nations accreditation to independent organizations that call out their human rights violations, and to accredit more fake front groups created by the regimes,” he said.
Israel’s mission to the United Nations also pointed to political tensions surrounding the vote, saying Iran attempted to challenge Israel’s candidacy during the same ECOSOC session.
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani attends a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S. Feb. 28, 2026.(Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
Israel was elected to several U.N. bodies, according to the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, including the Commission on the Status of Women and the NGO Committee, despite opposition.
“Iran also tried to turn the elections at the UN into an arena for incitement against Israel and failed,” Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said. “Those who oppress women and trample on human rights in their own country will not teach us what women’s rights are.”
Ahead of the vote, around 70 civil society groups warned that countries with poor human rights records could secure seats on key oversight bodies, but the elections proceeded without a formal vote, a process known as approval “by acclamation.”
Critics argue that this procedure allows controversial candidates to secure influential roles with limited transparency or accountability.
The developments are likely to intensify scrutiny over how U.N. bodies are staffed and whether political considerations are outweighing human rights concerns.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S. Feb. 28, 2026.(Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
Fox News Digital reached out to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and U.S. mission for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations declined to comment.
Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to [email protected].
