Vanuatu has filed a case with the International Court of Justice seeking sovereignty over two small Pacific islands controlled by France, reigniting a decades-old territorial dispute rooted in colonial history. The ICJ said proceedings will only begin if France consents to its jurisdiction, while far-right French politicians have used the case to attack the government.

Sep 1, 2026

World

UN General Assembly adopts resolution backing historic ICJ climate ruling

With 141 votes in favor, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice's ruling that climate change is an 'existential threat' and affirms states' legal obligation to prevent the crisis from worsening. The vote saw 8 countries opposed, including the United States, Russia, and Israel, while 28 abstained.

May 21, 2026