The US government has announced significant cuts in its United Nations budget obligations for 2018-2019 in what will be interpreted as a further ratcheting up of pressure from the Trump administration looking to bend decision-making at the international body to its will. Just three weeks after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and begin preparations to move the US Embassy there, more than 10 countries are considering the same move. Meanwhile on Monday, singer Lorde has cancelled a planned performance in the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv, following backlash from supporters of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.