UN Security Council to vote today on Palestinian UN membership, say diplomats

NEW YORK, April 18 — The United Nations Security Council is due to vote today on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership, diplomats said, a move that Israel ally the United States is expected to block because it would effectively recognize a Palestinian state.

The 15-member council had initially been scheduled to vote on the measure tomorrow. It will now vote at 5pm EDT (5am Friday Malaysian time) today, the diplomats said. — Reuters