live Ukraine-Russia war: Sweden, Finland scramble jets to intercept Russian aircraft
Finland and Sweden deployed fighter aircraft on Thursday after a group of Russian military planes was detected over the Gulf of Finland, the Finnis...
The U.S. Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marking President Trump’s first Cabinet appointment of his second term.
On Monday, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marking a significant moment in President Donald Trump’s second term. The confirmation vote was 99-0, following a smooth confirmation hearing for Rubio, a long-term member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees.
Marco Rubio’s confirmation makes him the first of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees to be approved by the Senate. The vote came just hours after Trump was sworn in for a second term as President of the United States.
At 53 years old, Rubio is known for his strong stance on China and unwavering support for Israel. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has been vocal about reducing U.S. reliance on China and has advocated for tougher measures against the Communist-ruled island, as well as Venezuela, particularly in relation to its government under President Nicolás Maduro.
In his confirmation hearing, Rubio emphasized the need for a U.S. foreign policy focused on American interests. He warned that the U.S. must change course to avoid further dependence on China.
During his testimony, Rubio also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine. He proposed that an agreement to halt the conflict would require concessions from both Russia and Ukraine, including Ukraine’s potential sacrifice of its goal to reclaim all territory lost to Russia in the last decade.
Rubio is the first person of Hispanic origin to serve as the nation's top diplomat, making history in this prominent role.Additional votes on Trump’s nominees are expected this week, as the administration continues to move forward with its appointments.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low on Thursday, as Iran reiterated that it will neither enter into new negotiations with the United States nor re-open the Strait as long as its conditions are not met, despite recent indirect talks in New York mediated by Qatar.
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
The 81st UN General Assembly continues in New York on Wednesday, with another day of high-level speeches and diplomatic meetings. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and international cooperation remain at the centre of discussions.
The 81st UN General Assembly has wrapped up its third day in New York on Thursday, with world leaders delivering high-level speeches and holding diplomatic meetings.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold an urgent high-level meeting under a joint defence pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The meeting comes as Tehran seeks to distance itself from the rapid advance of its Houthi allies.
Finland and Sweden deployed fighter aircraft on Thursday after a group of Russian military planes was detected over the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish Air Force reported on Friday (25 September).
The Middle East arrived at the United Nations this week with the consequences of a war that is no longer contained to one front. From Israel and Iran to Syria and Yemen, leaders have used the General Assembly to set out competing positions on the situation in the region.
Here’s your AnewZ Daily Brief for 25 September 2026, with five key developments from the third day of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Xi Jinping touched down at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday evening to a welcome that was fairly unprecedented. President Donald Trump was there on the tarmac to greet him personally, which is something no sitting U.S. president had done for a visiting foreign leader in six decades.
The U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a resolution on Thursday that would have required President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran or seek congressional authorisation, as Democrats sought to put Republicans on the record over the increasingly unpopular conflict ahead of November's midterm elections.
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