Leaders from around the world are gathering in New York for the latest session of the United Nations General Assembly, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, global security, trade, artificial intelligence, climate change and economic development dominating the agenda.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for renewed efforts to establish a Palestinian state and urged countries in the Gulf region to build a collective security architecture based on dialogue and trust.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Lavrov said the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical and warned that continued settlement expansion in the West Bank could undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
He also said Russia stands ready to contribute to regional stability and security initiatives in the Gulf.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Western countries of prolonging the war in Ukraine by continuing military support for Kyiv and attempting to isolate Russia.
Lavrov said Moscow's military operation remains aimed at protecting Russian security interests and claimed Western governments were undermining peace efforts.
He also criticised NATO's role in European security and argued that lasting peace can only be built on the principle that no country's security should come at the expense of another's
At the UNGA, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla rejected U.S. claims that Cuba poses a security threat.
Rodríguez argued that Cuba has consistently promoted international cooperation and peaceful dispute resolution, while accusing Washington of attempting to undermine Cuban sovereignty through economic and political pressure.
He reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to defending its independence while pursuing economic reforms and deeper international cooperation.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla used his UN General Assembly address to sharply criticise U.S. policy toward Cuba, accusing Washington of imposing an “energy blockade” and intensifying economic pressure on the island.
Rodríguez said U.S. restrictions have disrupted fuel supplies, trade, investment and access to essential goods, arguing that the measures amount to collective punishment against the Cuban people.
He called for the lifting of sanctions and said Cuba remains open to dialogue with the United States based on mutual respect and non-interference.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin called for renewed diplomacy to end ongoing conflicts, saying peace requires more than the mere absence of war.
The Vatican backed efforts toward an immediate and effective ceasefire in Ukraine, urging respect for international humanitarian law and a return to negotiations.
The Holy See also expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and violence in the West Bank, reiterating support for a two-state solution as the basis for a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin warned that powerful new technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons, must remain under human control.
The Holy See said AI should serve humanity rather than a select group of actors and stressed that accountability for decisions in warfare can never be delegated entirely to machines.
Parolin also called for stronger protections for civilians and safeguards against a new arms race driven by emerging technologies.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said Moldova had faced Russian interference, including disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, illicit financing and vote-buying attempts.
Despite these pressures, Tofan said Moldovans had chosen a European future, describing EU integration as the country's national project.
He said Moldova's ambition is to anchor itself firmly within the European family through democracy, prosperity and peace, while maintaining strong ties with both Europe and the United States.
Addressing the impact of the war in neighbouring Ukraine, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan warned against becoming accustomed to daily violations of sovereignty and security.
He said Russian drones have repeatedly entered Moldovan airspace and stressed that Moldova supports Ukraine because the outcome of the war will have consequences far beyond the region.
Tofan called for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region and reaffirmed his country's commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity and a peaceful resolution of disputes.
“Moldova may never be a great power, but it has everything it takes to be a great country,” he said.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Cabo Verde Prime Minister Francisco Avelino Vieira de Carvalho called for reforms to make the United Nations more representative, effective and transparent.
He backed Security Council reform and argued that Africa remains underrepresented in global decision-making despite accounting for nearly a quarter of UN member states.
Cabo Verde Prime Minister Vieira de Carvalho said climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality for small island nations.
Highlighting drought, desertification, water scarcity, ocean acidification and rising sea levels, he pointed to recent flooding on the island of Sal as an example of the growing impact of climate change.
He called for greater climate justice, arguing that countries that contributed least to global emissions should not bear the heaviest consequences.
Cabo Verde also highlighted its efforts in climate mobility and ocean governance, saying that protecting the oceans is essential to the survival and development of island nations.
Belize used its UNGA address to endorse Caribbean Community (CARICOM) candidate Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana for the next UN Secretary-General.
Prime Minister John Briceno said the United Nations needs stronger representation for small and vulnerable states and argued that the next secretary-general should be able to lead an institution facing growing global challenges.
Belize described Rodrigues-Birkett as a candidate with the experience needed to guide the UN through a period of geopolitical tension and institutional reform.
At the UN General Assembly, Belize's Prime Minister, John Briceno, accused Guatemala of breaching international law after a Guatemalan military aircraft allegedly entered Belizean airspace and disabled its transponder during a September incident.
The prime minister said the incursion was part of a broader pattern of actions linked to the long-running territorial dispute between the two countries, which is currently before the International Court of Justice.
Belize called on Guatemala to halt all air, land and sea incursions and urged greater monitoring by the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) ahead of a scheduled ICJ hearing in 2027.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, China's Vice President, Han Zheng, urged countries to prioritise peace, dialogue and multilateral cooperation in addressing international crises.
The Chinese leader called for the protection of the UN-centred international order and warned against Cold War-style confrontation and unilateral military actions.
He reiterated Beijing's support for a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine and reaffirmed China's backing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
China also called for post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza under Palestinian governance and stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and security of countries across the Middle East, including Gulf states.
Vice President of China, Han Zheng, used the UNGA platform to advocate for a people-centred approach to artificial intelligence and renewed support for multilateral governance.
Zheng said AI should be developed for the benefit of humanity and used to narrow, rather than widen, the global digital divide. He called for international cooperation to ensure technological advances support inclusive development and shared prosperity.
More broadly, he argued that all countries, regardless of size, should have an equal voice in global affairs and that challenges should be addressed through consultation and cooperation.
At the UN General Assembly, China's Vice President, Han Zheng, urged world leaders to focus on development, poverty reduction and economic cooperation, warning that protectionism and supply chain disruptions threaten global prosperity.
He called for increased investment in food security, energy transition and development financing, particularly for countries in the Global South. The Vice President said developed nations should fulfil their commitments on development and climate funding and help shape a post-2030 global development agenda.
Beijing also argued that “decoupling”, trade barriers and supply chain restrictions produce no winners, stressing the need to defend the WTO-centred trading system and maintain an open global economy. He said economic globalisation should remain inclusive and beneficial for all countries.
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Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
A Norwegian teenager recruited by a Swedish criminal network to carry out a contract killing in Britain has been sentenced to 20 years’ detention after police uncovered the murder plot.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Romanian rescuers resumed their search for seven missing sailors on Friday (16 October) after a drone strike set a chemical tanker ablaze near the country’s Black Sea coast. The attacks have raised fresh security concerns along a vital regional trade route.
Students, lecturers and university staff marched on Argentina’s Congress in Buenos Aires on Thursday to demand President Javier Milei’s government implement a university funding law which would boost staff salaries and increase financial support to institutions to cover operating costs
A 16-year-old shooter opened fire on Thursday at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon in the United States, killing four people, including three children, before being killed by an armed member of the community who had pursued the assailant into the school, police said.
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