Wednesday briefing: Can Burnham seek a different path to Trump’s world order?
In today’s newsletter: The PM’s first face‑to‑face with the US president marks a fragile resetGood morning. In the early hours of Tuesday a plane carrying Andy Burnham, a handful of UK ministers, an excited group of British political journalists, and Burnham’s wife, Marie France, landed at a New York airport for one of Burnham’s first major outings as prime minister: a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump.Considering the president once described Burnham as the mayor of “a town,” and the prime minister once said Trump wouldn’t be welcome in said town (Manchester), the meeting yesterday afternoon went remarkably well.UN general assembly | Donald Trump has called on nations to unite to isolate Tehran and bring down global energy prices, as he gave a bellicose defence of his administration’s foreign policy and decision to strike Iran.The far right | Charities have condemned footage of a far-right activist using a blade to slash an inflatable dinghy in the Channel while a rescue worker was onboard, in a further escalation of organised anti-immigration protest.UK news | Children as young as 13 in the UK have been referred to a specialist clinic for a “devastating” bladder condition linked to sustained use of ketamine.West Bank | British banks and financial institutions are receiving warnings from MPs that they should not invest in Israel’s E1 settlement project.UK politics | Andy Burnham has opened the door to fighting the next election on the UK rejoining the EU, but said his immediate priority was continuing to rebuild bridges with European allies. Continue reading...
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UN chief says power has polarized the world and urges leaders to cooperate
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on global leaders to cooperate to address existential threats from the climate crisis, artificial intelligence, and rising inequality. • Guterres stated that most UN goals to end poverty and promote development will not be met by the 2030 deadline.
Read original · independent.co.uk
The IndependentUnited Nations chief Guterres says power has polarized the world
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged global leaders to cooperate to address existential threats from the climate crisis, artificial intelligence, and inequality. • Guterres warned that a huge geopolitical divide has created an environment of impunity where powerful countries ignore international law and the UN.
Read original · apnews.comOpening General Debate, Secretary-General Warns Power Must Be Governed by Law, Cooperation as Global ‘Fault Lines’ Widen
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the opening of the eighty-first session of the General Assembly in New York today to warn that global fault lines are widening. • Guterres highlighted a convergence of crises including the climate emergency, deepening geopolitical divides, and the rapid, unpredictable growth of artificial intelligence.
Read original · press.un.orgGuterres: ‘Cracks have become canyons’ as world faces four tests of power
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the General Assembly on Tuesday that humanity faces four critical tests regarding war, inequality, climate change, and AI. • Guterres described the lack of permanent African representation on the 15-member Security Council as unjust and indefensible.
Read original · news.un.org
UN NewsTrump defends military action against Iran, Venezuela, and calls for rebrand of AI
• President Donald Trump defended recent military actions against Iran and Venezuela during his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. • He stated that the U.S. faces a choice between reaching a deal with Iran or taking far more drastic steps.
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UN NewsUNGA 81: World leaders converge in New York as wars, climate and AI put multilateralism to the test
• World leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday for the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. • The diplomatic agenda focuses on critical global issues including wars, climate change, development, and emerging technologies.
Read original · aninews.inPhotos of world leaders confronting global crises at the U.N. General Assembly
• World leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly to address ongoing wars and global instability. • The agenda includes conflicts in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and Myanmar, alongside issues like climate change and economic turmoil.
Read original · apnews.comUN General Assembly: wars, UN reform, climate and AI dominate leaders' agenda - India Today
• World leaders are gathering at the United Nations General Assembly to address global conflicts, institutional reform, climate change, and the risks of artificial intelligence. • Financial shortages over the past 12 months have forced the organization to reduce funding for humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations.
Read original · indiatoday.in
India TodayDiplomats face a world in turmoil as UN opens annual meeting
• International leaders and diplomats arrived in New York on Tuesday for the United Nations annual meeting. • The gathering involves officials from 193 member states facing escalating wars in Europe and the Middle East.
Read original · pbs.org
PBSTrump’s threat to annihilate Iran to UN general assembly is stunning, even for him | Donald Trump
• Donald Trump threatened to annihilate Iran during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. • Members of the Cuban delegation walked out of the hall after Trump predicted the imminent collapse of Cuba's communist regime.
Read original · theguardian.comTrump praises NATO on 5% defence spending push: ‘Greater protection for them’
• Donald Trump praised NATO's push for member nations to increase their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product. • He described the spending increase as a major step toward strengthening the collective security of the alliance.
Read original · hindustantimes.comDiplomacy is the way to address global challenges, Brazil tells General Assembly
• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to prioritize diplomacy to resolve global challenges. • President Lula stated that the UN's credibility has been weakened by the paralysis of the Security Council and the frequent use of veto powers.
Read original · news.un.org
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