White House blocks CNN from Air Force One in latest escalation with news media

• Trump had a packed week of diplomacy amidst an ongoing war with Iran that he initiated alongside Israel on February 28. • The conflict with Iran is a clear example of the challenges he faces in his diplomatic efforts, with no clear resolution in sight.

• The 81st UNGA took place with diplomatic contacts on several fronts, although no major breakthroughs were achieved on the world's most difficult conflicts. • UN Secretary-General Guterres delivered his final General Assembly address, calling for reforms to global institutions, including the Security Council, and greater international cooperation.

• The United Nations is turning 80 years old, prompting questions about its effectiveness and relevance in the 21st century. • The institution faces mounting global crises, including conflicts, climate change, and humanitarian disasters, which have led to concerns about its dwindling authority.

• The 81st session of the UN General Assembly has begun, with the United Nations, at 81 years old, facing criticism for being unwieldy and in need of evolution. • The current system is shaped by superpower hegemony, which India's voice as a balancing power can help change by promoting a rules-based international order based on the UN Charter.

• A massive fire erupted at a warehouse in Zaragoza, Spain, destroying two properties and damaging another, according to recent reports. • The fire resulted in significant damage, with two properties completely destroyed and another one damaged, highlighting the severity of the incident.

• China's President Xi chose to meet with President Trump instead of attending a major United Nations event in New York, overshadowing the U.N.'s gathering. • The U.N. is facing criticism for its inability to prevent or end conflicts, with a representative, Mr. Rahman, acknowledging the need for reform.

• The United Nations held a week of diplomacy, discussing the Iran and Ukraine wars, and debating AI risks with industry leaders, but no major breakthroughs were achieved on the world's most intractable conflicts. • International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan described the UN as being in an "open-ended crisis" due to shrinking budgets and waning influence, although it may no longer be in "freefall".

• The United Nations plays a crucial role in maintaining open communication channels and providing humanitarian logistics, including moving food, staff, and planes into crisis-affected areas such as Gaza, Sudan, Colombia, and Venezuela. • The organization's efforts in humanitarian logistics have no substitute, highlighting its importance in addressing global crises.

Emergency teams discovered victims after two-storey building in historic Plaka district collapsed ‘in a matter of seconds’Greek authorities say they are trying to discover what caused a two-storey apartment block in the heart of ancient Athens to collapse “in a matter of seconds”, killing six people.Emergency teams found the victims, including four American tourists, on Saturday, more than 24 hours after an explosion prompted the early morning tragedy in the historic Plaka district. Continue reading...

Exclusive: UK prime minister says delivering fiscal stability would be ‘crucial’ to be able to fix bigger problemsAndy Burnham has said he can deliver on his promise of radical change for the country despite severe economic headwinds, telling the Guardian: “There’s always things you can do, it’s just whether you’re prepared to do them.”The prime minister acknowledged the public finances were “challenging” ahead of next month’s budget but said that delivering fiscal stability would be “crucial”, because only then would the government be able to focus on fixing bigger problems. Continue reading...

Alexander Millington-Cotes is concerned for welfare of the 82-year-old, who hasn’t been seen in public for two yearsThe stepson of Sir Ranulph Fiennes has launched a crowdfunder to pay for “specialist legal advice” in an attempt to locate the explorer, who hasn’t been seen in public for more than two years.Alexander Millington-Cotes, 31, has set a target of £55,000 for the fundraiser, to enable him to instruct lawyers to “locate and safeguard” Fiennes. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Policy initiative for England will help more young people on to property ladder, prime minister tells GuardianA new help-to-buy scheme aimed at giving first-time buyers who cannot rely on the “bank of mum and dad” is to be introduced in a big policy announcement by Andy Burnham.The programme, called “Your first home”, is intended to help buyers in England who have a regular income but have been unable to save for a large deposit or don’t have financial support from their family. Continue reading...