South Korean President Lee Jae-myung used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to cast his nation’s modern history as evidence of the global body’s success and to call for renewed multilateral cooperation to confront a host of global challenges—from armed conflict to artificial intelligence. Lee also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s controversial stance of détente toward North Korea and to defend democratic gains at home following the removal of his predecessor.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas is demanding Palestinian reparations from the United Kingdom following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state.
Hamas applauded the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia on Sunday for their formal recognition of a Palestinian state, calling the move “an important step” and a reward for what it described as the Palestinian people’s resistance and struggle. In its statement, the organization praised the recognition as helping affirm Palestinians’ claims over land, holy sites, and their long‑held dream of independence, with Jerusalem as the capital.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued stark warnings Sunday, saying that by recognizing a Palestinian state, countries like the UK and France risk empowering radical Muslim minorities within their own borders. Bennett made the remarks ahead of a diplomatic push, led by France and Saudi Arabia, to recognize a Palestinian state during UN General Assembly gatherings.
The United Nations is facing sharp criticism after scheduling a Security Council meeting on the Gaza war during Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest Jewish holidays.
President Donald Trump says he had a “very productive” call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they touched on trade, fentanyl enforcement, the conflict in Ukraine, and the long‑standing TikTok ownership issue. Trump announced that he will visit China early next year, and that Xi will come to the U.S. “at an appropriate time.” He also said they plan to meet at the upcoming APEC Summit in South Korea.
