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Analysis of cinnamon on EU market reveals fraud and potential safety issues

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Analysis of cinnamon on EU market reveals fraud and potential safety issues

Scientists at the European Commission tested over 100 cinnamon samples from retailers in 10 EU countries, in the UK, Serbia and Sri Lanka. They found that over 66% of the samples failed to meet international quality standards, did not comply with EU food safety rules or suspected of fraud.

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Secret Service Discovers Massive Underground SIM Operation Targeting NYC’s Digital Backbone

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The discovery reads like something from a cyber-thriller, but it’s disturbingly real. Federal agents have uncovered a sophisticated

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Simplification: Council approves ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on chemicals to provide legal certainty to businesses

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Simplification: Council approves ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on chemicals to provide legal certainty to businesses

Council agrees position on the ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on requirements and procedures for chemical products.

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The echoes of the Gaza War dominate the United Nations rooms, from the assembly podium to the Council Chamber

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Secretary General António Guterres informed The Ministers of the Council of Humanitarian and Political Dimensions of the Conflict, describing it as “one of the darkest chapters of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.

Almost two years after Hamas’ attacks and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel – which killed more than 1,200 Israeli civilians, including foreign nationals, and has taken more than 250 hostages – and the response of the Israeli army that followed, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

More than 60,000 gasans were killed and tens of thousands of others injured. Houses, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure reside in ruins, while nearly 1.9 million people – around 90% of the population – were moved several times.

Violence and instability spread beyond Gaza, threatening to further destabilize the region.

Qatar prevents regional consequences

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, addresses the general debate of the 80th session of the General Assembly.

At the general assembly, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir du Qatar, underlined the larger regional consequences.

He condemned a recent Israeli strike in Doha targeting a delegation of negotiation of Hamas, calling him a violation of the sovereignty of Qatar and “an act of state terrorism”.

Sheikh Tamim has warned that such actions “undermine all diplomatic efforts to end the genocide against the inhabitants of Gaza”, stressing the importance of mediation coordinated with Egypt and the United States to guarantee the release of hostages, humanitarian access and a permanent ceasefire.

He urged the international community to maintain the legitimacy of the United Nations and to restore collective security.

Jordan emphasizes the responsibility of the nations

King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Kingdom of Hachemite of Jordan addresses the general debate of the 80th session of the General Assembly.

King Abdullah II of Jordan also discussed world leaders, emphasizing the responsibility of the international community to respond.

“The war in Gaza marks one of the darkest moments in the history of this institution,” he said, urging action beyond repeated convictions.

He stressed that the Palestinians continue to be “refused rights, dignity … their fundamental humanity … again”, and called for a permanent cease-fire, the release of hostages and robust humanitarian support.

Lebanon calls for a renewed political path

President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon addresses the general debate of the eightieth session of the General Assembly.

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun told the Assembly that the Gaza crisis could not be considered in isolation.

“The deep underlying causes of our crisis extend beyond our immediate borders,” he said.

“This is why it is our moral, human and political obligation to ask for an immediate end of the devastation which takes place in Gaza.”

He urged the rebirth of “a new political track aimed at finding a just and permanent solution to the Palestinian question”, based on international legitimacy and the solution to two states.

He noted that 142 states had already approved the New York Declaration on the peaceful regulation of the Palestine issue.

Secretary General António Guterres (second on the left) deals with the meeting of the Security Council on the conflict in Gaza.

Guterres returns to the point of view of the Council

Back to Security adviceSecretary-General Guterres noted a “glimmer of hope” with the resumption of the high-level conference on a two-level solution on Monday, and increasing recognition of the Palestinian state by countries such as France and the United Kingdom.

He stressed that just and sustainable peace requires a collective commitment to diplomacy, international law and human dignity.

“We cannot let this fragile moment escape.”

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Guterres calls to the ceasefire while European leaders affirm the rights of Ukraine to the UN

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Board information, Mr. Guterres said The conflict, now in its fourth year, “brought immense suffering and instability in the region and beyond.”

He recalled that in February 2022, both Security advice And the General Assembly adopted resolutions calling for a rapid end to war and lasting peace.

“But we have also seen an intensification of the fighting-through Ukraine and, sometimes, to the Russian Federation,” he added, noting that Ukrainian civilians continue to bear “incessant bombardments-in their homes, their schools, their hospitals and their shelters”.

“Let me be clear: attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure is prohibited under international law. They must stop now. “

He urged humanitarian support in hand and a renewed push towards a ceasefire founded in the Charter of the United Nations.

Lithuania warns against repeated history

President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania addresses the general debate of the eightieth session of the General Assembly.

In the room of the General Assembly, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda invoked the past of Europe, establishing parallels between the 1930s and today. He warned against “appeasement” and insisted that the abandonment of Ukraine would enhance the attackers in the world.

“Today we cannot abandon Ukraine,” he said. “When power replaces the law and the fear of truth, the foundations of the world order begin to crack. And then no one can feel safe anymore. ”

Mr. Nausėda called on the international community to support military, economic and humanitarian support and to ensure responsibility.

“Peace will never be sustainable without justice,” he said, urging the return of Ukrainian children and the use of frozen Russian assets to finance the resumption of Ukraine.

France highlights the rights of Ukraine

President Emmanuel Macron of France approaches the general debate of the ninety-session of the General Assembly.

President Emmanuel Macron of France declared that the conflict in Ukraine “poses the eternal question of the force of the law against power, freedom against imperialism”.

Mr. Macron warned that recent provocations in Poland, Romania, Estonia and elsewhere show that Russian destabilization threatens all Europeans.

“Ukraine has often said that it was ready for a ceasefire and can accept negotiations. He now falls in Russia to prove that he can choose peace, “he said.

“France is exhausting in Ukraine alongside our European partners and all those who understand the need to retain Russia to preserve the world order.”

Poland highlights the direct impact

President Karol Nawrocki of Poland addresses the general debate of the ninety-session of the General Assembly.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki said war endangered the international order.

“The borders of the States have ceased to be untouchable, and international law-which has so far considered the compass of the world order-has started to treat more as a suggestion rather than a rule,” he said.

Poland has shown solidarity with Ukraine, he continued, welcoming more than a million refugees and providing material, financial, military and diplomatic support.

He added that earlier this month, Russian drones “attacked” the Polish territory.

“For the first time since the Second World War, Poland was forced to open fire on hostile objects on our territory. As commander -in -chief of the armed forces, I assure you: Poland will always react adequately and stands ready to defend its territory. ”

Secretary General António Guterres addresses the meeting of the Security Council on the Maintain Peace and Security of Ukraine.

Guterres ends with the ceasefire call

Back to the Council, Mr. Guterres reiterated his call to “a complete, complete and sustainable ceasefire-the one who opens the way to a just and lasting peace in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”

“The United Nations undertake to fully support all the significant efforts to end this war,” he concluded. “Each day of fighting fights is chances that diplomacy succeeds and increases the dangers of a new escalation.”

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

CLIMATE SUMMIT 2025: The path to COP30

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The summit, which takes place on September 24 at the UN headquarters, is designed as a launch of COP30, but, unlike the tentacular negotiations of a conference on the United Nations climate, it is a high -level targeted event where heads of state, government leaders, businesses and civil society are supposed to present concrete producers and new national climate plans.

“Bold action for the next decade”

According to the organizers, the summit has a clear mandate: the parties to the Paris Agreement – The 2015 historical commitment to a Treatise on Climate Change – must present new NDCs or updated (contributions determined at the national level or promises to take measures to fight against the climate crisis) which reflect “daring action for the next decade”.

The head of the UN António Guterres made it simple: the existing commitments are far from sufficient, and only a fraction of the Member States has updated NDC for 2025. Current national plans, according to the UNCCCCReduced only 2.6% of global emissions by 2030 compared to the levels of 2019, a tiny fraction of the reduction of 43% which, according to scientists, is necessary to maintain global temperatures at no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The summit therefore serves both as a point of pressure and an opportunity. We expect the leaders not only to remain commitments, but to announce new NDCs, show how they will be implemented and underline how they align themselves with the acceleration of the transition of clean energy.

Flood waters in Morigaon, India (2020 file)

Why now?

The urgency of the summit is sharpened by scientific and political realities. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization reported that 2024 was the hottest year recorded, with global temperatures of 1.6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Meanwhile, the international political landscape has developed more fractured.

The United States, which withdrew from the Paris Agreement at the beginning of 2025, remain one of the largest historical issuers. His retirement from climate finance and proper energy commitments left the developing countries wondering if the promised support flows will materialize.

At the same time, a real momentum exists. The clean energy investment exceeded 2 dollars of dollars in 2024, exceeding fossil fuels for the first time, and initiatives such as the non-proliferation treaty for fossil fuels offered are gaining ground. The summit will test if these positive trends can be exploited and set up.

Marcelo Camargo / Agência Brasil

Pantanal firefighters, Brazil (file 2024)

Read between the lines

The climate summit is not a negotiation session, but its results will set the tone for COP30 in Belém. Brazil has promised to focus this conference on climate justice, forest protection and renewable energies. However, success in Belém will strongly depend on what is going on in New York this week.

Observers will closely monitor three signals. First, will the major issuers bring plans that make up for the gap in shows? Secondly, is climate financing extended beyond symbolic commitments, in particular for the loss and damage fund (which has attracted a little less than $ 789 million, far from what is necessary)? And finally, will leaders recognize that the expansion of coal, oil and gas is incompatible with Parisian targets?

Without progress on these fronts, COP30 risks becoming another forum of unsatisfied expectations.

High issues

For the UN chief, the summit is more than the process. It is a question of rebuilding confidence in multilateralism at a time when global divisions widen and demonstrate that climate action can unlock economic and social advantages. “The opportunities for climate action have never been clearer,” said the UN, stressing job creation, health and energy safety improvements related to clean energy expansion.

However, for the communities of Pakistan and India moved by destructive floods, or for farmers of the Horn of Africa faced with drought, the summit is less a matter of opportunity than survival. The gap between the climatic impacts and the political response has never felt wider.

Words to action

The United Nations Climate Summit of September 2025 does not replace COP30, but it can be just as decisive. It is the arena where managers can reset ambition, inject credibility and gain momentum to Brazil.

If he can offer new bold promises, credible finances and a clear direction on fossil fuels, he could help save the promise of Paris.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Guterres pushes leaders to ‘turn the tide’ on global crises during high-stakes UNGA week

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Guterres pushes leaders to ‘turn the tide’ on global crises during high-stakes UNGA week

Interview transcript

Secretary-General, welcome to this interview with UN News. In a few days, world leaders are going to gather in this chamber. How would you describe the state of the world that is the backdrop for this General Assembly?

Secretary-General: We are facing a global crisis. Conflicts are multiplying in the context in which geopolitical divides do not allow to effectively address them.

There is a sense of impunity – every country believes they can do whatever they want. On the other hand, we see that developing countries are facing enormous difficulties. Many of them drowning in debt without access to concessional funding that they require to redress their economies. Inequality is growing.

On the other hand, climate change is not yet under control. And we have several signals that, it will probably be very difficult to maintain our central objective, which is to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.

And technological developments are largely without guardrails. And, of course, they have an enormous potential, but the risks are there. And some of the risks can be witnessed today: Supporting the polarization of societies; increasing the divisions within societies; hate speech is growing.

We absolutely need leaders to come here and to turn the tide…to come here and to reaffirm multilateralism – that we cannot solve all these problems alone

So in this context, we absolutely need leaders to come here and to turn the tide. To come here and understand that international cooperation is vital in a moment like this. To come here and do the negotiations and the mediations that are necessary to, at least, create hope for peace in some of the situations we are facing.

To come here and to make strong commitments in relation to the reduction of emissions to address climate change. To come here and to accept the need for the reforms of the international financial architecture to have more justice and more equality in international relations.

To come here and to accept some forms which, of course, are soft but some forms of governance of artificial intelligence and new technologies that make sure that human agency is preserved and that they become a force for good.

And, essentially to come here and to reaffirm multilateralism – that we cannot solve all these problems alone.

This is my hope. And we’ll do everything possible to make this summit a success and to ask the world leaders to assume their responsibilities in a moment of global crisis.

And indeed, there are going to be a number of summits convened during the General Assembly around peace and security. There is going to be a two-State solution conference and a number of meetings on ending some of the wars that have been raging across the world. What do you hope these meetings will achieve?

Secretary-General: Well, first of all, I believe that there will be a clear, clear demonstration that the overwhelming majority of the countries in the world recognize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination; recognize that there must be a Palestinian state and recognize it in the meeting we will have on Monday.

And, at the same time, send a very clear message that the carnage that is happening in Gaza has to end, that we need a ceasefire immediately with the release of all hostages immediately too. And with effective humanitarian aid in Gaza that is suffering the highest level of death and destruction that I’ve seen since I’m Secretary-General.

On the other hand, to have a clear, clear affirmation that there is no alternative to the two-State solution – a one-State solution in which the Palestinian people would have no rights and that many of them would be kicked out of their land is something completely unacceptable in the 21st century.

The only way to have hope for peace in the future and the only way to fight extremism in the world, is to reaffirm the two-State solution and not to allow annexations

And so, the only way to have hope for peace in the future and the only way to fight extremism in the world, is to reaffirm the two-State solution and not to allow annexations; not to allow the continuation of this dramatic destruction in Gaza; to create the conditions for the two peoples, the Jewish people and the Palestinian people; to understand that they need to live in peace and security.

This will also be the venue for looking at the situation around a number of other conflicts, some of them that have been called “forgotten”, like the war in Sudan.

What do you hope could possibly be achieved next week, when world leaders come together and focus on some of these “forgotten” conflicts.

Secretary-General: We have too many actors messing up in Sudan. And, this is an occasion, for namely the big powers. The suffering of the Sudanese people is horrible. So, I think it’s time for the Security Council to be able to take – with the agreement of all the key powers – very tough measures on Sudan, to make those Sudanese parties understand that what they are doing is a crime against their own people.

Can you just say something about just war in general? What does it do to people and what are the ripple effects around the world?

Secretary-General: Well, as divisions are high, and, as we have not the instruments to guarantee accountability – as we live in a world of impunity – it is easy for countries that see the examples of big powers waging war, as in the case of Ukraine.

There is a stimulus for mid-sized countries to try to solve their ambitions or their problems through war – instead of negotiation, instead of compromise. And this is becoming a pattern that needs to be strongly opposed by the international community.

We would need a much more united and effective Security Council to make it happen.

And we would need a much more united and effective Security Council to make it happen. That’s why the reform of the Security Council is so important.

You’ve seen the fallout of these wars. You were High Commissioner for Refugees and you’ve visited war zones and refugee camps and saw what it means to have to flee from wars. What is your message to all of those people? We have 122 million forcibly displaced people in the world today. How can this end?

Secretary-General: My message for them is a message of solidarity. But the most important message is to the countries in the world that have obligations under international law under international refugee law, that their doors must be open, that refugees must see their rights respected, and that, of course, all must do everything possible to reestablish peace in their lands, for them to be able to go back home.

But, with doors closed and with conflicts that do not end, we see those refugees lost, with no rights and in a very dramatic situation. And, to make things worse, UNHCR that has a fantastic role in supporting refugees all over the world, is now dramatically underfunded.

So this is a tragic situation that requires a comprehensive response for refugee rights to be respected and for refugees to be supported.

At the GA (General Assembly), you’re also going to be chairing a Climate Solution summit. What have you asked Member States to come to the table with?

Secretary-General: This is a moment in which every Member State must present its new climate plan. And it is essential that those climate plans are aligned with the objective of 1.5 degrees, which means that they bring a dramatic reduction of emissions.

And, at the same time, that those nationally determined contributions, those climate plans, cover the whole of economy, cover all greenhouse gases and create the conditions for the 1.5 degree limit to remain as a possibility, because the risk is that we are on the verge of making it irreversible, the impossibility to keep global warming contained at that level.

It is essential that [the national] climate plans are aligned with the objective of 1.5°C, which means that they bring a dramatic reduction of emissions

And we must do everything now to avoid that situation of irreversibility that would lead to a disaster of enormous proportions for people around the world, especially in the most vulnerable conditions – Small Island Developing States, the African continent and other areas where hurricanes, drought, floods, the melting of glaciers, all kinds of disasters will make life impossible.

So this is the moment to take drastic decisions in reducing emissions and governments must present plans in line with that objective.

This has been, since you’ve been Secretary-General, an issue that you’ve been just hammering at, at all levels, and you visited all parts of the worldto witness the worst effects of climate change. Is this personal to you?

Secretary-General: This is the defining threat of our times. And so, this is personal to all of us. And for me, it is clear that this is the major test in relation to the capacity of the world to come together and to defeat what is an enemy of humankind and of the planet.

Some people also say that artificial intelligence is one of our biggest global threats. And, also at the General Assembly, there will be a global dialogue on AI governance on the agenda. Why is it so important to have such a dialogue here at the United Nations, and what kind of outcome do you hope for?

Secretary-General: Because we absolutely need to preserve human agency in artificial intelligence to guarantee that artificial intelligence is an enormous contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, to more equality in the world. And, to avoid at all costs that artificial intelligence deepens the divide between rich and poor in the world.

We absolutely need to preserve human agency in artificial intelligence to guarantee that AI is an enormous contribution to sustainable development, to more equality in the world

And, at the same time, that it is used for purposes that represent a danger for our societies – a danger because they can be weaponized. And I’ve been claiming the need to forbid autonomous weapons in which machines, algorithms can kill people without human agency.

But also, a danger because it allows to amplify the mechanisms of hate speech, mechanisms of polarization of societies in relation to which the UN has presented – in the Pact for the Future – a clear set of rules in order to make sure that, in social media and in other platforms, artificial intelligence and digital technologies in general, do not become a threat to the social cohesion of societies and the mechanism of polarization that undermines democracy and undermines the possibility of peace to prevail.

One of your signature issues has been financing development in support of the SDGs. And the General Assembly will host a first of its kind summit, bringing together leaders of international financial institutions and Heads of State. Why is this so important?

Secretary-General: Because we need the reform of international financial institutions and it depends on Member States to do it. Our international financial architecture comes from the Second World War, and today doesn’t represent the world that exists.

We have seen the emergence of large economies in the developing world. They need to have a voice and a presence, participation in the global institutions. The same with continents like Africa or Latin America, that are absent in the mechanisms of decision.

At the same time, we need to take a number of measures to multiply the resources available for developing countries. We know that official development assistance is not growing – on the contrary, is being dramatically reduced. But there are a certain number of things that can be done that can multiply the resources that exist.

For instance, if we put $1 in a project, it’s $1. If you put $1 in the capital of a multilateral development bank, it’s $5, because they can go to the market and obtain additional resources. So we need to do a number of reforms of the system.

First, to have justice in the way the system works. And second, to multiply the limited resources that we have available in order to be able to help countries be successful in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and in providing to their people a response to their needs – especially in education, in health, in housing and in many other aspects that are essential for the well-being of populations.

We will also be marking 30 years since the landmark Beijing Conference at a time of backsliding on women’s rights. What will your message be to that meeting?

Gender equality, even gender parity are central to the objectives of the United Nations – if there is a push back, we need to push back against the push back

Secretary-General: Gender equality. I would say even gender parity are central to the objectives of the United Nations. If there is a push back, we need to push back against the push back. And we need to reaffirm that the world can only be fair if the two halves of the world are at the same level and can work together to the benefit of us all.

On a personal level, do you ever feel despair?

Secretary-General: Never. I usually use a sentence of Jean Monnet which is: ‘I’m not optimistic nor pessimistic, I am determined.’ I think this is a moment in which we need determination. Sometimes it looks like there is no hope. We must build that hope and we must be determined, never giving up and fighting and fighting until our objectives can be achieved.

The UN is in the middle of a financial crisis which has been compounding over many years, but which has recently resulted in massive cuts. Some proposed here in the Secretariat, but especially the UN humanitarian organizations have faced budget cuts.

And this is already having a devastating effect on the people that the UN serves. What will you say to Member States next week on why the UN needs their support?

Secretary-General: Well, I will say that they must, first of all, comply with their obligations. There are voluntary contributions that unfortunately have decreased with this new emphasis on defense, this new emphasis on rearmament of countries. So, it is important to preserve those voluntary contributions.

But there are obligations. There are assessed contributions to the United Nations that are essential, for instance, for peacekeeping. So, if these obligations are not met, we will have to do drastic cuts in peacekeeping, as we have done drastic cuts in humanitarian aid across the world, with terrible consequences in the lives of people.

Countries must do everything possible to maintain their commitments to the SDGs and to mobilize resources for development cooperation

So, countries must do everything possible to maintain their commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and to mobilize resources for development cooperation and for humanitarian aid, knowing how difficult it is. But above all, countries must comply with their obligations.

In March, you launched the UN80 Initiative, and this was to create a more effective organization that, in your words, is more agile, responsive and resilient and better equipped to serve the people whose lives depend on us. That doesn’t sound like an 80 year old organization, but one that you hope to renew. What would that UN look like?

Secretary-General: Well, the UN today is a constellation of organizations. If we would build the UN today with all its agencies, we will build it differently. Of course, we cannot all of a sudden, consider that we can rebuild the UN from scratch. But there are many duplications. There are many areas where there is no effective coordination. There are many areas where there is competition, where there should be collaboration.

And we need to do, on one hand, to make sure that there is no waste, to make sure that there is no duplication in the use of resources, to make sure that the organizations are more slim and more effective, and to make sure that they come together to reduce their costs.

For instance, you have humanitarian agencies – they must keep their core mandates – World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNHCR. But they can put in common their supply chains, their back offices, their premises, so that there are huge savings that can be made by effectively organizing the United Nations in a way in which everything is, I would say, everything is used to the benefit of the people we care for.

And, let’s be honest, bureaucracies are always resistant to change. That’s why we took some drastic measures forcing our different departments in headquarters and also asking the agencies to do the same, to be as slim and as effective as possible and to work much more for those that we serve instead of for ourselves.

You’ve often spoken out on behalf of the world’s young people, and you’ve also encouraged them to get involved, including here at the General Assembly. And we’re going to have many young people represented here next week. What would be your message to them on how they can make a difference in changing the world?

Secretary-General: I think my message is for them to be extremely active. They can be active in so many ways. They can be active in social media. They can be active in associations that are involved in key discussions in societies. They can be active in humanitarian aid. They can be active in the political life of their countries.

[Young people] need to understand that this world is theirs. It’s not the future world that is theirs – it is this world that is theirs

They need to understand that this world is theirs. It’s not the future world that is theirs. It’s this world that is theirs. And they know they need to assume their citizenship and make their citizenship be a force for change, a force for a world in which justice, equality will prevail.

And finally, there is a lot of indifference in the world. Some of it is fueled by just overwhelm and the gloom and doom of the news and the social media. Why should people care about what’s happening in different parts of the world and all of the issues that you just outlined?

Secretary-General: Because today, the world is only one, and what happens in any part of the world will have an effect in our own lives. Look at the demography and the movements of people – this is indeed one world. Our house is our world, and the problems anywhere in the world are our problems.

Mr. Secretary-General, thank you very much for this interview.

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Clearest signal of two merging black holes

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New discovery: The merger of two black holes (GW250114) is the clearest gravitational wave signal to date, standing out

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Speech by President António Costa at the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine

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Simplification: Council approves ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on chemicals to provide legal certainty to businesses

On 23 September 2025, European Council President António Costa was in New York at the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, as part of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, he emphasised the European Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the pursuit of peace as a top priority.

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High-level week opens with celebration of women’s empowerment

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High-level week opens with celebration of women’s empowerment

During the landmark 1995 event in the Chinese capital, countries came together and adopted the Beijing Declaration – a blueprint document for advancing women’s rights (read our explainer, here).

At the high-level celebratory event on Monday, countries, civil society organizations, and representatives from academia and the private sector discussed how to accelerate its implementation.

“For so many of us here in this room, we hold positions that when we ourselves were young, seemed unattainable, but are now almost normal for the next generation,” said Annalena Baerbock, referring to the notion that “women’s rights are human rights,” – the rallying cry from First Lady Hillary Clinton 30 years ago in Beijing.

Most ambitious commitment  

UN Secretary General António Guterres described the declaration as “the most ambitious global political commitment on women’s rights ever achieved,” adding that it has helped advance legal protection, political participation and education for women worldwide.

Executive Director of gender-equality agency UN Women Sima Bahous remarked that girls are far more likely to finish school today, than at any other time in history.

The number of women in parliament has almost doubled and nearly 100 discriminatory laws have been reversed around the world in the past five years alone.

Every step forward proved the same truth: gender equality works,” Ms. Bahous said. “But progress has not been fast enough.”

‘No more promises’

A new report from UN Women released earlier this month found that none of the gender equality Sustainable Development Goals are on track. Furthermore, 676 million women and girls now live under the shadow of deadly conflict – the highest recorded since the 1990s.

Cecilia Suárez, UN Global Advocate for the UN Spotlight Initiative, a groundbreaking programme designed to end violence against women and girls, said it had shown “it is possible to make positive and concrete results in this fight.”

What is required is leadership from those who have gathered here. Leadership that fosters reforms,” she added.

Speaking about the many women around the world who continue to experience injustice, human rights activist and Yazidi survivor of ISIL terrorist sex traffickers, Nadia Murad, called on the international community to fund women’s organisations on the frontlines, guarantee women’s participation in peace and security, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The next generation of women and girls deserve to inherit no more promises but the reality of justice, equality and dignity,” said Ms. Murad.

Check out a recording below of Celia Suárez at the UNGA80 SDG Media Zone on Monday, talking about the Spotlight Initiative and her role as Global Advocate since 2020.

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