Your helper

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

India, other G4 nations express 'strong concern' at lack of progress on UNSC reform

United Nations, Sep 23 (PTI): The G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have expressed strong concern over the lack of progress on UN Security Council reform during the previous Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) session. Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Johann David Wadephul, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu met Tuesday on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.The G4 Joint Ministerial Statement on the Reform of the UN Security Council, issued after the meeting, noted that the Security Council is currently unable to effectively discharge its core responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. “The representativeness, legitimacy, credibility and efficacy of the UNSC are in question, the G4 statement said.They assessed that one of the key underlying reasons was the eight-decade-old architecture, which did not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and hindered efforts to effectively address present and future challenges to peace and security.The G4 Ministers noted that the IGN framework has been largely “ineffective” in forging any concrete outcomes towards real UNSC reform despite 18 years of activities.They “expressed strong concern at the lack of progress during the previous IGN session as well. Specifically, they conveyed their serious reservations against the presentation of a so-called bridging proposal even prior to commencement of text-based negotiations.”The G4 nations regretted that the proposal does not take into account the views of a clear majority of Member States in favour of expansion in both categories of membership.They also recalled that, in accordance with the UN Charter and as reflected in the IGN mandate, consensus is not the benchmark for decision-making on Security Council reform.“Moving forward, the G4 will further collaborate and identify synergies with other reform-oriented groups with a view to developing a consolidated model that properly reflects the voice of a majority of Member States and commencing text-based negotiations as a high priority, which is the key to realising the vision of real and impactful UNSC reform,” it said.The group said that this is essential to restoring the representativeness, legitimacy, credibility and efficacy of a principal organ of the UN and to strengthening the multilateral system, with the UN at its heart, as a whole. The G4 Ministers reiterated that "discussions on reform need not be confined to the IGN and expressed their willingness to engage with the wider UN membership on this issue in other forums, including the UN General Assembly.”Reviewing the discussions in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations framework with regard to reform of the UN Security Council during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Ministers underlined that, given the increasingly challenging geopolitical environment, UNSC reform is more necessary than ever before.The G4 Ministers emphasised that it is crucial to implement UNSC reform at the earliest so that the Council is fit-for-purpose, truly reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities.They underscored that expansion of the UNSC in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is central to such reform and that this position is supported by a majority of Member States. In this context, they reiterated the importance of improving the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, in both these categories.They further underlined the importance of increasing participation of under-represented and unrepresented groups and regions, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.They recognised historical injustices with regard to representation in the Security Council, as well as of enhancing participation of Member States that are contributing significantly to maintaining international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations.The G4 Ministers underscored their continuing support for Africa’s compelling case for enhanced representation in the UNSC, including in the permanent category of membership. PTI YAS RD RDRDRDRD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-other-g4-nations-express-strong-concern-at-lack-of-progress-on-unsc-reform-1868022

UN General Assembly: Which World Leaders Are Skipping UNGA And Why

Few world leaders would miss a stage like the United Nations General Assembly. Donald Trump, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron are among those in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly — or UNGA81 for short — where the speeches from the green marble lectern make headlines around the globe. That makes the no-shows all the more surprising. Here is a look at some of the leaders staying away — and why. <h2>Germany: Friedrich Merz</h2> The German chancellor, in his second year in office, would like to be much more present on the international stage and has described himself as a "foreign-policy chancellor." But domestic politics have been keeping him busy. Three German states held parliamentary elections in September and Friedrich Merz is under more pressure as chancellor and leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) than ever before. In Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin, the CDU was firmly voted out of office, while in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern it failed to enter the state parliament at all — a first since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. Merz is in crisis-management mode at home and seems to want to prevent his opponents from planning a revolt in his absence. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will speak in his place. <h2>Italy: Giorgia Meloni</h2> Italy's prime minister is in a considerably stronger position than Merz but has said she needs to deal with domestic matters this week. After the NATO summit in early July, Giorgia Meloni said she had just returned from several international summits and had to tackle various issues, including some pending within Italy. She pointed out that Merz had also been absent in 2025 - she too is sending her foreign minister, Antonio Tajani. <h2>South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa</h2> The South African president has also just attended an international summit — the BRICS summit in India. He said he would not attend the UN General Assembly for health reasons: medics advised him to take time to rest and recover. His office did not disclose details about his condition. South Africa will also be represented at the UN lectern by Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. <h2>Egypt: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi</h2> Along with Africa's largest economy, the second- and third-largest economies on the continent are also not sending their presidents to New York: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is being represented by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Al-Sisi's office did not give a reason for his absence. During his first years in office, from 2014 onward, he regularly attended the UN General Assembly. In 2020, the event was held online because of the coronavirus pandemic and the following year it was a hybrid event, to which al-Sisi sent a pre-recorded video message. He has not attended since the General Assembly returned to in-person meetings. <h2>Nigeria: Bola Tinubu</h2> Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu is the third influential African leader to miss this year's UN General Assembly. His spokesman was quoted by Nigerian media as saying the West African country would be "fully and effectively represented" by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Tinubu, meanwhile, is on vacation: He spent time in the UK in late August before traveling to France. <h2>India: Narendra Modi</h2> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is relatively rarely to be seen at UN General Assemblies. He last took the podium in 2021, since when the world's largest democracy has consistently sent Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar instead. According to Indian media outlets, Modi was reportedly listed as a speaker at this year's gathering before his plans changed. Why he decided not to attend is not known. <h2>China: Xi Jinping</h2> Chinese President Xi Jinping's absence is under international scrutiny this year. As this year's "High-Level Week" takes place, Xi will also be in the US but he will not be going to New York. Instead, he will head straight for Washington, some 300 kilometers away, for a full state visit, including a White House gala dinner and a military parade. Although Beijing has not framed it this way, the timing suggests that Xi is prioritizing great power diplomacy over the United Nations' multilateral forum. Xi and Trump have serious bones of contention, including over trade relations, artificial intelligence and Taiwan's security situation. <h2>Russia: Vladimir Putin</h2> Russian President Vladimir Putin has also rarely stood at the iconic podium so it comes as little surprise that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will once again speak for Russia this year. Putin ordered this by decree — and didn't offer a reason for his absence. <h2>Palestinian territories: Mahmoud Abbas</h2> Mahmoud Abbashas clocked up far more UNGA experience than any of those listed above. The president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), who has been in office since 2005, was a regular until Donald Trump's second term. But last year, the Trump administration denied him a diplomatic visa and has done so again this year. Yet, under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the United States is committed to facilitating access to UN headquarters for foreign representatives. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, for example, is still due to speak in New York, despite the US having recently bombed Iran. In the case of the Palestinians, the US State Department recently said it was extending sanctions "that deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority." Abbas plans to address the assembled heads of state and government by video message, as he did last year. This article was originally published in German. <div id="article-hstick-inner" class="abp-story-detail "> (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.) </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/un-general-assembly-which-world-leaders-are-skipping-unga-and-why-1868016

Indian Sailor Suraj Yadav Killed After Torpedo Attack On Ship Off Oman Coast

Indian sailor Suraj Yadav from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was killed after the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship MV Cape Dao was attacked by torpedoes in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman, on Wednesday. The ship was carrying 28 crew members, including 20 Indians, according to reports. Yadav was deployed as a wiper on the vessel. <h2>MV Cape Dao Hit By Two Torpedoes</h2> According to reports, MV Cape Dao was travelling from Hormuz, near Oman, to India when it came under attack. The ship was reportedly struck by two torpedoes. One hit the left side of the ship's living quarters, while the other struck the left side of the engine room. The attack triggered a fire and affected the ship's electrical and navigational capabilities. The Omani Coast Guard evacuated the crew safely. <h2>Indian Embassy Confirms Attack</h2> The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed the attack and said it was closely monitoring the situation. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Our statement on the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman ⬇️ 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/gXzupV0MKT">https://t.co/gXzupV0MKT</a> <a href="https://t.co/GcrLw0FFmy">pic.twitter.com/GcrLw0FFmy</a> — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://ift.tt/6tUHGJl 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/2I1Du9C" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> In a post on X, the Embassy said, "We are closely monitoring the attack on MV Cape Dao today while it was en route to India. We are in contact with Omani authorities regarding the safety of all crew members (including 19 Indians) on board. We are deeply saddened by the death of an Indian sailor in this attack. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The Embassy is working closely with RPSL. We are in touch with the family of the deceased." <h2>Suraj Yadav Succumbs To Injuries</h2> Suraj Yadav suffered a serious head injury and later succumbed to his injuries. According to reports from the Maritime Administration, Yadav's family has been informed about the incident. The other crew members were evacuated to safety in Oman. An Indian fourth engineer was also reported to have sustained minor injuries. The relevant companies are coordinating with the ship's owner and management, while a detailed report and FIR are underway. <h2>Seamen's Union Demands Accountability</h2> The Forward Seamen's Union of India expressed concern over the incident and demanded the safety of Indian sailors, accountability for the attack and justice for Suraj Yadav's family. The organisation said civilian seafarers working in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters are constantly at risk. It also announced a protest in which sailors will wear black armbands on September 25.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/hormuz-attack-indian-sailor-suraj-yadav-killed-after-ship-hit-by-two-torpedoes-1868012

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Trump Backs India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, Calls For Energy Routes To Bypass Iran

US President Donald Trump has backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying the ongoing conflict in the region has highlighted the need for alternative routes to transport energy without relying on infrastructure linked to Iran. Addressing a gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said attacks targeting commercial shipping had demonstrated the risks facing existing energy networks in the Middle East. "...Iran's terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighboring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints. That's why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and other places in the form of getting oil out, whether it's pipelines or anything else," Trump said. <h3>Trump Backs IMEC</h3> Trump's endorsement comes as the conflict has disrupted established shipping and energy routes in the region. He said the situation had made it increasingly important to develop infrastructure capable of moving energy through alternative pathways. The US president also presented the current moment as an opportunity for wider regional cooperation, arguing that long-standing challenges could be addressed through closer coordination among countries in the region. "Together, we're on the verge of overcoming challenges that have plagued this region for decades..." he said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Advancing efforts for a safer, more prosperous Middle East. The Gulf Cooperation Council meets in New York City. 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/wInPPW1Nrh">pic.twitter.com/wInPPW1Nrh</a> — The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://ift.tt/FoMVbGq 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/2I1Du9C" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> ALSO READ: <a title="‘I Stopped India-Pakistan War’: Trump Repeats Claim At UNGA, Says Shehbaz Thanked Him" href="https://ift.tt/76aRjtk" target="_self">‘I Stopped India-Pakistan War’: Trump Repeats Claim At UNGA, Says Shehbaz Thanked Him</a> Trump also described the leaders attending the gathering as important partners in Washington's efforts to pursue greater stability and economic prosperity across the Middle East. He said, "It is an honor to be here with some of America's greatest and closest friends, allies, and partners to continue our effort toward a safer and more prosperous Middle East." <h3>Hormuz Disruption</h3> The push for alternative energy routes comes amid disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important passages for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The conflict, which began after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has led to a significant decline in vessel movement through the waterway. The disruption has prompted Gulf oil producers and international buyers to explore alternative options for transporting energy. Around 20 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day in 2025. The waterway also handled nearly one-fifth of global LNG trade, making it a critical link in international energy supply chains. Any prolonged disruption to the route can therefore affect the movement of energy and create wider implications for global markets and prices. ALSO READ: <a title="National Herald Case: Sonia-Rahul File Reply In Delhi HC, Oppose ED’s Plea" href="https://ift.tt/ZTMW7l0" target="_self">National Herald Case: Sonia-Rahul File Reply In Delhi HC, Oppose ED’s Plea</a> <h3>How IMEC Works</h3> IMEC was unveiled during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi as a major connectivity initiative linking India, the Middle East and Europe. The proposed corridor consists of two principal routes. The Eastern Corridor is planned to connect Indian ports, including Mundra and Kandla, with major Gulf ports such as Fujairah and Jebel Ali. From the Gulf, the Northern Corridor would run across Saudi Arabia and Jordan before reaching Israel's Haifa Port. From there, the network is intended to connect with European destinations, including Piraeus and Marseille. The broader project envisages a combination of maritime shipping routes, rail and road connectivity, as well as energy and digital infrastructure. 

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-trump-backs-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-calls-for-energy-routes-to-bypass-iranian-counterpart-1867876

2019 Easter bombings: Sri Lankan court sentences 15 accused to over 200 years in prison each

Colombo, Sept 22 (PTI): A Sri Lankan court on Tuesday found 15 of the 24 accused guilty of involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide attacks, and sentenced them each to over 200 years in prison.Nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat, linked to ISIS, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.The fifteen accused each have been sentenced to 220 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, adaderana news portal reported.The three-judge High Court Trial-at-Bar comprising Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nissanka on Tuesday announced its verdict, convicting 15 accused, while acquitting nine others.Mohammadu Ebrahim Mohammdu Naufer alias Naufar Moulavi, the prime accused, was among those convicted by the court after the trial, which lasted nearly five years.Initially, 25 accused were charged for their role in the bombings. As one of the suspects died, 24 were indicted in October 2021.A total of 23,270 charges were filed against them, and 2,309 witnesses testified for the prosecution.The accused were charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for murder and attempted murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, aiding and abetting, and possessing and handling firearms and explosives.Naufar's links to extremist Zaharan Hashim, the leader of the National Thowhith Jamaath, were also investigated. Hashim was one of the suicide bombers who carried out the blast at the Shangri La Hotel.In July, former police chief Pujith Jayasundera and Hemasiri Fernando, the then top bureaucrat in the Ministry of Defence, were handed the death sentence after being found guilty of criminal dereliction of duty for failing to act on prior intelligence that could have prevented the attacks.The attack stirred a political storm as then President Maithripala Sirisena and then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available.A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks.Sirisena, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panel's findings.Sirisena and the top defence hierarchy were ordered to pay multiple millions of rupees as compensation to the kith and kin of the blast victims in the fundamental rights petitions verdicts delivered in 2023. PTI CORR ZH RDRD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/2019-easter-bombings-sri-lankan-court-sentences-15-accused-to-over-200-years-in-prison-each-1867861

Netanyahu Hits Back At Mamdani, Says ‘Shame On You’ Over Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have traded sharp accusations over the Israel-Hamas war and the situation in Gaza, days before Netanyahu is due to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Netanyahu lashed out at Mamdani in a social media video on Tuesday, criticising the progressive mayor over his stance on Palestine. “Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani,” Netanyahu said. “Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people. Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews. I'm coming to the UN. I'm going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I've got to tell the truth about you.” Netanyahu is slated to arrive in New York on Thursday for the United Nations General Assembly, where he will address the gathering. Reuters reported that Netanyahu said he would use his UN appearance to defend Israel’s military actions and respond to criticism from Mamdani. <h2>Mamdani Hits Back At Netanyahu</h2> Responding to Netanyahu's remarks at a press conference on Tuesday, Mamdani said: “We all know that what the prime minister has said in that video is not true.” “What we do know to actually be the truth when it comes to the prime minister is that he is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. And as the prime minister, he is the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians. And just a few days ago, killed an 11-year-old boy in what is deemed to be a safe zone in Gaza.” The ICC warrant referenced by Mamdani concerns allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity; the allegations remain contested. <h2>Mamdani's Earlier Comments On Netanyahu</h2> Netanyahu's video came after Mamdani, a strong supporter of Palestinian statehood, called the prime minister “an architect of genocide” in an interview with CNN on Monday. “If the International Criminal Court deems someone worthy of an arrest because of a violation of those laws, then who are we to say that anyone should be above that?” Mamdani told CNN. During his campaign for mayor, Mamdani vowed to honour the ICC's warrant if the prime minister ever came to the city. The mayor later conceded that he did not have the power to do so. Reuters has also reported that Mamdani previously said he would arrest Netanyahu but later acknowledged that he lacked the authority to do so. <h2>Criticism Over Mamdani's Comments</h2> Some Israeli officials and representatives of Jewish advocacy groups have criticised Mamdani's past comments, saying they contribute to a rise in antisemitic violence. Mamdani has defended his criticism of Israel and has said that criticism of Israel is wrongly conflated with antisemitism, according to Reuters. The exchange comes as Netanyahu prepares for his UN appearance in New York, where his remarks on Israel's military actions and the Gaza war are expected to draw further international scrutiny.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/shame-on-you-mamdani-netanyahu-mamdani-clash-erupts-ahead-of-unga-1867853

Monday, September 21, 2026

Hundreds Of US Flights Delayed After Construction Workers Cut Air Traffic Control Cable

Hundreds of flights were delayed at major US airports after construction workers accidentally cut a cable used for air traffic control, disrupting operations across parts of the country's East Coast. Ground stops and delays were imposed on Monday afternoon at airports in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The disruption came just a day before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was due to begin in New York City, with scores of world leaders expected to arrive through airports in the New York area. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later said the damaged cable had been repaired and airports would return to normal operations, although he warned that delays were still expected. The incident affected the Terminal Radar Approach Control system, which helps guide aircraft during take-off and landing, according to transport officials. <h2>Cable Damage Disrupts Air Traffic Control</h2> New Jersey's public transportation agency, NJ Transit, told CBS News that its construction workers had accidentally severed the line after markers at the digging site were wrongly placed. Duffy had earlier said workers from Amtrak, the US national operator of intercity rail services, were carrying out construction work when the damage occurred. He said the incident caused a telecommunications outage that forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground flights. An Amtrak spokesperson later said the incident involved an NJ Transit contractor, according to US media reports. Telecommunications company Verizon, which owns the cable, also said it was not responsible for the incident. <h2>Newark Airport Among Worst Hit</h2> The severed cable was a backup network, and the problem was discovered only after the primary circuit failed, according to FAA head Bryan Bedford. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, one of the three major airports serving New York City, was the most heavily affected by the air traffic control disruption, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. FlightAware reported that 267 departing flights from Newark were delayed, while another 257 flights arriving at the airport were also delayed. <h2>New York, Philadelphia Airports Also Affected</h2> John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York were also affected by the disruption. Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania was among the other airports hit by delays. The disruption came as New York prepared to host the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, when numerous world leaders are expected to travel into the New York area. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was among those travelling to New York. He managed to board his flight before the delays began and was expected to arrive on time.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-airports-delay-hundreds-of-flights-disrupted-as-construction-workers-cut-air-traffic-control-cable-1867707