OMM Redaksiyası
Cuba is not a threat to the United States and remains ready for dialogue with Washington based on sovereign equality and respect for international law, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in an address to the UN General Assembly, according to the source briefing.
Rodriguez said Havana was prepared to resolve differences through dialogue without interference in Cuba’s domestic affairs or preconditions. He also said Cuba was willing to pursue trade, commercial relations and cooperation with the United States.
“Cuba is not a threat. The blockade is a threat,” Rodriguez said.
Russia and China address international conflicts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused European countries of doing “everything they can to thwart” prospects for peace talks with Ukraine.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Lavrov accused Western countries of supplying Ukraine with weapons and helping it target civilians and civilian infrastructure with drones and missiles. He said efforts to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia would lead those pursuing the policy into a strategic dead end.
China’s Vice President Han Zheng said Beijing opposed “unilateral military actions” amid the ongoing US-Iran war. He called for disputes to be settled through dialogue and consultation, and urged major countries to respect the UN Charter and the rule of law.
Han also called for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Other international developments
- Mauritius refused landing clearance for a scheduled flight from Israel, leading to its cancellation.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had heard US President Donald Trump’s initial response to its seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but was awaiting Washington’s final position through mediators.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised five opposition leaders after they agreed to coordinate ahead of next month’s Knesset election.
- Lavrov met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul for the first time since Russia’s war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
- Four people died after a helicopter crashed and caught fire in Quebec, Canada.
- Malaysia renewed calls for action against Israel over Palestine and criticised the UN Security Council veto.
- Yemen’s army said air strikes on Houthi positions, reinforcements and weapons stores in Taiz province killed and wounded dozens of fighters.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of using a “lame excuse” to avoid negotiations.
- Singapore called for stronger safeguards and international rules on artificial intelligence, saying humans must remain ultimately in control.
- The Sudan Doctors Network accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying the Sodari Rural Hospital in North Kordofan.
- The UN Support Mission in Libya warned that attacks on or actions undermining the country’s oil and energy infrastructure could trigger measures under relevant Security Council resolutions.
- Thousands protested in Madrid against the government’s policy on irregular migration.
- All 50 districts of Bangkok were declared disaster zones amid heavy rain and flooding.
Business and economy
Iraq and the United States reached an understanding to resume dollar cash shipments to Iraq after a suspension lasting several months, an Iraqi government spokesman said.
Haider al-Aboudi told the official Iraqi News Agency that the agreement was reached during Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s visit to the United States. He said a new shipment was expected in the coming days, without giving its value or delivery date.
The White House said China and the United States had reached a consensus on recommendations for more favourable tariff treatment for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction.
The agreement followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-day visit to the United States with his wife, Peng Liyuan. The White House said the two sides had also launched a working group on barriers to agricultural market access.
The goods covered include agricultural products, fish and seafood, wood products, cosmetics and medical devices among US exports, and small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children’s car seats among US imports. The White House said China would import at least 10 million metric tons of US coal in both 2027 and 2028.
Sport
Republic of Ireland players intend to wear black armbands during Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, to honour people killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Football Association of Ireland said.
FAI Chief Executive David Courell said one player had withdrawn from the squad. He added that players had voted on whether to play the fixture, with a “significant majority” supporting participation.
