World leaders are meeting in New York to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' establishment following World War II. However, the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, recent Russian violations of NATO airspace, and US funding cuts are calling its future into question.

New York

The United Nations, now in its eighth decade, is facing renewed criticism over its effectiveness and relevance in addressing global crises. Former U.S. President Trump and other critics have pointed to bureaucracy and mismanagement as persistent issues, while former UN officials note that the organization's influence has waned since the post-Cold War era. The absence of strong leadership, particularly from the United States, has led to a perceived vacuum now being filled by China, especially in economic and political spheres.

Despite these challenges, some experts argue that the UN remains valuable for its work on human rights, development, and refugee issues. However, there are calls for new structures to handle peace and security, as the current system is seen as outdated and less effective. The debate continues over whether the UN can adapt to remain a vital force in global affairs.

Amid global turmoil, 80-year-old UN fights for relevance

President Trump has long been fiercely critical of the United Nations. Yet, in recent years, the United Nations has not reached its full potential because of bureaucracy and mismanagement. We have an executive order prepared for your attention that would withdraw the United States from the UN Human Rights Council. Sir, I've always felt that the UN has tremendous potential. It's not living up to that potential right now. It really isn't, hasn't for a long time. Yet, Trump is set to deliver his fifth speech to the General Assembly, a stage too big to abandon and too valuable to give up. He is right in his criticism of the organization because the organization is in deep crisis. Well, nobody argues against this. The problem is that what is the United Nations? It's an intergovernmental organization. It's an organization of states, which is as effective, as strong as the states' members want it to be. Alexander Matsoukas, once chief of the UN Security Council Secretariat, says he saw the UN at its prime under Boutros-Ghali and Kofi Annan, whom he believes were the most effective UN secretaries-general. It was post-Cold War period when there was some kind of understanding and the willingness of member states to cooperate. But those days are over, says Matsoukas. He doubts this year's UNGA will bring results on Ukraine or Gaza. He adds U.S. presidents used to set the tone for the whole Assembly. Everybody expected some kind of ideas, which could be discussed later on by the membership, because everybody recognized the leadership role of the United States, in particular at the United Nations. This year, nothing. Nobody is expecting. Nobody is speculating what could be in the U.S. president's speech. Honestly, nobody cares. That leadership gap, he warns, is being filled by China. China is filling the vacuum. There is a vacuum in the world leadership. And the Chinese are very good in filling any vacuum. They are filling any economic vacuum. That's why they are so, so active and successful in Africa. Now there is a political vacuum in the world, and they are filling that vacuum. So, is the UN still worth keeping? Matsoukas says yes, but only for issues like human rights, development, and refugees. If you have a broken bicycle, you first buy a new one, and then you throw away the broken. You never do it vice versa. This organization is a broken bicycle. It still runs, but not very well. There is a lot of things we can do. But the issues of maintenance of peace and security should be given to probably a new structure. At 80, the UN is still alive. But does it still have a kick?

President Trump announced Monday the FDA believes pregnant women should not take acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, claiming there could be a link between the medication and autism, despite objections from medical experts.

Washington

Trump, FDA tell pregnant women not to take Tylenol

ABC announced Monday that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to the air Tuesday night (September 23). The network pulled the show last week following a remark from Kimmel about the death of Charlie Kirk.

Los Angeles

Jimmy Kimmel returning to air

As leaders from around the globe come together at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine continue to rage.

World leaders come together at UNGA as global tensions rise

Monday marks the second day of strike action after a similar walk-off was called on Sunday by the southern European country's largest trade union, the Italian Confederation of Labour (CGIL).

Rome

Middle East Conflict

Thousands strike across Italy in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza

The Trump administration is adding $100,000 to the existing fee for H-1B visa applications, taking aim at a program that is used to attract highly skilled workers to the U.S.

Trump administration to add $100,000 fee for H-1B visas

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Trump urges Pam Bondi to go after his political foes

Russia is denying that its planes entered Estonian airspace on Saturday, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, but Estonia's foreign minister is saying the government has "irrefutable evidence" of the incursion.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russia denies violating Estonian airspace

U.S. President Donald Trump was the final speaker at a politically charged memorial service for conservative activist and MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk that also included words of forgiveness from Kirk’s widow as well as remarks from the vice-president and one of Trump’s sons.

Glendale

Trump closes out Charlie Kirk memorial

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Trump says Murdochs would be involved in TikTok deal

Portugal, the UK, Australia and Canada joined over 150 countries that now recognise a Palestinian state. The announcements come ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in the week ahead.

Lisbon

Portugal formally recognises Palestinian state

Police say a 23-year-old was arrested and charged Sunday night with second-degree murder after one person was killed and several others were injured in a shooting at a New Hampshire country club. Witnesses say the shooter said “free Palestine” and before opening fire.

Nashua

Suspect yelled 'free Palestine' before country club shooting

President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department go after his political rivals following a shakeup in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Eastern Virginia. Willie James Inman reports.

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President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and several others remembered Charlie Kirk at a memorial service in Arizona that was attended by thousands.

Phoenix

Trump, others remember Charlie Kirk at memorial service

The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia officially recognized Palestine as a state Sunday, a move that has long been opposed by the U.S. and Israel. More countries are expected to do the same this week as world leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel continuing assault on Gaza after countries recognize Palestinian statehood

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US Republicans warn allies over decision to recognise Palestinian state

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday (September 21) in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the U.S.

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognize Palestinian state

The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, will address the UN on Monday, after the General Assembly voted to allow him to join remotely. The U.S. has refused to issue him a visa to attend in person.

UN approves video address by Palestine’s Abbas after U.S. visa refusal

Sixty nations have agreed to a new treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. But the strength of the deal governing the high seas is uncertain as some of the world’s biggest players - including China, the U.S., Russia and Japan - have yet to ratify.

Nations ratify world's first treaty to protect international waters

A cyberattack on a provider of check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports including London's Heathrow, the continent's busiest, causing flight delays and cancellations on Saturday (September 20).

London

Travelers stranded as cyberattack disrupts major European airports

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Manhattan

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Melbourne

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Dozens more Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive. Amid mounting international criticism of Israel, there has been a renewed push for a two-state solution, with Portugal being the latest advocate.

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Charlie Kirk will be mourned in a massive public memorial in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday. With U.S. President Donald Trump and other top U.S. officials attending, the event is expected to bring significant security concerns.

Thousands set to attend Charlie Kirk's public memorial

Russia has launched more than 600 attacks on multiple cities across Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is renewing calls for more support, and warning allies that defending Europe means defending Ukraine.

Kyiv

Russia launches mass strikes across Ukraine

A cyberattack has disrupted air traffic at several airports in Europe. Check-in and boarding systems went down in London, Brussels and Berlin. Europe’s aviation safety organisation says airlines were asked to cancel 50% of their flights to reduce pressure on the system.

Heathrow Airport

Flight chaos as UK, European airports hit by cyberattack

Three Russian military jets violated NATO member Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes on Friday in an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion, its government said, the latest in a series of recent military actions by Russia that have rattled the alliance.

Tallinn

Russian jets enter Estonia's airspace in latest test for NATO

President Trump said Friday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping "made progress" on a deal over TikTok ownership, and that he would visit China early next year.

Trump says he and Xi Jinping 'made progress' on TikTok deal

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Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets lingered in NATO-member Estonia's airspace for several minutes on Friday, according to Estonian authorities. Italian F-35s responded.

NATO defences triggered amid Russian airspace violation

Fellow comedians Jon Stewart and Jimmy Fallon mocked U.S. President Donald Trump Thursday after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air on Wednesday by ABC following Federal Communications Commission pressure.

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