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81st UN General Assembly session opens in New York

High-level general debate, attended by heads of state and government and foreign ministers, is traditionally the centerpiece of its opening month

UNITED NATIONS, September 8. /TASS/. The 81st regular session of the UN General Assembly is opening at the organization’s headquarters in New York.

It will run until September 7, 2027, with the high-level general debate, attended by heads of state and government and foreign ministers, traditionally the centerpiece of its opening month.

The session will take place amid ongoing international conflicts, the UN’s financial difficulties and efforts to reform the organization. A key event in the coming year will be the selection of a new secretary-general. Antonio Guterres, who has led the UN since 2017, will complete his term on December 31, 2026.

The general debate will be held on September 22-26 and September 28. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will head the Russian delegation to the session.

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According to the statement, these actions are "of a preventive nature"

Militants’ dug-out found in Dagestan’s mountains

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Niger’s military thanks Russia’s Africa Corps for assistance in suppressing mutiny

The Chief of the General Staff of the Niger Armed Forces, the Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces and the commander of Air Force Base 101, located at the airport, visited the base of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps, Russian ambassador to Niger Viktor Voropayev said

Alrosa transfers largest gem-quality diamond in Russian history to state repository

Russian diamond miner Alrosa recovered the 468.30-carat crystal, which measures 56x54x22 millimeters and features a unique fancy amber color

Russian forces tighten Ukrainian encirclement in Volchansk — security forces

Over the past week, more than 20 pieces of enemy equipment, including armored vehicles, have been destroyed during attempts to break through the encirclement, security officials added

SCO declaration omits Ukraine conflict, addresses nuclear disarmament

SCO countries voiced "deep concern over developments in the Middle East" and backed a diplomatic settlement

Russia could account for over 30% of global uranium supplies by 2040 — FT

According to the report, Western countries are unable to meet demand due to a lack of investment and delays in issuing permits for the development of new deposits

External power supply to Zaporozhye NPP restored — Rosatom CEO

Alexey Likhachev thanked all agencies and ministries that facilitated the ceasefire needed to conduct repair works

Russia takes control of more than 100 sq km of territory in special op over week — expert

Andrey Marochko said that Russian forces took control of 15 settlements last week

Russian forces strike two Ukrainian army’s logistics centers in Odessa Region

According to the ministry, Geran-4 Seeker drones have state-of-the-art electronic guidance system that makes it possible for the drone to independently adjust its trajectory before hitting a target

West, Ukraine obsessed with destabilizing Russia — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said he "would not expect any political miracles" from the upcoming BRICS summit

Morocco reports deportation of some 1,500 illegal migrants seeking to reach Ceuta

Young Moroccans, minors too, account for the overwhelming number of those expelled, Hespress reported

Russian stock market closes with major indices up

BCS World of Investments expects the MOEX Index to consolidate within the 2,230-2,270 point range on Tuesday

Iranian forces strike US warships with ballistic missiles — IRGC

According to the statement, the damaged US warships were forced to withdraw from the combat area

Rescue operation in wake of deadly Bezengi avalanche on hold until tomorrow’s dawn

According to the Emergencies Ministry’s department in the region, 46 people are at the ready at the Bezengi alpine camp

US military sinks vessel supporting drug cartel in Pacific

According to the Southern Command, the US will hand over people on board to Ecuadorian authorities

African Union prepares action plan to prevent conflicts on continent

The plan’s key objectives include improving the effectiveness of the early warning and crisis response system, strengthening the role of the AU Peace and Security Council, enhancing cooperation with regional organizations and securing sustainable funding for peacekeeping initiatives

Bridge on DPRK border to boost cooperation — Russian prime minister

Mikhail Mishustin added that the bridge was constructed in a very short timeframe

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 4,380 - health ministry

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Ukrainian troops use Hornet drone in today’s attack on central Donetsk

The Kiev regime attacked a traffic area

Zelensky mistaken about chances of stopping Russia — media

Owen Matthews, a columnist for The Spectator, argued that as winter approaches, Ukraine is about to run out of "not only Patriot missiles and men for the front lines, but money to fight on"

Nearly 90% of Germans dissatisfied with government — poll

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Saudi Aramco oil facility in Jizan hit in strike — Financial Times

According to the sources, the damage is currently being assessed

Trump's approval rating falls to record low — Financial Times poll

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Cuba incurs almost $9 bln in damage from US blockade in one year — top diplomat

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Foreign airlines’ passenger traffic in Russia to reach 26-27.5 mln in 2026 — Aeroflot

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Witkoff states 'substantive progress' in Ukraine settlement negotiations

The US special presidential envoy said it includes scheduling additional trilateral talks

Russian ambassador suspects Niger mutiny attempt may have been coordinated from abroad

Viktor Voropayev did not directly accuse any country of organizing the mutiny, but he noted that France was highly dissatisfied with developments in the Sahel and its loss of influence in the region

At least two killed in Houthi missile attack on refugee camp — TV

According to a report by Al Hadath, several people more were wounded

BRICS relevance now clear to everyday people in Russia — deputy foreign minister

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the bloc has already become part of the public discourse and an element of everyday life

Zelensky wants prolonged conflict to maintain power, enrich himself, says Philippot

The leader of France's The Patriots party expressed confidence that Paris must stop fueling corruption in Ukraine

BRICS focused on integrating new members, partner countries following major expansion

Cooperation spans 35 areas at the level of ministers and heads of agencies

Ukraine’s prosecutor general on Russia’s wanted list again

Ruslan Kravchenko submitted his resignation on Monday

Iranian delegation to take part in UN General Assembly if US grants entry visas — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted that Tehran intended to clarify Iran's position on pressing issues at the UN General Assembly meeting

Russian diplomat notes EU’s cynical attempts to present itself as 'force for good'

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew attention to the steadily growing level of intolerance in the EU, the increasing incidence of racism, and the spread of hate speech

Russian citizen sentenced to 23 years in jail for spying for Polish intel

Georgy Pirogov's task was to collect and share classified data about advanced weapons used by the Russian army in the course of the special military operation

Russia’s Northern Fleet frigate conducts training launch of Oniks missile in Barents Sea

The ministry specified that the target was over 300 km away from the ship

DPRK defense minister describes military cooperation by South Korea, US, Japan as threat

Kim Song-gi pointed to the Freedom Edge exercises, which the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan have been conducting since September 7

Ukrainian forces shell DPR settlements 53 times over past day

Fourteen civilians were injured

Oman evacuates crew members of Saudi tanker attacked in Hormuz Strait

ONA reported that there were 25 people on board the tanker, with two crew members killed in the attack

UK to announce ban on trade with Israeli settlements — media

According to a report by The Telegraph, the restrictions will be introduced despite criticism from the US administration and some members of the Labour Party

Armed man attempts to attack Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio — TV

The assailant rushed toward Amy Acton and injured several people at the event

US redirects 94 vessels since resuming naval blockade of Iran

CENTCOM forces also disabled three and boarded two ships

Russia to ease visa rules, upgrade infrastructure to boost Far East tourism

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Russian diplomats doing everything to help families of those missing in Nepal — MFA

Maria Zakharova says embassy officials are in direct contact with the relatives of the missing and with the Nepalese government

Ukraine’s prosecutor general tenders resignation

Ruslan Kravchenko said this was a political decision

German chancellor pledges to maintain tough Russia policy after Saxony-Anhalt election

Friedrich Merz also pledged to continue supporting Ukraine

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Ukrainian troops adopt defensive posture in many sectors of special op — expert

Andrey Marochko said that Ukrainian armed formations had practically abandoned the use of heavy armored vehicles

Prime ministers of Russia, DPRK open road bridge across Tumannaya River via video link

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Three-day moratorium on strikes on Kiev expires

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Russian tennis chief gives Andreeva vote of confidence ahead of US Open match vs Potapova

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Crisis around Iran impacts global economy and prices — Erdogan

The Turkish President said that oil prices had hit historic highs

Russia not banking on prolonged Strait of Hormuz crisis — envoy

Boris Titov said the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz could end just as quickly as it began

Former F1 head Bernie Ecclestone arrested in Portugal for illegal arms possession

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Lavrov comments on West’s attempts to spoil elections and robbery of Russian assets

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According to the statement, it is also necessary to ensure regular fuel supplies for backup diesel generators

Closure of German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, Goethe centers: Russia’s response

The head of the German diplomatic mission received corresponding notes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Putin, Aliyev agree by telephone to intensify Moscow-Baku contacts

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Yemeni authorities intend to regain control over capital city of Sana — TV

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Russia to present Lancet-E loitering munition at Egypt airshow — arms exporter

Rosoboronexport will present the latest unmanned platforms, the S-71M and S-71K, developed by the United Aircraft Corporation

AfD leader links party's victory in Saxony-Anhalt to dissatisfaction with aid to Ukraine

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Europe ramps up gas injection into UGS for winter at high prices in early September

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Russian diplomat sees EU weaponizing human rights issue to put pressure on Moscow

Maria Zakharova said what struck her most in the EU’s 2025 Annual Human Rights Report was "an excerpt on how the EU describes its own policy toward Russia"

Norway deploys artillery battalion on border with Russia — ambassador

Norway has deployed an artillery battalion consisting of four K9 self-propelled howitzers manufactured by the Republic of Korea, with a firing range of up to 40 km, Nikolay Korchunov said

Russia orders closure of German consulate general in St. Petersburg — statement

All its employees should leave the Russian Federation no later than September 18, 2026

Prospects for trilateral negotiations on Ukraine, visit of US emissaries: Kremlin briefing

Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow has no information regarding the results of the contacts between US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with the Kiev regime

Putin orders three-day suspension of strikes on Kiev starting at midnight — Kremlin

The Ukrainian army would observe a ceasefire from midnight on September 5 through September 8

FACTBOX: What we know about deadly avalanche in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

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Russia plans to launch serial production of domestic aircraft in Far East

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Risk of large-scale conflict, NATO’s ‘confession’: SVR statements

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Refusal to negotiate with Russia West’s biggest mistake — UK columnist

Owen Matthews says Europe has no concrete plan to help Kiev

EU’s executive arm approves Kiev’s request for Patriot interceptors — portal

Sources told Hromadske that Kiev would use funds from the EU €90 billion loan

Merz acknowledges his party suffered 'dramatic defeat' in Saxony-Anhalt election

The Alternative for Germany party pursues the goal of "completely destroying the CDU," and so "no cooperation at all can be maintained" with it, Friedrich Merz said

Alternative for Germany wins Saxony-Anhalt election with record 43.8%

This is the AfD's best-ever result in any German state, doubling its share of the vote from the previous state election five years ago

Progress MS-33 ends its 6-month mission — Roscosmos

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Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft undocks from ISS

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Norway's military buildup requires Russia take additional measures — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said the Russian Defense Ministry, as well as other relevant services, are dealing with this

Russia competes at int’l level in 39 sports events on Olympic program — deputy PM

Dmitry Chernyshenko added that Russian athletes already participate in international tournaments under the national flag and the country’s anthem in 23 various sports competitions

Merz says party's defeat in Saxony-Anhalt vote no reason to resign as German chancellor

The German chancellor explained that he sees it as his duty, as well as the federal government's, to "open up opportunities for the next generation"

Russia approves agreement on peaceful cooperation in space with Serbia

Among other fields, potential cooperation includes outer space exploration, space medicine, remote Earth sensing, satellite systems, space meteorology, and manned space flights

ECHR takes up Russian figure skater’s complaint over ban

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Russian government approves Far East development strategy with outlook to 2036

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin emphasized the critical importance of strengthening cooperation with friendly nations

Thousands attend funeral of ex-Bosnian Serb military leader Mladic in Belgrade

Ratko Mladic’s son Darko thanked everybody who took part in the ceremony

Russia’s Su-57 fighter proves superiority in real combat — Rosoboronexport

"Its acquisition will enable the partner country’s air force to secure a long-term strategic advantage in the region and significantly strengthen its own defense capabilities," Alexander Mikheyev said