Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Cuba saying it is not a threat to the US and remains ready for dialogue; Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing Europe of trying to thwart prospects for peace talks with Ukraine; and China opposing unilateral military action amid the US-Iran war.
Cuba is not a threat to the US and remains ready for dialogue with Washington based on sovereign equality and respect for international law, according to its foreign minister.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Bruno Rodriguez said Havana was willing to resolve differences through dialogue without interference in domestic affairs or any preconditions.
"Cuba is not a threat. The blockade is a threat," he said, adding that his country was prepared to pursue trade, commercial relations and cooperation with the US, as it would with any other country.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused European countries of doing “everything they can to thwart” prospects for peace talks with Ukraine.
In his address to the UN General Assembly in New York, Lavrov accused the West of “pumping” Ukraine with weapons and helping it target civilians and civilian infrastructure with drones and missiles.
“The West aspires to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, but these aspirations will result in the warmongers being led into a strategic dead end,” he said.
China’s vice president voiced Beijing's opposition to "unilateral military actions" amid the ongoing US-Iran war.
"We should settle differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and oppose unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter and circumvent Security Council authorization," said Han Zheng, urging major countries to shoulder "special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security," and take the lead in "complying with the rules, upholding rule of law, and doing what's right."
Han also urged for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue.
Baghdad has reached an understanding with the US to resume dollar cash shipments to Iraq after a months-long suspension, according to an Iraqi government spokesman.
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 US.
He said the shipments would help meet Iraq’s domestic demand for foreign currency.
“A new shipment will arrive in the coming days,” said al-Aboudi, without disclosing the value or a delivery date.
China and the US reached a consensus on “recommendations for more favorable” tariff treatment for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction, according to the White House.
The announcement came after Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a three-day visit to the US with his wife, Peng Liyuan. The visit was Xi’s first state visit to Washington in more than a decade and his second to the US since 2015.
Trump urged Xi to increase production of refined petroleum products to help stabilize global supply, according to the statement.
On the economic front, a working group was launched to address “market access barriers” in the agricultural sector.
For US exports, the goods include agricultural products, fish and seafood, logs and wood products, cosmetics and medical devices.
For US imports, they include consumer products such as small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children’s car seats.
“China will import at least 10 million metric tons of coal from the United States in 2027 and again in 2028,” said the White House.
Republic of Ireland players intend to wear black armbands in recognition of the lives lost in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip during Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said.
FAI Chief Executive David Courell confirmed that one player had withdrawn from the squad ahead of the match.
Courell said the squad had held a vote on whether to play the fixture, with a “significant majority” voting in favor of proceeding with the match.
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