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UN Supports Initiative of Building Bridges of Understanding, Peace between East and West

UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres with MWL Sec-Gen Mohammed al-Issa (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres with MWL Sec-Gen Mohammed al-Issa (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Supports Initiative of Building Bridges of Understanding, Peace between East and West

UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres with MWL Sec-Gen Mohammed al-Issa (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres with MWL Sec-Gen Mohammed al-Issa (Asharq Al-Awsat)

UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres affirmed his full support for the Muslim World League (MWL), especially in promoting the values of moderation around the world.

Guterres received the MWL Sec-Gen Mohammed al-Issa following the initiative's launch: "Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace between East and West."

Issa launched the initiative at the UN Headquarters, with the participation of the UN Presidency and its General Secretariat, the High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, and the presence of senior international, religious, political, and intellectual leadership.

The UN Sec-Gen said that religious leaders have a significant role in supporting peace and harmony, stressing that religions are not the cause of wars in the world, but rather they bring people together.

The meeting witnessed a discussion of issues of common interest between the UN and the MWL and enhanced prospects for bilateral cooperation.

They addressed the outputs and programs of the initiative and the mechanisms for activating them.

It witnessed the interaction of international and UN leaders and religious, intellectual, and academic leadership, who reiterated the importance of this initiative in their speeches.

The leaders announced their full support for expanding the initiative's scope as part of the international institutional activity pivotal to the peace and harmony of the world and its societies.

They also asserted the importance of activating the initiative's ideas on the ground, including launching a global day for the Alliance of Civilizations between East and West, stressing the importance of respecting the specifics of each civilization's religious and cultural identity.

Issa praised the wisdom of the United Nations in dealing with religious issues around the world and harnessing the provisions of its charter to bring about peace, sensing the importance of the significant religious contribution.

He stated that about 80 percent of people worldwide respect religions and believe in their contribution to peace and harmony, especially the enhancement of coexistence.

The MWL leader commended the UN Charter and expressed his appreciation to the UN Secretary-General for supporting the League's latest conference: "Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace between East and West," at the headquarters in New York.

He warned against the danger of the discourse on the civilizational conflict between East and West and the division of the world into warring camps, calling on the countries worldwide to work for the success of their UN Charter.

Issa's speech addressed the dangers of materialistic exploitation of religion, shedding light on the League's efforts as regards climate files, immigrant and displaced issues, and other pressing issues in the world.

Issa declared that the UN Secretary-General affirmed his full support for the work of the League, especially in promoting the values of moderation around the world.

"The international organization is working to combat Islamophobia and hatred of the other."

The UN Secretary-General confirmed that there is an unreal image of Islam and that social media sites increase hatred due to posting many lies at the expense of correct information.

 

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World

UK Police Release on Bail 5 Men Held over Airbase Incident

Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
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UK Police Release on Bail 5 Men Held over Airbase Incident

Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard

British police said Monday five men arrested near an airbase used by the United States were released on bail, as Washington asserted a "foreign actor" was involved in the suspected bomb plot.

US President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, said he was "surprised that they released them", adding that "I wouldn't have done that".

The release of the five -- all London-based Britons in their mid-20s -- came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an emergency meeting of top officials to ensure they have "the full picture".

Earlier, Iran had denied involvement in any plot to target the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following the security scare there early Sunday.

Here's what we know so far:

UK counter-terror police are leading the investigation after authorities received reports Sunday of three "suspicious" white vans near the airbase, which has been used by the United States to bomb Iran.

Police said in their latest update Monday that the five men held, who all live in inner London boroughs, were being released on bail.

"This does not mean the investigation is over," Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said, adding the five would be subject to "stringent" bail conditions.

He said officers were "considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state".

B‑1B Lancer bomber at the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard

The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and "preparation of a terrorist act" under UK anti-terrorism laws, according to police.

They had been travelling in the three suspect vehicles, which have since been subject to "extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts".

According to AFP, authorities have not confirmed details of the threat but bomb-disposal experts were seen working at the scene.

The Daily Mail and Press Association both reported late Monday they understood from sources that tests on materials in the back of the vans established they were "not viable explosives".

A farmer living in the village of Whelford near the airbase said she rang the police after seeing the vans blocking a road and a group of masked men.

The anonymous woman told media on Monday that she believed the police had "dropped the ball" on the threat.

But UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting said the farmer only had a "partial picture".

Trump said on Sunday that Britain and United States had had the suspects "under investigation" for a while and alleged "they were looking to do big damage to our fort".

British newspaper front pages reporting the police declaration of a major incident at RAF Fairford airbase, in this illustration, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Illustration

After hearing news of their bail, Trump said Monday the case "might be" linked to Iran but declined to elaborate.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor", without giving further details.

Iran's embassy in London said on X that it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" the "unfounded and malicious speculations" that Tehran was involved.

Britain gave the United States permission in March to use Fairford for "specific defensive operations into Iran" to destroy Iranian missiles at source.

US bombers and other planes have since been seen taking off and landing from the base -- the only one on Britain's mainland used for this purpose.

Residents in the rural Cotswolds area surrounding Fairford said the site, which hosts a range of US military equipment and personnel, had seen increased activity and security in recent months.

Authorities evacuated around 85 households from the village early on Sunday, and they were allowed to return home the next day.

Tehran has previously warned London against allowing its bases to be used by the United States in operations against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused London of "putting British lives in danger" by allowing the bases to be used "for aggression against Iran".

World

US, Iran Separately Talk with Mediators in Latest Bid to End War

An Iranian missile is displayed under the country's national flag in a military exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war at Baharestan Square, in Tehran, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP)
An Iranian missile is displayed under the country's national flag in a military exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war at Baharestan Square, in Tehran, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP)
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US, Iran Separately Talk with Mediators in Latest Bid to End War

An Iranian missile is displayed under the country's national flag in a military exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war at Baharestan Square, in Tehran, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP)
An Iranian missile is displayed under the country's national flag in a military exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war at Baharestan Square, in Tehran, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP)

US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war, according to officials of both countries.

Any further talks are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal that Iran presented last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.

The war began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on ‌Iran, killing ‌thousands of people over seven months and shocking global markets ‌as ⁠vital waterways for ⁠oil remained choked. The US and Iran have twice previously agreed to ceasefires in mediated peace talks, in April and June. Those agreements quickly unraveled.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who remained in New York after attending the General Assembly, said Iran expected to receive the US response to its latest ceasefire proposals and its conditions for restoring passage of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state ⁠news agency IRNA.

"If the Americans claim they are seeking ‌an agreement or a peaceful solution, we ‌have presented that solution," Araqchi said.

US officials separately spoke with mediators on Monday, US President Donald ‌Trump told reporters at the White House, without giving further details.

TRUMP HAS ‌FLAGGED FURTHER TALKS THIS WEEK

Iran's seven-day plan envisages an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of billions of dollars' worth of Iranian assets, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ‌ports.

Iran would then allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for oil tankers, and the ⁠two sides would ⁠also resume talks on Iran's nuclear program and Trump's wish to seize or eliminate its highly enriched uranium.

Trump said on Saturday he had rejected Iran's proposal, saying Iran wanted a swift agreement because of the crippling economic pressure it is under. However, he also told Axios on Sunday that he expected US negotiators to engage in further talks this week.

Araghchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection, and that Iran was awaiting Washington's definitive position before deciding its next steps.

"Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met," he said on Sunday, adding that only a negotiated solution could resolve the impasse.

World

Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Says North Korea Prepares to Deploy Another 10,000 Troops to Russia

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026. (Reuters)
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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Says North Korea Prepares to Deploy Another 10,000 Troops to Russia

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026. (Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday there are more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory and preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops.

Citing "new data" on the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, Zelenskiy said they were "being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia."

The Ukrainian president ‌said in ‌August that up to ‌50,000 North ⁠Korean soldiers could be ⁠sent to fight for Russia, and called on South Korea to provide support for Ukraine's air defense.

South Korea announced in July a $100 million aid package for Ukraine, although it excluded lethal weapons.

Zelenskiy's comments on Monday ⁠came after Seoul and Kyiv were ‌at odds over ‌his announcement last week that Ukraine had transferred ‌two captured North Korean soldiers to ‌South Korea.

Seoul expressed regret over his announcement, citing an agreement to keep the transfer confidential. South Korea also protested against what it called a ‌false statement from the Ukrainian presidential office denying that such a confidentiality ⁠agreement ⁠existed.

North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates, with most deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion.

Pyongyang has also supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, as well as ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.