TOP NEWS

Political situation in Italy
Italian minister faces fierce criticism over skirt remarks

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has come under fire after advising men during a panel discussion to marry "respectable" women wearing "longer skirts," Euronews reports.

"Someone less flashy, but more reliable and serious. Someone who would make a good mother," he said, contrasting them with "glamorous" women who "have often dumped a string of boyfriends."

The remarks sparked a storm of criticism that extended beyond the country's borders, and several female opposition politicians wore short skirts in protest. Tajani has also been mocked on social media, including through AI-generated images showing him wearing a short skirt himself.

During the UN General Assembly, Tajani addressed the criticism, stating that he "regrets that some of my remarks were taken out of context and misunderstood"—a statement that drew further criticism. 

Russian invasion  International response
German-Russian ministerial meeting – first since the invasion

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have met for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to multiple media reports.

Sergey Lavrov and Johann Wadephul held talks on Saturday during the UN General Assembly in New York. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the meeting took place at Germany's initiative and that the war in Ukraine and bilateral issues were discussed, the independent *Moscow Times* reports. "On these and other issues, Johann Wadephul reiterated the German government's position, which they have already expressed openly on many occasions," the Russian Foreign Ministry writes.

The meeting was held behind closed doors for about 20 minutes. Germany has not commented on what was said. 

Middle East Crisis  Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia: The international community must do more

Saudi Arabia wants the international community to do more to help secure commercial shipping through the region's vital straits, AFP reports.

"The international community has failed to shoulder its responsibility to confront threats to international peace and security," Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan told the UN General Assembly.

The Kingdom faces maritime threats on both coasts. In the east, Iran has tightened its grip on the Persian Gulf by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. In the west, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another strategically important shipping lane between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. 

US-Cuba Relations
Trump: We want to open up Cuba to Americans

Donald Trump believes the US and Cuba will reach an agreement, he told reporters, according to Reuters.

"I don't think the military is needed. [...] We want to help Cuba. We want to open up Cuba to our people."

The Trump administration has openly stated that its goal is regime change in Cuba. The oil blockade imposed earlier this year has placed enormous pressure on the island nation. In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump called Cuba a failed state and said that "freedom is coming" to the country, prompting the Cuban delegation to walk out of the hall.

According to an internal military document seen by CBS News, the US is exploring the possibility of military action against Cuba within the next four months.