Secretary of State

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered his final address to the UN General Assembly, warning that superpowers cannot solve the world's problems on their own. Speaking in New York, he argued that global challenges like climate change demand multilateral cooperation rather than reliance on a few dominant states. The speech, covered by the Guardian, is being shared widely as a closing message from a leader known for pressing major powers to act together.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American diplomats abroad to press foreign governments for swift action against Iran, citing what the State Department calls an elevated risk of attack. The directive signals a sharpened US diplomatic posture toward Tehran, with envoys instructed to rally international support for measures aimed at countering the perceived threat.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States has sufficient munitions to sustain its military campaign against Iran 'as long as we need to'. The statement, reported by ABC News, signals Washington's readiness for a prolonged conflict and comes as the war with Iran continues to draw close attention worldwide.

The race to select the next UN secretary-general is under way, with candidates framed as needing to be a 'mediator-in-chief' for a divided world. Commentary on the contest argues it highlights the multiple crises confronting the United Nations, from wars to institutional gridlock, as member states weigh who can restore the organisation's diplomatic clout.

The contest to select the next United Nations Secretary-General is intensifying as world leaders gather in New York for the General Assembly's high-level week. Diplomatic lobbying and positioning around the top UN job are drawing attention alongside the annual speeches, with candidates and member states vying for support in what is shaping up to be a closely watched race.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in Washington for meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks come at a sensitive moment in US-Saudi relations, with regional security, the Gaza conflict and bilateral cooperation expected to feature on the agenda. Officials in both capitals are watching for signals on defence ties and possible normalization issues.

The US Air Force secretary has publicly acknowledged that the United States maintains weapons in space, a rare official confirmation of a capability long rumored. The statement is drawing attention given years of ambiguity around American space-based military systems and ongoing debates about space militarization and arms control.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Foreign Minister are due to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The discussions are expected to centre on Hezbollah's weapons and the continued Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, two of the most sensitive issues between Beirut, Washington and Tel Aviv.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said renewed dialogue between China and the United States will help ease concerns, but he expects competition between the two powers to continue. His remarks reflect cautious optimism among policymakers that talks can stabilise relations, even as underlying economic and strategic rivalry remains unresolved.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in the United States for a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The talks come as Riyadh and Washington maintain close coordination on regional security, the war in Gaza and broader Middle East diplomacy. Details of the agenda have not been announced, but the visit signals continued high-level engagement between the two governments.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said a cyclosporiasis outbreak is under control even as at least 1,600 cases have been reported across five US states. The intestinal illness, typically linked to contaminated food or water, has driven renewed scrutiny of the federal response, with critics questioning the assessment given the case count and uncertainty over the outbreak's source.

The UK defense secretary has warned that British military bases could be potential targets for state-backed actors. The statement highlights growing concerns in London about hostile foreign activity against defense infrastructure. It comes amid heightened scrutiny of espionage, sabotage and cyber threats attributed to hostile states, and is likely to fuel debate over the security of military sites across the country.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, framing transactional deal-making as the centrepiece of American diplomacy. His remarks signal the administration's preference for bilateral agreements over traditional multilateral engagement, drawing attention from diplomats and observers assessing what this shift means for US leadership and cooperation on global issues.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres met with South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Co-operation at UN headquarters. The meeting is part of regular diplomatic engagements between the UN leadership and member state representatives. No details of the discussion have been released, but such talks typically cover cooperation on peace and security, development priorities, and South Africa's role in African and global affairs.

Maine's Secretary of State has issued a public warning about websites and online sources spreading misleading information about elections. Officials are urging voters to verify details through official state channels before trusting or sharing claims they encounter online. The advisory comes amid heightened concern over misinformation affecting voter confidence.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with Tunisia's Minister for Foreign Affairs at United Nations headquarters. The meeting is part of the Secretary-General's regular diplomatic engagements with member states. Details of the discussions, including topics such as regional stability or bilateral cooperation, have not been disclosed, and reaction so far has been limited to the official readout of the encounter.

Nevada's most prominent election denier is making another bid for the state's top election office, according to the Nevada Current. The candidate previously sought the secretary of state post, which oversees elections in the battleground state. Observers are watching whether election denial messaging will resonate with Nevada voters in the upcoming race.

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson, once embraced by the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, has endorsed a Democrat, according to Votebeat. The endorsement marks a striking reversal for a politician who built her profile on election-skeptic politics, and it is drawing attention in coverage of state election officials heading into the next election cycle.

The Department of Justice has ordered Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore to preserve 2024 election records that contain private voter information. The directive ensures documents with personal voter data are retained, likely amid ongoing scrutiny or potential legal proceedings related to the 2024 election. The order places a legal obligation on the state's top election official to safeguard the records.

Mississippi's Secretary of State has laid out key information for voters ahead of the midterm election, covering what residents need to know before heading to the polls. The guidance comes as voters across the state prepare to cast ballots, with officials aiming to reduce confusion over registration deadlines, polling places and identification requirements for the vote.

Missouri voters have filed a second class action lawsuit against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in less than a week. The repeat legal challenge targets the state's top election official, though details of the claims and plaintiffs' demands have not been made fully public. It remains unclear what relief the voters are seeking or how Hoskins has responded.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Detroit rapper Big Sean met in Detroit to discuss the state's creative economy ahead of the November election. The conversation highlighted the role of arts, music and culture in Michigan's economic future, with the rapper's Detroit roots and philanthropic work adding weight to the event. Their pairing drew attention as both a cultural and political moment in a key swing state.

Candidates for Alabama Secretary of State, Rogers and Dobson, have laid out sharply different plans for the office ahead of the election. Their contrasting platforms cover priorities such as election administration and office management, giving voters a clear choice on how the state's top elections office would be run.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber laid out her case for reelection in a CA Politics 360 interview with KCRA, detailing her record in overseeing the state's elections. She emphasized her administration's work on voter access and election administration as she seeks another term. The interview is part of local coverage of California's statewide races and gives voters a direct look at the incumbent's platform.

Shirley Weber, California's Secretary of State, has laid out her reasons for seeking another term in office. In remarks covered by KCRA, she argued her record in overseeing the state's elections justifies returning her to the post. Weber, a former state assemblywoman who became the first Black person to serve as California's chief elections officer, is campaigning to keep the role as voters weigh her stewardship of election administration in the nation's most populous state.