UN General Assembly opens as leaders confront war, division, and climate shocks

World leaders gather at the UN General Assembly this week amid wars, divisions, and concerns over runaway AI and climate shocks, with roughly 130 heads of state expected to speak starting Tuesday. The agenda is dominated by conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and elsewhere, alongside UN reform efforts and financial troubles. US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron headline Tuesday's session, while China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin are absent. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will deliver his final opening address, warning of "existential threats" and urging cooperation. The US recently paid $725 million in dues, signaling continued membership, though experts describe the UN as trapped in a permanent crisis.