New York

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The latest on the U.N. General Assembly’s annual gathering of world leaders. (all times local):

5:40 p.m.

The U.N. special envoy for Syria says the convening of a committee to draft a new constitution for Syria on Oct. 30 “should be a sign of hope for the long-suffering Syrian people” — but it will matter only if it becomes a step out of the more than eight-year conflict.

NEW YORK (AP) — Large majorities of black and Latino Americans think Donald Trump’s actions as president have made things worse for people like them, and about two-thirds of Americans overall disapprove of how he’s handling race relations, according to a new poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

About half of all Americans think Trump’s actions have been bad for African Americans, Muslims and women, and slightly more than half say they’ve been bad for Hispanics.

NEW YORK (AP) — For the second time this year, a New York City police officer has been killed by friendly fire.

Officer Brian Mulkeen was fatally struck by two police bullets while struggling with an armed man after chasing and shooting at him Sunday in the Bronx, Police commissioner James O’Neill said.

“This is an absolute tragedy,” O’Neill said Monday, quickly turning the blame on the man Mulkeen was grappling with, who was also killed in the burst of gunfire.

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City police officer grappling with an armed man died early Sunday in the Bronx after being shot three times, possibly with his own gun.

The 27-year-old suspect also died after five officers fired at him, police officials said. He has not been publicly identified yet.

The NYPD identified the slain officer as 33-year-old Brian Mulkeen.

“We lost a hero this evening,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference outside Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

NEW YORK (AP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a television interview that he takes “full responsibility” for the grisly murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but denied allegations that he ordered it.

“This was a heinous crime,” Prince Mohammed, 34, told “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired Sunday. “But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government.”

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States continues to be the main obstacle to the development of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, said on Saturday.

Speaking at the General Debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Parrilla said that "economic aggression, no matter how hard threats and blackmails might be, will not extract a single concession from us."

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Syria’s top diplomat on Saturday demanded the immediate withdrawal of American and Turkish forces from the country and said his government reserves the right to defend its territory in any way necessary if they remain.

Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem’s remarks to the United Nations General Assembly were made as Turkey and the United States press ahead with a deal to create a safe zone along Syria’s border with Turkey.

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – Vietnamese Foreign Minister, Pham Binh Minh, called for strengthening the United Nations by revitalising the acutely challenged multi-lateralism.

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, said, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, should follow China’s example, to boost the regional economy while voicing strong support for free trade.

“ASEAN has got 650 million people, half the population of China. Yet, we don’t have even half the strength of China,” said the 94-year-old politician, adding, “we must learn how to exploit that population.”

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s prime minister said on Friday he had held useful talks with U.S. officials while at the United Nations this week, and expressed hope Khartoum could reach an agreement to be removed from Washington’s state-sponsored terrorism list “very soon.”

Abdalla Hamdok, an economist, was appointed in August as leader of a transition government, vowing to stabilise the country and repair an economy battered by years of U.S. sanctions and government mismanagement during Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year rule.