BBC news with Jonathan Izard.

The new president of Egypt Mohamed Morsi says a vicious campaign around the world against what Muslims hold sacred is unacceptable. In his maiden speech to the United Nations General Assembly, the first by a democratically chosen Egyptian president, Mr Morsi called for an end to double standards. He said all religious and cultural views must be respected and the UN had to address the phenomenon of Islam phobia. James Robbins was at the UN.

President Morsi said Muslims had become victims of vicious and unacceptable campaigns against what they held sacred. He said the insults hit on the prophet Muhammad was obscene and part of an Islam phobia which required action by the United Nations. President Morsi said that Egypt respected freedom of expression, but not freedom of expression used to incite hatred against anyone. But he said Egypt also stood firmly against the use of violence in response.

The president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused the west of nuclear intimidation in what is expected to be his last address to the UN General Assembly. He was speaking a day after president Obama said America would do what it had to in order to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. James Reynolds reports.

Iran's president appears to enjoy taking center stage, then holding on to it for as long as he can. In his 34-minutes speech, Mr. Ahmadinejad touched on many his preferred topics, the historic evils of imperialism, the failings of the current world order and the dangers posed by Israel. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's worldview extends beyond severe criticisms of the west to include religious and even mythical beliefs. He ended his speech by talking about his hopes for the arrival of the al-Mahdi, a redeemer revered by believers of Shia Islam.

The prime minister of Mali has called on the United Nations Security Council to authorize a military force to recapture the north of the country. The area has been under the control of militant Islamists since a military coup early this year degenerated into an insurrection and divided the country. The Malian government wants to bring in 3000 West African soldiers to help expel the militants.

Violent clashes have erupted outside the Greek parliament in Athens between riot police and protesters angry about austerity. Many of them are taking part in a 24-hour general strike. From Athens, Mark Lowen reports.

Familiar anger on the streets of Athens. It had been a peaceful protest. But as the marchers arrived on Syntagma Square, violence erupted. Anarchists threw Molotov cocktails at police who responded with volleys of tear gas. Plumes of smoke billowed from the square as the protesters were charged into the side streets. They faced many rounds of spending cuts already and now for yet more, bringing the country to its knees. This is the biggest show strength from the Union in months and a sign that Greeks have reached their limits.

World news from the BBC.

Direct talks between the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan have still not settled their grievances which led to open fighting in April. African Union mediators Cefric tracked their announcement that an agreement will be signed by the end of the day. The BBC correspondent at the talks in Addis Ababa says some sort of deal may be signed but it is unlikely to be comprehensive.

The authorities in southern Mexico say at least ten people have died in a gun battle between a heavily-armed criminal gang and the army. It's not clear how the confrontation began. But police in Guerrero state say the troops pursued the criminal group into a local church where they had sought refuge. Reports say a Mexican army officer was also killed.

Congress in Uruguay has voted by 50-49 to legalize abortion under certain circumstances. The measure now goes to the senate where it's also expected to pass. If approved into law, Uruguay which is predominantly Roman Catholic, will become the second country in Latin America after Cuba to make abortion available to all. President Jose Mujica , a former left-wing rebel, is backing the measure.

One of the most popular American singers of the 1960s and 1970s Andy Williams has died at the age of 84. Jane Little looks back at his life.

Andy Williams was one of America's best-known vocalists with an easy style and a voice often described as silky and mellow.

He made the song Moon River his own when he sang it at the 1962 Oscar's ceremony and he went on to great success with many of his albums on both sides of the Atlantic. He also launched his own record label and television programme The Andy William Show and his Christmas albums and TV specials made him into what the late president Ronald Reagan called a national treasure.

...Moon River, and me .

The voice of the late Andy Williams.

BBC news.