STAT

North Korea has told the United Nations that its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible and rejected outside pressure to abandon its weapons programme. The declaration signals Pyongyang's refusal to negotiate denuclearization, drawing renewed attention to diplomatic deadlocks and regional security concerns involving the US, South Korea, and other parties.

A North Korean vice minister has declared the country's nuclear weapons status to be 'irreversible', according to the headline. The remark signals Pyongyang's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks. No further details were provided in the available information, and it is not clear what prompted the statement or how other governments have responded.

Google Earth has released updated satellite imagery of Gaza, revealing the widespread destruction caused by months of conflict. The new images allow users to compare before-and-after views of neighbourhoods, infrastructure and residential areas across the territory. Outlets including The Independent have highlighted the imagery, which offers one of the clearest public visualisations yet of the scale of damage in the enclave.

The Netherlands is preparing for potentially devastating US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, which is headquartered in The Hague. The prospect of punitive American measures has raised alarm about the court's operations and its staff, and is drawing attention across Europe over how far Washington may go against the institution.

The Muslim World League has issued a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state and urgent international action to end the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. The announcement, reported by Arab News, adds a prominent religious body's voice to ongoing diplomatic appeals over the conflict, urging an immediate resolution to the crisis.

Sudan remains governed by two rival authorities, with Washington recognising neither as legitimate. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state machinery, while the Rapid Support Forces exercise power across territory they hold. US officials say neither side represents constitutional governance, leaving Sudan effectively run by competing authorities without international recognition. Observers warn the standoff complicates diplomacy and aid delivery in a country already devastated by war.

Counter Terrorism Police have confirmed that five men arrested in connection with the RAF Fairford case have been released on bail while investigations continue. Police say the activity may have been committed by proxies for a foreign state, and that suspects often carry out such acts for financial gain. The men remain under investigation as enquiries proceed.

The UAE president held a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu covering relations between the two countries, according to the Emirati state news agency. The talks were reported by major international outlets including Reuters. Details of the conversation have not been made public, and no specific agreements or outcomes were announced in the initial reports.

Several Florida counties have declared a state of emergency following an outbreak of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness. Local health officials are urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the region grapples with the spread of the disease, which can cause severe flu-like symptoms.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase, after releasing without charge the suspects who had been detained. The case has raised questions about state-linked activity on British soil, and officials have not named the country or the base concerned. The probe continues while the freed men remain under investigation.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states may use the federal SAVE database to verify the citizenship status of people registering to vote. The decision allows states conducting voter roll checks to access the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements records. Supporters frame it as a tool for election integrity, while voting rights groups warn it could discourage eligible voters from registering and raise privacy concerns.

The large robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, and NASA says it cannot move it for the time being. Engineers are working to understand the fault on Canadarm2, which is essential for catching cargo spacecraft, moving astronauts during spacewalks and repositioning modules. The outage raises questions about station operations until the arm is restored.

Pope Leo is taking on an increasingly prominent statesman role, using his platform to call for peace amid a period of renewed armed conflict around the world. According to The Washington Post, the pontiff has framed his appeals for diplomacy and reconciliation as a central theme of his leadership, drawing attention to the Vatican's moral voice at a time of escalating wars.

British officials say it is too early to attribute an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase to any foreign government, urging caution while investigations continue. The warning comes amid speculation about possible foreign involvement, and authorities have asked the public to wait for verified findings before drawing conclusions about who was behind the incident.

Manchester City has issued a public statement responding to reports that the club breached the majority of the Premier League's financial rules. The club denies wrongdoing and the claims renew attention on its long-running dispute with the Premier League over alleged financial regulation breaches, a case that has hovered over English football for years.

US Ambassador Mike Waltz said Washington rejected Iran's proposal to end the conflict because Tehran refused to accept sanctions-related demands. According to Waltz, the US offered to supply uranium for Iran's civilian nuclear program, but Iran declined the arrangement. The exchange highlights the gap between the two sides over nuclear and sanctions issues as diplomatic efforts continue.

Russia's Central Election Commission has still not published final State Duma election results for the four occupied Ukrainian territories, as well as 21 federal subjects. Reports note significant gaps in the released data for the Kursk region and Yakutia, raising questions about the completeness and transparency of the official vote count.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a powerful Nor'easter storm moves through the region, forcing the cancellation of events and disrupting travel. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy snow and strong winds batter the area, with crews working to keep roads clear and respond to weather-related incidents.

Florida health officials have declared a state of emergency in response to what they describe as a 'wildly unusual' disease outbreak in the state. The emergency declaration allows authorities to mobilise additional resources and coordinate a response. Details about the disease, the number of cases, and the affected areas have not been specified in the initial reports.

A bipartisan coalition of 44 state attorneys general in the United States has reached a settlement over a data breach. The agreement, reported by GovTech, concludes a multistate inquiry into the incident. Details on the company involved, the settlement amount and the remediation measures have not yet been made public, but state law enforcement officials are presenting the deal as a step toward stronger consumer data protections.

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm outside the International Space Station, has reportedly stopped working, according to an Ars Technica report. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so a failure would be a significant operational problem for the station's crews and ongoing maintenance.

Higher interest rates are putting pressure on the real estate market, with reports highlighting how rising borrowing costs affect homebuyers and sellers. Higher mortgage rates typically reduce affordability, cool demand, and slow transactions, a concern for prospective buyers and the housing industry alike as markets adjust to the tighter financial conditions.

Paramount, alongside state officials, has rejected calls to reopen or deepen the regulatory review of its merger deal. The pushback came after critics urged a closer examination of the agreement's terms and competitive impact. Both Paramount and the states involved maintain the deal has already been sufficiently scrutinized and should proceed as planned.

The US Department of Education has moved to reinstate Title IX rules from the Trump administration, rolling back protections for LGBTQ+ students that had been expanded under the Biden administration. The change alters how schools handle sexual discrimination and harassment complaints nationwide, prompting criticism from advocates who say it weakens safeguards for transgender and queer students.

Attention has turned to why the Premier League has not issued any public statement regarding Manchester City's 115 alleged breaches of financial rules, described in coverage as a bombshell. The charges, referred to as 114 or 115 in reports, remain one of football's biggest unresolved cases, and supporters are questioning the league's silence as the process drags on. No timeline for a resolution has been confirmed.

A Minister of State from the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the 81st session of the UN General Assembly during its general debate. The remarks come as world leaders gather in New York to set out their countries' positions on international peace, security and development. The UAE's intervention is being followed as part of its broader diplomatic engagement on the global stage.

States of emergency have been declared across several US states as a powerful nor'easter strikes the East Coast. ABC World News Tonight with David Muir led its September 25, 2026 broadcast with the storm, which is drawing major attention as residents brace for coastal flooding, heavy rain and strong winds.

The US housing sector is short roughly 300,000 skilled trades workers, according to new statistics reported by IndexBox. The shortage of electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other construction workers is being cited as a constraint on homebuilding at a time when housing supply remains tight. Industry observers point to an aging workforce and too few new entrants into trade apprenticeships as key drivers of the gap.