UN

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with American officials. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a ceremonial farewell. The formal send-off is being highlighted as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

UN Security Council ambassadors are holding a meeting as violence and tensions in the occupied West Bank escalate and international efforts to advance a plan for Gaza stall. The session comes amid growing concern among member states over the deteriorating situation on the ground and the lack of progress on a political way forward for both the West Bank and Gaza.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, setting out Iran's red lines on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. According to the headline, he framed Iran's positions on these issues directly before the international body. Details of his specific remarks are not available, but the speech is being widely followed amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the conflict with Israel.

Ukraine has carried out what is being described as its largest attack to date on Moscow, prompting reaction from military experts assessing the scale and implications of the strike. The assault on the Russian capital marks a significant escalation in the war, drawing widespread attention as analysts weigh Ukraine's growing long-range strike capabilities and Russia's response.

Russia has launched another wave of strikes across Ukraine, with Russian authorities saying logistics, port and transport infrastructure were targeted. The attacks come amid continued fighting and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. The strikes add pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure while international talks on ending the conflict continue.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a scathing attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations, reportedly calling him 'horrible' in a speech condemning Israel. Members of Netanyahu's delegation staged a dramatic walkout during the address. The confrontation underscores deepening tensions between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza war and drew wide international attention.

Ahead of the 81th session of the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb.' The pledge, reported by APT, frames Iran's position on its nuclear program at a moment when the country's intentions face close international scrutiny. It sets the tone for Iran's messaging at the UN, where Western powers have long pressed Tehran over enrichment levels and access for inspectors, and it is drawing wide attention online.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for de-escalation as fighting intensifies in Ethiopia. The appeal highlights growing concern over the impact of renewed hostilities on civilians, and comes amid reports of worsening conditions on the ground. Observers are watching for whether the parties to the conflict respond to international pressure to step back.

Ukraine has fired hundreds of drones at Moscow in what is described as the largest attack on the Russian capital since the full-scale war began. The strike disrupted air traffic and prompted airport closures as air defences were activated across the region. The scale of the assault marks a significant escalation in long-range strikes on Russian territory.

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its first orbital-class test flight from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The uncrewed mission marks a major milestone for the vehicle that SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. Attention is focused on how the largest rocket ever built performs during its ascent and test objectives.

SpaceX flew the fourteenth test flight of its Starship rocket, streaming the launch live and culminating in a splashdown of the Super Heavy booster. Coverage from spaceflight commentators drew over a million engagements as viewers watched the booster's descent and ocean landing attempt, adding to ongoing scrutiny of the vehicle's progress toward operational missions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, telling delegates that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear bomb and framing his country's position around regional security and 'peace through strength'. His remarks came as tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional conflicts remain high, drawing wide international attention and debate over Tehran's intentions.

Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, is scheduled to brief the United Nations Security Council next week on artificial intelligence, according to Reuters. The session would place the head of one of the world's leading AI companies directly before the body charged with international peace and security, as governments weigh how to regulate advanced AI. Details of the briefing's agenda and who requested it were not immediately available.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will make this a difficult winter for Russia, warning that pressure on Moscow is mounting. The message comes as the war approaches another winter season, with expectations of continued strikes on energy infrastructure and intensified fighting. Commenters are debating how Ukraine plans to sustain momentum against Russian forces.

President Donald Trump spoke to world leaders gathered at the United Nations summit in New York, delivering an address broadcast live to a global audience. His remarks drew wide attention, with hundreds of thousands of viewers following the live coverage and commentators weighing in on his message to the international community.

World leaders, including Iran's representative, are delivering speeches on the second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York. The proceedings are being broadcast live, with audiences following addresses on issues expected to include the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, nuclear diplomacy, and tensions between Iran and Western powers.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and 17 entities over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The measures target those linked to the forced transfer of minors, an issue that has drawn international condemnation and is part of ongoing EU restrictive measures against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

Brent crude rebounded more than 3% on Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian peace proposal that would have resolved their conflict and reopened the Strait of Hormuz. With diplomatic efforts in stalemate, tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, keeping traders pricing in supply risk and pushing oil prices higher.

Chinese President Xi Jinping missed the dinner for world leaders at the G20 summit in New Delhi because he was unwell, according to people familiar with the matter. The report has fueled fresh speculation about the 70-year-old leader's health, coming just days before he was scheduled to travel to the United States, and has drawn wide attention and debate about his condition and absence from a key diplomatic gathering.

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russia, with reports of more than 1,000 drones involved, according to DW News coverage on September 20. It marks one of the biggest drone barrages of the war, drawing wide international attention and discussion about its impact on the conflict.