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.

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.

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.

Reporting points to a smuggled natural resource, widely understood in coverage of Sudan to be gold, as a key source of revenue financing the country's ongoing civil war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. The story highlights how illicit trade routes continue to sustain both sides of the conflict despite international pressure and sanctions.

The United Nations Security Council has convened an emergency session of ambassadors amid escalating tensions in the West Bank and a stalled Gaza plan. UN News is carrying live coverage of the meeting, which comes as diplomatic efforts to move forward on Gaza appear to have run into difficulties, drawing international attention to the deteriorating situation.

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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, drawing what he described as Iran's red lines on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. The address reaffirmed Iran's positions on its nuclear program and its stance toward Israel amid ongoing regional tensions, and it is drawing wide international attention.

Ukraine has carried out its largest attack to date on Moscow, according to CNN reporting. A military expert offered analysis of the strike, its scale, and what it signals about Ukraine's deep-strike capabilities as the war continues. The attack marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's campaign against targets in the Russian capital region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb', speaking ahead of the 81th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The pledge is being widely circulated as attention turns to Iran's nuclear program and its place on the UN agenda, with observers weighing whether the statement signals a genuine diplomatic opening.

Sudan's government has told the United Nations that it will not accept any imposed solutions to end the country's conflict. The message, reported by UN News, underscores Khartoum's insistence that any resolution must come through domestic, Sudanese-led processes rather than external pressure, as the war that began in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to displace millions and deepen a humanitarian crisis.

SpaceX conducted the fourteenth test flight of its Starship rocket, launching from Starbase, Texas. The mission featured a live-streamed liftoff and the controlled splashdown of the Super Heavy booster, continuing the company's campaign to demonstrate reusability of the largest rocket ever built. Spaceflight watchers closely track each flight for progress on booster recovery and upper-stage performance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a scathing attack on Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations, reportedly declaring 'Netanyahu is horrible' in a sharp rebuke of Israel. Members of the Israeli delegation staged a dramatic walkout during the speech. The confrontation underscores deepening tensions between Turkey and Israel, particularly over the Gaza war, and is drawing wide attention to Erdogan's combative tone on the world stage.

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.

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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will make this winter a difficult one for Russia, promising to keep up pressure on Moscow through the cold months. The pledge has drawn wide attention, with observers weighing Ukraine's strikes on Russian energy and infrastructure and the mounting costs of a third full winter of war.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York to insist Iran is not pursuing a nuclear bomb, framing the country's posture as regional security and 'peace through strength'. The message is drawing wide attention as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and regional stability remain high.

Donald Trump has launched a sharply critical attack on the United Nations during one of its flagship international gatherings, according to BBC News. The remarks, delivered at the organisation's own major world meeting, amount to a public rebuke of the institution on its home stage. The speech is drawing wide attention and reaction from diplomats and observers worldwide.

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.

NPR reports on whether the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is finally coming under control. The question of containment is drawing attention as health authorities work to curb the virus's spread, with observers weighing case trends and response efforts to judge whether the outbreak is being brought to heel.