The Times

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, laying out Iran's positions on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. His speech drew wide attention, with many debating where Tehran drew its red lines amid ongoing tensions over its nuclear programme and confrontation with Israel.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'war at the same time', stressing a dual posture in the face of mounting tensions. In a full interview, he signalled Tehran is open to negotiations while insisting it will defend itself if confronted, a message drawing wide international attention.

President Donald Trump spoke before world leaders at the United Nations summit, in an address carried live by major US news outlets. The speech drew large audiences as viewers followed his remarks to the General Assembly in real time, with commentary focusing on his message to the international community.

Iran and other world leaders are delivering full speeches on the second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York. Live coverage from outlets including the Associated Press is drawing a large global audience, with viewers following statements on conflicts including Ukraine and wider diplomatic tensions as leaders use the annual gathering to set out their positions.

Ukraine carried out what is being described as a record-scale attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the day Russians went to the polls. The strike marks one of the largest assaults on the city since the full-scale war began, and its timing on election day has drawn widespread attention to the conflict's escalation and its reach into the Russian heartland.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, declaring that Iran is not seeking a nuclear bomb and framing the country's stance around regional security and a doctrine of 'peace through strength'. His remarks drew wide attention as Tehran's messaging to the international community at a moment of heightened tensions over its nuclear programme and regional conflicts.

Russia has restored its Perimeter system, a semi-automated mechanism designed to launch a retaliatory nuclear strike if Russian leadership is wiped out, according to The Sunday Times. The Cold War-era system, sometimes called 'Dead Hand', is intended to guarantee retaliation even if command structures are destroyed. Confirmation is difficult given the system's secrecy, and Moscow has not officially commented on the report.

US intelligence officials have assessed that Saudi Arabia still retains the option to pursue nuclear weapons, even as the kingdom weighs an agreement with the United States. At the same time, US senators are moving against a nuclear cooperation deal tied to the Trump administration, arguing it could pave the way for Riyadh to develop an atomic arsenal. Critics warn any pact must include binding limits on uranium enrichment.

Ukraine's Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time and were also moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target. The strike is being shared widely among war-tracking accounts.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move marks a retreat from Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to dollar-based international payments, and it will fuel debate over the pace at which Gulf states are willing to align financially with China. The reported decision has drawn wide attention given the kingdom's central role in global oil trade and dollar settlement.

Ukraine launched drone strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, the vote widely expected to extend Vladimir Putin's rule. The timing drew heavy attention, with many viewing the attack as a symbolic challenge to Putin's grip on power and an effort to bring the war home to Russians during the carefully staged election period.

Saudi Arabia has indicated it could pursue developing nuclear weapons, according to a New York Times report on US-Saudi political discussions. The statement marks a significant shift in the kingdom's public stance on nuclear capability and raises questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, particularly given regional tensions and ongoing negotiations with Washington over security guarantees and civilian nuclear cooperation.

Experts say a reported plan by Donald Trump to license Patriot missiles to Ukraine could take years to implement. Licensing arrangements for advanced US air defense systems involve lengthy production, approval and training processes, meaning any near-term boost to Ukraine's defenses under such a scheme is uncertain. The assessment raises questions about how quickly Ukraine could receive the Patriot capability it has been seeking.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for the creation of a new Eurasian security architecture, appealing at the United Nations for a regional order that would reduce the role of existing Western-led alliances. The proposal signals Moscow's continued push to reshape security arrangements across the continent, and it is drawing attention given the ongoing war in Ukraine and wider tensions between Russia and NATO members.

Donald Trump has confirmed a meeting with an Iranian delegation, with Qatar actively mediating and pushing for a diplomatic resolution between Washington and Tehran. The meeting marks a notable channel of contact between the two governments at a time of heightened regional tension. Observers are watching to see whether Qatari-brokered engagement can produce concrete steps toward easing disputes over Iran's nuclear programme and regional conflicts.

Attention is turning to whether Donald Trump could hold another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, revisiting the diplomacy of Trump's first term, which produced meetings in Singapore, Hanoi and the Demilitarized Zone but no binding agreement on denuclearisation. With Trump back in the spotlight, observers are debating whether renewed US-North Korea engagement is realistic and what concessions either side might demand this time.

The United States has accused China of conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, warnings that could deepen tensions between the two powers and fuel a new arms race. The claim, reported by Asia Times, adds to ongoing friction over nuclear arsenals, arms control agreements and transparency between Washington and Beijing.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have held a rare direct meeting at a time of sharply heightened tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Direct high-level contacts between the two governments have become unusual since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making the talks notable. The meeting suggests both sides see some value in keeping diplomatic channels open, even as political relations remain deeply strained.

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972, prompting questions about why the gap lasted more than five decades. Commentators point to shifting political priorities, soaring costs, and the cancellation of earlier programs like Constellation as reasons the US pause extended so long.

US inflation remains under scrutiny, with continued price pressures keeping the Federal Reserve under pressure and limiting room to cut interest rates. Bloomberg's coverage notes that policymakers still lack the comfort level on inflation needed to ease monetary policy, leaving markets watching closely for signals on the timing of any rate moves.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics, according to The New York Times. The move sets Washington apart from international efforts to strengthen global coordination against future health emergencies, and it has drawn attention to tensions over how far nations should commit to shared pandemic planning and response obligations.

SpaceX is targeting Sept. 28 for the first-ever orbital flight of its Starship megarocket, with the launch available to watch live. Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built and is central to NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon. The historic debut attempt is drawing broad attention from space fans and industry watchers worldwide.

British authorities have arrested five men on suspicion of planning a terrorist plot near a UK military base that is also used by American forces. The arrests were reported by Time Magazine and are drawing attention because of the site's connection to US personnel. Details about the suspects' identities, the target, or the alleged plot have not yet been disclosed, and investigations are ongoing.

Iran is asking Washington to clarify its position after President Trump rejected a proposed cease-fire, according to a New York Times report citing developments around the Strait of Hormuz. The move signals mounting tension between Tehran and the U.S. administration, with diplomats seeking to understand whether negotiations over the cease-fire proposal can continue or have collapsed entirely.

Iran's foreign minister declared that the country is prepared for both diplomacy and war, saying it has been tested twice through acts of aggression and welcoming any further test. He added that Iran has also been tested in the diplomatic arena, framing the country as ready on both fronts at a time of heightened regional tension.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken at the United Nations, drawing international attention to the ongoing war with Russia. Analysts and commentators are weighing his appeal for continued global support, with discussion focusing on what his message signals for Western backing and the diplomatic standing of Ukraine on the world stage.

SpaceX is preparing Starship, its next-generation rocket, for its first attempt at an orbital flight. The company has been testing the super heavy-lift system at its Texas facility, and the launch would mark a major milestone for the vehicle and commercial spaceflight. Space industry watchers are closely following pre-launch preparations and waiting for confirmation of a launch date.

Canada has called on countries to build stronger partnerships, warning that the international order is facing a 'rupture'. The message, delivered in remarks carried by UN-affiliated media, stresses multilateral cooperation at a time of growing geopolitical strain. The warning underscores Ottawa's push for renewed diplomacy and collective action among nations.

The New York Times reports that as artificial intelligence develops at accelerating speed, governments are falling behind in their ability to regulate and respond. The article highlights a widening gap between fast-moving AI technology and slow-moving legislative and regulatory processes, raising questions about oversight, safety and public accountability as adoption spreads across industries.

The Israeli military is boosting its troop deployment in the West Bank ahead of the holiday period, citing concerns about potential terror attacks. The reinforced presence reflects heightened security vigilance during a time when Israeli authorities traditionally see an elevated risk of attacks, and it underscores ongoing tensions in the territory.

Germany has for the first time formally pledged to phase out fossil fuels, setting a target year of 2045. The commitment, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step for Europe's largest economy, which has historically relied heavily on coal and gas. Observers are weighing how the country will balance the pledge with its industrial energy needs and existing climate goals.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, according to ABC News. A rate hike would mark a reversal from the easing cycle of recent years and would affect borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and businesses across the American economy. Markets and households will be watching for signals on whether further increases are planned.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met on the sidelines of the United Nations in what both sides describe as their first direct talks since 2022. The meeting marks a rare high-level contact between Moscow and Berlin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine severed most formal dialogue between the two governments.