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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, outlining Iran's red lines on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. His remarks came amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the conflict with Israel, with audiences widely sharing and debating his statements on Tehran's stance toward nuclear armament and confrontation in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb'. The statement, carried by APT, frames Tehran's position on its nuclear programme just before Iran takes the world stage in New York, and is drawing wide attention as scrutiny of Iran's nuclear intentions remains intense.

Ukraine has carried out what is being described as its largest attack on Moscow, marking a significant escalation in the more than three-year war with Russia. Military experts are weighing in on the scale of the strike, the systems likely used, and what it signals about Ukraine's growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory, as attention turns to how Moscow will respond.

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.

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.

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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the 80th UN General Assembly to insist Iran is not pursuing a nuclear bomb, framing the country's posture around regional security and a doctrine of 'peace through strength'. His remarks come as Tehran's nuclear programme and sanctions remain central points of tension with Western powers, drawing wide attention to how he balanced reassurance with defiance.

President Trump spoke before world leaders at the United Nations summit, delivering an address carried live by major news outlets. The speech drew wide attention online, with hundreds of thousands tuning in to live coverage. Details of the speech's content and the reactions from other delegations have not yet been specified in available reporting.

Iran's president addressed the United Nations while the country is at war, an unusual move for an Iranian leader during active conflict. The speech is drawing wide attention as diplomats and observers look for signals about Tehran's position on the fighting, potential negotiations, and its standoff with the United States and Israel.

A long list of countries walked out of Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations, with the roll call including Suriname, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Tunisia, Senegal, Palestine, Panama, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu and others. The mass exodus reflects anger over the war in Gaza and deepening international isolation of the Israeli leader, and the published list is being widely shared as the UN General Assembly session draws attention.

World leaders, including Iran's representative, are delivering speeches on the second day of the 2026 United Nations General Assembly in New York, with proceedings carried live to global audiences. The addresses come amid ongoing international tensions, with the Ukraine conflict among the key topics expected to feature in leaders' remarks.

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2026, with the full address carried live. The speech drew large attention as viewers watched the Israeli leader speak before the international body. Reactions to his remarks are circulating widely across social media and news coverage.

Finland's President delivered a full address at the UN General Assembly in New York, framing his remarks around what he called a defining moment of world disorder. The complete speech, released in full, has drawn wide attention, with viewers responding strongly to his assessment of global instability and the state of international cooperation.

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.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a sharply worded address at the United Nations, telling Israel to 'stop crying anti-Semitism' and accusing it of using the charge to deflect criticism of its conduct in Gaza. The speech drew wide attention for its blunt framing of the Gaza crisis and Israel's response to international condemnation.

Russia may be preparing an attack on European targets dubbed "Operation Spiderweb." According to El Mundo, the CIA warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia could hide drones inside ordinary shipping containers aboard merchant vessels and launch them from the sea against European territory. The report is drawing wide attention across Spain, France and Italy as officials and commentators weigh the threat and what response it may require.

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.

SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket toward orbit, a test flight with major stakes for the company's ambitions in deep space and for NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon. The launch is drawing wide attention across the US and UK, with commentators focusing on how much rides on the vehicle's success.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, says Iran was not negotiating 'in good faith' in efforts to end the war. The accusation frames Iran as insincere in diplomacy while conflict continues, adding pressure to already strained talks. It comes amid ongoing international debate over how a ceasefire or settlement between the parties could be reached.