IRS

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed Beijing for Washington, in what is described as his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture some observers read as a sign of warmth ahead of high-stakes US-China trade and diplomatic discussions.

India has reportedly carried out the first trial of a long-range one-way attack drone, developed under the KAL programme, at the Pokhran test range. The loitering munition is said to have a range of around 1,000 km and carry a 50 kg warhead, giving India a capability for precision strikes deep into hostile territory. Defence watchers are discussing what the test means for India's strike options and regional military balance.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to announce a new 'Help to Buy'-style scheme next week called 'Your First Home'. Reports say it would allow young people to buy their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%, a far lower barrier than most mortgages require. The proposal is drawing heavy attention online, with many debating whether such low-deposit buying would genuinely help first-time buyers or fuel house price inflation.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, and the full text of his speech has been widely shared. Observers in India and abroad are watching closely for his remarks on global conflicts, multilateral reform and India's foreign policy positions at the annual gathering of world leaders.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, in the first talks at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a notable thaw in contacts between Moscow and a leading European Union power, coming as diplomacy over the war and its aftermath draws renewed attention at the United Nations.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats have met at the United Nations for their first direct talks since 2022, marking the highest-level contact between the two governments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting signals a possible easing of diplomatic freeze between Moscow and Berlin, and is drawing attention for what it could mean for Europe's stance on Russia going forward.

Diplomats gathered in Switzerland earlier this month to negotiate the first international treaty on lethal autonomous weapons. According to sources, US and Russian delegates pushed to remove draft provisions requiring human review of AI-selected targets, though neither government has confirmed the proposed changes. The talks mark the most serious attempt yet to regulate killer robots, and the reported resistance from major powers is drawing attention to how difficult agreement will be.

Germany has committed for the first time to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge marks a significant shift in the country's climate policy and is being widely discussed as one of the most ambitious timelines among major industrial economies, drawing attention to how Europe's largest economy plans to overhaul its energy system.

SpaceX is attempting the first orbital test flight of its Starship rocket, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built. The flight from Starbase in Texas is a key milestone in the company's plan to develop a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. Spaceflight enthusiasts and industry watchers are following preparations closely.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a rare direct high-level contact between Berlin and Moscow since February 2022, and is drawing attention for what it may signal about diplomatic channels reopening between the two governments amid the ongoing war.

Iran's president addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and CNN offered its first reactions to the speech. Coverage focused on how the address lands amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional conflicts, with analysts weighing Tehran's messaging to the international community.

Germany and Russia have held their first direct talks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting marks a notable diplomatic opening between Berlin and Moscow after years of frozen contacts, and observers are watching closely for what it could signal about Europe's approach to Russia as debate over Ukraine's future continues.

Sam Darnold returned to action and led the Seattle Seahawks to a comfortable win, while the Las Vegas Raiders dropped their first game of the season in NFL Week 3. Sports betting outlets are highlighting last-minute picks from the weekend's slate, with Seattle's dominant performance and Las Vegas' first defeat standing out as the key results bettors and fans are reacting to.

Researchers report the first direct radio signal detected from a planet outside the solar system, a milestone in the search for worlds beyond our own. The detection, picked up by astronomers studying distant planetary systems, could open a new way to study exoplanets' magnetic fields and potential habitability. Scientists caution that more observations are needed to confirm the signal's origin.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first talks since 2022, marking a thaw in contacts frozen by the war in Ukraine. The meeting signals a possible opening in Moscow-Berlin relations under Germany's new government, though no agreements have been announced. Analysts are watching whether the exchange points to broader diplomatic re-engagement or remains a one-off courtesy meeting on the margins of the UN.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship for a first orbital mission on the vehicle's 14th flight test. The attempt is a key milestone for the program, which has been iterating through rapid test launches from Texas. Interest is high because an orbital run would mark the biggest step yet toward making the massive rocket fully operational for future missions, including NASA's lunar plans.

An AL West team is on course to reach the MLB playoffs without a winning record, something that has never happened in a full season. The Athletic reports the division's overall weakness makes it possible for a sub-.500 club to still claim a postseason berth, sparking debate about the format.

Tesla says it aims to produce 20,000 Optimus humanoid robots per week, but the company still has to solve major engineering challenges with the robots' hands, which are among the most complex parts to build. Commentators are weighing the gap between the ambitious production target and the current state of the hardware, with many treating the hands as the key bottleneck for the program.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first talks since 2022, marking the highest-level direct contact between the two governments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting signals a possible thaw, or at least a channel of communication, between Moscow and Berlin at a time when European capitals remain divided over how to engage with Russia.

Germany and Russia have held their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The resumption of contact between Berlin and Moscow marks a notable diplomatic shift, and commentators are questioning the timing and what it signals about Germany's stance on Ukraine and future negotiations with the Kremlin.

An art museum is returning a painting to the heirs of its Jewish owner, decades after the work was seized by the Nazis. The restitution is part of ongoing efforts by museums to address artworks looted during the Nazi era and restore them to the families from whom they were taken. Further details about the museum, the painting and the original owner were not immediately available.

The United Arab Emirates has opened the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and launched the Pledge4Justice initiative, with an inaugural pledge of up to USD 5 million. The congress brings together countries and organisations to discuss crime prevention and criminal justice cooperation, with the UAE's pledge presented as an opening contribution to the initiative.

Germany has chosen Munich as its candidate city to host the Olympic Games, which would mark the first time the country has hosted them since the 1972 Munich Games, which were overshadowed by the Palestinian terrorist attack that killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches. Officials hope a successful bid would allow Germany to finally return to hosting the event more than five decades later, though the 1972 legacy looms over the plans.

Christa Pike is due to become the first woman executed in Tennessee in two centuries. Her defence team argues she should be spared, saying she was herself a victim of abuse and circumstances. The case has drawn attention to the death penalty and how the justice system treats women convicted of violent crimes.

Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs delivered an address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly during its general debate. The statement forms part of the annual gathering in New York where member states set out their positions on global issues. Details of the speech's content have not been widely reported, and reactions to it are not yet clear.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have held their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting marks a rare high-level diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power, and observers are watching for any signals of a possible thaw or shift in negotiations over the war.

TikTok has reached its first settlement with a US state over claims that its platform harms teenagers, agreeing to impose limits on users as part of the deal. The agreement marks the first time an individual state has resolved such allegations with the company, which faces broader scrutiny in the US over the effects of its app on young people's mental health and wellbeing.