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.

SpaceX conducted the fourteenth test flight of its Starship rocket, launching from Starbase in Texas. The mission included a launch and a controlled splashdown of the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico. Coverage of the flight was followed live by a large audience, with space enthusiasts discussing the performance of the vehicle and what the results mean for future Starship test flights and development of the fully reusable rocket.

SpaceX is attempting the first-ever orbital launch of its Starship megarocket today, September 28, with the mission available to watch live. The test flight from Texas marks a major milestone for the vehicle that SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and Mars. Space enthusiasts and industry watchers are closely following coverage of the attempt and its outcome.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations General Assembly, branding Russian President Vladimir Putin 'patient zero' of global instability over the war in Ukraine. He urged the world not to be deceived by Kremlin peace signals, warned that Russia's war threatens international order, and pushed allies to maintain pressure, while also raising concerns ahead of possible talks involving US President Donald Trump.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will never seek to build a nuclear bomb, ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The pledge is drawing wide attention as Tehran's nuclear program remains a central point of tension with Western powers, and observers watch for how the statement will land in New York diplomacy.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, outlining Iran's positions on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. He is reported to have drawn clear red lines for Tehran, insisting Iran will not pursue nuclear arms while defending its right to respond to Israeli actions and regional pressure. The speech is drawing wide attention as tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the conflict with Israel remain high.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the United Nations General Assembly, denouncing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in harsh terms, reportedly calling him 'horrible'. Members of the Israeli delegation staged a dramatic walkout during the speech. The confrontation drew wide attention online, with viewers debating the public humiliation of Israel on the UN stage and the escalating rhetoric between the two leaders.

Iran's president addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and CNN aired its first reactions to the speech. The address comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional conflicts, drawing close attention from international media and diplomats. Viewers and commentators are weighing the tone of the remarks and what they signal about Tehran's stance on the world stage.

The second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly is underway in New York, with Iran and other world leaders delivering full speeches to the annual gathering. Audiences are following the live addresses closely for signals on Tehran's stance and wider diplomatic alignments, with particular attention to how leaders frame the war in Ukraine and other ongoing international disputes.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, declaring that Iran is not seeking a nuclear bomb and framing his country's posture around regional security and a doctrine of 'peace through strength'. The remarks, circulated by the Ahl al-Bayt Peace and Truth network, are drawing wide attention as Tehran seeks to reassure the international community while defending its strategic stance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the full address carried live. The speech drew large audiences and significant online engagement, reflecting continued international attention to Israel's positions on the war, regional security and its diplomatic standing at the UN.

SpaceX launched Starship on its first orbital flight test, a milestone for the company's biggest and most powerful rocket. The flight drew wide attention as a major step toward deep-space travel. Details about how the test unfolded remain limited, and reaction so far has focused on the significance of the launch itself.

The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting of ambassadors amid escalating violence in the occupied West Bank and a lack of progress on plans for Gaza's future. Diplomats are expected to discuss rising settler and military tensions in the West Bank alongside the stalled international framework for Gaza's reconstruction and governance.

Chinese authorities have signalled fresh economic stimulus measures aimed at countering a worsening slowdown in the country's economy, according to Bloomberg. The announcement points to growing concern in Beijing over weak growth momentum, with the property sector among the key pressure points. Markets and analysts are watching for details on the scale and timing of any support package.

The Israeli military says it has uncovered a 600-meter-long tunnel in Gaza that it describes as a Hamas hideout, and footage shared by news outlets shows the structure being demolished. The discovery highlights the ongoing effort to map and destroy the underground network, which Israel says Hamas uses for attacks and to move fighters and hostages.

North Korea, formally the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has told the United Nations that its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible and that it rejects outside pressure to abandon its weapons programme. The declaration signals Pyongyang's continued refusal of denuclearisation talks and is likely to draw condemnation from the US, South Korea, Japan and other governments backing sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

President Trump spoke to world leaders at the United Nations summit, addressing delegates gathered at the UN General Assembly. His remarks drew wide attention online, with hundreds of thousands engaging with coverage of the address. Commenters focused on his message to the international community and the tone he struck before the assembled leaders.

Donald Trump and other world leaders are delivering addresses at the United Nations General Assembly's 2026 session, with live coverage drawing a large global audience. The annual gathering brings heads of state to New York for speeches on major international issues, and Trump's participation is again a central focus of attention this year.

Finland's President addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering a speech centred on what he called growing global disorder. The address, released in full, has drawn wide attention online, with viewers sharing his assessment of international instability and calls for stronger multilateral cooperation amid ongoing conflicts and strained relations between major powers.

Sudan's government has told the United Nations that it will not accept imposed solutions to the country's conflict, which has ravaged the nation since fighting broke out between rival military forces in April 2023. The message, delivered at the UN, underscores Khartoum's insistence that any settlement must come from Sudanese-led political processes rather than external pressure.

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.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb delivered a widely discussed address at the United Nations General Assembly, arguing that the post-Cold War order has given way to a 'new world disorder'. In the speech he called on member states to strengthen multilateral institutions and reform the UN to confront conflicts, great-power rivalry and weakening international rules. The address is being described as one of the most significant of this year's gathering.