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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

World leaders, including Iran's representative, are delivering full speeches on the second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York, with the sessions broadcast live. Audiences are following closely as addresses touch on major international issues, with the session's coverage tagged alongside Ukraine-related topics.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.