Pyongyang (AFP) – Images released by the official Korean Central Television (KCTV) on September 20, show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arriving to the capital city of Pyongyang after wrapping up a week-long Russia tour.
New York (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is committing ‘genocide’ by abducting children, in a plea for solidarity at the United Nations General Assembly. He addes that his country is preparing a “global peace summit” and invites all leaders “who do not tolerate aggression” to join.
New York (AFP) – Iranian Americans gather outside the United Nations to protest against President Ebrahim Raisi’s attendance at the UN General Assembly. “It’s a humiliation for Iranian people” said one protester, adding she did not understand President Biden’s decision to approve a prisoner exchange between Washington and Tehran.
Fremont (United States) (AFP) – Elon Musk says his social media platform, X, could introduce a monthly fee for all users, citing the need to cut down on bots. “It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots,” says Musk during a talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Fremont, California. This could be one of various changes the tech tycoon has made since taking over the site in October last year, when it was known as Twitter. Since then, he has fired thousands of employees, introduced a paid premium option, cut content moderation and reinstated formerly banned accounts including that of former US president Donald Trump.
Concordia (Argentina) (AFP) – Deep in northern Argentina, a crumbling castle holds memories of a visit almost a century ago by “The Little Prince” author Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Many believe the French pilot drew inspiration for his classic novella from his captivation with the building and its quirky inhabitants.
New York (AFP) – Iranian Americans hold a protest outside the United Nations against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who is due to appear at the UN General Assembly.
Ramstein Air Base (Germany) (AFP) – Speaking at the Ramstein Air Base, Germany, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin says American M1 Abrams tanks “will be entering Ukraine soon.” The tanks will be armed with controversial armour-busting depleted uranium rounds. Representatives of dozens of countries that support Kyiv are meeting in Germany to discuss new aid for Ukraine ahead of an address to the UN General Assembly by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Washington had promised the 31 tanks to Kyiv in early 2023, part of more than $43 billion in security assistance pledged by the United States since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Tehran (AFP) – Crowds of Iranian football fans give Cristiano Ronaldo an excited welcome as his Saudi team arrives in Tehran for the first home-and-away club tie since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations. Fans chanted the name of the Portuguese five-time world player of the year as he arrived with his Al Nassr teammates to face Iran’s leading club Persepolis in the Asian Champions League on 19 September.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) – President Joe Biden tells the UN General Assembly that the United States sought to “responsibly manage” its rivalry with China to avoid any possible war.
Paris (AFP) – One of the greatest chess players Iran has ever produced, Mitra Hejazipour, has been living in exile in France for over four years. The Franco-Iranian chess prodigy moved to France after being expelled from the Iranian chess team for removing her headscarf at a tournament, in defiance of the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women. One year after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, Hejazipour says she is in awe of Iranian protestors’ courage.
