U.S., Denmark, Greenland sign deal to expand U.S. military presence in Greenland
The United States, Denmark and its autonomous territory of Greenland on Tuesday signed an agreement in New York to expand the U.S. military presence on the strategic Arctic island.
At a ceremony on the sidelines of the UN General Debate, the agreement was inked by U.S. President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Under the wide-ranging deal, the United States will be allowed to modernize and expand its activities at Pituffik Space Base, which it already operates in northwestern Greenland, and to establish an additional defense area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.
UN General Assembly begins general debate
The General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st session of the General Assembly, presided over the opening of the debate, which is themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all."
In his opening speech, Rahman stressed the importance of rebuilding trust.
"Trust is not given. It is earned. And we earn trust, I believe, in three ways: first, by being unapologetically realistic about where we are falling behind; second, by taking a foundational look at the reforms of the UN to deliver better; and third, by making our work more inclusive and engaging all relevant stakeholders, from all parts of our society," he said.
U.S. side holds 3-hour talks with Iranian officials on sidelines of UN gathering
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held three-hour talks with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York.
"It was a very good meeting," Trump told reporters, adding "I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to do it," referring to the possibility of a U.S.-Iran deal. "It's potential greatness or obliteration. It's two choices."
Iran conveys "decisive positions" to U.S. in New York
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday conveyed the country's "decisive positions" regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the United States, state-run IRIB news agency reported.
Citing its exclusive source, the IRIB said Iran's positions were relayed to the U.S. side in a meeting between Araghchi and U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to the report, among Iran's conditions for the waterway's reopening are lifting the U.S. naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and ending the war in the region on all fronts.
At least 17 killed in Saudi airstrikes across Yemen
Yemen's Houthi group said Tuesday that Saudi warplanes carried out 19 airstrikes across three Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hours, while Houthi-run media reported at least 17 killed and 11 wounded in recent strikes.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement on social media platform X that the strikes targeted the southwestern province of Taiz, the northern province of Al-Jawf, and the northeastern oil-rich province of Marib.
Sarea said Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets operating from air bases in Khamis Mushait and Taif carried out the attacks, causing deaths and injuries.
Chinese navy hospital ship concludes medical mission in Mauritania
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark left Mauritania on Tuesday after a seven-day friendly visit and medical mission.
The ship departed Nouakchott's Friendship Port at around 10:00 a.m. local time. Mauritanian military and government officials, personnel from the Chinese embassy, local residents, and representatives of the Chinese community and enterprises gathered at the port to see it off.
Since arriving on Sept. 15 as the first stop of Mission Harmony-2026, medical staff aboard the ship recorded 6,864 patient visits, performed 38 surgeries, including ophthalmic, general, and orthopedic procedures, and conducted 143 health checkups. They also delivered the first baby born during the mission.
Suspect detained after school shooting in Türkiye leaves 11 injured
A shooting outside a high school in western Türkiye left 11 students injured on Tuesday morning, prompting a comprehensive investigation and the detention of the suspect and his family members.
The incident occurred in front of Inci Uzmez Anatolian Technical High School in the Turgutlu district at around 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT). At least two of the injured are in critical condition, with three receiving intensive care treatment following surgery.■
