23 September 2026
UN General Assembly
During his speech to the UN General Assembly, President Trump threatened to annihilate Iran, and then confirmed that the US and Iran are in direct talks. Trump stated to the world assembly: “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world. Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”
South Korean media outlets jumped to the fact that President Trump made no mention of North Korea in his address. Trump did touch on Iran, the Ukraine-Russia War and artificial intelligence, which he called “superintelligence”. With the banter of Trump wanting a meeting with Kim Jong-un, it is surprising that the Asian regime was not mentioned.
The United States is reportedly withholding an entry visa for Sudanese army leader and de facto leader, Abdel Nattah al-Burhan. It is believed that the visa is contingent on al-Burhan agreeing to sign a 90-day ceasefire proposed by the US. The Sudanese army voiced its concerns over the ceasefire proposal with the RSF, which was put forward during the summer.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged for UN Security Council reform in an op-ed for Bloomberg. He urged abolishing the veto power held by permanent members and abolishing permanent seats, proposing a system in which the General Assembly elects the Security Council for fixed terms. He argued that the current system is not preventing wars, reducing inequalities and responding to shifting technological and economic dynamics.
Yemen
Yemeni government forces claimed control of Mount Qarfan in Taiz. The highlands overlook the Red Sea coast, this will give Yemeni forces commanding fire and control and surveillance opportunities over the surrounding valleys.
Ukraine-Russia War
The European Union removed two Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from the sanctions list. It is believed that the arrest of two French nationals in Azerbaijan was used as a bargaining chip for Usmanov’s removal. Luxembourg demanded the same treatment as Fridman launched a $16 billion claim against the country.
Azerbaijan pardoned a French national hours after the EU agreed to remove sanctions from the two Russian billionaires.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said that “cherry-picking sanctions” risks normalizing Russia. Kulbergs said, “Either it is sports, what we’ve seen, either culture, and now one by one cherry-picking out of sanctions, that is not the way to go.” Normalizing exemptions will allow Russia to re-enter the world stage.
A confidential EU document warns that Ukrainian weapons and military gear are being brought back into the EU by returning soldiers from Ukraine. The concern is that these fighters, and their equipment, can be further exploited once they withdraw from the conflict zone to engage in criminal activities or terrorism. Ukraine has already created a National Firearms Focal Point that supplies Europol with lists of seized, stolen or lost firearms.
Warning signs of famine grow in the Ukrainian town of Oleshky. Food supplies to the town in the southern Kherson region have been cut off since May. Ukraine has been unable to negotiate the evacuation of civilians. In June 2023, the town was almost completely flooded after the Kakhovka Dam was breached.
Spain
The Spanish enclave of Ceuta is on alert as fresh calls on social media are urging migrants to cross from Morocco. Police are on patrol, and Spain’s foreign minister has been in touch with his Moroccan counterpart, while authorities work to counter what they describe as online disinformation.
Ethiopia
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seized control of the airport in the regional capital in northern Ethiopia. Flights between Mekelle and Addis Ababa have been cancelled. Only a small number of federal police guarded the airport; their condition is unknown. On Sunday, the TPLF announced it was joining a new anti-government alliance of armed groups.
Hours after seizing the airport, Ethiopia’s Tigray regional government said it was in a defensive war. Reports indicate the TPLF launched an offensive against federal forces in the Afar and Amhara regions.
Pakistan
Pakistan claims that it shot down eight drones launched by the Afghan Taliban near the Torkham border. This comes after Pakistan recently launched airstrikes on a suspected Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan training centre.
Social Media Wires
Speech made by Jordanian King Abdullah II
A quick peek at China’s sixth-generation J-36 fighter jet
Featured Photo: “Erdogan and Zelensky, 2020”, Wikimedia Commons 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking-news report that incorporates wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale and cropping.