What are the most important events and topics in the news today?
Here's a roundup of the most significant news stories and topics making headlines today, September 23, 2026:
US–Iran Diplomacy & UN General Assembly
The biggest geopolitical story is a surprise diplomatic development at the UN. US President Donald Trump revealed that American and Iranian officials held three hours of direct talks in New York – the first such face-to-face negotiations in months – just hours after he threatened at the UN to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic if no deal is reached. Trump said another meeting is planned as Tehran sets conditions for a broader deal.
This comes amid a broader conflict context — the president defended the conflict, now in its seventh month, as necessary to stop Iran's nuclear program in remarks before world leaders. Notably, a Cuban delegation walked out as Trump called the country "a failed state," and oil prices see-sawed as markets weighed Trump's UN speech and a potential Saudi pipeline fix.
UN General Assembly High-Level Week
The 81st UN General Assembly's high-level week is underway in New York from September 18 to 28, with world leaders discussing international cooperation, conflicts, development and global challenges. Among the speeches, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that North Korea will be respected on the international stage and proposed that countries with the necessary capabilities should first form an alliance to overcome the energy crisis caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia–Ukraine War
On the Ukraine front, sources tell CBS News that Ukraine is ready to sign a landmark drone defense deal with the U.S., as new details emerge of Ukrainian technology helping defend against Russian attacks. Separately, Russia has coerced thousands of Ukrainian prisoners to denounce their leaders and country in propaganda videos, with consequences that can follow them home.
US Domestic News
Technology
Big tech news is dominated by Meta Connect 2026, which begins on September 23 and continues through September 24, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivering the keynote covering developments in VR, AI glasses, Meta Horizon and artificial intelligence. Trump also made AI-related remarks at the UN, saying the U.S. will "only encourage superintelligence."
Sports
The Asian Games in Nagoya/Aichi are underway, with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games having produced India's first gold medal. Meanwhile in South Korea, fencer Song Sera claimed a gold medal in fencing, and the men's national football team defeated Saudi Arabia to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Other Notable Items
Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into any of these stories.
Citations (16)
- Ukraine News Today: Breaking Updates & Live Coverage - September 23, 2026 from Kyiv Post
Source excerpt: “US President Donald Trump revealed Tuesday that American and Iranian officials held three hours of direct talks in New York – the first such face-to-f...”
evidence, article. Claim: Trump revealed US and Iranian officials held three hours of direct talks in New York, the first face-to-face talks in months.
- Ukraine News Today: Breaking Updates & Live Coverage - September 23, 2026 from Kyiv Post
Source excerpt: “US and Iranian officials resumed face-to-face talks in New York for the first time in months, with Trump saying another meeting is planned as Tehran s...”
evidence, article. Claim: Another US-Iran meeting is planned as Tehran sets conditions for a broader deal.
- NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S. and Local Angles | NBC News
Source excerpt: “The president defended the conflict, now in its seventh month, as necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear program in remarks before world leaders. ”
evidence, home page. Claim: The president defended the conflict, now in its seventh month, as necessary to stop Iran's nuclear program.
- NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S. and Local Angles | NBC News
Source excerpt: “LIVETrump says U.S. officials met with Iranians today at U.N. General Assembly · Trump says the U.S. will ‘only encourage superintelligence’ in AI · T...”
evidence, home page. Claim: Trump said US officials met Iranians at the UN and that the US will only encourage superintelligence in AI.
- September 23, 2026: Top News From India and Around the World - Dainik Jagran English
Source excerpt: “· The 81st UN General Assembly's high-level week is underway in New York from September 18 to 28, with world leaders discussing international cooperat...”
evidence, article. Claim: The 81st UN General Assembly high-level week runs September 18 to 28 in New York.
- Morning Wide: Today's Major News (September 23, 2026)
Source excerpt: “"Respect North Korea on International Stage"... Proposes 'Energy Supply Chain Alliance' President Lee Jae-myung stated in his keynote speech at the ...”
evidence, article. Claim: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said North Korea should be respected and proposed an energy supply chain alliance.
- World news: Latest news, breaking news, today's news stories from around the world, updated daily from CBS News
Source excerpt: “... Sources tell CBS News that Ukraine is ready to sign a landmark drone defense deal with the U.S., as new details of Ukrainian technology helping ...”
evidence, home page. Claim: Ukraine is ready to sign a landmark drone defense deal with the US, per CBS News sources.
- U.S. News and National Top Stories : NPR
Source excerpt: “Courtesy of Austin Councilmember Mike Siegel hide caption toggle caption Courtesy of Austin Councilmember Mike Siegel · September 20, 2026 The Depar...”
evidence, home page. Claim: DHS is leading the investigation of the officer involved in the Austin shooting.
- World news: Latest news, breaking news, today's news stories from around the world, updated daily from CBS News
Source excerpt: “The ICE officer who shot a Venezuelan delivery driver was not wearing a body camera at the time of the shooting, sources familiar with the investigati...”
evidence, home page. Claim: The ICE officer who shot the Venezuelan delivery driver was not wearing a body camera.
- U.S. News and National Top Stories : NPR
Source excerpt: “September 21, 2026 With striking speed, the widespread debate around data centers has become a fault line in American communities, cutting across po...”
evidence, home page. Claim: Soaring diesel costs are deepening a farm crisis during harvest season.
- World news: Latest news, breaking news, today's news stories from around the world, updated daily from CBS News
Source excerpt: “The Trump administration is planning to welcome up to 17,500 more White South Africans as refugees over the next 12 months. ”
evidence, home page. Claim: The Trump administration plans to welcome up to 17,500 more White South Africans as refugees over 12 months.
- September 23, 2026: Top News From India and Around the World - Dainik Jagran English
Source excerpt: “Meta Connect 2026 begins on September 23 and continues through September 24. Meta's official developer platform confirms that CEO Mark Zuckerberg will...”
evidence, article. Claim: Meta Connect 2026 runs September 23-24 with a Zuckerberg keynote on VR, AI glasses and AI.
- September 23, 2026: Top News From India and Around the World - Dainik Jagran English
Source excerpt: “The high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly is continuing in New York, while the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have produced India's fi...”
evidence, article. Claim: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games produced India's first gold medal.
- Morning Wide: Today's Major News (September 23, 2026)
Source excerpt: “Fencer Song Sera Wins Gold... Men's Football Advances to Quarterfinals as Group Leader On the first day of fencing events at the Nagoya Asian Games,...”
evidence, article. Claim: Fencer Song Sera won gold and South Korea's men's football team advanced to the quarterfinals.
- September 23, 2026: Top News From India and Around the World - Dainik Jagran English
Source excerpt: “The UN's official programme lists a high-level meeting on September 23 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. ”
evidence, article. Claim: A UN high-level meeting marks the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
- Morning Wide: Today's Major News (September 23, 2026)
Source excerpt: “Cheong Wa Dae Says "Neutralizes Presidential Appointment Power" Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae stated that he could not comply with Cheong Wa...”
evidence, article. Claim: Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae said he could not comply with a presidential request to re-nominate a Supreme Court justice.