World leaders have a wide range of pressing global challenges to address as they convene at the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he laid out the agenda for the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.

“This year’s general debate will be among our busiest ever,” Mr. Ban told a press conference at UN Headquarters, referring to the gathering of heads of State and government that kicks off the new session of the Assembly every year. “This reflects the tumultuous times in which we live – a time of turmoil and transition.”

IRAN ASSERTION: A National Right to Nuclear Energy.
Iran official lambasted US policy in the Middle East as a catalog of failures and said it made little difference who was in the White House.

JAPAN REPORTS. Suffering Huge Fall in Exports.
Japan’s vulnerability to the global economy has been highlighted by a fresh fall in exports which contributed to a steep trade deficit in August. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping, China’s new leader-in-waiting is making a forceful comeback with a warning to Japan, after almost two weeks of unexplained absence.

INDIANS ON STRIKE. Protesting Plans for Reform.

US Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), a leader in the House on foreign affairs and Burma, delivered remarks as a featured speaker at today’s Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring recently released Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of Burma’s democracy movement Aung San Suu Kyi. Crowley spearheaded legislation awarding Daw Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress.

Below are Rep. Crowley’s remarks as prepared for delivery. Click here to watch his speech.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 through October 15 in recognition of the deep history, culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans.

Each year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and pay tribute to the many contributions the Latino community has made to our country. The vibrant and active Latino community in America is deeply woven into the diverse fabric of our great city, and we are all stronger for it.

Dave Matthews Band lands its sixth #1 album on The Billboard 200 with Away From The World puts DMB in a tie with Eagles for the most #1 albums by an American band in chart history.

Four other groups have notched six or more #1 albums, but they're not from the U.S. The Beatles have amassed 19 #1 albums, followed by the Rolling Stones with nine and Led Zeppelin and U2, with seven each.
Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon was on charts for 741 weeks straight from '73-'88. Second most selling band in the history of music after The Eagles.

The government of France has stepped up security at its embassies in 20 countries countries where there could be a hostile reaction to a French magazine's publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

This publication comes amid widespread outrage over a crude, provocative film, made by anti-Islam campaigners here in the United States, which mocked the Prophet and ignited days of deadly protests including an attack in Libya in which U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and others were killed.

US MEETS CHINA meets with Country's Elusive Leader-in-waiting
Xi Jinping reemerges from the shadows to meet with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta in Beijing.

FBI INVESTIGATION. Libya Probing Deaths of Americans.
The FBI’s arrival had been delayed by concerns about continued violence in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

US ASSERTION Cyberattack Could Trigger Right to Self-defense.
State department’s top lawyer cites actions causing nuclear meltdown or disrupting air traffic as examples.

ROMNEY SCRUTINIZED. Under Fire From All Sides.