U.N. General Assembly

Syria at UN summit as Russian bombing causes tensions

The Kremlin says it is acting on request of the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad. The United States opposes Assad and has questioned Moscow's assertion that it is targeting Islamic terrorists, saying the areas hit close to Homs are strongholds of the moderate opposition to Assad.

World leaders also tried to address the crises in Libya and Yemen with high-level meetings on Friday.

Convicted Al-Jazeera journalists appeal to Egypt for pardons

Australian Peter Greste said Tuesday in New York City that they're also seeking support from world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly.

Last week, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi pardoned other journalists still in Egypt who were found guilty of broadcasting what authorities said were false reports.

Greste was not on the list, nor were the two others with him in New York: Dominic Kane, an Al Jazeera producer, and Sue Turton, a former Al-Jazeera correspondent.

Syria state media praise Putin's UN speech

Syrian newspapers said the speech drew "clear outlines" for what is needed to "fight terrorism" on a global level.

In his address Monday in New York, Putin urged the world to stick with Assad, saying it was a "huge mistake" not to engage the Syrian military in the fight against the Islamic State group.

After success with Iran, pope, next stop for Obama is UN

And he's carrying some heavy burdens.

There's the threat from Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, and the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis. Also, Russia's moves in Ukraine and, more recently, in Syria.

On Monday evening, Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin (POO'-tihn) meet on the sidelines of the U.N. gathering. It will be their first face-to-face encounter in nearly a year.