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The United States is ending its military mission in Iraq, closing out a presence that began with the 2003 invasion and lasted more than two decades. The move marks a major shift in the American military footprint in the Middle East, following years of pressure from Iraqi political factions demanding the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces.
- 2Dollar near two-month high on US-Iran tensions and Fed bets▼Dollar near two-month high as US-Iran stalemate bolsters oil, Fed rate hike bets
The US dollar is trading near its strongest level in two months. A deadlock in US-Iran nuclear talks has pushed up oil prices, adding to inflationary pressure, while traders increasingly expect the Federal Reserve to keep raising interest rates. Higher rate expectations typically strengthen the dollar, and rising energy costs reinforce those bets, keeping the currency firm against major peers.
- 3US 'alienated' Sudan's army amid complex war, analyst says▼US has 'alienated' Sudan's army in 'complex war' analyst tells RFI
An analyst told French broadcaster RFI that Washington has alienated the Sudanese army in what he described as a complex war. The comment highlights growing friction between the United States and Sudan's military leadership as the conflict, which began in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, drags on. Other outlets, including Modern Ghana, have picked up the remarks, underscoring debate over whether US diplomacy in Sudan has undermined a key actor in any future settlement.
- 4Smotrich urges West Bank campaign mirroring Gaza war▼'Do there what we did in Gaza': Smotrich calls for full-scale war in occupied West Bank
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for waging a full-scale war in the occupied West Bank, saying Israel should 'do there what we did in Gaza'. The remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, drew immediate criticism from Palestinians and rights advocates who warn such an operation would bring Gaza-level devastation and displacement to the West Bank. The comments deepen concerns about escalating Israeli military action beyond Gaza.
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Reports from Gaza indicate the death toll continues to climb as the conflict between Israel and Hamas persists. The exact figures vary between sources, but aid agencies and health officials warn the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with casualties mounting among civilians and severe shortages of food, water and medical supplies across the territory.
- 6UK terror attack thwarted, Trump rejects Iranian proposal▼Sep. 27: Terror attack thwarted in U.K., Trump rejects proposal by Iran
British authorities thwarted a terror attack, while US President Donald Trump rejected a proposal from Iran. NBC News reported both developments as the main stories of September 27, though details about the plot, the suspects, and the content of Iran's proposal were not provided.
- 7Sudan blames RSF for attacks on civilian sites in El-Obeid▼Sudanese authorities accuse paramilitary RSF of attacking civilian facilities in El-Obeid
Sudanese authorities have accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of attacking civilian facilities in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. The accusation comes as fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF continues to devastate cities across Sudan, displacing millions and worsening a severe humanitarian crisis. Details on casualties or damage were not immediately available.
- 8Trump-Kim deal could leave South Korea facing nuclear threat●A Trump-Kim deal could leave South Korea bearing the nuclear threat
A potential agreement between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un on North Korea's nuclear programme could leave South Korea still exposed to Pyongyang's nuclear threat, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The concern is that a US-North Korea deal focused on missiles capable of reaching the United States might leave shorter-range weapons threatening South Korea intact, prompting debate in Seoul over its security and possible independent deterrent options.
- 9Report: Netanyahu told forces to limit Gaza escalation days before Oct 7▼Days before Oct 7, PM ordered security forces to ‘minimize escalation’ in Gaza – report
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered security forces to 'minimize escalation' in Gaza just days before Hamas launched the October 7 attacks. The report has reignited debate over whether political considerations shaped Israel's security posture ahead of the assault, fueling ongoing controversy over failures leading up to the deadliest day in the country's history.
- 10US attempts to rein in Ukraine's strikes on Russia reveal strategic rift▼US attempts to control Ukraine’s attacks on Russia reflect a fundamental strategic disconnect
The United States' efforts to limit Ukraine's attacks inside Russia point to a widening strategic disconnect between Washington and Kyiv, according to analysis in The Conversation. The piece argues that American attempts to control how Ukraine uses Western-supplied weapons against Russian territory clash with Ukraine's view that such strikes are essential to its defence.
- 11Global temperatures hit record highs as El Niño strengthens▼Global temperatures hit record highs as El Niño strengthens: Report
A new report says global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens in the Pacific. El Niño, which warms ocean surface waters and alters weather worldwide, is adding to the underlying warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn the combination could push average temperatures to new extremes in the coming months, with implications for heatwaves, droughts and storms across many regions.
- 12New satellite images reveal scale of Gaza destruction▼Shock over new Google Earth satellite images showing extensive Gaza destruction
Updated Google Earth satellite imagery showing widespread destruction across Gaza has drawn widespread shock. The images reveal the extent of damage to buildings and infrastructure following months of conflict, offering the public a rare broad view of conditions on the ground that has prompted strong reactions online.
- 13Saudi Arabia has not ruled out nuclear weapons, US intelligence says▼Saudi Arabia has not ruled out nuclear weapons: US intelligence
US intelligence assessment says Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by Gulf News. The finding highlights lingering questions over the kingdom's nuclear ambitions and its response to regional rival Iran's nuclear programme. Observers are weighing what this means for US-Saudi relations and for non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East.
- 14North Korea blames US for worsening nuclear crisis▼N. Korea blames US for 'worse crisis' in nuclear order, justifies its arsenal
North Korea has accused the United States of creating a 'worse crisis' in the international nuclear order, using the claim to justify its own nuclear arsenal. The statement, reported by The Korea Times, reiterates Pyongyang's long-standing position that US hostility and pressure leave it no choice but to keep and expand its weapons programme amid stalled diplomacy.
- 15Strait known as 'Gate of Tears' becomes new flash point in Iran war▼A new flash point in the Iran war: The narrow strait called the ‘Gate of Tears’
Attention is turning to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, nicknamed the 'Gate of Tears', as a new flash point in the war involving Iran. The narrow waterway is a critical chokepoint for global shipping, and its emergence as a battleground raises concerns about disruptions to trade routes and a widening of the regional conflict.
- 16Zelenskyy: Russia launched over 2,200 drones at Ukraine in a week▼Zelenskyy says Russia launched over 2,200 drones at Ukraine in a week
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired more than 2,200 drones at Ukraine over the past week, underlining the scale of Moscow's escalating aerial campaign against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The claim highlights growing pressure on Ukraine's air defenses and renewed international concern over the pace of Russian drone attacks in the war.
- 17Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Militant Who Kidnapped Noa Argamani●Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Kidnapper of Noa Argamani
An Israeli airstrike has killed a Hamas militant who took part in the abduction of Noa Argamani during the October 7, 2023 attack. Argamani, whose kidnapping became one of the most widely recognized images of the assault, was later rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024. The strike is being reported as part of Israel's ongoing campaign targeting those responsible for the hostage-taking.
- 18Iran says it is fully prepared for war amid Trump strike threats●Iran says it’s ‘fully prepared’ for war as Trump leaves more strikes on table
Iran says it is fully prepared for war, as US President Donald Trump declines to rule out additional strikes against the country. The statement raises fears of a wider conflict between Tehran and Washington, with tensions already running high in the region and both sides signalling that further military action remains on the table.
- 19Sudanese Families Flee to Chad as Aid Lags●Sudanese Families Flee to Chad as Violence Surges and Refugee Support Falls Behind
Sudanese families are crossing into Chad as violence intensifies in Sudan, joining a growing refugee population in the border region. Aid organizations and host communities are struggling to keep pace, with shelter, food and medical support falling well short of needs. The exodus underscores how Sudan's conflict keeps displacing civilians across borders faster than the humanitarian response can expand.
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Israel is weighing the outcome of its latest election and what it means for the country's political future. Analysts at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace are examining what follows next, including the likely process of forming a governing coalition and the policy direction a new government may take.
- 21Five arrested over alleged bomb plot at UK air base used by U.S.▼Five arrested over alleged bomb plot at UK air base used by U.S.; Iran denies link
British authorities have arrested five people over an alleged bomb plot targeting a UK air base used by American forces. Iran has denied any connection to the incident. Details about the suspects and the scale of the alleged plot have not yet been made public as the investigation continues.
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A US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement is drawing concern that it could put Saudi Arabia on a path toward developing nuclear weapons. Critics warn the pact may not include sufficient safeguards to prevent Riyadh from eventually enriching uranium or pursuing a military program, deepening fears of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, particularly given regional rivalries with Iran.
- 23Trump says men arrested at UK air base sought 'big damage'▼Trump says men arrested at UK air base used by US were looking to do 'big damage'
Donald Trump said several men arrested at a British air base used by US forces were planning to inflict 'big damage'. The arrests took place at a UK military facility hosting American personnel, though details of the suspects' identities, alleged plot and how close they came to acting have not been disclosed. The remarks come amid heightened security concerns around US-linked sites in Britain.
- 24US intel says Saudi Arabia keeping nuclear weapons option open▼‘Nuclear weapons’ option still open for Saudi Arabia, US intel says; senators target Trump deal
US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia is keeping open the option of acquiring nuclear weapons, even as Washington discusses a civil nuclear cooperation deal with Riyadh. A group of US senators is targeting the Trump administration's proposed agreement, citing proliferation concerns, with the intelligence findings likely to intensify congressional resistance to the deal.
- 25Russian drone strikes building in Ukraine's capital●Desperate escape as Russian drone hits building in Ukraine's capital
A Russian drone hit a building in Kyiv, forcing people inside to make a desperate escape as the structure was struck. The attack is part of Russia's ongoing drone campaign against the Ukrainian capital, which has repeatedly targeted residential and urban infrastructure. Details on casualties and the extent of the damage were not immediately available.
- 26Ukrainian Intelligence Says Russia Deepening Military Ties With North Korea and Iran▼New Ukrainian Intelligence Reveals Russia Expanding Military Ties With North Korea, Iran
New Ukrainian intelligence indicates Russia is expanding its military cooperation with North Korea and Iran. According to the report, the partnerships involve continued weapons transfers and defense-industrial ties supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The disclosure comes as Kyiv seeks to highlight the international networks sustaining Moscow's invasion and to press allies for stronger responses.
- 27
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo report that Ebola infections in the current outbreak have surpassed 8,000 cases, a grim milestone in one of the worst epidemics of the disease on record. The outbreak has strained responders working across conflict-affected eastern provinces, where vaccination and contact-tracing efforts face insecurity and community mistrust.
- 28Qatari PM calls Netanyahu biggest obstacle to Gaza peace plan▼Qatari PM says Netanyahu is ‘biggest obstacle’ to fulfilling Gaza peace plan
Qatar's Prime Minister has accused Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu of being the biggest obstacle to implementing the Gaza peace plan. The charge, carried by the Times of Israel, underlines growing friction between mediators in Doha and Israel's government over the stalled next steps of the ceasefire agreement. It highlights disputes over Israel's commitments as the plan's later phases remain unfulfilled.
- 29Ukraine airdrops food by drone to besieged city▼Ukraine carrying out airdrops of food via drone to city besieged by Russian forces, official says
Ukrainian officials say food supplies are being airdropped by drone into a city besieged by Russian forces, as ground delivery routes remain cut off. The effort highlights the growing role of drones in sustaining trapped civilians and the worsening humanitarian conditions in encircled areas of the front line.
- 30North Korea: Nuclear Weapon State Status Irreversible, Says Vice Foreign Minister▼North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister: "Nuclear Weapon State Status Cannot Be Reversed by Anything"
A North Korean vice foreign minister declared that the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to abandon its nuclear arsenal. The statement signals North Korea's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks and is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over its weapons programme.
- 31Bomb by Bomb, a Ukrainian Hometown Slowly Dies▼Bomb by Bomb, the Slow Death of My Hometown in Ukraine
A first-person account describes how repeated Russian bombing is gradually destroying the writer's hometown in Ukraine, chronicling its slow physical and social collapse rather than a single dramatic strike. The essay highlights the cumulative toll of the war on ordinary communities, with homes, infrastructure and daily life eroded attack after attack as the conflict grinds on.
- 32EU warns members of urgent energy price crisis before winter▼EU warns members of urgent energy price crisis before winter season
The European Union has warned member states of an urgent energy price crisis ahead of the winter season. The alert highlights growing concern across the bloc that households and industry could face severe cost pressures and supply strain as demand rises in the colder months. Coverage of the warning is appearing across international outlets, reflecting wider attention to Europe's energy affordability situation.
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Pope Leo has pledged action on clergy abuse following a meeting with French survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy. The pledge comes after direct talks between the pontiff and victims' representatives, who have long pressed the Church for accountability and concrete measures. The commitment is being closely watched to see whether it translates into concrete institutional reform.
- 34IDF braces for Hamas kidnapping attempt along Gaza's Yellow Line▼IDF braces for Hamas kidnapping attempt along Gaza’s Yellow Line
The Israeli military is preparing for a possible attempt by Hamas to kidnap soldiers along the Yellow Line, the deployment line inside Gaza agreed under the current ceasefire arrangement. Troops positioned there have reportedly been placed on heightened alert, as abducting a soldier would sharply escalate tensions and threaten the fragile truce.
- 35Dollar strengthens as US-Iran tensions push oil higher▼Dollar firms as US-Iran tensions lift oil, hawkish Fed bets build
The US dollar rose as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher and lifted expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated. Markets see the geopolitical risk supporting inflation through energy costs, reinforcing bets on a hawkish Fed stance. Traders are watching developments in the Middle East closely for further direction on currencies and commodities.
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An Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian in Gaza City, according to Middle East Eye reporting. Details about the victim's identity, affiliation, and the circumstances of the strike have not been released. The incident adds to ongoing fatalities in Gaza amid continued tensions in the region.
- 37Congo Ebola infections pass 8,000, government says●Congo’s Ebola infections cross 8,000, government says
The Congolese government says Ebola infections in the country have surpassed 8,000 cases. The milestone underlines the continuing severity of the outbreak and the pressure on health authorities trying to contain the virus. Regional media flagged the figure, prompting renewed attention on response efforts, vaccination campaigns and the wider challenges of fighting Ebola in conflict-affected areas of eastern Congo.
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Iranian officials have publicly stated that US President Donald Trump faces a choice between war and diplomacy in dealings with Tehran. The statement underscores ongoing tension over Iran's nuclear program and regional posture, and signals that Iranian leadership is framing the standoff as a binary decision for the American president, with observers watching closely for Washington's response.
- 39Kremlin warns Ukraine will 'pay a price' for strikes on Russia●Ukraine will 'pay a price' for strikes on Russia: Kremlin
The Kremlin says Ukraine will 'pay a price' for its strikes on Russia, according to an Anadolu Agency report. The statement follows continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, with Moscow signaling retaliation. The warning underscores escalating tensions as the war continues, though details of what response Russia intends were not specified.
- 40Diplomatic push assessed on ending US-Iran conflict▼Did the biggest week of diplomacy make headway in ending the US-Iran war?
A intense week of international diplomacy has raised the question of whether negotiations made real progress toward ending the war between the United States and Iran. Commentators and analysts are weighing what the round of high-level talks actually achieved, with observers divided on whether the diplomacy brought the two sides closer to a ceasefire or a lasting settlement.
- 41Bill Gates Issues Blunt Warning on Artificial Intelligence▼Opinion | Bill Gates’s Blunt Warning on A.I.
Bill Gates has issued a blunt public warning about artificial intelligence, laid out in a New York Times opinion piece. The specific contents of his warning are not detailed beyond the headline, but Gates remains one of the most prominent voices on AI's promise and risks, so his interventions typically spark wide debate in tech and policy circles.
- 42
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned a Russian strike targeting Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences. The attack on a leading scientific institution in Kyiv has drawn international criticism. Ukrainian officials reported the strike, and Macron's condemnation adds to ongoing Western objections to Russian attacks on civilian and cultural infrastructure in Ukraine.
- 43US envoy to UN dismisses Iranian ceasefire offer as cynical▼US envoy to UN dismisses latest Iranian ceasefire offer as ‘cynical attempt’
The United States envoy to the United Nations has rejected Iran's latest ceasefire offer, calling it a cynical attempt. The dismissal underscores the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran and signals that diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities face significant obstacles. The remarks are drawing attention amid ongoing international pressure for a resolution to the conflict.
- 44North Korea warns Japan's rearmament 'casting war clouds'▼North Korea warns Japan’s rearmament ‘casting war clouds’
North Korea has issued a warning against Japan's rearmament, saying Tokyo's military build-up is 'casting war clouds' over the region. The statement adds to longstanding tensions between Pyongyang and Tokyo, amid Japan's ongoing expansion of its defence capabilities and broader security concerns in East Asia.
- 45Russian jet-powered drones set Kyiv's Academy of Sciences ablaze▼Russian jet drones set Kyiv's Academy of Sciences ablaze in daylight strike
Russian jet-powered drones struck Kyiv in a rare daytime attack, setting fire to the building of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences. The daylight strike on the capital marked an escalation in Russia's ongoing drone campaign against Ukrainian cities, damaging a key scientific institution. Details on casualties and the full extent of the damage remain limited.
- 46Russian and Ukrainian strikes leave 10 dead▼Russian and Ukrainian strikes leave 10 dead as aerial war intensifies
Fresh wave of Russian and Ukrainian strikes has killed at least 10 people as both sides step up long-range aerial attacks. Reports carried by AP News and other outlets describe intensifying drone and missile barrages hitting populated areas. The deaths add to a rising civilian toll as the aerial war between the two countries escalates, drawing renewed international attention to the conflict.
- 47Iran says fully prepared for war but still pursuing diplomacy▼Iran ‘fully prepared’ for war to resume with US but still pursuing diplomacy: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is fully prepared for war with the United States to resume, while insisting Tehran continues to pursue diplomacy. The statement, reported by regional media, underlines the twin track of Iran's posture amid ongoing tensions with Washington over its nuclear programme and regional standoff.
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Iran says diplomacy remains the only way to resolve tensions with the United States, after President Trump reportedly rejected a proposed peace plan. The statement from Tehran underscores a gap between the two sides, with Iran pressing for talks even as Washington refuses the deal on the table. Officials and observers are watching closely for any shift in negotiations.
- 49Indecisive politics behind US-Iran ceasefire extension without deal▼OPINION: Indecisive politics behind U.S.-Iran ceasefire extension without agreement
Commentary argues that the United States and Iran have extended a ceasefire without reaching any underlying agreement, attributing the impasse to indecisive politics on both sides. The piece suggests that a lack of firm political will is leaving the truce fragile, with diplomacy stalled and no substantive framework in place to secure a lasting resolution.
- 50Qatar's Al Thani accuses Netanyahu government of sabotaging Gaza talks▼Qatar's Al Thani claims Netanyahu's 'far-right government' sabotaging Gaza talks
Qatar's Sheikh Al Thani has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government of deliberately undermining negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. The charge, reported by The Jerusalem Post, escalates tensions between Qatar, a key mediator alongside Egypt and the United States, and Israel, and highlights deepening frustration over stalled talks.