Early

A powerful typhoon is sweeping across Japan, with authorities urging nearly two million people to evacuate as the storm brings damaging winds and heavy rain. Emergency warnings have been issued in affected regions, with officials warning of flooding, landslides and disruption to transport as the typhoon makes landfall.

Nearly every world leader is gathering in New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where heads of state deliver addresses and hold diplomatic meetings on the sidelines. The BBC explains what draws so many leaders to the city at once and why the week matters for global diplomacy.

Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned from the presidency in order to run for prime minister in an early parliamentary vote. The maneuver, a power swap aimed at keeping him at the country's helm, is drawing attention across the Balkans and beyond, with observers weighing what it means for Serbia's democracy and its political stability.

A New York Times opinion piece warns that the current strong El Niño, a warming of the tropical Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, is set to drive severe conditions including heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms across many regions. The author urges governments and the public to prepare now for the disruption, arguing that early planning could limit the damage as the phenomenon reaches full strength in the coming months.

NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service is highlighting forecasts of a very strong El Nino in 2026-2027, warning that unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific could reshape weather patterns worldwide. Strong El Nino events typically bring heavier rains to parts of the Americas, drought to Australia and Southeast Asia, and altered hurricane and monsoon seasons, prompting scientists to urge early preparation.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned, according to a Reuters report, a move that paves the way for early elections in the country. The resignation marks a sudden turn in Serbian politics, and attention is now turning to when the vote will be held and who will compete to succeed him. Further details about the reasons behind the step and the timeline have not yet been reported.

A farmer driving home in the early hours discovered three white vans blocking a village road near RAF Fairford with no one inside. Suspicious, she turned around and reported seeing a group of men nearby. Authorities are treating it as a suspected bomb plot targeting the airbase, and a summary of what is known so far is circulating widely online as updates emerge.

A new study finds strokes in young adults are steadily rising, nearly doubling over the past three decades, even though most people only worry about cardiovascular health later in life. Commenters sharing the finding are urging younger people to pay attention to stroke risk factors early rather than assuming heart and vascular disease is an older person's problem.

The Trump administration is using a rarely invoked authority to rescind nearly $1 billion in federal spending that Congress had already approved. The move, reported by PBS, reignites a constitutional dispute over presidential power versus Congress's control of the purse, with critics calling it an overreach and supporters framing it as fiscal discipline. Lawmakers and watchdogs are expected to challenge the rescission.

International calls are mounting for an independent investigation into allegations that chemical weapons have been used during Sudan's ongoing war. The reported appeals urge a proper probe to verify the accusations amid the conflict between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces. Details about who is making the calls and what evidence exists remain limited in early coverage.

Gloucestershire Police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts after three suspicious vans were reported approaching RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday, September 27. The Gloucestershire base is used by US forces, and the incident is drawing attention given heightened security concerns around military sites in the UK.

The U.S. government's sanctions on the International Criminal Court in early 2025 had swift, far-reaching effects. The measures cut off the ICC's chief prosecutor's access to Microsoft services, including email, highlighting how deeply dependent international institutions are on American technology firms. Observers say the episode raises questions about digital sovereignty and the vulnerability of global justice bodies to unilateral US pressure.

President Trump has moved to cut nearly $1 billion in federal spending without seeking approval from Congress, a step that bypasses the legislature's constitutional power of the purse. The move is drawing attention over its legality and its implications for congressional authority over the federal budget, with debate expected over whether the White House can unilaterally withhold funds already appropriated.

Major AI laboratories say the scenario in which AI models gain the ability to improve themselves autonomously is approaching. The claim, reported by ABC News, revives debate among researchers and policymakers about how soon recursive self-improvement could arrive and what safety measures would be needed. Observers are weighing whether current models show early signs of this capability or whether lab statements reflect competitive positioning.

A measles outbreak in the United States has grown to nearly 900 confirmed cases spread across 39 counties, according to figures being widely reported. The tally marks one of the largest US measles surges in years, driven largely by undervaccinated communities. Health officials continue urging vaccination as the virus spreads beyond its original hotspots.

The first results from France's Senate elections have been published online, according to an announcement from the Senate itself. The indirect elections, held by an electoral college of local representatives, determine the upper house's composition. Early results are being closely watched for what they indicate about the balance of power in the chamber.

Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether an alleged plot connected to RAF Fairford, the RAF base in Gloucestershire, has links to Iran. The inquiry is at an early stage and authorities have not confirmed the nature of the alleged plot or named any suspects. The reported possible Iranian connection has drawn wide attention given tensions surrounding Iran and UK military sites.

Spain defeated England 3-2 in their opening Nations League match at Wembley Stadium, taking an early lead in the group stage in what was a closely fought, high-scoring contest. Fans and pundits are reacting to the dramatic result, with discussion focused on England's defensive lapses and Spain's clinical finishing in a match that swung back and forth before the final whistle.

Donald Trump has moved to cancel nearly $1bn in federal funding that had already been approved by Congress, according to reporting by the Guardian. The decision raises fresh questions over presidential authority to withhold money appropriated by lawmakers and is likely to draw legal and political challenges from opponents in Washington.

President Trump has moved to rescind nearly $1 billion in previously approved federal funding, acting without congressional approval. The decision raises questions over presidential spending powers and the role of Congress in controlling the federal budget. The affected programmes have not been detailed, and legal or political challenges from lawmakers are likely as the dispute unfolds.

France's pharmacists' union is warning about an early resurgence of Covid-19 and is calling on the government to move forward the vaccination campaign scheduled for mid-October. Hospitals are already feeling the strain: emergency room visits are reported to have jumped 67% among adults and 16% among children. The union's appeal puts pressure on health authorities to speed up autumn booster plans as infections climb sooner than expected.

Kyiv cancelled its air raid alert early on Monday, 28 September, after a drone attack kept the city under an continuous alert for nine hours and ten minutes overnight. The all-clear was announced by the city administration, with the Ukrainian air raid map confirming the end of the danger. The long duration of the alert has drawn attention to the scale and persistence of the overnight drone assault on the capital.