FT

US forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, ending a military presence of roughly two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. Observers warn the departure leaves a power vacuum that Tehran is well placed to fill, given its influence over Iraqi political factions and armed groups. The withdrawal marks a major shift in the region's balance of power and raises questions about Iraq's future stability.

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, driving a major shift in global weather patterns. The development is expected to bring hotter temperatures, droughts in some regions and heavy rainfall in others, with scientists warning of widespread consequences for agriculture, water supplies and extreme weather events across the globe in the months ahead.

US authorities have arrested several people in connection with a suspected terrorism plot, according to ABC World News Tonight's September 27, 2026 broadcast anchored by David Muir. Details about the suspects, the alleged targets and the evidence against them have not yet been released, and officials have not said whether further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on roughly $30 billion worth of "non-sensitive goods", following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on a range of consumer products, including small appliances, toys and holiday items, and is drawing wide attention as a step toward easing trade tensions between the two economies.

President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal and then told Axios he expects new talks with Tehran to take place this week. The back-to-back moves signal that negotiations between Washington and Iran are continuing despite the setback, with officials watching whether diplomacy can ease tensions in the region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has left Beijing for Washington for his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is reportedly expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture analysts read as a signal of warmer US-China ties and a potential easing of trade tensions between the two countries.

Russia has started rationing fuel following a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike that hit key infrastructure, with reports saying Ukrainian drone technology outperformed Russia's jet-powered drones in the exchange. The attack reportedly disrupted fuel supplies, forcing authorities to introduce rationing measures, and the strike is being widely discussed as a sign that Ukraine's long-range drone capability is inflicting growing damage deep inside Russian territory.

Terror suspects have been arrested in the United Kingdom, and Donald Trump has publicly reacted to the news. Details about the number of suspects, the locations of the arrests, or the nature of the alleged plot have not been provided. Trump's response is drawing attention as observers watch for what the case may reveal about security cooperation between the US and Britain.

Australia's central bank has raised interest rates to their highest level in 15 years and warned that further increases remain possible as it battles persistent inflation. Policymakers said more hikes are 'not off the table', keeping borrowers and markets on alert over the path of monetary policy.

Bangkok has declared all 50 of its districts disaster zones following severe flooding across the Thai capital. The declaration allows city authorities to unlock emergency resources and relief measures for residents affected by widespread inundation. The move signals the scale of the flooding crisis, and people are discussing the city's response and conditions on the ground as heavy water disrupts daily life across the metropolis.

The Dutch government is developing an alternative to Microsoft's software ecosystem built on NixOS, the reproducible Linux-based operating system. The initiative, promoted through the Dawo community platform, aims to reduce dependence on a single US vendor. The news is drawing strong attention among technologists and open-source advocates debating digital sovereignty in European public administration.

Brent crude rebounded more than 3% on Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian peace proposal that would have resolved their conflict and reopened the Strait of Hormuz. With diplomatic efforts in stalemate, tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, keeping traders pricing in supply risk and pushing oil prices higher.

The United States is deploying an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran continues, according to Al-Monitor. The move signals a sustained American military presence in the region, though details on the carrier's name, timeline and exact mission have not been reported. The deployment comes as fighting tied to Iran stretches on without a clear resolution.

Iran has put forward new demands directed at the United States, following a sharply critical speech delivered at the United Nations. The development signals fresh friction between Tehran and Washington, with Iranian officials tying their conditions to remarks made on the UN stage. Coverage is drawing heavy attention as observers weigh what the demands could mean for already strained nuclear and regional talks.

The commander of Hamas's forces in northern Gaza has been killed in a strike, months after surviving an assassination attempt in May. The killing removes one of the group's senior military figures in the area, where fighting has continued. The strike is the latest in a series of targeted killings of Hamas commanders during the ongoing Gaza war.

Spain's government representative in Ceuta resigned after months of scrutiny over the city's handling of the migration crisis. Ceuta, one of the EU's only two land borders with Africa, bordering Morocco, saw a massive surge in late July when more than 72,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave. The resignation adds pressure on Madrid over its migration and border policy.

CNN is examining the Trump administration's ban on certain media outlets from White House access, with legal analysts saying Trump's legal position has shifted dramatically. The move has reignited debate over press freedom and the limits of presidential power over news organisations, drawing strong reactions across the political spectrum.

Iran says a draft agreement with the United States would include a waiver on oil sanctions, new limits on its nuclear programme and the release of frozen assets. The details, reported by EnergyNow, suggest a potential framework easing pressure on Tehran's oil exports in exchange for nuclear restrictions. The disclosure signals ongoing negotiations, though Washington has not confirmed the terms and significant gaps may remain before any deal is signed.

Following the Supreme Court's sweeping ruling on presidential immunity, Donald Trump is invoking it broadly as he pushes to expand executive power. The decision, which shielded official acts from prosecution, is now being cited across a range of contested actions, drawing concern from critics who warn it weakens checks on the presidency while supporters back his assertions of authority.

Iran is asking Washington to clarify its position after President Trump rejected a proposed cease-fire, according to a New York Times report citing developments around the Strait of Hormuz. The move signals mounting tension between Tehran and the U.S. administration, with diplomats seeking to understand whether negotiations over the cease-fire proposal can continue or have collapsed entirely.

Mediators continue efforts to broker a deal between the United States and Iran after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest proposal. The rejection leaves negotiations unresolved, with intermediaries attempting to bridge remaining differences between the two sides. The exact terms of the rejected proposal and what comes next in the talks remain unclear as diplomatic work continues.

Five terror suspects have been arrested near a military base in the UK, and Donald Trump has responded to the news. Details of the arrests and the content of Trump's remarks have not been confirmed in the available reporting, but the story is drawing wide attention, with commentary focusing on the security implications for US-UK relations and base security.

Iran says it remains committed to a diplomatic solution after US President Donald Trump rejected a proposed peace plan. The rejection, reported widely by international outlets including Reuters and Al-Monitor, has drawn attention to the future of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials maintain they still favour talks, while the US stance leaves the path to an agreement uncertain.