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SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship megarocket on its first-ever flight to orbit. The launch is scheduled for today, September 28, and can be watched live. The uncrewed test flight is a key milestone in SpaceX's program to develop the most powerful rocket ever built, which it plans to use for missions to the Moon and Mars.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says her government's migration policies have scored a major victory, declaring that Italy is no longer carrying Europe's refugee burden. The statement has drawn wide attention, with supporters echoing her tough line on arrivals and critics likely to question the basis of the claim and the treatment of migrants under her policies.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree immediately increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The decree replaces all previous ones on army size and is described as the seventh expansion of Russia's military staffing since the start of the war in Ukraine. Commentators see it as a continuation of Russia's gradual force buildup.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a sharply critical speech at the United Nations, accusing Israel of using accusations of anti-Semitism to deflect criticism over its conduct in the Gaza war. He said Israel should 'stop crying anti-Semitism' and laid out what he described as the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The remarks drew wide attention online amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over the conflict.

Russia has begun rationing fuel following a massive Ukrainian drone strike that damaged energy infrastructure. Ukrainian long-range drone technology is proving effective against Russia's jet-powered drones and refineries, forcing regional fuel restrictions. The strikes highlight Kyiv's growing ability to hit oil facilities deep inside Russian territory, disrupting supplies and putting further pressure on Moscow's war economy.

Terror suspects have been arrested in the United Kingdom, drawing a public response from Donald Trump. The arrests and Trump's remarks are generating heavy attention online, with outlets covering the operation and its implications for UK counterterrorism and international security cooperation. Further details about the suspects and charges have not been confirmed.

The Ukrainian Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time and were moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target. The strike is being widely shared and discussed online, with supporters framing it as evidence of Ukraine's continued ability to hit high-value Russian military targets.

Sudan's governance is in question as the war continues. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the Rapid Support Forces exercises authority across territory it holds. Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving the country with rival authorities but no internationally recognised government.

The US Supreme Court has turned down the Trump administration's effort to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. The decision preserves existing access to absentee ballots, a voting method used by millions of Americans. The ruling is drawing attention from both parties, with critics of the restrictions calling it a win for voter access and Republicans weighing the setback ahead of future elections.

Donald Trump has said he is "surprised" that five men arrested in the UK on suspicion of terror offences have been released on bail. Asked whether Iran was involved, the US president said: "I know the answer, I can be very specific, but I'd rather not say." His comments come as UK police continue their investigation into the arrests.

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.

Dave Ramsden, a deputy governor at the Bank of England, said there would be a case for raising the key interest rate if inflationary pressures build further. His comments signal that the Bank's rate-setting committee remains ready to tighten monetary policy, and traders and economists are watching closely for clues about the timing of any move.

British authorities have arrested five men close to a military base on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The arrests were announced in breaking news coverage, and details about the suspects, the specific base, and the nature of the alleged plot have not yet been released. Counter-terrorism police are expected to provide more information as the investigation continues.

Iran has put forward new demands to the United States following a sharply critical address at the United Nations. The speech, widely described as scathing, appears to mark a hardening of Tehran's negotiating position toward Washington. Details of the specific demands have not been laid out, and the US has yet to respond publicly.

Germany is placing military rearmament at the centre of its economic strategy, with defence spending framed as a new engine for industrial growth. Observers are debating whether this pivot can revive Europe's largest economy while meeting NATO pressure and security concerns tied to the war in Ukraine.

Anthropic, the AI company behind the Claude chatbot, has included a warning that artificial intelligence may pose existential risks to humanity in its IPO filing documents. The unusual disclosure marks one of the starkest risk statements ever attached to a public market offering, and is drawing attention to how AI firms balance commercial ambitions with safety concerns as Anthropic moves toward going public.

The UK military is jamming other countries' satellites as a form of self-defence, according to information given to the BBC. The disclosure sheds light on Britain's offensive electronic warfare capabilities in orbit, an area armed forces rarely discuss publicly. It is likely to fuel debate about the militarisation of space and the rules governing such operations.

SpaceX carried out the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket, and recaps are summarizing the roughly 15-minute flight sequence, from launch through the mission's key milestones. Viewers are following along to see how the vehicle and its Super Heavy booster performed during the latest test of the program intended to eventually carry crews to the Moon and Mars.

Forest fires in Indonesia are pushing smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Al Jazeera reports that race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further. The timing has raised concerns among fans, officials and businesses ahead of the major international sporting event.

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.

The United States has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could permit the kingdom to enrich its own uranium. The deal drops the "gold standard" restrictions Washington imposed on the UAE in 2009, which barred enrichment. Lawmakers from both parties are already raising alarms about the agreement's implications for nuclear proliferation and stability in the Middle East.