PLACE

A New York Times analysis uses satellite imagery to show that Israeli forces continue expanding positions inside Gaza even though a cease-fire is in place. The report documents new infrastructure and territorial changes on the ground, raising questions about whether Israel is complying with the terms of the truce and what the deal actually requires of each side.

The US Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's attempt to impose restrictions on mail-in voting, turning away a request backed by the administration to limit the ballot method. The decision keeps existing mail voting rules in place, and is drawing attention as voting access remains a contentious political issue ahead of upcoming elections.

Severe storms are hitting Spain, with red rain alerts forcing the suspension of several AVE and regional trains in Catalonia. The Community of Valencia is being struck by flash floods and nearly a hundred incidents have been reported. Weather warnings are in place across 15 regions this Saturday as authorities urge caution.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city-state prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Al Jazeera reports that race organisers are drawing up contingency plans as the regional haze threatens the major sporting event, raising concerns over air quality for drivers, teams and fans.

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv after authorities warned of a drone threat to the Ukrainian capital. Residents were urged to take shelter as air defence units were placed on standby. The alert comes amid continuing Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, which have kept much of the country under repeated nighttime warnings in recent weeks.

A federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's latest legal challenge, dismissing her attempt to overturn her 2021 conviction for aiding Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls as frivolous. The ruling keeps in place her 20-year prison sentence. The case continues to attract attention because of Maxwell's ties to Epstein and ongoing scrutiny of associates connected to the scandal.

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.

A US federal judge has ruled against President Trump's ban on certain media outlets covering the White House, striking down restrictions the administration had placed on press access. The decision blocks officials from barring journalists from presidential events and press pools, and is being widely read as a significant ruling on press freedom and the limits of presidential control over media access.

President Donald Trump has denied that the United States offered Iran sanctions relief, while Tehran says it is ready to enter talks. The conflicting statements come amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, with news outlets worldwide picking up the story. Reports give no further detail on when or where any negotiations might take place, and the exact origin of the sanctions-relief claim remains unclear.

The New York Times reports that Israel has continued to take over more territory in Gaza even as a cease-fire remains formally in place. The report highlights the gap between the truce agreement and the reality on the ground, where Israeli forces have expanded control over additional areas. It is fueling debate over whether the cease-fire is holding and what it means for prospects of a lasting settlement.

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.

Poland has won the 2026 Men's European Volleyball Championship, defeating France in a rematch of the Olympic gold-medal match. The victory also secures Poland's quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The result renews one of volleyball's fiercest recent rivalries between the two European powerhouses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the size of the Russian armed forces for the fourth time in 2025, according to Euronews. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to generate heavy troop losses, forcing the Kremlin to repeatedly raise recruitment targets. It underscores the mounting strain the conflict is placing on Russia's manpower and military planning.

Media reports say Russia plans to increase its military spending by 27% in 2027, which would take defense expenditure to the highest level since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. The proposed budget signals that Moscow intends to sustain and potentially expand its war effort, placing continued priority on military funding despite economic pressures.

Polish authorities issued an alert telling residents near the Ukrainian border to find a safe place after a Russian strike landed just 2km from Polish territory. The attack, reported by Polish public media, prompted warnings of falling debris and raised concerns about spillover. The incident is renewing debate over NATO airspace readiness and border-zone safety.

French public sector workers are preparing for a nationwide strike on Tuesday, September 29, with teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and public transport staff expected to take part. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. The RATP transport network is among the services affected, and travellers are being warned of likely disruptions.

Italy has approved a law allowing the country to produce nuclear energy again, reversing a ban in place for nearly four decades. The move ends a prohibition dating back to referendums after the 1987 vote, and opens the way for new reactors as Italy seeks reliable, low-carbon power and reduced dependence on imported energy.

Qualifying for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has taken place in Baku, setting the grid for the latest round of the Formula 1 season. The session is drawing big attention from motorsport fans following the official highlights, with more than six million people engaging with the coverage as they look to see who took pole position on the demanding street circuit.

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.

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.

A group of immigrants is asking the US Supreme Court to leave in place a lower-court ruling that prevents the Trump administration from deporting them to third-party countries. The filing asks the justices not to disturb protections that currently keep them from being removed to nations other than their home countries while the case continues.

Voting is under way in Brazil's 2026 general elections, with searches spiking around polling places ('colégio eleitoral'), voting hours and voter rules. Outlets report polling times for the first round, guidance on what voters may and may not do during and after voting, and the size of the electorate, estimated at record levels. Regional coverage highlights growing numbers of voters over 70 and rising young-voter declines in Paraná. One report describes a man shot outside a polling place in Diadema.

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.

Russia has placed the Russian assets of German retail group Metro under temporary administration, according to a Reuters report, amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Berlin over the war in Ukraine. The move is the latest step by Russian authorities to seize or manage assets of Western companies, raising concerns among foreign firms still operating in the country.

An Atlantic essay argues that the United States is experiencing a broad, sustained decline in crime, with drops recorded in cities and regions nationwide rather than in isolated places. The piece frames this as a 'great crime decline' happening all across the country, and the argument is drawing wide attention and debate about its causes and durability.

South Sudan addressed the UN General Assembly with a call for elections to be decided by the ballot rather than violence, as the country prepares for its long-delayed national vote. The message, relayed by UN News and regional outlets, underscores international attention to whether South Sudan's transition and first elections since independence will proceed peacefully.

British police have arrested five men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack. The arrests were carried out as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism operation, though authorities have not yet released details about the suspected targets, the men's identities, or where the arrests took place. Investigations are continuing.

Middle East Eye reports that the war involving Iran is placing simultaneous political, economic and security pressure on Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt. The article argues these countries face squeezed trade routes, energy costs and diplomatic dilemmas as the conflict widens its regional footprint, leaving each government balancing ties with Washington, Tehran and domestic publics.

US-Iran diplomacy has stalled after Donald Trump rejected a proposed peace plan aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran. With no agreement in place, prospects for renewed negotiations between the two countries now appear uncertain, and observers are watching for how both governments respond to the breakdown in talks.

The Netherlands are facing Serbia, with the matchup drawing search interest in the US, UK and the Netherlands. Betting outlets have published odds for the game, while sports coverage around the fixture also touches on Liverpool and Manchester United injury concerns affecting players involved in international duty.