Power Up

SpaceX is preparing to send its Starship megarocket to orbit for the first time today, September 28, with the flight being streamed live. The launch marks a milestone for the most powerful rocket ever built, a key vehicle in SpaceX's plans for deep space missions. Space enthusiasts and observers worldwide are watching closely to see whether the spacecraft completes its orbital attempt.

Sudan faces a governance vacuum as the United States recognises neither of the warring authorities. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exercises power across territory it holds. Yet Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving Sudan with authorities but no internationally recognised government.

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send soldiers and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect Yanbu's critical oil-export facilities from Houthi attacks. Macron also did not rule out an additional deployment of French Air Force fighter jets, signalling a deepening French security role in the Red Sea region amid ongoing threats to global energy infrastructure.

Italy's parliament has approved a move toward restarting nuclear power, reversing a stance the country has held since abandoning nuclear energy after referendums following the Chernobyl disaster. The vote opens the way for new nuclear technology, including small modular reactors, as Italy seeks stable low-carbon energy supplies. Supporters frame it as energy security and climate policy; critics recall Italy's long-standing public opposition to nuclear power.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will never seek to build a nuclear bomb, ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The pledge is drawing wide attention as Tehran's nuclear program remains a central point of tension with Western powers, and observers watch for how the statement will land in New York diplomacy.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling that former presidents have broad immunity for official acts, Donald Trump is invoking the decision widely as he pushes to expand presidential power. The report examines how Trump and his allies are using the landmark ruling to justify sweeping executive actions, raising concerns about the limits of presidential accountability.

SpaceX is conducting the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket, with the vehicle heading toward orbit from its launch site in Texas. Live coverage of the launch is drawing large audiences as watchers follow the progress of the most powerful rocket ever built. The flight is part of SpaceX's iterative testing programme toward future Moon and Mars missions.

Russia has started rationing fuel following a large Ukrainian drone strike that hit fuel infrastructure. Reports say Ukrainian long-range drone technology is outmatching Russia's jet-powered drones, forcing Moscow to restrict petrol supplies in parts of the country. The strikes mark an escalation in the drone war between the two countries, with Ukraine targeting refineries and depots deep inside Russian territory.

Finland's President addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering a speech centred on what he called growing global disorder. The address, released in full, has drawn wide attention online, with viewers sharing his assessment of international instability and calls for stronger multilateral cooperation amid ongoing conflicts and strained relations between major powers.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb delivered a widely discussed address at the United Nations General Assembly, arguing that the post-Cold War order has given way to a 'new world disorder'. In the speech he called on member states to strengthen multilateral institutions and reform the UN to confront conflicts, great-power rivalry and weakening international rules. The address is being described as one of the most significant of this year's gathering.

The United States has withdrawn its forces from Iraq after more than twenty years of military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. Reuters reports the departure leaves a power vacuum in the region, with Iran positioned to expand its influence over Iraq's politics and security. Analysts are weighing what the exit means for regional stability and for the future of US engagement in the Middle East.

A US judge has ruled against the Trump administration's ban blocking certain media outlets from White House access, overturning the restriction. The decision means the affected news organisations can again attend official press events at the White House. The ruling is being widely covered and is drawing debate over press freedom and presidential power.

Climate outlets report that the El Niño event now developing in the Pacific is shaping up to be so intense that scientists say existing terminology does not adequately describe it. The warming pattern is expected to bring extreme heat, storms and disrupted weather worldwide, and coverage is focused on how unprecedented its strength could be.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the War Powers resolution deadline does not apply to US military action against Iran, arguing a ceasefire between the two countries has resolved the situation. The claim is drawing scrutiny from lawmakers who say Congress retains authority over prolonged military deployments under the War Powers Act.

China has crossed 1,000 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, the largest amount any country has ever reached, roughly equal to the entire electricity capacity of the United States. Observers are highlighting the scale of the milestone and what it signals for the pace of China's renewable energy build-out compared with the rest of the world.

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, lifted off from the company's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, on its first orbital-class test flight. The launch marks a major milestone for the program, which NASA has chosen to carry astronauts to the Moon, and drew wide attention as the most powerful rocket to date attempted its first integrated flight.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used his final address to the UN General Assembly to renew calls for global oversight of artificial intelligence and an end to ongoing conflicts. His remarks coincide with the Security Council preparing to host a briefing with AI leaders on the risks and governance of the powerful technology.

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.

The United Arab Emirates has called for renewed diplomacy and stronger international action on the war in Gaza and other regional crises in an address at the United Nations. UAE representatives urged global powers to intensify efforts toward de-escalation, humanitarian relief and a political resolution, framing the Gaza conflict as part of a wider set of instability drivers across the Middle East.

Hurricane Polo has strengthened into a Category 5 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast, becoming one of the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the region. Forecasters are tracking its path as residents and authorities along the Mexican coastline prepare for possible impacts. Updates are focused on the storm's intensity, projected track, and whether it will make landfall or remain offshore.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats have met at the United Nations in their first talks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a rare high-level diplomatic contact between Moscow and a leading European power since February 2022, and comes as attention focuses on whether dialogue over the war in Ukraine might be resuming.

Sudanese authorities have called for an immediate end to foreign interference in the country and insisted that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) be disarmed. The demand comes as Sudan's civil war, which began in April 2023 between the army and the RSF, continues to drive one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with outside powers widely accused of fuelling the conflict.

Google has filed an appeal against European Union regulatory requests that would require it to open up Android to rival AI assistants and share search data with competitors. The case adds to Google's long-running battles with EU antitrust authorities, and is being closely watched as regulators across Europe push to curb the power of large technology platforms in emerging AI markets.