Russia warned in a diplomatic document that it could use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if NATO tried to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia. NATO rejected the allegation that its activities threaten Russian territory and called on Moscow to end its “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” Experts say the heavily militarized enclave is already a front line for Russia’s hybrid pressure on Europe.

RussiaKaliningradNATOnuclear threats

A Florida grand jury indicted Ivanna Lisette Ortiz after she was accused of firing a rifle at the home of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. She faces attempted murder and other felony counts.

Rihannashootingattempted murderFlorida

The Pentagon says the last US troops assigned to the anti-ISIL mission have left Iraq, completing a years-long withdrawal. Washington says Baghdad now bears primary responsibility for the country’s remaining security challenges, while the coalition task force has moved to Jordan.

Iraq withdrawalUS troopsISILIraq security

The Pentagon says the US and its coalition partners have formally ended Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, completing a withdrawal agreed two years ago. Washington will continue training and intelligence support, while Iran and its allies hailed the departure as a victory and Iraqi experts warned it could give Islamic State and others room to recover.

US withdrawalIraqIslamic Statesecurity

The Pentagon says the United States and its coalition partners have formally ended Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. The orderly departure from Erbil Air Base marks a shift from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort, with Washington expecting Iraq to handle remaining security threats and eliminate Islamic State remnants.

US withdrawalIraqcounterterrorismIslamic State

Iraqi security forces held parades in Baghdad and Najaf for “Sovereignty Day”, a national holiday commemorating the withdrawal of US troops. The last soldiers left on Wednesday, bringing the US-led coalition’s operation against ISIL to an end.

IraqUS troop withdrawalNational Sovereignty DayISIL operation

The US military says it has completed withdrawing its troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State group.

IraqUS militarytroop withdrawalIslamic State

A US-led coalition deployed in Iraq more than a decade ago to fight jihadists ended its mission on Wednesday. Iraqi leaders welcomed the move, but some fear it could embolden pro-Iran armed factions. France 24 examines Iraq’s security challenges and why Washington chose this moment to withdraw its troops.

IraqUS troop withdrawalsecurity challenges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the pilot of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight tried to crash the aircraft and kill passengers before it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Passengers likewise described a struggle for control after the plane plunged about 17,000 feet in one minute, according to Flightradar24.

flydubaiemergency landingaviation safety

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says one pilot stabbed another aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, apparently in an attempt to crash the aircraft. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the pilots fought, raising concerns about a possible hijacking.

flydubai flightpilot fightSaudi Arabiaaviation security

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the co-pilot of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the aircraft. Passengers restrained him, while other pilots landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.

FlydubaiSaudi Arabiaterror attackaviation security

Passengers helped restrain a pilot who appeared to be attacking another pilot aboard an Israel-bound flight, sending the aircraft plunging thousands of feet and nearing Mach speeds. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia as authorities investigate what happened.

flight safetySaudi Arabiapassengersinvestigation

A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv narrowly avoided catastrophe after one pilot tried to stab a colleague. The confrontation sent the aircraft into a steep plunge and forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

flight incidentpilot altercationemergency landing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a pilot on a Flydubai flight carrying mostly Israeli passengers stabbed the other pilot and allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew subdued him. The suspect was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. The flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia while over Jordanian airspace.

Flydubaiflight incidentIsraelSaudi Arabia

The Federal Reserve’s inspector general said on Wednesday that it found deficiencies in a renovation project but no basis for a criminal referral or administrative misconduct finding. The project had drawn criticism from President Donald Trump and prompted scrutiny of former Fed chief Jerome Powell.

Federal ReserveJerome Powellrenovation projectoversight

A long-awaited report from the Fed’s inspector general found failures in the renovation project but said there were no reasonable grounds to believe federal criminal law had been violated.

Federal Reserveinspector generalrenovation

The Federal Reserve’s internal watchdog found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the $2.4 billion renovation of its Washington headquarters. The project became a flashpoint between the Fed and the Trump administration as the president pressed for lower interest rates last year.

Federal Reserveheadquarters renovationinterest rates

The Federal Reserve’s watchdog said it found no basis to believe a renovation project criticized by President Donald Trump violated federal law.

Federal ReserveDonald Trumpregulatory review

Spain and France welcomed UK Prime Minister Burnham’s intention to rejoin the European Union. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez and French President Macron made the remarks at a joint press conference in Madrid on September 30, 2026.

United KingdomEuropean UnionSpainFrance

Emmanuel Macron warmly welcomed Andy Burnham’s suggestion that the UK could seek to rejoin the EU, saying it would be good news for Britain and Europeans. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, also said Spain would welcome any British bid. Burnham has said options range from a customs union or single market to full membership.

BrexitEuropean UnionEmmanuel MacronUK-EU relations

Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said Russia used a jet-powered drone with a specialized warhead designed to cut high-voltage pylons and steel bridges for the first time. The overnight assault also involved nearly 190 drones and ballistic missiles, primarily targeting energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, prompting emergency outages in several regions.

Russia-Ukraine warenergy infrastructuredrone strikesKyiv

Russia and Ukraine exchanged strikes, killing three people in the Kyiv region. Rescuers extinguished a fire at a garage destroyed by a Russian drone strike, while Poland introduced airspace measures in response.

Russia-Ukraine wardrone strikesKyiv regionPolish airspace

Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day killed at least four people and injured 30, while Kyiv and the surrounding region faced another large-scale overnight missile and drone assault, local authorities said. The Air Force reported 188 drones and several types of missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses downing 160 aerial targets. Sumy, Donetsk, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts also reported casualties.

Ukraine warRussian attacksKyivdrone strikes

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said preliminary information indicated debris had been found at the premises of an unnamed western embassy in the capital, with emergency services sent there. Russia said it targeted communications and energy facilities in Kyiv and port infrastructure in Izmail, while the attacks damaged energy and other civilian infrastructure. Poland raised its alert level in the southeast and scrambled military aircraft to monitor the situation.

Russia-Ukraine wardrone attacksKyivenergy infrastructure

Russia has shifted its attacks on Kyiv, deploying faster, harder-to-intercept jet-powered drones in nighttime and daytime waves that are straining air defenses and disrupting daily life. Strikes from September 22 to 28 killed 13 Kyiv residents and injured more than 160; civilian casualties occurred on 16 of September’s first 24 days.

KyivRussiadrone attacksair defenses

Russian forces continued attacking Kyiv and nearby areas with drones and various missiles. Ukrainian officials said an early September 30 strike killed two people and injured four in the capital, while a child’s body was found in the rubble of a home in Kyiv region. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 188 drones along with anti-ship and ballistic missiles.

Russian strikesKyivdronesmissiles

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says there are “strong indications” that Iran was involved in an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase used by the US military.

UKIranairbasealleged plot

UK’s Andy Burnham says there are “strong indications” that Iran was involved in an incident at RAF Fairford.

IranUnited KingdomRAF Fairford

MI5 says China used the China General Technology Research Institute, which has very close links to the Ministry of State Security, to fund research involving more than 100 academics connected to UK institutions. Some researchers may not have known the institute’s role. Universities are urged to review cooperation, as individuals could face criminal charges for assisting a foreign intelligence service.

UK securityChinese intelligenceacademic researchespionage

Britain’s MI5 issued an unprecedented alert on Wednesday, warning that a Chinese organization had funded academic research into areas including AI on behalf of Beijing’s state security service.

UKChinaacademic espionageAI

MI5 has told UK researchers and academics to stop working with the China Academy of General Technology, which it calls a “significant threat”. The Chinese state-owned group is accused of using a front company to pay UK academics for sensitive AI, cybersecurity and steganography research that allegedly improves China’s intelligence capabilities. The warning heightens concern over the security risks of university funding and cooperation with China.

MI5Chinaacademic espionageUK universities

MI5 says China’s intelligence service used the China General Technology Research Institute as a front to fund research at UK universities and obtain sensitive work on AI, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography. The security service advises academics to end collaboration and warns that continued work could carry criminal consequences under the National Security Act 2023.

MI5Chinese espionageUK universitiesacademic research

A Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was diverted after a pilot was stabbed. Israeli officials described the incident as an “act of terror”. Al Jazeera’s Nada Qaddourah reports on the latest developments.

FlydubaiTel Avivstabbingact of terror

Passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv reached Israel after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and the journey was completed on another plane. The flight had triggered a hijacking alert. Israeli media reported that the pilots fought, with one allegedly stabbed and possibly attempting to deliberately crash the aircraft.

Flydubaiemergency landingTel Avivpilot altercation

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after issuing a distress signal. Israel’s prime minister said one pilot stabbed the other and tried to crash the aircraft, though the cause remains unconfirmed. Passengers entered the cockpit and subdued one pilot; all passengers were safe, while both injured pilots were hospitalized.

Flydubai flightcockpit altercationSaudi diversionIsrael

A pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed another pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The aircraft plunged 17,000ft in under two minutes before diverting to Saudi Arabia. Passengers filmed the aftermath and one man was heard calling for help.

Flydubaiflight safetystabbing incident

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a cockpit struggle triggered emergency signals and a sharp descent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and appeared to try to crash the plane. Officials are investigating whether it was an attempted terrorist attack.

flydubaiaviation securityIsraelSaudi Arabia

Flydubai confirmed that a cockpit brawl took place aboard flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The crew regained control, turned the aircraft around and landed safely at Tabuk Airport.

Flydubaicockpit brawlemergency landing

A US federal court stayed the execution of 50-year-old Christa Pike just hours before it was scheduled at a maximum-security prison in Nashville. Her lawyers argued that proceedings had failed to consider sexual abuse she suffered as a child. The Tennessee Supreme Court had declined to intervene, and Governor Bill Lee rejected clemency.

death penaltyUS courtsTennesseeChrista Pike

A US appeals court briefly stayed the execution of death row inmate Christa Pike less than two hours before the lethal injection was scheduled. The court said it needed time to consider her claim that severe sexual abuse in her history had not been considered at sentencing.

death penaltyappeals courtTennessee

Christa Pike, 50, has spent 30 years on death row for a murder committed when she was 18. Hours before her scheduled execution, a federal appeals court issued a temporary stay while it reviews her case. Tennessee’s attorney general is seeking to move ahead with the execution.

Christa PikeTennesseedeath penaltyfederal court

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Tennessee to proceed with Christa Gail Pike’s execution, overturning a last-minute stay issued by an appeals court just hours earlier on Wednesday.

Christa PikeTennesseeU.S. Supreme Courtexecution

The execution of Tennessee death-row inmate Christa Pike was halted an hour before it was scheduled. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals said it needed more time to consider her case. Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for murdering Colleen Slemmer.

Christa PikeTennesseedeath penaltyappeals court

A federal appeals court stopped Tennessee from carrying out Christa Pike’s execution about an hour before it was scheduled to begin.

death penaltycourt rulingTennessee

Vyacheslav Volodin was elected speaker at the first plenary session of Russia’s ninth State Duma after being nominated by United Russia. He received 406 of 442 votes, having previously led the seventh and eighth Dumas and becoming the first speaker to serve more than two consecutive terms.

Russian politicsState DumaVyacheslav Volodin