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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.

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.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to resume raising its key interest rate, with policymakers' patience over stubborn inflation wearing thin. Bloomberg reports the central bank is poised to tighten again as price pressures prove more persistent than hoped, a move that would add to borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses.

Russia is raising $178 billion for defense, its largest military budget since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The figure signals a continued prioritization of war spending over other areas of the economy. Observers say the allocation underlines Moscow's commitment to sustaining its military campaign, and the scale of the budget is drawing attention to how long Russia can maintain such expenditure.

Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase of 15,500 active-duty troops to Russia's military, raising the total authorised force to 1.55 million personnel. The move continues a pattern of regular troop enlargements since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and analysts see it as a signal that Moscow intends to sustain a prolonged war effort despite heavy casualties.

The United States has ended its military presence in Iraq after more than twenty years, formally closing a chapter that began with the 2003 invasion. Analysts warn the departure could open a power vacuum in Baghdad that Iran and its allied militias are positioned to fill, raising concerns about Iraq's sovereignty, regional stability, and the future balance of power in the Middle East.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden said there is a case for raising the central bank's key interest rate if inflationary pressures in the UK economy intensify. The comments signal that policymakers remain prepared to tighten monetary policy despite recent signs of easing price growth, and markets are watching for hints about the timing of the next move.

Large crowds gathered at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on the morning of National Day to watch the national flag-raising ceremony. The event is one of the most symbolic observances marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, drawing patriotic spectators at dawn.

OpenAI and Anthropic are investigating thousands of AI security incidents, according to a new report on AI safety heading into 2026. The cases highlight growing risks around AI agents operating with limited oversight, and both companies are said to be reassessing how they monitor and secure their systems. The volume of incidents is prompting debate about whether current safety practices can keep pace with rapidly deployed AI tools.

Two Algerian military transport aircraft flew through Polish airspace on their way to Russia, drawing attention because of the EU's sanctions regime against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Observers are questioning why the flights were allowed and what cargo or purpose lay behind the unusual routing, with some accusing European authorities of turning a blind eye.

American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have increased their checked baggage fees, joining several other US carriers. The airlines cite rising fuel costs, which have climbed amid the conflict involving Iran, as pressure on operating expenses. Travellers now face higher costs for checked luggage on domestic flights, and industry watchers expect other carriers to follow with similar fee increases in the coming weeks.

Institutional investors raised $190bn for private credit funds, a 53% jump, even as retail-facing private credit products face turmoil and redemptions. The figures suggest large allocators such as pension funds and insurers are leaning further into direct lending and credit strategies, even as retail channels come under strain. Commenters in asset management circles are weighing what the divergence means for the market's next phase.

A national flag-raising ceremony was held Thursday at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing to mark China's National Day. The event marked the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with crowds gathering in the capital to watch the flag raised. The ceremony is a traditional highlight of the holiday, which is one of China's most important national celebrations.

A new gravity experiment is prompting physicists and science commentators to revisit one of Einstein's core assumptions: that the speed of light is constant. Reports suggest the experiment's findings raise questions about how light behaves under gravitational conditions, challenging textbook relativity. Scientists urge caution, noting that extraordinary claims about relativity require extraordinary confirmation.

With the Los Angeles mayoral election weeks away, Karen Bass and Rick Caruso rival Raman are nearly tied in fundraising, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The close financial race signals a competitive contest for City Hall, with both campaigns pushing to fund final weeks of advertising and voter outreach before election day.

Venture firm NFX has announced it will stop raising outside capital and move to a self-funded model. The shift means the firm will invest its own money rather than depend on limited partners. The move is drawing attention in startup and venture circles, where observers see it as a notable change of strategy for an established early-stage investor.

Russia is setting record military spending for the war years, with its 2027 budget including $205 billion for defense, Bloomberg reports. The figure is more than 40% higher than before. Putin is described as raising the stakes while waiting to see whether Europe remains ready to continue supporting Ukraine.

New campaign finance figures show Idaho Republicans hold a fundraising lead over Democrats in every statewide general election race this cycle. The report underscores the party's financial dominance in one of the most Republican-leaning states in the country, where Democratic candidates face steep odds in their bids for statewide office heading into the November election.

Gillian Brinton, a 60-year-old transgender woman living in South Africa, is raising money to access gender-affirming surgery and related healthcare costs she cannot cover herself. In her appeal she describes beginning her transition later in life after decades of delay. Supporters are sharing the appeal through mutual aid networks, where small donations are encouraged as an alternative to mainstream healthcare funding routes.

Advisory firm RSM is cautioning that nonprofit fundraising is becoming increasingly concentrated and uneven, with resources flowing unevenly across organizations and causes. The firm recommends that nonprofits plan strategically for this environment rather than assuming broad-based donor support. The warning reflects broader concerns about tightening philanthropic giving and competition for a shrinking pool of major donors.

Inflation accelerated across the euro zone, according to Reuters, adding pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates at its next meeting. The pickup, which affected the whole currency bloc rather than isolated countries, strengthens the case for policymakers to tighten monetary policy despite concerns about growth. Markets and analysts will be watching for signals on the timing and size of any rate increase.

India's central bank has recommended raising the limits on advances it can extend to state governments, a move that would give states greater short-term access to funds. The recommendation, reported by Reuters, affects how much cash state governments can borrow from the Reserve Bank to bridge gaps between receipts and spending.

Democrats and Republicans in Maine are trading accusations over fundraising in the state's governor's race. The parties have exchanged jabs about each other's campaign donations, with both sides using money numbers to attack the other's credibility. The dispute adds to an already heated contest to succeed term-limited Governor Janet Mills, with fundraising totals becoming an early flashpoint between the campaigns.