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The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised its cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, extending its campaign against persistent inflation. Borrowers face higher mortgage repayments as lending costs climb to a level not seen in over a decade. The decision keeps Australia in line with other major economies still tightening monetary policy, and economists are watching whether further increases will follow in coming months.

Australia is being forced to reconsider its heavy dependence on the United States, according to DW News coverage drawing wide attention. The discussion reflects growing debate in Canberra about whether long-standing strategic and security ties with Washington still serve Australian interests, and how the country should position itself amid shifting global alliances and pressure from both the US and China.

The third Battle of Lyman is effectively over, with Ukrainian forces prevailing again despite frontlines in the area still shifting. Ukrainian units have eliminated most of the Russian northern salient around the city, with reports that around 250 Russian soldiers were killed or captured in the fighting. Lyman, recaptured by Ukraine in autumn 2022, remains a focal point of Russia's push in the Donetsk region.

British authorities have released suspects who were detained over an alleged terror plot targeting a U.K. military base that hosts American forces. The release raises questions about the strength of the evidence against them and whether the investigation is still active. No details have been given on how many suspects were freed or on what conditions, and officials have not commented on the next steps in the case.

Law firms are adopting artificial intelligence to speed up legal work, but the billable-hour model means clients still pay the same for faster service. The New York Times' DealBook reports that corporate clients are now demanding discounts, arguing efficiency gains should lower their legal bills, putting pressure on how firms price their work.

Microsoft is winding down Internet Explorer mode in its Edge browser, retiring the compatibility feature that allowed businesses and users to open legacy websites built for the old Internet Explorer engine. The move pushes organisations still relying on aging internal sites to modernise their web applications or seek alternative solutions.

Australia's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, has raised its cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, according to Reuters. The move means higher borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses, and signals the bank is still working to bring inflation back to target despite signs of economic slowing. Markets and economists will be watching for hints on whether further tightening is ahead.

Plug-in electric vehicles accounted for roughly one in four new cars sold worldwide last year, according to figures highlighted by InsideEVs. The share suggests that talk of an EV slowdown may be overstated, with electric and plug-in hybrid models continuing to take market share from combustion cars despite headlines about slowing demand in some markets.

Mediators continue efforts to broker a deal between the United States and Iran after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest proposal. The rejection leaves negotiations unresolved, with intermediaries attempting to bridge remaining differences between the two sides. The exact terms of the rejected proposal and what comes next in the talks remain unclear as diplomatic work continues.

Blake Lively has made a public statement following a court ruling in her ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, with the trial still ahead. The case between the two actors has drawn sustained attention since Lively filed a complaint and Baldoni countersued. Her remarks ahead of trial are the latest development in one of the most closely followed Hollywood legal battles.

A potential agreement between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un on North Korea's nuclear programme could leave South Korea still exposed to Pyongyang's nuclear threat, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The concern is that a US-North Korea deal focused on missiles capable of reaching the United States might leave shorter-range weapons threatening South Korea intact, prompting debate in Seoul over its security and possible independent deterrent options.

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.

British police say five men arrested over an alleged terror plot linked to a UK air base will be released on bail while the investigation continues. No charges have been announced. The arrests and releases have drawn attention to security concerns around military sites in Britain.

United Nations leaders have renewed calls to combat racism and discrimination, marking 25 years since the 2001 World Conference against Racism held in Durban, South Africa. UN officials say racism remains a global problem and urged member states to recommit to the promises made at the Durban conference. The anniversary is prompting reflection on progress made and the work still needed to achieve equality.

Analysts are assessing the fallout of the recent Iran war on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing the fighting disrupted political dynamics, ceasefire efforts and regional diplomacy. Commentary from the Middle East Institute examines what has been damaged and what elements of the peace process might still be salvaged as attention returns to Gaza and the West Bank.

New figures on global electricity generation show coal remained the largest source in 2024, producing about 34% of the world's power, while wind and solar together reached 15%, up from just 4% a decade earlier. The data, presented as charts mapped onto the world map, are drawing attention to the slow pace of the energy transition despite rapid renewables growth.

Counter-terrorism police have confirmed that five men arrested in connection with the RAF Fairford case have been released on bail while investigations continue. In a statement, officers said the suspects remain under investigation and warned that such activity may be carried out by proxies for a foreign state, often for financial gain. The case has drawn significant attention amid ongoing concerns about foreign-directed activity in the UK.

CONCACAF Nations League fixtures are generating heavy coverage as matches get underway across the region. Outlets are previewing Costa Rica against Haiti and Nicaragua's games against the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, with lineups, predictions and streaming details, while the BBC covers Aruba versus Anguilla. Trinidad and Tobago, reduced to ten men, lost narrowly to Curaçao despite a strong goalkeeping display, though the Warriors may still avoid relegation from their tier.

Five British nationals arrested on terrorism-related charges near a UK airbase have been released on bail without immediate charge, which typically indicates police do not consider them a serious violent threat. Investigators are still examining possible Iranian involvement in the case. No definitive conclusions have been announced, and the investigation remains open as authorities continue their inquiries.

NASA is increasing its support for Boeing's Starliner astronaut capsule as the company works to return the spacecraft to flight. The push follows the troubled 2024 crewed test flight that left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stranded on the International Space Station for months while their capsule returned uncrewed. The agency still wants a second commercial crew provider alongside SpaceX.