The Point

The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to raise the cash rate to 4.6% at its upcoming board meeting, which would take borrowing costs to their highest level since 2011. The Guardian reports markets and economists are bracing for the hike, with homeowners facing further pressure on mortgage repayments as the bank continues its fight against persistent inflation.

The New York Times reports that satellite imagery shows Israel continuing to expand its military footprint inside Gaza even as a cease-fire is supposed to be in effect. The images suggest ongoing entrenchment and construction by Israeli forces in the territory. The report is drawing attention because it points to a gap between cease-fire commitments and activity on the ground, raising questions about the durability of the truce and the prospects for a lasting settlement.

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.

Russia plans to increase its 2027 military spending by 27%, according to budget documents reviewed by Reuters. The figures point to a continued shift of Russian state finances toward defense despite talk of possible peace negotiations over Ukraine, and the report is drawing attention among analysts tracking Moscow's war economy and long-term military commitments.

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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly, branding Vladimir Putin the 'patient zero' of the war and pressing world leaders on Russia's invasion. In his speech he also referenced Donald Trump and urged continued international support for Ukraine, warning against any concessions to Moscow as the war grinds on.

Reports point to a possible foiled terror attack at a British air base used by American forces, a development drawing scrutiny to security arrangements at facilities hosting US personnel on UK soil. The incident, as reported by The New York Times, is prompting questions about how such a target could have been threatened and what protective measures may need strengthening. Details about suspects, motives and the extent of the plot remain limited so far.

Scientists and commentators are highlighting an El Niño event described as unlike any previously recorded. The claim, widely shared online, points to abnormal ocean temperature patterns and associated extreme weather, from heatwaves to storms, affecting regions worldwide. Discussions focus on how climate change may be intensifying El Niño cycles and what this means for global weather in the months ahead.

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.

Chinese authorities have signalled fresh economic stimulus measures aimed at countering a worsening slowdown in the country's economy, according to Bloomberg. The announcement points to growing concern in Beijing over weak growth momentum, with the property sector among the key pressure points. Markets and analysts are watching for details on the scale and timing of any support package.

Israel says its forces killed a militant in Gaza who took part in the October 7 attack and abducted an Israeli hostage couple. The announcement, reported by international media including Le Monde, points to ongoing Israeli operations targeting those involved in the assault. Details on the timing, location and the fate of the abducted couple remain limited as the war in Gaza continues.

Mediators are working to broker an agreement between the United States and Iran, but significant obstacles remain unresolved, according to AP News and other reports. The exact terms under negotiation and the nature of the sticking points have not been detailed in the available reporting. The story is drawing attention amid broader tensions in the region.

World leaders are meeting in New York for the UN General Assembly, with the annual gathering focused on ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainty and global security. Discussions around peace efforts for Ukraine are among the prominent topics drawing international attention at this year's session.

The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, in line with market expectations. The decision continues the bank's campaign to bring inflation back toward its 2% target, and attention now turns to hints about whether further tightening is still to come.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers to support Russia's war effort. The claim points to an expansion of Pyongyang's military involvement, which already saw thousands of North Korean troops sent to fight alongside Russian forces. The announcement adds to concerns about foreign manpower sustaining Russia's invasion and widening the conflict's international dimensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has effectively already begun an additional mobilization, as the war grinds on. He also cited new information about the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's war effort, in addition to the roughly 8,000 already reported. The remarks point to Moscow stepping up manpower for the front line.

Iran's foreign minister said Tehran is prepared for what he called a 'doomsday' war with the United States, while insisting that diplomacy remains an option. The remarks underscore rising tensions between the two countries, combining sharp military rhetoric with a stated openness to negotiations. The comments are drawing attention as observers weigh the risk of escalation against continued diplomatic channels.

Iran has denied any connection to an attack on an airbase, while a UK minister suggested Iranian 'proxies' may have been involved. The remarks point to rising tensions over who was behind the strike, with London framing it as part of a wider pattern of Iran-linked activity and Tehran rejecting the accusation outright.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said a standoff between India and China will not help "either of us" and that a "third party will take advantage of it", while pointing to an improvement in bilateral ties. Speaking at the Asia Society, he signalled New Delhi's interest in managing differences with Beijing and avoiding prolonged confrontation, a message drawing wide attention given ongoing border tensions between the two countries.

Regional media are examining why ceasefire agreements in Sudan's civil war, from the US- and Saudi-brokered Jeddah talks to diplomatic efforts raised at the United Nations in New York, have repeatedly collapsed. Commentators point to continued fighting between the army and paramilitary forces, lack of enforcement, and weak international leverage over the warring parties.

Ukraine carried out a record-scale attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the day Russians went to the polls. The strike, described as the largest of its kind, is drawing wide attention as a bold escalation in the war and a pointed message timed to Russia's election day.

The Trump administration is overhauling how the United States funds the United Nations in its second term, with reports pointing to cuts and reviews of contributions to UN bodies and programs. The moves mark a sharp shift from prior U.S. policy and are drawing attention to the financial strain on the organization and its depend Bedrooms on American support.

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to carry astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than five decades, marking the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. Coverage examines why the United States took so long to return, pointing to shifting political priorities, funding cycles and the complexity of building new deep-space systems after the Apollo programme ended.

Attention is turning to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, nicknamed the 'Gate of Tears', as a new flash point in the war involving Iran. The narrow waterway is a critical chokepoint for global shipping, and its emergence as a battleground raises concerns about disruptions to trade routes and a widening of the regional conflict.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says entire Russian units have been surrendering to Ukrainian forces, with more than 250 Russian soldiers taken prisoner in recent stages of the operation codenamed "Vivaldi" alone. Ukrainian officials present the mass surrenders as evidence of collapsing morale and weakening loyalty among Russian troops to their command. The figures come from Ukrainian sources and have not been independently verified.

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons. The finding points to Riyadh keeping a nuclear weapons option open, likely tied to regional concerns over Iran's nuclear programme. It is drawing attention amid ongoing debate about proliferation in the Middle East and US-Saudi security cooperation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is not ready to end its war against Ukraine, pointing to Moscow's continued heavy spending on jet-powered drones as evidence that it is preparing for a prolonged conflict. The comments come amid ongoing international discussion about possible peace negotiations and Ukraine's efforts to secure continued Western military and financial support.

Sudan's ceasefire agreements, first brokered in Jeddah and later discussed at the UN in New York, have repeatedly collapsed as fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues. Analysts point to weak enforcement, lack of monitoring, and the parties' unwillingness to compromise as reasons the truces fail, leaving civilians facing a worsening humanitarian crisis.