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The Bank of Japan has signalled that it may raise interest rates sooner than markets had anticipated. The move marks another step away from Japan's long-running ultra-loose monetary policy, and investors are likely to reassess their expectations for the yen, bond yields and Japanese equities as the possibility of an earlier hike firms up.

Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI and Google are facing an antitrust lawsuit alleging the companies agreed among themselves to slow the pace of AI development. According to the plaintiffs, the plan was in motion for months before the companies publicly framed the agreement as safety-driven, calling it self-serving. The suit raises questions about whether coordination among leading AI firms violates competition law, and comes as regulators and the public increasingly scrutinize how much power a handful of companies hold over frontier AI.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a fiery speech at the United Nations addressing the Gaza crisis, sharply criticising Israel. He told Israel to 'stop crying anti-Semitism' in response to criticism of its conduct in the war. The remarks drew widespread attention online, with many circulating the speech amid ongoing international debate over Gaza and Israel's responses to condemnation.

Iran has put forward a seven-day plan that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened and nuclear talks resumed within a week, according to a report cited by Al Jazeera. The proposal links de-escalation of the vital oil shipping route directly to renewed diplomacy, and observers are watching whether the offer gains traction with the other parties involved.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned drones can support pilots in combat missions. The programme is seen as a major step toward integrating AI-driven aircraft into military operations.

SpaceX has released new footage relating to Starship 40, and analysts are combing through it for clues about how the vehicle can be salvaged. Shipping and space trackers are weighing in on what the images reveal about the booster's condition and the recovery effort. The material is drawing wide attention from space enthusiasts following the latest Starship test flight.

Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into a major incident near an RAF base in the UK, officials say. Details about the nature of the incident have not yet been released, with authorities confirming only that specialist officers have taken charge of the inquiry. The involvement of counter-terror units near a military airfield is drawing widespread public and media attention as further information is awaited.

A former member of Sudan's cabinet has publicly called on army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to bring an end to the war gripping the country. The appeal adds to mounting pressure on Sudan's military leadership as the conflict, which began in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, continues to devastate the country and displace millions.

Russia has reportedly brought back the Cold War-era 'Dead Hand' nuclear retaliation system, rebuilding a bunker complex in the Ural Mountains to house it. The semi-automatic system, known as Perimeter, was designed to launch nuclear weapons automatically if Russian leadership was decapitated. The report is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over nuclear threats linked to the war in Ukraine.

Sudan's government says it will not yield to 'pressure or blackmail' after the United States refused to grant a visa to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, blocking him from attending the UN General Assembly in New York. The move escalates tensions between Washington and Khartoum amid the country's ongoing civil conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The European Union has urged member state governments to reduce their gas consumption as concerns grow over the security of supplies. The call, reported by Euronews, asks national capitals to take measures to lower demand. The appeal reflects worry in Brussels that the bloc could face shortages if supply disruptions worsen, prompting demands for coordinated action across member states.

Sudanese authorities say fires at fuel depots in Al Jazirah state, sparked by a drone strike attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, have been put out. The attack on the depots comes amid the ongoing war between the army and the RSF, which has intensified fighting in Al Jazirah and raised concerns about damage to critical infrastructure and fuel supplies.

Japan is moving to tighten its rules for foreign residents, according to an Al Jazeera report, a shift that could throw the futures of many migrants into doubt. The development has drawn attention given Japan's reliance on foreign workers amid a shrinking population and ongoing labour shortages.

China is weighing regulatory approvals for Nvidia's RTX Pro 5500 chips, according to a report citing the consideration, a move that would boost the US chipmaker's access to the Chinese market. The potential approval comes amid ongoing US-China tensions over semiconductor exports, and any green light would mark a notable opening for Nvidia's data-center and workstation products in China.

Crowds of Venezuelans have taken to the streets calling for the return of an opposition leader and for presidential elections to be held, according to Al Jazeera's report on the demonstrations. The protests reflect ongoing political tension in the country, with demonstrators pressing for the opposition's role in the electoral process to be restored.

Major retailers are scaling back self-checkout systems, reversing years of expansion. Reports point to a mix of theft concerns, customer frustration, and staff costs as drivers of the shift, with shoppers online widely sharing their own negative experiences with the machines. Chains are now experimenting with staffed lanes and hybrid models instead.

The Wall Street Journal reports on U.S. efforts to challenge China's dominance over critical minerals such as rare earths, which are essential for electronics, electric vehicles and defense systems. The report examines how Washington is working to build alternative supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese processing and exports.

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the government expects to finalise deals with companies from strategic sectors in the coming months. The statement signals the city's push to attract investment in priority industries as it works to reinforce its position as a regional financial and business hub. Details of which firms or sectors are involved have not yet been disclosed.

A Sudan expert says a dispute over US visa restrictions has renewed questions about the legitimacy of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's de facto leader. The US visa measures have drawn attention to his hold on power as Sudan's civil war continues and international pressure on the country's military leadership grows.

A judge has ordered the Canadian government to release classified records concerning Nazi war criminals who settled in Canada after the Second World War. The decision could reveal how such individuals entered the country and why successive governments kept the files secret, amid long-standing calls for transparency about Canada's postwar immigration practices.

MicroStrategy is signalling another Bitcoin purchase after posting a chart in orange, the colour associated with Bitcoin, hinting at further buying. The company, led by Michael Saylor, is the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin and its purchases routinely move markets. Traders are watching for an official announcement of the next buy.