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The United States and Iran remain locked in a standoff, with no clear diplomatic breakthrough in sight. Attention is turning to what military options President Donald Trump could pursue next if the stalemate continues. Analysts and observers are weighing possible US courses of action and the risks of escalation between the two countries.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of an Asian security meeting to discuss bilateral cooperation, the war in Ukraine and the situation around Iran. The talks signal continued coordination between Moscow and Beijing on major international disputes, including the conflict in Ukraine and tensions tied to Iran.

Brazil's presidential runoff between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro is being framed as a decisive moment for the Amazon rainforest. Commentators argue that whoever wins will set deforestation policy at a critical juncture, with Bolsonaro's tenure associated with rising forest loss and Lula promising stronger environmental enforcement. Environmental writers say the outcome could shape the rainforest's survival.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked its staff to volunteer to help conduct Ebola screenings at US airports as an outbreak of the virus continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The move points to staffing pressure around entry screening measures aimed at catching potential cases among travellers from the affected region. It comes as health authorities work to contain the outbreak and prevent international spread.

US prosecutors have charged an Iraqi national with coordinating at least 20 terrorist attacks, which authorities say were carried out in an effort to prevent a war with Iran. Details about the suspect's identity, the targets of the attacks, and where the charges were filed remain limited in initial reporting. The case is likely to intensify debate over security threats linked to tensions surrounding Iran.

Al Jazeera examines what military options remain available to President Trump as the standoff between the United States and Iran reaches a stalemate. The report weighs potential courses of action, their risks and regional consequences, as diplomacy appears stalled and tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to shape debate over the next steps.

US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and his family were inside a temple in Aurora, Illinois, when a man from Palatine attempted to carry out an attack there. The Illinois Democrat was unharmed, but the revelation that a sitting member of Congress was present during the incident has drawn widespread attention and raised fresh concerns about security at houses of worship.

A large Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Ryazan region caused a fire at an oil refinery, according to the regional governor. The strike is part of Kyiv's ongoing campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which has repeatedly hit refineries and disrupted fuel production. Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russian territory continue to be a central feature of the war, drawing attention to the vulnerability of Russia's oil refining capacity.

Lebanon has revoked the operating license of Iran's Bank Saderat, in a move reported by Bloomberg as coming amid pressure from the United States. The decision removes an Iranian state-owned bank long accused by Washington of financing allied groups from the Lebanese market. It underscores growing US leverage over Lebanon's financial sector and adds friction to Lebanon's ties with Iran.

France has decided to develop a next-generation combat aircraft on its own, after the joint Future Combat Air System programme with Germany and Spain collapsed earlier this year. The move marks a major split in European defence cooperation, with Paris prioritising national control over its fighter jet industry, and raises questions about the future of joint European military projects and interoperability between European air forces.

Amsterdam police have confiscated a server belonging to Autistici/Inventati, an Italian left-wing internet service provider, acting on a request from the United States. The case raises questions about cross-border law enforcement reaching into European hosting infrastructure, and it is drawing attention from privacy advocates and the technical community, who worry about the implications for activist and independent online services hosted in Europe.

German police have seized a robot that allegedly groped a teenage girl during a livestream. The unusual case is drawing attention to questions of accountability and safety when humanoid machines interact with the public, and to how authorities handle incidents involving robots for the first time.

Donald Trump held a rally near the Arizona-Nevada border, using the event to promote his record on the economy and immigration as the midterm elections approach. The appearance is part of a broader push to energize supporters in key southwestern states, where border policy and inflation remain central campaign issues for voters.

Researchers in Japan report that cognitive decline caused by a continued habit of eating high-calorie food stems from abnormalities in the synapses, the junctions between nerve cells. The finding offers a biological explanation for how poor diet can impair brain function over time. The study is drawing attention for connecting everyday eating habits directly to changes at the cellular level in the brain.

A new study of gas stoves in commercial kitchens has found high levels of heat and airborne toxins in restaurant environments. The findings add to ongoing scrutiny of gas cooking equipment, which has faced health and safety questions over pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, and could prompt calls for better kitchen ventilation or a shift toward electric appliances.

Discussion is circulating around claims that AI agents could be conscious, a long-debated question in artificial intelligence research. Commenters are weighing in from both sides, with some arguing current systems show signs of subjective experience and others insisting they merely simulate it. No new scientific evidence has been announced, and the debate remains philosophical rather than settled.

Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters after saving three break points to beat Alex de Minaur. In a separate Shanghai tie, France's Arthur Gea retired injured. The German is reported to be set to finish the year as world number one, and fans are discussing his form heading into the season's final stretch.

A new report alleges Samsung is slashing Galaxy smartphone production plans by as much as 30% through the end of 2026, with claims that Galaxy phones yield no profit at all when sold. The figures would mark a major retrenchment for the world's largest Android phone maker. The claim has drawn wide attention, with commenters debating whether it reflects weak demand, rising component costs, or pressure from cheaper Chinese competitors.

Dolly Parton, the American country music icon and songwriter, has died at the age of 80. Reports note that she shared an update on her health just days before her death. Parton was one of the most celebrated figures in music, known for a career spanning more than five decades and hits such as 'Jolene' and '9 to 5'. Further details about the cause of death have not been given.

Bodo/Glimt beat Borussia Dortmund 1-0 at Aspmyra Stadion in the Champions League, a result that leaves both clubs on three points after two group-stage matches. The Norwegian side remain formidable at home, having lost just once in their last 21 games at the Arctic Circle venue. Dortmund's slow start to the European campaign is drawing scrutiny.

A study published in Science analysed 1,543 human milk samples from Canada, Pakistan and Burkina Faso. Researchers found shared molecular patterns connecting maternal nutrition, mammary gland function and infant growth, and identified seven candidate biomarkers. The findings suggest milk composition reflects more than a baby's diet and could inform future research on maternal and infant health.

In a new court filing, OpenAI alleges a former employee who left to join Apple sent more than a hundred highly confidential files about at least one unreleased OpenAI hardware device under development. The claim escalates the dispute between the two companies and touches on OpenAI's secretive consumer hardware project. Observers are watching for Apple's response and what the filing reveals about OpenAI's unreleased device plans.

The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit seeking records on a Trump administration policy that permits the killing of endangered animals. The group says the public is entitled to know the legal reasoning and documents behind the policy. The case adds to ongoing disputes over the administration's weakening of endangered species protections.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was heckled by anti-war protesters while speaking at an Army conference. Demonstrators interrupted his remarks to voice opposition to US military policy, drawing fresh attention to tensions between the Pentagon's leadership and activists critical of American military operations. The disruption comes amid ongoing debate over the administration's defense priorities.

Social Security recipients are set to receive a 3.6% cost-of-living increase to their benefits. The adjustment will raise monthly payments, and outlets are breaking down exactly how much extra money recipients can expect in their checks. The news matters to millions of beneficiaries who rely on the payments for everyday living costs amid ongoing concerns about inflation and household budgets.