IGN

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel, effective immediately. The decree replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's manpower levels since the start of the war in Ukraine. Observers note the move continues a steady pattern of force growth through presidential decrees rather than formal mobilization.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'war at the same time', according to a full interview with NBC News. The remarks underline Tehran's dual posture of offering negotiations while signalling it is prepared for confrontation. The interview is drawing wide attention amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and regional security.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said eurozone inflation is expected to rise in the coming months, but stressed there are no signs yet of it becoming entrenched. The remarks matter for markets and households watching whether the ECB will keep or ease its policy stance, since entrenched inflation would likely force tighter policy for longer.

Meta has blocked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and his campaign's paid ads, with the restriction landing just two weeks before Brazil's election. The timing is drawing scrutiny, with commenters questioning whether the suspension results from an automated enforcement error or a politically significant decision affecting a sitting head of state's campaign messaging.

Sudan's government has called for foreign interference in the country to end and for the Rapid Support Forces to be disarmed, according to a report by Middle East Monitor. The demand comes as Sudan's civil war between the army and the RSF continues to displace millions, with Khartoum repeatedly accusing outside powers of arming and backing the paramilitary group.

Chinese authorities have signalled plans for fresh economic stimulus as the country's slowdown deepens. The pledge points to weaker-than-hoped growth, with pressure mounting on Beijing to support activity, particularly in the troubled property sector. Markets and analysts are watching closely for details on the scale and timing of any measures, which could shape global growth expectations and commodity demand.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators as Tehran pursues indirect nuclear talks with Washington. He confirmed that further indirect negotiations have taken place through Qatari channels and said Iran is awaiting an official reply from the United States, with a response expected by Tuesday. The meetings underline Qatar's continued role as intermediary between the two countries amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.

A US visa dispute has drawn fresh attention to Sudan's civil war, a conflict that has received far less global coverage than other crises. Commentators say the confrontation highlights how foreign powers — including the US, Russia, Gulf states and regional actors — are competing for strategic footholds in the country while Sudanese civilians continue to bear the brunt of the fighting.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari mediators to discuss nuclear negotiations, with Qatar again acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington. A US official said no deal would be reached unless nuclear issues are addressed, while Tehran awaits further signals before responding. The talks underline Qatar's continuing role as a go-between as diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program remains deadlocked.

Sudan's Minister for Foreign Affairs is addressing the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The speech comes as Sudan's civil war continues to displace millions and drive widespread hunger, making the country's diplomatic voice at the UN a point of international attention.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase. The suspects detained in the case have been released without charge, though the inquiry into possible foreign state involvement continues. Officials have not publicly named any country, and details about the suspects or the specific base remain limited as the investigation proceeds.

The All-In Podcast has released a new episode examining a set of major developments in the AI industry. The discussion covers reported risks to Anthropic's planned IPO, Meta's Muse project, falling token prices, growing market share for open-source AI models, and ongoing concerns that AI alignment efforts are falling short. The episode is drawing heavy engagement from listeners following the business and safety sides of artificial intelligence.

UK officials say it is too early to attribute a plot involving an airbase to a foreign state, despite speculation about possible foreign involvement. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have not named any country or confirmed details about those behind the alleged plot.

Federal authorities have issued a bulletin ahead of the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, warning that foreign terrorist organisations continue to encourage followers to carry out attacks in the United States. The advisory highlights continued vigilance requirements around the annual commemoration, a period traditionally treated by law enforcement as an elevated-risk window for potential threats.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has voiced support for the International Criminal Court after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Court and its staff. The move puts Berlin at odds with Washington over the Hague-based tribunal, which the US penalises in connection with its investigations, including warrants targeting Israeli officials.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a 'foreign actor' was involved in an alleged terror plot targeting a British military base that is also used by American forces. The claim points to foreign involvement in a scheme against a strategic site hosting both UK and US personnel, though details of the plot and the actor allegedly behind it have not been made public.

Andrew Bailey has resigned from his post as deputy director of the FBI, according to reports circulating widely on social media. Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general, was appointed to the senior FBI role earlier in 2025 as part of the leadership team under Director Kash Patel. Details about the timing of his departure and the reasons behind it have not yet been fully confirmed, and officials have not given a public explanation. The news is drawing immediate attention given the FBI's ongoing leadership turnover.

A senior Chinese diplomat told a former Japanese foreign minister that relations between Beijing and Tokyo must be 'normalized', according to The Japan Times. The remark came during a meeting between the two officials, and it signals China's continued insistence on improving a relationship strained by historical, territorial and security disputes. The identity of the diplomat, the former minister and the timing of the meeting were not detailed in the report.

MongoDB's chief executive Dev Ittycheria-era leadership ends as current CEO Desai steps down to join Meta, where he will lead the company's enterprise platform efforts. The move, reported by Reuters, comes as Meta pushes deeper into business and enterprise services. The news is drawing wide attention in the technology community, with debate over what the departure means for MongoDB's strategic direction and Meta's enterprise ambitions.

A Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly debate in New York. The address places North Korea among the member states delivering statements during this year's general debate, where countries typically outline their positions on international security, sanctions and diplomatic relations.

With Election Day approaching, members of Congress face growing tension between legislating in Washington and returning home to campaign. As the election calendar tightens, time for lawmaking shrinks, forcing lawmakers and party leaders to weigh which legislative priorities can advance before campaigning takes over. Observers note this seasonal standoff is a recurring feature of US politics, but its intensity rises as the vote nears.

Iran's foreign minister has stated that the country is prepared either for diplomacy or for war, according to a report by Fox News. The statement underscores rising tensions around Iran's standoff with the West, with officials in Tehran signalling they are open to negotiations while warning they are equally ready for confrontation if talks fail.

A North Korean vice foreign minister declared that the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to abandon its nuclear arsenal. The statement signals North Korea's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks and is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over its weapons programme.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Defense Department to take action against foreign actors who meddle in U.S. elections, according to an Axios exclusive. The directive signals an expanded military role in protecting American elections from outside interference, though the scope of the order and what operations it authorizes remain unclear.