INC

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, according to ABC News. The increase marks a shift in monetary policy after an extended pause, affecting borrowing costs for households and businesses across the United States. Further details on the size of the hike and the central bank's reasoning were not included in the initial report.

Iran says a draft agreement with the United States includes an oil sanctions waiver, limits on its nuclear programme and the release of frozen assets. The announcement points to potential movement in stalled negotiations between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear activities and the economic sanctions squeezing its oil exports. Details remain limited, and it is not yet clear whether the US has confirmed the draft's contents or whether either side will accept the terms.

The United States' Strategic Petroleum Reserve has dropped to its lowest level since 1982, according to energy sector reporting. The reserve was drawn down heavily in recent years, including emergency releases aimed at taming fuel prices, raising questions about how quickly the government can refill it and whether the country remains prepared for supply shocks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree immediately increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, of whom 1,550,500 are military. The decree replaces all previous staffing decrees and marks the seventh expansion of the army's authorised strength since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Climate outlets report that the El Niño event now developing in the Pacific is shaping up to be so intense that scientists say existing terminology does not adequately describe it. The warming pattern is expected to bring extreme heat, storms and disrupted weather worldwide, and coverage is focused on how unprecedented its strength could be.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly weighing uncertain security arrangements as the world marks the anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Harry has long sought police protection while visiting the UK, a dispute that remains unresolved, making any return trip complicated. The timing draws renewed attention to Diana's legacy and her sons' complicated relationship with royal security arrangements.

China has expanded overseas travel restrictions covering top artificial intelligence professionals at private companies, with the rules now extended to the families of key personnel. The move means relatives of leading AI workers may also be barred from travelling abroad, in what is widely read as an effort to prevent the loss of sensitive expertise and technology as competition with the United States over artificial intelligence intensifies.

The New York Times is examining Israel's military and territorial advances in Gaza since the cease-fire took effect, presenting a visual account of the encroachment. The piece highlights how positions have shifted on the ground despite the truce, raising questions about compliance and the durability of the agreement.

The United Nations Security Council convened a formal meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The session, carried on UN media, comes as the Council continues to weigh the conflict, ceasefire efforts and humanitarian conditions in the region. Member states were expected to restate positions on Palestinian statehood and security concerns, with no immediate announcement of agreed measures after the discussion.

Counter-terrorism police have arrested five men as part of an investigation into a major incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. The arrests were confirmed by BBC News, which reported that counter-terror officers are leading the inquiry. Details about the men, the nature of the incident, and any charges have not yet been made public, and the base remains a focus of the investigation.

Police have declared a major incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after several people were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences. The arrests prompted a large emergency response in the area, and details about those detained or any wider risk have not yet been released.

A ship incident has been reported in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil shipments between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Details remain limited, but the story is drawing attention because any disruption in the strait has immediate implications for energy prices and shipping security. Observers are watching for confirmation of what occurred and whether regional tensions are involved.

Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into what officials describe as a major incident near an RAF base, according to BBC News. Few details have been confirmed so far, and authorities have not said what caused the incident or whether anyone has been arrested. The involvement of counter-terror officers indicates police are treating the nature of the event as potentially deliberate.

Russia is raising $178 billion for defense, its largest military budget since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The figure signals a continued prioritization of war spending over other areas of the economy. Observers say the allocation underlines Moscow's commitment to sustaining its military campaign, and the scale of the budget is drawing attention to how long Russia can maintain such expenditure.

Iran is highlighting attacks in the Strait of Hormuz even as oil shipments through the strategic waterway continue largely uninterrupted, according to Al Jazeera reporting. The contrast between Tehran's rhetoric and steady oil flows is drawing attention, with observers weighing how far Iran is willing to escalate and whether the chokepoint, a critical route for global energy supplies, faces real disruption.

Counter-terrorism police say the five men arrested on suspicion over the incident at RAF Fairford are UK nationals and residents of London. The announcement came shortly after the arrests drew widespread attention. Details of the incident and the suspects' identities have not been released, and police have not confirmed what the men are alleged to have done.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for renewed negotiations among nuclear powers, marking 35 years since the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. He warned that global arms-control safeguards are weakening and urged world powers to return to the negotiating table. Kazakhstan closed the site in 1991 after decades of Soviet testing and later gave up the nuclear arsenal it inherited.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, the first increase in years. The move will push up borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, while savers may see better yields on high-interest accounts. Markets and households will be watching for what the decision signals about the direction of monetary policy.

Russia plans to spend 17.1 trillion rubles, roughly US$202.58 billion, on defence in 2027, about 27% more than previously budgeted, according to Reuters. The increase signals Moscow's continued prioritisation of its military amid the war in Ukraine, drawing attention to how long Russia can sustain elevated wartime expenditure and what it means for NATO planning.

Israeli incursions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem are being reported in Al Jazeera's Jerusalem Daily newsfeed. The reports cover renewed Israeli entries into the contested holy site, a recurring flashpoint between Israelis and Palestinians. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, remains one of the most sensitive locations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and any incursion reports typically draw strong reactions across the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree raising the official size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, according to Russian state agency TASS. The increase continues a pattern of expansion since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and signals Moscow's intent to sustain a prolonged military campaign.

Ukraine's General Staff says Russia has lost 1,531,060 troops since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. The figure comes from Kyiv's daily battlefield estimates, which are based on its military intelligence and cannot be independently verified. Moscow rarely discloses its own casualty numbers, and Western assessments have generally placed Russian losses below Ukrainian figures but still in the hundreds of thousands.

Ukraine is marking four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The anniversary comes as the war grinds on, with fighting continuing across the front lines and international attention focused on the conflict's course and prospects for any settlement.