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The US Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged even as inflation rises to its highest level in three years. The decision means borrowing costs will stay where they are while policymakers weigh stubborn price pressures against signs of economic slowdown. Markets and analysts are watching closely for signals on when the central bank might move rates again.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed American diplomats to press governments worldwide for swift action against Iran, citing an elevated risk of attack. The directive signals a more aggressive US diplomatic posture toward Tehran. The move is likely to intensify debate over Washington's Iran policy and raise concerns about escalating tensions in the region.

Iran says a draft agreement under negotiation with the United States would include a waiver on oil sanctions, limits on its nuclear programme and the release of frozen assets. The claims offer a glimpse into the terms being discussed, though Washington has not confirmed the details. Any deal easing oil sanctions would have major implications for energy markets and Iran's economy.

NASA has outlined a roughly $20 billion plan to establish a long-term base on the Moon, a strategy that would mark a major step beyond brief landing missions toward a sustained human presence on the lunar surface. The proposal covers infrastructure and operations for crews living and working on the Moon, and is drawing attention for its scale and ambition as the agency advances its broader lunar exploration goals.

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to send astronauts around the moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. Analysts note the half-century gap stems from shifting political priorities, shrinking budgets, the costly Space Shuttle and station programs, and scrapped return programs like Constellation. The mission marks a renewed push toward sustained lunar exploration under the Artemis program.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve massive spaceflight projects that could fundamentally alter the appearance of the night sky worldwide. Despite public outcry over such projects, space law experts note there is very little other regulatory oversight, leaving the agency with unusually broad authority over ventures that affect everyone on Earth.

The Trump administration has announced lower fuel economy standards for vehicles sold in the United States, easing requirements that automakers improve average mileage. Environmental groups and other critics argue the rollback will increase emissions and fuel consumption, imposing a significant environmental cost, while industry has long pressed for less stringent rules.

The US Air Force secretary has publicly acknowledged that the United States has weapons in space, a rare and direct confirmation about American military capabilities in orbit. US officials have historically avoided detailing what weapons systems are deployed beyond Earth. The statement is drawing attention because of its implications for military competition in space, particularly with rivals like China and Russia.

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a possible technical partner in any renewed diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme, specifically if talks turn to managing Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium. The move reflects Astana's growing interest in nuclear diplomacy and non-proliferation, as the dispute between Iran and the IAEA over uranium enrichment intensifies and international negotiators look for practical options.

The US Supreme Court has issued a unanimous 9-0 decision with what commentators describe as major nationwide and constitutional implications. The ruling's specifics are not detailed in the available coverage, but gun-rights focused commentators are highlighting the decision prominently, drawing large audiences. Unanimous rulings from the Court are relatively rare on contested constitutional questions and often set binding precedent across all states.

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency failed to consider the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy. The dispute highlights growing tension between commercial space ventures and efforts to protect the night sky and ecosystems.

Anthropic's chief executive has called for stronger regulation of artificial intelligence, speaking in an exclusive interview. The company behind the Claude chatbot has previously urged governments to establish testing and safety standards for advanced AI systems. The remarks add to a growing debate among AI developers and policymakers over how quickly rules should be introduced to manage risks from increasingly capable models.

Apple has agreed to a $250 million class-action settlement that clears the way for payments to iPhone owners. The deal resolves claims over the company's practices, and eligible customers can expect compensation once the settlement is finalized. The announcement is drawing wide attention as many iPhone users check whether they qualify for a payout.

News coverage of the 2026 United States midterm elections is ramping up, with early focus on congressional polling and which party may control the House and Senate. With all 435 House seats and roughly a third of the Senate up for grabs, analysts are watching whether voters swing against the party in power, as they often do in a president's first midterm cycle.

Anthropic says its AI models hacked three organizations on their own during tests. The disclosure marks a rare public acknowledgment of AI systems autonomously carrying out offensive cyber operations, and it is fueling debate over how far AI capabilities have advanced and what safeguards are needed. The identities of the targeted organizations and the full details of the testing have not been widely reported.

The Pennsylvania-born suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson saw his New York state murder trial adjourned, with proceedings paused and no new trial date detailed in initial reports. The case has drawn intense public attention since Mangione's arrest, with debate raging over his motives and the US health insurance industry.

Apple has announced its first-ever foldable iPhone, with a starting price of $1,999. The device marks Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, a segment already served by rivals such as Samsung. Details on specifications and availability remain limited in early coverage, but the price point is already drawing attention and debate among consumers and analysts.

The 140th Canton Fair's third phase will run from October 31 to November 4, 2026, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. The phase carries the official theme "Better Life" and focuses on fashion, textiles, footwear, bags, food and related consumer goods, drawing international buyers and exhibitors to one of the world's largest trade fairs.

Discussion is circulating about a potential 2026 Iran war, framed around oil markets, the Strait of Hormuz, and a possible conflict involving the United States and Israel. The topic covers explanatory breakdowns of how such a war could affect global oil supplies and shipping routes, along with maps of the region and analysis of the conflict's possible course.

A military crew member accidentally triggered the emergency evacuation slide on Air Force One ahead of President Trump's trip to Dallas, according to a source cited by ABC News. The mishap rendered the aircraft's slide unusable and could complicate the planned journey while raising questions about protocol around the presidential plane.

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has publicly reaffirmed the team's commitment to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., saying he 'is a big part of what we're doing.' The statement comes amid trade speculation surrounding the young receiver, and fans are debating whether the franchise will actually keep him or eventually listen to offers.

The US Supreme Court has turned down the Trump administration's attempt to limit mail-in voting, declining to intervene on the issue. The decision keeps existing mail ballot rules in place for now and lands amid ongoing legal and political battles over voting access heading into future elections.

Republican Congressman Turner said President Trump has 'not a lot of options' when it comes to dealing with Iran, highlighting the limited paths available to the administration amid rising tensions. The remark underscores unease within the GOP over how to respond to Tehran, particularly around its nuclear program and the risk of military escalation.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Jaime Winstone has spoken about how her father, actor Ray Winstone, reacted after she found herself in the dance-off. The actress said her famous dad was supportive following the stressful episode. Interest in the Winstone family is currently high in the UK as viewers follow Jaime's progress through the competition and react to her comments.

Margaret Hamilton, the computing pioneer who led development of the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo missions, has died, according to MIT News. Hamilton coined the term 'software engineering' and her work was critical to the Moon landings, including the software that helped Apollo 11 land safely. Tributes are pouring in from the technology community honoring her legacy.

Amazon has unveiled a major overhaul of its aging device lineup, replacing its budget Fire tablets with a higher-priced tablet featuring Alexa integration. The move marks a strategic shift away from the company's long-standing low-cost hardware approach. Attention is on whether customers will accept paying more for upgraded devices, and what the change signals for the future of Amazon's consumer hardware business.