Rai

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised its cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, a move that lifts borrowing costs for households and businesses across the country. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to rein in inflation, and analysts and borrowers are weighing what it means for mortgages and the wider economy.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates again, citing growing concerns that inflation is proving more persistent than expected. The move makes borrowing more expensive for Australian households and businesses, and signals that policymakers see price pressures as strong enough to justify further tightening despite strain on mortgage holders.

A new report takes viewers on a seven-day embed with Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region, covering the fortified defensive belt often described as a kill zone. Released by the UNITED24 fundraising platform together with the Rubizh Brigade, the footage has drawn well over a million reactions as the war grinds on. Readers are reacting to rare front-line access and the conditions soldiers face holding the fortress belt.

Australia's central bank has raised interest rates to their highest level in 15 years, and officials say further increases are not off the table despite the aggressive tightening. The move keeps borrowing costs elevated as policymakers work to bring inflation back to target, and markets are watching closely for whether more hikes will follow in coming months.

Russia's economy is under strain, with growing signs of difficulties, yet the Kremlin shows no sign of ending its war in Ukraine. Reporting from Moscow highlights the tension between worsening domestic economic conditions and the continuation of the military campaign, prompting discussion about how long Russia can sustain both at once.

Foreign Policy has published a piece examining why the war in Ukraine remains deadlocked despite ongoing diplomatic talk. The argument is that neither Kyiv, Moscow, nor outside powers currently have both the incentive and the leverage to force a settlement, leaving the fighting to grind on with no credible path to peace on the horizon.

Russia has started rationing fuel following a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike that hit oil and energy infrastructure. Reports say Ukrainian long-range drone technology has outmatched Russia's jet-powered drones, forcing Moscow to restrict petrol supplies in affected regions. The strikes mark an escalation in the two countries' ongoing drone war targeting each other's energy supplies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivered a combative speech on the Ukraine war, sharply criticising European governments. He accused Europe of deception, reportedly saying 'You think we'll fall for your tricks?', and framed European nations as unreliable actors in negotiations over the conflict. The remarks have drawn wide attention, underlining the deep gulf between Moscow and European capitals as the war grinds on.

Russian forces carried out large-scale strikes on Kyiv, with claims that attacks targeted military hubs and what Moscow describes as NATO specialists in the Ukrainian capital. The strikes reportedly burned Ukraine's military infrastructure. The claim of foreign specialists being killed has not been independently verified, and the fighting continues to draw intense international attention as the war grinds on.

Analysts are examining a possible Russian invasion route into Ukraine from the north, and how Ukrainian forces would attempt to stop it. The briefing walks through the terrain, likely axes of advance and Ukraine's defensive options. Attention has turned again to Russia's northern threat as the war grinds on and questions grow about where Moscow might strike next.

Kyiv Post examines the dilemma facing Vladimir Putin as Ukrainian drone strikes hit Russian oil refineries, forcing a choice between defending critical energy infrastructure at home and sustaining offensive operations against Ukraine. The piece weighs which priority the Kremlin values more as attacks on refining capacity strain Russia's economy and export revenues amid the ongoing war.

India's central bank has intervened heavily in foreign exchange markets, draining nearly $20 billion from the banking system's surplus liquidity, according to bankers. The dollar-selling operation, aimed at supporting the rupee, absorbs rupee funds and tightens cash conditions, which could raise short-term funding costs for banks and firms.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says it used grenade-launcher ground robots to strike Russian shelters, with infantry remaining out of direct contact. Operators reportedly controlled the machines from tens of kilometers away. According to United24, no side has used similar tactics before in this war, and the assault is drawing wide attention as an example of remote ground warfare.

People living along Poland's border with Ukraine are preparing for a possible Russian hybrid attack, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times and AP News. The warnings have put local communities on alert as tensions over Russian activity near NATO's eastern flank continue. Details on the specific nature of the anticipated attack were not provided in the available reports.

An incident involving a ship has been reported in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which a large share of the world's oil passes. Details about the vessel, the nature of the incident, and any casualties or damage are not yet confirmed. Observers are watching for possible implications for shipping and regional tensions.

The Pope has described wars as senseless and called on Russia and Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table to end their conflict. The appeal, carried by Vatican media, restates his repeated calls for dialogue and peace. It lands as the war grinds on with no ceasefire in sight, and reactions are likely to be divided between those welcoming the moral appeal and those questioning what negotiations could realistically achieve.

Australia's central bank has raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in around 15 years, according to the Financial Times. The move means more expensive borrowing for Australian households and businesses, and is aimed at curbing inflation. Reactions so far focus on the pressure this adds to mortgages and the broader cost-of-living squeeze.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers to support Russia's war effort. The claim points to an expansion of Pyongyang's military involvement, which already saw thousands of North Korean troops sent to fight alongside Russian forces. The announcement adds to concerns about foreign manpower sustaining Russia's invasion and widening the conflict's international dimensions.

South Korea has voiced strong displeasure with Ukraine over the fate of two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russian forces. The dispute centres on questions over their custody, transfer and possible repatriation, touching on Seoul's sensitivities about North Korean involvement in the war. The exact details of the row remain limited in the available reporting.

Australia's central bank has lifted its key interest rate to the highest level in 15 years as it tries to bring inflation under control. The move makes borrowing more expensive for households and businesses, and signals policymakers remain willing to tighten further despite concerns about slowing economic growth and mounting pressure on mortgage holders.

Australia's central bank has lifted interest rates to their highest level in 15 years, a move aimed at curbing persistent inflation. The decision means higher borrowing costs for households and businesses, and signals that policymakers remain willing to tighten further despite pressure on mortgage holders.

Stanford Medicine is being widely discussed after a claim that the human brain is actually two organs rather than one. The announcement, reported by KRON 4, has drawn large attention online as people react to the idea that the brain may function as two distinct structures. Details of the research, its methods and what the finding would mean for neuroscience and medicine have not been provided in the coverage so far.