Signed

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with American officials. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a ceremonial farewell. The formal send-off is being highlighted as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree immediately increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The decree replaces all previous ones on army size and is described as the seventh expansion of Russia's military staffing since the start of the war in Ukraine. Commentators see it as a continuation of Russia's gradual force buildup.

The BBC's Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg reports that Russia is facing growing economic problems, yet the war in Ukraine continues with no sign of a slowdown. The analysis highlights the strain of sanctions, inflation and wartime spending on ordinary Russians, while the Kremlin presses on with its military campaign. Observers are asking how long the economy can sustain the conflict.

Oil prices declined as hopes grew for renewed diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran. Markets responded to expectations that eased tensions could reduce the risk of supply disruptions from a major oil-producing region. Traders often move prices on signals of de-escalation between Washington and Tehran, whose disputes have repeatedly affected global energy markets.

President Putin has signed off on an expansion of Russia's armed forces, adding 15,500 active personnel and raising the total to 1.55 million troops. The move signals Moscow's continued effort to grow its military despite heavy losses in the war against Ukraine. The increase, announced via a decree, is being widely covered as a sign that the Kremlin is preparing for a prolonged conflict.

Donald Trump said the United States will win its war with Iran 'very soon', according to Reuters. The remark comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries, and observers are watching closely for signs of how the conflict might develop and whether any resolution is imminent.

Bloomberg reports that Chinese officials are studying new policies aimed at boosting the country's economy and stabilizing the struggling housing market. The move signals renewed policy attention to the property sector, which has weighed on growth amid weak home sales and developer debt problems. Markets are watching for concrete measures such as financing support or demand-side incentives.

Spain's government representative in Ceuta resigned after months of scrutiny over the city's handling of the migration crisis. Ceuta, one of the EU's only two land borders with Africa, bordering Morocco, saw a massive surge in late July when more than 72,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave. The resignation adds pressure on Madrid over its migration and border policy.

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.

The leaders of the United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed a new security agreement covering Greenland, according to a breaking announcement. The deal would touch on the Arctic island's defence arrangements, an issue of renewed attention given Washington's strategic interest in Greenland and Denmark's sovereignty over the autonomous territory.

Iran says a draft agreement with the United States would include a waiver on oil sanctions, new limits on its nuclear programme and the release of frozen assets. The details, reported by EnergyNow, suggest a potential framework easing pressure on Tehran's oil exports in exchange for nuclear restrictions. The disclosure signals ongoing negotiations, though Washington has not confirmed the terms and significant gaps may remain before any deal is signed.

Doha is mediating renewed talks between the United States and Iran, which are set to continue on Monday and Tuesday. The negotiations, hosted by Qatar, focus on easing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Their continuation signals ongoing diplomatic engagement, and observers are watching closely for signs of progress on outstanding disputes between the two countries.

Australia's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, has raised its cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, according to Reuters. The move means higher borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses, and signals the bank is still working to bring inflation back to target despite signs of economic slowing. Markets and economists will be watching for hints on whether further tightening is ahead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the size of the Russian armed forces for the fourth time in 2025, according to Euronews. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to generate heavy troop losses, forcing the Kremlin to repeatedly raise recruitment targets. It underscores the mounting strain the conflict is placing on Russia's manpower and military planning.

Donald Trump has signed a security deal concerning Greenland, according to the headline making the rounds. The agreement reportedly centres on security cooperation relating to the Danish autonomous territory, which Trump has repeatedly pushed to bring under greater US influence. Details of the deal's scope and Denmark's response were not immediately available, and reaction is still forming.

European leaders are voicing concern that the war in Ukraine could escalate into a wider conflict on the continent. The warning has drawn significant attention, with many debating whether a large-scale European war is realistic. Observers are following official statements from European capitals for signs of escalation or de-escalation.

A Newsmakers profile examines Tucker Carlson's stance against the populist political movement he helped shape, arguing he has turned on forces he once amplified. The piece has drawn major attention, with more than two million people engaging with it, as commentators debate whether Carlson is repositioning himself ahead of the next election cycle or breaking genuinely with his past.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari mediators to discuss the stalled nuclear negotiations. The meeting comes as a US official said no deal will be reached unless nuclear issues are addressed, while Tehran continues to wait for a response. Qatar has often served as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, and the talks are being closely watched for signs of a diplomatic opening.

The United States and Iran are set to hold separate talks with mediators on Monday or Tuesday, according to an official. The indirect format suggests intermediaries will shuttle between the two sides rather than direct negotiations. The development comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and regional security, with observers watching for signs of de-escalation or progress toward renewed diplomacy.

Roughly 250 Russian soldiers have surrendered to Ukrainian forces in the northern Donbas as part of what Ukrainian military commentator Yuriy Ponomarenko calls Operation Vivaldi. If confirmed, the mass capitulation would be one of the larger POW takings of the war and a sign of mounting pressure on Russian positions in the sector. The claim is circulating widely on Russian-language channels, with debate over how the surrender unfolded and what it means for the front line.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats have met at the United Nations in their first talks since 2022, when relations collapsed following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks the highest-level direct contact between the two governments in over two years. It signals a possible thaw, or at least a channel for crisis communication, between Moscow and a leading European Union and NATO member state.

President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected a proposal from Iran for a seven-day ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera. The report raises questions about what steps follow, with the conflict between the two countries showing no sign of de-escalation. Attention is now on whether further negotiations will take place and how Iran responds to the refusal.

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.

Venezuelan authorities have released dozens of prisoners, days after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Venezuela's interim leader. The releases follow a period of heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, including US pressure over detentions of political prisoners and foreign nationals. News outlets in the region and beyond are covering the move as a possible sign of easing relations between the two governments.