AP

Japanese authorities have urged nearly two million people to evacuate as a powerful typhoon sweeps across the country, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and the threat of flooding and landslides. The evacuation advisories cover wide areas as the storm moves through densely populated regions, with officials warning residents to move to safety before conditions deteriorate further.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, laying out what Tehran describes as its red lines on three fronts: the nuclear question, relations with Israel, and regional security. The speech comes amid renewed international pressure over Iran's nuclear programme and continued tensions with Israel following recent conflict. Reactions are focusing on whether Iran's stated positions signal openness to negotiation or a hardening stance.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, insisting Iran is not seeking a nuclear bomb and framing his country's posture around regional security and what he called 'peace through strength'. His remarks draw attention as debate continues over Iran's nuclear programme and tensions across the Middle East.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine used its long-range capabilities overnight to strike two Russian defense plants, in the Tula and Voronezh regions, in response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians. He also said Security Service of Ukraine units carried out effective operations over the past 24 hours, framing the actions as part of Kyiv's continuing retaliation campaign.

The Israeli military says it has discovered a 600-meter-long tunnel in Gaza, which it describes as a Hamas hideout, and footage shows the structure being demolished. The find is being widely covered, with clips showing the tunnel's scale and its destruction drawing large audiences and debate over Israel's ongoing campaign against Hamas infrastructure in the territory.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb', speaking ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The pledge comes as Iran's nuclear programme remains under intense international scrutiny, with world leaders gathering in New York. The statement is being widely discussed as a diplomatic signal ahead of his address to the assembly.

Ukraine says its third-phase counteroffensive, Operation Vivaldi, has reclaimed 51 square kilometres of territory. Kyiv claims Russian forces suffered roughly 2,000 casualties, with a further 250 troops taken prisoner. The figures come from Ukrainian military sources and have not been independently verified, as the operation continues along the front.

The European Union has committed €61 million in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia as the situation there rapidly deteriorates. The funding, announced by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, is intended to address escalating needs on the ground. The announcement highlights growing international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's July meeting show board members debated whether interest rates needed to rise faster than planned. The discussion signals growing internal support for tightening policy as inflation pressures persist in Japan. Markets and economists read the minutes for clues on the timing of the next rate increase.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said that measured interest rate hikes to bring inflation back down remain appropriate. The comments signal the ECB intends to keep tightening policy in measured steps as it battles persistent eurozone price pressures, and traders are watching for further guidance on the pace of future increases.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a combative speech on the Ukraine war, accusing European countries of deception and reportedly declaring 'You think we'll fall for your tricks?'. He framed Europe as untrustworthy in negotiations over the conflict. The address drew wide attention as tensions between Moscow and European capitals remain high over ongoing fighting and stalled peace efforts.

As the US midterm elections draw near, Donald Trump's claims of a strong economy are not resonating with voters, according to reporting by The Guardian. The piece highlights a gap between the administration's optimistic economic messaging and how ordinary Americans perceive their own financial situations, a disconnect that could shape the contests ahead.

Russia says its forces have taken control of three more settlements in Ukraine, according to a report carried by US broadcaster WPLG. The claim, made as the war grinds through its fourth year, has not been independently verified, and Ukrainian officials have not confirmed losing the locations. Moscow routinely announces village-level gains along the front line, while Kyiv often disputes them or describes fighting as ongoing.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze across to Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans as the regional haze threatens air quality ahead of the major sporting event. The recurring annual haze problem is once again putting pressure on both governments and event planners.

Commentary is drawing attention to a claimed collapse of Germany's political centre, arguing that mainstream middle parties are losing ground while voters shift toward the political extremes. The discussion asks what comes next for German politics and how a government might be formed if centrist parties can no longer command broad support.

A group of Israeli rabbis has publicly called for the Gaza peace plan to be abandoned, voicing opposition to the deployment of international forces in the territory. The appeal puts religious leaders at odds with the framework backed by international mediators, adding a new voice of domestic resistance to the plan just as debates over its implementation continue.

US ambassador to China David Perdue says President Trump asked Xi Jinping whether Beijing would be interested in buying American weapons. The remarks surfaced after a Taiwanese minister described the military threat from Beijing as severe, prompting debate about US-China arms sales and what the offer could mean for Taiwan's security and Washington's policy toward the island.

Israeli forces have killed a global jihadist terrorist involved in the kidnapping of Noa Argamani during the October 7 attacks, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post. Argamani became one of the most recognisable hostages of the Hamas-led assault before being rescued in June 2024. The killing of the abductor is drawing attention as Israel continues operations against those responsible for the attacks.

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps says it has retaken 51 square kilometres of territory and captured 250 Russian soldiers, completing what it calls its third Vivaldi 'Season' of operations. The claim, reported by the Kyiv Post, points to continued Ukrainian offensive gains along the front, though independent verification of the figures and the extent of the retaken ground has not been established.

Israeli forces say they have killed a militant involved in the kidnapping of Noa Argamani during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Argamani, whose abduction was captured in widely shared footage, was later rescued by Israeli troops in June 2024. The reported killing is drawing attention as Israel continues operations linked to the attack.

The Bank of Japan has signalled it may raise interest rates sooner than markets had anticipated. The hawkish signal points to a possible shift away from Japan's long-standing ultra-loose monetary policy. Investors and analysts are watching closely for clues on the timing of the move, as an earlier hike could affect the yen, bond yields and global carry trades.

A Russian newspaper has published a warning about a "deterioration of the economic situation" in Russia, an unusually blunt assessment in the country's tightly controlled media environment. BBC correspondent Steve Rosenberg highlighted the report, drawing wide international attention to the paper's language about mounting economic strain.

EU defence discussions in Brussels are being overshadowed by an unresolved shortfall in funding for Ukraine. As member states weigh future support, the funding gap has become a central sticking point, raising questions over how Europe will sustain military and financial aid to Kyiv and what role the bloc will play if United States backing remains uncertain.

The Bank of Japan could raise its benchmark interest rate for a second consecutive month at its October board meeting, moving earlier than many economists expect, according to a former executive director who oversaw monetary policy at the central bank. The assessment adds to speculation about the pace of Japan's shift away from ultra-low rates and is drawing attention from markets watching for further tightening.

China and the United States have reached a shared position on Iran, according to the report: Tehran should not close the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and should not acquire nuclear weapons. The accord signals rare common ground between Washington and Beijing on Gulf security, where roughly a fifth of the world's oil passes, and comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program.