The Times

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'war at the same time', according to a full interview with NBC News. The remarks underline Tehran's dual message of openness to negotiations while warning it is prepared for confrontation, and are drawing wide international attention as tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional standoff continue.

China has issued its official press release on the Xi-Trump meeting held at the White House, ahead of any comparable US statement. Chinese-speaking observers note the readout is short but unusually dense, and are parsing its wording closely for signals on trade and bilateral ties. Attention is now on what the American side's own account will say and whether the two versions diverge.

Iran's foreign minister said in an interview that Iran is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'war at the same time', signalling Tehran's stance as tensions remain high. The full interview was published by NBC News and has been picked up by international outlets, drawing attention to Iran's dual message of negotiation and defiance amid ongoing regional confrontations.

Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29s carried out a powerful strike on a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the Ukrainian unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time and had been moving equipment and ammunition into the site before the attack.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's July policy meeting show board members debated the need to raise interest rates at a faster pace than previously planned. The discussion highlights growing concern inside the central bank over inflation pressures and the pace of policy normalisation. Markets will read the minutes for clues on the timing of the next rate move.

Ukraine carried out strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin was expected to secure another term. The attack marked a symbolic escalation, hitting the Russian capital at a moment meant to showcase Putin's grip on power. Observers say the timing underscores Ukraine's ability to strike deep into Russia and challenge the narrative of Russian invincibility.

The New York Times reports on the surprising reasons behind China's skepticism toward international calls for artificial intelligence safety. The piece examines how Beijing weighs competitive, political and regulatory considerations in global AI governance debates, highlighting a widening gap between Western safety appeals and China's approach to the technology.

A Baghdad official says the US military has completed its withdrawal from Iraq, marking the end of the American military presence that lasted for over two decades. The announcement is drawing attention to what comes next for Iraq's security situation and US-Iraq relations, with details about the timing and terms of the pullout still emerging.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship rocket for its first flight to orbit. The launch would mark a major milestone for the company's next-generation, fully reusable heavy-lift rocket, developed in Texas to carry cargo and crews to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Interest is high given the scale of the vehicle and the significance of a successful debut orbital attempt for future deep-space missions.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics, according to a New York Times report. The move marks a break with an international agreement intended to coordinate global readiness for health emergencies, and it is drawing attention to widening gaps between Washington and the U.N. on global health policy.

Scientists are developing new ways to control mosquitoes as warmer temperatures lengthen mosquito seasons and expand the range of dangerous diseases like malaria and dengue. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal on earth, and researchers warn that longer warm periods give the insects more time to spread illness, prompting renewed efforts in prevention and control.

Discussion is resurfacing over whether US President Donald Trump will hold another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump met Kim three times during his first presidency, from 2018 to 2019, in unprecedented talks aimed at denuclearisation that ultimately stalled. Observers are weighing whether a renewed Trump-era approach to Pyongyang could revive leader-level diplomacy.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's July meeting show policymakers focused on upside risks to inflation, with some members arguing for raising interest rates at a faster pace than currently planned. The disclosure of internal disagreement over the timing of further hikes is drawing attention from markets watching for hints on when the BOJ may move next.

A former Bank of Japan executive has said the central bank could raise interest rates again in the near term, adding to speculation about the pace of Japan's exit from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy. Markets and analysts are watching closely, as further hikes by the Bank of Japan would affect the yen, bond yields and global carry trades.

The Financial Times examines whether the European Union can construct a 'hybrid defence' against Russia, addressing Moscow's use of non-military pressure such as disinformation, cyberattacks, sabotage and election interference. The debate centres on whether EU institutions and member states can coordinate effectively to counter these tactics alongside traditional military deterrence.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship spacecraft for its first orbital flight, a major milestone in the company's program to develop a fully reusable heavy-lift rocket. The test flight would mark the first time the tallest and most powerful rocket ever built attempts to reach orbit, drawing wide attention from space industry watchers ahead of the launch from Texas.

The Reserve Bank of Australia meets on Tuesday for the sixth time this year, with economists and financial markets near-certain it will lift interest rates again. The debate now centres on how many further increases could follow as the bank works to curb inflation, with households watching borrowing costs climb.

A Times of Israel blog piece argues that the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel exposed significant failures and blind spots in Western intelligence services, which were caught off guard despite extensive regional surveillance capabilities. The commentary adds to an ongoing debate about how Israel and its allies missed the warnings ahead of the assault, and what it says about intelligence cooperation more broadly.

The Financial Times argues that, for once, the US Federal Reserve has prioritised ordinary American households and small businesses over financial markets. The comment reflects debate over the Fed's policy direction and who its decisions ultimately serve. It is prompting discussion among economists and investors about a possible shift in how the central bank weighs Wall Street against the broader economy.

Anthropic is facing questions over its claim that its artificial intelligence system made a genuine scientific discovery without human direction. The New York Times is examining the assertion, and researchers and commentators are debating whether the achievement represents true autonomous discovery or a more limited, human-assisted result. The discussion touches on how AI companies define and promote scientific breakthroughs.

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, is set to make its first orbital flight, according to reporting in the New York Times. The test would mark a major step for the vehicle that SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and Mars. Space watchers are anticipating the launch and discussing what a successful orbital attempt would mean for the future of spaceflight.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move is seen as a setback for Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to the dollar-based global payments system, and observers are weighing what it signals about the Gulf kingdom's financial alignment with Washington versus its deepening economic ties with China.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target year of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a notable step for Europe's largest economy, which has historically leaned heavily on coal and gas. Climate campaigners are likely to press for details on how the target will be enforced and funded, while industry groups will watch the plan's impact on energy costs.

The UK is set to open new refugee resettlement routes specifically for Afghan women and Palestinians, according to a Guardian report. The announcement would create dedicated pathways for two groups seen as among the most vulnerable in current displacement crises. Details on numbers, eligibility and timing have not yet been made clear, and the plan is likely to prompt debate over the government's wider asylum policy.

SpaceX is aiming to launch its Starship spacecraft into orbit for the first time, a milestone for the company's next-generation rocket designed for deep space missions. The attempt is being closely watched as Starship is central to SpaceX's plans for lunar and Mars travel, and success would mark a major step in commercial spaceflight.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship megarocket for its first-ever attempt to reach orbit, scheduled for Sept. 28, with the launch available to watch live. The test flight marks a major milestone for the vehicle that SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. Attention is focused on whether the rocket can complete its ascent and orbital demonstration.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The visit comes at a time of intense diplomacy in the region, with Washington engaged on issues including the Gaza ceasefire, Gulf security and broader Middle East policy. Details of the agenda have not been officially announced, but the meeting signals continued close coordination between Riyadh and the Trump administration on regional and bilateral matters.