FO

A new report from UNITED24 together with Ukraine's Rubizh Brigade documents seven days spent inside the kill zone of Donetsk's fortress belt, the line of fortified towns that has held back Russian advances for years. The footage offers a rare frontline look at the soldiers defending Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk and neighbouring strongholds as fighting intensifies.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship megarocket to orbit for the first time today, with the liftoff streamed live for viewers worldwide. A successful flight would mark a major milestone for the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, a key vehicle in SpaceX's plans for deep-space missions and NASA's lunar ambitions. Space enthusiasts are closely following coverage of the launch attempt.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is claiming a major victory for her government's migration policies, declaring that Italy is no longer carrying Europe's refugee burden. "Today we can say that Italy is no longer Europe's refugee camp," she said, framing the statement as proof her tough approach on irregular migration is working. Supporters are hailing the remarks as vindication, while the claims are drawing attention and debate across Italy and the EU.

Iran's foreign minister has declared in a television interview that Iran is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'for war at the same time', underscoring the country's dual-track stance amid escalating tensions with the West. The remarks come as negotiators weigh renewed talks over Tehran's nuclear programme while regional conflict risks keep military confrontation on the table.

Israeli forces have killed Izz al-Din al-Beik, a Hamas commander, in an attack in Gaza, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The strike marks another targeted killing of a militant leader amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Details about the circumstances of the attack and any other casualties have not yet been reported.

The Ukrainian Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time and were moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target. The strike is being widely shared and discussed online, with supporters framing it as evidence of Ukraine's continued ability to hit high-value Russian military targets.

Italy's parliament has approved a move toward restarting nuclear power, reversing a stance the country has held since abandoning nuclear energy after referendums following the Chernobyl disaster. The vote opens the way for new nuclear technology, including small modular reactors, as Italy seeks stable low-carbon energy supplies. Supporters frame it as energy security and climate policy; critics recall Italy's long-standing public opposition to nuclear power.

US forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, ending a military presence of roughly two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. Observers warn the departure leaves a power vacuum that Tehran is well placed to fill, given its influence over Iraqi political factions and armed groups. The withdrawal marks a major shift in the region's balance of power and raises questions about Iraq's future stability.

Ukraine's military says its forces have advanced in a key sector of the eastern front, according to a senior commander. The claim, reported by Reuters, comes as fighting continues to focus on eastern Ukraine, where territorial gains in either direction are closely watched as indicators of momentum in the war with Russia.

Russian forces are urgently redeploying thousands of troops toward the Lyman frontline in eastern Ukraine, as Ukraine's 3rd Corps continues advancing in the area. War monitoring reports describe a degree of panic within the Russian command over the situation there, with Moscow scrambling reinforcements to slow Ukrainian gains around the contested frontline town.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will never seek to build a nuclear bomb, ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The pledge is drawing wide attention as Tehran's nuclear program remains a central point of tension with Western powers, and observers watch for how the statement will land in New York diplomacy.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'fully prepared' for war, while stressing that diplomatic efforts are not over. The comments signal Tehran is pairing military readiness with continued negotiation, keeping open a channel with Western counterparts even as tensions rise. Observers are watching whether the mixed message of deterrence and engagement signals a shift in Iran's posture or an attempt to strengthen its bargaining position.

President Donald Trump has denied that the United States offered Iran sanctions relief, while Tehran says it is ready to enter talks. The conflicting statements come amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, with news outlets worldwide picking up the story. Reports give no further detail on when or where any negotiations might take place, and the exact origin of the sanctions-relief claim remains unclear.

Sudan's civil war has left the country with two rival power structures. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state machinery, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exercises authority over territory it holds. Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, raising questions about who can act for Sudan internationally.

The Dutch government is developing an alternative to Microsoft's software ecosystem, built on NixOS, the reproducible Linux-based operating system. The initiative, surfaced via the DAWO community platform, reflects growing European interest in digital sovereignty and reducing dependence on US tech vendors. Commenters are discussing the technical merits of NixOS for public-sector deployments and what the move means for open-source adoption in government.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze across the border toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans as the seasonal haze threatens the major international sporting event. Al Jazeera's Patrick Fok reports from the region.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates for the fourth consecutive time, moving to curb inflation that policymakers had warned was building. The decision signals the central bank's concern that price pressures are proving more persistent than expected. It adds to a global pattern of aggressive monetary tightening, and households and businesses face further pressure on mortgages and borrowing costs.

UK police have arrested five men near a military base on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The detentions reportedly form part of an ongoing counter-terrorism operation, and the base area has drawn significant security attention. Authorities have not yet detailed the alleged targets or charges, and the story is developing.

According to The Information, China is considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase new Nvidia chips, a potential easing of restrictions on access to advanced US semiconductors. The news is drawing attention as it could signal a shift in the tech trade standoff between Washington and Beijing, with major implications for Chinese AI development and Nvidia's business.

Pope Leo has called for concessions to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, urging both sides to make compromises for peace. His appeal comes as the conflict continues with no clear end in sight. The remarks are drawing attention as international efforts to broker a settlement remain deadlocked.

Reports point to a possible foiled terror attack at a British air base used by American forces, a development drawing scrutiny to security arrangements at facilities hosting US personnel on UK soil. The incident, as reported by The New York Times, is prompting questions about how such a target could have been threatened and what protective measures may need strengthening. Details about suspects, motives and the extent of the plot remain limited so far.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says entire Russian units have been surrendering to Ukrainian forces, with more than 250 Russian soldiers taken prisoner in recent stages of the operation codenamed "Vivaldi" alone. Ukrainian officials present the mass surrenders as evidence of collapsing morale and weakening loyalty among Russian troops to their command. The figures come from Ukrainian sources and have not been independently verified.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will make this a tough winter for Russia, warning that pressure on Moscow is mounting. The statement signals Kyiv intends to keep targeting Russian energy and military infrastructure through the cold months, aiming to strain Russia's economy and war effort while sustaining Western support for Ukraine.

A White House official says President Trump is open to easing sanctions on Iran if Tehran shows 'concrete progress' on nuclear issues, according to CNN. The comment signals possible flexibility in Washington's stance toward Iran's nuclear program, with observers weighing whether it could reopen a path to negotiations between the two countries.

A new Ebola emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is prompting calls from the United Nations and humanitarian organisations for urgent access to affected communities. Aid agencies say rapid, unimpeded access is essential to contain the outbreak, treat patients and deliver supplies, amid concerns that access restrictions could allow the virus to spread further.

Dave Ramsden, a deputy governor at the Bank of England, said there would be a case for raising the key interest rate if inflationary pressures build further. His comments signal that the Bank's rate-setting committee remains ready to tighten monetary policy, and traders and economists are watching closely for clues about the timing of any move.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for de-escalation as fighting intensifies in Ethiopia. The appeal highlights growing concern over the impact of renewed hostilities on civilians, and comes amid reports of worsening conditions on the ground. Observers are watching for whether the parties to the conflict respond to international pressure to step back.

The Dutch government is preparing for possible US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, which is headquartered in The Hague. Officials fear the measures could be damaging to the court's operations and to the Netherlands, which hosts the institution. The sanctions threat comes as tensions rise between Washington and the ICC, with the EU also drawn into the dispute.

British authorities have released suspects who were detained over an alleged terror plot targeting a U.K. military base that hosts American forces. The release raises questions about the strength of the evidence against them and whether the investigation is still active. No details have been given on how many suspects were freed or on what conditions, and officials have not commented on the next steps in the case.

China has widened overseas travel restrictions covering top AI professionals at private companies, now extending them to the family members of key personnel. The move signals growing state control over talent in strategic technology sectors and has drawn attention to concerns about personal freedom, brain drain, and Beijing's effort to keep critical AI expertise inside the country amid intensifying technological competition.