The dollar’s recent rally has been relentless. But Asia’s central banks have the firepower to limit the fallout.

By Jorgelina do Rosario, Christian Akorlie and Rachel Savage LONDON/ACCRA Ghana's official creditors are poised to grant financing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Francis X. Suarez, the mayor of Miami who has overseen a tech-driven economic boom in the city, became

Ukraine claims to have shot down a volley of Russian hypersonic missiles – one of Moscow's most potent weapons – during an attack on the capital Kyiv described as "exceptional in density". It is the first time Ukraine has claimed to have struck down multiple Kinzhal – which means "dagger" in Russian – missiles in one go. If confirmed it would be a demonstration of the effectiveness of Kyiv's newly-deployed Western air defences in helping thwart some of Russia's most advanced weaponry. President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed that the Kinzhal would be able to "overcome all existing and, I think, prospective anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems". Officials claimed to have intercepted all six of the Kinzhal fired at it, as part of a volley of 18 missiles launched by Moscow's forces in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Video footage showed air defences destroying targets over the capital, with the barrage also including cruise missiles and kamikaze drones. The overnight attack on Kyiv was "exceptional in its density – the maximum number of attacking missiles in the shortest period of time", said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration. Kyiv authorities said three people were wounded by falling debris. “Another unbelievable success for the Ukrainian air forces!” Oleksii Reznikov, the defence minister, said on Twitter. If the Kinzhal claims are confirmed as accurate, it highlights the role that modern Western weaponry – such as the US-made Patriot surface-to-air missiles defence system – can have in Ukraine repelling missile assaults in what would be a blow to the Kremlin. Russia, always keen not to lose face in the propaganda war that surrounds the battlefield action, itself claimed to have destroyed a Patriot missile battery in Kyiv using a Kinzhal, but the Defence Ministry spokesman – Igor Konashenkov – did not provide evidence. Reports last week suggested that Russia has previously tried to destroy Patriot systems, that arrived in Ukraine a few weeks ago. Russia also said that Tuesday's attack had hit all its targets, which it claimed had been aimed at Ukrainian fighting units and ammunition storage sites. Kinzhal missiles, which travel on a ballistic trajectory and have a potential maximum speed of more than 7,000mph (11,000km/h), can carry conventional or nuclear warheads up to 1,200 miles (2,000km). Russia used the weapon in warfare for the first time in Ukraine last year and has only acknowledged firing the missiles on a few occasions. Mr Putin has frequently touted it as proof of world-beating Russian military hardware, capable of taking on Nato. Acknowledging the use of the weapon last March, US President Joe Biden called the Kinzhal a "consequential weapon" and that it is "almost impossible to stop it". With Ukrainian forces preparing to go on the offensive against Russia's invasion for the first time in six months, Moscow is now launching long-range air strikes at the highest frequency months. It has launched eight drone and missile volleys so far this month, compared to weekly during the winter and a lull in March and April. Kyiv says it has been shooting most down. This latest assault followed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to various European capitals – London, Berlin, Paris and Rome – as he calls on Western allies to send Kyiv more advanced weaponry and fighter jets and speed up deliveries. Mr Zelensky met with Rishi Sunak on his mini-European tour and the prime minister said during a trip to Iceland on Tuesday that he would discuss the issue with European allies. "I'll be talking to other countries, making sure that we continue to support Ukraine, give them the support that they need to defend themselves against Russian aggression, and also start thinking about the longer term security arrangements that we will want to put in place to support Ukraine in the long term," Mr Sunak said, with him due to meet meets other leaders at the Council of Europe Summit. During the past week, Ukraine says its forces have made their biggest gains on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine in months, recapturing several square km of territory on the northern and southern outskirts of the city of Bakhmut. The city has been the scene for some of the bloodiest fighting of the war and its fate has taken on symbolic significance to both Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian deputy defence minister. Hanna Maliar, said on Tuesday that troops have made gains around Bakhmut in recent days but Russian forces have advanced slightly in the eastern city itself. She said the Ukrainian military had reclaimed about 20 square kilometres (7.5 square miles) or territory from the Russian forces in the past few days around Bakhmut, "For example, within a few days, our troops liberated about 20 square kilometers from the enemy in the north and south of the suburbs of Bakhmut," she wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "At the same time, the enemy is advancing somewhat in Bakhmut itself, completely destroying the city with artillery." Kyiv says those advances are localised and do not yet represent the full force of its upcoming counteroffensive to reclaim territory taken by Russia during their invasion and Ms Maliar,, said developments there "should not be taken out of context". Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report Read More The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary Oireachtas committee warned of ‘arms race’ with AI technologies Former MI6 boss warns Britain has ‘lost its way’ without Cold War threat Sunak’s hope to make migration focus at European gathering dampened by host

Swifties loved Taylor Swift's sweet one-armed hug, tucking the much shorter Donna Kelce to her side, as they watched Travis play

By Howard Schneider YORK, Pennsylvania After helping build a floor under the economy during the pandemic only to

If the thought of summer coming to an end brings a tear to your eye, we get it. Which is why we’re here to remind you that, with the start of the cold-weather season, come fall-friendly outfits to cheer you up, what with all the fall boots, the blanket scarves, and the layers upon layers of pumpkin-spiced plaid. With school back in session and the imminent return to work after a digital nomad summer, autumn also often calls for a new handbag, and the trendiest picks this year are especially difficult to resist.

Authorities say two other drones were intercepted over Bryansk, near the Ukrainian border.

England’s players have expressed their disappointment at talks with the Football Association over their bonus and commercial structures not being resolved before the start of the World Cup. In a statement from the team posted on social media by captain Millie Bright, the Lionesses said they would “pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament”. The European champions’ campaign at the showpiece in Australia and New Zealand gets under way on Saturday when they face Haiti in Brisbane. The statement said: “Last year we presented the FA with concerns relating to our bonus and commercial structures. The hope was that discussions would lead to a solution before the commencement of our World Cup. “We are disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved. “We view the successful conclusion of these discussions, through player input and a transparent long term plan, as key for the growth of women’s football in England. “With our opening game on the horizon, we Lionesses have decided to pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament. “We collectively feel a strong sense of responsibility to grow the game. And while our focus now switches fully to the tournament ahead, we believe every tackle, pass and goal will contribute to the work we are committed to doing off the pitch. “We look forward to playing for our country (at) this World Cup, with pride, passion and perseverance.” With our opening game on the horizon, we Lionesses have decided to pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament England players' statement Last month FIFA announced a new financial distribution model to apply to this summer’s tournament. Under that model, players will be guaranteed performance-related remuneration directly from FIFA, with amounts increasing the deeper teams go in the tournament, ranging from 30,000 US dollars (£23,000) per athlete for the group stage to USD 270,000 (£206,000) allotted to each champion. Previously, it was up to individual national governing bodies to decide how money was allocated, with some still agreeing to fund additional payments in 2023 beyond the new deal. England players were understood to have been left disappointed by the fact the FA was not following the lead of the Australian and American federations – where collective bargaining agreements are in place – in paying bonuses on top of the prize money being paid to players direct by FIFA. Players were also understood to be frustrated over a lack of clarity over what their cut from any commercial deals done by the FA linked to the Lionesses will be, as well as the restrictions around their personal sponsorships. The Professional Footballers’ Association released a statement from its chief executive Maheta Molango, who said: “Although the issues the Lionesses have highlighted are specific to the negotiations with the FA, they join players from a number of countries at the World Cup who are prepared to make a stand when they don’t think they are being listened to. “It’s a massive mistake to underestimate the genuine strength of player feeling on these issues. “It’s no coincidence that this is a particular issue for nations where there is no proper collective bargaining agreement in place between players and governing bodies. “These longer-term agreements require negotiation and will nearly always involve difficult conversations. But when they are completed, they ensure a far higher degree of stability and security. “They mean that everyone knows where they stand, and that’s obviously a massive advantage going into major tournaments when players just want to be focused on the football. “The PFA’s view has always been that player rights and conditions should be addressed proactively and viewed as a partnership. “There will always be consequences when players feel they are having to come back issue by issue to push for parity and progress. It doesn’t need to be like this.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Confident Rory McIlroy ‘could not ask for better preparation’ ahead of the Open Bethany England eager to shine at World Cup having felt ‘wasted’ at Chelsea ICEC: Recommendations ‘too important to be put on back burner for lack of money’

A former Premier League referee says he failed to correct a mistake while on video-review duty for a match last season to spare the on-field official “any more grief.”

Taylor Swift fans have famously worn and traded personalized friendship bracelets, typically featuring the names of her songs and albums, throughout the US-leg of her "Eras" tour. So when Swift played Arrowhead Stadium in July, Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce said he made a play for Swift by attempting to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number.

Macy's is warning of a spike in customers who are failing to make credit card payments, adding to the evidence of mounting financial stress on consumers.