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Vladimir Putin has ordered an expansion of Russia's armed forces, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more North Korean troops are being deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine. The twin announcements point to Moscow deepening its military resources and foreign partnerships as fighting continues, and have drawn attention to Pyongyang's growing role in the conflict.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel, effective immediately. The decree replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's manpower levels since the start of the war in Ukraine. Observers note the move continues a steady pattern of force growth through presidential decrees rather than formal mobilization.

Ethiopia's army chief has publicly accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting Tigrayan rebel forces, according to international reports. The allegations mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Addis Ababa, implicating three of its neighbours in the ongoing conflict in the country's north. The claim risks worsening already strained relations across the Horn of Africa and the Nile basin.

President Trump's second administration is changing how the United States funds the United Nations, with reporting examining cuts and shifts in U.S. contributions to the world body. The changes affect UN programmes and budgets that have long relied on American financial support, and are drawing attention from diplomats and international observers.

A former German vice chancellor has publicly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza. The statement is notable given Germany's longstanding political and military support for Israel, and it adds to a growing list of current and former European officials speaking out against the conduct of the war. The remarks are being reported by international outlets and are likely to fuel debate in Germany over its Israel policy.

Sudan's government has called for foreign interference in the country to end and for the Rapid Support Forces to be disarmed, according to a report by Middle East Monitor. The demand comes as Sudan's civil war between the army and the RSF continues to displace millions, with Khartoum repeatedly accusing outside powers of arming and backing the paramilitary group.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators as Tehran pursues indirect nuclear talks with Washington. He confirmed that further indirect negotiations have taken place through Qatari channels and said Iran is awaiting an official reply from the United States, with a response expected by Tuesday. The meetings underline Qatar's continued role as intermediary between the two countries amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.

Hurricane Polo is being described as one of the strongest storms ever recorded, with El Niño conditions cited as a key factor fueling its intensity. The storm's exceptional strength has drawn widespread attention, with coverage focusing on how the warming Pacific phenomenon is supercharging hurricane activity and what it signals for the rest of the storm season.

Sudan remains governed by two rival authorities, with Washington recognising neither as legitimate. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state machinery, while the Rapid Support Forces exercise power across territory they hold. US officials say neither side represents constitutional governance, leaving Sudan effectively run by competing authorities without international recognition. Observers warn the standoff complicates diplomacy and aid delivery in a country already devastated by war.

Donald Trump has confirmed a meeting with an Iranian delegation, with Qatar actively pushing for diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. The development signals a potential opening in tensions between the United States and Iran, with Doha positioning itself as a mediator. Details of what the delegation discussed or any outcomes have not yet been made public.

China has broadened overseas travel restrictions on senior AI professionals at private companies, now covering the family members of key personnel. The move, reported without official explanation, tightens an existing policy aimed at keeping critical AI talent from leaving the country. Observers see it as a sign of Beijing's growing concern over a brain drain in strategic technology sectors and over foreign efforts to recruit Chinese AI researchers.

Germany is shifting its economic strategy toward large-scale military rearmament, with defence spending increasingly framed as an engine for industrial growth. Observers are debating whether the country can revive its stagnant economy through arms production and defence investment, and what the move means for European security and Germany's fiscal priorities. The debate has drawn wide attention among economics and policy audiences.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further. The recurrence of the region's annual haze problem, and its potential disruption of a flagship international sporting event, is drawing attention across Singapore and neighbouring countries.

An incident involving a ship has been reported in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which a large share of the world's oil passes. Details about the vessel, what happened, and whether anyone was harmed remain unclear. Any shipping trouble there draws immediate attention because of the route's importance to global energy supplies.

Commentary is focusing on a reported collapse of Germany's political centre, with analysis asking what comes next for the country after weakening support for mainstream middle parties. The discussion suggests German politics may be shifting toward the extremes, raising questions about coalition-building and the future direction of government in Europe's largest economy.

Democrats say they will investigate lucrative business deals involving the Trump family if they win control of Congress in the US midterm elections. The pledge signals that oversight of the former president's finances would become a priority should the party gain committee power, setting up potential confrontations over conflicts of interest.

The Philippine Coast Guard says the Chinese research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 has entered the Philippine exclusive economic zone. A Filipino aircraft spotted the ship 38 nautical miles off Itbayat and repeatedly challenged it by radio, demanding it explain its presence. The incident adds to a string of maritime encounters between the two countries in the disputed South China Sea.

North Korea has cautioned the United Nations about what it calls Japan's 'attempts at rearmament'. The warning, reported by Anadolu Agency, reflects Pyongyang's long-standing opposition to Japan's military buildup. Details of the specific UN communication and Japan's response were not provided in the report.

US officials have warned that if Iran acquired nuclear weapons, no country could prevent it from dominating the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint through which a large share of the world's oil passes. The statement underscores Washington's argument that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear arsenal, given Tehran's existing influence over Gulf shipping lanes.

An analyst told RFI that Washington has 'alienated' Sudan's army amid what he described as a 'complex war' in the country. The comment reflects criticism of US diplomacy as Sudan's conflict continues, with debate over whether American policy is undermining relations with a key party to the war.

Germany has for the first time committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge marks a significant shift in the energy policy of Europe's largest economy, which has long relied on coal and gas alongside its renewables expansion. Commentators are weighing whether the timeline is realistic given industrial energy demands and recent infrastructure struggles.

A German court has ruled that Meta can be held liable for fraudulent advertisements that ran on Facebook and Instagram, meaning the company may face responsibility for scams promoted through its ad systems in Germany. The decision is being widely discussed as a potential test case for platform accountability, suggesting social networks could owe users greater protection against deceptive advertising.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states may use the federal SAVE database to verify the citizenship status of people registering to vote. The decision allows states conducting voter roll checks to access the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements records. Supporters frame it as a tool for election integrity, while voting rights groups warn it could discourage eligible voters from registering and raise privacy concerns.

Donald Trump said the United States will ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the strategic waterway carries a large share of the world's oil shipments and Tehran has repeatedly threatened to close it in any confrontation with Washington.