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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, effective immediately, increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The order replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, continuing a steady pattern of manpower increases.

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.

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.

Donald Trump's second administration is significantly changing how the United States funds the United Nations, according to NBC News reporting. The story examines shifts in American contributions and financial commitments to the UN under the new administration. Coverage is drawing attention because U.S. money is the largest single share of the UN budget, so changes in Washington ripple across the organisation's programmes and operations worldwide.

President Donald Trump said the United States will 'win' its conflict with Iran 'very soon,' while rejecting a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil shipping waterway. The remarks come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the strategic strait's status a major concern for global energy markets and regional security.

Sudanese authorities have issued a statement declaring that foreign interference in the country must end and that the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group must be disarmed. The demand comes amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has devastated the country and displaced millions. The government is framing external involvement as an obstacle to peace and calling for international support for the RSF to be halted.

Hurricane Polo is being reported as one of the strongest storms ever recorded, with El Niño conditions credited for intensifying it. The claim is circulating widely as attention focuses on how unusually warm ocean waters are powering exceptionally powerful storms this season.

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.

Sudan is effectively governed by two rival powers: the army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exercises authority across territory it holds. Washington's position that neither represents legitimate constitutional governance raises questions about who can speak and act for Sudan internationally, with observers debating the implications for diplomacy and aid.

TimesLIVE reports that the head of Hamas' armed wing has been killed in Gaza City. The report marks a significant development in the conflict, as the commander led the group's military operations. Details about the circumstances of the killing and official confirmations from either side have not yet been fully set out in the available reporting.

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.

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the size of the Russian armed forces for the fourth time in 2025, according to Euronews. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to generate heavy troop losses, forcing the Kremlin to repeatedly raise recruitment targets. It underscores the mounting strain the conflict is placing on Russia's manpower and military planning.

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.

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.

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.

A policy analyst told French broadcaster RFI that Washington has 'alienated' Sudan's army amid what he described as a 'complex war' raging in the country. The remarks point to strained relations between the United States and Sudan's military leadership as the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues, with outside powers struggling to shape the course of the fighting or broker peace.

North Korea has warned the United Nations about what it calls Japan's 'attempts at rearmament', voicing alarm at Japan's expanding defense posture. The statement, reported by Anadolu Agency, reflects Pyongyang's long-standing opposition to Japanese military buildup and adds to regional tensions over security policy in East Asia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Russia has placed the Russian assets of German retail group Metro under temporary administration, according to a Reuters report, amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Berlin over the war in Ukraine. The move is the latest step by Russian authorities to seize or manage assets of Western companies, raising concerns among foreign firms still operating in the country.