Arm

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree, effective immediately, raising the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The decree replaces all previous staffing decrees and marks the seventh increase in Russia's military strength since the invasion of Ukraine, continuing a steady pattern of force expansion.

Ethiopia's army chief has publicly accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting Tigrayan rebel forces, a striking charge against three of Ethiopia's neighbours. The claim escalates rhetoric around the Tigray conflict and threatens to deepen regional tensions, with the accusation reported by major international outlets including the Washington Post and ABC News.

Iran has denied any connection to an attack on an airbase, while a UK minister warned that Iranian 'proxies' may be behind such strikes. The denial comes amid heightened regional tensions, with officials in London suggesting Tehran backs armed groups capable of launching attacks on military installations. Tehran rejects any role in the incident.

Sudanese authorities have declared that foreign interference in the country must end and that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces must be disarmed. The statement adds to Khartoum's diplomatic pressure as the conflict with the RSF continues, with the government framing outside involvement and the paramilitary's weapons as central obstacles to stability.

A US assessment warns that Saudi Arabia could still seek nuclear weapons despite ongoing diplomatic engagement with Washington. The finding raises questions about the future of non-proliferation in the Gulf, especially as Riyadh continues to insist it would match any Iranian nuclear capability. Analysts say the warning could complicate efforts to conclude a US-Saudi defence and normalisation package.

Sudan's government has declared that foreign interference in the country must end and that the Rapid Support Forces must be disarmed. The statement comes amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has displaced millions and drawn accusations of outside backing for the paramilitary group. The government insists that disarming the RSF is essential to restoring stability and sovereignty.

Fuel prices are climbing worldwide as threats issued by Donald Trump and ongoing armed conflicts weigh on energy markets. Traders and analysts are tracking how sanctions rhetoric, military escalation and supply disruption risks could push crude oil and refined fuel costs further up, leaving governments and consumers bracing for more expensive energy in the weeks ahead.

Sudan's war has left the country with two rival power structures and no internationally endorsed government. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state machinery, while the Rapid Support Forces exercises authority over territory it holds. Washington's position that neither side represents legitimate constitutional rule leaves Sudan effectively without a recognised governing authority, raising questions about diplomacy, aid and the war's endgame.

The Pentagon is considering a new nuclear strategy intended to deter regional wars rather than solely great-power conflict. Reports indicate the plan would adjust how US nuclear capabilities are postured to discourage limited regional aggressions by nuclear-armed or threshold states. Details of the review, including any changes to employment policy or force structure, remain undisclosed as discussions continue within the Defense Department.

An analyst told RFI that Washington has 'alienated' Sudan's army amid what he described as a 'complex war' gripping the country. The assessment points to strained relations between the United States and Sudan's military leadership as the conflict continues, with criticism that US policy has misjudged the army's role in the war.

A 60 Minutes report examines how the race to build artificial intelligence is driving a rapid expansion of data centers across the United States, and the growing resistance from communities where the facilities are being built. Residents have raised concerns over energy demands, water use, noise and strain on local power grids, turning data center approvals into a contested political issue in towns across the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree raising the official size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, according to Russian state agency TASS. The increase continues a pattern of expansion since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and signals Moscow's intent to sustain a prolonged military campaign.

Ethiopia's military has pledged to show restraint as concerns grow that the country could slide back into a new civil war. The promise comes amid rising tensions, with observers warning that renewed large-scale conflict remains a serious risk for the region.

A top Iranian army commander has asserted that Iran controls both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a large share of the world's oil passes. The statement comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, and is being widely discussed alongside concerns about oil prices, shipping security and the risk of a wider regional war.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Western actions in Ukraine, repeating Moscow's position that the West is fueling the conflict through its support for Kyiv. The remarks come as the war continues to dominate international diplomacy, with Western governments maintaining arms supplies and sanctions against Russia while Moscow blames NATO expansion for the crisis.

Russian forces carried out large-scale strikes on Kyiv, with claims that the attacks killed 'NATO specialists' and destroyed Ukrainian military infrastructure. The assertion about NATO personnel has drawn attention, as it suggests direct Western involvement in the conflict. No independent confirmation of the claims is available, and such statements typically come from Russian state-aligned reporting amid ongoing escalation of long-range attacks on the Ukrainian capital.

Bond investors are positioning in ways that increasingly point to concern about the economic outlook, according to Bloomberg. Signals from Treasury markets, such as moves in yields and curve shape, are being read as edging closer to levels historically associated with recession warnings. Traders and analysts are watching whether the warning becomes fully fledged.

US Ambassador David Perdue says President Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would be interested in buying American weapons. The remarks come after a Taiwanese minister described the 'severe' military threat posed by Beijing to the self-ruled island, raising questions about US arms policy toward Taiwan and the wider strategic relationship with China.

Ukraine's General Staff says its forces struck a Russian defense plant that produces components for missiles. The attack targets Russia's military-industrial capacity as the war continues. Further details on damage or casualties were not immediately provided, and Russia has not yet commented on the strike.

The United States has accused China of conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, raising fears of a new nuclear arms race between the two powers. The claim intensifies tensions in an already fraught strategic relationship, with concerns growing that both countries could resume explosive testing or expand arsenals. Arms control advocates warn the standoff undermines global non-proliferation efforts.

Anthropic and OpenAI are publicly raising concerns about AI safety while also seeking to influence how the technology is regulated, according to AP reporting carried across multiple outlets. The story highlights the dual role of the leading AI companies: warning about risks from advanced systems while lobbying to shape the rules meant to control them. Critics and observers are weighing whether industry involvement in regulation serves the public interest or the companies' own.

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps says it has retaken 51 square kilometres of territory and captured 250 Russian soldiers, completing what it calls its third Vivaldi 'Season' of operations. The claim, reported by the Kyiv Post, points to continued Ukrainian offensive gains along the front, though independent verification of the figures and the extent of the retaken ground has not been established.

An analysis argues the world is entering a new nuclear age, with more countries reconsidering acquiring or expanding nuclear weapons capabilities. Rising geopolitical tensions, the erosion of arms control agreements, and doubts over existing security guarantees are driving states to re-examine nuclear options they had previously forsworn, raising concerns about proliferation and global stability.

Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would be interested in purchasing American weapons, according to the US ambassador. The remark, reported by the Guardian, suggests the US president floated arms sales to Beijing during discussions, an unusual move given US restrictions and strategic rivalry with China. Commentators are weighing what it reveals about Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy.