NIST

A former Ukrainian defense minister has announced an 'Army of Robots' initiative aimed at accelerating the deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine's war effort. The plan seeks to scale up robotic ground and aerial platforms to reduce human casualties and speed up battlefield operations. The announcement is drawing attention to Ukraine's growing role in developing autonomous warfare technology.

Pakistani forces have carried out strikes inside Afghanistan, in an operation framed alongside Türkiye as sending a strong message across the region. Details on casualties and targets remain limited. The reported coordination between Islamabad and Ankara is drawing attention, with commentators weighing what the joint stance signals for Afghanistan, regional security and ties between the neighbouring countries.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration will scrutinize open source AI models for intellectual property theft, warning that the United States has the ability to impose sanctions. The remarks come amid attention on Kimi K3, an open source model from Chinese AI lab Moonshot AI, fueling debate over whether open source releases from China involve misappropriated American technology.

A defense minister says NATO must learn to break up and disperse its weapons manufacturing before it enters a major conflict, warning that concentrated defense production is a vulnerability. The comments add to ongoing debate within the alliance about whether European and NATO defense industries can produce ammunition and equipment fast enough, and safely enough, in the event of a large-scale war.

Japan's Defense Ministry is planning a new system to support startups developing unmanned aerial vehicles and other defense-related products. The move is aimed at helping smaller tech firms enter the defense supply chain as Japan works to strengthen its domestic defense industry and drone capabilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is fully prepared for fighting to resume, while stressing that diplomatic efforts are not yet exhausted. The comments underscore Tehran's dual posture of military readiness and continued engagement over its nuclear program and regional tensions. Officials and observers are watching whether negotiations can prevent a renewed confrontation between Iran and its adversaries.

Sudan's civil war has left the country with two rival centres of power: the army-backed administration under the military controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exercises authority across territory it holds. Washington has declined to recognise either as legitimate constitutional governance, raising questions about diplomacy, aid and who represents Sudan internationally.

Germany's foreign minister met Russian counterparts in a rare direct encounter, urging Moscow to abandon what Berlin called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The meeting stands out amid the near-total breakdown of high-level contacts between Berlin and Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion, and is being watched for signs of any diplomatic opening.

Japan's Defense Ministry has announced it will support startups working on unmanned aerial vehicle development, according to the Japan Times. The move aligns with Tokyo's broader push to strengthen its defense industrial base and tap private-sector innovation for military technology. Details on funding amounts and selected companies have not yet been reported.

Iran's foreign minister said Tehran is prepared for what he called a 'doomsday' war with the United States, while insisting that diplomacy remains an option. The remarks underline the mounting tensions between the two countries, pairing stark military rhetoric with a stated openness to negotiations, and have drawn wide attention as observers weigh the risk of escalation against continued diplomatic efforts.

Da Afghanistan Bank and the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation have signed a cooperation agreement. The deal is expected to support lending and financial sector development, though details of what the agreement covers have not been spelled out. Afghanistan's banking sector has faced isolation and restrictions since the Taliban takeover in 2021, making any new institutional cooperation notable.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'fully prepared' for war, while stressing that diplomatic efforts are not over. The statement pairs a warning of readiness for confrontation with an insistence that a negotiated path remains open. It comes amid heightened international attention to Iran's standoff with the West, and observers are weighing whether the remarks signal a genuine willingness to keep talking or a defensive posture.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'war at the same time', stressing a dual posture in the face of mounting tensions. In a full interview, he signalled Tehran is open to negotiations while insisting it will defend itself if confronted, a message drawing wide international attention.

Pakistan's Finance Minister held talks with the US Export-Import Bank in Washington that covered financing for Boeing aircraft, according to an adviser. The discussions point to potential US-backed funding for Pakistan's national carrier as the country works to shore up its finances and modernise its fleet.

Da Afghanistan Bank, the country's central bank, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Factories (ACGF). The deal is aimed at strengthening coordination between the banking sector and the business community. Details of what the agreement covers have not yet been widely reported beyond the announcement itself.

Da Afghanistan Bank says nearly 350 ATMs are operating across Afghanistan, according to TOLOnews. The figure offers a rare snapshot of the country's banking infrastructure, which has been strained since the Taliban takeover in 2021, when foreign funding froze and many banks restricted withdrawals. Observers are likely to weigh the number against Afghanistan's population of over 40 million, where cash remains dominant and access to formal financial services is limited, especially outside major cities.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can temporarily use its revamped federal voter eligibility database while legal challenges continue. The decision clears the way for federal officials to cross-check voter rolls against the new system in the interim. News outlets including AP News and NewsNation report the ruling as an interim measure, not a final resolution of the dispute over the database.

Israel's Economy Ministry has ended the 'Israel's Basket' pilot program, citing the upcoming elections. The program, which relates to the regulated basket of basic consumer goods and services, was halted as officials avoid new policy initiatives during the campaign period. The decision has drawn attention in Israeli media, where observers see it as a sign of how electoral timing can affect economic policy decisions.

France's armed forces minister has insisted that a French military deployment to Saudi Arabia is strictly defensive in nature. The statement comes as tensions in the Gulf keep regional powers on alert, and Paris has moved to reassure both its partners and the public that the mission carries no offensive purpose. French officials say the deployment is intended to protect personnel and interests, not to prepare for combat operations.

The US Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's attempt to restrict mail-in voting, dealing a setback to efforts to tighten voting rules ahead of elections. The decision means existing mail-in voting procedures can continue. The ruling lands amid ongoing national debate over election rules and voting access, and is drawing strong reactions from both supporters and critics of the administration's push.

Former Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov has announced a new 'Army of Robots' initiative, described as his latest move since leaving office. The program signals a push to scale up unmanned and robotic systems in Ukraine's armed forces, an area the country has prioritized during the war with Russia. It comes amid other Ukraine-focused news, including appeals over the Oleshky humanitarian crisis.

Kazakhstan has appointed Myrzakhmetov as its new defense minister. The move comes as the Central Asian country continues to adjust key government positions, and observers are watching what the change means for the leadership of the armed forces and the country's defense policy. Further details about his background and priorities have not yet been widely reported.

Milan is hosting an event drawing attention to women affected by conflict and repression, connecting the experiences of those held captive by Hamas and Isis with the situation of women in Iran and Afghanistan. The gathering links survivors' testimonies to broader campaigns for women's rights under extremist rule and authoritarian repression.

Sudan's Ministry of Finance has signed an SMS service agreement with telecom operator MTN Sudan, according to Sudan Horizon. The deal is expected to let the ministry communicate with citizens or businesses via text messaging, likely for alerts on payments or government services. Further details about the scope, duration or cost of the agreement have not been made public.