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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.

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.

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.

An analyst told RFI that the United States has 'alienated' Sudan's army amid what was described as a 'complex war'. The remarks point to friction between Washington and the Sudanese Armed Forces as the country's conflict continues, with the analyst suggesting US policy toward the army has been counterproductive.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 forces carried out large strikes on Kyiv, with claims that targets included hubs used by 'NATO specialists' and Ukrainian military infrastructure. The reports come from Russian and pro-Russian outlets, which regularly describe foreign personnel as operating alongside Ukrainian forces. Ukraine and NATO have not confirmed any such casualties, and previous similar claims have often been unverifiable. The strikes fit the ongoing pattern of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital's military and energy facilities.

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.

US ambassador David Perdue says President Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would want to buy American weapons. The remark comes after a Taiwanese minister described the military threat from Beijing to the self-ruled island as severe. Comments about arms sales to China are raising questions about US policy toward Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.

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.

The Israeli military has released footage it says shows a terrorist using a child to transfer weapons into a civilian home in Gaza. The clip, shared publicly by the IDF, is being presented as evidence of armed groups embedding operations among civilians and involving minors. The claim has not been independently verified, and reactions to the footage are circulating widely as the Gaza conflict continues.

Bill Gates says reaching international agreement on artificial intelligence regulation will be more difficult than the nuclear arms negotiations of the Cold War era. His warning comes as governments worldwide struggle to coordinate rules for rapidly advancing AI, and the comparison has struck a chord given the history of superpower arms control diplomacy.

US intelligence assessments indicate that Saudi Arabia continues to harbour intentions of developing nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by WION. The finding points to Riyadh's persisting interest in nuclear arms despite ongoing diplomatic discussions about regional security and potential agreements with the United States. The revelation raises questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and how Washington will respond to its Gulf ally's ambitions.

US national security adviser Mike Waltz says President Trump will keep 'all options on the table' to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The statement underscores the administration's hard line on Tehran's nuclear programme, leaving open the possibility of both diplomatic and military measures as tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions continue.