NIST

The Trump administration is considering building a baseball park in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Major League Baseball approached the administration about hosting a game in a national park, and an agency official scouted Grand Teton as a possible location. The proposal is drawing attention because it would place a sports venue inside protected federal parkland.

Ukraine's former defense minister has announced an initiative called the 'Army of Robots', aimed at speeding up the development and deployment of autonomous weapons systems on the battlefield. The plan reflects Ukraine's push to scale up robotic and unmanned platforms amid the ongoing war with Russia, and is likely to fuel debate over the growing role of autonomous systems in modern warfare.

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.

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.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran is 'fully prepared' if war breaks out again, but stresses that diplomacy has not yet been exhausted. His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, signalling that Tehran wants to project readiness while keeping the door open to negotiations over its nuclear programme and wider disputes.

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.

Da Afghanistan Bank has signed a cooperation agreement with the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Facility, the two sides announced. The deal is intended to support lending to the country's private sector, with the guarantee facility helping banks extend credit to businesses that lack sufficient collateral. Financial officials in Kabul have been pushing measures to stabilise and expand the banking sector as the economy struggles under sanctions and weak investment.

Iran's foreign minister has said the country is fully prepared for war, while insisting that diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions are not over. The statement signals Tehran is bracing for a possible military confrontation while keeping talks alive. Commentators are weighing whether the remarks are a warning, a negotiating tactic, or a sign that de-escalation efforts are nearing a breaking point.

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.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'ready for diplomacy' and 'war at the same time', in a full interview with NBC News. The statement signals Tehran's dual posture amid heightened tensions, insisting it remains open to negotiation while warning it is prepared for confrontation if pressured.

India has dispatched humanitarian support to Afghanistan, continuing a policy of providing assistance to the Afghan people despite not formally recognising the Taliban administration. The aid is part of New Delhi's ongoing engagement with Afghanistan, which has included wheat, medicines and other relief supplies in recent years. Observers see the move as a sign of India maintaining a humanitarian presence in the region.

Pakistan's finance minister held talks with the US Export-Import Bank that covered financing for Boeing aircraft, according to an adviser. The discussions point to Islamabad seeking American export credit support for aircraft purchases as it works to secure external funding and stabilize its economy.

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.

Israel's Economy Ministry has ended the pilot phase of the 'Israel's Basket' programme, citing the approaching national elections. The initiative, which was being tested by the ministry, will not move forward for now. The timing of the decision has drawn attention, as government programmes are often paused or reconsidered during election periods to avoid accusations of political influence over economic policy.

San Francisco voters are weighing Proposition E, a ballot measure that would transfer greater authority over city contracts and technology decisions to the City Administrator. Supporters frame it as a way to streamline procurement and modernize government operations, while critics worry it concentrates too much power in a single unelected official, reducing oversight of how public money is spent on vendors and IT systems.

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.