Taiwan will raise 2026 defense spending to $31.3 billion— 3.32% of GDP, the first time above 3% since 2009.

That’s a 23% jump, driven by Chinese pressure and U.S. calls.

Spending now also counts coast guard and veterans, following a “NATO model.”

Sudan: 9 people, including 5 children and 4 women, were killed and 18 others injured in an RSF attack on Abu Shouk refugee camp in Al Fashir.

NEW: Zelensky says his meeting with Putin could take place in Switzerland, Austria or Türkiye.

Zelensky:

The Russians need another 4 years to occupy our Donbas.

Zelensky:

China cannot be a security guarantor for Ukraine.

Zelensky says he asked Trump to convince Orban to stop blocking Ukraine's EU membership.

Zelensky:

Trump said that the withdrawal from Crimea in 2014 was a big mistake for Ukraine.

Zelensky:

Ukraine successfully tested the new Flamingo missile.

In late 2025 and early 2026, mass production of the missile, with a range of 3 thousand km, should begin.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty:

I am the Foreign Minister, and I take full responsibility for these words.

If someone — even kids — puts paint or touches the fence, grab him, tie him up, and call the police. That is harassment of the embassy.

Some may ask, “Are we diplomats or thugs?” No, we are not thugs.

But touching the wall, writing a name, anything — is unacceptable. We’ll gouge his father’s eye and drag him inside.

If our men are alert, no one will dare. If he tries, I’ll open the door and bring him in myself.

Zelensky’s Chief-of-Staff, Andrii Yermak:

Over 1,000 days of war, Russia has taken only 1% of Ukraine while suffering huge losses.

We must understand: we are not losing, and Russia is not winning.

China has invited Afghanistan to join its Belt and Road Initiative, Kabul claims.

Source: Bloomberg

Ukraine’s Fire Point startup is mass-producing long-range drones and testing cruise missiles to strike deep inside Russia.

Its FP-1 drones, costing $55k each, now make up 60% of strikes inside Russia, hitting oil refineries and depots.

Production jumped from 30 per month in 2023 to 100 per day in 2025.

Fire Point is also building the FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missile, with a 3,000 km range and 1.1-ton warhead.

Sudan: RSF’s top commander Hala Muhammedin Isa was reportedly killed in clashes in the besieged city of Al Fashir.

Bulgaria’s F-16 Block 70 jets face major delays.

First deliveries, once set for 2023, slipped to 2025 due to COVID supply issues.

A system fault found in May 2025 may push service entry back further.

Bulgaria got $34 million compensation ($25M arms, $9.5M training).

Dutch defense expo NEDS 2025 in Rotterdam bans Israeli firms like IAI, Elbit, and Rafael, citing “security and organizational” reasons.

Turkish MoD sources:

Technical visits are planned to assess Syria’s defense needs on-site and draft a joint roadmap.

Turkish MoD sources:

Speculation about sending Turkish peacekeepers to Ukraine has no concrete basis; commenting on it would be premature.

Uganda: Government announced an agreement with Washington to receive third-country nationals denied asylum in the United States.

NEW: Türkiye’s port authorities are now informally requiring agents to provide letters confirming ships have no links to Israel and aren’t carrying military or hazardous cargo bound there.

The instruction, given verbally and without an official circular, reportedly applies to all Turkish ports.

This follows Ankara’s suspension of $7B trade with Israel over the Gaza war.

Source: Reuters