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Germany's defence minister warned that Russia is rebuilding stockpiles for future conflicts as he defended a record military budget.

This comes as Canada pledges more drones for Ukraine, and as BRICS nations call for restraint in the Middle East.

Read more below ⤵️

1️⃣ 🇨🇦🇺🇦 Canada pledges drone production and air defence aid for Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Canada this week brought a pledge from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to produce millions of drones over two years, with a third going to Ukraine. Canada also announced C$350m for air defence interceptors and more than C$430m in loan guarantees to help Ukraine buy natural gas before winter.

2️⃣ 🇭🇰🇨🇳 Hong Kong jails Tiananmen vigil organisers: On Friday, a Hong Kong court sentenced Tiananmen vigil organisers Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho to prison terms ranging from five years and two months to seven years and three months for inciting subversion. Lee and Chow, who pleaded not guilty, plan to appeal, while judges said the offences posed serious security risks despite involving no violence or threats.

3️⃣ 🇮🇱🇱🇧 Lebanese president visits south as further talks are announced: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited Nabatiyeh on Saturday after Israel reported demolishing Hezbollah tunnels at nearby Ali Taher ridge, amid residents' fears of further attacks. The visit followed the US State Department's announcement that Israel-Lebanon talks would resume in Rome in October, despite Hezbollah's opposition to direct negotiations and disarmament.

4️⃣ 🇩🇪 BSW accepts talks after AfD election win: Alternative for Germany's 43.8% win in Saxony-Anhalt's election last Sunday left it short of a majority and seeking support to form a government. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) agreed on Wednesday to exploratory talks, while the CDU, SPD, Greens and Left rejected the invitation. BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht had ruled out a formal coalition.

5️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇳 IAEA refers Iran to the UN Security Council: The International Atomic Energy Agency's board voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over nuclear non-compliance, citing missing information on enriched uranium stocks and inspection restrictions. The resolution passed with 23 votes in favour, eight abstentions and opposition from China, Russia and Niger, while Tehran condemned the move and blamed US and Israeli attacks for disrupting oversight.

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🇩🇪🇷🇺 Germany warns of Russian stockpiling

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told parliament during this week's budget debate that Russia was replenishing stockpiles for future conflicts rather than sending all those resources to the front lines in Ukraine.

He accused Moscow of expanding its efforts to spy on, intimidate and destabilise European societies.

Pistorius defended proposed military spending of roughly €140bn in 2027, including money from Germany's armed forces special fund.

The regular Defence Ministry budget would rise by 32.7% to €109.75bn under the government's plan.

Responding to opposition calls to spend more on schools, hospitals and infrastructure instead, he argued that capable German forces and a united NATO were essential to protecting the country's way of life.

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1️⃣ 🇸🇦🇮🇶🇮🇷 Iraq reopens crossings after Saudi pipeline attack: Drone attacks launched from Iraq shut Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and prompted Iraqi border restrictions this week, with an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias denying responsibility. Iraq's Security Media Cell said passenger traffic resumed at the al-Sheeb and Shalamcheh crossings with Iran on Sunday, with trade due to follow in the coming days.

2️⃣ 🇮🇳🌍 BRICS backs diplomacy as Modi warns of supply-chain threats: The weekend's BRICS summit in New Delhi produced a declaration calling for diplomacy over Middle East and Sudan tensions and opposing unilateral sanctions and trade barriers. On Sunday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruption were harming people worldwide, including risks from using technology and critical minerals as leverage.

3️⃣ 🇩🇿🇦🇪 Algeria severs diplomatic ties with the UAE: Algeria cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, accusing Abu Dhabi of repeated hostile actions and giving its ambassador 48 hours to comply with the decision. The UAE said it hoped the break would be temporary, while Ennahar TV reported an Algerian airspace ban on UAE aircraft from Friday, with commercial flights to and from Algiers exempt until the end of 2026.

4️⃣ 🇪🇺🇮🇪 EU countries negotiate new Europe-wide taxes: EU budget negotiations focused on proposed Europe-wide taxes, with Ireland's Council presidency asking member states to identify an acceptable revenue target for the bloc's next long-term budget. A presidency note described broad support for an electronic-waste levy but resistance to proposed corporate and tobacco contributions, with a new compromise text expected by early October.

5️⃣ 🇵🇦 Panama Canal chief warns of further transit cuts: Panama Canal administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta warned that a strengthening El Niño could force further restrictions on a route handling about 5% of global maritime trade. A previously announced reduction from 34 daily transits to 32 is due next Tuesday, and she said the limit could reach about 29 in February or March if drought persists, depending on rainfall over the coming months.

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