Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday banning the procurement of foreign-made clothing and related gear for the country’s armed forces starting in 2026.

According to the decree, from Jan. 1, 2026, all uniforms and other clothing items for the Russian Armed Forces must be produced by Russian companies whose manufacturing facilities are located within the country.

By 2027, the requirement would extend to fabrics and knitted materials used in production, which must be domestically manufactured.

The measure aims to entirely exclude the purchase of foreign-made clothing and materials for the needs of the military, the decree said.

Military clothing and gear include uniforms, insignia, underwear, bedding, special clothing, footwear, equipment, and sanitary items.

Such supplies are procured through the Russian state defence order system.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday announced plans for Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, announced this in his keynote address at the opening of the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2025 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The theme of the summit was: ‘Manpower Development: The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity’.

It brought together government officials, industry leaders, academia, and international partners to develop actionable recommendations for workforce development.

The president stated that the country’s greatest asset lies in its people rather than its natural resources.

He pointed to the urgent need to bridge the gap between educational output and industry requirements to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.

He told the participants that an improvement in human capital, along with infrastructure and sound policy was the bridge between development and setback in every nation.

The president maintained that the disruptive technologies of the era required a constantly evolving workforce, warning that Nigeria risks widening the skills gap if it fails to prepare adequately for the demands of the new technological order.

He called for an industrial skills database, sector-specific manpower roadmaps, and an elevated status for vocational and industrial training.

Tinubu insisted that welders, machinists, technicians, software engineers, and factory operators must be treated with the dignity, respect, and opportunity they deserve.

The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, said the summit was a testament to how president Tinubu’s leadership is always touching the right spots.

He added that it was very intentional of him to appoint the first Senior Special Assistant on Industrial Training and Development.

The minister said that the summit was not just a ceremony or another line in the calendar of events, but a crossroads where Nigeria elects whether to remain as a nation of vast potential – often admired.

He said,” But unrealised, or whether the country is ready to step forward as a nation whose productivity matches its promise.”

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said national manpower was a key ingredient for attracting and retaining domestic investment for industrialisation to accelerate Nigeria’s economic development.

Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Adamson Oluwatoyin, said the summit was a turning point in the collective quest to shape the future of Nigeria’s workforce under the vision of Tinubu.

Oluwatoyin said that manpower development was the bridge between the nation’s abundant potential and the productivity required, adding that Nigeria has the resources, talent and the ambition.

He, however, said that without skilled, adaptable and innovative people, the country’s industrial dream will remain unreleased.

Also speaking, the Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Ogun, said the summit offered an opportunity for policy dialogue, setting up national targets in skills development and discussing the framework for mobilising national resources in a cohesive manner.

Ogun commended Tinubu for his foresight in appointing square pegs to fill square holes in relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with mandates on skills as new perspectives in dealing with the nation’s industrial manpower problems as they emerge.

Australia’s prime minister has accused his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu of being “in denial” over the consequences of the war in Gaza.

Anthony Albanese on Monday announced his country would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, following similar moves by the UK, France and Canada.

Albanese said frustration with the Israeli government had played a role in the move, saying Australians “want to see the killing and the cycle of violence stop”.

Israel, under increasing pressure to end the war in Gaza, has said recognising a Palestinian state “rewards terrorism” and Netanyahu called the decision taken by Australia and other allies “shameful”.

Netanyahu and his government have been facing growing condemnation over reports of starvation in Gaza.

Five people have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including one child, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, bringing the total number of malnutrition deaths to 222 – including 101 children.

Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza and has accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering it. The UN has rejected this, saying it faces obstacles and delays while collecting aid from Israeli-controlled border zones.

Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday, Albanese said he had spoken to PM Netanyahu last Thursday to inform him of Australia’s decision.

“The stopping of aid that we’ve seen and then the loss of life that we’re seeing around those aid distribution points, where people queuing for food and water are losing their lives, is just completely unacceptable. And we have said that,” he said.

“I spoke with PM Netanyahu. He again reiterated to me what he has said publicly as well, which is to be in denial about the consequences that are occurring for innocent people.”

Albanese had earlier said the decision to recognise a Palestinian state was made after receiving commitments from the Palestinian Authority (PA), which controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, that Hamas would play no role in any future state

The move has drawn a mixed response in Australia, with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry calling it a “betrayal”, and some Palestinian activists saying it doesn’t go far enough.

Right-leaning opposition leader Sussan Ley said the decision was “disrespectful” to the US, a key Australian ally.

Earlier this month, a pro-Palestinian protest drew at least 90,000 supporters who walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge, a day after a court ruling allowed the demonstration to happen.

Netanyahu said in a press conference over the weekend that it was “shameful” for countries including Australia to recognise a Palestinian state.

“They know what they would do if, right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney, you had this horrific attack. I think you would do at least what we’re doing.”

More than 61,000 people have been killed as a result of Israel’s military campaign since 7 October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel launched the offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack on 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

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