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The US is reportedly moving naval and air assets toward the Gulf amid rising tensions with Iran, as officials on both sides issued warnings and sanctions and limited flight disruptions were reported.

In Asia, China removed a top PLA commander for alleged disciplinary violations, with claims involving a nuclear-sector security breach.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇻🇪 Trump claims secret weapon used in Maduro raid: President Donald Trump said the US used a classified weapon he called “The Discombobulator” to disable Venezuelan military equipment during a raid that led to Nicolás Maduro’s capture, claiming foreign-made rockets failed to launch, without providing technical details. He also said the US would continue and potentially expand military strikes against drug cartels, declining to disclose details on seized Venezuelan oil shipments.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US moves naval and air assets toward Gulf: The United States is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and additional military assets toward the Gulf, with President Donald Trump describing the movement as precautionary amid rising tensions with Iran. Iranian officials warned that any attack would make US bases legitimate targets, as sanctions and limited flight disruptions accompany the standoff.

3️⃣ 🇨🇦🇨🇳 Carney rejects Canada-China free trade plan: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada has no intention of pursuing a free trade agreement with China, stating that a recent deal only reduced tariffs in limited sectors. His comments followed President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports if Ottawa pursued broader trade ties with Beijing.

4️⃣ 🇫🇷🇷🇺 France detains captain of suspected shadow tanker: French authorities took the captain of the oil tanker Grinch into custody after intercepting the vessel on suspicion it was operating under a false flag and linked to Russia’s sanctions-evading shadow fleet. The ship remains held near Marseille while prosecutors investigate its flag status, with Russia yet to comment.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇺🇦 Zelenskyy says US security deal ready: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a US security guarantees document is fully prepared following two days of talks involving Ukrainian, US and Russian representatives. He said Ukraine is awaiting a signing date before ratification, while territorial disagreements remain unresolved and further talks are scheduled.

Major Story

🇨🇳 Top PLA commander faces leak claims

Gen Zhang Youxia, described as the operational leader of the People’s Liberation Army, was dismissed on Saturday after Xi Jinping cited a “serious violation of discipline,” amid allegations he passed Chinese nuclear weapons data to the United States.

At a closed-door briefing for senior PLA officers, Zhang was accused of accepting a bribe linked to the promotion of a senior officer to defence minister and of forming “political cliques,” with Beijing announcing shortly after that he was under investigation.

Officials said a corruption probe into Gu Jun, a former manager at China National Nuclear Corp who is also under investigation, uncovered a nuclear-sector security breach allegedly connected to Zhang.

Zhang had previously survived multiple military purges and is one of the few senior commanders with combat experience, having fought in China’s 1979 war with Vietnam.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇨🇩 At least 25 killed in eastern Congo attack: An attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Force killed at least 25 people in eastern Congo, with a local rights group reporting victims were burned alive or shot in multiple locations. The group has not commented, and the killings occurred amid ongoing violence despite joint Ugandan-Congolese military operations.

2️⃣ 🇸🇾 Syria extends ceasefire with SDF: A 15-day extension of the ceasefire between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces was welcomed cautiously in northeastern Syria after recent army advances. Despite reports of improved conditions and detainee releases, both sides accused each other of violations, highlighting ongoing uncertainty.

3️⃣ 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia scales back NEOM plans: Saudi Arabia plans to significantly scale back and redesign its NEOM megaproject following an internal review that identified delays, cost overruns and design flaws, according to people briefed on the matter. Officials said the project will be rephased and resized as Riyadh manages tighter finances and competing commitments.

4️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran unveils anti-US warning mural: Iran unveiled a mural in central Tehran warning the United States against launching a military strike, depicting damaged aircraft on an aircraft carrier alongside a retaliatory slogan. The display appeared as US naval assets moved toward the region and officials on both sides exchanged warnings, including disputed claims over halted executions.

5️⃣ 🇮🇶 Iraq set to elect president, PM next: Iraq’s parliament is scheduled to elect a new president, who will then appoint a prime minister, with former premier Nouri al-Maliki endorsed by the largest Shiite bloc. While the endorsement positions him strongly, officials said government formation and parliamentary approval could still take months.

6️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran Revolutionary Guard issues warning: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour said the force is “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” warning the United States and Israel against miscalculation as US warships head toward the region. The statement comes amid heightened tensions following Iran’s protest crackdown, disputed execution claims, rising arrest figures and limited airline disruptions.

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