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The United States announced multi-day aerial drills in the Middle East alongside a naval and air deployment led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, with President Donald Trump describing the move as precautionary while remaining open to talks with Iran.

Elsewhere, the US confirmed its exit from global climate frameworks, France pushed back against claims that Europe cannot defend itself without Washington, and Sweden confirmed preliminary nuclear discussions with France and the UK without concrete proposals.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇮🇷 Iran orders emergency governance measures amid war fears: Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian ordered emergency steps to delegate authority to provincial governors, streamline imports of essential goods and ensure continuity of government, according to state media, citing concerns over possible conflict with the US or Israel. Iranian officials warned regional states against facilitating attacks and acknowledged a “heavy shadow of war” while also saying diplomacy and limited talks with the US may still be underway, with casualties from recent unrest remaining disputed.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🌍 US withdraws from Paris climate agreement again: The United States formally withdrew from the Paris climate agreement for a second time under President Donald Trump and announced plans to exit the UN climate framework, making it the only country outside the pact. Experts said the move could weaken global climate momentum and finance efforts, even as renewable investment continues and other countries respond differently.

3️⃣ 🇫🇷🇺🇸 France rejects NATO chief’s remarks on European defence: France criticised comments by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, with senior officials arguing Europeans can take greater responsibility within NATO through a stronger European pillar. The remarks, made to the European Parliament, drew pushback from multiple French figures and contrasted with assessments by some US and European leaders that Europe has sufficient capacity for its own defence.

4️⃣ 🇸🇪🇫🇷🇬🇧 Sweden holds early talks on nuclear cooperation: Sweden has held preliminary discussions with France and the UK on possible nuclear cooperation, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson saying the talks are exploratory, lack concrete proposals and do not involve plans to deploy nuclear weapons domestically. He said the discussions reflect broader NATO deterrence debates amid uncertainty over long-term US commitments, while stressing France’s nuclear forces remain nationally controlled.

5️⃣ 🇬🇧🇨🇳 Starmer to visit Beijing to reset UK-China ties: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is travelling to Beijing with business and cultural leaders for talks with President Xi Jinping as part of efforts to reset relations with China. Downing Street said Starmer will raise areas of disagreement including human rights and security, amid criticism from opponents warning of risks linked to China’s influence and record.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 US announces multi-day Middle East air drills

The United States said it will conduct multi-day military air exercises across the US Central Command area of responsibility as it deploys a naval force led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln amid heightened tensions with Iran. Air Forces Central said the drills are intended to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse and sustain combat airpower, enhance personnel and asset dispersal, strengthen regional partnerships and prepare for flexible responses, without disclosing dates, locations or participating assets. 

The exercises follow the arrival of the carrier strike group, the deployment of F-15E fighter jets, and separate UK deployments of Typhoon aircraft in what US and UK officials described as defensive moves. President Donald Trump said the US has a large naval presence near Iran but remains open to talks, while also warning of possible action if Iran resumes mass killings of protesters.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇮🇳🇪🇺 India and EU reach free trade agreement: India and the European Union concluded a free trade agreement after nearly 20 years of negotiations, covering near-complete tariff liberalisation on goods and including frameworks on defence cooperation and mobility for skilled workers and students. Officials said the deal, representing about a quarter of global GDP, will take months to enter into force and comes amid global trade shifts driven by higher US tariffs.

2️⃣ 🇰🇵 Kim says party congress will advance nuclear plans: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said an upcoming ruling party congress will outline next-stage plans to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent, according to state media. The comments came as he oversaw a live-fire drill involving an upgraded rocket launcher system following recent missile launches, with no details given on future nuclear developments.

3️⃣ 🇮🇹🇺🇸 Italy criticises planned ICE presence at Winter Olympics: Italian officials and politicians objected to plans for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to support diplomatic security operations at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. US and Italian authorities said the agents will have a non-operational investigative role under Italian authority, though concerns persist following recent fatal incidents involving ICE in the US.

4️⃣ 🇵🇭🇺🇸🇨🇳 Philippines and US hold drill at Scarborough Shoal: The Philippines and the United States conducted a joint naval and air exercise at Scarborough Shoal, marking their 11th drill since November 2023, with Manila saying it aimed to improve coordination between treaty allies. China criticised the exercise as destabilising and said it conducted a separate patrol while reiterating its claims over most of the South China Sea.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇨🇦 US warns Canada over potential F-35 pullback: The US ambassador to Canada warned that Washington could alter the NORAD defence arrangement and increase US fighter operations in Canadian airspace if Canada reduces or abandons its planned purchase of 88 F-35 jets. The warning comes as Canada reviews rising programme costs, which have increased by about $8 billion in three years, and considers alternative aircraft suppliers.

6️⃣ 🇸🇸 UN condemns South Sudan military remarks: The United Nations condemned remarks by South Sudan’s deputy army chief urging troops to “spare no-one” ahead of an operation in Jonglei state, as civilians and aid workers were ordered to evacuate several counties. The government said the comments were not an order, while the UN reported mass displacement and warned that public incitement against civilians is dangerous.

7️⃣ 🇲🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 Chagos deal could restrict nuclear weapons at Diego Garcia: Mauritius could bar the storage or stationing of nuclear weapons at Diego Garcia if the Chagos Islands deal proceeds, citing its obligations under the Pelindaba treaty banning nuclear weapons in Africa. The agreement may also conflict with a 1966 US-UK treaty guaranteeing British sovereignty over the base, raising the possibility of US opposition.

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