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Tensions rise globally with Iran's potential attack on Israel, Biden's security meetings, and Bangladesh's political upheaval. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine strikes a Russian submarine, and Asian markets react to US economic data.

Details below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇮🇷 Iran: An Iranian attack on Israel is expected "as early as Monday," prompting the US to deploy warships and fighter jets to the region. Foreign diplomats have been frustrated by Iran's silence, in contrast to its heavily telegraphed April attack. France, the US, and Britain have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon and Iran due to the escalating conflict. 

2️⃣🇺🇸 United States: President Joe Biden will meet with his national security team amid escalating tensions following the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The US is deploying additional military assets to deter a potential Iranian attack on Israel. Efforts to cool the situation include Biden's talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and regional diplomacy. 

3️⃣🇧🇩 Bangladesh: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country amid violent protests. Army Chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman has assumed control, announcing plans for an interim government. The resignation follows severe crackdowns on protests over a controversial quota system, resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread celebrations in Dhaka.

4️⃣🇺🇦 Ukraine: Ukraine has sunk the $300 million Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don using long-range US ATACMS missiles during a bombardment on occupied Crimea. The submarine, damaged in a strike last year, was undergoing repairs. This event is likely to heighten Russian fears of espionage tipping off Ukrainian commanders.

5️⃣🇰🇵 North Korea: President Vladimir Putin pledged aid to North Korea after severe floods damaged thousands of homes and caused significant casualties. Despite thanking Putin, Kim Jong-un declined the aid, stating North Korea's measures were already in place. Kim also rebuffed South Korea's aid offer, accusing its media of spreading false casualty figures to tarnish the North's image.

Major Story

North Korea Bolsters Border Defense with New Missile Launchers

In a dramatic nighttime ceremony in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers destined for front-line units near the South Korean border. State media broadcasted images of camouflage-clad launcher trucks arrayed in a floodlit square, accompanied by troops standing at attention and a fireworks display.

Addressing the gathered crowd, Kim lauded the launchers as a cutting-edge tactical weapon of his own design, intended to bolster North Korea’s short-range missile capabilities. These developments come on the heels of North Korea’s recent claim of successfully testing a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a “superlarge warhead.” Such advancements are seen as efforts to overwhelm South Korean missile defenses and enhance Pyongyang's military posture amid rising regional tensions.

Kim's speech also condemned the United States for forming a "nuclear-based military bloc," which he argued necessitated North Korea's continued military enhancements. Relations between the Koreas have deteriorated, with joint US-South Korea drills and North Korea’s persistent missile programs driving a wedge deeper into the already strained peace efforts. The introduction of these new missile launchers, alongside North Korea’s continued weapons testing, underscores the volatile state of affairs on the Korean Peninsula.

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Other News

1️⃣🇱🇧 Lebanon: Turkey and Japan have advised their citizens to evacuate Lebanon due to escalating tensions. The Japanese Foreign Ministry and Turkish Foreign Ministry both issued warnings, highlighting the rapid deterioration of the security situation following the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Both countries recommend their citizens leave while commercial flights are still available. 

2️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided not to pursue normalization with Saudi Arabia before the US presidential election. Netanyahu is waiting to see the outcome of the US election, as the political landscape could change significantly depending on whether President Biden or former President Trump wins. This decision impacts ongoing negotiations, including potential hostage-ceasefire deals and future diplomatic strategies with Riyadh. 

3️⃣🇻🇪 Venezuela: Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding to join protests against President Nicolas Maduro's contested re-election. Maduro, declared winner with 51% of the vote, faces allegations of fraud and US-backed coup attempts. Protests have seen over 2,000 arrests and at least 20 deaths as tensions rise nationwide.

4️⃣🇯🇵 Tokyo: Asian stock markets plunged on Monday, led by Tokyo's Nikkei, which dropped more than 7% at one point, after weak US jobs data heightened recession fears and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The US economy added just 114,000 jobs last month, significantly below expectations, while the jobless rate rose, triggering a global sell-off. Major tech firms suffered heavy losses, with Tokyo's Nikkei down around 6% in afternoon trading and significant declines also seen in Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

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Prisoners of Geography

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