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Donald Trump declined Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend limits on strategic deployments after the New START treaty expired, while Washington and Moscow agreed to restore regular high-level military communication following talks in Abu Dhabi. 

The United States, European Union and Japan are also advancing a minerals supply chain pact, and Washington backed a UK plan on the Chagos Islands that would involve transferring sovereignty while leasing back Diego Garcia. 

More below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇷🇺 Trump rejects Putin proposal after New START expiry: Donald Trump declined Vladimir Putin’s suggestion to voluntarily extend limits on strategic deployments following the treaty’s end, instead calling for negotiations on a new modernised agreement. The lapse removes some constraints on arsenals, with informal extension discussions reported and uncertainty remaining over future arrangements.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇷🇺 US and Russia restore military contact after talks: The two countries agreed to resume regular high-level military communication following discussions in Abu Dhabi aimed at improving transparency and reducing miscalculation risks. Contacts had been suspended since 2021, and the move comes alongside ongoing talks on nuclear limits with uncertainty over future treaty frameworks.

3️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇸🇯🇵 EU, US and Japan move toward minerals pact: The three sides are advancing a memorandum to strengthen supply chains through support for mining, processing, recycling and stockpiling projects to diversify sources and reduce reliance on China. Talks continue on wider measures including a potential trading bloc and price stabilisation, with differing views over Europe’s strategic autonomy.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇬🇧 US backs UK Chagos plan with lease warning: The United States supported the UK’s proposal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia, with Donald Trump calling it the best available deal. Officials confirmed cooperation on implementation, though Trump warned the US could reinforce its presence if the lease were threatened and UK opposition persists.

5️⃣ 🇵🇰 Pakistan says 216 fighters killed in Balochistan operation: The military reported killing 216 fighters during a weeklong campaign launched after coordinated attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army, saying leadership and networks were disrupted and weapons recovered. It also said 36 civilians and 22 security personnel died, alleging external support that India and Afghanistan denied.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump warns Khamenei before talks:

US President Donald Trump said Iran’s supreme leader should be “very worried” ahead of planned negotiations in Oman, as tensions remain elevated following earlier US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and a recent Iranian crackdown on protests. Talks are set to involve Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, though Washington says discussions should cover missiles, regional activity and human rights, while Tehran has indicated it wants to focus on the nuclear issue and sanctions relief. 

Both sides have issued warnings, with the US reinforcing its military presence and Iran threatening retaliation if attacked, while incidents at sea involving a drone and armed vessels have added to the strain. Iran has also reportedly deployed a long-range ballistic missile at an undisclosed site, and officials on both sides have expressed skepticism about the prospects for a deal. Accounts differ over the scope and aims of the negotiations, and it is unclear whether key disagreements have been resolved.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukraine says Russian Starlink access disrupted: Kyiv said terminals used by Russian forces were cut off through a verification system, disrupting communications along the front line, while some Ukrainian units were also briefly affected. Russia has not commented, though bloggers acknowledged issues, and separate talks ended without breakthrough but produced a prisoner exchange and further meetings.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇬🇱 Vance claims private European concessions on Greenland: US Vice-President JD Vance said allies have made more private concessions over Greenland than publicly acknowledged and described a proposed framework as beneficial, without detailing terms. Denmark and Greenland rejected ceding sovereignty, and uncertainty remains over what any agreement could involve, including resource access.

3️⃣ 🇯🇵 Japan ruling party tipped for strong election showing: Polls suggest the Liberal Democratic Party under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could secure a large parliamentary majority as her leadership and social media presence boost popularity despite ongoing scrutiny and policy debates. Uncertainty remains over turnout and whether support for her image will translate into votes.

4️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Zelenskyy says 55,000 Ukrainian troops killed in war: Volodymyr Zelenskyy said about 55,000 soldiers have died and many others are missing as negotiations with Russia continue, with recent talks producing a prisoner exchange but no breakthrough. Discussions remain stalled over territory and security guarantees, and casualty figures are difficult to independently verify.

5️⃣ 🇳🇴 Norway opens corruption probe into ex-PM Jagland links: Police launched an aggravated corruption investigation into former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland over reported connections to Jeffrey Epstein, including whether he received gifts, travel or loans tied to official roles, while seeking to lift immunity. Jagland admitted poor judgment but denied financial assistance, and officials stressed being named does not imply wrongdoing.

6️⃣ 🇱🇧🇮🇱 Lebanon accuses Israel of spraying farmland with herbicide: Lebanon alleged Israel conducted aerial spraying using glyphosate in the south, calling it a health and environmental threat, while Israel did not respond to comment requests. UN peacekeepers said they were warned of a non-toxic substance, and lab tests cited by Lebanese authorities found high concentrations, though the purpose and nature remain disputed.

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