Iran's Khamenei:

Negotiations with the U.S. are unwise, unfair, and ineffective in solving the country’s problems.

Israeli Foreign Minister:

The ICC’s actions are unethical, legally baseless, and violate international law.

Iran's Khamenei:

If the Americans threaten us, we will threaten them. If they act on their threats, we will respond.

If they attack our security, we will undoubtedly attack theirs.

📸 Taalbaiya, Lebanon

Ivory Coast officially announces the transfer of the French Army base in Port Bouet to its national armed forces.

The formal transfer of command occurred in January 2025.

France has begun withdrawing its military forces from the Ivory Coast.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF Chief of Staff to reprimand Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder over his alleged remarks against Trump’s Gaza plan:

“IDF officers will not oppose President Trump’s important Gaza plan or government directives.

I have ordered the IDF to prepare for the voluntary departure of Gazans seeking to relocate worldwide—this is exactly what the IDF is expected to do, and it will be done.”

Shlomi Binder was promoted to Major General and to lead the IDF Intelligence Command in August 2024.

IDF Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder warned that Trump’s plan for relocating Gaza’s population could “ignite the region.”

He urged political leadership to prepare ahead of Ramadan, fearing tensions could escalate.

Far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized Binder, calling for his immediate dismissal for opposing government policy.

Russia vs. Ukraine: A Battle of Soldiers vs. Machines

The war in Ukraine is shifting - Russian forces are relying on sheer manpower, while Ukraine is countering with drones and Western technology.

Russia suffers heavy casualties as it deploys waves of soldiers. Their tactics are reminiscent of Soviet-era strategies. On the eastern front, the Russian army outnumbers Ukrainian forces 5 to 1, sending unmotivated men up to 50 years old with no combat experience.

Ukraine compensates for its lack of infantry with drones, producing 200,000 a month. It is countering attacks with drones, AI, and precision weapons. Western support is crucial, but Ukraine faces ammunition shortages.

Chinese SWAT team dominated the UAE SWAT Challenge 2025 in Dubai, beating the U.S. squad.

This year, China sent three teams—Zhejiang SWAT took the championship title, while Anhui SWAT secured bronze.

Google employees react to AI weapons policy shift: “Are we the baddies?”

Google dropped its 2018 pledge against using AI for weapons or surveillance, citing national security.

Some employees reacted with frustration, posting memes and criticism on Memegen, Google’s internal forum.

A top-voted meme showed CEO Sundar Pichai searching: “How to become a weapons contractor?”

Another featured a Nazi soldier asking, “Are we the baddies?” in response to Google’s AI weapons shift.

A Big Bang Theory meme joked: “Oh, that’s why,” referencing Google’s defense ties.

Despite the backlash, only a small group of employees protested, while others supported Google’s closer work with the U.S. government.

Source: Business Insider

Bill Gates:

AI is getting scary and humans won't be needed for most things.

Hundreds of Rwandan troops have been killed in covert operations in eastern DRC, contradicting Rwanda’s claims of non-involvement.

Intelligence and military sources report significant RDF casualties while supporting M23 rebels.

Satellite images of a Kigali (Rwanda) military cemetery show at least 600 new graves since M23’s resurgence.

Officials estimate losses in the thousands, with some RDF soldiers buried in mass graves in DRC.

Families received empty coffins when bodies couldn’t be repatriated.

Kigali’s military hospital expanded, but its mortuary is at full capacity due to the high death toll.

Source: The Guardian

HIMARS strike on a Russian military HQ in the Kursk region.

A King Air F90 small aircraft crashed into vehicles on Marques de Sao Vicente Avenue in São Paulo, Brazil.

The aircraft attempted an emergency landing but crashed into a bus, which caught fire.

At least two deaths have been confirmed.

German Chancellor Scholz:

I completely oppose the resettlement of Gaza residents.

Sanctions against the ICC threaten an institution that is supposed to ensure that tyrants in this world cannot oppress people and start wars.

Troops from the semiautonomous Somali region of Puntland seized territory from Islamic State in a week-long offensive that officials say they hope would attract increased international support.

Somali forces have liberated the Al-Miskaad mountains in the Bari region from IS.

The move targets an increasingly powerful IS group, which last week was targeted by the first airstrikes by the new US administration under President Donald Trump.

Source: Reuters

NEW: Syrian Army announces control over strategic hills near the Lebanese border.

The bodies of 14 South African soldiers killed in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrived from Goma at the La Corniche One frontier post in Rubavu for repatriation to South Africa today.