NEW: Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, was paid $25K by a film company owned by a Russian-American filmmaker linked to pro-Kremlin influence campaigns.

The company, Global Tree Pictures, is run by Igor Lopatonok, who has ties to a Putin-backed fund. Patel was featured in a documentary pushing “deep state” conspiracy theories and portraying Trump allies as victims.

Trump is ready to double down on sanctions against Russia to bring about an end to the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.S. president's special envoy on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Sanctions enforcement on Russian President Vladimir Putin is "only about a three" on a scale of one to 10 on how painful the economic pressure can be, Keith Kellogg said in an interview with New York Post.

“You could really increase the sanctions — especially the latest sanctions," which target oil production and exports.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame was due to meet his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi in Tanzania on Saturday as regional leaders convene in a bid to defuse the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo.

A joint summit between the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Friday and Saturday. The leaders of the province are expected to come together at this summit.

The M23 armed group quickly seized large swathes of territory in an offensive in the mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group captured the strategic city of Goma last week and is advancing towards neighboring South Kivu province in the latest chapter of decades of turmoil in the region.

The head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will meet Syrian officials in Damascus today.

Director General Fernando Arias was expected to meet interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Sheibani.

In the fifth stage of the first phase of the swap deal, the Al-Qassam Brigades deployed to Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip to hand over Israeli prisoners.

At Deiral-Balah, the stage was set for the swap ceremony.

Balochistan unrest escalates: Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) intensify attacks on Pakistani forces and state projects

BLA attacks: Militants target security forces in Mastung with grenade, injuring two.

BLF attacks CPEC project: Militants destroyed construction equipment in Khuzdar, warning against cooperation with state-sponsored projects.

Pro-independence groups threaten further attacks: Both the BLA and BLF reiterated that they would target Pakistani forces and infrastructure.

Tensions are rising in Balochistan.

As part of an exchange between Israel and Hamas, the Red Cross is on its way to Deir al-Balah to pick up Israeli prisoners.

Ukrainian pilots training with their French Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets.

The first batch of 6 x aircraft has been recently delivered to Ukraine.

Armament Capabilities

• Air-to-air missiles: R.550 Magic (20 km), MICA (80 km, fire-and-forget)
• Anti-ship missile: Exocet (200 km)
• Cruise missile: SCALP-EG (560 km, similar to Storm Shadow)
• Bombs: Laser-guided, GPS-guided, and conventional bombs
• Electronic warfare pods & fuel tanks for extended range

Israeli Prison Service Special Operations Unit (Nachshon) of the Prison Administration prepares to transfer the Palestinian prisoners to be released in today's batch of the exchange deal.

The UAE pledges €30-50 billion to build an AI data center in France, following talks between President Macron and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed (MbZ)

Both nations may also collaborate on chips & talent development.

An attempt by the YPG/PKK to smuggle weapons out of the Shaikh Maqsoud neighbourhood in Aleppo city was foiled by Aleppo security forces.

Source: Levant 24

Red Cross convoy arrived at the prisoner swap point in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.

Over 50 terrorists were neutralized, 25 others injured in fierce battle. Top terror commanders loyal to Bello Turji & Sani Black eliminated. Troops recaptured Tungan Fulani Hills - a major terrorist stronghold & arms smuggling route.

Source: Zagazola

Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei meets with Hamas leadership.

Hamas and Red Cross officials have signed the documents for the release of the hostages.

Israeli hostages on stage.