EU Defense Budget Plan Excludes Israel’s Arms Industry

The European Union has unveiled a new €150 billion loan fund under its Rearm Europe Plan (“Readiness 2030”), which aims to boost Europe’s defense capabilities.

Israel has been excluded from participating in contracts financed by this fund due to strict procurement rules favoring European-made defense systems.

Source: Globes

Germany has called on the United Kingdom to consider rejoining a customs union with the European Union.

Germany’s top diplomat in London, suggested using Türkiye’s long-standing customs union with the EU as a model for the UK.

Source: Politico

Pentagon Briefing for Elon Musk on Potential War With China

The Pentagon planned to brief Elon Musk on the U.S. military’s operational plans for a potential war with China.

The briefing was set to cover top-secret U.S. war plans, including military strategies, targets, and contingency measures in the event of conflict with China.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Admiral Christopher W. Grady (acting Joint Chiefs chairman), and Admiral Samuel J. Paparo (head of Indo-Pacific Command) were scheduled to present the details.

The meeting was to be held in “The Tank”, a secure Pentagon conference room used for top-level military briefings. Musk’s role remains unclear, as he is not part of the military chain of command.

Following reports, President Trump denied that the meeting would involve China, stating, “China will not even be mentioned or discussed.”

However, multiple officials confirmed the original purpose was China-focused.

Despite these denials, The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Musk was set to receive details on China war plans.

Source: NYT, WSJ

The Netherlands has unveiled a new initiative to attract leading international scientists, particularly those leaving the U.S. due to political pressures on research fields like climate science and gender studies.

Source: NL Times

Chief of the Russian General Staff Gerasimov inspects ‘Center’ military grouping invading Ukraine.

Gerasimov received reports from the army commander and issued directives for the group’s next moves.

This group involved in invading settlements in Donetsk.

Sudanese Army spokesperson says the military has taken control of the Presidential Palace and seized ammunition from the paramilitary RSF.

Sudan's Army has also secured key government ministries in central Khartoum.

The RSF, which has set up a parallel government, still controls parts of Khartoum, Omdurman, and western Sudan, where it battles for al-Fashir, the Sudan Army’s last Darfur stronghold.

Capturing the capital could cement the Army’s grip on central Sudan.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei:

The U.S. and others must know that if they commit any foolish act against the Iranian people, they will receive a severe and crushing slap.

Iran has no proxies in the region, those groups act independently.

UK Energy Minister on Heathrow Airport:

"There is no suggestion that there is foul play."

Trump:

China will not even be mentioned or discussed.

France and the United Kingdom have abandoned the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine and are now advocating for an alternative: a UN-led peacekeeping mission.

French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly considering establishing a UN peacekeeping mission for Ukraine, an idea he raised during the European Council summit yesterday.

Source: The Telegraph

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz:

I have instructed the IDF to seize additional areas in Gaza, evacuate the population, and expand security zones around Gaza to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers.

The longer Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will then be annexed to Israel.

Steve Bannon on Trump’s third term:

I’m a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028.

We’re working on it. I think we’ll have a few alternatives. We’ll see how ‘term limit’ is defined.

A magnitude 5 earthquake hit Natanz, Isfahan, home to a key Iranian nuclear site, local media repors.

No casualties were reported, but some village homes sustained minor damage.

It remains unclear if the plant was affected.

Egyptian President El-Sisi told Arab leaders he was willing to temporarily relocate 500,000 Gazans to northern Sinai for reconstruction efforts.

Source: Hezbollah-linked Lebanese Al-Akhbar

Germany confiscated Russian shadow fleet tanker Eventin, carrying nearly 100,000 tons of oil.

The cargo is valued at approximately €40 million.

Source: Der Spiegel

NEW: German upper house of parliament passes debt reform and approves a €500 billion fund, according to the vote tally.

Kremlin says Putin’s order to refrain from striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remains in effect.

Kremlin also claims that the attack on the Russian gas transit station in Sudzha proves Zelenskiy cannot be trusted.

Israel destroys the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital near Gaza, Netzarim Corridor.

The hospital is situated on the campus of the Faculty of Medicine at the Islamic University of Gaza.

Trump:

I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!

Trump:

Elon is not being briefed on anything China by the Department of War.