Russia’s Finance Ministry plans to raise VAT from 20% to 22% in 2026 to fund military spending amid the prolonged Ukraine war.

Putin previously promised no major tax changes before 2030 but now signals openness to hikes as war costs grow.

Source: Reuters

Sudan: EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa announced holding a call with UAE-backed RSF leader Gen. Hemedti.

Mali: JNIM attacked the Bénéna border post near Burkina Faso, killing one police officer and causing heavy damage.

Trump with European leaders vs. Trump with Muslim leaders.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan:

I think Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic, and he is Islamophobic.

I seem to be living rent free inside Trump's head.

The US is ready to support Argentina with a $20B swap line, bond purchases, and standby credit, Treasury Secretary Bessent said.

WATCH: Hamas Qassam Brigades releases new video featuring fighters targeting an Israeli tank.

Spanish King Felipe on Gaza:

We cannot remain silent or look away from the devastation; the bombings of hospitals, schools and places of refuge.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem:

There was a shooting this morning at the Dallas ICE Field Office.

We can confirm there were multiple injuries and fatalities.

The shooter is deceased by a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

After Elon Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting campaign under the Trump administration gutted the General Services Administration (GSA), leaving it understaffed and disorganized, the agency is now rehiring hundreds of laid-off workers.

Source: AP

NEW: The Sudanese army has reportedly carried out drone strikes on gathering sites of UAE-backed RSF militias near the Zamzam refugee camp.

Zelensky:

Perfectly well international law does not work unless you have powerful friends who are willing to stand up for it.

Zelensky:

We are a peaceful people but we want to live freely in our independent country.

That is why we invest in defense, for many nations there is no other way left.

Zelensky:

What can Sudan, Somalia or Palestine or any other people living through war really expect from the UN?

For decades, just statements...

Zelensky:

Syria deserves the strongest support from the international community.

Zelensky:

19 Simple Russian drones violated Polish airspace, only 4 were shot down.

Luckily they were not Shaheds, otherwise the results would have been horrific.

Zelensky:

Russia is trying to do to Moldova what Iran once did to Lebanon. The global response is not enough.

We have already lost Georgia in Europe...

Zelensky:

The Taliban in Afghanistan dragged a whole country into the dark ages.

Zelensky:

Tens of thousands of people now know how to professionally kill using drones. Stopping that kind of attack is harder than stopping any gun, knife, or bomb.

Even simple drones can fly thousands of kilometers. Even countries with limited resources can now build weapons dangerous to their neighbors.

Soon drones will be fighting drones, targeting critical infrastructure, targeting people , fully autonomous, no human involved.

Zelensky:

Ukraine doesn’t have big fat missiles that dictators love to show off in parades, but we have drones that can fly two to three thousand kilometers.

We had no choice but to build them.

Zelensky:

We have decided to open up arms exports.

These are powerful systems tested in the real world when every International institution failed.

You don’t need to start from scratch—we’re ready to share what has already proven itself in real defense.