Iran's Khamenei:

The rumors about indirect messages being sent from Iran to the United States are absolute lies.

The U.S. government is not worthy of communication or cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

Europe is shifting from defense to active deterrence as Russia ramps up hybrid attacks — drone incursions, sabotage, GPS jamming, and espionage across NATO countries.

EU and NATO officials are now openly discussing once-unthinkable steps: joint offensive cyber strikes, faster public attribution blaming Moscow, and surprise military drills near Russia’s borders.

While Europe wants to avoid direct war with a nuclear-armed Russia, governments say they can’t keep tolerating constant provocations.

Source: POLITICO

Palestinian journalist Motasem Ahmad Dalloul, reporting from a tent beside his destroyed home in Gaza, refuted an Israeli Foreign Ministry claim that he is a “fake journalist” living in Poland.

His social media location appeared as Poland only because he uses an international Polish SIM card—a necessity after Israel destroyed Gaza’s communications network.

Dalloul says Israeli outlets used this to smear him and silence reporting on Israeli attacks.

He has remained in Gaza throughout two years of war, lost his wife and three children, and continues documenting atrocities for international media.

Source: Anadolu Agency

China’s Defence Ministry said Japan would pay a “painful price” if it interferes in the Taiwan issue, responding to Tokyo’s plan to deploy medium-range missiles on Yonaguni Island, about 110 km from Taiwan.

WATCH: Baykar’s Kalkan UAV gets airborne as the Skydagger-7 loitering munition proves its strike capability.

Zelensky:

Next week, there will be important negotiations not only for our delegation, but also for me.

Ukraine launched new drone strikes on Russia.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López:

Do not make the mistake of attacking Venezuela.

The people and the armed forces are ready to respond.

We are prepared for anything.

Maduro orders his country’s Air Force to be “alert, ready, and willing” to defend Venezuela.

Venezuela has revoked operating rights for six international carriers — Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines and Gol — after they suspended flights following a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warning about dangerous conditions in Venezuelan airspace.

Caracas accused the airlines of aligning with “state terrorism promoted by the United States.”

Source: Reuters

Venezuelan President Maduro:

An unprecedented 82% of Venezuelans say they are ready to defend the homeland with arms.

This reflects our historical moment.

NEW: Denmark has created a Foreign-Ministry “night watch” to monitor Trump’s statements and movements while officials sleep.

Each evening at 5pm the watch begins, producing a morning briefing at 7am for government departments.

Source: The Guardian

Iran has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah over the past year using money exchanges and businesses in Dubai.

Source: WSJ

The EU’s top court ruled Tuesday that same-sex marriages legally performed in one member state must be recognised across the bloc.

It said Poland violated EU law by refusing to register the German marriage of two Polish men who moved back home.

The binding ruling, requested by a Polish court, does not force countries to legalise same-sex marriage domestically.

Source: Reuters

Sudan: The army said its airstrikes in South Kordofan destroyed armored vehicles and fuel tankers belonging to the SPLM-N and allied militias.

Senegal said President Embaló has arrived safely in Dakar after the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau.

Sudan Doctors Network said the RSF has turned much of Al-Nuhud Hospital into a command center and barracks, blocking medical services in the city for five months.

National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, has died after being shot at close range while on patrol near Farragut Square in Washington DC.