Secret recordings obtained by Axios show Sen. Ted Cruz privately blasting Trump’s tariffs and JD Vance.

Cruz warned donors the tariffs could tank the economy and cost Republicans control of Congress, telling Trump: “If people’s 401(k)s are down 30% and prices are up 10–20%, we’re going to face a bloodbath.” He says Trump responded: “F**k you, Ted.”

Cruz also accused JD Vance of being controlled by Tucker Carlson: “Tucker created JD. JD is Tucker’s protégé, and they are one and the same.”

Source: Axios

WATCH: Moment a Russian UAV strikes a high-rise building in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

BIG: China’s top general, Zhang Youxia, is under investigation for corruption and allegedly leaking nuclear-weapons secrets to the U.S.

Authorities say he took bribes for promotions, built political cliques, and abused power in military procurement.

Source: WSJ

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Zelensky:

The document on security guarantees is 100% ready; we are waiting for a signal from the United States regarding the date and place of signing.

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Obama:

The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

BIG: Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority sent an urgent letter to foreign airlines warning that Israel is entering a “more sensitive period” toward the weekend.

If airspace closes, foreign flights will be prioritized to depart Israel.

This is seen as a precaution due to possible security escalation with Iran.

Trump:

China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen. I only hope they leave Ice Hockey alone!

Trump:

Minnesota is a Criminal COVER UP of the massive Financial Fraud that has gone on!

Sudan's Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan:

We trust in Allah first, then in Erdogan.

This war caused a lot of suffering, but our army has been reorganized.

We are confident that Türkiye will support us in this matter. Türkiye is a great country.

Trump:

Canada is systematically destroying itself. The China deal is a disaster for them. Will go down as one of the worst deals, of any kind, in history.

All their businesses are moving to the USA. I want to see Canada SURVIVE AND THRIVE!

BIG: The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East (CENTCOM area).

Source: Channel 13

Witkoff to Putin’s interpreter:

The legend! I can recognize your voice now better than any voice on the earth.

BIG: The U.S. Air Force will run a multi-day readiness exercise in the Middle East.

Source: Al Arabiya

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

After Assad fled, regional states met first in Amman and then in Cairo, later joined by Europeans and Americans, to set clear expectations for any government in Damascus.

We told Ahmed al-Sharaa: these are the conditions the region expects — no threats to neighbors, no ties to terrorist groups, protection for minorities, and respect for Syria’s unity.

If you meet them, you will have international support; if you don’t, that support will end.

He accepted these terms, and so far everyone is reasonably satisfied with his performance.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

We are not talking about an Ottoman Empire, because the Ottoman Empire was about being an empire.

Today, we are talking about nation-states coming together to form their own platforms and take ownership of their own problems — whether economic, political, security, or terrorism-related.

If we continue to wait for a hegemon to solve our problems, most of the time they will not be solved in the way we would like.

Large crowds of men volunteering at Syrian Army recruitment centers in Deir Ez-Zor.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

I don’t believe what’s happening in Iran will lead to regime change.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Iran:

I would advise my American friends: don’t make this another Venezuela.

Iran is ready to negotiate, but you need to find a way to negotiate in the right way so they do not lose face.

If they feel cornered, they will prepare for the worst-case scenario.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the EU:

As long as the European Union continues to pursue identity politics toward Türkiye, I don’t think Türkiye will ever become a member of the EU.

When it comes to Türkiye, it follows identity politics, seeing us as belonging to a different religion and a different civilization.

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BREAKING: Secretary-General of Iraq’s Hezbollah Brigades calls for preparing for a “comprehensive war” backing Iran.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the EU:

Until 2007, two major European countries — France and Germany — had the political will to see Türkiye become a member of the European Union, provided that Türkiye met the EU’s conditions and standards.

But when Nicolas Sarkozy came to power in France, he changed this approach.

He adopted identity politics and said, “We are Christian Europe,” and therefore he did not want Türkiye to become part of the European Union.

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