BIG: German investment in the U.S. fell about 45% in Trump’s first year back in office, as companies were spooked by tariffs, trade uncertainty, and a weaker dollar.

German exports to the U.S. also dropped sharply, marking their biggest decline since 2010.

Source: IW

LATEST: Map shows the scale of the U.S. military buildup around Iran.

Fighter jets, tankers, AWACS, and carrier air wings positioned across Europe and the Middle East.

Source: DefenceGeek (at X)

Former U.S. Syria Envoy James Jeffrey rejected SDF/YPG claims of “betrayal,” saying the U.S. never promised to defend or back a Kurdish state.

He said the partnership was always temporary and tactical, only to fight ISIS:

We never said we would support a Kurdish region.

We told them our relationship was temporary and based on defeating ISIS.

BREAKING: Israel says it agreed under Trump’s 20-point plan to partially open the Rafah crossing for people only, under full Israeli supervision, but only after all living hostages are returned and Hamas makes a “100% effort” to recover the bodies of the dead.

Israel says the IDF is now conducting a focused operation to gather intelligence on the remains of hostage Ran Gvili, and Rafah will open once that effort is completed.

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U.S. CENTCOM Air Forces source to Al Jazeera:

We will conduct several days of exercises to strengthen the deployment and sustainment of our capabilities in the region.

The exercises aim to prepare for a flexible response in the region.

Russia's Medvedev:

Nothing more reliable than nuclear weapons has been invented to protect sovereignty.

The existence of nuclear weapons “clears the minds” of people with dangerous intentions.

Russia's Medvedev:

A Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence could have triggered a response involving special weapons.

Trump told WSJ his administration is “reviewing everything” about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis but declined to say whether the officer acted appropriately.

He criticized Pretti for carrying a gun at a protest and suggested immigration agents would eventually leave the area, without giving a timeline.

WATCH: Ursula von der Leyen is in New Delhi as chief guest for India’s Republic Day parade today, alongside EU Council President António Costa, ahead of an EU-India summit expected to finalize a major trade and strategic partnership deal.

WATCH: India's Republic Day parade with motorcycle stunts.

Israeli state commission concluded that the procurement of German-made submarines and corvettes suffered from serious systemic failures in decision-making and oversight.

It said the process was poorly managed even though it involved strategically sensitive, multibillion-shekel arms deals.

Israel currently operates five German-built Dolphin-class submarines and is due to receive a sixth.

In 2022, Israel and Germany also agreed on a new multibillion-euro deal for three next-generation “Dakar” submarines from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), with delivery expected within about nine years.

These submarines are controversial because experts believe they could potentially be equipped with nuclear weapons.

The commission also criticized Israel’s handling of Germany’s submarine sales to Egypt, calling it chaotic and potentially harmful to Israel’s national security.

Netanyahu was criticized for approving the Egypt sales without full security consultation, though he is not charged.

Several of his close associates are on trial for corruption linked to the submarine deals.

Source: Welt

EU's Kaja Kallas privately calls von der Leyen “a dictator”.

Source: Politico