The U.S. has added new high-end military assets to its Middle East buildup, including a guided-missile destroyer and an RC-135V Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft, boosting missile defense and intelligence-gathering capabilities as tensions with Iran rise.

The U.S. Navy now has 10 warships in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

Source

Trump is considering new U.S. airstrikes on Iran after quiet diplomatic contacts failed to produce progress.

The U.S. and Iran exchanged messages through Omani mediators and between Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister, and briefly discussed a possible in-person meeting that never happened. Trump now believes his military options have expanded with a U.S. carrier strike group in the region.

Officials say potential targets include Iranian leaders, security officials linked to protester killings, nuclear facilities and government institutions. U.S. intelligence also indicates Iran is rebuilding its nuclear sites deeper underground and blocking UN inspections.

Washington has demanded Iran permanently end uranium enrichment, limit its ballistic missile program and stop supporting regional proxy groups, but Tehran has rejected missile limits and will only discuss nuclear issues.

Source: CNN

Keir Starmer met Xi Jinping in Beijing, calling for a “more sophisticated” relationship despite ongoing disagreements.

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Speaker of Iran’s Parliament:

Trump may be able to start a war, but he does not have control over how it will end.

We are ready to negotiate with the United States if the talks are genuine and conducted in good faith.

Iran will respond if it is attacked, and thousands of American soldiers will be within range of danger.

China's Xi to UK's Starmer:

In the past year, the China-UK relationship had been troublesome.

Currently, the international landscape is intertwined with challenges.

China and the UK, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major world economies, regardless of world peace and stability, it's necessary to strengthen dialogue and cooperation.

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China's Xi to UK's Starmer:

The next year will be the year of the "Horse" in China. I believe that your visit at this time is a good sign.

The cooperation between the two countries will surely reach a higher level.

For the relationship between China and the UK and the cooperation between the two countries, a new chapter will be opened.

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Keir Starmer to Xi Jinping:

The UK and China need a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership.

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China’s Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui accused the U.S. of destabilizing the Arctic over Greenland, warning Washington is trying to control key shipping routes.

What the Americans are doing — they are seeking to block, close all of these passages — is not merely against our will and our interests, it is undermining stability and peace in the world.

These moves harm the interests of many countries and undermine worldwide stability.

We should ensure the safe and free movement of goods and oppose unilateral actions.

Iraq’s Kurdistan Region cable operator Mix Media has suspended Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, accusing them of spreading “false news” and content “hostile to the Kurdish people.”

Germany plans to build its own satellite-based missile detection system to reduce reliance on the U.S., citing urgent threats and uncertainty over Washington’s reliability.

A senior general said Europe must be able to “detect missiles early” and “fight them early.”

Source: FT

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Peter Schiff, who gained fame for accurately predicting the 2008 financial crisis:

The world is now pulling the rug out from under the US.

The dollar is going to collapse. The dollar is going to be replaced by gold.

Central banks are buying gold… they’re getting rid of dollars.

We are headed for an economic crisis again that will make the 2008 financial crisis look like a Sunday school picnic.

This one is not a global financial crisis — it’s an American financial crisis. The rest of the world is actually going to benefit.

The bubble is in the dollar. The bubble is in the US economy.

Peter Schiff, who gained fame for accurately predicting the 2008 financial crisis:

Gold and silver are warning about a bigger crisis that’s going to hit either later this year or maybe next year.

We are headed for a US dollar crisis.

This is a vote of no confidence in the US economy and in the US government’s ability to manage its finances.

There’s no ceiling on gold because there’s no floor on the dollar.

EU’s Kaja Kallas:

I expect that we will agree on listing the IRGC on the terrorist list.

This will put them on the same footing as Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Daesh.

If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist.

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Newly released video shows Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis ICU nurse, being tackled by federal agents during a protest 11 days before he was fatally shot by officers.

The footage shows Pretti yelling at agents, kicking their vehicle as it drove away, and then being taken to the ground by heavily armed officers.

Germany's Merz responds to Trump:

59 Bundeswehr soldiers lost their lives during the nearly 20-year deployment in Afghanistan.

Well over 100 were partially, seriously injured in combat operations and attacks.

We will not allow this mission—which we also carried out in the interest of our alliance partner, the United States of America—to be treated with contempt or disparaged today.

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Germany's Merz:

And I would like to tell our soldiers, both those on missions and at their home bases, once again today: your service was and is valuable.

This service stands for our freedom and for peace in the world.

The Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany stands behind our soldiers.

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German AfD Leader Alice Weidel:

It is a mistake to refuse the Board of Peace initiated by Donald Trump.

The Board is an opportunity to resolve the many blockades caused by a dysfunctional UN.

Gunfire and Expolsions in Niger's Capital near Airport Raises Alarm

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