German Chancellor Merz to Xi:

We are two of the three largest industrial nations in the world.

That is a great responsibility, but it is also a great opportunity.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson:

If we lost the midterms—Heaven forbid, if we lost the majority in the House—it would, in real effect, be the end of the Trump presidency.

Chinese Foreign Ministry on reports claiming that China conducted nuclear tests:

Such accusations are completely groundless.

The US spares no effort to smear other countries.

China urges the United States to abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing, uphold the global consensus on banning nuclear tests, and stop seeking excuses to resume nuclear testing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry on Ukraine-Russia peace talks:

China has consistently promoted peace talks and strictly controlled the export of dual-use items.

Normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia should not be disrupted or affected.

China will take necessary measures to defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests.

Dialogue on the Ukraine crisis has begun, and it is hoped that the parties will seize this opportunity to reach a comprehensive, durable, and binding peace agreement.

We call on all relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid any actions that could lead to misunderstanding, miscalculation, or even escalation.

Swiss-made components are showing up in Russian weapons used in Ukraine more than those from almost any other European country.

Investigations found 322 Swiss-made parts — including microchips, GPS modules, and connectors — in Russian missiles, drones, and tanks despite sanctions.

Swiss firms say they halted direct exports to Russia after the war began, and many components are mass-produced and may reach Russia through third countries.

Authorities say sanctions are enforced, but investigators argue stricter controls and broader penalties are needed to stop the flow.

Source: SWI

Zelensky:

There were precise Flamingo missile attacks at a distance of 1,400 km.

They will increase the quantity; this depends on money and certain components.

Depending on the quantity, we will have more successful strikes.

I wouldn't want to say how many Flamingos were used this time—with what quantity—but I would like to say that while there were some interceptions by Russian air defense, there were also many that weren't intercepted and hit their targets precisely.

But most importantly, all the missiles that were launched reached their destination.

NEW: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has detained the Ukrainian Air Force Logistics Commander and the head of the SBU’s Zhytomyr regional office over a reported $320,000 bribe.

They are accused of embezzling funds intended for building protective structures at military airfields.

NEW: South Korean Air Force F-16C crashed during a nighttime training flight near Yeongju.

The pilot safely ejected and was rescued unharmed.

An investigation is underway; no civilian damage was reported.

Iranian Brig. Gen. Rasoul Sanaei-Rad:

The U.S. should not compare Iran to countries without strong historical or civilizational foundations.

Iran is “not Syria, Libya, or Venezuela.”

The Freedom and Sumud Flotilla coalition plans a major spring 2026 mission to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade, aiming to send 100+ ships and over 3,000 participants with humanitarian aid.

The move follows a 2025 flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces.

Germany is seeking a reset with China.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for deeper economic ties in Beijing but openly raised concerns over trade imbalances, subsidies, and market fairness.

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In July 2023, CIA Director William Burns and DNI Avril Haines warned Tim Cook and other top tech CEOs in a classified briefing that China could be ready to move on Taiwan by 2027.

The concern centers on U.S. dependence on TSMC, which makes about 90% of the world’s most advanced chips.

A 2022 industry report warned losing Taiwan’s chip supply could cut U.S. GDP by 11%, fueling the push for $50 billion in CHIPS Act subsidies and major new U.S. factory investments.

Source: NYT

NEW: Viktor Orbán said Hungary will deploy troops and increase security around key energy facilities amid tensions with Ukraine over Druzhba pipeline disruptions.

Hungary also imposed a drone ban near the Ukrainian border and has blocked EU measures supporting Kyiv.

M23 Spokesman Willy Ngoma Killed in Drone Strike in DR Congo

Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma, M23 spokesperson, was killed Tuesday in a predawn drone strike near Rubaya, North Kivu, U.N. and rights sources said. The attack follows a stalled ceasefire between Congo and the Rwanda-backed rebels, highlighting renewed risks in a disastrous conflict.

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NEW: Kazakhstan Air Force Su-30SM fighter jet crashed during a training flight in the Karaganda region near Balkhash.

Both pilots ejected safely and survived.

The cause is under investigation.

A hacker used Anthropic’s Claude AI to help breach Mexican government systems, stealing about 150GB of sensitive data, including 195 million taxpayer records.

Researchers say the attacker “jailbroke” the chatbot to bypass safeguards.

Anthropic and OpenAI banned the accounts involved.

BIG: Hezbollah will not intervene if the U.S. launches 'limited' strikes against Iran.

Source: Hezbollah official to AFP

Hezbollah official to AFP:

Any direct attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would cross a “red line,” without saying how the group would respond.

UN Data Shows Somalia Drought Pushing 6.5 Million Toward Hunger

U.N. agencies & the federal government said Tuesday that 6.5 million people face crisis or worse food insecurity by end of March. The IPC projects 1.84 million children under 5 will suffer acute malnutrition in 2026, as drought, conflict, and global aid cuts deepen the emergency.

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NEW: The UK has paused legislation to finalize the Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius after Trump urged Starmer to scrap the deal.

London says it is now discussing US concerns before bringing the treaty back to Parliament.

Source: BBC

Spain has ordered prosecutors to investigate X, Meta, and TikTok over alleged AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

PM Pedro Sánchez accused the platforms of enabling illegal content and said “the impunity of the giants must end,” as Spain also moves to ban social media for under-16s.