U.S. Treasury Sanctions 4 Rwandan Officers Over M23 Support

Rwanda’s military and 4 senior commanders were sanctioned for supporting M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo, accused of enabling territorial seizures & human rights abuses.

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NEW: Qatar says the ongoing war could force Gulf countries to stop energy exports if it continues for several weeks.

An Iranian drone strike on Qatar’s largest LNG plant means deliveries may take weeks to months to return to normal.

Source: FT

U.S. and Venezuela Reopen Diplomatic Channels

The U.S. and Venezuela agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, with officials discussing oil and mineral deals.

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Qatar’s Energy Minister to FT:

The Middle East war could “bring down the economies of the world.”

BREAKING: Azerbaijan withdraws its diplomats from Iran.

Chinese warplanes have not entered Taiwan’s air defense zone for seven days, the longest pause on record, for unknown reasons.

The lull comes amid the Middle East war and ahead of a planned Trump–Xi meeting.

Source: Bloomberg

BIG: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly stopped, with no oil tankers passing in the past 24 hours.

Source: Bloomberg

NEW: Qatari Foreign Ministry:

Qatar condemns an Iranian attack on a building in the Kingdom of Bahrain that houses elements of the Qatari naval forces.

This attack is a hostile act and a violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty.

Navy personnel in the targeted buildings are safe, and no injuries were reported.

Israel Hits Tehran in Broad-Scale Strikes

Israel launched broad-scale air strikes on Tehran and Hezbollah in Beirut, while Iran fired missiles at Tel Aviv and U.S. bases.

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Global Powers Push Ghana to Halt Gold Royalty Hike

US, China & several Western governments are pressing Ghana to halt a proposed gold royalty increase from 5% to as high as 12%. Mining firms warn the reform could raise costs in Africa’s largest gold producer & threaten operations.

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Overnight, UAVs operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) destroyed two Pantsir-S2 air defense missile and gun systems in occupied Crimea.

BREAKING: U.S. officials say Russia is giving Iran intelligence on the locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East, helping Tehran target U.S. forces.

The information reportedly includes positions of ships, aircraft, and radar systems.

Officials say the support suggests Russia is indirectly involved in the conflict, although Moscow has not commented and is not directly fighting.

China does not appear to be providing similar assistance.

Source: WaPo

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian:

Some countries have begun mediation efforts.

Let's be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation's dignity & sovereignty.

Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.

The U.S. moved 1,000+ Paveway guided-bomb kits from Osan Air Base to the U.S. in Dec 2025, possibly later used in strikes on Iran.

Seoul says the transfer happened without prior consultation.

Source: Chosun

Dubai billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor to Trump:

Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran?

And on what basis did you make this dangerous decision?

You have placed the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab countries at the heart of a danger they did not choose.

📸 The Imam of Khorramabad delivered his Friday sermon wearing a military uniform, holding a gun.

The office of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the Minister’s son was injured during military activity along the Lebanon border.

He reportedly sustained light injuries and is in good condition.