Profiles of several top Chinese weapons scientists have disappeared from the website of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Those removed include nuclear weapons expert Zhao Xiangeng, radar specialist Wu Manqing, and missile designer Wei Yiyin.

No explanation has been given for the removals.

Source: SCMP

Professor John Mearsheimer:

Trump was surprised that after he sent the armada to the Middle East the Iranians did not throw up their hands and capitulate.

In light of what happened in Venezuela, he thought he could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and so forth and so on.

So he attacked.

Professor John Mearsheimer:

We’re not winning against Iran. We’re not winning.

We’re sending a message that we’re a bunch of fools. That we started a war we can’t win.

We didn’t have the required military forces to achieve any of the objectives that we were floating, and we had no plan.

What does this tell the Chinese and what does it tell the Russians?

It tells them that we are incompetent. Of course the Russians have had enough dealings with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to fully understand just how incompetent we are.

Turkish journalist Yahya Bostan:

Netanyahu convinced Trump by saying “Kill the leader and the rest will be easy, the people will overthrow the regime.”

Three weeks later, regime change is no longer even discussed.

The war has narrowed to the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump is now seeking international support to reopen the shipping route.

He’s probably deeply regretting it now.

Congo Republic Votes Amid Low Turnout & Internet Blackout

Republic of Congo voters cast ballots Sunday in a presidential election expected to extend Denis Sassou Nguesso’s rule, with low turnout in Brazzaville and a nationwide internet outage reported on election day.

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Germany’s Foreign Minister Wadephul:

International law must not… lead to an unjust regime like Iran simply being able to continue.

We stand by international law… but there are setbacks.

Restaurants in India are stopping deep frying food, while crematoriums are running out of gas to burn the dead, as the energy crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts supplies across South Asia.

Source: FT

A drone strike near Dubai International Airport caused flight diversions as Iran continues its attacks on Gulf countries, hitting civilian infrastructure and US assets.

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Germany’s Foreign Minister Wadephul on Iran War:

Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No.

We will not participate in this conflict.

We want to participate in negotiations, because security for the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea will only be achieved through a negotiated solution, and that will require talking with the Iranians.

Uganda Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Exits Country Temporarily

Bobi Wine said he temporarily left the country after two months in hiding following the January presidential election, as he plans international engagements before returning to Uganda.

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Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven, former Deputy Head of the BND (Germany’s foreign intelligence service), was hacked after a fake “Signal support” message tricked him into entering his PIN, giving attackers access to his account.

Source: Der Spiegel

Israel Launches “Limited” Ground Operation in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced a limited ground operation targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, aiming to strengthen forward defense lines amid escalating tensions along the border.

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Kremlin:

Trump has not lost any interest in the topic of Ukraine; moreover, he is recommending that Zelensky go for a deal.

Kremlin:

Rise in oil prices means an increase in Russian budget revenue.

Aftermath of Iranian drone attacks in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

From our perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is open and is only closed to our enemies.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

We have sent no message and have not requested a ceasefire.

Keir Starmer on Iran:

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not a simple task.

Keir Starmer:

Until we get ourselves off the rollercoaster of international oil and gas markets and onto clean, homegrown British energy, tyrants like Putin and the Ayathollas will be free to attack our energy security.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever:

We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense.

In private, European leaders agree with me, but no one dares to say it out loud.

We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.

📸 Dubai.