Zelensky told Axios his relationship with Trump has improved significantly, saying, "Our relations are much better and more constructive. Not so emotional like it was."

Uzbekistan is modernizing its air force with 24 Chinese J-10CE fighters, reducing its reliance on Russian aircraft.

If completed, the deal would deepen China's military-industrial influence in Central Asia and weaken Russia's traditional monopoly, though Uzbekistan continues to maintain security ties with Moscow as part of its multi-vector foreign policy.

Source: Defence Security Asia

SpaceX has proposed launching up to 1 million satellites into low Earth orbit to create a space-based AI data center powered by solar energy.

The company argues orbital computing could become cheaper than Earth-based infrastructure, but astronomers warn the plan could greatly increase collision risks and allow one company to dominate usable orbital space.

Source: NBC News

The top U.S. commander in the Middle East has warned troops that videos and photos shared from their phones are helping Iran assess the effectiveness of its attacks and plan follow-up strikes.

Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told service members that online footage and media coverage can provide Iran with near real-time battle damage assessments that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

The warning comes as some U.S. troops in Jordan have been told they may soon have to surrender their phones over operational security concerns.

The move follows the online posting of footage recorded during an Iranian missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, including video from Meta smart glasses showing troops taking shelter.

Source: Reuters

BIG: Yemen's Houthis are considering imposing transit fees on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, with Chinese vessels expected to be exempt.

The proposal reportedly emerged after discussions with Iranian officials and comes days after the group announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.

If implemented, the fees would add another layer of disruption to one of the world's busiest shipping routes, increasing pressure on global trade and energy markets.

Source: Reuters

Boeing Network Supplied Weapons, Mercenaries to Sudanese Paramilitary: UN

A forthcoming UN report reveals that a fleet of Boeing 727s tied to a former US military contractor transported weapons, drones, and mercenaries to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces.

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Iran's Fars says an "enemy missile" hit an "uninhabited area" in West Azerbaijan Province.

No casualties were reported.

Iran's Fars, citing an unnamed military source, says the Strait of Hormuz remains fully closed and that no vessel may transit without Iran's permission.

The source warned that any unauthorized ships ignoring warnings would face an immediate response.

Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Terrorism

Russia’s FSB issued an international arrest warrant for the Telegram founder, accusing the billionaire of allowing Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups to coordinate attacks via the app.

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According to Saudi outlet Al Arabiya, citing an anonymous IDF source, U.S. CENTCOM was angered after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly revealed that American aircraft had launched attacks on Iran from Israeli territory.

The disclosure exposed sensitive operational details, prompting Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to apologize to CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper, while Israel raised its alert level.

IDF:

During the night (Wednesday), Hezbollah launched an explosive drone at an IDF engineering vehicle operating in the Ali Tahar Ridge area.

This constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon by Hezbollah.

Hungary has again delayed EU accession talks for Ukraine, blocking new negotiation chapters over concerns about giving Kyiv a faster path than Western Balkan candidates.

EU diplomats expect the deadlock will require political intervention to resolve.

Source: FT

Japan's Japanese-national population has dropped below 120 million for the first time in 42 years.

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegini and handed him a formal note of protest over "disparaging and inappropriate" remarks about Venezuelan institutions and authorities.

The comments came from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a Mehr News interview, where he said:

This is not Venezuela, where you take one person and everyone else gets scared and backs down.

Newly obtained Defense Department records show US forces suffered at least 400 casualties and 17 life-threatening injuries during the first phase of the Iran War.

The Army took the brunt of it, with more than 270 casualties — including 64 officers, two generals, and about a third from the reserves.

Head trauma emerged as by far the most common injury, affecting at least 170 troops.

On 1 March, an Iranian drone strike on an operations center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait killed six US service members in the war's deadliest attack.

The two wounded generals — Brig. Gen. Clint Barnes and Maj. Gen. Brad Hinson — have since been criticized for ignoring intelligence warnings.

Two large casualty days — 29 on 3 March and 70 on 18 March — were never publicly disclosed by CENTCOM, which continues to release only monthly totals.

After Trump ended the truce on 8 July, more than 200 additional casualties and four more deaths have already been recorded.

Source: The War Horse

Israel Spending Millions to Manipulate AI Chatbots Like ChatGPT and Claude

Israeli government is paying former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale $46.5 million to run an influence operation designed to manipulate AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude.

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BREAKING: Trump on Iran:

We are going to beat the effing s*** out of them.

We will be hitting them hard — they're going to get a beating.

Source: Fox News