Russian soldier shot himself at the last moment to avoid capture by Ukrainian Special Forces in the Kursk region.

Sudan Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan:

Sudanese people do not want us to negotiate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and we refuse to engage in talks with them.

The RSF has committed war crimes and genocide.

The war will not stop unless the RSF abandons their positions and surrenders.

We urge states supporting them to refrain from interfering in Sudan’s internal affairs.

Ukrainian soldiers communicating via Google Translate with the first North Korean soldier captured in Kursk region.

New Syrian military leadership reached an agreement with National Army factions in northern Syria on joining the military.

Syrian Ministry of Defense rejected any proposal granting sectarian, religious, or regional privileges to armed factions.

Free Syrian Army officers will have a special status within the Ministry of Defense structure to benefit from their expertise.

Source: Al Watan

American Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, warns of the growing threat from China’s military.

By 2027, the PLA is projected to outnumber U.S. forces:
• Modern Fighter Jets: 12 to 1, including a 5 to 3 advantage in fifth-generation aircraft.
• Maritime Patrol Planes: 3 to 1.
• Bombers: 225 manned bombers, unmatched in the region.
• Naval Assets: 3 to 1 in carriers, 6 to 1 in advanced submarines, and 9 to 1 in multi-role combat ships.

Calling this imbalance a “risk” and “uncertainty,” Wickert highlighted the critical role of Edwards AFB in testing advanced technologies like the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, which will replace aging fleets.

“Today is not the day to start World War III,” he said, referencing the B-21.

Source: The Aviationist

Mobilization in Ukraine: Ukrainian man narrowly escapes military recruitment officials in Odesa.

China’s trade surplus hits almost $1 Trillion as Trump’s return looms.

The trade surplus of $992 billion eclipses the prior record of $838 billion set in 2022.

Source: Bloomberg

French Navy personnel accidentally leaked classified details about the schedules of nuclear-armed submarines via the fitness app Strava.

Public data from workout logs revealed routines at the Île Longue military base in Brest and the patrol schedules of the submarines.

Many personnel used real names and kept their profiles publicly accessible.

Source: Le Monde

Vladimir Saldo, Russian-installed governor of the part of Kherson region under Moscow's control:

Kherson region is ready to welcome refugees from California if they oppose the Kyiv regime and haven’t aided the Ukrainian Army.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan:

There is a distinct possibility we can get the Gaza deal done this week before president Biden ends his term.

NEW: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, and Denmark called for revising Syria’s sanctions system, stressing human rights and minority protections as conditions for easing further sanctions.

Source: Reuters

Israeli hospitals and ministries have received instructions to prepare to receive released hostages in the coming days.

Source: Al Jazeera

5 more IDF soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Head of the Turkish Intelligence (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin, held a phone call today with officials from the Hamas Political Bureau to discuss the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations.

During the discussion, the progress made in the negotiations and the current status were reviewed, and an agreement was reached to resume efforts toward achieving a ceasefire.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:

Current 2% defense spending target is not enough to stay safe in the coming years. Allies will have to spend much more than 2%. Security is not free.

Rutte:

EU countries will have to spend up to 10% of their GDP on military and build their own nuclear capabilities if they want to create a "European NATO".