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Mexican special forces, supported by US intelligence, killed Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes after he was wounded during an operation, as retaliatory violence and disruptions followed across parts of Mexico. 

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s remarks about potential Israeli control of territory prompted condemnation from multiple Arab states, while Afghanistan vowed a response to Pakistani strikes it said hit civilian sites and killed at least 17 people.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇲🇽🇺🇸 ‘El Mencho’ killed in operation: Mexican special forces, with US intelligence support, killed Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes after he was wounded during an operation in Tapalpa and later died en route to Mexico City. The killing triggered retaliatory violence, road blockades and flight suspensions, with authorities reporting additional deaths, arrests and seized weapons.

2️⃣ 🇮🇱🇺🇸 Huckabee remarks draw Arab backlash: US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said it would be “fine” if Israel took control of land spanning much of the Middle East, while adding Israel is not seeking expansion and has a right to security in territory it legitimately holds. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, the OIC and the Arab League condemned the remarks, and no immediate US or Israeli response was issued.

3️⃣ 🇵🇰🇦🇫 Afghanistan vows response to strikes: Pakistan said it targeted TTP and ISKP camps inside Afghanistan linked to recent attacks. Afghan authorities said the raids hit a religious school and residential homes in Nangarhar and Paktika, killing at least 17 people with six missing, and condemned the strikes as unlawful while promising a “measured and appropriate” response.

4️⃣ 🇱🇧🇮🇱 Hezbollah says ‘resistance’ only option: Hezbollah said Israeli strikes in eastern and southern Lebanon killed eight of its fighters, while Lebanon’s health ministry reported 12 deaths in total. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah missile operatives and Hamas-linked sites, as President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks and disarmament plans remain in place.

5️⃣ 🇭🇺🇺🇦 Hungary blocks EU sanctions over oil: Hungary said it will block the EU’s 20th Russia sanctions package and withhold support for a €90bn Ukraine loan until Druzhba pipeline oil flows resume. Ukraine said supplies were halted by a Russian drone attack and rejected what it called Hungarian and Slovak “ultimatums”.

Major Story

🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran braces for war as nuclear talks and protests converge

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said President Trump is puzzled as to why Iran has not yielded under Washington's military build-up in the region, which includes two aircraft carrier groups, destroyers, and fighter jets, as a third round of indirect nuclear talks was confirmed for Geneva on Thursday. Senior US officials warned the meeting may be the last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution before military action, with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying Tehran is preparing a draft proposal while insisting enrichment on Iranian soil is non-negotiable as a matter of national "dignity and pride." 

Behind the scenes, Supreme Leader Khamenei has established detailed succession protocols and elevated veteran politician Ali Larijani to effectively run the country, with the New York Times reporting — citing senior Iranian officials — that Tehran is operating on the assumption that US strikes are "inevitable and imminent," with forces at their highest state of readiness and missiles positioned near the Iraqi border and along the Persian Gulf. 

Meanwhile, thousands of students demonstrated at universities across Iran for a second consecutive day as campuses reopened following January's crackdown, with clashes breaking out between anti-government protesters and Basij paramilitary members. The Iranian government maintains 3,117 people were killed during January's unrest, while HRANA has verified over 7,000 deaths and a UN special rapporteur estimated more than 20,000 civilian fatalities.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇸 EU seeks clarity after tariff ruling: The European Commission urged Washington to honour trade commitments after the US Supreme Court struck down some Trump tariffs. An EU lawmaker proposed pausing ratification of last year’s 15% tariff deal, while US trade chief Jamieson Greer said existing agreements will be upheld.

2️⃣ 🇮🇷🇷🇺 Iran signs $589m air defence deal: Reuters reported Iran signed a $589m contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for 500 Verba MANPADS and 2,500 missiles for delivery between 2027 and 2029. Separate reports suggest possible deliveries of Mi-28NE helicopters and Spartak vehicles, though cited footage could not be independently verified.

3️⃣ 🇩🇪🇺🇸 Merz vows unified EU tariff stance: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he will approach talks with President Trump with a coordinated European position on tariffs. He described the US Supreme Court ruling limiting duties as reassuring and argued tariffs primarily harm the country imposing them.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸 Armed man killed at Mar-a-Lago: An armed man identified as Austin T Martin was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence carrying a shotgun and fuel can. Authorities said he raised the weapon when ordered to drop it, and the FBI is assisting the investigation.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 Tariff policy ‘unchanged’ after ruling: US trade chief Jamieson Greer said the administration’s tariff policy “hasn’t changed” despite the Supreme Court invalidating many duties under a 1977 emergency law. He said Washington will stand by existing trade deals and pursue a new 15% global tariff under different legal authority.

6️⃣ 🇬🇱🇺🇸 Greenland rejects US hospital ship: Greenland’s prime minister declined President Trump’s offer to send a US hospital ship, stating the territory’s taxpayer-funded system provides free healthcare. Denmark’s leaders also dismissed the need for outside assistance amid continued tensions over US interest in the island.

7️⃣ 🇫🇷🇺🇸 France to summon US ambassador: France said it will summon US ambassador Charles Kushner after US accounts described the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque as evidence that “violent radical leftism is on the rise”. Six men and a parliamentary assistant have been charged, and Paris rejected what it called politicisation of the case.

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