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Panama took control of two Panama Canal ports operated by CK Hutchison after a Supreme Court ruling annulled the contracts, drawing a “strong protest” from Hong Kong and raising uncertainty over a planned $22.8bn sale.

Elsewhere, Germany’s chancellor began talks in Beijing, Hungary blocked EU measures tied to Ukraine, and Sierra Leone said its personnel were detained by Guinea in a border dispute.

All the details here ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇨🇳 US alleges 2020 nuclear test as China denies claims: A US official presented newly declassified data alleging a probable underground Chinese nuclear explosion at Lop Nur in June 2020 and urged multilateral disarmament after New START’s expiry. Beijing rejected the accusation as unfounded, said it adheres to its commitments, and argued its arsenal remains smaller than those of the US and Russia.

2️⃣ 🇭🇰🇵🇦 Hong Kong protests Panama canal port takeover: Hong Kong lodged a “strong protest” after Panama took control of two Panama Canal ports long operated by CK Hutchison, following a Supreme Court ruling that annulled the contracts as unconstitutional. The move could disrupt a planned $22.8bn sale to a consortium led by BlackRock and comes amid US claims of Chinese control. CK Hutchison described the takeover as unlawful.

 3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump rejects strike warnings as forces build up: President Trump dismissed reports that Gen. Dan Caine cautioned against air strikes on Iran, calling them “fake news” and saying any action would be easily won, despite accounts of internal concerns about escalation. The remarks come amid a major US military buildup, including carrier deployments, as talks with Tehran continue and a decision looms.

4️⃣ 🇫🇷🇺🇸 France rebukes US envoy over domestic interference: US Ambassador Charles Kushner pledged not to interfere in France’s domestic affairs after being barred from government access for missing a summons over US comments on the killing of a far-right activist. Paris said bilateral ties remain intact, though no timeline was given for restoring his diplomatic access.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump’s 10% tariff takes effect after court ruling: A new 10% global tariff has entered force for 150 days under the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court struck down many of Trump’s earlier duties. FedEx has sued for refunds, while EU officials seek clarity even as Washington says it intends to honour the existing trade deal.

Major Story

🇲🇽 25 troops killed as cartel violence spreads

At least 25 National Guard troops were killed in retaliatory attacks after Mexican forces killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes during an operation in Tapalpa, where eight other suspected cartel members also died and two were arrested. Authorities said the drug lord, who carried a US$15 million bounty, was injured in a clash and died while being transported to Mexico City, as coordinated reprisals saw vehicles burned, highways blocked and unrest reported across several states. 

Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo confirmed additional deaths, including a prison guard, a state prosecutor’s office member, a woman and 30 suspected cartel members, while announcing that 2,500 reinforcement troops had been deployed, bringing total deployments since Sunday to 10,000. Shelter-in-place advisories were issued in parts of Jalisco including Puerto Vallarta, with reports of airport disruptions, flight cancellations and some tourists stranded. The United States provided intelligence support for the raid, and both US and Australian authorities issued updated security advisories urging citizens in affected areas to remain alert or shelter in place.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇩🇪🇨🇳 Merz visits Beijing with trade and security on agenda: Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a two-day trip to China with a large industry delegation, saying decoupling would be a mistake and outlining principles of fair competition and European unity. Talks with Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping are set to cover trade imbalances, Russia ties and global security.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Rubio briefs Congress as carriers mass near Iran: Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a classified briefing on Iran to senior lawmakers as the US deploys its largest regional force concentration since 2003, including the USS Gerald R Ford. The move comes ahead of Geneva talks and follows warnings, ultimatums and embassy evacuations tied to escalating tensions.

3️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇸 EU urged to back US deal despite fresh tariffs: Trade chief Maroš Šefčovič pressed MEPs to advance the EU-US trade pact even after the US Supreme Court voided many 2025 tariffs and Washington imposed new 10% duties. The July 2025 deal maintains 15% US tariffs on EU goods while the bloc drops its own and pledges major investment, with US counterparts reportedly reaffirming commitment.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump declares ‘golden age’ amid Iran and tariff tensions: President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union in history at 1 hour and 48 minutes, declaring the US economy “roaring” despite mixed growth and inflation data, defending new 10% global tariffs after a Supreme Court setback, and urging Republicans to retain Congress. He also hardened his stance on Iran, claiming past strikes “obliterated” its nuclear programme while saying Tehran has not pledged to forgo nuclear weapons.

5️⃣ 🇮🇷 Universities clash as Tehran sets ‘red lines’: Iranian officials said protesting students must respect state “red lines” as clashes with pro-government groups continued for a fourth day and some campuses closed or moved online. The unrest follows January protests that left thousands dead, with disciplinary cases opened as nuclear talks and new IRGC drills proceed.

6️⃣ 🇺🇸 Pentagon pressures Anthropic over AI guardrails: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic a deadline to relax safeguards on its Claude model for “all lawful use” or risk losing a $200m contract and being designated a supply chain risk. The company refuses to lift limits tied to autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, while the Pentagon says legality rests with the department.

7️⃣ 🇸🇱🇬🇳 Border dispute escalates as Guinea detains Sierra Leone forces: Sierra Leone said several security personnel were apprehended and taken into Guinea while constructing a border post in Falaba district, with weapons seized and no exact number disclosed. Freetown is pursuing diplomatic channels for their release as Guinean authorities have not commented.

8️⃣ 🇮🇷🇨🇳 Iran nears Chinese anti-ship missile deal amid carrier buildup: Tehran is reportedly close to acquiring CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles from China as US carrier groups mass in the region over nuclear tensions. Delivery details remain unclear, China says it is unaware of the talks, and analysts say such systems could complicate US naval operations.

9️⃣ 🇭🇺🇪🇺 Hungary double veto leaves Ukraine aid in limbo: Hungary blocked a €90bn Ukraine loan and new Russia sanctions, accusing Kyiv of politically disrupting Druzhba pipeline flows while Ukraine blamed a Russian drone strike and denied wrongdoing. The standoff, partly joined by Slovakia, reignited debate over EU unanimity rules amid Hungary’s election campaign.

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