Protesters in Morón, Cuba set fire to a local Communist Party headquarters during demonstrations over worsening fuel shortages and widespread blackouts.

A close adviser to Trump has urged the US to seek an exit from its conflict with Iran.

David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto tsar, said on the All-In podcast: “This is a good time to declare victory and get out.” He added that ending the conflict “is clearly what the markets would like to see.”

Some insiders believe Trump may be using his defence secretary Pete Hegseth as a political “human shield” during the Iran war.

Hegseth has taken the most aggressive public stance—appearing in interviews, boasting about crushing the enemy, and saying the war is “just beginning.”

Meanwhile, Trump has sometimes struck a more moderate or contradictory tone, suggesting the conflict could end soon.

Former officials say this contrast could be intentional: if the war becomes unpopular or goes badly, Hegseth would absorb the criticism, protecting Trump politically.

Source: The Telegraph

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Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Iran:

There are so many innocent people dying.

The little girls’ school is such an outrage — it’s horrific.

As Americans, we don’t want to think of our military as being responsible for killing little children.

Mexican President Sheinbaum on Trump:

Maybe he is not very well informed... Mexico is not a narco-government, and our sovereignty is not up for negotiation.

Thomas Massie does a pretty impressive Trump impression.

South African Troops Crack Down on Illegal Gold Miners in Johannesburg

South African soldiers dismantled illegal gold mining sites near Johannesburg as part of a police support deployment. Authorities say 30,000 illegal miners operate in 6,000 abandoned shafts, costing over $4 billion annually.

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Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaee:

The end of the war is in our hands. We will consider ending the war only when, first, we receive full compensation for all our damages from the United States, and second, we obtain a 100% guarantee for the future, which is not possible without the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Persian Gulf.

Therefore, the second condition is the U.S. withdrawal from the Persian Gulf.

A Turkish journalist reporting from Israel said an Israeli man approached them and said, “From now on, you are our next enemy. Do you know that?”

Tucker Carlson:

I almost want to run for President, just to debate Ted Cruz.

Tanzanian Billionaire Buys 54% of Biggest East African Media Group

Rostam Azizi acquired a controlling stake in Kenya’s Nation Media Group after Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development ended its 66-year ownership, transfering control of 54.08% of East Africa’s largest independent media company.

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INTERESTING: Authorities in Dubai have questioned administrators of WhatsApp groups for sharing information about Iranian drone incidents.

Foreigners have also been arrested for filming or posting footage of security incidents.

Officials are trying to limit the spread of sensitive information during the attacks.

Source: FT

Reports claim a senior Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) commander, Abu Ali Karbala, head of the missile unit in the Badr militia, was killed after his home was targeted in Baghdad.

PMF commander Rahim al-Maliki, described as Abu Fadak’s deputy, was also reportedly targeted in the Al-Arasat area of the capital.

Russia sent 13 tons of humanitarian medical aid to Iran after Tehran requested help due to rising civilian casualties and damage to hospitals.

The shipment was sent on orders from President Vladimir Putin.

It includes medicines, first-aid kits and other medical supplies.

The aid was flown by Il-76 cargo aircraft to Azerbaijan, then transferred by truck to Iran via the Astara border.

Russian officials said Iran requested support after hospital and ambulance infrastructure was damaged in the conflict.

CENTCOM:

U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure.

Senegal Revokes Foreign Mining Licenses to Renegotiate Energy Deals

Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko called a BP gas contract unfair, revoked 71 mining licenses & froze an Indorama subsidiary’s accounts as the government seeks to renegotiate resource deals.

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Senior Iranian MP Ebrahim Azizi:

By providing drone support to the Israeli regime, failed Ukraine has effectively become involved in the War and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has turned its entire territory into a legitimate target for Iran.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ Spokesperson:

We urge Muslims in the UAE to evacuate ports, docks, and locations used by U.S. forces in Emirati cities to avoid harm.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán:

Hungary will not become a Ukrainian colony.

Indian journalist to Laura Loomer:

You said if Kamala Harris wins, the White House will smell like curry and speeches will be via a call center, and that our country was built by white Europeans, not third world invaders from India.

From what I see, that’s brazenly racist and Islamophobic.

In this country we welcome all, but those comments smack of anti-Indianism, Islamophobia, and racism, which have no place today.

Those comments are unacceptable to me as an Indian and a world citizen.

Laura Loomer says she won’t apologize for her H-1B tweets, but admits some other comments went too far:

I should not have said them.

I hope that people will be able to judge me by the advocate that I've always shown myself to be for Hindus.