China’s latest purge sparks fears of catastrophic military miscalculation

Xi’s military purge narrows China’s command — and raises the risk of miscalculation China’s sweeping purge of senior generals has shrunk the country’s top command to a bare minimum, concentrating power around Xi Jinping just as Western leaders intensify outreach to Beijing. The shake-up, which removed Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff chief Gen. Liu Zhenli for “violations of discipline and law,” has alarmed analysts who see both short-term caution and longer-term volatility in the world’s…

Power outages persist for 200,000 in Portugal after Storm Kristin

LISBON — Portugal braced for another bout of heavy rain and gale-force winds as nearly 200,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity days after Storm Kristin swept the country, killing five people, officials said. The national weather agency, IPMA, placed all of mainland Portugal on alert through Monday for persistent downpours accompanied by gusts up to 100 km/h. With rivers already swollen and soils saturated, authorities warned that the new system could bring flash flooding in urban areas, as well as…

US envoy says talks with Russia on Ukraine were constructive

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said he held “productive and constructive” talks Friday in Florida with Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev, a meeting that comes on the eve of a new round of Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi backed by Washington. “Today in Florida, the Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings as part of the U.S. mediation effort toward advancing a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict,” Witkoff posted on X, adding, “We are encouraged by this meeting that Russia is…

Somalia’s NISA Launches Operation Against Senior Militant Leaders in Middle Shabelle

Somalia's NISA Targets Militant Leadership in Strategic Operation This article explores a recent operation conducted by Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), aimed at dismantling the leadership of militant groups in the Middle Shabelle region. The operation, pivotal in the national fight against terrorism, highlights NISA's commitment to protecting civilians and fortifying national security. The operation focused on key militant leaders planning attacks. Conducted in the village of Maha-Said,…

Drone strikes hit Ethiopian Tigray towns, leaving one person dead

Drone strikes hit towns in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, killing one ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Drone strikes hit two towns and one district in the central zone of Ethiopia’s Tigray region late Friday and early Saturday, killing one person and wounding another, according to local police and information obtained by the BBC. The fatal strike occurred in the town of Entcho, where one civilian was killed and another injured, police told BBC Tigrinya. The reported attacks came amid renewed clashes between federal government forces and…

U.S. approves potential $9B sale of Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia

U.S. clears $9 billion sale of Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Saudi Arabia The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia valued at an estimated $9 billion, the Pentagon said Friday. The package centers on 730 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors, known as PAC-3 MSE, with Lockheed Martin named as the principal contractor. In its announcement, the Pentagon said the proposed sale will not alter the military balance…

U.S. government shutdown begins as funding deadline expires

The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown after a budget deadline passed without House action on a 2026 spending plan, but disruption is expected to be limited with the chamber set to return Monday to take up a Senate-backed deal. The lapse follows a breakdown in negotiations driven by Democratic fury over two recent fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, which derailed talks over new money for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate leaders responded by splitting off DHS…

Top 7 Cheeses to Enjoy While Shedding Belly Fat

Based on the content of the provided source, the most fitting format is: Healthy Eating → science-informed nutrition, habits, wellness trends. This decision is supported by the focus on nutrition, specifically on the benefits of protein-rich cheeses and their role in weight loss and appetite management, aligning closely with the themes of healthy eating and wellness. Protein-Rich Cheeses for Weight Loss Incorporating high-protein cheeses into your diet can aid in weight management, particularly in reducing belly fat.…

Fatal landslide hits militia-controlled mine in Democratic Republic of Congo

Landslides at M23-held Rubaya coltan mine in eastern DRC bury miners; fatalities feared A series of landslides struck the militia-controlled Rubaya mining zone in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, burying people alive and killing several, according to accounts provided to AFP by the provincial governor and witnesses. The death toll remained unclear Friday, and independent verification of casualties was not immediately possible. The collapses followed heavy rains, with one landslide reported Wednesday…

Ivory Coast court jails Malian lawmaker over insult to president

You are an elite, award-winning international journalist and a meticulous senior editor. Your job is to transform raw source material into a publish-ready article that meets the highest AP-standard editorial and technical requirements. PHASE 1 — ANALYSIS AND FORMAT DECISION Read the source text thoroughly. Identify the core themes, dominant purpose, crucial facts, data points, and human or structural angles. Based solely on this analysis, select exactly one article format from the list below. Always choose Football…