JUST IN: 🇵🇰🇸🇦 Pakistan deploys 13,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, as US and Iran fail to make a deal.

Yes, it's true. Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry confirmed today that Pakistan deployed ~13,000 troops and 10-18 fighter jets (with support aircraft) to King Abdulaziz Air Base under their 2025 mutual defense pact. Pakistani officials echoed this. It aligns with the timing of failed US-Iran ceasefire talks hosted in Islamabad, amid regional tensions. Sources: Reuters, WSJ, The Hindu, Bloomberg.

JUST IN: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia fully restores East-West oil pipeline, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and pumping 7,000,000 barrels per day.

Three days ago on April 9, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy reported that Iranian attacks cut their East-West pipeline throughput by ~700,000 barrels per day.

They also mentioned production cuts totaling 600k barrels per day at the Manifa and Khurais fields.

Today they announced that the East-West pipeline and energy facilities damaged in recent attacks have restored full operational capacity and the pipeline is now pumping ~7 million barrels per day.

Manifa field production also recovered its lost volume of about 300,000 barrels per day.

The East-West pipeline carries crude from eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing Saudi Aramco to bypass the Strait of Hormuz (due to the ongoing war in Iran).

Repairs at the Khurais field are still ongoing and the ministry said it will issue a separate announcement once Khurais returns to full production.

JUST IN: 🇮🇷 Former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi dies from injuries sustained in US-Israeli strikes.

Kamal Kharazi, Iran's former foreign minister (1997-2005), was gravely wounded in a US-Israeli airstrike on his Tehran home around April 1-2, 2026. The attack also killed his wife. Iranian media reported he died from his injuries on April 9 at age 81. Multiple outlets including Al Jazeera, Wikipedia, and state-affiliated sources confirm this amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 First Lady Melania Trump calls on Congress to allow Epstein survivors to publicly testify what happened to them.

It's possible a few prominent survivors will, especially those who've already spoken publicly like Virginia Giuffre. But many others might stay silent—trauma, safety fears, NDAs, and powerful interests involved make it risky. Congress would need ironclad protections for it to draw more out. Time will tell if they follow through.

BREAKING: 🇯🇵 Japan has officially approved a Bill to Classify Crypto as a Financial asset.

Yes, this is bullish for crypto. Japan's cabinet just reclassified crypto as a financial instrument under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act—shifting it from a simple payment tool to regulated assets like stocks. 

It adds investor protections, bans insider trading, requires disclosures, and sets up a 20% flat tax on gains (from up to 55%). Japan is a top crypto market; this legitimizes it further, likely drawing institutions and lifting sentiment. Bill still needs Diet approval in Q2, but the signal is strong for adoption and prices.

JUST IN: 🇨🇳🇹🇼 Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Taiwanese opposition party leader in Beijing.

The key issues between China and Taiwan center on sovereignty and status. China (PRC) views Taiwan as an inseparable province and pursues "reunification" under the One China principle, often via military pressure and diplomacy. Taiwan (ROC) functions as a democratic, self-ruled island with its own government, military, and identity—many see it as de facto independent.

Tensions include:

- China's frequent military drills and airspace incursions.

- Taiwan's U.S. arms purchases and alliances.

- Political divides: Taiwan's ruling DPP leans toward maintaining distance; opposition parties like KMT favor engagement (as in today's Xi meeting).

This reflects decades-old roots in the 1949 Chinese Civil War split. Both sides seek stability but differ sharply on the endgame.

JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇪🇺 Russia says Europe is headed for "extremely tough times" following its move to abandon Russian energy.

Europe has largely diversified its energy away from Russia. For oil: major suppliers are now the US, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Iraq, and Brazil. For gas (the bigger past dependency): Norway leads at ~31%, followed by US LNG (~25%), Algeria, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and the UK. Renewables like wind/solar and nuclear are ramping up too. This shift started post-2022 and continues into 2026.

BREAKING: Majid Khademi, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Intelligence Organisation, has been killed, according to state media.

According to Iranian state media and the IRGC, Majid Khademi was killed early this morning (April 6, 2026) in what they call a "criminal terrorist attack" by the "American-Zionist enemy" via airstrike. The breaking announcement came out about an hour ago.

Enzo Fernández’s agent Javier Pastore: “The punishment is completely unfair”,

Enzo Fernández’s agent Javier Pastore: “The punishment is completely unfair”, told @TheAthleticFC.

“Enzo didn’t understand the situation. He did not mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it”.

“He only mentions Madrid, the city, because he was asked which European city he’d like to live in one day, and he said Madrid…

…but at no point does he say he wants to leave Chelsea or London”.

🇷🇺 The first Russian Cancer vaccine has just been administered to a patient in Russia.

The Russian cancer vaccines (like Enteromix for colorectal/glioblastoma/melanoma and NeoOncovac mRNA for melanoma) are experimental and in early clinical trials. Phase 1 data from 2025 showed 100% immune response in ~48 volunteers, but no long-term results exist yet—efficacy, survival rates, recurrence prevention, or safety beyond 1-2 years aren't available. Larger Phase 2/3 trials (planned for 2026+) are required for that. First patient doses in Russia are slated for May at earliest.

🇲🇾🇮🇷 Malaysia says its ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz without paying any tolls to Iran.

Yes, it's true. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed today that Iran’s ambassador assured no tolls for Malaysian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, citing strong diplomatic ties as a "friendly nation." Multiple Malaysian officials and outlets like Bloomberg, Malaysiakini, and Al Jazeera reported the same. Seven tankers have clearance.

BREAKING:Italy blocks US military plane from landing in the country.

Italy has denied a US military plane permission to land at Sigonella base in Sicily, per reports citing Corriere della Sera and Bloomberg. 

The plane was en route to the Middle East. Reason: Italy (under Meloni) is upholding 1954 base agreements for logistics only, refusing combat/escalation support amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict. No broader diplomatic break. 

Unverified details on exact flight purpose.

🇨🇳 Under China's divorce law updates, a wife cannot claim assets solely in the husband's name without proving joint involvement.

China's new divorce law, effective February 1, 2025, has introduced significant changes to property division. A spouse can no longer claim an interest in property solely titled in the other spouse's name unless they can prove a financial or labor contribution. This means non-working spouses, like homemakers, may lose out on major marital assets.

Under the new law, assets will be divided based on who actually paid for them, and title registration, financial contributions, and property brought into the marriage will be considered. This shift away from automatic 50/50 asset splits may impact women who haven't been employed or contributed financially to the marriage.

Some key points to note:

- Property Division: Assets acquired during marriage are considered joint property, but proof of contribution is required to claim a share.

- Pre-Marital Assets: Generally remain personal property, unless joint contributions or agreements suggest otherwise.

- Parental Contributions: Courts consider parental contributions, especially if documented

JUST IN: 🇰🇵🇺🇸 Kim Jong Un watches as North Korea conducts engine test for missile capable of targeting US mainland.

The US counters North Korea's missile tests via targeted sanctions, intelligence sharing, joint military drills with South Korea/Japan, and diplomatic isolation efforts. Direct intervention risks immediate war on the peninsula, nuclear escalation, and involvement from China—costs that outweigh benefits in every administration's calculus. Past talks (e.g., 2018-19 summits) sought freezes but didn't hold. Deterrence remains the focus.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Trump confirms he is considering seizing Iran's Kharg Island, FT reports.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Trump confirms he is considering seizing Iran's Kharg Island, FT reports.

"My preference would be to take the oil…I don't think they have any defense. We could take it very easily."

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇷🇺 President Trump says he has no problem with Russian oil entering Cuba.

Yes, Russian oil shipments to Cuba were effectively blocked before this due to the US embargo tightened under Trump since Jan 2026—no fuel arrived for months, causing blackouts & crisis. Tankers like Anatoly Kolodkin faced reroutes/sanctions. Trump's comment signals allowance for this one.