1. China to evacuate citizens from Israel via Egypt border as conflict escalates
China’s embassy in Israel said it would begin evacuating nationals via the Egyptian border from Friday. Hundreds have already left the country, while about 1,600 Chinese citizens have left Iran over the last few days.
2. Will US actively join Israel against Iran? Pentagon chief stays mum
As the world watched anxiously to see whether the Middle East would descend into wider war and the US actively joined Israel against Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sidestepped direct questions before Congress on Wednesday and otherwise declined to shed insights into the administration’s plans.
3. China’s Victory Day rehearsal leaks show stealth jets, massive air formations
Videos circulating on Chinese social media that appear to show rehearsals for a major military parade are providing an early glimpse of the scale and symbolism expected when China marks the 80th anniversary of its Victory Day in September.
