China Plant Blast Kills 5; Former Israeli PM Calls Out 'War Crimes;' Sudan Cholera Outbreak Claims 170 as Trump Approval Hits High

Good Morning,

A deadly chemical plant explosion in China's Shandong province has left multiple casualties, while Sudan battles a devastating cholera outbreak that has claimed over 170 lives. Middle East tensions continue as a former Israeli prime minister makes stark accusations about his own country's conduct, and Italy ramps up missile production to support Ukraine's dwindling defense supplies. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between the US and Venezuela hit new lows with mutual travel warnings, as domestic polling shows Americans increasingly optimistic about their nation's direction under the Trump administration.

Top Stories

• 5 dead and 6 missing after chemical plant blast in Chinese province of Shandong - SCMP

• Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says his country is committing war crimes - The Guardian 

• New cholera outbreak kills over 170 people, sickens 2,500 more in Sudan - PBS

• Trump's approval rating hits new high as 50% of voters say America is on the right track - KATV

• US, Venezuela each warn citizens against travel to other country - Reuters

• Italy to double missile interceptor production as Ukraine runs out - Defense News

United States

• North Korea says US 'Golden Dome' risks 'outer space nuclear war' - BBC

• Trump hails 'positive' step in U.S.-EU trade negotiations as markets hope for a deal - CNBC

• CDC removes COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant women - Fox

• Trump to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley - ABC

• Trump's approval rating hits new high as 50% of voters say America is on the right track - KATV

Africa

• South Africa is not changing policy to suit Musk's Starlink, minister says - Washington Post

• New cholera outbreak kills over 170 people, sickens 2,500 more in Sudan - PBS

• Rwanda-backed rebels committed possible war crimes in eastern Congo, rights group says - Associated Press

• At least 42 killed in weekend attacks in Nigeria's Benue state, local officials say - Reuters

• Nigeria’s Tinubu Seeks Approval to Raise $24 Billion in Foreign Loans - Bloomberg

Middle East

• Iraq's 2025 election: New "Alternative Coalition" announced - Shafaq News

• Families of October 7 victims demand early Israeli elections - The Jerusalem Post

• Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says his country is committing war crimes - The Guardian 

• Trump’s Warming Toward Syria Complicates Israel’s Military Strategy - New York Times

• Trump warns Netanyahu against taking steps that could harm US-Iran nuclear deal talks - report - The Jerusalem Post 

Indo-Pacific

• Is India finally winning the decades-long war against Maoist insurgency? - BBC 

• 5 dead and 6 missing after chemical plant blast in Chinese province of Shandong - SCMP

• France's Macron, Indonesia's Prabowo to discuss defence ties - Reuters

• ASEAN opens summit with Persian Gulf nations and China as US threatens tariffs - Associated Press

• Asia’s $7.5 Trillion Bet on US Assets Is Suddenly Unravelling - Bloomberg

Europe

• A look at the candidates running in Poland’s presidential runoff election - Associated Press

• France's lower house backs assisted dying bill in first reading - France24

• Italy to double missile interceptor production as Ukraine runs out - Defense News

• What we know about the Liverpool FC parade incident - BBC

• Noem endorses Polish conservative presidential candidate at CPAC Poland - Notes From Poland

Latin America

• Maryland congressman says he was denied access to Kilmar Abrego Garcia during trip to El Salvador - CBS

• US, Venezuela each warn citizens against travel to other country - Reuters

• US, Argentina launching new ‘alternative’ to WHO - The Hill

• Colombia appoints first ambassador to 'State of Palestine' - Israel National News

• Argentina’s President Javier Milei to receive $1M Genesis Prize in Israel - Associated Press 

If you’re a legacy subscriber, and would like more info on how to manage your membership, please reach out to [email protected]

Interested in more from Atlas?

🌐Atlas Technologies: We are building world class OSINT technology that unifies the intelligence cycle by automating data collection, intelligence production and delivery to key stakeholders, all aligned with your priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). If you want to learn more, check out our website.

🛒Merch Store: Visit our merch store to shop our latest gear.

📰Newsletters: Check out our other publications to stay on top of the news and get insights from intelligence professionals.

• The Public Daily Briefing

• Apolitical 

• Table Stakes

• The BLUF 

• The Situation Room

If you'd like to get involved with Atlas, please contact us with your experience or ideas. If you're a solid fit, we'll be in touch.

Advertise with us || Contact Us

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 Atlas.1A