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Chinese officials cover up sinking of country’s newest nuclear-powered submarine tied to pier

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Chinese officials cover up sinking of country’s newest nuclear-powered submarine tied to pier

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The Chinese government reportedly covered up the sinking of its newest nuclear-powered submarine as it sat tied to a pier, and U.S. officials say it is no surprise.

“It’s not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal the fact that their new first-in-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank pierside,” a senior U.S. Defense official said. “In addition to the obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, the incident raises deeper questions about the PLA’s internal accountability and oversight of China’s defense industry, which has long been plagued by corruption.”

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China’s first Zhou-class submarine likely sank between May and June, The Associated Press reported based on information from an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Satellite images showed cranes in the area that would have been necessary to salvage the vessel from the bottom of the river.

The incident reportedly forced Chinese authorities to rush to cover up the matter, which had not been previously disclosed.

CHINA’S NEW ROLE FOR ITS NUCLEAR SUBMARINES HAS THE PENTAGON’S ATTENTION

Visitors walk on the decks of decommissioned submarines at the PLA Naval Museum in Qingdao, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

China has previously said it is building a world-class military so it can deter aggression and protect its overseas interests.

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Last year, the Pentagon announced it had discovered in a little-known report that China’s military adopted a policy of keeping at least one nuclear-capable submarine at sea at all times.

China maintains a fleet of six nuclear-capable submarines, carrying missiles that could hit the continental U.S. from the South China Sea.

AUSTRALIA COMMITTED TO BUILDING SUB FLEET POWERED BY US NUCLEAR TECH DESPITE CRITICISM FROM FRANCE

China has adopted a policy of having at least one nuclear-capable submarine deployed at sea at all times, straining U.S. resources. (Dana Jensen/The Day via AP, File)

The report on China’s new submarine activity came just as the U.S., U.K. and Australia entered an agreement for the production and sale of nuclear-powered attack submarines. Australia was also expected to purchase the vessels to modernize its fleet.

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The attack submarines are prime candidates for tracking missile submarines like those China has deployed, and increasing Australia’s capabilities will take some pressure off U.S. and U.K. forces in the region.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Russian missile strike kills 10 in Ukraine as Trump says ‘hatred’ between countries complicating peace deal

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Russian missile strike kills 10 in Ukraine as Trump says ‘hatred’ between countries complicating peace deal

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A Russian ballistic missile strike on a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, killed at least 10 people, including two children, and wounded 16 others Saturday, officials said.

The strike was part of a broader overnight assault in which Russia launched 29 missiles and 480 drones targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with damage reported in Kyiv and at seven other locations across the country, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy called for an international response following the attack.

“There must be a response from partners to these savage strikes against life. I thank everyone who will not remain silent. Russia has not abandoned its attempts to destroy Ukraine’s residential and critical infrastructure, and therefore support must continue,” he said in a post on X.

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The ruins of an apartment building burn following a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Saturday.  (Andrii Marienko/AP Photo)

“We count on active work with the European Union to guarantee greater protection for our people,” he added. “I am grateful to everyone who helps strengthen our protection.”

Preliminary Ukrainian data showed air defense systems downed 19 missiles and 453 drones, while nine missiles and 26 strike drones hit 22 locations.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted Ukrainian military factories, energy facilities and air bases.

TRUMP SAYS ‘HATRED’ BETWEEN PUTIN, ZELENSKYY BLOCKING UKRAINE PEACE DEAL

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Ukrainian firefighters work at the scene of an apartment building following a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday. (Andrii Marienko/AP Photo)

Speaking Saturday at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Florida, President Donald Trump said the “hatred” between Russia and Ukraine was complicating efforts to reach a peace deal.

“It’s so great that, you know, Ukraine, Russia, you’d think there would be a little bit of camaraderie, [but] there’s not. And the hatred is so great. It’s very hard for them to get there. It’s very, very hard to get there. So we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “But we’ve been close a lot of times and one or the other would back out.” 

“But we’re losing, you know, they’re losing, you know, doesn’t really affect us very much because we’ve got an ocean separating. I’m doing it as a favor to Europe, and I’m doing it as a favor to life because they’re losing 25,000 souls,” Trump added. “Think of that every month. 25,000. Last month, 31,000.  Both sides, 31,000 people died, mostly soldiers.”

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Firefighters tackle a fire in an multi-story apartment building following a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday.  (Andrii Marienko/AP Photo)

Last month, Zelenskyy told Fox News that Russia is trying “to play with the president of the United States” and stalling U.S.-brokered efforts to end the war.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman-Diamond and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Protesters come out for Iran in spots across Europe

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Protesters come out for Iran in spots across Europe

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Lion-emblazoned flags of pre-revolution Iran fluttered in cities across Europe as protesters gathered on Saturday to express support for the Iranian people amid the ongoing war with the US and Israel.

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Many of the demonstrators, including in Berlin, Stockholm and Paris, voiced support for the exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, who presents himself as an alternative after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli-American strike.

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In London, people demonstrated against the war while some others marched in support of Khamenei.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 people attended the “Hands Off Iran” march, according to the Metropolitan Police, chanting “stop the bombing now, now, now”.

Paris saw two demonstrations: one supporting the son of the late shah to head up a transition, and another denouncing that scenario.

“I support Pahlavi who is calling for a revolution,” Masoud Ghanaatian, a 35-year-old student said at a protest in southern Paris, where participants carried photos of the late shah’s son and waved US, Israeli and pre-revolution Iran flags.

“He’s a democrat. He can oversee a transition and promises to organise elections.”

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But other protesters wearing yellow vests reading “Free Iran” showed off stickers on their hands that read “No Shah, no Mullah”.

Hundreds of pro-Pahlavi demonstrations also gathered in Stockholm, holding up pictures of him and his late father.

In Amsterdam, protesters marched along one of the city’s canals, holding up Israeli, American and pre-revolution Iran flags, as they called on the government to invite Pahlavi to the country and to close the Iranian embassy.

Shortly after dawn in Britain, anti-war protesters gathered at the entrance of an air force base in Fairford, southwest of England, holding signs reading “Hands off Iran,” “Peace” and “Yanks go home”.

US President Donald Trump has promised to help rebuild Iran’s economy if Tehran installs someone “acceptable” to him to replace its late supreme leader.

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Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, said the US would have no role in selecting Khamenei’s successor.

“The selection of Iran’s leadership will take place strictly in accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people, without any foreign interference,” he added.

Additional sources • AFP

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One week into Iran war, the dangers for the US and Trump multiply

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One week into Iran war, the dangers for the US and Trump multiply
One week into the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran that has plunged the Middle East into turmoil, President Donald Trump faces a growing list of risks and challenges that raise questions about whether he will be able to translate military successes into a clear geopolitical win.
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