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Five US F-35 fighter jets landed at the former Roosevelt Roads base in Puerto Rico, part of a military buildup ordered by President Donald Trump to support counter-drug operations in the Caribbean. The arrival follows visits by top Pentagon officials and comes alongside helicopters, Osprey aircraft, and transport planes, Reuters reported.

The move coincides with heightened friction with Venezuela. Washington recently sank a Venezuelan-flagged vessel it said was carrying narcotics, killing 11 people—a claim Caracas disputes. Venezuela also accused a US destroyer of illegally boarding a fishing boat.

While the Pentagon has not announced any shift in force posture, analysts see the F-35 deployment as both a counter-narcotics measure and a clear show of US resolve in the region, according to Reuters.

The UK and US are set to sign a multibillion-dollar technology pact during President Donald Trump’s state visit, strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, telecoms and quantum computing, Reuters reported.

The agreement will bring together senior US tech leaders, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, with British officials to boost investment, innovation and supply chain security.

As part of the deal, BlackRock will invest about $700m in UK data centres. UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall called the pact transformative, saying it will drive growth and ensure both nations stay at the forefront of emerging technologies.

According to Reuters, the partnership follows new AI strategies launched by both governments this year and reflects expanding US tech investment in Britain.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday as Washington tries to manage tensions with regional allies following Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar and its new settlement push in the West Bank, Reuters reported.

Rubio reaffirmed US support for Israel but warned the strike risked undermining hostage talks and ceasefire efforts mediated by Qatar. He said securing the release of 48 hostages held by Hamas remains a priority, alongside planning for Gaza’s reconstruction.

The visit comes ahead of President Trump’s trip to London and the UN, where France and Britain are expected to back Palestinian statehood — a move opposed by Washington, which fears it could strengthen Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s settlement expansion plan has also unsettled Gulf partners, particularly the UAE, raising questions about the future of the Abraham Accords.

Israel’s two-year war in Gaza has left more than 64,000 Palestinians dead, fueling accusations of genocide and deepening the humanitarian crisis, according to Reuters.

Australia will allow US nuclear-powered submarines to use a new shipyard in Western Australia as part of the AUKUS defence pact.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra will invest A$12bn to expand the Henderson shipyard near Perth into a major hub for building landing craft, frigates, and servicing submarines. The project is expected to create about 10,000 jobs, according to Reuters.

Marles noted that since the facility is developed under the AUKUS framework, US submarines will have access to its dry docks once complete. The site has already received an initial A$127m upgrade.