U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
A senior US diplomat said all countries should warn China against taking any military action on the democratically governed Taiwan. The diplomat added that the US hopes Beijing does not use any upcoming visits by US lawmakers to the island as an excuse to start a military conflict with the island.
Deputy US secretary of state Wendy Sherman said on Thursday on all countries to warn China against taking any military action on Taiwan. In an event hosted by the Brookings Institution think tank, Sherman said Washington was committed to supporting Taiwan and its ability to defend itself under the country’s one-China policy.
“And we hope that the PRC does not use a visit by a member of Congress to Taiwan as a pretext for military action,” said Sherman, referring to the initials of China’s formal name, the People’s Republic of China.
Sherman cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a situation China should learn from against any attempts in the Taiwan Strait, adding that the ongoing war has increased food and energy insecurity in the world.
“The same could be true of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait,” said Sherman. “And so I urge all countries to tell the PRC this affects me. This affects my people, my country. This is not a good idea.”
Sherman also touched on Washington’s growing concerns over Beijing’s “no limits” relationship with Moscow and its support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine even as it looks to increase its global standing by saying it was willing to mediate the conflict. Sherman said China cannot have it both ways.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported on Friday that the Pentagon’s top China official has arrived in Taiwan. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase arrived on the island for a visit. Chase would be the most senior US defense official to pay a visit to the island that China claims as its territory.
Ahead of the news of Chase’s arrival, Taiwanese defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told reporters he was “not very certain” about the report that the trip would take place. When pressed if Chase was coming, Chiu said “those who are friendly to us” are welcome to visit.
