Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Tensions in the Korean peninsula are simmering amidst fears that North Korea is planning its first nuclear weapon test since 2017. The US has warned that a “forceful” response would be issued should Pyongyang proceed with such a test.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned that there would be a response from the US, South Korea, and Japan should North Korea proceed with a nuclear weapons test. Sherman made the comments to reporters following her talks with her South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun-dong during her visit to Seoul.
“Any nuclear test would be in complete violation of UN Security Council resolutions, there would be a swift and forceful response to such a test,” said Sherman Tuesday.
“The entire world will respond in a strong and clear manner. We are prepared,” added Sherman, who added that the US is still open for talks.
Sherman’s comments come amidst concerns that Pyongyang is preparing for its first nuclear weapon test since 2017 after multiple weapons tests have been conducted so far this year. This also comes amidst a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi that Pyongyang is also expanding its key nuclear facility in Yongbyon.
Grossi added that Punggye-ri, a test site in North Korea, shows signs that one of its passages, also known as adits, was reopened in possible preparation for a nuclear test. The facility was shut down in 2018 after a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
South Korean and US forces Monday launched eight surface-to-air missiles off the east coast of South Korea the day after North Korea launched a number of short-range missiles. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said both countries launched the missiles into the East Sea for around 10 minutes.
The JCS said the launches demonstrated “the capability and readiness to launch immediate precision strikes on the origins of provocations and their command and support forces.”
“Our military strongly condemns the North’s series of ballistic missile provocations and seriously urges it to immediately stop acts that raise military tensions on the peninsula and add to security concerns,” the JCS added.
