Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Tensions remain high in the disputed South China Sea between China, the US, and the surrounding countries of the region. Fears of a possible conflict have been stoked yet again as China has issued another threat against the US over its relations with Taiwan.
China claims the democratic island nation of Taiwan as a breakaway province, with Beijing considering taking over the island through military means. However, Taiwan has strongly opposed the claims along with the support of the US, with Washington angering Beijing for selling arms to the Taiwanese government. Recently, following a claim by US Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas about the number of US troops that may be stationed in Taiwan, China has hit back, saying that it would wage war on the US.
Cornyn shared in a now-deleted tweet that there were around 30,000 US soldiers stationed in Taiwan. However, editor-in-chief of state-affiliated news outlet Global Times Hu Xijin pushed back, demanding an explanation to Cornyn’s claim.
“Now the US and the Taiwan authorities must explain,” said Hu. “If it is true that the US has 30,000 or less than that number, soldiers stationed on the Taiwan island, Chinese military forces will immediately launch a war to eliminate and expel US soldiers.”
This latest threat from Hu follows his previous warnings to Taiwan about not receiving protection from the US. Hu referenced the chaos that had occurred in Afghanistan in his swipe towards the US and Taiwan. Hu said that Taiwan should order a “Five-Star Red Flag” from China as it would be useful when they surrender to the People’s Liberation Army.
China has already taken advantage of the world’s focus on Afghanistan to launch warships and fighter jets into the disputed South China Sea. The dispatching comes as China looks to carry out military drills close to Taiwan as part of its pressure campaign to force Taiwan into acknowledging that it is part of the mainland as China claims it to be.
The PLA’s Eastern Command Theatre issued a statement saying that the dispatching of ships and jets was to carry out “joint fire assault” along with other military drills with actual troops.
