Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Taiwan has showcased its locally-produced drones, which the island says is the key to its “asymmetric warfare” capacity to make its forces more prepared in the event of an invasion by China. This comes amidst increased Chinese military activity close to the island.
On Tuesday, the Taiwanese military-run National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology unveiled the latest models of its locally-produced drones. This included the Albatross II surveillance drone and combat drones that are equipped with global positioning satellites. An attack drone with loitering munitions capable of cruising toward a target before plummeting and detonating on impact was also among the drones that were displayed.
NCSIST chief Art Chang said the ongoing war in Ukraine has turned the attention onto drones and that NCSIST partnered with Taiwanese companies to build a “national team” to develop military drones.
The Taiwanese military announced a partnership with companies aiming to manufacture 3,000 drones next year. NCSIST Aeronautical Systems Research Division director Chi Li-pin said the armed forces should increase their use of drones in their strategies.
“I hope our national troops can familiarize themselves with this weapon of asymmetric warfare and use them boldly,” Chi told reporters at the NCSIST facility in Taichung.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has touted the idea of “asymmetric warfare” to make Taiwanese forces more mobile and harder to attack.
China views Taiwan as its breakaway province and has opposed any interaction between the island’s democratic government and other foreign governments. Taiwan has repeatedly rejected China’s claims of sovereignty over the island.
Last week, the US Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he plans to meet with Tsai in the US this year as the Taiwanese presidential office said it was still working on the “transit” plans for an overseas visit. McCarthy confirmed his intention to meet with Tsai to reporters but noted that the decision to meet with Tsai was not going to be an attempt to appease China and that he would not rule out a visit to the island.
“China can’t tell me where I can and can’t go,” McCarthy reportedly said. McCarthy’s Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi visited the island last year, leading to increased military drills by China.
