Global tensions rise with China's military drills near Taiwan, Haiti's gang violence endures, Russia's sanctions ambiguity, Finland's treaty withdrawal, and U.S. political clashes.

Good Morning,

Political tensions and strategic maneuvers are intensifying globally. China has initiated military drills around Taiwan from multiple directions, challenging the United States' stance on the region. In Russia, the complexity of the country's demands regarding sanctions remains puzzling. Domestically, Cory Booker has broken records with a 25-hour long Senate speech. In Europe, Finland has decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel mines, signaling a shift in its defense policy.

Top Stories

• Gangs strike in Haiti’s heartland as hundreds flee under heavy gunfire (apnews.com)

• China launches military drills from ‘multiple directions’ around Taiwan, testing US resolve (edition.cnn.com)

• Russia’s Sanctions Demands: A Riddle Wrapped in an Enigma (cepa.org)

• Cory Booker’s mammoth, 22-hour and counting, nearly-record breaking Senate filibuster to protest Trump (www.independent.co.uk)

• Ted Cruz threatens to end Cory Booker's Senate protest with a fire alarm (www.chron.com)

• Finland: Move to leave convention banning anti-personnel mines could put civilian lives at risk (amnesty.org)

• Trump signs off Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal (www.thetimes.com)

United States

• Trump signs off Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal (www.thetimes.com)

• Cory Booker’s mammoth, 22-hour and counting, nearly-record breaking Senate filibuster to protest Trump (www.independent.co.uk)

• Ted Cruz threatens to end Cory Booker's Senate protest with a fire alarm (www.chron.com)

• DOJ to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione in CEO Brian Thompson murder case (cnbc.com)

• U.S. Navy’s Next Trainer Jet Won’t Need to Land on Carriers (theaviationist.com)

• Trump's National security adviser Mike Waltz conducted government business on personal Gmail accounts (www.latintimes.com)

Africa

• Nigerian Doctor Kelvin Alaneme Vows to Sue BBC Over Immigration Scam Allegations (m10news.com)

• Sudan's RSF Admits Khartoum Retreat as Army Claims Victory (www.verity.news)

• Kenya President Still Handing Cash To Churches Despite His Own Ban (barrons.com)

• SA aims to launch own satellite in five to seven years (businesslive.co.za)

Middle East

• Iran oil tanker seizure stokes tensions with U.S. (www.newsweek.com)

• Turkey moves to take control of Syria’s strategic T4 air base (www.middleeasteye.net)

• Israel opposes possible Turkish air base in Syria (www.jpost.com)

• Syria’s New Rulers Are Working To Unify Military Power (newlinesmag.com)

Indo-Pacific

• Aadhaar Face Authentication Sees Massive Uptake in FY25, Records 102 Cr Transactions (apacnewsnetwork.com)

• China launches surprise military drills around Taiwan (www.theguardian.com)

• Dramatic cuts in China’s air pollution drove surge in global warming (www.newscientist.com)

• Did China Get Billionaires Right? (foreignpolicy.com)

Europe

• Tesla sells 70% less cars in Belgium last month (www.hln.be)

• European Tourists Start Avoiding US as ‘Unknown Territory’ (www.bloomberg.com)

• Romanian man who confessed to photographing a NATO base for a Russian diplomat sentenced to 5 years of prison for treason (stirileprotv.ro)

• France's Dassault is increasing Rafale fighter jet output to 3 per month by 2026, 4 per month in 2028-2029, with a further possibility of 5 per month later (www.france24.com)

• Hungarians are protesting for the thirds Tuesday in a row for their right to free assembly and against the recent law that prohibits pride (telex.hu)

• Finland: Move to leave convention banning anti-personnel mines could put civilian lives at risk (amnesty.org)

Latin America

• An ‘administrative error’ sent a Maryland man to an El Salvador prison, ICE says (apnews.com)

• Falling inflation drives down poverty in Argentina: statistics agency (france24.com)

• Gangs strike in Haiti’s heartland as hundreds flee under heavy gunfire (apnews.com)

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