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Taiwan sees only warships and warplanes as China talks peace with opposition

Taiwan sees only warships and warplanes as China talks peace with opposition

By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, April 10 (Reuters) - Taiwanese officials are tracking what they view as a worrying rise in Chinese naval activity and military pressure against the island, even as Beijing presses a message of peace and cooperation in meetings with Taiwan's opposition leader.
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USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Set for Commissioning Ceremony in Norfolk

USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Set for Commissioning Ceremony in Norfolk

The USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (DDG 124), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, is scheduled for commissioning on April 11, 2026, in Norfolk. The event will be live-streamed on the Defense Video Information Distribution Service, starting at 9:50 a.m. EST. The ceremony will feature key military figures, including Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby, and Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric Smith. Media personnel attending the event must be fully ambulatory and present credentials at check-in. The ceremony will include cannon fire, and attendees are advised to consider wearing hearing protection.
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Taiwan spotted Chinese warplanes as Xi met opposition leader in Beijing

Taiwan spotted Chinese warplanes as Xi met opposition leader in Beijing

TAIPEI, April 11 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Saturday that it spotted 16 Chinese warplanes operating near the island the previous day, around the same time China's president was meeting the Taiwanese opposition leader.
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Exclusive-ICE launches new effort to uncover US ‘birth tourism schemes’

Exclusive-ICE launches new effort to uncover US ‘birth tourism schemes’

By Kristina Cooke and Ted Hesson WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s administration plans to crack down on networks it says help pregnant women lie on visa applications in order to secure U.S. citizenship for their U.S.-born babies, an issue that Trump has highlighted to
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U.K. Lawmakers Warn of Russian Disinformation as a 'State of War' Threat

U.K. Lawmakers Warn of Russian Disinformation as a 'State of War' Threat

U.K. lawmakers have issued a warning about the country's vulnerability to disinformation, particularly from Russia, which they describe as a 'state of war' against the West. The Foreign Affairs Committee's report highlights the risks posed by countries like Russia, China, and Iran, as well as non-state actors such as the Wagner Group and Daesh. The report calls for the establishment of a National Counter Disinformation Centre, modeled after the National Cyber Security Centre, to address these threats. The committee emphasizes the need for increased funding and resources to combat disinformation, suggesting that funds be drawn from the planned defense and national security budget uplift. The report also recommends that social media companies be required to make their algorithms transparent and produce annual disinformation reports.
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US pushes to renew ties with Peru ahead of uncertain election

US pushes to renew ties with Peru ahead of uncertain election

By Lucinda Elliott and Marco Aquino LIMA, April 10 (Reuters) - As Peru heads into the first round of its presidential election on Sunday, Washington is mounting its most assertive push in years to shore up influence in the major copper producer that has become a key strategic partner for China,
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U.S. Intelligence Reports China's Planned Air Defense System Shipment to Iran

U.S. Intelligence Reports China's Planned Air Defense System Shipment to Iran

U.S. intelligence has revealed that China is planning to deliver new air defense systems to Iran, specifically shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs. This information, reported by CNN, suggests that these systems could pose a significant threat to U.S. military aircraft if the current ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. breaks down. The report indicates that China may attempt to disguise the origin of these shipments by routing them through third countries. In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington has denied these claims, emphasizing China's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations and urging the U.S. to avoid baseless accusations. This development comes as President Trump has announced tariffs on imports from countries supplying military weapons to Iran, following a two-week ceasefire agreement.
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China activa una amplia zona de exclusión aérea cerca de Shanghái durante 40 días

China activa una amplia zona de exclusión aérea cerca de Shanghái durante 40 días

China activó una amplia zona de exclusión aérea para la aviación civil frente a las costas de Shanghái, dos veces mayor que Taiwán y aplicable durante 40 días, sin que se sepan las razones precisas, según un mensaje del regulador estadounidense de la aviación (FAA).
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Chinese Military Activity Increases Around Taiwan Amid Political Talks

Chinese Military Activity Increases Around Taiwan Amid Political Talks

Recent reports indicate a significant increase in Chinese military activity around Taiwan, with the deployment of nearly 100 naval and coast guard vessels in the South and East China Seas. This escalation coincides with a visit by Taiwan's opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun, to China, where she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting focused on peace and reunification, despite China's ongoing military pressure on Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry reported the presence of seven Chinese military aircraft and seven warships around the island in the past 24 hours. The heightened military presence is seen as a 'new normal' by some security sources, rather than an alarming anomaly.
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Filipinas presenta un nuevo mando de la guardia costera en el disputado mar de China Meridional

Filipinas presenta un nuevo mando de la guardia costera en el disputado mar de China Meridional

La guardia costera de Filipinas presentó este jueves su primer centro de mando en las islas Spratly, un foco de conflicto en el disputado mar de China Meridional donde se han registrado numerosos enfrentamientos con navíos chinos.
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Analysis-Trump's abrupt Iran reversal exposes limits of his leverage

Analysis-Trump's abrupt Iran reversal exposes limits of his leverage

By Matt Spetalnick, David Brunnstrom and Gram Slattery WASHINGTON, April 8 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's dramatic climbdown from his chilling threat to wipe out Iran's civilization has exposed the limits - and the rising risks - of the U.S. president's typically unpredictable negotiating style.
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US senator urges Taiwan parliament to pass stalled defence spending plan

US senator urges Taiwan parliament to pass stalled defence spending plan

TAIPEI, April 9 (Reuters) - Taiwan's parliament should pass a stalled special defence budget to send a signal to China and the world that it is serious about peace through strength, U.S. Senator Jim Banks said during a meeting with President Lai Ching-te in Taipei.