Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Australia and China have been at odds in recent years, but nevertheless, the tensions between the two countries could lead to an armed conflict or world war. Australia’s former defense official has now warned that the two countries can potentially engage in armed conflict in a span of five years.
Relations between Australia and China have especially been tense since April 2020 following Prime Minister Scott Morrison requesting an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. Morrison’s attempts to seek transparency toward the beginnings of what is now a global pandemic since December 2019 have since angered the Chinese government. Beijing has since responded by imposing tariffs on Australian goods being imported into the country.
This has now led experts to warn that tensions between Australia and China could now lead to an all-out conflict. Former Australian defense minister Christopher Pyne said during his remarks at the University of Adelaide that the possibility of conflict between the two countries is even more likely now than it was five years ago. Mr. Pyne added that the “most concerning issue” that would lead to an armed conflict is China’s situation with Taiwan.
“Five years ago, I would have said that the possibility was very unlikely -- now I would have to say that the possibility is more likely now than it was then,” said Mr. Pyne. “Not a cyberwar, but a real one involving loss of life, destruction of military platforms, with aggressors and defenders on different sides...This isn’t rhetoric. This is something that you and I may well have to confront in the next five to 10 years.”
Another recent incident that occurred was the sabotaging of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. With the Islamic nation pinning the blame on Israel and swearing revenge, the ongoing conflict between the two countries could also lead to an all-out armed battle.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the nation’s plans to enrich uranium to up to 60 percent purity next week. The Islamic nation’s uranium enrichment program suggests that the country is on track to build its own nuclear arsenal. However, Iranian officials have said that their enrichment of uranium would be used to produce Molybdenum, which is for medical purposes.
