U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Chinese President Xi Jinping will dominate the spotlight at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summitin Gyeongju, South Korea, as he meets with Japanese and Canadian leaders following a tentative trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement pauses additional restrictions on China’s rare earth exports, easing global supply chain concerns and setting a more cooperative tone for the 21-member economic forum.
This year’s APEC discussions center on strengthening supply chains, fostering regional collaboration, and reducing trade barriers. However, achieving consensus remains challenging, with divisions among major economies and past failures to adopt joint declarations.
In a significant diplomatic moment, Xi will hold his first talks with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader known for her nationalist and hawkish policies. Takaichi has prioritized bolstering Japan’s military defenses against China’s assertiveness. Ongoing disputes, including the detention of Japanese nationals in China and Beijing’s import restrictions on Japanese agricultural goods, are expected to surface during their talks.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to revive Canada-China relations after years of diplomatic friction. Carney’s meeting with Xi aims to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships amid strained U.S. ties. The two countries continue to clash over tariffs on canola and electric vehicles, but both sides recently resumed discussions to address trade barriers.
With Trump skipping the main summit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent represents Washington. South Korea’s Prime Minister Lee Jae Myung leads sessions emphasizing unity in the Asia-Pacific region, though doubts linger about producing a meaningful joint statement. As global economic fault lines deepen, Xi’s leadership and diplomatic balancing will be closely watched by the world’s policymakers and markets.
