Summary
Global focus shifts as the Pentagon blacklists major Chinese tech firms and the Philippines documents maritime harassment. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are intensifying to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran as U.S. domestic policy debates stall in Congress.
Key Stories
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Pentagon tags Chinese tech giants as military backers — Major companies like Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD have been officially identified by the Pentagon as supporting the Chinese military, likely increasing trade friction.
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Trump urges restraint in Israel-Iran conflict — Former President Trump reportedly held calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu to limit retaliatory strikes on Iran and prevent a broader regional escalation.
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China faces backlash over gray zone warfare — The U.S. and its partners are rebuking China for provocative coast guard patrols near Taiwan and documented harassment of Filipino vessels.
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Congress hits a wall on FISA and domestic policy — A deadlock in the Senate is threatening the expiration of FISA surveillance powers as disagreements over leadership picks and parliamentary rules continue.
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Russian ammo dump destroyed near border — Footage shows a significant explosion at a Russian ammunition warehouse in the Belgorod region, following a strike that limits supplies for the ongoing invasion.