Taiwan’s Lai says China is undermining peace and has no right to annex the island

• China agreed to purchase 200 Boeing jets and resume imports of some U.S. beef products after last week’s summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping. • The deal is one of the clearest signs yet that trade tensions between Washington and Beijing may be easing after months of friction.

• China’s Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, with both leaders touting a “new type” of world order and closer coordination after Trump’s recent China visit. • The meeting underscored continuing alignment on diplomacy, security, and trade as both countries seek to blunt Western pressure over Ukraine and wider geopolitical tensions.

• A Singapore government agency said the United Nations nuclear watchdog will assess the city-state’s ability to make an “informed decision” on potential future deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. • The review is part of Singapore’s longer-term energy planning as officials explore low-carbon options while weighing safety, regulation, and infrastructure needs.

• The Philippine Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a petition from a senator seeking to stop his arrest after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant over alleged crimes against humanity. • The decision keeps the legal path open for arrest proceedings and leaves the senator’s status subject to further action by authorities.

• Thailand’s cabinet approved new borrowing of 200 billion baht, or $6.13 billion, to support a consumer subsidy scheme, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said Tuesday. • The package is part of the government’s effort to cushion households from higher costs linked to the Middle East conflict and broader economic pressure.

• Maldivian authorities are investigating multiple possible factors behind the deaths of five Italian divers in a deepwater cave last week, a government spokesperson told Reuters. • Officials are examining whether the group descended far deeper than expected as part of the ongoing inquiry into the tragedy.

• China’s armed forces secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel in China late last year, according to three European intelligence agencies and documents seen by Reuters. • Some of the trained personnel have since returned to fight in Ukraine, highlighting another layer of cooperation between Beijing and Moscow despite Western sanctions.

• India and Italy are preparing to reinforce diplomatic and trade ties during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rome, an Italian official said Tuesday. • The two governments plan to elevate relations to a special strategic partnership, signaling a broader push for cooperation beyond traditional areas.

• A court in Pakistan sentenced a man to death over the murder of a teenage social media influencer, a case that has sparked outrage nationwide. • The ruling follows public anger over violence against women and the role of online fame in drawing attention to the killing.

• The U.S. is pursuing a second criminal investigation into ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to Reuters, adding to existing legal pressure on the Venezuelan leader. • A Justice Department official and another source familiar with the matter said the new probe raises the possibility of additional charges beyond earlier cases.

• The United States seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean overnight, according to three U.S. officials cited in the FDD overnight brief. • President Donald Trump has warned he could resume military strikes on Iran, while Tehran remains in a standoff over its nuclear program and highly enriched uranium.