INTERNACIONAL
Taiwan ramps up coast guard and military readiness in face of Beijing’s ‘gray zone’ warfare
Taiwan’s Coast Guard conducts military drill
Taiwanese President William Lai oversaw the ‘Ocean Day’ drill in the coastal city of Kaohsiung amid rising threats from China. (Video Eryk Michael Smith for Fox News Digital.)
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KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan – Taiwan’s coast guard and affiliated military units put on a show of strength during an «Ocean Day» drill last week amid growing threats from China.
Held in southern Taiwan’s largest city, Kaohsiung, the exercise was overseen by Taiwan President William Lai, and while framed as demonstrations of search and rescue and anti-terrorism abilities, there was no escaping the larger reason why Taiwan is strengthening frontline defenses and operational readiness.
Alongside the navy, Taiwan’s coast guard is undergoing modernization. On display during the Ocean Day exercise was one of Taiwan’s new Anping-class corvettes, stealth-capable vessels with surface-to-land missile systems, and, naturally, advanced rescue capabilities.
TAIWAN’S PRESIDENT TARGETS CHINA INFLUENCE, KICKS OUT PRO-BEIJING AGITATORS AMID RISING TENSIONS
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, center, walks before an offshore anti-terrorism drill at the Kaohsiung harbor in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
This all comes as Taiwan’s top weapons developer recently announced they had developed various new sea drones – including so-called «kamikaze» or suicide drones. An anonymous official claimed Taiwan’s military will test the sea drones in waters off Southern Taiwan this August.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed late last month that the navy of independently-ruled Taiwan will soon add unmanned surface vehicles, while the army is set to inaugurate its first drone units this year. Reports say Taiwan produced around 10,000 drones last year, and this year plans to buy 3,000+ more made by local companies for military use.
In remarks following the Ocean Day exercise, Lai urged Taiwan’s lawmakers to back his administration’s latest defense spending proposals and told the group of select guests that included the highest-ranking American official based in Southern Taiwan, Neil Gibson, that the matter was about more than just ships and hardware.
«It’s about national resilience.»
Members of Taiwan’s coast guard participate in an offshore anti-terrorism drill at the Kaohsiung harbor in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwanese government officials frequently denounce what they term as escalating «gray zone» warfare from Beijing, actions such as harassing fishing vessels, illegal incursions, and, on at least one occasion, boarding a Taiwan-flagged civilian ferry. Taiwan sees these actions as Chinese attempts to create a «new normal» of uncontested control of the roughly 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait that separates the two sides.
Taiwan’s coast guard is dwarfed by the growing Chinese coast guard, which is already the largest in the world in terms of the number and size of vessels. Last year, according to statistics provided to Fox News Digital by Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, Taiwan’s coast guard drove away 1,196 vessels from Taiwanese waters – 1,135 of which were from China.
CHINA RAMPS UP MILITARY ‘REHEARSALS’ AROUND TAIWAN, OUTSTRIPS US IN AIR, MARITIME, SPACE
Lai said there is an urgent need for upgraded infrared surveillance to enable round-the-clock maritime monitoring, as well as other tech that could combat Chinese tactics that include illegal sand dredging, cyber disruptions and even sabotage of undersea cables, actions deliberately chosen to stay below the threshold of «acts of war.»
Ross Darrell Feingold, a lawyer and political risk analyst based in Taipei, told Fox News Digital that Lai’s calls for bipartisanship arise from the president’s party not currently holding a majority in Taiwan’s Parliament, which will make the passage of his proposed $13.6 billion USD «special budget» much more difficult.
A Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies to an undisclosed location. China’s military sent 71 planes, including J16 fighter jets, and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the island, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (Taiwan Ministry of Defense via AP)
«This proposed spending would go to the coast guard, the military, and be used to assist domestic industries affected by higher U.S. tariffs,» said Feingold, who noted that the Trump administration should have no issues with selling weapons to Taiwan.
Since he took office on May 20, 2024, Lai has increased defense spending within the limits of what he can do while not holding a majority in Parliament.
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Beijing’s communist government stubbornly claims Taiwan as its territory despite never having governed it for a single day, and in recent years, removed language calling for a «peaceful settlement» in official statements. One widely quoted assertion claims Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the Chinese military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, now less than two years away.
Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, primera mujer en presidir Nicaragua y figura emblemática de la lucha por la democracia en América Latina, falleció este sábado a los 94 años, en la ciudad de San José, Costa Rica. La noticia fue confirmada por su familia mediante un comunicado.
“Doña Violeta falleció en paz, rodeada del cariño y del amor de sus hijos y de las personas que le brindaron un cuido extraordinario, y ahora se encuentra en la paz del Señor”, señala la declaración familiar, que transmite el sentimiento de gratitud hacia quienes acompañaron a la ex mandataria durante sus últimos años y hacia Costa Rica, el país donde encontró refugio y en el que pasó el tramo final de su vida lejos de Nicaragua por la persecución del régimen de Daniel Ortega.
Violeta Barrios de Chamorro fue presidenta de Nicaragua desde 1990 hasta 1997. Su elección marcó un hito para la democracia nicaragüense: puso fin a una década de guerra civil e instauró un proceso de reconciliación nacional, en una etapa especialmente convulsa para el país. Accedió al poder tras derrotar a Daniel Ortega en las urnas, al frente de la Unión Nacional Opositora (UNO), una amplia alianza de partidos. Su victoria y su subsecuente gobierno fueron percibidos como el inicio de una nueva etapa de esperanza para miles de nicaragüenses.
Nacida en Rivas, en 1929, Violeta Barrios provenía de una familia que luego sería uno de los linajes políticos más relevantes en la historia moderna de Nicaragua. Su carrera pública cobró relevancia nacional tras el asesinato de su esposo, el periodista y director del diario La Prensa, Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Cardenal, en 1978. Aquel crimen desencadenó una ola de protestas y aceleró la caída de la dictadura de Anastasio Somoza. Desde entonces, Violeta se volcó en la vida pública y en la defensa de una prensa libre y de los derechos ciudadanos, enfrentando riesgos y amenazas en momentos de violencia política.
Durante su mandato presidencial, promovió la pacificación y el desarme de la sociedad después de años de guerra. Optó por medidas de austeridad para reconstruir la economía nacional, enfrentó grandes desafíos de ingobernabilidad y buscó mantener un delicado equilibrio entre las demandas de los distintos actores políticos. Su legado destaca por su capacidad de diálogo, su firmeza democrática y su ejemplo de liderazgo en tiempos de incertidumbre.
Los últimos años de la vida de Violeta Barrios de Chamorro estuvieron marcados por el exilio forzoso de su familia, la represión política del régimen de Ortega y la nostalgia de un país que, según sus propias palabras, “seguía pendiente de recuperar la libertad por la que luchó toda su existencia”. En el comunicado difundido por sus hijos, se informa que sus restos permanecerán temporalmente en Costa Rica, “hasta que Nicaragua vuelva a ser República, y su legado patriótico pueda ser honrado en un país libre y democrático”.
La expresión de agradecimiento de los Chamorro Barrios también recae sobre los nicaragüenses dispersos en el mundo, por su solidaridad y sus oraciones, así como hacia el pueblo y el gobierno de Costa Rica, que “acogió a Doña Violeta durante estos últimos años de su vida”.
Por el momento, la familia notificó que informarán en las próximas horas sobre la ceremonia religiosa que tendrá lugar en San José para celebrar su vida y su entrega.
La figura de Violeta Barrios de Chamorro trasciende los límites de la política nacional. Se consolidó como referente mundial de la lucha por la democracia y la reconciliación, y fue reconocida con múltiples distinciones internacionales, entre ellas el Premio Príncipe de Asturias de Cooperación Internacional.
Su partida representa el cierre de una era. La memoria de Doña Violeta resiste como símbolo de resistencia cívica y de amor a Nicaragua. Para muchos, “vive en el corazón de los nicaragüenses”, como expresa el texto de despedida de su familia. Su ejemplo y legado seguirán inspirando las aspiraciones democráticas de todo un pueblo.
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INTERNACIONAL
Dem senator’s viral outburst at DHS presser triggers mixed reactions from lawmakers: ‘Disgusting situation’
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House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle gave strong reactions shortly after Sen. Alex Padilla’s, D-Calif., viral outburst that got him thrown out of a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Jim Jordan of Ohio spoke to Fox News Digital after Padilla was escorted out of the hearing.
«That was crazy,» Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said.
«It’s a disgusting situation,» Jeffries said.
SENATE SHAKEN: BIPARTISAN WORRY ERUPTS AFTER INCIDENT INVOLVING CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., talks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol during the last votes of the week on Thursday, December 12, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
Many Democrats condemned how the Secret Service handcuffed and removed Padilla from the room during the event, with some even calling on Noem to resign. Padilla and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended up holding a meeting afterward, which Padilla’s office described as «civil,» and Noem described as «cordial» despite the strong disagreements between the two.
Luna, a Florida Republican, said the viral incident speaks to a larger optics issue with men in the Democratic Party.
«I think optics are pretty bad for Democrat men as a whole,» Luna said.
«I mean, he aggressively was approaching her. Obviously, security saw that as a threat. I know after the fact, she actually was gracious enough after he pulled that to talk with him for a little bit and then exchange numbers. But the fact is that he’s a sitting senator, and he’s acting like a weirdo. I don’t know how else to describe it, other than you should not act like that, period, and especially not show aggression like that towards women,» she continued.
CONSERVATIVES ERUPT AFTER DEM SENATOR’S ‘TEMPER TANTRUM’ SENDS DHS PRESSER OFF THE RAILS
Sen. Alex Padilla was temporarily detained after approaching Sec. Noem’s podium at the news conference. (Bill Melugin/Fox News)
«I think he was trying to get clickbait, but I don’t know about how you were raised, but I was raised that you don’t throw temper tantrums, and you certainly don’t approach women like that,» she continued.
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Jordan, an Ohio Republican, wondered why Padilla was in Los Angeles instead of Washington, D.C., as the Senate was in session on Thursday.
«Well, I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is, why isn’t he here voting? I – just like, the Senate’s in session. I just did a press conference with senators,» he said.
«I know they’re in session, so why is he here doing that? And then. Second, why not just wait and do your own press conference? Like, the press is there. The cameras are there.The microphones are there. If you wait till Secretary Noem is done, and then you tell them you want to say a few things, you cover him, everyone will cover you, journalists, everyone cover him. So, to me, those are the two takeaways. Why not just do it the common-sense way instead of going in and making a scene,» the Republican added.
PADILLA HOPES PEOPLE FEEL ‘OUTRAGE’ OVER HIS FORCIBLE REMOVAL AND DETAINMENT
OCTOBER 13: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks to reporters as House Republicans hold a caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building on October 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C. House Republicans continue to debate their pick for Speaker after their initial nominee, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), withdrew his name from the race after failing to secure the number of votes needed. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on a replacement for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) after he was ousted last week. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The FBI said that he was let go after he had properly identified himself, as he was not wearing his security pin when he interrupted Noem while trying to ask a question during her remarks. Padilla did state his name and was wearing a shirt that said the U.S. Senate on it.
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«If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, and to day laborers throughout California and throughout the country. We will hold this administration accountable,» he said after the incident.
Meanwhile, DHS slammed it as «disrespectful political theater.» The press conference was focused on anti-ICE civil unrest in Los Angeles as federal immigration authorities continue arrests of illegal immigrants in the region.
INTERNACIONAL
Israeli official vows ‘We have more surprises coming up’ for Iran following wave of airstrikes
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A senior Israeli intelligence official exclusively told Fox News on Saturday, «We have more surprises coming up» for Iran following the initial wave of strikes during «Operation Rising Lion.»
The high-ranking source, speaking to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst, said Israeli intelligence projected Iran would have an arsenal of 8,000 ballistic missiles over the next two years and that this was part of the reason a decision was made to launch the operation. Right now, Israel believes Iran has about 2,000 missiles.
«We cannot end this operation knowing that we will be in the same spot two years from now,» the official said. «Everything is going as planned. Actually, better than planned.»
The official added: «We have lots of surprises. Not just the ones we already did. We have more surprises coming up.»
LIVE UPDATES: IRANIAN MISSILE STRIKES IN ISRAEL KILL AT LEAST 3 AS DEFENSE MINISTER WARNS ‘TEHRAN WILL BURN’
Israeli security forces inspect destroyed residential buildings that were hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP/Ariel Schalit)
Forty Iranian air defense systems have been hit since the beginning of the operation, which is based on three goals — targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and removing the Iranian existential threat against Israel.
During the initial strike against a meeting of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air force officials, Israeli intelligence assessed that 30 commanders were killed.
«It’s a historic achievement,» the official said.
Israel now expects more incoming Iranian missiles in the days ahead that will cause casualties and destruction.
IRAN THREATENS TO HIT US BASES IN THE MIDDLE EAST: WHAT IS THE THREAT LEVEL?
In this photo released by the Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers work at the scene of an explosion after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (Iranian Red Crescent Society via AP)
However, the bulk of the conflict with Iran could largely be over in a matter of days.
«I think we can finish it in days… It’s a good thing that we have the U.S. by our side,» the official said.
The official also told Fox News that the U.S. is «fully coordinated» with Israel, yet declined to go into specifics.
Firefighters work the scene of an explosion at a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, on Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP/Vahid Salemi)
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«The way the U.S. is standing beside Israel is unprecedented,» he said. «We feel it.»
Murió Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, ex presidenta de Nicaragua
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