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Taiwan’s government said Friday it has not received any official notice from the United States about a possible delay in a planned $14 billion arms sale, despite comments from a senior U.S. official suggesting some foreign weapons deals are being paused. Taiwanese presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said authorities in Taipei were aware of the reports but had not been informed of any changes to the proposed arms package. The comments came after acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday that some foreign military sales were temporarily being delayed to ensure the U.S. military has enough weapons stockpiles for operations linked to the conflict with Iran. “Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need,” Cao said during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. He added that foreign military sales would continue when the administration considers it appropriate. The issue gained attention only days after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned whether Washington should continue arms sales to Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China claims as its own territory. Although the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as a separate country, it remains Taipei’s main security partner and largest arms supplier. The Trump administration approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December. In January, U.S. lawmakers also approved another proposed $14 billion arms sale, though the deal still requires formal submission to Congress by Trump before it can move ahead. During an interview with Fox News after returning from Beijing last week, Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as “a very good negotiating chip” in dealings with China. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday said continued U.S. weapons sales are important for maintaining peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, China again warned Washington against supplying weapons to Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing’s opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remains “clear-cut and resolute.” During Trump’s recent visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly warned that the Taiwan issue is the most sensitive matter in U.S.-China relations and could lead to tensions or conflict if mishandled. Trump later told reporters he wanted to speak with Taiwan’s leader, without directly naming Lai. Any direct talks between Trump and Lai could trigger a strong reaction from Beijing, which considers Lai a separatist figure. Taiwan’s presidential office said Friday there was no further information about any possible conversation between Trump and Lai.

Taiwan’s president on Sunday stressed that arms purchases from the United States are “the most important deterrent” of regional conflict and instability, after President Donald Trump called into question continued U.S. support of Taiwan following his visit to China. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and security cooperation between the two sides are not only governed by law but also a catalyst for regional peace and stability, President Lai Ching-te said in a statement. “We thank President Trump for his continued support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait since his first term, including the continuous increase in the scale and amount of arms sales to Taiwan,” he said. His statement came days after Trump raised doubts over his willingness to continue to sell arms to Taiwan, the island democracy that China claims as its own breakaway province, to be retaken by force if necessary. The U.S., like all countries that have formal ties with China, doesn’t recognize Taiwan as a country but has been the island’s strongest backer and arms supplier. Washington is bound by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and sees all threats to the island as a matter of grave concern. Trump rattles Taiwan with ‘bargaining chip’ comment Trump already approved in December a record-breaking $11 billion arms package to Taiwan including missiles, drones, artillery systems and military software. In an interview aired Friday on Fox News, just as Trump wrapped up a high-stakes visit to China, he said he has yet to greenlight a new $14 billion arms package to Taiwan and that it “depends on China.” “It’s a very good negotiating chip for us frankly,” he said. His comments raised concerns on the island, which the Taiwanese government has sought to disperse, noting that the U.S. official policy on Taiwan has not changed.  

Taiwan’s president has postponed a planned visit to Africa after three countries withdrew permission for his aircraft to use their airspace following reported pressure from China, his office said Tuesday. President Lai Ching-te was scheduled to travel to Eswatini, Taiwan’s only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, from April 22 to 26. However, authorities in Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar cancelled the overflight permits along his route at short notice. A presidential spokesperson in Taipei said the decision came after “strong pressure” from Beijing, including alleged economic coercion. He accused China of interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and undermining regional stability. China, which considers Taiwan its territory, responded by welcoming the move, saying it supports the “one-China principle” and is consistent with international law. Beijing regularly urges countries with which it has diplomatic ties to avoid official relations with Taipei. In recent years, it has stepped up efforts to reduce Taiwan’s remaining allies through aid and investment offers. Taiwan now has formal diplomatic relations with only 12 countries, mostly small nations in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Eswatini, however, said it regretted that President Lai could not make the visit but stressed that its ties with Taiwan remain unchanged. The governments of Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar did not immediately comment on the issue. China’s diplomatic push has already led several countries, including Honduras, Nicaragua and Nauru, to switch recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in recent years. The last Taiwanese presidential visit to Eswatini took place in 2023.

The young woman breaks into a broad smile as she gets ready to mount the horse for her weekly ride. She laughs as the animal takes its first steps. “She was happy the first time she rode a horse,” Hector Chen said, recalling their initial visit. His daughter, Chen You-ching, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy more than 16 years ago. He has since been bringing the now 18 year old to horse therapy sessions. At the Therapeutic Riding Center of Taiwan in Taoyuan, a city in the island’s north, children with cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD and other conditions receive companionship and therapy by riding and interacting with horses. Animal-assisted therapy is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, whether for children with intellectual disabilities or veterans coping with trauma. Abigail Liu said her five year old daughter has benefited greatly from the therapy. Her daughter, Ayah, has Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays. She said her daughter “has become less afraid of unfamiliar things and is more willing to try new things. All of this began after she started riding horses here.” Read More: ‘Paush Sankranti’ horse race keeps rural tradition alive in Narail The horses require special training to handle a child’s movements and to remain calm when surrounded by several people, said Chan Shu-ya, a horse therapist. At times, children simply want to hug a horse for an extended period or listen to its heartbeat, and the animals will stand quietly with them. “They feel very relaxed, because the horse doesn’t show irritation even if they keep talking to it,” said Alain Chang, a horse riding coach at the Fang Hsing-Chung Social Welfare Foundation for Horses in Education and Health. “For them to come here to touch, observe or even hug the horses is a very special experience.” “Many of the students I work with look forward to coming here every week, rain or shine,” he said.

A strong earthquake shook Taiwan on Wednesday morning, setting off alarms in the capital. The Central Weather Administration measured the quake at 5.8 magnitude. The shaking in Taipei lasted only a few seconds. Tsunami warning lifted for Papua New Guinea after earthquake The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 5.0 quake was about 21 kilometers (12 miles) south-southeast of Yilan on the northeast coast. It was centered 69 kilometers (43 miles) below the Earth's surface. Deeper quakes can be widely felt while generally causing less damage than shallow quakes. Source: With input from agency 

Taiwan plans to cull up to 120,000 green iguanas, with supporters urging humane methods to bring down the animal's population, which is wreaking havoc on the island's agricultural sector. Around 200,000 of the reptiles are believed to be in the island's southern and central areas, which are heavily dependent on farming, according Chiu Kuo-hao of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. Specially recruited hunting teams killed about 70,000 iguanas last year, with bounties of up to $15 each. Local governments have asked the public to help identify iguana nests and they recommend fishing spears as the most humane means of killing the animals. “A lot of people bought them as cute little pets, not realizing how big and long-lived they would become, so they set them free in the wild, where they’ve really taken to the Taiwanese environment,” said Lee Chi-ya of the agricultural department in the southern county of Pingtung. “That's allowed them to reproduce at a considerable rate, necessitating us to cull them and restore the balance of nature." Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake in Taiwan Injures 27 Green iguanas have no natural predators in Taiwan and have moved into areas that can be difficult to access, mostly forests and the edges of towns. Males can grow to 2 feet (6.6 feet) long, weigh 5 kilograms (11 pounds) and live up to 20 years, while females can lay up to 80 eggs at a time. Mainly native to Central America and the Caribbean, they are not aggressive despite possessing sharp tails and jaws and razor-like teeth. The reptiles subsist on a diet of mostly fruit, leaves and plants, with the occasional small animal thrown in. Though popular as pets, they are difficult to keep healthy in captivity and many die within a year. Hsu Wei-chieh, secretary general of the Reptile Conservation Association of Taiwan, said his group wants to teach farmers how to stay safe, protect their property and treat the iguanas in a humane manner. Taiwan says China is redoubling efforts to undermine democracy with disinformation “We're here to help see that this project is carried out smoothly,” said Hsu. Tsai Po-wen, a vegetable farmer in Pingtung, said the training was paying off. “We used to attack them, but it wasn't any use. Now we're learning more effective, safer methods,” Tsai said.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck southern Taiwan early Tuesday, leaving 27 people with minor injuries, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit at 12:17 am and was centered 38 kilometers (24 miles) southeast of Chiayi County Hall at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the earthquake at a less powerful magnitude 6. While there have been no fatalities reported so far, rescue teams are continuing to assess the damage. 6.2 earthquake jolts southwestern Mexico According to Taiwan’s fire department, 27 individuals were taken to hospitals for minor injuries. This includes six people, among them a child, who were rescued from a collapsed house in Nanxi District of Tainan city. Additionally, the Zhuwei bridge along a provincial highway was reported to have sustained damage. Earthquake kills 126 people in China near Mount Everest Last April, Taiwan’s eastern Hualien region experienced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that claimed at least 13 lives and left more than 1,000 people injured. That quake, the strongest in 25 years, triggered hundreds of aftershocks. Situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Taiwan frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location on major tectonic fault lines.

Taiwan ’s government says China is redoubling efforts to undermine confidence in the self-governing island’s democracy and close ties with the United States through the spread of disinformation, especially online. The National Security Bureau said the number of pieces of false or biased information distributed by China increased 60% last year, to 2.16 million from 1.33 million in 2023. The brief report issued Friday tallied "pieces of controversial information,” but did not further define the term. Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, were the main conduits for disinformation, along with platforms that explicitly target young people such as TikTok, the report said. China created “inauthentic accounts” to distribute its propaganda on Youtube, used technology such as AI to create fake videos and flooded comments sections with pro-China statements, the report said. China has for years used global social media platforms to spread both official messages and misinformation even while banning them inside the country. Myanmar to release prisoners to mark Independence Day Beijing already has considerable influence with Taiwanese newspapers and other traditional media through their owners' business interests in mainland China. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping renewing a declaration in his New Year's address that unification with Taiwan was inevitable and could not be blocked by outside forces, a likely reference to the U.S., Taiwan’s most important ally. China regularly sends warplanes, ships and balloons into areas controlled by Taiwan and holds military drills to simulate a blockade or invasion of the island. Beijing has also been building up its navy and missile forces to hit key targets and fend off American military support. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said in his own New Year's address that the island would continue to strengthen its defenses in the face of escalating Chinese threats. Taiwan, he said, was a crucial part of the global “line of defense of democracy” against authoritarian states such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.” U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Saturday the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Taiwan is a democratic island of 23 million people that the Chinese government claims as its territory and says must come under its control. U.S. military sales and assistance aim to help Taiwan defend itself and deter China from launching an attack. China releases report on global engineering frontiers The $571 million in military assistance comes on top of Biden's authorization of $567 million for the same purposes in late September. The military sales include $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying in a social media post on X that it reaffirmed the U.S. government's “commitment to our defense.”

Taiwan on Wednesday called on China to halt its ongoing military operations in waters near the island, accusing Beijing of unilaterally disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while also impacting international shipping and trade routes, reports AP. In a statement published on its website, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry criticised the presence of numerous Chinese naval and coast guard vessels operating in the first-island chain. This Pacific archipelago, which stretches along the Asian mainland, encompasses Japan, Taiwan, and parts of the Philippines. Taiwan President visits Hawaii Think Tank amid Chinese criticism "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly urges Beijing to immediately end its military intimidation and all unreasonable actions that jeopardise regional peace and stability," the statement declared. According to Taiwan’s defence officials, Chinese vessels have been observed since Monday both in proximity to Taiwan and farther along the first-island chain. These formations were described as "two walls," allegedly intended to assert Chinese control over the waters. China imposed airspace restrictions off its southeast coast from Monday to Wednesday, indicating potential drills. However, the People’s Liberation Army has yet to confirm any such exercises. Taiwan’s government had anticipated military drills following President Lai Ching-te's recent stopovers in Hawaii and Guam during an overseas trip. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, strongly opposes any formal interactions between Taipei and foreign governments, particularly the United States. A Chinese government spokesperson did not directly address reports of military exercises. However, in an online statement issued Wednesday, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, said Beijing would not tolerate provocations from Taiwan in coordination with foreign forces. “We will take all necessary steps to firmly uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and safeguard the core interests of people on both sides of the strait,” Zhu stated. The Taiwan Strait, spanning approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles), separates China from Taiwan. China has conducted significant military drills around Taiwan following various political events, including Lai’s inauguration in May, his National Day speech in October, and the 2022 visit by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.