Taiwan says sale of second package of arms from US is proceeding on schedule
The Straits Times
Mr Xi Jinping told Mr Trump in February that arms sales to Taiwan must be handled with “prudence”. Read more at straitstimes.com.
TAIPEI - Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on March 17 said he believed the US’ internal review process for the sale of a second package of arms to the island is proceeding on schedule.
A major US arms package for Taiwan worth about US$14 billion (S$17.8 billion) that includes advanced interceptor missiles is ready for President Donald Trump’s approval and could be signed after his upcoming trip to China, Reuters reported last week, citing sources briefed on the discussion.
But on March 16, Mr Trump said he was seeking to delay his visit to China in early April by about a month because of the Iran war.
Asked if the trip’s postponement could impact the new arms sales to Taiwan, Mr Koo said the government had been coordinating closely with the US.
“As we understand it, their internal review procedures are proceeding on schedule,” he said. “I don't think we have received any related information indicating delays.”
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly demanded an end to such sales.
It will also deliberate on the implementation of a five-year national policy plan. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Financial commitments, such as repayment of credit cards, eat into the bulk of their monthly budget. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The conflict exposes the city to many risks, but some are seeing opportunities too. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The 'unprecedented' freeze on trillions of dollars in financial assistance was instituted in early 2025. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The EU recently struck trade accords with India and a bloc of South American countries. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Mr Dan Caldwell was a former top adviser to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Read more at straitstimes.com.
They allegedly shared images and videos of school shootings in other countries with one another. Read more at straitstimes.com.
CHISINAU, March 16 - A Russian attack on a hydroelectric plant in southern Ukraine triggered an oil spill and polluted water systems in neighbouring Moldova, with supplies cut completely in the country's second-largest city, officials said on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 16 - Russian air defence units downed at least 67 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow on Monday, according to data published by the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 16 - Russia has taken control of 12 settlements in Ukraine in the first two weeks of March as part of advances along the front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, Russian state-run news agencies quoted top general Valery Gerasimov as saying on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The eastern half of the US, including New York, Chicago and Atlanta, has been hit with widespread air travel delays and cancellations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
It could lead to a protracted conflict with devastating humanitarian consequences, the leaders said in a joint statement. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Bhumika Shrestha on March 16 became Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker. Read more at straitstimes.com.