Envoy says Taiwan learns from Ukraine war

14 Sept 08:20 Key points summarised by AI

Taiwan's top envoy to the U.S., Bi-khim Hsiao, affirmed that Taiwan is actively applying critical lessons from Ukraine's war to strengthen its deterrence and defense capabilities against a potential Chinese invasion.
Key preparations include enhancing military reservist and civilian readiness for an "all-of-society" defense, mirroring the comprehensive resistance seen in Ukraine.
Taiwan is strategically shifting its military procurement towards smaller, mobile weapons systems, such as Javelins and Stingers, to prioritize resilient ground forces over large, potentially vulnerable platforms.
Domestically, Taiwan is extending compulsory military service for men and increasing defense spending, while internationally, it emphasizes the importance of a united allied front to deter authoritarian aggression.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.