Taiwanese president, physician, and politician
Senior Taiwanese and U.S. officials have said arms sales to Taiwan and its semiconductor role remain U.S. national interests after a Trump–Xi summit produced no major public breakthroughs. Taipei has been pressing Washington to confirm weapon deliveries and to preserve Taiwan's ability to deter coercion while Taipei boosts its own defence production.
Two Chinese men have been detained after flying from Mexico to John Wayne Airport on Aug. 26 with U.S. passports that did not match their biometric data, federal prosecutors have said. Authorities say the men bought the passports in Mexico, surrendered their Chinese passports, and planned to return the U.S. documents to an intermediary contacted via WeChat.
Taiwan has set a record defence budget for 2027 to deter threats while stressing it will not provoke. President Lai Ching-te has warned against aggression and called for international support, with US backing cited as crucial. The National Day address underscores Taiwan’s commitment to exist and defend its democracy amid ongoing cross‑strait pressure.
Typhoon Champi has battered Taiwan and Japan’s southern islands, killing at least one person, injuring hundreds and causing mass power outages and flight cancellations. Champi has weakened from super-typhoon strength but still carries destructive winds and heavy rains. A separate cyclonic storm, Arnab, has formed in the Bay of Bengal and is moving toward north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, where authorities have issued heavy-rain and wind alerts.
Taiwan's prosecutors have moved to detain two figures tied to a minor political party amid an investigation into foreign interference in local elections. The case highlights concerns about electoral influence ahead of the 2028 presidential race, with courts granting detention in one case and bail in another. The political landscape remains tense as authorities push forward with prosecutions.