Trump administration approves $10B arms sale to Taiwan

The Trump administration has announced an unprecedented arms package for Taiwan, valued at over $11 billion, which includes medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones. This decision has provoked a strong backlash from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and opposes any military support for it from foreign nations.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on an additional 41 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet, bringing the total number of sanctioned ships to nearly 600. This action is part of the EU's ongoing efforts to counter Russia's military aggression and economic activities that undermine international sanctions.

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to their involvement in investigating potential war crimes by Israeli officials in Gaza. This action has been condemned by the ICC as a significant infringement on its independence, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding international accountability in conflict zones.

The Trump administration has proposed new regulations aimed at banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, labeling such treatments as 'sex-rejecting procedures.' This initiative will prevent Medicaid from covering essential services like puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, raising significant concerns among healthcare advocates and experts.

The Trump administration has announced plans to end gender-affirming care for minors, labeling such treatments as 'sex-rejecting procedures.' This proposal will prevent Medicaid funds from covering puberty blockers, hormone treatments, or surgical procedures for minors wishing to access these services through Medicare or Medicaid.

U.S. officials, under the Trump administration, are proposing new regulations that would effectively ban gender-affirming care for minors, including prohibiting Medicaid funding for treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies. This move has sparked significant concern among healthcare professionals and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.

The U.S. has approved an $11 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, which includes advanced military equipment such as Himars truck-based missile launchers, howitzers, missiles, and antitank drones. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which perceives Taiwan as a breakaway province and opposes any military support from foreign nations.

Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul, was convicted of collusion with foreign forces in a trial that has raised significant concerns about judicial independence and media freedom in Hong Kong. His son, Sebastien Lai, condemned the political persecution of his father, asserting that the trial produced 'more than 100 pages of nothing'.