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US Approves $95 Million Sale of Missile Defense Support to Taiwan

An aerial view of the Pentagon building in Washington, June 15, 2005/File Photo
An aerial view of the Pentagon building in Washington, June 15, 2005/File Photo
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US Approves $95 Million Sale of Missile Defense Support to Taiwan

An aerial view of the Pentagon building in Washington, June 15, 2005/File Photo
An aerial view of the Pentagon building in Washington, June 15, 2005/File Photo

The US announced Tuesday it has approved the sale of up to $95 million worth of training and equipment to support Taiwan's Patriot missile defense system, something Taipei said would help protect the island from any invasion by China.

"The proposed sale will help to sustain (Taiwan’s) missile density and ensure readiness for air operations," the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

It added Taiwan will use the proposed training and equipment as a "deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense."

Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the arms deal -- the third approved under US President Joe Biden -- saying it would help protect against Beijing's "continuing military expansion and provocation".

"In the face of China's continuing military expansion and provocation, Taiwan must fully demonstrate its strong determination to defend itself," it said in a statement.

"Our government will continue to strengthen our self-defense and asymmetric combat capabilities".

Taiwan's defense ministry said the planned deal is expected to take effect in one month.

The latest arms purchase comes as Taiwan closely watches the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as it also lives under the constant threat of an invasion by a giant neighbor.

China regards Taiwan as its territory and has vowed repeatedly to seize it one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing has dramatically ramped up its sabre rattling in recent years, sending 969 Chinese warplanes into Taiwan's air defense zone in 2021, according to a database compiled by AFP -- more than double the roughly 380 in 2020.

Taiwan has recorded about 280 warplanes entering the zone so far this year.

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World

22 Migrants Die Off Greece after Six Days at Sea

Hellenic coast guard performs SAR operation, following migrant's boat collision with coast guard off the Aegean island of Chios, near Mersinidi, Greece, February 4, 2026. REUTERS
Hellenic coast guard performs SAR operation, following migrant's boat collision with coast guard off the Aegean island of Chios, near Mersinidi, Greece, February 4, 2026. REUTERS
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22 Migrants Die Off Greece after Six Days at Sea

Hellenic coast guard performs SAR operation, following migrant's boat collision with coast guard off the Aegean island of Chios, near Mersinidi, Greece, February 4, 2026. REUTERS
Hellenic coast guard performs SAR operation, following migrant's boat collision with coast guard off the Aegean island of Chios, near Mersinidi, Greece, February 4, 2026. REUTERS

Twenty-two migrants hoping to reach Europe from North Africa have died off the coast of Greece after six days at sea in a rubber boat, survivors told the Greek coastguard Saturday.

The coastguard late Friday said 26 people, including a woman and a minor, were rescued by a European border agency vessel off the island of Crete.

The coastguard later told AFP that 21 Bangladeshis, four South Sudanese and a Chadian citizen had emerged from the ordeal alive.

Survivors said the bodies of those who had died were thrown into the Mediterranean Sea on the orders of one of the people smugglers aboard the ship.

Two survivors were taken to hospital in Heraklion on Crete, the coastguard said.

Based on survivor statements, the coastguard said the boat had left Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21, bound for Greece, the gateway for many migrants hoping for asylum in the European Union.

"During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water," the coastguard stated.

The bodies of those who died "were thrown into the sea on the orders of one of the smugglers", it added.

The Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, believed to be the smugglers.

They are now under investigation for "illegal entry into the country" and "negligent homicide".

The vessel carrying the group was 53 nautical miles south of Ierapetra, a town on southern Crete.

A coastguard spokesman told AFP that the craft had endured "unfavorable meteorological conditions" during their odyssey.

That, coupled with a shortage of food and water, had "led to the deaths through exhaustion of 22 people," the spokesman said.

"The bodies of these dead people were thrown into the sea on the orders of the two traffickers, who have been arrested, according to testimony by survivors," he added.

The number of migrants who have died trying to reach EU soil more than doubled in the first two months of 2026, compared with last year, the EU border agency Frontex said earlier this month.

"These tragedies highlight once more the urgency to intensify the work with partner countries along the migratory routes and redouble efforts in the fight against migrant smugglers, who are the ones responsible for these tragedies," an EU commission spokesperson said on Saturday.

According to data from the International Organization for Migration, 559 people died in the Mediterranean during January and February, compared with 287 for the same period last year.

In December, 17 migrants were found dead inside their boat, which was taking on water and had partially deflated, to the southwest of Crete.

Greek authorities found only two survivors, stating that a further 15 people had drowned.

Their bodies were never recovered.

In a bid to stem the crossings, the European Parliament on Thursday endorsed a major tightening of EU migration policy and approved the concept of "return hubs", designed to send migrants to non-EU third countries.

Those proposals have been criticized by rights groups as inhumane.

World

French Police Thwart a Suspected Bombing Outside a Bank of America Building in Paris

French police arrested suspected militants in Marseille. Credit Gerard Julien/Agence France-Presse/File Photo-Getty Images
French police arrested suspected militants in Marseille. Credit Gerard Julien/Agence France-Presse/File Photo-Getty Images
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French Police Thwart a Suspected Bombing Outside a Bank of America Building in Paris

French police arrested suspected militants in Marseille. Credit Gerard Julien/Agence France-Presse/File Photo-Getty Images
French police arrested suspected militants in Marseille. Credit Gerard Julien/Agence France-Presse/File Photo-Getty Images

French police have thwarted a suspected bomb attack outside a Bank of America building in Paris, authorities said Saturday. One suspect was detained and another escaped.

The national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, or PNAT, told The Associated Press that it has opened an investigation into alleged terrorism-related offenses.

The suspected offenses include attempted damage by fire or by a dangerous means, the manufacture of an incendiary or explosive device, the possession and transport of such devices with the intent to prepare dangerous damage, and involvement in a terrorist criminal association.

A person was placed in police custody.

“Well done to the rapid intervention of a Paris police prefecture unit, which made it possible to thwart a violent act of a terrorist nature overnight in Paris,” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said.

“Vigilance remains at a very high level," Nuñez said. "I commend all security and intelligence forces, fully mobilized under my authority in the current international context."

RTL radio, citing police sources, reported that the incident took place early Saturday when police officers spotted two suspects carrying a shopping bag near the premises of the Bank of America in the 8th arrondissement of the French capital.

One of the suspects, holding a lighter, was attempting to ignite a device, RTL said, while the second suspect managed to escape.

World

Protesters March in London to Oppose the Rise of Political Right

A large crowd of protesters holding up signs and banners. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
A large crowd of protesters holding up signs and banners. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
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Protesters March in London to Oppose the Rise of Political Right

A large crowd of protesters holding up signs and banners. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
A large crowd of protesters holding up signs and banners. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of central London on Saturday for a "March to Stop the Far Right" with many demonstrators decrying the right-wing Reform UK party of Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, which is topping opinion polls.

Backed by trade unions and civil society groups, the Together Alliance demonstration looked set to be one of the biggest in the British capital in recent years with about 30,000 people expected to take part, according to a police official, Reuters reported.

As well as placards opposing Reform UK and its anti-immigration stance, some Iranian flags were held aloft along with pro-Palestinian flags and banners. The march was due to end close to the British parliament building.

Reform leads the Labour Party of Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as the other traditional British political parties, according to opinion polls. Zach Polanski, leader of the Green Party which is also challenging Labour, joined Saturday's march.