Taipei

Japan's top diplomat Takeshi Iwaya expressed "serious concerns" to his Chinese counterpart over Beijing's increasing military activity, Tokyo said Wednesday.

Iwaya also told Wang Yi in Beijing that "Japan is closely monitoring the Taiwan situation and recent military developments", a Japanese foreign ministry statement said.

Taiwan has received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, the Defense Ministry said on Dec. 16, reportedly the island's first new tanks in 30 years.

Washington has long been Taipei's most important ally and biggest arms supplier, angering Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.

A Taiwan national flag flutters near the Taipei 101 building at the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, May 7, 2023.

Taiwan said its military was on high alert Monday as it launched combat readiness drills after detecting Chinese warships and coast guard vessels in waters around the island.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te discussed "China's military threats" toward the island in a call with former U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi on Dec. 1, drawing a fresh barrage of criticism from Beijing.

Pelosi's long-standing support for Taiwan has infuriated China, which responded to her visit to Taipei in 2022 with massive military drills around the island.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said in the United States on Sunday that we have to "fight together to prevent war", as he kicked off a week-long tour of the Pacific that has sparked fiery rhetoric from Beijing.

Asian markets rose Monday following a record close on Wall Street as traders welcomed Donald Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, while bitcoin's push to $100,000 ran out of steam after coming within a whisker of the mark at the end of last week.

Almost thirty days after the bombing in the heart of Beirut, which “crippled” Hezbollah, the information being released to the public is increasing the “myth” surrounding the way this operation was planned—by far the most spectacular operation in the history of intelligence services in the Middle East, at least.

China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday, in drills Beijing said were aimed at sending a "stern warning" to "separatist" forces on the self-ruled island.

Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, and Monday's drills represent its fourth round of large-scale war games in the past two years.

Bulgarian national boxer Svetlana Staneva did not secure a medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. In the quarterfinals, Staneva, competing in the 57-kilogram category, was defeated by Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei, the top-ranked boxer in the division.

Women's bantamweight boxer, Stanimira Petrova, achieved a notable victory in her opening match at the Summer Olympics in Paris, defeating the world champion Huang Hsiao-wen with a unanimous decision. The match, part of the 1/8-final stage, showcased Petrova's skill and determination as she overcame the reigning champion in her category.