TAIPEI/WASHINGTON — The United States on Wednesday approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest ever US weapons package for the island which is under increasing military pressure from China.

The Taiwan arms sale announcement is the second under US President Donald J. Trump’s current administration, and comes as Beijing ramps up its military and diplomatic pressure against Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The proposed arms sale covers eight items, including HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius loitering munition drones and parts for other equipment, Taiwan’s defense ministry said in a statement.

“The United States continues to assist Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capabilities and in rapidly building strong deterrent power and leveraging asymmetric warfare advantages, which form the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability,” it added.

The ministry said the package is at the congressional notification stage, which is where Congress has a chance to block or alter the sale should it wish, though Taiwan has widespread cross-party support.

In a series of separate statements announcing details of the weapons deal, the Pentagon said the arms sales serve US national, economic and security interests by supporting Taiwan’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a “credible defensive capability.”

Pushed by the United States, Taiwan has been working to transform its armed forces to be able to wage “asymmetric warfare,” using mobile, smaller and often cheaper weapons which still pack a targeted punch, like drones.

“Our country will continue to promote defense reforms, strengthen whole-of-society defense resilience, demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves, and safeguard peace through strength,” Taiwan presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement, thanking the United States for the sales.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te last month announced a $40-billion supplementary defense budget, to run from 2026 to 2033, saying there was “no room for compromise on national security.”

China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, said weapons like the HIMARS, which have been used extensively by Ukraine against Russian forces, could play an essential role in destroying an invading Chinese force.

“This bundle of congressional notifications, a record in US security assistance for Taiwan, is a response to the threat from China and the demand from Mr. Trump that partners and allies do more to secure their own defense,” he added.

FOREIGN MINISTER’S US VISIT
The announcement followed an unannounced trip by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to the Washington-area last week to meet US officials, according to two sources who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Reuters was unable to determine the agenda of the meetings and Taiwan’s foreign ministry declined to comment.

Washington has formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, but maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan and is the island’s most important arms supplier. The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, though such arms sales are a persistent source of friction with China.

Mr. Trump’s penchant for dealmaking and his planned visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping next year, have kindled fears in the region of weakening US support for Taiwan.

But US officials told Reuters at the outset of Mr. Trump’s second term this year that they had plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding Mr. Trump’s first term as part of an effort to deter China.

The Trump administration’s national security strategy unveiled earlier this month said the US aimed to deter conflict over Taiwan by “preserving military overmatch” against China in the region, language welcomed in Taipei.

The strategy also highlighted Taiwan’s strategic importance due to its location dividing “Northeast and Southeast Asia into two distinct theatres.”

China views Taiwan as its own territory, a position Taipei rejects. — Reuters

BEIJING — China opposed what it said was “unilateral bullying” after Washington ordered a blockade of sanctioned tankers entering and leaving oil-rich Venezuela, but did not say exactly how it would come to the South American country’s aid or offer any refuge for its embattled leader.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers attempting to leave Venezuelan waters, and those arriving, as Washington massed troops and warships in the region.

China is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude, which accounts for roughly 4% of its imports, with shipments in December on track to average more than 600,000 barrels per day, analysts have said.

Beijing opposes all forms of “unilateral bullying” and supports countries in safeguarding their sovereignty and national dignity, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil on a phone call on Wednesday.

Mr. Wang did not name the United States or Mr. Trump in the official readout of the call. Mr. Wang also did not elaborate on the form or extent of the support that China might or could offer to Venezuela, with which Beijing previously said it had forged an ironclad friendship.

The US is squeezing Venezuela’s principal source of revenue in its attempt to target terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, according to Mr. Trump. Last week, the US Coast Guard seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

President Nicolas Maduro has said the US wants the OPEC nation’s crude oil resources, and the military build-up was to overthrow him. In an interview with Politico, Mr. Trump said Mr. Maduro’s days were “numbered”.

For years, China has extended credit lines to Venezuela under loans-for-oil deals. In a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow this year, Mr. Maduro told Mr. Xi that Venezuela was looking forward to expanding cooperation in trade and energy.

At the same time, Beijing has been making an intense effort to co-exist with the US, its most important trading partner. After months of acrimonious dispute over trade and tariffs, Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi in October managed to hammer out a consensus on how to handle thorny trade issues.

China says it opposes any acts that violate the UN Charter or encroach on the sovereignty and security of other countries.

“China believes the international community understands and supports Venezuela’s position in defending its legitimate rights and interests,” Mr. Wang said.

‘US AGGRESSION’
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the de-escalation of tensions, asking the US and Venezuela to honor their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and any other applicable legal framework to safeguard peace in the region.

The presidents of Mexico and Brazil have also urged restraint and dialogue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call to Mr. Maduro last week, “reaffirmed his support for the policy of N. Maduro’s government, aimed at protecting national interests and sovereignty in the face of growing external pressure.”

Venezuela on Wednesday requested the UN Security Council meet to discuss the “ongoing US aggression”, according to a letter to the 15-member body seen by Reuters.

China supports Venezuela’s request for an urgent meeting of the council, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, when asked at a regular news briefing what role China, as a “responsible” major power, would play.

Asked whether what Caracas has described as US “aggression” could put China and the US on a collision course in the region, the spokesperson reiterated Wang Yi’s comments and did not say more. — Reuters

LONDON — The European Union must reform or risk becoming irrelevant as the rivalry between China and the US sparks a new era without precedent, posing challenges on security, energy, technology and trade, a report led by Tony Blair and Jamie Dimon says.

Based on conversations with government, business and civil leaders, the report sets out how a convergence of structural shifts is reshaping nations, markets and institutions, threatening those countries and groupings that once relied on the US for security while growing trade ties with China.

Mr. Blair, British prime minister from 1997 to 2007, and Mr. Dimon, the head of JPMorgan Chase, said Europe needed to integrate further to prioritize defense and economic growth.

“If it cannot stand on its own against Russia, it will be even less able to manage systemic competition with the US or China,” their report said. “Reform is not optional; it is required to remain relevant.”

EU HAS SAID IT MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN SECURITY

The blunt summary comes as the EU hosts a summit to discuss funding for Ukraine and how it can respond to the “changed landscape for rules-based economic relations”, and as US President Donald Trump heaps pressure on the bloc, including with a new National Security Strategy.

The head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said that Europe must reform and be responsible for its own security. Supporters of the bloc would note that while Europe’s share of global GDP is declining, the US is on the same path.

The report also set out the challenge posed to middle powers such as India and the Gulf states from the new dynamic, as part of a broad overview of how geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and political populism were upending the world order.

NEW WORLD ORDER IS LIKE A 3D CHESS BOARD
Alexander George, an author of the “World Rewired: Navigating a Multi-Speed, Multipolar Order” report, said people had previously been able to look to moments in history for guidance.

“We’re really living in a new world which has never actually existed before,” he said. “It’s like this 3D chess board.”

The report said the US retained enduring power but faced its greatest threats at home where political volatility makes it harder to tackle high debt, while China’s trajectory will hinge on whether it can maintain growth despite demographic and debt constraints.

On middle powers it said the steep US tariffs on India in retaliation for its purchase of Russian oil showed the limitations to a multi-alignment approach, while the UAE’s move to strengthen US technology ties showed that countries were having to choose between the US and China on tech.

The report was produced by Mr. Dimon’s JPMorgan Chase, which has launched a $1.5 trillion, decade-long plan to support industries deemed vital to US economic security and resilience, and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Mr. Blair is the chair of JPMorgan’s international council which advises the firm on strategy and geopolitics. — Reuters

SYDNEY — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday promised a crackdown on hate speech in the wake of an attack on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as the youngest of 15 victims was laid to rest.

Yellow toy bees topped the coffin of 10-year-old Matilda, who was remembered as a ‘ray of sunshine’ who loved animals and dancing.

Matilda’s middle name was Bee, which inspired attendees to wear bee stickers, and bring bee-themed toys and balloons, while some mourners wore yellow. Matilda’s family has asked the media not to use their surname.

“The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us,” said Rabbi Yehoram Ulman.

“Matilda grew up like a child would, loving what children love. She loved the outdoors, animals. She went to school, she had friends, everybody loved her.”

The alleged father-and-son gunmen opened fire as hundreds of people celebrated Hanukkah on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach on Sunday. The attack, which shocked the nation and led to fears over rising antisemitism, appears to have been inspired by the Islamic State, authorities say.

The line outside the hall where Matilda’s funeral was held in Sydney’s eastern suburbs snaked down the street. Many mourners who could not get in watched the service on a screen outside the building.

Some were angry at the government, saying it had not done enough to combat a rise in antisemitism since the start of the war in Gaza.

“It’s like your heart’s been ripped out. It’s terrible … no one wants this,” said Jae Glover, 25, as he handed out bee stickers.

“It’s a feeling, it could have been avoided. Antisemitism has now been brewing in Australia for over two years.”

As Matilda’s small white coffin was carried to a hearse at the end of the funeral, people crowded around to say their final goodbyes.

“As the coffin was driving away, I was just whispering, ‘I’m so sorry, my baby. I’m so sorry, my baby’, because I have five babies. We failed this baby,” said Chana Friedman, 37.

Elena Marguleva said the service was “heartbreaking and devastating”, and that she had not been eating or sleeping since the attack. “I can’t come to terms with how this could possibly happen.”

GOVERNMENT PLEDGES ACTION ON HATE SPEECH
Mr. Albanese said the government will seek to introduce legislation that makes it easier to charge people promoting hate speech and violence. Penalties would be increased, cancelling or refusing visas would be made easier and a regime for targeting organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech would be developed, he said.

“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge much more,” Mr. Albanese told a news conference announcing the reforms.

Mr. Albanese’s government has said it has consistently denounced antisemitism over the last two years. It passed legislation to criminalize hate speech and in August it expelled the Iranian ambassador after accusing Tehran of directing two antisemitic arson attacks in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

Still, antisemitic incidents are mounting. A 19-year-old Sydney man was charged and will face court on Thursday after allegedly threatening violence towards a Jewish person on a flight from Bali to Sydney on Wednesday.

“Police will allege the man made antisemitic threats and hand gestures indicating violence towards the alleged victim, who the man knew to be affiliated with the Jewish community,” Australian Federal Police said on Thursday.

PHILIPPINES, ISLAMIC STATE LINKS INVESTIGATED
Police allege the attack was carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram was charged with 59 offenses including murder and terror charges on Wednesday after waking from a coma. His case has been adjourned until April 2026, the court confirmed on Thursday.

The center-left Labor government has ruled out holding a Royal Commission, a high-level inquiry with judicial powers, into the shootings for now.

On Wednesday, the leader of New South Wales where the attack took place said he would next week recall the state parliament to pass urgent reforms on gun laws.

Police are looking into Australia-based Islamic State networks as well as the gunmen’s alleged links to militants in the Philippines.

The Philippines’ National Security Council on Wednesday said that while Sajid Akram and his son had been in the country for a month in November the pair had not engaged in any military training.

Islamic State-linked networks are known to operate in the Philippines and have wielded some influence in the south of the country.

“There is no valid report or confirmation that the two received any form of military training while in the country and no evidence supports such a claim at present,” Philippine national security adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement.— Reuters