News

China conducts military exercises near Taiwan

Published

4 years ago

August 17, 2021

China says it has carried out naval and aerial military drills near Taiwan, in response to “external interference and provocations”.

Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent months, as a way of discouraging independence.

China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, and wants to eventually bring it under mainland control.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army says it dispatched warships, anti-submarine aircraft, and fighter jets on Tuesday to carry out live-fire drills.

An Army spokesperson says the exercises took place “in the surrounding sea and airspace in the southwest and southeast of Taiwan”. It’s unclear just how close to Taiwan the drills were.

China claims the latest exercise “is a necessary action based on the current security situation across the Taiwan Strait”.

“Recently, the US and Taiwan have repeatedly provoked and sent serious wrong signals, severely infringed upon China’s sovereignty, and severely undermined the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, which has become the biggest source of security risks across the Taiwan Strait.”
People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command spokesperson

Chinese state media’s warning to Taiwan

Tuesday’s drills follow the fall of Kabul, which led to Chinese state media claiming the United States will abandon Taiwan like Afghanistan.

“From what happened in Afghanistan, [Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party] should perceive that once a war breaks out in the Straits, the island’s defense will collapse in hours and the US military won’t come to help,” the editorial by the Global Times states.

The Global Times claims that “as a result, the DPP authorities will quickly surrender, while some high-level officials may flee by plane.”

Taiwan’s Premier today insisted that Taiwan would not collapse like Afghanistan in the event of an attack.

Today, there are powerful countries that want to swallow up Taiwan using force, and likewise we are also not afraid of being killed or imprisoned.
Premier Su Tseng-chang

“We must guard this country and this land, and not be like certain people who always talk up the enemy’s prestige and talk down our resolve,” Premier Su Tseng-chang said.

News

Big Tech earnings spark investor unease over AI spending

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Investors are reacting sharply to Big Tech earnings this week, sending a clear signal that massive spending must translate into real growth. Markets are becoming less forgiving as companies pour billions into artificial intelligence, data centres and future tech while returns remain uncertain.

Meta has delivered a standout performance, posting a 24 percent jump in revenue for the December quarter, fuelled by AI-powered advertising. The company is doubling down on its strategy, with aggressive investment in AI and infrastructure expected to drive a further 33 percent growth this quarter.

Microsoft and Tesla tell a more cautious story. Microsoft reported only modest growth in its Azure cloud business, raising questions about its exposure to OpenAI, while Tesla plans to double spending on AI and autonomous driving. Analysts warn of a widening gap between bold AI ambitions and what investors expect in returns.

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News

Federal Reserve holds interest rates amid economic uncertainty

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut. #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut.

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates unchanged, marking the first pause since July. Officials are showing little urgency to resume cuts, even after previous rate reductions.

Two Fed governors opposed the decision, calling for a quarter-point cut, highlighting ongoing debates within the rate-setting committee, which includes both appointed governors and regional bank presidents.

Concerns over the job market and persistent inflation continue to weigh heavily on the Fed’s policy decisions, leaving economists and investors closely watching the next moves.

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#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

News

Trump warns Iran as U.S. naval forces approach amid rising tensions

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and tensions rise.

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and rising tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to return to nuclear negotiations, warning that failure to do so could result in a far more severe military response. Posting on Truth Social, Trump signalled a hardening stance as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Trump confirmed that a U.S. naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is moving towards Iran, as protests grow inside the country over alleged government repression.

The show of force comes amid heightened regional instability and mounting pressure on the Iranian leadership.

#Trump #Iran #USForeignPolicy