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Taiwan reaches out for international support following China invasion

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As tensions between China and Taiwan reach a 40 year high, Taipei is now seeking international support, following incursions made by Beijing

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says the nation will ensure regional peace and stability going forward, seeking to work with international partners such as France and Australia.

The President held conversations with other like-minded democracies on Thursday, telling senior French and Australian dignitaries that international support would be requested following a dramatic spike in tensions with China.

The trips by four French senators and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott come after four straight days of intense Chinese air force incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone.

FILE PHOTO: Soldiers march to position during an anti-invasion drill on the beach during the annual Han Kuang military drill in Tainan, Taiwan, September 14, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang

Those incursions have been met with concern by Washington and its allies

Democratically ruled Taiwan has sought support from other democracies, especially the United States and it allies, amid the growing military and political pressure from China, who continues to claim Taiwan as its own territory.

The Taiwan president thanked her French international counterparts for their concern.

“We will continue to fulfil our responsibilities as members of the international community to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We also hope to make more contributions to the world along with France,”

The PM said

Tsai gave a similar message in later remarks to Australia’s former leader Tony Abbott, who says he was currently in Taiwan to help end its international isolation, praising its democracy and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Of course not everyone and not everywhere is pleased at Taiwan’s progress, and I do note that Taiwan is challenged on an almost daily basis by its giant neighbour,”

Abbott said.

In March, the Chinese embassy in Paris warned against lawmakers meeting Taiwanese officials, prompting a rebuff from the French foreign ministry, which said French senators are free to meet whomever they wish when they travel.

Tony Abbott, Former Australian PM, is in Taiwan

Neither France nor Australia have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, like most countries

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden confirmed he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to abide by the “Taiwan agreement”

The President of the United States appeared to be referring to America’s longstanding “one China” policy, where it recognises China rather than Taiwan.

But – the agreement further allows the United States to maintain a “robust unofficial” relationship with Tawian.

Beijing has sent “record numbers” of military jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone for four consecutive days.

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Breakthrough app detects sleep issues in the blink of an eye

OptAlert launches free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues, utilising AI to screen for obstructive sleep apnea with high accuracy.

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Optalert launches free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues, utilising AI to screen for obstructive sleep apnea with high accuracy.

In Short

Australian company Optalert has launched a free iPhone app, Owl Eye, that detects sleep issues by analysing users’ blink patterns and screening for obstructive sleep apnea with 96.6% accuracy. The app is currently available in Australia and New Zealand, with plans for wider release.

Australian company Optalert has introduced a free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues.

The app differs from traditional sleep trackers by assessing users while awake, requiring only ten minutes to complete.

It focuses primarily on screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is backed by data from leading Australian sleep laboratories.

An AI-based algorithm, developed from this data, classifies individuals with a remarkable 96.6% accuracy regarding OSA.

Optalert is currently pursuing regulatory certification to operate as a medical device across various regions, including the US, Europe, and China.

The app functions by analysing users’ blink patterns during a concentration task facilitated by the iPhone’s camera, disregarding video content to ensure privacy.

This technology helps identify impairment due to insufficient oxygen during sleep.

Those receiving a positive result can seek further diagnosis and treatment for their sleep issues.

The app, named Owl Eye, is currently available on the Apple App Store in Australia and New Zealand, with plans to expand its reach shortly.

Paul Zubrinich, Chief Marketing Officer of Optalert provides his involvement with the app and shares insights on the technology behind Owl Eye.

In the broader context of sleep technology, the trend indicates increasing accessibility to personal health data previously confined to clinical settings, promising advancements in sleep health.

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Musk asserts DOGE reflects voters’ choices in rare Oval Office appearance

Elon Musk defends DOGE cuts with Trump, claims Americans will receive what they voted for in Oval Office appearance.

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Elon Musk defends DOGE cuts with Trump, claims Americans will receive what they voted for in Oval Office appearance.

In Short

Elon Musk supported the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during a meeting with President Trump, who signed an order to cut the federal workforce. Musk addressed concerns about DOGE’s transparency and potential conflicts of interest, asserting the agency acts transparently, despite calls for more information.

Elon Musk appeared with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 11, 2025, to support the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk defended DOGE’s proposed cuts, claiming they were reasonable and aimed at improving government efficiency.

Trump signed an executive order to enforce significant reductions in the federal workforce, allowing DOGE to oversee the hiring processes for agencies.

The order mandates a hiring ratio of one new employee for every four who depart, with exemptions for positions related to public safety and law enforcement.

Musk emphasized that Americans would receive what they voted for regarding DOGE’s changes, questioning the implications of bureaucratic control over democracy.

Trump expressed frustration with federal judges attempting to block DOGE’s initiatives.

Musk had previously suggested that a judge should be impeached after a ruling limited DOGE’s access to Treasury files.

Musk faced inquiries about DOGE’s transparency and potential conflicts of interest with his companies receiving federal contracts.

He asserted that DOGE operates transparently and shares updates on its official X account and government site.

However, as of the latest check, DOGE.gov had not provided new information.

A DOGE spokesperson stated that the agency is under the Presidential Records Act, potentially keeping their activities confidential for years.

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Trump, Putin discuss Ukraine war peace talks

Trump and Putin agree to talks aimed at ending Ukraine war, signalling potential improvement in US-Russia relations.

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Trump and Putin agree to talks aimed at ending Ukraine war, signalling potential improvement in US-Russia relations.

In Short

Trump and Putin agreed to start talks to end the Ukraine war, following a phone call that raised hopes for improved relations. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Hegseth indicated a shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine’s territorial claims and its NATO membership.

The two leaders communicated by phone on Wednesday. Trump expressed optimism about the potential results of this engagement, describing it as a necessary step towards peace.

This phone call followed a recent prisoner exchange, which Trump suggested might signal improving U.S.-Russia relations.

In his remarks on Truth Social, Trump highlighted the urgent need to address the ongoing deaths resulting from the conflict. He noted Putin’s reference to his campaign motto, “COMMON SENSE.”

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statements indicated a shift in U.S. policy, dismissing Ukraine’s restoration to pre-2014 borders as unrealistic and stating that Ukraine’s NATO membership is not a viable goal.

Hegseth, during his first European visit as Pentagon chief, emphasised that security guarantees for Ukraine would require contributions from both European and non-European troops, requiring a collaborative international effort.

While Ukraine expresses a desire to reclaim its territory, Hegseth acknowledged the difficulty it might face in obtaining areas currently occupied by Russia.

He did not clarify the level of military support the U.S. would provide moving forward, nor did he suggest an imminent increase in arms supplies.

Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, stated that they have a significant chance to end the war, with strong support from allies anticipated at the upcoming Munich Security Conference.

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