logo
Taiwan's Annual Military Drill Moves Out of the Shadows—and Into Everyday Life

Taiwan's Annual Military Drill Moves Out of the Shadows—and Into Everyday Life

TAICHUNG, Taiwan—In the stillness of a small village on the outskirts of this central Taiwanese city, two CM-34 'Clouded Leopard' armored vehicles rumbled down narrow country lanes, unloading soldiers tasked with countering a simulated Chinese landing force pushing inland.
On the other side of town, two CM-11 'Brave Tiger' battle tanks concealed behind a community center fired mock rounds at a rice paddy, the blasts echoing through the village.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bangladesh students protest after air force jet crash kills 31
Bangladesh students protest after air force jet crash kills 31

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Bangladesh students protest after air force jet crash kills 31

STORY: Students in Bangladesh protested on Tuesday (July 22) after an air force fighter jet crash killed at least 31 people, most of whom were children. People were leaving Dhaka school to go home when the jet plowed into the building on Monday. It burst into flames, trapping pupils in the fire and debris. Students from the school and nearby colleges demanded answers and compensation from the government. Bangladesh's air force chief Hasan Mahmood Khan said an inquiry has been launched. 'It was a very sad incident. We will try our best to find out the causes.' Rescue workers continued to scour the charred buildings for debris on Tuesday as people, distressed, looked on. Sagor Hossain said he's been searching 'like a maniac' for his niece Raisa Moni who's been missing since the crash. 'She is a third-grader. Since yesterday afternoon, we have visited all the hospitals and the school. But cannot find her whereabouts.' The military said the jet had taken off from a nearby air base on a routine training mission. After experiencing mechanical failure, the pilot, who was among those killed, tried to divert the aircraft away from populated areas, but it crashed into the campus. The government announced a day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and special prayers at all places of worship.

US government employee banned from leaving China
US government employee banned from leaving China

Associated Press

time3 hours ago

  • Associated Press

US government employee banned from leaving China

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. government employee has been banned from leaving China after traveling there in a personal capacity, the State Department said Tuesday, marking the latest case where Beijing has stopped U.S. nationals from departing the country. The State Department did not reveal the identity of the employee at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which is part of the Commerce Department, but said it is 'tracking this case very closely' and that it is engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. 'The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens,' it said. The Chinese government restricts people from leaving the country if they are involved in investigations, including business disputes, but it has been accused of using the tool to arbitrarily keep both Chinese and foreign nationals in the country. China's use of the exit ban and other concerns previously prompted the State Department to tell Americans to reconsider travel to China. The travel advisory was only eased in November after China released three U.S. citizens who were detained for years. It's one of the latest instances of such travel restrictions. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Chenyue Mao, a U.S.-based Wells Fargo banker, was blocked from leaving China, prompting the bank to suspend all travel to the country. Citing 'privacy and other considerations,' the State Department did not comment on Mao's case. Wells Fargo said Tuesday that it is 'closely tracking this situation and working through the appropriate channels so our employee can return to the United States as soon as possible.' Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said Mao is 'involved in a criminal case currently being handled by Chinese law-enforcement authorities' and that she is 'subject to exit restrictions in accordance with the law.' 'Let me stress that it is an individual judicial case,' Guo said. 'China will as always welcome people from all countries to travel and do business in China and ensure their rights and interests in accordance with the law.' Asked about the case involving the U.S. government employee, Guo said: 'I have no details to share. China upholds the rule of law and handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.' Other Americans have faced China's exit ban. Two American siblings were only allowed to leave China in 2021 after they were stranded there for three years after visiting their relatives.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store