Taiwan

China's secretive military appears to be up to something around Taiwan, but it's unclear whether it's a formal military drill.

China deployed ships and warplanes in large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan Monday, simulating the sealing off of ports in a move that underscores the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Ukraine will get most of the weapons as it struggles to combat Russia's overwhelming firepower. The bill also includes more arms for Israel, and humanitarian help for Gaza.

The bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming 79-18 vote late Tuesday after the House had approved the package Saturday. Biden is expected to quickly sign the legislation.

President Biden has expressed support for the House foreign aid package. It now heads to the Senate, where it is also expected to pass.

Taiwan has been hit by the strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century.

The U.S. Geological Survey gave the magnitude as 7.4. The quake collapsed buildings and created a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. At least 9 people died, officials said.

Taiwan says its newly developed type of pineapple is just the latest agricultural property taken by China.

The measure, which would provide $95 billion in military aid, has little hope of seeing a vote in the House where hard-line Republicans oppose the measure.

Taiwan's vice president and candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Ching-te, will be the island's next leader. Tensions with Beijing seem poised to rise.