The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes comments by NATO Secretary

General Mark Rutte concerning China's military buildup and its ambitions

toward Taiwan.

According to the ministry, the Lai administration will continue working with

partners such as the G-7 and NATO to contribute to peace and stability in the

Indo-Pacific and Taiwan Strait.

The statement comes after Rutte has issued a warning over China's threat to

Taiwan earlier this week - in which he called the growing alignment (結盟)

between Beijing, Moscow and other authoritarian regimes a serious threat to

global stability.

Rutte was speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich

Merz in Berlin - and said China is increasingly preparing to pursue its

ambitions to take over Taiwan and will likely do so in coordination with

Russia.

Rutte, made a similar warning in a recent interview with the New York Times,

saying Beijing could attempt to seize Taiwan while urging Moscow to launch a

parallel attack on NATO territory.

The Tainan City Government has announced that the city's urban resilience

drills scheduled for July 16 will be canceled, as it prioritizes disaster

relief and reconstruction (重建) after Typhoon Danas battered the south.

According to Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, efforts are still underway to

restore power and water to areas affected by the storm - which caused power

outages for 282,000 households and downed over 600 utility poles.

Some 84-per cent of power has now been restored.

Huang says over 1,300 military personnel are supporting disaster relief.

The Chiayi City and County governments have also announced the cancellation

of their urban resilience drills - which had been scheduled for July 15.

Russia could face severe new US sanctions as President Donald Trump and

Republican congressional leaders begin to show more openness to a bill that

would punish (懲罰) Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Kate fisher reports from Washington

Ecuador’s parliament has passed a law allowing private companies to help

manage protected areas, prompting backlash from Indigenous groups and

environmental advocates.

Critics say the legislation violates the country’s constitution and at least

15 international agreements, and was approved without proper (恰當的)

consultation.

They warn it could lead to the erosion of Indigenous land rights and

environmental protections.

The government argues the law, which passed on Thursday, will strengthen

oversight, promote ecotourism and combat illegal mining without allowing

extractive activity.

Thousands of fans have flocked to a Thailand zoo to celebrate the first

birthday of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo that's become a social media

sensation.

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Thursday launched a four-day event featuring free

entry for children under 12.

Fans from around the world, including the United States and Malaysia,

traveled to see Moo Deng, who charmed visitors with her playful antics

(滑稽動作).

The zoo also held auctions of Moo Deng-themed items to support animal care.

Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa.

They are endangered, with only 2,000-3,000 left in the wild.

That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.

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