Taiwan Plans Record Defence Spending as President Calls It an Investment in Peace.

Taiwan is set to increase its defence spending to a record level in 2027, with President Lai Ching-te describing the move as an investment in peace and regional stability.

The proposed defence budget is expected to reach T$1.1225 trillion ($35.2 billion), surpassing 3% of Taiwan’s gross domestic product and exceeding T$1 trillion for the first time.

President Lai said the increased spending demonstrates Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its self-defence capabilities and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

“Investing in defence is investing in peace,” Lai said, stressing that Taiwan would continue building a stronger military force in response to growing security challenges.

The move comes amid increasing military and political pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Beijing has stepped up military activities around the island, including operations in waters and skies near Taiwan.

Taiwan has also intensified military modernisation efforts, including plans to develop domestically built submarines and strengthen its ability to respond to potential threats.

The announcement follows Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises, which included simulations of various conflict scenarios, including efforts to counter a possible Chinese maritime blockade.

China has criticised Taiwan’s military drills, describing them as provocative and accusing Taipei of increasing tensions in the region.

The proposed defence spending will still face scrutiny from Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament, where opposition parties have warned against giving the government unrestricted funding.

Kebbi Governor Replaces Deputy, Picks Augie as 2027 Running Mate

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has replaced his deputy, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, naming Ibrahim Muhammad Augie as his new running mate.

The decision was announced at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi during a thank-you visit by stakeholders from the Argungu Emirate.

The National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, said the change was based on professional legal advice regarding the eligibility of the incumbent deputy governor.

According to him, Augie was selected with the understanding and consent of Senator Tafida.

He stressed that there was no disagreement between Governor Idris and his deputy, urging APC supporters and politicians across the state to remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.

Governor Idris also confirmed that the decision was made for legal reasons and with Senator Tafida’s knowledge and consent.

The governor thanked the people of the Argungu Emirate for their continued support and cooperation with his administration.

King’s College Concession Sparks Opposition as Parents Mobilise for Protest

Parents and other stakeholders of King’s College, Lagos, are mobilising for a mass protest against the Federal Government’s decision to concession the 116-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).

The Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Peter Oluwaseye, said the protest had become necessary because many stakeholders, including parents, senior civil servants and members of the community, were opposed to the concession.

According to him, King’s College is a public institution and should not be treated as the property of its former students.

He urged the old boys to support the school through donations and other forms of assistance rather than seeking to take over its management.

Meanwhile, KCOBA has defended the arrangement, saying the concession is not a privatisation of the school. The association said it is intended to create a new framework through which it can partner with the government to improve infrastructure, teacher development, digital technology, scholarships, research, innovation and students’ welfare.

The association has also launched a ₦100 billion endowment fund to support the repositioning of the institution.

Among the early contributors are First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who donated ₦10 million, and KCOBA President Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, who donated ₦1 billion. Former Board of Trustees Chairman Philip Asiodu and the association’s new Board Chairman, Femi Okunnu, reportedly donated ₦100 million each.

Ibrahim-Imam described the concession as a major milestone in the history of King’s College, saying it could serve as a model for the renewal of public education in Nigeria.

However, the planned protest shows that opposition to the arrangement remains strong among some parents and stakeholders, leaving the future of the concession subject to continued public debate.

7 Dead in Stampede at Temple in India

At least seven women have died and several others were injured after a stampede at the Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district of India’s Bihar state, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred early Monday after an electricity pole reportedly fell near the temple. A rumour then spread among devotees that a live electrical wire had fallen on people, triggering panic and a rush among women waiting in a queue.

According to senior civil official Shailendra Kumar, the pressure in the queue caused several women to fall on top of one another.

“Seven devotees died, while the exact number of injured is still being determined,” Kumar said.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said instructions had been issued to the authorities to ensure that the injured receive proper and urgent medical treatment.

Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and determine the full number of casualties.

Israeli Settlers Establish New Outpost in Occupied West Bank

Israeli settlers have begun setting up tents for a new settlement outpost near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, while another group continues to besiege Palestinian families in the village of Qusra near Nablus.

The new outpost is being established in the Wadi Zeytun area near Umm Safa, northwest of Ramallah. Palestinian officials say settlers have also started establishing another outpost in the nearby village of Burqa.

If completed, the new outposts would increase the number of Israeli settlement outposts surrounding the two villages to six.

According to Palestinian reports, Israeli settlers have taken control of large portions of land belonging to Umm Safa and Burqa. Residents say the expansion has severely restricted their access to their farmland.

Meanwhile, in Qusra, 15 Palestinians, including two children, remain confined to their homes as a settler siege enters its second week. Israeli soldiers have reportedly positioned themselves near the homes and erected a tent in the area.

Palestinian Red Crescent teams have also reported being blocked from reaching areas affected by settler attacks.

Other incidents were reported in Beit Imrin, Nab’a al-Kaabneh, Turmus Aya and Hebron, where Palestinians were reportedly attacked or detained.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused Israel of allowing settlers to carry out coercive actions against Palestinians, saying the settlers were being used to advance what she described as an “ethnic cleansing” campaign.

Palestinian National Initiative Secretary-General Mustafa Barghouti described the situation in the West Bank as “extremely dangerous,” alleging that settler groups were carrying out around 30 attacks each day.

The United Nations considers Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illegal under international law.

One Killed, Four Injured in Shooting at Kentucky Park

One person was killed and four others injured after a shooting at Charles Young Park in downtown Lexington on Saturday evening, police said.

Lexington police responded to reports of gunfire shortly before 7 p.m. and found five victims at the scene. One victim later died at a hospital, while the other four suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

According to local media reports, Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said two children, aged 4 and 14, were among those injured in the shooting.

Police have not released details about a suspect. Chief Weathers said authorities did not believe there was any ongoing threat to the public.

He urged anyone with information about the shooting or anyone who may know of someone planning to use a weapon to contact police.

The investigation remains ongoing.