In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Online Cigarettes Store USA Agency, which oversees US foreign military sales, said Taiwan's purchase of the F-16s "will not alter the basic military balance in the region."
"This proposed sale will contribute to the recipient's capability to provide for the defense of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the United States."
On Monday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Newport Pleasure Geng Shuang said US arms sales to Taiwan "severely violate" agreements between Washington and Beijing and "constitute severe interference in China's internal affairs."
The United States should "immediately cancel the planned arms sales, and stop selling weapons and military contact with Taiwan," he said.
CNN pundit April Ryan’s security guard has been charged with assault after he forcibly removed a local New Jersey reporter from an event at which Ryan was delivering a speech.
Charlie Kravotil, editor of New Brunswick Today, claims that Ryan’s bodyguard, 30-year-old Joel Morris, approached him during Ryan’s speech at The Heldrich Hotel Newport box 100s cigarettes on August 3 and stole his camera after he refused to stop filming.
A video of the incident shows Kravotil, who secured press credentials for the event, following Morris into the lobby of the hotel to retrieve his camera. After the local journalist reclaimed his camera, Morris grabbed his arm, placed it behind his back, and shoved him out of the hotel.
Morris has been charged with harassment, assault, and theft in connection with the incident.
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