ICRT

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:43:13

The Taiwan High Court today raised the sentence for a woman who attacked
another MRT passenger with a knife to 7 years in prison.

The woman, surnamed Wang, attacked a high schooler with a box cutter on a
Taipei MRT blue line train in 2024.

She was originally sentenced to 4 and a half years.

In its judgement, the court also ordered Wang to undergo two years of
psychiatric supervision, citing her diagnosis of schizophrenia.

The court found that Wang was experiecing auditory hallucinations and
believed the student to be stalking her.

The High Court says, although her mental condition warranted a reduced
sentence under the Criminal Code, the original ruling failed to reflect the
severity of the attack and its broader social impact.

The panel concluded that Wang's actions amount to attempted murder and other
offenses.

(AH_CNA)

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:43:14

Bangladeshis will cast ballots Thursday in a crucial national election, the
first since a mass uprising ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's
15-year rule.

Public expectation is high that the vote could reset democratic norms after
years of disputed elections.

The interim administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is overseeing the
transition, and has pledged a fair vote.

There are over 127 million eligible voters in the nation of some 170 million.

For the first time, citizens abroad can vote by mail.

The election also includes a referendum on political reforms.

The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, is the front-runner.

Minority communities, especially Hindus, express concerns over rising
hard-line influence.

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:24:13

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says Taiwan could become a defense "breach"
if lawmakers do not pass a special defense budget.

Koo says that the $1.25 trillion NT plan would fund major weapons purchases
and joint production with the United States.

He says it would strengthen air defense, anti-armour weapons, drones, and
C-5-I-S-R capabilities.

Koo says failure to pass the budget would weaken Taiwan's defense and could
signal to Washington a lack of public support.

President Lai Ching-te says a recent U.S. security strategy urges
Indo-Pacific partners to take more responsibility for their own defense.

The bill stalled in the last session, and the government hopes it will be
reviewed after the Lunar New Year break.

Opposition parties want Lai to brief lawmakers first and also want a
$30-thousand NT pay raise for troops, which the government says raises
constitutional issues.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:24:16

The Control Yuan has impeached four Taichung City officials for failures in
handling an African swine fever outbreak last year.

The officials are accused of providing inconsistent information, failing to
monitor pig deaths, and ignoring central government orders, leading to a
nationwide crisis.

The outbreak occurred in October 2025 at a pig farm in Wuqi District, where
117 pigs died within 10 days.

The situation forced a 15-day nationwide ban on the transport and slaughter
of all pigs.

At the time, Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen apologized and removed three of the
officials from their posts.

Now, the Control Yuan says Former Agriculture Director Chang Ching-chang,
former Environmental Protection Director Chen Hung-yi, former Animal
Protection Director Lin Ju-liang, and section chief Chou Pai-chun seriously
undermined public trust in the government’s epidemic preparedness.

Their cases have now been referred to the Disciplinary Court for further
action.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:24:16

KFC Taiwan says it has launched an internal investigation after a customer
reported finding a battery in an egg tart.

The company says a preliminary review points to a procedure lapse at a single
outlet, the Kaohsiung Nanzih store.

A social media post included photos and said the tart had gone cold and was
about to be reheated.

KFC says it is conducting a full workflow review at the store and has tried
to contact the customer.

The company says it is also tightening checks and reviewing operations at
stores nationwide.

KFC apologised and said it will strengthen staff training and internal
controls.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:24:17

charges over a 2024 airstrike in Gaza

Now moving to international news ...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he told visiting Israeli President Isaac
Herzog that Australia is seeking criminal charges over a 2024 airstrike in
Gaza.

The strike killed seven people, including Australian aid worker Zomi
Frankcom.

Albanese emphasized in Parliament on Wednesday the need for transparency and
accountability in Israel's ongoing investigation of the strike.

Meanwhile, Herzog described his visit to Australia as emotional, highlighting
the anti-Semitic attack in December on Sydney's Jewish community.

Pro-Palestinian protests have targeted him in Sydney and Canberra, with some
lawmakers opposing Herzog's visit.

Herzog plans to visit Melbourne before returning to Israel.

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:24:17

And in Iran ...

Today marked the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but Iran
remains under pressure both from America and its own people.

U.S. president Donald Trump has suggested sending a second aircraft carrier
group to the Middle East.

This came as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington to
push for strict terms in nuclear talks with Tehran.

On Iranian state television, tens of thousands were shown supporting the
theocracy and 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

But shouts of "Death to the dictator!" were heard in Tehran on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, senior Iranian officials continued diplomatic efforts in the
region.

Posted on 2026-02-11 17:24:18

And now turning to the Olympics ...

The men's ice hockey tournament starts today with a match between Finland and
Slovakia, who won gold and bronze at Beijing 2022.

This is the first Olympics since 2014 where NHL players can compete, meaning
that nations are fielding their best talent.

The men's curling tournament also starts today.

Reigning champions Sweden begin their title defence against the Italian home
side.

Medals will be awarded in the ice dance tonight.

Going into tonight's skate, the French pair of Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence
Fournier Beaudry have a small lead over the Americans Evan Bates and Madison
Chock.

The women's doubles luge event will make its debut at the Olympics.

American Chloe Kim begins her quest for a third straight Olympic gold in the
women's snowboard halfpipe ...

... whilst in the men's event, reigning champion Ayamu Hirano looks for a
fourth straight medal.

Finally, in the men's super-G alpine skiing, Switzerland's reigning world
champion Marco Odermatt is the man to beat.

Posted on 2026-02-11 16:11:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will stay open and pragmatic as
Honduras considers restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The ministry says it will not set preconditions, and will seek equal and
mutually beneficial ties.

Honduran media reports First Vice President Maria Antonieta Mejia says any
return to relations with Taiwan would be gradual.

She says a technical team is reviewing agreements signed with China under the
previous administration.

Officials say the review is meant to help President Nasry Asfura make a final
decision.

Honduras cut ties with Taiwan in 2023 under then-President Xiomara Castro and
established relations with China.

The report says Beijing's trade and investment promises have not met
expectations, drawing criticism at home.

Asfura took office in January after campaigning on a pledge to restore ties
with Taiwan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-02-11 16:11:15

Officials say a newly upgraded incinerator in Tainan will be up and running
by year's end.

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che hosted an ignition ceremony today for the updated
incinerator at the Chengxi Trash Incineration Plant.

The renovation of the plant began in 2023 as a build-operate-transfer
project, and the mayor says the ignition marks the final step toward
completion.

The city government says the updated facility is a renewable energy power
plant, designed to process 300-thousand metric tons of household waste every
year.

The plant is expected to generate enough to power over 64-thousand households
annually.

And officials say emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and hydrogen
chloride will be far below legal limits.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-11 16:11:15

Canadian police say eight people including a suspect are dead after a
shooting at a small school in British Columbia, with two more found dead at a
home believed to be connected to the incident.

Police say more than 25 people were injured, including two with
life-threatening injuries.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they have identified a female suspect, but
did not release the name, adding that the shooter's motive remains unclear.

They say police are still investigating how the victims are connected to the
shooter.

The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as
having 175 students from Grades 7 to 12.

Posted on 2026-02-11 16:11:15

Dubai International Airport remains the world's busiest airport for
travelers, with 95.2 million passengers in 2025.

The airport, which is home to Emirates, has thrived post-pandemic due to
increased travel interest and tourism.

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism on Monday reported a 5% increase in
tourists last year, to 19.6 million.

The facility served 108 airlines flying to 291 cities in 110 countries.

India was the top destination market for the airport in 2025.

Dubai plans to move operations to Al Maktoum International Airport by 2032
after a $35 billion upgrade.

Posted on 2026-02-11 15:45:13

The TPP legislative caucus has agreed to refer the Executive Yuan's version
of a special defense act to committee review.

That's following a press conference given by President Lai Ching-te today, in
which he urged the legislature to examine that proposal as quickly as
possible.

At the event, Lai noted that the Cabinet proposed the 1.25 trillion special
defense budget back in November and has not yet been referred to committee
review.

He said he hoped it could be examined as soon as possible in the new
legislative session.

After his remarks, TPP caucus leaders said that they supported increasing
Taiwan's defensive capacity and autonomy.

The TPP's own version of a special defense budget was already referred to
committee review over a week ago.

DPP Caucus leaders commended the TPP's "goodwill" and said they hoped the KMT
would follow suit in prioritizing the national benefit.

Caucus secretary-general Zhong Jia Bin called for the opposition and ruling
party versions to be examined in tandem.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-11 15:45:19

A Chinese sea captain of a Hong Kong-flagged vessel has pleaded not guilty to
damaging undersea cables in the Baltic Sea in 2023.

Wan Wenguo pleaded not guilty today in a Hong Kong court to one count of
criminal damage and two separate charges relating to violations of marine
safety requirements.

Wan is the captain of the Newnew Polar Bear container ship.

Finnish authorities previously determined the Newnew Polar Bear vessel was
responsible for damaging the Balticconnector gas pipeline, which connects
Finland and Estonia, in October 2023.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, critical undersea cable and gas
pipelines being sabotaged in the Baltic Sea has raised security concerns
among governments.

Posted on 2026-02-11 15:45:15

The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation has partnered with LINE TODAY to make
it easier for those taking non-reserved trains over the holiday period to
avoid long waits.

The company says, the new service will allow passengers to easily view
expected wait times online before arriving at the station.

The new feature is divided into 5 levels based on expected wait times at the
stations, using green, yellow, and red lights as indicators.

THSR is planning to operate over 2000 train services during the holiday
period.

They say, as of this morning, 1.212 million passengers have completed
reservations for reserved seats.

The new feature will have crowding status available 30 minutes before service
time begins and will be continuously updated as tickets are sold.

Passengers are advised to check the crowding status through the THSR website
or app, or the LINE TODAY lifestyle channel to get the latest information.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-11 15:45:20

Inflation in Argentina accelerated more than expected and for a fifth
straight month in January.

Argentina's statics agency reported Tuesday that consumer prices rose 2.9%
last month compared with December, largely owing to increases in the prices
of food, restaurants, hotels and utility bills.

But the closely watched report's methodology in recent days stoked political
turmoil.

Economists say the formula that INDEC used to calculate the inflation rate
underestimates real price rises amid budget cuts and deregulation measures.

Posted on 2026-02-11 13:23:13

Officials say a man suspected of firing a gun at a Taipei kindergarten last
month has been detained following a court order.

The suspect, surnamed Huang, lives near the school in the city's Wenshan
district.

He allegedly began shooting after becoming upset at the noise.

Police say Huang initially targeted the building's exterior walls, which went
unnoticed until staff discovered damaged windows and water pipes.

They reported the case to authorities on January 21st.

After reviewing security footage, police identified Huang as the suspect and
searched his residence.

They seized three air guns and three boxes of ammunition.

Huang said he had previously complained about the noise and resorted to
shooting after complaints failed to resolve the issue.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-11 13:23:13

Asian cities have become far more popular for Taiwanese travelers over the
Lunar New Year period...

according to the booking site Trip.com.

It notes that, in particular, there are six times as many trips to Korea's
Jeju Island this year than in years past.

Industry experts say that the second half of this month will be a peak travel
period, coupling the Lunar New Year holiday with the 228 Peace Memorial Day.

Taoyuan International Airport is expected to see a total passenger volume of
2.74 million people during that time.

Trip.com notes that, in addition to Jeju Island, Taiwanese travelers are also
increasingly interested in Sapporo and Fukuoka in Japan, and in Busan in
Korea.

Industry experts say that Taiwanese people are more likely to begin planning
trips far in advance, just like travellers in Singapore and Japan.

Overall trends indicate a vibrant outbound tourism market this spring.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-11 13:23:13

In Colombia, Miguel Uribe Londono, the father of slain presidential hopeful
Miguel Uribe Turbay, announced his plans to run for the presidency to defend
his son's political legacy.

This is despite falling out with his son's party, the Democratic Center,
which Uribe Londono, 73, helped to establish over a decade ago.

He is running on behalf of Democratic Colombia, a small party that began as a
movement to defend the rights of Afro-Colombians.

Uribe Londono, a former senator, has no apparent ties to Afro-Colombian
movements.

His son was shot at a campaign rally last year and died two months later.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-02-11 13:23:13

For fans of the Milan-Cortina Olympic mascots, it's nearly impossible to find
the stoat siblings in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

They are sold out at many of the official Olympics stores in the host cities,
less than a week into the Winter Games.

Tina, short for Cortina, represents the Olympic Winter Games.

The one-pawed Milo, short for Milano, is the face of the Paralympic Winter
Games.

Winning athletes are gifted the toys when they receive their medals.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-02-11 08:15:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun is in visiting the United States this week to
sign the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

The visit follows a preliminary consensus reached in Washington in
mid-January following a final round of trade talks between the two sides.

Under that arrangement, the U-S agreed to reduce tariffs on Taiwan goods
entering the American market from 20 to 15-per cent, matching the rates
applied to major competitors like Japan and South Korea.

Taiwan semiconductor and technology firms have committed to investing at
least 250-billion U-S dollars in America in exchange for the lower tariff
rate.

The preliminary agreement also includes 250-billion U-S dollars in credit
guarantees by the Lai administration to help domestic companies expand their
footprint in the U-S market.

However, the full technical details of the trade agreement remain undisclosed.

Once the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade is signed, the government will submit
it to the Legislative Yuan for review.

Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee says the agreement will be submit
accompanied by a legally required impact assessment report.

Opposition lawmakers are demanding the government provide a full public
report on the scope of the agreement to both the Legislature and the public
before signing off on the deal.

Posted on 2026-02-11 08:15:17

Three cast members of an unreleased film about the unsolved 1980 murders of
dissident Lin I-hsiung's family are demanding their likenesses and voices not
be used in the movie and are also seeking to block its release.

Jian Man-shu, Hsia Teng-hung and River Huang issued the statement following
revelations that "The Century Bloodshed" was filmed without consent from Lin
or his family.

According to the statement, the production team deliberately concealed the
fact that the movie was made without the Lin family's approval and that
resulted in members of the cast and crew participating unknowingly and
causing further harm to the Lin family and society.

The three lead actors also offered their deepest apologies in the statement.

According to the actors, the crew repeatedly asked whether the film had
"legal authorization" from the parties involved before signing onto the
project and the production team deliberately hid major controversies in the
script.

They're also insisting they would never have accepted the roles had they
known the family had not approved the movie.

The statement goes on to say that legal action will be taken if the
production team fails to comply with their demands to cease using their
likenesses, names, voices, performances, or any related works, and to block
the film's production, release, or any form of exposure.

Posted on 2026-02-11 08:15:19

Prosecutors have searched the office of independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei
on suspicion of misappropriating salary payments to her aides.

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office carried out the raid on Kao's
legislative office and summoned her for questioning Tuesday morning.

Kao is accused of misappropriating her aides' salary payments -- which is an
offense under the Anti-Corruption Act.

The prosecutors' office has not released any further details of the case.

The search came after lawmakers passed a legal revision last month giving
lawmakers more leeway to set aides' salaries using Legislature-issued
"subsidies."

Under the previous system, the Legislature budgeted a fixed annual amount for
each aide's salary and office operations.

The D-P-P has criticized the amendment, saying it was intended to
decriminalize misappropriation of aides' wages and could encourage
embezzlement.

Posted on 2026-02-11 08:15:23

The Taiwan Railway Corporation is proposing a comprehensive rail safety
upgrade plan for its eastern and South Link lines and aims to reduce
landslide and rockfall risks by 2031.

According to corporation president Feng Hui-sheng, the plan has a proposed
budget of 7.79-billion N-T and targets high-risk sections between Heping and
Chongde along the Suhua Highway corridor and nearby rail lines.

Feng says work will include slope stabilization, rock sheds and enlarging
culverts.

Feng also says the plan has passed reviews by the Ministry of Transport and
the National Development Council, and is now awaiting approval by the
Cabinet.

Construction is expected to begin this year and finish by 2031.

Transport officials have said rail lines on the east coast often run at lower
elevations than parallel highways, leaving them more exposed to debris flows
during earthquakes and heavy rain ..

... and slope instability has worsened since 2024's magnitude 7.4 earthquake
in Hualien loosened soil along the corridor.

Posted on 2026-02-11 08:15:26

Police in Taipei have broken-up an illegal gambling operation as part of the
city's Lunar New Year safety crackdown.

According to the Daan Precinct, 33 people, including operators, staff and
patrons, were taken into custody for involvement in illegal baccarat
gambling.

The gambling venue was located on Anhe Road and a search warrant was issued
by the Taipei District Court before a a special task force comprising
officers from the Criminal Investigation Division raided the operation.

Police seized 910,000 N-T in cash, radio communication devices, surveillance
equipment and gambling chips with a value of 577-million N-T were seized
during the raid.

Police says a 28-year-old man has been identified as the manager of the
operation and he has been taken into custody.

All 33 people picked up in the raid are facing possible charges of violating
the gambling provisions of the Criminal Code and of violating the Social
Order Maintenance Act.

The raid took place on the first day of Taipei's 15-day Lunar New Year safety
crackdown.

Posted on 2026-02-11 08:15:31

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says we can expect to see two cold weather
fronts in the coming days -- bringing occasional brief showers across some
areas.

Brief, localized showers are expected along the north coast, the east and the
Hengchun Peninsula as a cold front passes, combined with strengthening
northeasterly winds starting today.

Scattered shower can also be expected in the Greater Taipei and mountainous
areas in the north.

The northeasterly winds are forecast to weaken on Friday morning, bringing
drier weather with mostly sunny to cloudy skies across the country through
Sunday.

Another cold front is expected to pass through Taiwan on Monday, with its
effects lasting only about one day, but northeasterly winds are forecast to
persist until next Wednesday ...

.... bringing brief, localized showers mainly to areas north of Taoyuan as
well as Yilan, Hualien and Taitung.

The effects of the two cold fronts are expected to be relatively weak.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

'separatists'

The Mainland Affairs Council is slamming comments by a senior Chinese
Communist Party official after he called for the support of "patriotic
pro-reunification forces" in Taiwan to strike hard against "pro-independance
separatists."

The council said comments by the Communist Party's fourth-ranked leader Wang
Hu-ning are aimed at sowing division in Taiwan and are further evidence of
Beijing's goal of eliminating the Republic of China and advancing
unification.

Wang had told delegates at its "Taiwan Work Conference" that officials must
advance the "great cause of national reunification" and that it's necessary
to "firmly support the patriotic pro-unification forces on the island."

The conference is seen as a key meeting which sets the tone for China's
policy towards the island.

The Mainland Affairs Council says the endorsement of "pro-unification forces"
and calls for establishing "patriots" to rule Taiwan is an acknowledgement
that China is seeking to divide Taiwan society.

The council also says agencies here in Taiwan will continues to monitor
Beijing's actions and respond to them in order to protect the island's
sovereignty and security.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has set aside 30-billion N-T to support
Taiwan's car industry as it prepares for changes to tariffs under a Taiwan-US
trade agreement,

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin said initial assessments have indicated
that the impact on domestic industrial output could exceed 1-per cent but
will remain "manageable."

Kung says the funding will help the automobile and auto parts industry absorb
shocks, advance transformation and upgrading, and strengthen independent
research and development and exports.

Kung told representatives from vehicle industry association groups and
domestic automakers that any tariff arrangements will apply only to US-made
vehicles...

The vehicles will be designated as such if they meet country of origin and
value-added content requirements consistent with existing international
standards.

Labor Minister Hung Sun-han is also set to meet with automotive industry
labor unions later today to discuss workforce impacts of the Taiwan-US trade
agreement.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

The Agency Against Corruption says Taiwan has jumped one spot to rank 24th
globally in Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index --
marking the island's best-ever result.

The agency says Taiwan showed steady progress in the evaluation,
outperforming 86 percent of the 182 countries and territories assessed.

It added the index shows that Taiwan remains among the top tier of globally
perceived clean countries, with an upward trend reflecting continued
international recognition of the country's governance and anti-corruption
efforts.

Taiwan scored 68 points on a zero to 100 scale, with zero indicating highly
corrupt and 100 very clean.

It shares 24th place with Barbados and the Seychelles.

Denmark tops the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index rankings with 89 points.

That's followed by Finland with 88, Singapore with 84, and New Zealand and
Norway tied at 81.

The global average score was 42.

Transparency International compiles the index based on a combination of at
least three data sources from 13 different corruption surveys and
assessments, collected by a variety of institutions including the World Bank
and the World Economic Forum.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

President Lai Ching-te is calling for the immediate release of Hong Kong
media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

Lai said via social media that "Taiwan stands with Mr. Jimmy Lai and all the
people who safeguard freedom" ..

.. he also called for authorities to stop pursuing political persecution
under the false pretext of enforcing the law.

The president said the ruling again proves that Beijing's so-called 'one
country, two systems' scheme exists in name only ...

... and that the judiciary has been degraded to a tool for depriving personal
freedom and curtailing freedom of speech and press freedom."

Lai also said the former media tycoon's detention was Beijing's attempt to
create a chilling effect among dissidents and poses a grave threat to the
universal values espoused by the international community.

Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Hong Kong High Court for
"colluding with foreign forces" under Hong Kong's national security law.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

The Tourism Administration says it aims to attract 9.3 and 9.4-million
inbound visitors this year.... with senior officials calling it a "relatively
achieveable goal."

Director-general Chen Yu-hsiu said Taiwan saw 722,000 international
arrivals... and that's an increase of just over 11-per cent from the same
period of last year.

Data shows those visitors mainly came from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and
Macau.

However, the Tourism Administration head says significant growth was also
seen in the number of visitors from Europe, North America and Southeast Asia
last month.

Chen is attributing that rise to the administration's on-going initiative to
diversify the inbound tourism market.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

The Nuclear Safety Commission says elevated radiation levels detected at a
waste incineration facility in Nantou County were likely caused by the
diapers used by a patient undergoing radionuclide therapy.

The commission is stressing that they levels do not pose a danger to the
public.

The statement follows reports that elevated radiation levels were detected in
two garbage trucks transporting trash from Nantou's Puli Township to a waste
incineration plant outside the county on Saturday, prompting the facility to
refuse service.

The Nuclear Safety Commission says it learned of the case on Sunday and
immediately contacted sanitation workers in Puli before dispatching officials
to the site.

Nuclear safety officials have now identified the source of the radiation as
contaminated paper diapers.

13 contaminated diapers were said to have been found in the heap where the
trash was being stored.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

The College Entrance Examination Center is calling out several hundred rule
violations by students who took the annual university entrance exam.

Seventy-three students were found with cellphones after the test began, and
58 continued writing after time was called.

One individual was also found with a translation device... which was
discovered when it made a noise during the English test.

The most common violation involved students who forgot to bring required
certificates.

Sheet violations were also reported... one involved a student who drew emojis
among molecular structures.

The General Scholastic Ability Test was held from January 17 through 19 and
included five subjects -- Chinese, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and
Science.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

A senior European intelligence chief says Russia cannot launch an attack on
NATO this year or next but is planning to increase its forces significantly
along the alliance’s eastern flank, depending on the outcome of the war in
Ukraine. The head of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service suggested Moscow
is playing for time in talks with Washington. Kaupo Rosin, the head of the
service, said his comments were based on intelligence his country gathered
from “Russian internal discussions.” Rosin said Russia’s plan involves
creating new military units and multiplying the prewar force along its border
with NATO by two to three times. Russia continues to bombard Ukraine, causing
civilian casualties and damaging energy infrastructure.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

French authorities have revealed the identity of a 79-year-old man accused of
raping and sexually assaulting 89 minors over five decades.

Prosecutors say Jacques Leveugle has been under investigation since February
2024.

The case is based on a digital "memoir" found on a USB drive, detailing
alleged assaults from 1967 to 2022.

The pedophile's name was revealed encourage other victims to come forward.

The assaults reportedly occurred in multiple countries, including France,
Germany and India.

Leveugle has also admitted to two family killings, prompting a separate
investigation.

Posted on 2026-02-11 06:48:13

Posted on 2026-02-10 20:07:13

Vice Premier Zheng Li-jun is leading a delegation to the United States
tonight where she will sign a trade agreement later this week.

The visit follows a preliminary consensus reached in Washington in
mid-January.

Under that arrangement, the U.S. agreed to reduce tariffs on Taiwanese goods
from 20 percent to 15 percent, matching the rates applied to major
competitors like Japan and South Korea.

In exchange, Taiwanese semiconductor and technology firms have committed to
investing at least $250 billion US dollars in the U.S.

The preliminary agreement also included US$250 billion in credit guarantees
by the Taiwanese government to help domestic companies expand their footprint
in the U.S. market.

While full technical details remain undisclosed, the deal is widely expected
to include provisions to reduce tariffs on U.S. goods imported into Taiwan,
covering U.S.-made vehicles, and to open the local market to specific
American agricultural products.

Economy Minister Gong Ming-xin met with representatives from nine major
domestic automakers earlier today.

Labor Minister Hong Shen-han is also set to meet with automotive industry
labor unions tomorrow to discuss workforce impact.

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-02-10 20:07:13

KMT Chair Zheng Li-wen has announced that she and TPP Chair Huang Guo-chang
will jointly announce a shared blue–white political vision and policy
platform after the Lunar New Year holiday.

She also says the party will rebuild its think tank to function as a “shadow
cabinet”, helping prepare for a potential return to power in 2028.

The think tank will also establish its own polling center, aimed at offering
scientific and impartial survey data to guide both policy development and
election strategy.

To strengthen the institute, Zheng says the party has invited around 130
former senior officials, scholars, and experts to serve as national policy
advisers, with appointment certificates presented at a forum held today.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 20:07:13

Starlux Airlines has become the first carrier in Taiwan to operate Airbus'
next-generation long-haul A350-1000 aircraft with a maiden service from
Taoyuan to Tokyo this morning.

According to the airline, the A350-1000 is a new-generation long-range
wide-body aircraft offering improved fuel efficiency, extended range and
enhanced cabin comfort.

The aircraft has 350 seats, including four in first class, 40 in business
class, 36 in premium economy and 270 in economy.

Starlux said it plans to take delivery of six A350-1000s this year, which
will be gradually deployed on more long-haul routes to provide passengers
with a high-quality flying experience.

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-02-10 19:08:14

The Industrial Technology Research Institute today broke ground on its
Advanced Semiconductor R&D Base, a $3.77 billion NT publicly funded project
slated for completion in December 2027.

Phased operations will begin in the first quarter of 2028.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Premier Zhuo Rong-tai said T-S-M-C
has actively supported the establishment of the R&D base, including providing
extensive assistance and guidance on plant design and construction.

Once completed, the facility's key missions include innovation trial
production and verification for integrated circuit design, as well as
development of advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes.

The project underwent two years of planning and will feature a building with
an eight-meter ceiling height, a floor load capacity of two metric tons per
square meter, and an independent seismic-resistant structure.

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-02-10 19:08:16

Taiwan has blocked more than 3-thousand 400 kilograms of Indonesian snack
products at the border after they were found to contain illegal sweeteners
and excessive levels of aflatoxins.

All the items have been ordered to be returned or destroyed.

The Food and Drug Administration said it inspected 700 batches of Indonesian
biscuits and snacks over the past six months, and seventeen of them failed
inspection, a non-compliance rate of 2.4 percent.

As a result, the FDA has made inspections of all batches of imported
Indonesian biscuits mandatory beginning Jan. 13th through to March 9th.

Other noncompliant products included shiso leaves from Japan and frozen
shepherd's purse from China due to pesticide residues or other violations.

Posted on 2026-02-10 17:49:13

threatened

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the PROTECT
Taiwan Act, approving the measure by a 395-to-2 vote.

The bill directs the United States to seek the exclusion of China from major
international financial institutions, including the G-20 and other global
financial bodies, if Beijing takes actions that threaten Taiwan’s security
or economic system.

The PROTECT Taiwan Act was introduced by U.S. Representative Frank Lucas, who
cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying the House previously approved
similar mechanisms for Russia.

He also said the move is intended to send a clear signal that any aggression
against Taiwan would bring serious economic and diplomatic consequences.

The legislation will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration before it
can be sent to the President for signing.

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-02-10 17:49:13

The Taiwan High Court has sentenced a former Taipei police officer to a
prison term of 13 years 4 months for having secretly filmed coworkers,
children and other people.

The ruling said Guo Sheng-han, while serving as an officer at Taipei Police
Department's Da-an Precinct betweee 2016 and 2024, installed hidden cameras
in the precinct restroom and used his cellphone to film women and girls at
close range.

Guo was also found guilty of secretly filming a female acquaintance at her
home.

The court said those cases involved 65 victims and constituted 11 counts of
illegally recording others’ private body parts by a public official, as well
as three counts of filming sexual images of children by a public official.

While the defendant can appeal today's verdict, he still faces additional
related cases currently under trial.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 17:49:13

The National Fire Agency is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for a network
of specialized warehouses to store heavy rescue equipment and speed up
disaster response times across Taiwan.

These facilities will allow rescue teams from other counties to travel with
only light personal gear and access heavy machinery locally when a disaster
strikes.

Today's ceremony was for the Nantou warehouse, which will be a two-story
building covering nearly 2,000 square meters.

Officials say it will store specialized equipment for management, search,
rescue, logistics, and medical care.

The facility will use a digital smart management system to track and
distribute supplies accurately.

Construction is expected to finish in August next year, with the facility
opening in December.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-10 16:58:13

Taiwan's benchmark index and TSMC both hit fresh record highs today, with the
TAIEX rising 668 points to end the session at 33,072, while TSMC's shares
climbed to a new all-time high of $1-thousand 880 NT.

It has pushed the chipmaker's market value to nearly $49 trillion NT and
accounted for more than 500 points of the market's rise.

But the turnover was relatively modest, at 656 billion NT.

The strong performance came as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing also
reported record January revenue, topping $400 billion NT for the first time,
driven by robust demand for AI-related chips and advanced 3-nanometer
manufacturing.

Other major heavyweights, including Hon Hai, MediaTek, and ASE Technology
Holding, also ended higher,

Analysts say continued AI demand is likely to support both TSMC earnings and
the broader Taiwan market in the months ahead.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 16:58:14

Tainan City says it will use its own budget to fund denture subsidies for
low-income seniors if the central government cancels its support.

The Tainan City Health Bureau made the comment today following media reports
that the central government may end denture subsidies for low-income and
middle-to-low-income seniors.

Officials say they have not received an official notice yet.

However, if the central government stops funding, the city will allocate its
own budget to cover the costs.

Currently, about 300 to 350 people in Tainan qualify for the central
government's denture subsidies each year.

Tainan health officials say they are ready to step in to keep the program
running for these vulnerable residents.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-10 16:58:14

Turning to world news...

Engineers are preparing the Ariane 64 rocket, named after its four boosters,
for its first launch.

This powerful version of the Ariane 6 will carry 32 satellites for Amazon
Leo’s broadband constellation on Thursday.

Workers at ArianeGroup's plant in Vernon, France, have designed and tested
the engines.

The flagship of Europe’s rocket industry is racing in a highly competitive
environment against heavy weight players across the world, including the
global market leader, Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

The launch will take place from French Guiana.

The new configuration is twice as powerful as previous versions.

Ariane 6 aims to reduce operating costs and ensure Europe’s independent
access to space.

The company plans seven to eight launches this year.

Posted on 2026-02-10 16:12:13

Taiwan’s national baseball team will play its first public practice games
for the World Baseball Classic next week in Kaohsiung.

The team will face the TSG Hawks on February 13th and 14th at the Chengching
Lake Baseball Stadium.

Officials say tickets are free, but they must be reserved through the ibon
ticketing system starting at noon on February 11-th.

There is a NT 30 handling fee per ticket.

Each person is limited to two tickets, and reselling them is strictly
prohibited.

The Chinese Professional Baseball League says these practice games are a
vital part of the national team's training, allowing players to build
chemistry and test their skills through live competition.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-10 16:12:13

Amid controversy over the Taiwan High Speed Rail’s Yilan extension,
Transport Minister Chen Shi-kai says the ministry is reviewing possible HSR
extention projects "in a pragmatic way."

Chen said transport officials and experts have held extensive communication
and detailed discussions with the Cabinet regarding all aspects of the
nation’s rail transportation development.

The Minister said they're also looking at if the extension projects are
technologically feasible and financially sustainable within the national
budget.

Several former senior DPP officials have questioned the HSR Yilan extension,
saying it is too costly and unnecessary, given that a direct Taipei–Yilan
rail link is already planned.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 16:12:13

Iranian security official Ali Larijani is set to travel to Oman, the country
currently mediating talks between Tehran and the United States over Iran's
nuclear program.

Larijani will likely deliver Iran's response Tuesday to recent indirect talks
held in Muscat.

He is expected to meet with Omani Foreign Minister and Sultan Haitham bin
Tariq.

The talks are described as "important," though details remain unclear.

The U.S. has increased its military presence in the Middle East, including
sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, to pressure Iran into an
agreement.

Posted on 2026-02-10 15:36:13

Legislative Speaker Han Guo-yu says Taipei prosecutors followed proper
procedures before searching lawmaker Gao-Jin Su-Mei's office.

Han said Taipei chief prosecutor called Legislative secretary general Zhou
Wan-lai (周萬來) and informed him of the search, stressing that the
investigation should be conducted fairly and impartially.

Investigators arrived at the independent legislator Gao-Jin's office at the
Legislative Yuan at around 9:30 a.m., and the search was still ongoing as of
12:30 p.m.

Another team searched her residence up on Yang-ming-shan early this morning
on allegations of fraud.

Prosecutors have declined to answer media's questions about what prompted the
moves.

Meanwhile TPP chair Huang Guo-chang said he was shocked by the news, adding
that the judiciary system should be "the last line of defense for fairness
and justice, and must not become a tool for those in power to suppress
dissent."

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 15:36:13

Taipei officials say most of the city's night markets will stay open during
the Lunar New Year holiday period.

The Market Administration Office says those venues, including most famous
ones such as the Rao-ho (饒河) Street, the Ning-xia (寧夏) and the Shi-lin
(士林) night markets, will maintain normal operations from February 16th to
21st.

But the markets on Shuang-cheng (雙城) Street and Liao-ning (遼寧) Street
will be closed on Lunar New Year's Eve, that's the 16th, and reopen the next
day.

As crews of cleaners in Taipei will take several days off during the holiday
period, officials remind all the night markets to manage their own garbage
disposal.

Regarding environmental sanitation and disinfection, officials say cleaning
operations have been carried out in all markets since the 2nd.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 15:36:13

Corruption

A survey for preceived corruption worldwide suggests that established
democracies’ efforts against public-sector corruption appear to be flagging.

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2025 gave top
place to Denmark, with 89 out of 100, followed by Finland and Singapore.

At the bottom were South Sudan and Somalia with nine points apiece, followed
by Venezuela.

The organization measures experts' perception of public-sector corruption
around the world according to 13 data sources, including the World Bank, the
World Economic Forum and private risk and consulting companies.

The U.S. scored its worst yet under the current methodology, with
Transparency International pointing to the Trump administration's use of
public office to target independent voices and the weakening of
anti-corruption laws.

Posted on 2026-02-10 15:36:13

Engineers are preparing the Ariane 64 rocket for its first launch.

This powerful version of the Ariane 6 will carry 32 satellites for Amazon
Leo’s broadband constellation on Thursday.

Workers at ArianeGroup's plant in Vernon, France, have designed and tested
the engines.

The launch will take place from French Guiana.

The new configuration is twice as powerful as previous versions.

Ariane 6 aims to reduce operating costs and ensure Europe’s independent
access to space.

The company plans seven to eight launches this year.

Posted on 2026-02-10 14:18:13

tourists

Tourism Administration Director Chen Yu-xiu (陳玉秀) says Taiwan is targeting
between 9.3 and 9.4 million inbound visitors this year.

In 2025, Taiwan recorded 8.57 million inbound visitors, falling short of
expectations.

Chen said Taiwan recorded 722,000 international arrivals in January, up 11 to
12 percent from the same period last year.

Visitors mainly came from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau, and Chen
said she's confident that steady growth would continue.

She noted that Taiwan previously relied heavily on a single market, but
diversified promotion strategies have begun to show results.

Chen said more visitors were from Europe and the United States, as well as
rapid growth in arrivals from Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines.

Because of the changing visitor mix, Chen said her Administration is
preparing additional support measures, including expanded multilingual
translation services using technology.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-10 14:18:13

The Ministry of Education is calling for increased vigilance regarding online
safety over winter break for students, as part of the global "Safer Internet
Day."

Established by the EU in 2004, Safer Internet Day has expanded to 180
countries, and aims to create safer online spaces.

The MOE notes that this year’s winter break is 30 days-long, meaning
children may spend significantly more time online.

The ministry says it is offering manuals and videos to help parents filter
inappropriate content, and also partnering with three major
telecommunications companies.

Parents can visit these stores to sign a consent form, and staff will then
help install and set up web-filtering software on mobile devices.

Officials are also urging parents and teachers to help students establish
healthy routines and stay alert for cyberbullying and online scams.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-10 14:18:13

Taiwan shares hit another record high today, with the benchmark Tai-ex
closing at 33,072 after climbing 668 points.

The turnover was robust, at 657 billion NT, with electronics stocks giving a
strong boost to the market.

Posted on 2026-02-10 14:18:13

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington to encourage
President Donald Trump to expand the scope of high-stakes nuclear talks with
Iran

Netanyahu will be in Washington through Wednesday.

The negotiations resumed last week against the backdrop of an American
military buildup in the Middle East.

Israel has long called for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment, dial back
its ballistic missile program and cut ties to militant groups across the
region.

Iran has always rejected those demands, saying it would only accept some
limits on enrichment in return for sanctions relief.

Posted on 2026-02-10 14:18:13

Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office announces corruption charges against
Ecopetrol President Ricardo Roa.

Roa, who managed finances for President Gustavo Petro's 2022 campaign, is
accused of helping the campaign exceed spending limits.

The Attorney General’s Office said Monday that Roa will also face charges
for influence peddling.

Prosecutors allege he directed Ecopetrol contracts to a company owned by a
business owner who sold him a discounted apartment.

Roa denies the charges.

In November, Colombia’s National Electoral Council fined Roa and others for
allegedly exceeding spending limits.

President Petro has denied the charges and called them an effort to undermine
his government.

Posted on 2026-02-10 12:08:13

A landmark land-use contract for NVIDIA's move into Taipei's Beitou–Shilin
Technology Park could be signed as early as tomorrow.

Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan says the document has been sent to NVIDIA's U-S
headquarters, with progress moving smoothly.

The deal involves a 12.2-billion-NT rights fee, and negotiations were
finalized earlier this month.

While tomorrow is the target, officials expect the signing to conclude no
later than Friday, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Li added that details of the signing ceremony, including who will attend and
represent NVIDIA, will be left to the company to decide.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-10 12:08:13

Child deaths and injuries in Taiwan rose 33 percent in 2025, with traffic
accidents accounting for the largest share.

The Jing Chuan Child Safety Foundation reported that 47 children under the
age of 14 were killed and 354 injured during the year.

Traffic safety remains the most serious category, accounting for 164 deaths
and injuries.

Foundation Executive Director Hsu Ya-jen (許雅荏) cited police data showing
that many child casualties occur when safety equipment is not used in
passenger vehicles.

She said proper use of a child safety seat can reduce the risk of death by
about 71 percent, with rear-facing seating offering further protection.

Posted on 2026-02-10 12:08:13

Meanwhile... China has released a white paper covering Hong Kong's practice
of safeguarding national security to ensure stability in the financial hub.

The paper claimed that China stayed true to its policy of One Country, Two
Systems in Hong Kong and emphasised that the highest principle of the policy
was to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

It further detailed what it called the "unrelenting fight for safeguarding
national security and the central government's fundamental responsibility for
national security matters concerning Hong Kong.

The paper rejected criticism that Hong Kong's freedoms were being threatened,
saying instead that Beijing had applied a holistic approach to national
security, and effectively exercised overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR in
accordance with the country's Constitution and the HKSAR's Basic Law."

The paper was released a day after Jimmy Lai was sentenced.

Posted on 2026-02-10 12:08:13

Aviation officials in Cuba have warned warned airlines that there isn’t
enough fuel for airplanes to refuel on the island.

Its the latest step in its moves to ration energy as the Trump administration
cuts the Caribbean nation off from its fuel resources.

The rationing is not expected to discrupt shorter regional flights... but it
does present a significant challenge for long-haul routes from countries like
Russia and Canada — a critical pillar of Cuba’s tourism economy.

Air Canada has already suspended flights to the island... while other
airlines announced delays and layovers in the Dominican Republic before
flights continued to Havana.

---

in market news...

Asian stocks advanced for a second day in early trading on Tuesday, led by an
extended rally in Tokyo's benchmark after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae
Takaichi's decisive election victory.

On Wall Street, equities also managed to eke out gains... as Seth Sutel
reports.

---

Posted on 2026-02-10 10:43:13

The Tai-Ex opened up 35-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 32,440
on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed more than 600 points higher Monday, as a strong rally
in the United States late last week prompted investors to buy large-cap
electronics stocks.

Contract chipmaker TSMC failed to hold onto all of its earlier gains, with
analysts saying investors turned cautious ahead of the Lunar New Year
holiday, amid concerns over possible negative developments overseas.

And old-economy stocks were largely overshadowed by the technology sector,
although some industries tied to AI development attracted interest.

Posted on 2026-02-10 10:43:15

The union at TaiDoc Technology protested yesterday outside the Ministry of
Labor.

It'd accusing the medical device maker of undermining its operations,
including illegally dismissing its chair, Filipino worker Elizabeth Basas.

Notices posted around the workplace allegedly humiliated her and warned other
employees against joining the union.

Union director Lennon Wang said the group, formed six months ago with about
30 Filipino members, has faced ongoing pressure from management and claimed
the company forced employees to join the union, announcing over 100 new
members unilaterally.

TaiDoc's chair has denied the accusations, calling Wang an "outsider"
illegally interfering and questioning the legitimacy of a recent strike vote.

The Ministry of Labor said it has received a request to investigate the
allegations and urged employers to respect union independence and avoid
improper interference.

Posted on 2026-02-10 10:43:20

Taiwan's top hurdler Zhang Bo-ya (張博雅) secured gold in the women’s
60-meter hurdles at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin,
seting a new national record of 8.12 seconds.

The 22-year-old star broke her own national record twice in a single day.

After an initial record-breaking run in the heats, Zhang surged past her
Japanese competitors in the final to take Taiwan’s first gold of the meet.

Her victory capped off a successful weekend for the national team, which
earned one gold and three silver medals.

Notable performances included Chen Wen-pu (陳玟溥), who smashed a 38-year-old
national record in the men’s 60-meter sprint, alongside silvers from long
jumper Lin Yu-tang [林昱堂] and sprinter Liao Yan-jun (廖晏均).

Coach Wang Kuo-hui (王國慧) said the result confirms Zhang’s peak condition
as she prepares for the upcoming outdoor season and Asian Games qualifiers.

Posted on 2026-02-10 10:43:22

Cuban aviation officials have warned airlines of a fuel shortage for
refueling on the island.

This is part of energy rationing as the Trump administration cuts Cuba off
from its fuel sources.

The shortage stems from U.S. political pressure severing Cuba’s access to
oil from Venezuela and Mexico.

Shorter flights may not be affected, but long-haul routes face challenges.

The energy crisis has led to reduced bank hours, suspended cultural events
and halted public transport.

U.S. sanctions have long impacted Cuba, but recent measures have intensified
the situation.

Posted on 2026-02-09 20:07:13

Deaths and injuries among children under 14 in Taiwan rose 33 percent in 2025
compared with the previous year.

The Jing-juan (靖娟) Child Safety Foundation said traffic safety incidents
again accounted for the largest share.

The foundation said the figures were based on an analysis of 265 child
accident cases reported in the media during the year.

The incidents resulted in 47 child deaths and over 300 injuries, with traffic
safety remaining the most serious category.

The Foundation reminds people that proper use of a child safety seat can
reduce neck impact by about 73 percent and lower the risk of death in an
accident by about 70 percent.

Rear-facing seating can further improve safety by about 75 percent.

Posted on 2026-02-09 20:07:17

A longtime US Taiwan expert says the outlook for Washington's commitment to
Taiwan is positive despite recent mixed signals.

ICRT Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports.

Posted on 2026-02-09 20:07:17

KMT Chair Zheng Li-wen has refuted media reports that her deputy agreed to
work towards "reunification" at a meeting with top Chinese officials.

Xiao Xu-ceng met with the CCP's number 4 ranking official, Wang Hu-ning, last
week on a trip to Beijing.

According to local newspaper Liberty Times, Wang clearly stated that “the
foundation of any peace framework must be guided by China’s unification,”
leaving no room for ambiguity.

Zheng, on the other hand, has called the report "completely fabricated",
saying that there was no political aspect to the conversations that took
place in Beijing between leaders of the two parties.

She said the Xiao-Wang meeting has already exceeded earlier expectations,
stressing that both parties hope to expand goodwill and sincerity on the
existing foundation.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-09 20:07:17

In world news...

A Norwegian ambassador who recently served in Jordan has resigned as she
faces scrutiny over her contacts with Jeffrey Epstein.

Norway's Foreign Ministry says Mona Yuul (Juul) tendered her resignation on
Sunday evening, days after she was suspended as Norway’s ambassador to
Jordan.

That followed reports that Epstein left the children of Juul and her husband,
$10 million U.S. dollars in a will drawn up shortly before his death by
suicide in a New York prison in 2019.

Norway's foreign minister said Juul’s decision was “correct and necessary.”

The latest batch of Epstein files has cast an unflattering spotlight on
several prominent Norwegian figures, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

Posted on 2026-02-09 18:17:17

In Taiwan Talk this week...

Taipei Main Station is the city's biggest transit hub... but its also the
gathering place for the city's unhoused.

I-C-R-T's Tim Berge and Hope Ngo spoke to Luke Pigott of Salt Collectiv and
"Uncle Liang" of Homeless Taipei... to better understand the plight of the
city's rough sleepers.

You were listening to Uncle Liang of Homeless Taipei, and Luke Pigott of Salt
Collectiv.

You can catch this episode on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you
download your podcasts.

Posted on 2026-02-09 18:17:14

Doctors are warning travelers not to buy so-called “slimming injections”
overseas after social media posts showed people purchasing them in Japan.

A recent study analyzing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's
Adverse-Event Reporting System found that reports linked to these weight-loss
drugs jumped eightfold in two years.

Doctors said The most common problems are caused by dosing mistakes,
including injecting the wrong amount, skipping doses, or changing the
schedule.

they said one major risk is that Taiwan and Japan use different injection-pen
designs, which can easily confuse users.

Other risks include self-increasing doses, missing injections that reduce
effectiveness, and improper storage, since the medication must be kept at
specific temperatures.

Doctors urge people to consult medical professionals and avoid buying or
using the injections on their own, saying improper use can lead to serious
complications.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-02-09 18:17:17

Controversy over a proposed incinerator project in Nantou's Mingjian Township
is continuing...

with local leaders calling on the Ministry of the Environment to intervene.

The ministry says, it will closely follow communications between the local
and county governments and isn't ruling out assisting in an environmental
impact assessment.

Mingjian Township Chief Chen Han Li (陳翰立) says, the waste management
question is not Mingjian's responsibility, but rather said the Ministry of
the Environment must do something about it.

Environment Minister Peng Qi Ming says that there is a need for an
incinerator in Nantou, and noted that Nantou has a higher-than-average level
of trash generation.

The issue has been a contentious one, with protesters and politicans
demonstrating their opposition to the incinerator project as far back as
September.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-09 17:07:13

Taipei prosecutors are seeking detention for the man suspected of lighting
fires in two MRT stations on Sunday.

The man, surnamed Zeng, was arrested just hours after the alleged crimes.

Officials say that he traveled up from Taichung yesterday morning before
heading to Da'an Forest Park station, setting a fire in the men's bathroom,
and getting a bus to Taipei Main Station.

They believe that Zeng then walked to the Taiwan Railways administrative
building to deliver four petition letters.

He then headed to Xi-men-ding to change clothes before taking the MRT to
Shan-dao Temple station, where he set another fire.

He was caught some 10 minutes later on the street.

Zeng said that he committed these acts due to frustration with his repeated
unanswered petitions regarding a rezoning project in Taichung.

He is being investigated on charges of endangering public safety and
threatening public security, a crime punishable by at least 5 years' prison
time.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-09 17:07:13

DPP primaries in Taipei for city councilor positions will take place next
month, with registration open now.

In the city's Beitou and Shilin districts, 5 DPP incumbent councilors
registered together, hoping to aid their party in bringing a DPP mayor to
power.

They emphasized their unity despite differences in factions.

The party will nominate 25 city councilors in the capital city, which is one
fewer than they nominated in 2022.

According to party regulations, incumbents must face primaries alongside
newcomers.

Registration for councilor positions in Taipei and the 5 other major
municipalities ends tomorrow.

If the party's negotiations fail to produce a consensus, primary polling will
be held next month into April.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-09 17:07:13

Members of the public can begin exchanging old banknotes for new ones today
ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Central Bank has designated 455 locations across eight financial
institutions to provide the service.

The exchange period will run for five business days, ending on February 13-th.

The bank says each person is limited to 100 new "100-NT bills" per visit,
while other denominations will be provided based on available stock.

The bank is also encouraging the public to consider "digital red envelopes"
or using clean, existing bills instead of new ones, as a way of supporting
"green finance".

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-09 17:07:13

Now turning to international news...

The Poertuguese Center-left Socialist candidate has won the country's
election runoff today.

Antonio Jose Seguro had 66% of the vote compared to hard-right populist Andre
Ventura's 34%.

The vote served as a chance to test Ventura's personal style, as his party is
the second-largest in the Portuguese partliament.

It also represented a gauge of public interest in Europe's recent rightward
shift.

Seguro positioned himself as a moderate who will cooperate with the
center-right minority government.

In Portugal, the president is mostly a symbolic position, but they do have
the power to dissolve parliament and call early elections.

Posted on 2026-02-09 17:07:13

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is on a visit to Australia as he aims to
console local Jewish communities following an antisemitic attack.

Herzog laid a wreath and stones at the site of the attack in Sydney that
killed 15.

The Israeli president also met victims' families, and he's expected to visit
Melbourne and Canberra.

Meanwhile, local activists have planned protests against Herzog, with some
Jewish Australians saying Herzog is not welcome in their country.

The Jewish Council of Australia ran full page ads in local newspapers,
endorsed with the names of nearly 700 Jewish Australians that said Herzog
"does not speak for us."

They accuse the Israeli leader of inciting a genocide against Palestinians
and contributing to the illegal annexation of the West Bank.

Posted on 2026-02-09 17:07:13

And, in the capital city of Somalia, a bowling alley could mean a lot more
than meets the eye.

Economists say, the first such establishment in Mogadishu reflects a growing
middle class and demand from overseas Somalis who've returned home.

Mogadishu remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and security measures
remain part of daily life after 35 years of civil war and bombings.

But residents say, the ability to gather for recreation signals an important
shift...

providing a welcoming environment for a younger generation eager for safe
spaces to socialize.

Cafes in the city line newly reopened streets, and beaches draw evening
crowds as traffic congestion, once unimaginable, now clogs key intersections.

Posted on 2026-02-09 14:29:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An says, he hopes that the executive and legislative
branches can engage in "communication" over the stalled central government
budget.

That's as media reports say that Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is set to
meet with President Lai Ching-te soon.

Asked about the special defense budget that is also stalled in the
legislature, Chiang said that he supported necessary arms purchases and added
that lawmakers must strictly examine such bills.

Separately, regarding a potential meeting between KMT and CCP leaders Cheng
Li-wun and Xi Jinping, Chiang said that cross-strait exchange must adhere to
the principles of equality, dignity, goodwill, and mutual benefit.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-09 14:29:18

Taiwan Railway is adding 29 extra train services to handle the expected
travel surge during the upcoming 2-2-8 Peace Memorial Day holiday.

The new services will run from February 26th to March 2nd, bringing the total
number of extra holiday trains to 113.

The expansion includes two Puyuma [普悠瑪] trains for the east coast and
thirteen Tze-Chiang [自強號] express services for the west coast, boosting
overall capacity by nearly six percent.

Tickets for these additional services go on sale at midnight on Wednesday.

Passengers can book seats via the Taiwan Railway app, official website,
convenience stores, or phone.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-09 14:29:18

Authorities will auction a collection of luxury supercars next month as part
of a major anti-fraud investigation into the Prince Group.

The Administrative Enforcement Agency says 33 vehicles will be sold on March
2-nd.

The collection includes four of the world’s most famous hypercars: a Bugatti
Chiron Sport, a Ferrari LaFerrari, a McLaren P1, and a Porsche 918 Spyder.

The vehicles were seized by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office during a
money laundering probe.

Prosecutors say the total value of assets seized in the case, including real
estate and luxury goods, exceeds $5 billion NT.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-02-09 14:29:18

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 621 points to
close the session at 32404.

The turnover was 630.8 billiion NT

Posted on 2026-02-09 14:29:18

Now turning to international news...

The pro-democracy Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20
years in prison.

His daughter says, if the sentence is carried out, Lai will "die a martyr
behind bars."

The Apple Daily founder faced a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and his
case has raised concerns about declining press freedom in Hong Kong.

His sentence is likely to heighten Beijing's diplomatic tensions with foreign
governments, especially as Lai holds British citizenship.

Aside from Lai, 6 former Apple Daily staffers and two activists received
sentences between 6 and 10 years behind bars under the Beijing-imposed
national security law.

Posted on 2026-02-09 14:29:18

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says, a close ally has been
kidnapped hours after he was released from prison.

That's as the Venezuelan government released several prominent opposition
members from prison after lengthy detentions.

Machado said that Juan Pablo Guanipa was taken by heavily armed men in
Caracas just hours after his release.

She demanded the former governor's release.

The government of acting President Delcy Rodriguez has faced pressure to free
hundreds of people whose detentions are linked to their political activities.

Local organizations previously confirmed the release of at least 30 people.

Posted on 2026-02-09 13:06:13

Taiwan Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun reportedly told the United States that it
would be "impossible" to move 40% of Taiwan's semiconductor capacity to the
U.S..

Cheng made the comments during an interview with television channel CTS.

During the interview Cheng said international expansion, including increased
investment in the United States, is based on the premise that "we remain
firmly rooted in Taiwan and continue to expand investment at home."

She added that Taiwan's overall capacity would only continue to grow, and
that it was possible to "expand the island's semiconductor presence in the
United States."

Cheng said that there would be no relocation of Taiwan's science parks, but
Taiwan was willing to share its experience in building an industry cluster
and help the U.S. develop a similar environment.

She also said she was confident that Taiwan's semiconductor capacity would
far exceed its investment in the U.S. or any other country.

U-S Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik has said that he had made the goal of
having 40% market share in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing based out
of the United States.

Posted on 2026-02-09 13:06:13

Issues with the Taipei MRT brown line continued this morning...

with officials saying that a train stopped in between stations this morning
due to an abnormality.

The train was heading to Nangang Exhibition Center Station from Nangang
Software Park Station just before 8:30 when it stopped on the tracks.

Authorities dispatched personnel to handle the situation and service resumed
11 minutes later.

They say that it appears that the incident was caused by a control line
malfunction.

Taipei MRT adds that it will continue to investigate the cause of the delay.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-02-09 13:06:13

In international news,

Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi (NAR gehs Moh
hah mah DEE) to over seven more years in prison.

Supporters say she began a hunger strike on February 2.

Her lawyer confirmed the sentence, which includes charges of "gathering and
collusion" and propaganda.

Mohammadi, 53, had been serving a prison sentence of 13 years and 9 months
since 2021 on charges of collusion and propaganda before she received a
furlough in December 2024 over medical concerns.

She had suffered multiple heart attacks while imprisoned before undergoing
emergency surgery in 2022.

With the latest sentence, her jail time sits at a combined 44 years maximum.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister emphasized the country's strength in
resisting pressure from great powers.

This comes after recent nuclear negotiations with the U.S. and nationwide
protests.

The U.S. has moved military assets to the Middle East to pressure Iran.

Talks between Iran and the U.S. are ongoing, with uncertain future rounds.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-02-09 11:09:13

Two U-S senators have urged Taiwan's political parties to end a legislative
stalemate and pass a 1.25 trillion N-T special defense budget.

Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen released a joint statement expressing
disappointment that the eight-year plan remains stalled in the Legislative
Yuan.

The senators cited China's large-scale military exercises in December, which
simulated a blockade of Taiwan, as a clear reminder of the need for urgent
funding.

The budget, proposed by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in November, is
intended to fund critical military reforms and strengthen ties with
Washington.

However, the opposition KMT and TPP have blocked the review, demanding the
President first brief lawmakers in person.

The TPP has since proposed an alternative bill that caps spending at 400
billion N-T and focuses on fewer weapons systems.

The KMT maintains it supports reasonable defense spending but accused the
government of misleading U-S lawmakers about the delay.

Posted on 2026-02-09 11:09:18

A Taiwanese national has been confirmed among the three dead in a car crash
in Los Angeles last week.

Taiwan's representative office in L-A also reported that three other injured
Taiwanese nationals are now in stable condition.

The incident occurred Thursday in the Westwood area near U-C-L-A, when a
92-year-old woman driving a sedan struck a cyclist before slamming into the
bakery section of 99 Ranch Market supermarket.

Three people died at the scene, and six others were injured, with two victims
remaining in critical condition.

Police believe the crash was an accident, likely caused by a sudden medical
issue that led the driver to lose control.

Posted on 2026-02-09 11:09:26

In international news,

Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison
...

... in one of Hong Kong's most prominent cases prosecuted under a
Beijing-imposed national security law.

The 78-year-old was convicted of foreign collusion and sedition for his role
in calling for international sanctions against Hong Kong and China.

While judges spared Lai the maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the
two-decade term means the outspoken critic of Beijing could likely spend the
rest of his life behind bars.

The sentence comes amid his deteriorating health and over five years already
spent in custody, mostly in solitary confinement.

Global leaders and human rights groups have condemned the trial as a "sham,"
warning it marks the final blow to press freedom in the territory.

Alongside Lai, eight co-defendants, including former Apple Daily executives,
also received prison terms ranging from six to ten years.

Posted on 2026-02-09 11:09:26

New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi says water service will be restored to around 10
thousand affected users in Xinzhuang District before noon today.

The disruption began Sunday when crews building a new pedestrian overpass on
New Taipei Boulevard accidentally struck a 500-millimeter water main.

The accident caused significant flooding on nearby roads and affected water
supply to households toward the New Taipei Industrial Park area.

Mayor Hou noted that while emergency repairs were carried out overnight,
water pressure adjustments were implemented to avoid a large-scale service
shutdown, and final system tests are currently underway.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-02-09 11:09:31

Over in Portugal...

Center-left Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro has recorded a decisive
victory over hard-right populist Andre Ventura in the country's presidential
runoff election.

Exit polls indicate Seguro won around 70% of the votes, compared to
Ventura’s 30%.

The election tested support for Ventura’s populist style and his Chega
party, which has become the second-largest in Portugal’s parliament.

Seguro, a moderate, plans to cooperate with the center-right minority
government and counter Ventura’s anti-establishment rhetoric.

Portugal's president is a figurehead, but he has the power to veto
legislation and dissolve parliament.

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