ICRT

Posted on 2025-05-22 19:56:13

Holiday Travel

Highway officials are warning drivers to expect heavy traffic during the
upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, and they're urging everyone to stay alert.

According to the Highway Bureau, 18 fatal "A1" highway accidents occurred
from January to April this year.

Distracted or fatigued driving caused 12 of those incidents -- that's
two-thirds of the total.

"A1" traffic accidents are those that result in fatalities either on the
scene or within 24 hours.

Officials say that with the high speeds on national highways, even a brief
lapse in attention can trigger serious crashes and potentially secondary
accidents.

Drivers should not operate vehicles while tired, sick, distracted, or under
medication.

The bureau reminds all motorists to focus on the road, keep both hands on the
steering wheel, and maintain a safe following distance to ensure a safe
journey during the holiday rush.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-05-22 19:56:13

Taiwan has been named the first recipient of the Beacon Award by U.S.-based
human rights group Freedom House.

The award recognizes Taiwan’s unwavering commitment to democracy and its
resistance to growing pressure from the Chinese Communist Party.

The award was presented in Washington by former U.S. Ambassador Robert Tuttle
to Taiwan’s U.S. representative Alexander Yui and civil society leader
Chiang Min-yen.

At the ceremony, Yui quoted President Lai Ching-te, emphasizing unity through
diversity as the heart of democracy.

Freedom House, founded in 1941, introduced the Beacon Award this year to
highlight global defenders of freedom.

Other honorees included Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker, along with Crimean Tatar
activist Server Mustafayev.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-05-22 19:56:13

Ethnicities

Researchers at National Taiwan University have helped identify hundreds of
new genetic risk markers for depression and bipolar disorder, as part of a
major international study.

The project analyzed genetic data from over 5 million people for depression
and nearly 3 million for bipolar disorder.

It found 697 and 298 associated "genetic locations", respectively -- four
times four times as many as in previous studies.

Unlike earlier research focused mainly on people of European descent, this
study included diverse populations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America,
giving it broader global relevance.

The researchers say the findings show that both disorders are influenced by
the combined effects of many genes, and highlight new biological mechanisms
-- ranging from brain synapses to gut cells.

They believe this work could lead to better early screening and more
personalized treatments, based on a person's genetic profile.

It marks a major step forward in mental health research and public health
policy.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-05-22 19:56:13

Taiwan Railways is re-launching its popular cruise-style train, offering a
unique journey to a secret station in southern Taiwan.

Beginning June 14th, the tribal themed cruise train will depart from Tainan,
making stops at scenic locations before reaching the mysterious, previously
closed-to-the-public "Southern Small Station".

Tickets, priced at $599 NT for adults and $300 NT for children, go on sale
May 26th at 10 AM on the railway company's "Railway Tourism" webpage.

This special itinerary includes an exclusive tour of the Chaozhou Railway
Workshop's maintenance facilities and discounted entry to the Chaozhou
Railway Cultural Park.

Passengers will also explore the century-old Zhutian (竹田) Station and visit
Sankuaicuo (三塊厝) Station to see vintage trains and enjoy nostalgic treats.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-05-22 17:10:13

governments

The opposition KMT is criticizing the Executive Yuan for slashing 25 percent
of local government subsidies, calling it illegal and a misuse of power.

The party says the Legislative Yuan approved the 2025 budget without cutting
any local funding, and the Cabinet has no authority to reduce it
unilaterally.

The DPP blames the KMT and TPP, saying their demand to cut over 63.6 billion
NT from the budget forced the Cabinet to make across-the-board reductions.

Counties hit hardest include Ping-tung, Kaohsiung, Zhang-hua, and Tai-nan.

New Taipei lost 3 billion NT, and Taipei 3.8 billion NT.

Local leaders are protesting, warning they may need to borrow money to fill
the gap.

(JL, PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 17:10:13

Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng (曾文生) says the Hsinta (興達) Power Plant
did Not secretly restart coal units due to power shortages.

It comes after the no. 3 and no. 4 coal-fired units have operated for three
consecutive days recently, raising public suspicion that they were secretly
activated.

Tseng explains that the units were used legally under emergency rules when
power reserves dropped below 8 percent.

The plant's operations followed environmental rules, and all power data is
public.

Environment Minister Peng Chih-ming confirmed no violations.

He also said Taiwan's air pollution has improved, with PM2.5 levels cut in
half since 2013.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 17:10:13

The Ministry of Digital Affairs is warning about new online scams linked to
fears over exchange rate changes and the U.S. tariff war.

From May 11th to 17th, most scam keywords were tied to foreign exchange, like
"golden period" and "capital."

Over 2-thousand-400 scam cases were confirmed.

Data shows that Meta's social media platforms, including Facebook and
Instagram, accounted for 93.5 percent of confirmed scam cases, followed by
LINE at 1.4 percent.

Google and TikTok each made up 0.04 percent.

Fraudulent websites made up 4.2 percent and saw a slight increase, as did
other scam sources at 0.6 percent.

Officials also warned of fake summer camp ads targeting parents, often using
words like "limited spots" to trick people.

Families are urged to check official websites before signing up.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 17:10:13

LINE-parent company Naver's founder and board chairman Lee Hae-jin is
visiting Taiwan for Computex 2025 and is expected to meet Nvidia CEO Jensen
Huang.

It's Lee's first overseas business trip since becoming board chair in March,
a move aimed at boosting Naver’s global AI strategy.

He's joined by Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon and top executives.

The two leaders previously met in 2024 to discuss "sovereign AI," or
region-specific AI systems.

Naver plans to expand its HyperClova X language model across its platforms.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 17:10:13

The U.S. and Iran will hold a new round of nuclear talks in Rome on Friday,
their fifth since tensions rose over Tehran's uranium enrichment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions on Iran as part of his
"maximum pressure" campaign targeting the country.

He has repeatedly suggested military action against Iran remained a
possibility, while emphasizing he still believed a new deal could be reached
by writing a letter to Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei to jump start these talks.

Khamenei has warned Iran would respond to any attack with an attack of its
own.

Iran now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels, far beyond the limits
of the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump pulled the U.S. out of in 2018.

Experts say a deal is still far off, but talks are continuing.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 17:10:13

A British court has blocked the U.K. from signing a deal to transfer the
Chagos Islands to Mauritius just hours before the planned ceremony.

The Indian Ocean territory includes Diego Garcia, a key U.S. military base.

Under the draft agreement, the U.K. would return sovereignty but lease back
the base for 99 years.

The court granted an injunction after a legal challenge by two women
representing displaced islanders.

Another hearing is scheduled as talks over resettlement and costs continue.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 16:12:13

Two U.S. lawmakers have introduced a bill to give Taiwan "NATO Plus" status,
aiming to speed up American weapons sales.

Senator Rick Scott says the Taiwan PLUS Act would cut red tape and help
Taiwan get the arms it needs to defend against a possible attack from China.

The bill would give Taiwan the same defense partner status as Japan, Israel,
and Australia.

Representative Scott Perry also backs the move, calling Taiwan one of
America’s closest defense partners.

The bill follows recent complaints about delays in U.S. arms sales and calls
for reform in the military sales process.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 16:12:13

Civic groups are calling for major road safety reforms after a deadly car
crash in New Taipei's Sanxia killed three people and injured twelve.

They've submitted a petition to the Executive Yuan and announced a public
protest for Sunday, marching from the Legislative Yuan to the Ministry of
Transportation.

Their demands include better road design, stricter driver testing, and a full
retraining system for drivers.

The Transportation Ministry plans new safety rules, including lowering the
senior license renewal age to seventy.

Lawmakers from all parties voiced support for urgent change.

The accident took place on Monday, when a 78-year old man slammed into
pedestrians at an intersection near an elementary school.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 16:12:13

The Justice Ministry says it will propose a bill within three months to raise
penalties for child abuse, including possible death sentences in cases that
result in a child's death.

The move follows public outrage over the recent torture and killing of a
one-year-old boy nicknamed, 'Kai Kai' by two nannies who were respectively
sentenced to life imprisonment and 18 years last week.

Advocacy groups want stronger laws, including life without parole and a new
crime of "abusive killing of a child."

A recent poll shows over 90 percent of people think current penalties are too
light.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 16:12:13

Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng (曾文生) says the Taichung Power Plant is
not running at full capacity and has cut air pollution by 80 percent.

His comments come after Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen claimed the plant
increased power output after the third nuclear power plant recently shut
down.

Tseng says those claims mix up cause and effect, noting that coal units run
more at night because solar energy is used during the day.

He adds that the plant has reduced coal use by over one-third in recent years
and now runs fewer units during high pollution periods.

Taipower says it is working hard to cut emissions and called for a fair
review of all pollution sources.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 16:12:13

Israel allowed 100 aid trucks into Gaza this week, carrying flour, baby food,
and medicine.

But the U.N. says little has reached people in need due to safety and
distribution issues.

Thousands of tons of supplies remain near the border as famine risks grow.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may pause fighting for a
hostage deal but will continue its military campaign.

Airstrikes on Wednesday killed at least 50 people.

Critics, including within Israel, warn the country risks becoming a "pariah
state."

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 16:12:13

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called a failed warship launch a “criminal
act” caused by carelessness, according to state media.

The 5,000-ton destroyer tipped and was damaged during its launch Wednesday at
the port of Chongjin, while Kim was watching.

He ordered it restored before a key party meeting in June, calling the
failure a blow to national pride.

South Korea later reported North Korea fired cruise missiles near the same
area.

No casualties were reported.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 15:14:13

Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation plans to deliver 18
Brave Eagle jet trainers this year, despite supply chain delays.

The announcement was made at the annual shareholders' meeting today.

Last year, the company made a record 39.3 billion NT dollars in revenue,
helped by civil aircraft orders and military maintenance work.

A-I-D-C also announced its new drone countermeasure system has now entered
testing, using radar tech from fighter jets.

In the first quarter, A-I-D-C earned 0.25 NT dollars per share.

The company is also growing in the energy sector, launching a green power
project in March and winning a Taipower contract in April.

Civil aircraft orders are also strong, with over 8.5 billion NT dollars in
new deals this year.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 15:14:13

The Ministry of Defense reports 23 Chinese air force sorties operating in the
Taiwan Strait from 6am Wednesday to 6am today.

16 of the 23 aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan's nothern,
southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zones...

The ministry also detected 8 naval vessels and one official ship operating in
the area during the same 24-hour period.

The Ministry of National Defense says it has closely monitored the situation
and taken appropriate actions to ensure security.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 15:14:13

Flash floods in southeast Australia have killed two people and cut off entire
towns, with more heavy rain expected.

In New South Wales, major flooding has hit the Hunter and Mid North Coast
regions, isolating tens of thousands.

Police found two bodies, including one in a flooded home near Taree.

The area has been hit with heavy rain since Tuesday, and the flooding exceeds
local records set in 1929.

Over 140 flood warnings are in place, and 50-thousand people may need to
evacuate.

Rescue crews have saved 22 people by helicopter.

Some areas could see up to 200 millimeters of rain by Friday.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 15:14:13

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near Crete early Thursday, shaking parts of
Greece.

The quake, felt as far as Turkey and Israel, hit about 79 kilometers off
Heraklion in the morning.

Emergency crews are on high alert, but no injuries or major damage have been
reported.

Locals and tourists were startled as balconies and buildings shook.

Greece, a country known for frequent earthquakes, saw similar seismic
activity on Santorini earlier this year, which led to school closures and
evacuations.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 15:14:13

U.S. President Donald Trump has clashed with South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa at the White House, pushing false claims about white genocide and
land seizures.

The meeting, meant to improve trade ties, turned confrontational.

Trump showed videos and news articles to back his accusations, despite no
evidence supporting them.

Ramaphosa firmly denied the claims, saying most murder victims in South
Africa are Black.

He remained calm and focused on trade, stressing there is no genocide.

The tense meeting has raised concerns among foreign leaders about future
visits to Washington.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 14:28:13

The Defense Ministry is keeping a close eye on China's live-fire drills near
Shantou, a coastal city in southeastern China.

The exercises were announced this week by China's Maritime Safety
Administration, with drills set for Tuesday and today from 8 in the morning
to 6 in the evening.

The Ministry of National Defense said the drills have so far not affected the
island's air or sea safety.

Officials add that Taiwan is using its full surveillance and intelligence
systems to monitor all Chinese military activity.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 14:28:13

A record-size delegation from four Indian states visited Taiwan this week to
strengthen economic ties.

The group joined the Taiwan-India Investment Forum in Taipei on Wednesday.

India's top representative in Taiwan, Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav, says the
visit shows India's strong push to attract Taiwanese businesses.

Officials from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka shared
investment opportunities in electronics, electric vehicles, and tech
industries.

Taiwan's Allegiance Group also announced plans to build six tech parks in
India.

Many Taiwanese companies showed strong interest in doing business with India.

/ma-NA-har-sin lax-man-BYE YA-dav/

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 14:28:13

Asian shares have followed Wall Street lower after shares slumped under
pressure from the bond market due to worries over U.S. debt.

A weaker U.S. dollar also was weighing on regional markets since some Asian
nations have significant bond holdings in dollars.

Here in Taiwan, the TaiEx closed down 132 points to end the session at
21-thousand-670.

The turnover reached 297.6 billion NT.

Posted on 2025-05-22 14:28:13

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked all Cabinet secretaries
to resign in what he calls a "bold reset" after opposition wins in midterm
elections.

At least 21 officials have already offered to step down.

Marcos said the move is meant to refocus the government on performance and
urgent public needs.

The shake-up comes amid rising political tensions, including a feud with Vice
President Sara Duterte, who now faces impeachment and criminal complaints
after threatening to kill Marcos and top officials.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-05-22 13:07:13

The Ministry of Justice says it's working on the amendments to the Criminal
Code on child abuse, and expects to present a draft bill to the Cabinet in
three months.

Currently, the only crime for which the Criminal Code stipulates the death
penalty is robbery resulting in death.

However, civil groups argue that children under the age of 7 have far less
ability to defend themselves compared to robbery victims, and so the maximum
penalty for those who abuse young children to death should also be raised to
the death penalty.

There have been discussions on whether the life imprisonment system should
also be reviewed as well.

An M-O-J report says the Ministry is collecting information and consulting
other countries' practices at the moment, and that it would consider adding
provisions to prohibit parole for certain types of serious violent crimes.

The hearing follows the sentencing of two babysitters involved in the fatal
abuse of a one-year-old boy named Kai-kai, with one receiving a life sentence
and the other, 18 years in prison."

Posted on 2025-05-22 13:07:13

Taiwan High Speed Rail chair Zheng Guang-yuan (鄭光遠) announced that in
2024, the company's annual revenue surpassed $50 billion NT for the first
time, marking a nearly 7-percent year-on-year increase.

Zheng said last year passengers made 78 million trips on THSR trains,
bringing revenue to $53.2 billion NT, and pre-tax net profit reached $15.2
billion, that's up 7.6-percent compared with the previous year.

The average daily ridership was also growing and stood at 214,000 passengers.

Looking ahead, he said the next-generation trains are already in the
manufacturing phase and are expected to be delivered ahead of schedule.

The earliest arrival of new trains from Japan could be in the fourth quarter
of 2026, with operations expected to begin in the second half of 2027.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-22 13:07:13

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook southern Greek islands early today.

The epicenter was in the sea 58 kilometers north-northeast of Elounda, which
is on the northern coast of Crete. It was 69 kilometers deep, according to
the U.S. Geological Survey.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

U-S Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. did not mention Taiwan in his
pre-recorded speech at the World Health Assembly.

The omission was a departure since the U-S has voiced Washington's support
for Taiwan's inclusion in the W-H-A as an observer since 2017.

Instead, and in a pre-recorded address, Kennedy explained why the U-S is
pulling out of the World Health Organization - saying it has become mired in
international power politics and conflicts of interest.

Kennedy also accused the W-H-O of suppressing reports at critical junctures,
of human-to-human transmission due to pressure from China.

The U-S Health Secretary even used his address to ask other countries to
follow America's decision to create new institutions or revisit existing
institutions that are lean, efficient, transparent and accountable.

The U-S is set to officially withdraw from the W-H-O in January of next year.

This development is not surprising to academics like Rana Mitter, S-T Lee
Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School, which said the
U-S's lack of interest in the United Nations became apparent when the Trump
Administration took office.

That was Rana Mitter, S-T Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard
Kennedy School.

Mitter had further indicated that while U-S support for Taiwan remained
strong, it likely could not expect backing for any moves to join the W-H-A.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) reiterated the U.S. long-held stance
over the issue. adding that the United States will continue to advocate in
support of Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene says he's optimistic
about ongoing trade negotiations between Taipei and Washington.

Greene says he's confident that ultimately the talks will create a system
that is much fairer to American workers, but also one that benefits major
trading partners, especially trading partners like Taiwan.

The A-I-T director refused to offer any specifics on the bilateral talks --

But Greene says bilateral ties between Taiwan and the U-S remain "extremely
robust," despite concerns from some in Taiwan that relations will be
overshadowed by the tariffs.

Greene made the statements in Houston, where he is currenlty heading a
delegation of more than 100 representatives from Taiwanese companies.

The visit is part of broader efforts to encourage more Taiwanese investment
in the United States.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says Taiwan's relations with all of its 12
diplomatic allies remain stable - even as two of them sent representatives to
a forum in Beijing last week.

At a press event marking his first year in office, Lin said the government is
also working to strengthen ties with non-diplomatic partners, including the
Philippines ..

.. while it works to counter China's misinterpretation of a 1971 United
Nations resolution, which it has used over the past year to claim Taiwan as
part of its territory.

The foreign minister said many countries maintaining official relations with
China "also want to be friends with Taiwan" and the governemt is seeking to
normalize relations with those countries.

At the press event, Lin further reiterated the government's position on South
Africa's insistance that Taiwan to relocate its representative office out of
the administrative capital, Pretoria - saying China is behind that move.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

The D-P-P has expelled five members accused of spying for China.

the party's Central Evaluation Committee says the decision to revoke their
party memberships is aimed at "upholding discipline and safeguard national
security."

Expelled members include Sheng Chu-ying, a former assistant to You Si-kun
during his tenure as legislative speaker.

Sheng is accused of leaking legislative information to Chinese intelligence
for cash and cryptocurrency payments.

He is currently free on bail.

Others include Ho Ren-chieh, a former assistant serving under National
Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu during the latter's tenure as
foreign minister ...

... Wu Shang-yu, who worked as an adviser in President Lai Ching-te's office
and Chiu Shih-yuan, a former deputy head of the D-P-P's Taiwan Institute of
Democracy.

Prosecutors say Ho, Wu and Chou used their access to collect sensitive
political information for the Chinese intelligence services.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

Visiting French parliamentarian Guillaume Kasbarian is calling for deeper
exchanges between France and Taiwan.

During a meeting with Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, Kasbarian said his
visit to Taiwan this week is aimed at reaffirming hope and willingness to
collaborate more in the future," particularly in trade and investment.

He called the relationship between Taiwan and France a partnership that moved
beyond economic interests and grounded in cultural exchange and the shared
values of human rights, freedom and democracy.

He went on to say that both sides face shared challenges in an increasingly
complex geopolitical landscape - citing the pursuit of greater sovereignty
and independence, as well as the need to enhance cybersecurity.

Kasbarian is a member of the French National Assembly and arrived in Taiwan
on Monday for a six-day visit.

He's leading a delegation that is also scheduled to meet with Vice President
Hsiao Bi-khim and several other senior government officials.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

incident

Police say the 78-year-old man involved in Monday's deadly traffic incident
in New Taipei's Sanxia District had been driving aimlessly for about 20
minutes before he ploughed into pedestrians and scooter riders near Bei Da
Elementary.

The Sanxia Police Precinct says C-C-T-V footage from the area shows the man's
car circling nearby streets and passing a park after exiting a freeway,
instead of heading directly to his home in Sanxia.

Police say the reason for the detour remains unclear and can only be
clarified after the man regains consciousness, but they are investigating
whether the unusual behavior contributed to the cause of the crash.

Police have also refuted online claims that the man had deliberately targeted
a female scooter rider - saying there is no indication of any interaction
between them.

The man was seriously injured in the incident.

He has undergone two surgeries and is currently in intensive care under
24-hour police guard.

Officials say although he briefly opened his eyes, he is still unfit to be
questioned.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

An exhibition tracing the roots of Japan's manga culture and Taiwan's comic
book scene opens on Saturday in Kyoto, Japan.

"A Century of Manga Culture: An Encounter of Taiwan and Japan's Youth" has
been organized by the National Taiwan Museum of Comics and the Kyoto
International Manga Museum.

It also has the backing Taiwan's Ministry of Culture.

The show centers around two iconic figures in the comic book industry - late
Taiwanese comic book editor Tsai Kun-lin and Japan's "god of manga" Osamu
Tezuka.

Organizers say the exhibition will delve into modern history to examine the
similarities and differences between Taiwanese and Japanese comics from
historical and political contexts.

It will also showcase comic book artists and editors who resisted political
and historical influences to create new forms of expression.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

The top U.N. official for Syria is warning of the “real dangers of renewed
conflict and deeper confrontation” in the war-battered country.

But the official also told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that there
was hope for a better life for Syria's people following decisions by the U.S.
and European Union to lift sanctions.

He noted “the urgent need to address the growing polarization and foster
mutual understanding among the different communities.”

Syrians are seen to be cautiously optimistic that President Donald Trump’s
announcement last week that the U.S. will lift sanctions and a similar EU
announcement this week will “give them a better chance than before to
succeed against great odds.”

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

Iran’s top diplomat is insisting that Tehran will never stop enriching
uranium. It further underlines the Islamic Republic’s red line in
negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear
program.

The comments Wednesday by Iran's foreign minister come after multiple rounds
of talks between the two nations.
Iran’s foreign ministry later confirmed it has agreed to take part in the
next round of talks Friday in Rome.

U-S officials including President Donald Trump and Mideast envoy Steve
Witkoff maintain that Iran must give up enrichment — something it didn’t do
in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Posted on 2025-05-22 06:58:13

The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a gifted Boeing
747 from Qatar for President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Wednesday that the department will
“work to ensure proper security measures” on the aircraft to make it safe
for use by the president.

He said the plane was accepted “in accordance with all federal rules and
regulations.”

Trump has defended the gift as a way to save tax dollars.

Others have raised concerns about the aircraft being a violation of the
Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts.

Posted on 2025-05-21 20:06:13

President Lai Ching-te's first anniversary address has drawn praise from U-S
experts for outlining a forward-looking vision of a "Taiwan of the world",
one focused more on internal growth than cross-strait tensions.

David Keegan, a former deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan,
said Lai's speech positioned Taiwan as globally engaged and
resilient—highlighting prosperity and democratic stability, with China
mentioned mainly as a challenge to that resilience.

Keegan noted there's little chance of reducing tensions with Beijing soon,
but stressed that Taiwan can help prevent escalation by bolstering its
defenses and resisting Chinese influence.

He added that China must ease its military pressure, and the U-S and China
should resume dialogue to avoid worsening ties.

On U-S tariff threats, Keegan warned that while Taiwan's tech leadership
gives it leverage, its security reliance on the U-S also makes it vulnerable
in negotiations.

Other experts agreed that Lai rightly focused on domestic issues and that
Taiwan is not to blame for current tensions.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-05-21 20:06:13

Support

Mental health advocates are urging the government to significantly boost
funding for mental wellness and prevention.

At a press conference today, the Taiwan Federation for Mental Health
highlighted Taiwan's low per capita spending on mental health promotion --
just NT$18.69.

They said this is far behind countries like Australia and Singapore, which
spent $535 NT and $356 NT respectively, and even Thailand and South Korea,
coming in at around $40 NT and $23 NT.

The federation says this minimal investment is inadequate, especially as data
show that nearly 27% of people experienced mental distress between 2010 and
2020.

While the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to invest $1.09 billion NT
under its 2025 to 2030 resilience plan, only a small portion is earmarked for
prevention.

Advocates say current efforts are too focused on treatment, neglecting early
intervention and community-based support.

They're calling for mental health funding to rise to 10% of the total
healthcare budget, be legally protected, and include expanded preventive
services.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-05-21 20:06:13

Drivers

A medical doctor has called for Taiwan's driver's license renewal policies to
be based on data, not age.

Dr. Lee Ping-ing from National Taiwan University Hospital responded to a
proposal to lower the senior license renewal age from 75 to 70, following a
fatal crash involving a 78-year-old driver in New Taipei on Monday.

Lee acknowledged that accidents involving elderly drivers can be severe, but
stressed that young motorists -- particularly those aged 18 to 24 -- cause
the highest number of accidents.

He urged policymakers to rely on scientific analysis rather than emotion, and
to consider comprehensive data before changing renewal rules.

The government is reviewing reforms that include stricter driving tests and
safety education, and may introduce a new system for older drivers next year.

However, Lee warned against a one-size-fits-all approach, especially in rural
areas where public transit is limited.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-05-21 20:06:13

The Ministry of Education is considering adjustments to next year's school
calendar, to avoid a three-day school period immediately before the Lunar New
Year holiday.

Parents have expressed concerns about the school schedule in 2026, which has
students returning to school from February 11th to 13th, just before the
Lunar New Year holiday from February 16th to 19th.

The ministry now proposes moving the three days of school to BEFORE the
winter break, from January 21st to 23rd.

This would mean students would attend three days of second-semester classes
before their winter vacation.

The National Federation of Teachers Unions say they have yet to survey
members on the proposed change, but they stress that supporting measures
would need to be well-planned.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-05-21 16:55:13

A junior high school in Yilan has been ordered by the Taiwan High Court to
pay the family of a female student 2.64 million NT in national compensation.

The Court said the girl was a high-risk student who entered the school in
2018. She fell from a market building near the school in an apparent suicide
in November 2020.

The girl's family argued that the school counsilor didn't keep track of her
condition and that the principal failed to supervise.

The school also did not report the student’s previous self-harming behavior
to the campus safety system, nor did it activate related intervention
mechanisms.

On the day the girl left the school in the morning of November 9th, 2020,
school gates and fences were ineffective, and surveillance cameras were not
monitored, allowing her to leave campus unnoticed.

The case can still be appealed.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-21 16:55:13

A top U-S military commander has issued a stark warning about China's growing
military activity around Taiwan.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of U-S Indo-Pacific Command, said Beijing's
military exercises near Taiwan are not mere drills but "rehearsals" for a
potential invasion.

Paparo outlined the U-S strategy to counter a Chinese assault, including
neutralizing radar, missile, and command centers.

He said new precision-strike U-S missiles could be a "gamechanger", shifting
China's risk calculations.

Paparo also described his "Hellscape" defense strategy, which involves
deploying swarms of unmanned submarines, drones, and ships to block Chinese
forces crossing the Taiwan Strait.

The comments at a recent defense summit in Hawaii follow China's recent
"Strait Thunder-2025A" military drill, which it described as a warning to
"Taiwan independence" forces.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-05-21 16:55:13

In world news...

The world's tropical forests, which provide a crucial buffer against climate
change, disappeared faster than ever recorded last year, new satellite
analysis suggests.

Researchers estimate that 67-thousand square kilometers of these pristine,
old-growth forests were lost in 2024 – an area nearly as large as the
Republic of Ireland, or 18 football pitches a minute.

Fires were the main cause, overtaking land clearances from agriculture for
the first time on record, with the Amazon faring particularly badly amid
record drought.

There was more positive news in South East Asia, however, with government
policies helping to reduce forest loss.

Tropical rainforests store hundreds of billions of tonnes of carbon in soils
and woody trunks. But this new global record raises further questions about
their resilience on a warming planet.

Posted on 2025-05-21 16:55:13

Japan’s agriculture minister has resigned because of political fallout over
his comment that he “never had to buy rice” because he got it from
supporters as gifts.

Many Japanese saw his remark as a sign he was out of touch with economic
reality while prices of the country's traditional staple food are setting
records.

Taku Eto’s gaffe could be further trouble for Prime Minister Shi-geru
Ishi-ba’s already struggling minority government, which faces a crucial
national election in July.

Posted on 2025-05-21 13:48:13

Transport Minister Chen Shi-kai says his ministry will work with local
governments to speed up the construction of school walkways.

According to the ministry, children and youth face four major traffic-related
challenges, including the lack of pedestrian-friendly routes to and from
school.

Chen says whether there should be standard speed limits around schools will
be discussed as well.

The ministry noted that road improvements around school zones have been
completed at 228 schools, and as of the end of last year, nearly 800
intersections had been improved.

It has also improved 5,800 pedestrian signal or timing upgrades nationwide in
a joint effort with local officials.

A draft amendment to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act seeking to
strengthen punishments for perpetrators is now pending in the Legislative
Yuan.

Meanwhile the Education Ministry has also enhanced traffic safety education
and outreach for children and youth.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-21 13:48:13

The National Communications Commission is urging broadcasters to exercise
caution while covering the recent fatal car crash in Sanxia, New Taipei.

The NCC today called on the media to avoid showing overly graphic images and
to select footage with care.

Officials stress that news coverage should not exacerbate the emotional and
psychological impact on victims, their families, and audiences.

The commission also issued guidelines for the press when covering disasters
or accidents, which include limiting the use of distressing images.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-05-21 13:48:13

The Central Weather Administration said the latest international research
shows April 2025 was the second-hottest April on record.

Global temperatures were 1.51° Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels,
according to global climate reports from the Copernicus Climate Change
Service in Europe and the U.S. National Centers for Environmental
Information.

Forecasters say this year is highly likely to become one of the five hottest
years in recorded history as well.

Notably, the CWA pointed out that all ten of the hottest Aprils on record
have occurred since 2010, with nine of them happening after 2016.

The CWA is calling for the need for more aggressive carbon reduction plans
and climate action to mitigate global warming.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-21 13:48:13

Extinction

The United Nations human rights office in Colombia says that five Indigenous
groups in Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range face
“physical and cultural” extinction.

This grave threat stems from armed group conflicts over their territory and
insufficient state protection.

Colombia's representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said
in a statement that this threat is“an ongoing tragedy that we can and must
prevent.”

In 2022, UNESCO added the ancestral knowledge of these Indigenous groups to
its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

The recognition highlights the "fundamental role" their traditions play in
preserving the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

(KK)

Posted on 2025-05-21 08:15:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

President Lai Ching-te has proposed holding national security talks with
opposition party leaders.

In his address marking his first year in office, Lai said he has instructed
his team to initiate a major national security briefing for the chairs of
opposition parties.

According to Lai, he hopes that leaders of all parties, regardless of
political stance, can prioritize the nation's interests and uphold the
nation's security by holding open and honest exchanges of views to discuss
matters of national importance and challenges facing Taiwan.

Lai failed to elaborate on what those challenges are.

K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu has responded to Lai's plans for a major national
security briefing.

Taking to social media, Chu said despite Lai's overtures having taken a full
year to arrive, he is willing to talk with the D-P-P government.

However, Chu went on to say that a mechanism should be set up that will
enable both sides to have substantive discussions about challenges faced by
Taiwan, rather than a holding one-off meeting.

The Taiwan People's Party has also responded to Lai's calls for a national
security briefing ..

.... saying talks between ruling and opposition party leaders should take
place without any preconditions, allowing both camps to engage in open and
meaningful discussion.

Posted on 2025-05-21 08:15:13

hit-and-run

Police say the 78-year-old driver of a car that plouged into mostly school
children on a pedestrian crossing in New Taipei's Sanxia District may have
been fleeing from a minor collision with another car.

The incident left three people dead and 12 others injured.

According to Sanxia Police Precinct chief Liu Wen-hsiung, surveillance
footage shows the driver reversing into a vehicle at red lights at a junction
before speeding through the crowded pedestrian crossing near the Bei Da
Elementary School.

However, the police precinct chief says it's still unclear whether the
earlier collision constitutes a hit-and-run and the driver has yet to be
questioned.

The driver remains in a coma following surgery for injuries he sustained in
the incident.

Police have confirmed that the driver had previously been involved in a
traffic incident with a female pedestrian pushing a baby stroller on a
sidewalk in Sanxia in March of 2020 in a case of negligence resulting in
injury.

The 78-year-old has also had seven traffic violations over the past five
years, mostly for stopping in red zones and double parking.

Posted on 2025-05-21 08:15:13

A proposal by Taiwan's diplomatic allies to invite Taiwan to this year's
World Health Assembly as an observer has been rejected.

The rejection of the proposal means that Taiwan has now been denied observer
status at the annual meeting of the global health body for a ninth
consecutive year.

The Taiwan proposal was was raised during a "two-on-two debate" on the
opening day of the W-H-A in Geneva.

An in previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal,
while two others expressed their opposition.

Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines laid out their reasons for
supporting Taiwan's inclusion in the W-H-A.

While China and Pakistan opposed the move.

Both cited United Nations Resolution 2758 and W-H-A Resolution 25.1 to argue
that Beijing fully represents Taiwan and that raising the issue of Taiwan's
participation amounts to interference in China's internal affairs.

The W-H-A General Committee's recommendation not to invite Taiwan were then
accepted by Teodoro Herbosa of the Philippines, who is serving as the
president of the 78th W-H-A.

Posted on 2025-05-21 08:15:13

Lawmakers have passed a proposal to hold a referendum on restarting the
Ma-An-Shan Nuclear Power Plant.

The proposal was passed after the last operational reactor at the plant in
Pingtung was shut down this past Saturday as its 40-year operating license
expired

The proposal was first put forward by the Taiwan People's Party on April 18.

The referendum question reads: "Do you agree that the third nuclear power
plant should continue operation upon approval by the competent authority and
confirmation that there are no safety concerns?"

According to T-P-P lawmaker Chen Zhao-zi, the referendum does not seek an
immediate restart of operations at the plant, but invites the public to
decide whether its operations should be extended, contingent on a safety
assessment.

The referendum has criticized by D-P-P lawmakers.

With lawmaker Hsu Fu-kuei, whose constituency includes the area in Pingtung
where the plant is located, accusing the T-P-P of bullying local residents
and questioning why only the Maanshan plant is being targeted for restart.

Posted on 2025-05-21 08:15:13

The Centers for Disease Control is reporting an 88.2-per cent weekly increase
in the number of COVID outpatient and emergency visits last week.

According to the C-D-C, there were 19,097 outpatient and emergency visits
from between May 11 and 17.

Although that figure is up from the previous week, it was still lower than
same period of last year.

C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says the spike is cases may be
related to a shift in dominant variants.

Luo is predicting the current COVID outbreak will peak in mid-to-late June,
when weekly outpatient and emergency visits reach between 55,000 and 65,000
and it will continue through the end of July.

Data shows the X-E-C variant was dominant six weeks ago, but the NB.1.8.1
variant from the X-D-V family has higher transmissibility and has spread
rapidly over the past five weeks.

The C-D-C is warning that immunity gained from natural infection during last
year's peak has now mostly declined.

Health officials say the X-D-V variant is closely related to the JN.1
variant, and existing JN.1 vaccines remain effective.

Posted on 2025-05-21 08:15:13

And finally,

The Civil Aviation Administration says renovation work and new construction
projects are now underway at airports on both Green and Orchid islands.

According to the administration, the work is part of a 1.2-billion N-T effort
to upgrade four offshore airports.

The project involves Green Island Airport and Orchid Island Airport in
Taitung, as well as Qimei Airport and Wangan Airport in Penghu.

Deputy transport minister Lin Guo-xian says the new terminals being built
will provide more comfortable, efficient transportation with distinctive
exterior and interior designs that represent the local culture.

The Civil Aviation Administration has said improvements to Green Island
Airport include a new C-shaped covered walkway, renovations to terminal
facilities and landscape upgrades.

While plans for Orchid Island Airport include expanding and improving the
existing terminal and when completed, the terminal will be themed around the
Yami Indigenous culture.

The Green and Orchid island airport renovations are scheduled to be completed
by July 2027.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

President Lai Ching-te marked the first anniversary of his term with a speech
and a news conference, where he reiterated his openness to continuing
exchanges and collaborations with China, even as he called Beijing an
"aggressor" by threatening peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Lai told reporters that many countries... including Taiwan... are being
threatened by agression... while Taiwan is committed to pursuing peace.

Still Lai indicated it was possible to work with China as long as each side
treats the other as equals and with respect.

The president said he remains willing to "engage in dialogue instead of
confrontation" and work with China toward peace and prosperity.

During his wider address marking his first year in office, in Lai talked up
his administration's plans to enhance our whole-of-society defense
resilience.

In addition to continuing to assess various aspects of preparedness at all
levels of government, Lai said various ministries had proposed 17 major
strategies to respond to national security and united front threats.

The president said those strategies are key to protecting Taiwan's "cherished
free and democratic way of life."

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

Meanwhile,

President Lai Ching-te has thanked Palau for standing by Taiwan... as Taipei
gets squeezed out of the World Health Assembly now underway in Switzerland.

Lai told visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr that his country had
never stopped voicing support for Taiwan - be it in the United Nations
General Assembly, the World Health Organization or other UN-affiliated
agencies.

Lai said the people of Taiwan have been "profoundly touched by these
endorsements" and he went on to describe the Pacific island nation's firm
support for Taiwan as "courageous."

During that same meeting, Whipps reaffirmed his support for Taiwan- saying
Palau and Taiwan are both island nations and believe in human dignity, the
rule of law, and the right of people to determine their own futures.

The meeting at the Presidential Office was followed by the signing of
bilateral agreements on technical cooperation and diplomatic staff training.

Prior to the meeting, Lai welcomed Whipps with full military honors at a
ceremony held outside the Presidential Office.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

Transportat Minister Chen Shih-kai says his office is considering imposing
stricter license renewal rules on senior drivers.

The new rules would be implemented in addition to the existing physical and
cognitive function tests.

One of the measures being discussed is to lower the age threshold from 75 to
70, subject to renewal every three years.

Another proposal includes more assessments for license renewal, including
on-road safety training for drivers with a history of traffic accidents, as
well as hazard perception evaluations and traffic safety education courses.

The transport ministry is also proposing offering subsidies to elderly
drivers who voluntarily surrender their licenses, to help them purchase
monthly transit passese that provide unlimited rides on buses, metro, light
rail, and ferries in participating cities.

The transport minister says his office will finalize the details within three
months, with the aim of implement the new measures next year.

The measures have been proposed as government seeks to respond to a deadly
accident which took place near an elementary school in New Taipei's Sanxia
District, which left 3 dead and 12 injured.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

Lawmakers from the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have voted to extend
the legislative session by two months until July 31.

The proposal to extend the session was introduced on April 18 by the
opposition parties and was adopted in a 58 to 49 vote.

K-M-T lawmaker Wang Hong-wei said the extend session will seek to pass
several bills requiring urgent attention.

Wang says they include tariff relief proposals ahead of the July 9 deadline
for the 90-day pause on the U-S' 32-per cent tariffs, amendments to child
abuse laws, measures to promote A-I development, and housing bills aimed at
supporting families with children.

The D-P-P has slammed the holding of an extended legislative session -
claiming the opposition parties are attempting to use the "Legislative
umbrella" in order to act out of partisan self-interest.

However, the K-M-T has responded to that claim by arguing that D-P-P
lawmakers are not interested in extending to session, and instead want a
60-day recess as a vacation.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressed its regret that Nagasaki will
not invite Taiwan to join its upcoming memorial marking the 80th anniversary
of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei says despite the lack of an
invitation, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded partners to promote
peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Earlier this month, the mayor of Nagasaki said Taiwan would not be invited to
this year's event on August 9, as the invitation only extends to countries
with diplomatic relations with Japan - which is inline with past practice.

The foreign ministry spokesman says Taiwan is still planning to attend a
memorial in Hiroshima, even if it hasn't yet been invited to do so.

The spokesman says Taiwan's representative office in Osaka is in touch with
the Hiroshima City government on the matter and the foreign ministry will
decide who to send to the August 6 event once it receives an invitation.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

Landslides triggered by heavy rain in Hualien have forced the closure of a
section of Provincial Highway No. 9... after accumulated rain of over
5-centimeters fell in just one hour around the Qingshui Cliffs in Taroko
National Park.

The landslides occurred at the 164.5 and the 162.9-kilometer marks -
prompting the closure of two way traffic between Heren and Chongde.

The temporary closure of the stretch of Provincial Highway No. 9 comes after
the Taiwan Railway Corporation was forced suspend services between Heren
Chongde line following flooding and landslides.

Tracks between Heren and Chongde stations in Xiulin Township sustained
significant damage during the landslides - making both tracks unusable.

The railway operator says one way traffic will be restored on the line today
and two-way traffic on Saturday.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

Israel is pressing ahead with its new military offensive in Gaza despite
mounting international criticism.

The Israeli military launched airstrikes Tuesday that health officials said
killed at least 85 Palestinians.

Israeli officials said they also allowed in dozens more trucks carrying aid.

It was not immediately clear whether the desperately needed supplies were
reaching any of the over 2 million people in Gaza, which has been under an
Israeli blockade for nearly three months.

Posted on 2025-05-21 07:00:13

Actor George Wendt who played the affable, beer-loving barfly Norm on the hit
1980s TV comedy “Cheers,” has died. He was 76.

Wendt in later life crafted a stage career that took him to Broadway in
“Art,” “Hairspray” and “Elf.”

Despite a long career of roles onstage and on TV, it was as gentle and
henpecked Norm Peterson on “Cheers” that he was most associated, earning
six straight Emmy Award nominations for best supporting actor in a comedy
series from 1984-89.

The series was centered on lovable losers in a Boston bar and starred Ted
Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger,
Kirstie Alley and Woody Harrelson.

Posted on 2025-05-20 19:55:13

The New Taipei City government has announced compensation for the victims and
families affected by yesterday's fatal traffic accident in Sanxia District.

A car driven by a 78-year-old man surnamed Yu plowed through pedestrians at
an intersection near Beida Elementary School, killing three people --
including two 12-year-old girls -- and injuring twelve others, most of whom were students.

The city says it will provide condolence payments of up to 500-thousand NT,
depending on family income, and is coordinating social services to support
those impacted.

Authorities say the crash occurred during a pedestrian-only signal phase,
when all traffic lights were red.

Investigators say Yu ran the red light, struck several motorcycles and a
bicycle, and finally crashed into a traffic island.

Due to the complexity of the scene, police deployed a drone and forensic team
to document skid marks, fluid traces, and blood patterns.

The National Transportation Safety Board has also retrieved the vehicle's
event data recorder for analysis.

Police believe Yu may have been involved in a separate hit-and-run just
minutes earlier.

Surveillance footage shows that he reversed twice into another car at a red
light, then sped off -- eventually leading to the deadly crash.

The other driver filed a police report later that evening.

Yu is currently unconscious and undergoing surgery for serious internal
injuries.

Once he regains consciousness, police say they will question him about both
the suspected hit-and-run and the fatal collision.

The crash has also renewed calls for stricter testing and license renewal
rules for elderly drivers.

Yu's wife told reporters that he suffers from diabetes and a chronic illness,
but has no history of heart or brain disease.

She also confirmed that he was involved in a previous traffic accident near
the same area five years ago.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-05-20 19:55:13

President Lai Ching-te has proposed high-level talks with opposition leaders
in an effort to ease political tensions that have stalled progress during his
first year in office.

Lai called for a national security briefing with KMT Chairman Eric Chu and
Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang ... urged both sides to set
aside political differences and work together on national challenges, without
specifying which issues.

KMT leader Eric Chu responded positively but noted the president's outreach
came late.

Chu proposed setting up a formal mechanism for ongoing dialogue rather than a
one-off meeting.

The TPP also welcomed talks with no preconditions, but did not confirm
Huang's participation.

The call for unity comes as the DPP administration battles legislative
gridlock.

The KMT and TPP-controlled Legislature has passed several controversial
bills, many of which the government is challenging in the Constitutional
Court, citing national security concerns.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-05-20 19:54:13

Taipei City Councilor Miao Poya (苗博雅) testified today as a witness in the
ongoing Core Pacific City corruption case.

Miao told reporters afterward that she was glad to fulfill her civic duty by
appearing in court.

Miao, of the Social Democratic Party, also addressed claims made in March by
former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, who said her testimony would clear him of
wrongdoing.

However, she accused Ko's Taiwan People's Party of attempting to pressure her
into giving specific testimony -- and raised concerns that other witnesses
could be more vulnerable to intimidation.

Miao had previously questioned Ko about the Core Pacific City case during
city council sessions in 2021 and 2022.

Ko's legal team says footage from those hearings supports his defense,
showing that he was unclear on case details.

But prosecutors argue the video does not provide definitive proof of
innocence.

Ko and ten others were indicted in December on corruption charges. He stands
accused of accepting millions in bribes and granting unlawful benefits worth
billions of NT dollars.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-05-20 17:06:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed a KMT proposal to extend the current
legislative session to July 31st.

Based on the regulations, lawmakers should conduct two legislative sessions
every year, from February to the end of May, and then from September to the
end of December.

They can extend the session if necessary.

The opposition KMT and the TPP supported the extension, arguing that there
are several important draft bills that need to be discussed, including the
ones regarding the U.S. tariffs and amendments to the Criminal Code.

As the 90-day pause on the U.S. reciprocal tariffs will expire in early July,
the opposition parties say it's necessary for the Legislative Yuan to be in
session then.

The ruling DPP, however, accused them of trying to hide under the
"legislative protection umbrella" as investigations into forged signatures
for recall intensified.

The proposal eventually passed with 58 votes in favor and 49 against.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-20 17:06:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing regret that Taiwan was not
invited to participate in an upcoming memorial in Nagasaki marking the 80th
anniversary of the US bombing of the city.

Hiroshima City on the other hand, is reportedly inviting Taiwan for its own
August 6th peace memorial ceremony, although Taiwan has not officially
received the invitation.

Despite not being invited to the Nagasaki memorial, MOFA said that Taiwan
would continue to work with partners to promote peace and stability in the
region.

Taiwan was not invited to the Hiroshima event until last year due to pressure
from China, but this year the city decided there's no reason to exclude
Taiwan.

In 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, respectively.

The two bombings killed hundreds of thousands of people, most of whom were
civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-05-20 17:06:13

And in international news...

The UK, France, and Canada are threatening Israel with sanctions if it does
not end its renewed offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dismissing the calls and pledging
to press on with his offensive.

That includes plans for Israel to take control of the whole of Gaza.

France specifically says that Israel's decision to allow limited aid into
Gaza is "totally insufficient."

The French Foreign Minister says that immediate and massive aid is needed in
Gaza, just one day after his country signed on to a joint statement with
other European countries, threatening further action if Israel does not fully
lift the blockade.

In an interview with France's Inter Radio, the minister also said his
government supports a review of the European Union-Israel trade deal, over
concerns about Israel meeting its human rights commitments.

His comments come as EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the trade
deal in Brussels today, following a request from the Dutch foreign minister.

Meanwhile, domestic discord appears to be growing as one Israeli leader today
made a rare criticism of the military, accusing the government of killing
babies “as a hobby.”

(AH)

Posted on 2025-05-20 16:14:13

Israeli strikes overnight and into Tuesday have killed at least 60 people
across the Gaza Strip according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has launched another major offensive in the territory in recent days,
saying it aims to return dozens of hostages held by Hamas and destroy the
militant group.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began allowing a small
number of aid trucks into Gaza for the first time in 2 1/2 months.

The PM said he had been pressured to lift a blockade on the territory's 2
million Palestinians that had sparked fears of famine.

But U.N. agencies said the handful of trucks that entered were nowhere near
enough to meet the massive need for food, medicine and other supplies.

Posted on 2025-05-20 16:13:13

President Lai Ching-te has said trade tensions between the United States and
Taiwan are just “frictions between friends.”

He made the comments in a speech marking his first year as President today
with the focus on the island’s strategies to defuse the effects of U.S.
tariffs and military threats from China.

Taipei and Washington have begun trade negotiations after U.S. President
Donald Trump imposed 32% tariffs on all imports from Taiwan.

The tariffs were subsequently lowered to 10% for 90 days to allow for trade
negotiations.

Officials from both sides held a first round of talks last month, to be
followed by another one in the coming weeks.

Lai struck an accommodating tone in his speech despite the tariff pressure,
saying that the U.S. and Taiwan have long “cooperated and have also
encouraged each other to grow."

On relations with China, Lai has kept open the possibility of talks with
Beijing, saying that “Taiwan is very willing to engage in exchanges and
cooperation with China” as long as there is mutual respect and dignity.

Lai also said Taiwan would continue to strengthen its national defense
capabilities, both through foreign military procurement and domestic arms
development

Posted on 2025-05-20 16:13:13

Two Chinese men attempting to illegally enter Kinmen territory by sea were
intercepted early this morning.

The Coast Guard Administration says the pair were spotted near Erdan Islet in
Kinmen County at 5:08 AM after launching a makeshift polystyrene raft from a
small sampan.

Joint Coast Guard and military patrols intercepted and arrested them by 7:53
AM and seized the vessel.

The suspects could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to
500-thousand NT under Taiwan’s immigration and cross-strait laws.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the incident was part of
a gray-zone tactic by Beijing, noting similar activities occurred after last
year’s presidential inauguration.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-05-20 16:13:13

The Taipei MRT is temporarily expanding services to accomodate travelers
heading out for the World Masters Games.

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says trains will start running at 4am on
May 25th and 26th, to support athletes competing in the marathon and open
water swimming events, which have early start times.

The corporation says between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on those two days, the Bannan
Line will have trains every 8 to 15 minutes, the Wenhu Line every 6 to 12
minutes, and other lines every 10 to 20 minutes.

Normal service hours will resume after 6 a.m.

But the Xiaobitan and Xinbeitou branch lines will maintain their usual 6am
start time.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-05-20 16:13:13

Israeli strikes overnight and into Tuesday have killed at least 60 people
across the Gaza Strip according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has launched another major offensive in the territory in recent days,
saying it aims to return dozens of hostages held by Hamas and destroy the
militant group.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began allowing a small
number of aid trucks into Gaza for the first time in 2 1/2 months.

The PM said he had been pressured to lift a blockade on the territory's 2
million Palestinians that had sparked fears of famine.

But U.N. agencies said the handful of trucks that entered were nowhere near
enough to meet the massive need for food, medicine and other supplies.

Posted on 2025-05-20 14:06:13

The driver suspected of causing a fatal traffic incident in New Taipei
remains in critical condition.

Hospital officials say the 78-year-old male driver, who rammed into
pedestrians near a Sanxia elementary school, remains unconscious with
unstable vital signs and may undergo a second surgery today.

The collision yesterday resulted in three deaths, including a mother on her
way to pick up her child, and two students.

Police also confirmed today that the driver had been involved in a previous
traffic incident near the same location five years ago.

Officials say in that case, the man drove his vehicle onto a sidewalk,
striking a woman pushing a stroller, resulting in injuries and some damage.

The case was resolved through settlement and prosecutors did not pursue
charges.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-05-20 14:06:13

In response to President Lai Ching-te's plan of establishing a sovereign
wealth fund, economist Zhang Jian- yi (張建一) said the key is ensuring that
the fund’s management remain neutral.

Zhang, head of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, suggested that
potential funding sources could include surplus tax revenue, investments from
the central bank, or government budget allocations.

Using foreign exchange reserves, however, is unlikely due to their
classification as assets on the central bank’s balance sheet.

He also stressed that establishing such a fund will have many benefits.

In addition to increasing national revenue, the profits generated could be
used to support policies that enhance economic security, but it must be
handled by a dedicated professional entity, and be subject to public
oversight.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-20 14:06:13

The Taiwan Railway Corporation is adding 6 more trains for the Dragon Boat
Festival at the end of the month.

Tickets for the added trains will go on sale tomorrow night at midnight.

The added Ziqiang trains will be between May 30th and June 1st.

That brings the total number of trains during the holiday period from May
29th for June 2nd to over 3200 trains.

Passengers can book tickets on the TRC app or website starting May 22nd at 12
am.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-05-20 14:06:13

Asian shares mostly advanced today, and Taiwan shares are very slightly up
today, with the Tai ex closing at 21,526 after gaining 2 points.

The turnover was 272.3 billion NT.

Posted on 2025-05-20 14:06:13

South Africans are denouncing the Trump administration's new US refugee
policy which frames white South Africans as persecuted.

The Associated Press reported from an agricultural fair in the country that
both white and black farmers present and even conservative groups in the
country debunked what the White House has been calling "genocide" and land
seizure claims that led the US to cut all financial aid.

Farmers do agree that violent crime is an issue in the country, but it
affects everyone regardless of race.

This comes as Trump is set to meet with South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa this week.

The minority white Afrikaner community has been in the spotlight recently
after the US granted refugee status to at least 49 white South Africans,
claiming to flee racial and violent persecution and the widespread seizures
of white-owned land — despite evidence that such claims are untrue.

Posted on 2025-05-20 13:06:14

President Lai Ching Te in remarks marking his one year anniversary of taking
office is ordering the National Security Council to brief opposition party
leaders about important national security developments.

He touted the new measure as a non-partisan way of prioritizing national
security and called on the opposition parties to work together to protect the
people's interests.

Lai also announced that his government would establish a "sovereign wealth
fund" to build a national investment platform.

He emphasized the need to invest in global markets.

President Lai said the fund will "take advantage of the strengths of
Taiwanese businesses and be led by the government while harnessing the power
of the private sector to build a global presence and connect with major
target markets in the AI era."

Finally, the president underscored that he wants peace in the Taiwan Strait,
and called aggressors the destroyers of peace.

Lai further lauded his government's four-pillar plan to maintain peace, and
said that his government is happy to cooperate with China so long as it is
under the condition of equal dignity.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-05-20 13:06:14

N-T-U's Center for Bilingual Education is holding an international conference
to explore the vision and practical implementation of English as a Medium of
Instruction, or E-M-I, in higher education.

National Taiwan University President Chen Wen-zhang (陳文章) emphasized that
E-M-I is a student-centered approach, serving as a key pathway to connect
local learning with a global perspective.

Titled the "2025 E-M-I Horizons: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead," the
Forum aims to strengthen international collaboration in education and inspire
innovative strategies that support the growth of bilingual education in
Taiwan.

The Forum has brought together over a hundred educators and scholars from
Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and Taiwan to discuss the challenges
and practices of E-M-I.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-20 13:06:14

Investigators in the US are going through evidence related to a man believed
to be responsible for an explosion at a California fertility clinic.

The FBI identified the suspect over the weekend.

The explosion damaged the office area of a fertility clinic and hurt four and
killed the supect.

However, no embryos were damaged.

The suspect appeared to hold what authorities are calling anti-natalist
views, which hold that people should not continue to procreate.

Posted on 2025-05-20 08:13:13

companies

Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang has announced a partnership with the government and
several of the island's leading tech companies to build "the first giant A-I
supercomputer" for Taiwan.

Huang announced the initiative in his Computex keynote speech.

In a press release, Nvidia said the "A-I factory supercomputer" will deliver
state-of-the-art Nvidia Blackwell infrastructure to its users, and Hon Hai
will provide the A-I infrastructure through its subsidiary Big Innovation
Company.

And according to Nvidia, the A-I factory will featuring 10,000 Nvidia
Blackwell G-P-Us - significantly expanding A-I computing availability and
fuel innovation for Taiwan researchers and enterprises.

Meanwhile, Huang also announced during his Computex keynote speech that
Nvidia has selected "Beitou Shilin" in Taipei for its new new overseas
headquarters that will be known as "Nvidia Constellation."

That announcement brings to an end months of speculation regarding where
Nvidia would locate its new oversea headquarters.

Posted on 2025-05-20 08:13:13

Eight countries' representative offices in Taipei have issued a joint
statement - reiterating their support for Taiwan's meaningful engagement with
the World Health Organization and participation as an observer at the World
Health Assembly.

The joint statement comes as Taiwan failed to be invited to the annual
meeting of the global health body for a ninth consecutive year.

The joint statement was issued by the representative offices of the U-K,
Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan and Lithuania.

According to the statement, Taiwan is highly capable, engaged and responsible
member of the global health community ..

.... and despite being invited to participate in the W-H-A as an observer
from 2009-2016, it now remains largely excluded from the global international
health system.

The representative offices said Taiwan has distinct capabilities and methods,
including significant public health expertise, democratic governance, and
advanced technology - which can bring considerable value to inform the
W-H-A's deliberations.

The statment went on to say that Taiwan's isolation from the W-H-A is
entirely unjustified" and "undermines inclusive global public health
cooperation and security, which the world demands, and which is enshrined in
the founding documents of the W-H-O."

Posted on 2025-05-20 08:13:13

Former D-P-P lawmaker Freddy Lin has been named as the Lai administration's
new representative to Finland.

According to Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, Lin's appointment is in
recognition of his efforts in human rights diplomacy and experience in
international exchanges.

Lin says the post is a special diplomatic appointment that will not affect
promotions of career diplomats, and the government believes the appointment
puts the right person in the right spot.

That state follows charged Lin's appointment partisan patronage by the Lai
administration.

Taking to social media, Lin has also been defending his qualifications for
the appointment - saying during his tenure as a lawmaker he served on the
legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, where worked to
puch Taiwan's international participation.

Lin went on to say, he also pushed for Taiwan's participation in the
international Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and the Open Government
Partnership - a multilateral initiative to promote open government and combat
corruption.

Posted on 2025-05-20 08:13:13

Coast Guard Administration says it's investigation two videos uploaded by a
Chinese national who claims to have illegally entered Taiwan in the north
coast area in a rubber dinghy.

The statement comes after the videos appeared on X.

They show the man sailing a rubber dinghy while speaking with a Chinese
accent, with China's national flag visible in the background.

He is later seen on a beach, where he plants the flag in the ground.

The man claims to have sailed solo from a beach near Fuzhou Changle
International Airport last Thursday, landed in Taiwan the same day, and then
returned to China.

A G-P-S screenshot shown at the end of one video indicates a location along
the coast of Taoyuan's Dayuan District.

Coast Guard Administration Director-General Xie Qing-qin says preliminary
analysis has ruled out video forgery, but the man did not appear dehydrated
or sunburned - conditions typically expected after such a journey.

According to Xie, his office has requested assistance from the National
Immigration Agency and the Ministry of National Defense, and is reviewing
nearby C-C-T-V footage to verify whether the man actually entered Taiwan and
whether he received any help inland.

The videos are each under 40 seconds in lenght and had earlier appeared on
Douyin - but were later removed.

Posted on 2025-05-20 08:13:13

The National Human Rights Museum has held a ceremony for White Terror
Memorial Day.

The event was held at the Jing-mei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei
and marked the 76th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in 1949 by
Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government.

Speaking at the ceremony, Culture Minister Li Yuan said May 19 is a date that
"must not be forgotten" by Taiwanese people, as "the more we cannot face it,
the more this hatred will never be resolved."

Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Mark Ho also spoke at the event
- telling attendees that the White Terror is "an inerasable memory in the
democratic history of both Taiwan and the world."

More than 100 people attended the ceremony and the event included a
dramatization of victim experiences and readings of names, along with a
recitation of the "519 Prayer of Remembrance" written by White Terror victim
Chen Lieh.

Guests also laid flowers at the monument in tribute to the victims and
pro-democracy activists and women's rights used the occasion to call on the
government to designate May 19 as a national holiday.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

The New Taipei Education Department says most of the casualties arising from
a traffic accident in New Taipei's Sanxia District were students.

The incident occured at around 4PM yesterday - when a car rammed into
pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School.

Authorities say the three people killed in the incident were two female
students from a nearby junior high school and a woman in her 40s.

Most of the injured were also students from the junior high school while one
was a preschooler.

Police identified the driver as a 78-year-old man - who had valid driver's
license and tested negative for alcohol in his system.

He also suffered serious injuries in the incident and was one of those taken
to the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in Banqiao District.

Authorities say he underwent surgery overnight and is now in an intensive
care unit.

Prosecutors say they are still waiting for the man to regain consciousness in
order to question him.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang says that his company has selected "Beitou Shilin"
in Taipei for a new overseas headquarters.

He announced the decision during his keynote Computex speech at the Taipei
Music Center.

The statement ends months of speculation regarding where Nvidia would locate
its new overseas headquarters.

Industry sources had said Nvidia was eyeing the Beitou Shilin Science Park as
a location and had speculated the new headquarters will be built on two plots
of land designated as "T17" and "T18," which span 3.89-hectares in the park.

According to Huang, as Nvidia and its partnerships in Taiwan grow, the number
of engineers working at the company's current premises has grown beyond
capacity, warranting a new Taiwan office.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

11 of Taiwan's diplomatic allies attended a reception in Geneva to support
Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Assembly - which began on Monday.

The reception was hosted by Taiwan's representative office in Geneva as
representatives from World Health Organization member states meet in the
Swiss city for their annual meeting.

It was the ninth consecutive year that Taiwan failed to get an invitation to
the event.

Taiwan's own event was hosted by Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan, who is
leading a cross-party delegation of lawmakers to Geneva for a series of
events held on the sidelines of the W-H-A.

The Ministry of Health said the event was attended by representatives from 11
of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, as well as by government and public health
officials from non-diplomatic allies.

The Vatican was the sole ally that didn't attend the reception.

We'll have more on the World Health Assembly meeting a bit later on in the
newscast.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

Palau's President Surangel Whipps is making his first trip to Taiwan since he
began his second term earlier this year.

Whipps and his delegation were greeted upon their arrival by Foreign Minister
Lin Chia-lung.

The Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on
his first state visit to since he was sworn in this January.

The delegation includes Palau's Minister of State, Minister of Public
Infrastructure and Industries and the Minister of Human Resources, Culture,
and Development.

The delegation will be in Taiwan until Saturday.

President Lai Ching-te will welcome Palau's President later today with full
military honors... both leaders will witness the signing of a technological
cooperation agreement and an agreement on the training of diplomatic
personnel.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

The Presidential Office has appointed two new diplomats to serve in its
representative offices in the United Kingdom and India.

Chen Mu-min replaces Ge Bao-xuan as Taiwan's top envoy to India.

Ge has headed the office there since 2020 - and the Presidential Office has
not say why Ge is being replaced or when Chen willtake up his new post as
head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India.

Chen is a former deputy representative to India.

Another academic Chiang Ya-qi has been appointed as the new deputy head of
the Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom.

Chiang is currently a professor in the College of Ocean Law and Policy at
National Taiwan Ocean University, and will replace Liu Hui-chien.

Liu tendered his resignation as deputy head of the London office, where he
had been serving since 2023.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

The National Health Insurance Administration has announced expanded National
Health Insurance coverage from June 1.

The administration says the expanded coverage will include patients with
late-stage, highly malignant gynecologic cancers, early-stage breast cancer,
and those receiving first-line treatment for prostate cancer.

Health authorities say gynecologic and breast cancers rank among the top 10
most common cancers among women in Taiwan women, while prostate cancer is
among the top 3 for men.

An estimated 775 patients with the three cancer types are expected to
immediately benefit from this expanded coverage.

The government will allocate approximately 979-million N-T annually to
subsidize the treatments.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

The Shilin Branch of the Administrative Enforcement Agency is set to auction
off dozens of high-end luxury items that were seized in a major fraud case.

The items were confiscated during raids in February on properties at the
center of a 5-billion N-T fraud investigation.

Prosecutors say the case centered on a female suspect who allegedly used
fraudulent funds to purchase designer bags, jewelry, watches, clothing, and
even a Louis Vuitton bicycle.

The auction is part of the justice ministry's "Fraud Crackdown 2.0"
initiative.

Posted on 2025-05-20 06:59:14

The Kremlin is describing Romania's presidential election as "strange",
saying the pro-Russian candidate who won an aborted vote last year had been
unfairly disqualified.

Pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan defeated a hard-right, nationalist rival in
Sunday's election... it was a re-run of the 2024 vote when front-runner Calin
Georgescu was disqualified over what Romanian authorities said was an
undeclared Russian influence campaign on his behalf.

Dan's victory was a relief for centrist policymakers in Brussels where there
is concern that popular anger with mainstream elites over migration and cost
of living pressures could bolster support for far-right parties and erode
unity on the continent over how to deal with Russia.

Posted on 2025-05-19 17:06:14

Agriculture Minister Chen Jun-ji has promised that Taiwan won't lower tariffs
on imported rice to zero.

The Minister says to safeguard the nation’s food security, his Ministry will
defend the current system and assist rice farmers to improve their products.

Chen says during negotiations, the Ministry aims to create win-win outcomes
while prioritizing farmers' rights and sustainable agricultural development.

He has also stressed that the goal of upgrading the agricultural industry is
to raise market prices by improving product quality.

For example, Taiwan's rice exports to Japan this year are expected to reach
10-thousand metric tons and his ministry is encouraging farmers to grow
higher-quality rice for export.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-19 17:06:14

Organizers of 12 recall groups targeting KMT legislators say, their campaigns
are falling short of the 130% goal set internally.

That goal was set so that there would still be enough signatures to get over
the minimum threshold, should any signatures be rejected.

Organizers for those campaigns have already turned in the second round of
signatures.

They are hoping to collect another 100,000 signatures combined for those 12
constituencies.

DPP Legislator Puma Shen pointed out that some of the campaigns that have
already turned in signatures only just exceed the required minimum.

He emphasized that signatures from individuals who already participated in
the first round of signature collection will be deducted from the second
round signatories.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-05-19 17:06:14

Former Vice President Chen Jian Ren presented two gifts to Pope Leo at his
inaugural mass at the Vatican yesterday.

Arriving well before the scheduled start time, Chen said he was able to meet
with several world leaders before the ceremony.

Afterwards, Chen was received by Leo, and presented him with a set of postage
stamps featuring Taiwan's most iconic church architecture and a photo of Pope
Leo taken in 2020 when he was a bishop in Peru.

Along with the gifts, he passed along a congratulatory letter from President
Lai Ching Te

Chen said the new pope is very friendly, and that he believes that relations
with Taiwan with flourish under Leo.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-05-19 17:06:14

Officials say, a car bomb exploded near a market in Pakistan, killing four
and wounding 20 more.

The attack occurred late last night in Balochistan province.

The explosion damaged the outer wall of a nearby building housing
paramilitary forces.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall
on separatists who often target security forces and civilians.

A spokesperson for the Balochistan government condemned the bombing and said
an investigation is underway.

Balochistan has been the scene of a long-running insurgency in Pakistan, with
an array of separatist groups staging attacks, including the outlawed
Balochistan Liberation Army, which was designated as a terrorist organization
by the United States in 2019.

Posted on 2025-05-19 17:06:14

The UK and EU are meeting in London to discuss closer ties in their first
official summit since Brexit.

The meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and top EU officials
including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is intended to
pave the way to a new agreement between the two sides.

There is hope that a deal could improve the UK's struggling post-Brexit
economy, which has had to deal with a drop in EU trade caused by increased
costs and red tape.

Starmer has sought to reset EU relations following the UK's Brexit vote in
2016, before it left the union in 2020.

Posted on 2025-05-19 16:07:13

The representative offices of eight countries in Taiwan have issued a press
release reaffirming their support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health
Organization and participation in the W-H-A as an observer.

The World Health Assembly is scheduled to run in Geneva from today to 27th.

The statement says Taiwan should be included in the global health system as
the COVID-19 pandemic has fully demonstrated that only global cooperation can
ensure the safety of all humanity.

It goes on to say that Taiwan’s outstanding capabilities and practices,
including its expertise in public health and advanced technology, could
significantly contribute to W-H-A discussions.

The eight countries include the U.K., Canada, France, Germany and Japan.

Taiwan has not been invited for eight consecutive years and, as of now, and
has yet to receive an invitation for this year's gathering.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-19 16:07:13

Taiwan has announced new appointments for its overseas representative offices
in India and the United Kingdom.

Former deputy representative Chen Mu-min (陳牧民) will now head the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Center in India.

Chen, an expert in South Asia and China-India relations, has recently served
as vice dean at National Chung Hsing University.

Meanwhile, Chiang Ya-chi (江雅綺), a professor and cyber law specialist at
National Taiwan Ocean University, has been named deputy head of the Taiwan
office in London.

The government has not disclosed when the new diplomats will assume their
roles.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-05-19 16:07:13

In world news...

Pope Leo the 14th and U.S. Vice President JD Vance are meeting ahead of a
flurry of U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to make progress on a ceasefire in
Ukraine.

Vance’s motorcade was seen entering Vatican City just after 7:30 a.m. today.

Vance is a Catholic convert who had led the U.S. delegation to the formal
Mass opening the pontificate of the first American pope.

The Vatican has been largely sidelined during the first three years of
Russia’s war and is offering to host any peace talks while continuing
humanitarian efforts.

In the days since his May 8 election, Leo has vowed “every effort” to help
bring peace to Ukraine.

Posted on 2025-05-19 14:06:14

The Legislative Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on May 22nd
titled "Review of Legal Penalties for Child Abuse" to discuss child abuse
resulting in grave injuries or death.

It's scheduled in response to the fatal one-year-old Kai-Kai case.

The KMT has proposed that those who brutally abuse young children to death
should face the same maximum penalties as those convicted of robbery
resulting in death under the Criminal Code.

The law stipulates that the crime shall entail the death penalty or life
imprisonment.

DPP legislator Chen Ting-fei 陳亭妃　has also proposed amendments to the
Criminal Code to prevent such serious crimes that harm the physical and
psychological development of children and adolescents.

She stressed the need to ensure that offenders do not repeatedly commit such
acts due to lack of effective deterrence or correction.

Meanwhile the opposition TPP said that life imprisonment, intended as an
alternative to the death penalty, has become largely symbolic.

It says 657 inmates serving life sentences between 2013 and 2022 were granted
parole, serving an average of only 18 years in prison.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-19 14:06:14

The Ministry of the Environment has issued qualification standards for
migrant workers in the recycling industry.

The ministry says starting today, companies in recycling and waste processing
must first apply and meet specific qualifications before seeking recruitment
permits from the Ministry of Labor.

The MOL amended relevant regulations earlier this month, allowing
recyclable waste recycling and processing companies, as well as public and
private waste treatment facilities, to hire foreign workers for certain
tasks.

The ministry estimates that there's a need for a round 1-thousand migrant
workers in this sector, with over 600 companies already expressing interest.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-05-19 14:06:14

Taiwan stocks tumbled today, with the Tai ex closing at 21,523 after losing
319 points.

The turnover was 326.2 billion NT.

Posted on 2025-05-19 14:06:14

In Poland... voters cast their ballot for a new President to succeed Andrej
Duda... with exit polls showing liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzas-kowski and a
conservative historian, Karol Nawrocki, are the front-runners in a
presidential election in Poland.

They will face off in a second round in two weeks.

The poll by the Ipsos institute Sunday shows Trzaskowski with an estimated
30.8% and Nawrocki 29.1%

The official results are expected today or tomorrow.

---

And in Portugal

The country is headed for yet another minority government after the incumbent
center-right Democratic Alliance won the general election but failed to
secure a majority in Parliament.

Portugal’s third general election in three years Sunday dashed hopes that
the ballot could end the worst spell of political instability for decades in
the country.

Adding uncertainty to Portugal’s electoral climate, a surge in support for
the Chega (Enough) meant the hard-right party may yet claim second place with
its focus on curbing immigration and cracking down on corruption.

Posted on 2025-05-19 13:06:13

The Taoyuan city government says the Taiwan Water Corporation has set up 31
drinking water stations at 31 locations across the city to meet people's
need.

The Corporation announced a large-scale water stoppage, which began at 8 AM
today and will last from 16 to 23 hours for over 200-thousand households.

It's for the repair and maintenance work at Da-nan (大湳)) Water Plant.

Taoyuan officials say residents can find information on the city's Facebook
page and Line group to find the water stations' locations and other
information.

The suspension of water supply affects Gui-shan (龜山), Lu-zhu (蘆竹), Ba-de
(八德), Da-yuan (大園) and Taoyuan Districts.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-05-19 13:06:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia Lung is warning that China is likely to poach
diplomatic allies around the anniversary of the inauguration of President Lai
Ching Te.

He says that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been preparing for the
pressure that China may try to exert on countries that the ROC has diplomatic
relations with.

Beijing often snatches away diplomatic allies at times of political
significance in Taiwan.

This comes after DPP Legislator Puma Shen raised concerns about two
diplomatic allies, Haiti and St. Lucia, being present at a meeting between
several Latin American countries and China.

Lin emphasized that Taiwan had communicated with both countries in advance of
that meeting and said the relations were strong with both.

Two KMT legislators also said they were worried about recent pressure from
South Africa, which opted to rename Taiwan's representative office to Taipei
Commercial Office and also deleted information about it online.

Lin said that the office had taken precautions and requested negotiations
with the South African government.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-05-19 13:06:13

And in international news...

Israel is launching what it calls an "extensive" new ground operation in
Gaza.

Hospitals and medics in the Gaza Strip say that airstrikes in Israel's latest
offensive killed at least 103 people overnight.

Dozens of children are reportedly among the dead.

The strikes also forced the main hospital in northern Gaza to close.

Israel claims that it's trying to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a temporary
ceasefire that would free remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza... but it
wouldn't necessarily end the barrage on the strip.

Hamas says it wants a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a pathway to
ending the war as part of any deal.

Posted on 2025-05-19 13:06:13

A 25 year old man believed to be responsible for an explosion that ripped
through a California fertility clinic left behind "anti pro-life" writings
before carrying out the attack.

His writings seemed to indicate anti-natalist views, which hold that people
should not continue to procreate.

Investigators are calling the bombing an act of terrorism.

The FBI yesterday identified the man as authorities continue to piece
together the motive and events leading up to Saturday's bombing.

Investigators say the man died in the explosion, which gutted the fertility
clinic, damaging the office space but not the stored embryos.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

sideline event

Representatives from Taiwan's W-H-O Action Team are holding events on the
sidelines of World Health Assembly this week in Geneva.

Taiwan has not receive an invitation to the event a ninth consecutive year.

However, Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan is in Geneva and leading a delegation
under the title of "Taiwan's WHO Action Team" - which will be attending and
hosting events promoting the island's inclusion in the global health body.

The first in series of forums this week was held on Sunday, at which members
of the action team demonstrated Taiwan medical and technological strengths.

The forum focused on developments by Acer and Quanta in using A-I to develop
smart healthcare and their international cooperation.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

The Ministry of National Defense says it detected 21 Chinese Air Force
sorties operating in the Taiwan Strait from between 6AM Sunday and 6AM today.

Of those sorties, 16 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait
and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense
identification zones.

Eight Chinese Navy ships and three maritime patrol vessel were also detected
operating in the general vicinity of the Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour
period.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

And

Computex 2025 begins tomorrow at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei.

This year's show is being held under the themes of AI & robotics, next-gen
tech, and future mobility.

The show is drawing visits by industry leaders including Nvidia C-E-O Jensen
Huang, Qualcomm C-E-O Cristiano Amon and Hon Hai chairman Liu Yang-wei.

The latest A-I related innovations are expected to draw strong attention.

Computex is jointly organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development
Council and the Taipei Computer Association.

And organizers say they expect 1,400 exhibitors will be showcasing their
latest innovations at over 4,800 booths

Computex 2025 runs from May 20 to 23 at the Nangang Exhibition Center.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

In international news,

Former U-S President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that
has spread to his bones.

According to the 82 year old's office, Biden was diagnosed last Friday after
he saw a doctor last week for urinary symptoms.

Biden and his family are said to be reviewing treatment options.

The former president's office also say the cancer is hormone-sensitive,
meaning it can likely be managed.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

Israel has announced that itt will allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid
into Gaza to avoid a "hunger crisis."

The statement comes days after global experts on food crises warned of famine
in the territory due to a nearly three-month blockade

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his Cabinet has approved a
decision to allow a "basic" amount of food into Gaza - saying a hunger crisis
there would jeopardize Israel's new military offensive.

It's not immediately clear when aid would enter Gaza, or how.

Israel imposed the blockade starting March 2, cutting off all food, medicine
and other supplies to Gaza, while pressing Hamas to accept new ceasefire
terms.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

Pope Leo XIV has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following
his inauguration Mass.

Posting on Telegram after the meeting, Zelensky thanked the new Catholic
leader for his "support for Ukraine" and "clear voice in defence of a just
and lasting peace".

Addressing thousands in St Peter's Square, the Pope used his inaugural mass
to highlight concerns about the war in Ukraine, also warning against
marginalisation of the poor and autocracy.

Zelensky, U-S Vice President J-D Vance and the U-S Secretary of State Marco
Rubio were among dignitaries in attendance.

Last week, Pope Leo offered the Vatican as a venue for possible peace talks
after Vladimir Putin turned down Ukraine's offer to meet face-to-face in
Turkey for negotiations.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

Authorities in New York are investigating the site where a Mexican sailing
ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge for clues about how the fatal collision
occurred.

Two people on board were killed and at least 19 others were injured when the
Mexican Navy training ship crashed into the bridge.

Police says early investigations show the ship had lost power before the
collision.

Video showed the ship's three tall masts crumbling as horrified onlookers
watched from the shore.

It's not clear how the vessel came to approach the bridge, which authorities
confirmed was not damaged by the strike.

Posted on 2025-05-19 11:06:14

And finally,

Austrian fans have enthusiastically welcomed classically trained singer J-J
back home at Vienna airport after he won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest
with "Wasted Love."

Hundreds of fans cheered, some played his song and others surrounded the new
star, hugging him and asking for autographs as he walked through the gate.

The 24-year-old countertenor held up his trophy in one hand and a big bouquet
of roses in the other.

He also sings at the Vienna State Opera.

J-J is Austria's third Eurovision winner.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen has attended Pope Leo XIV's inaugural
mass at Vatican City as President Lai Ching-te's special envoy.

Chen joined more than 100 world leaders and top church officials in St.
Peter's Square to witness the event.

Also present were U-S Vice President JD Vance, Ukraine's President Volodymyr
Zelensky. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, and Australia's Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese.

The dignitaries were part of an estimated 250,000 people who packed into St.
Peter's Square to welcome the newly elected pope.

Before attending the ceremony, Chen said Lai instructed him to extend sincere
congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his papacy, and also hopes that diplomatic
relations between Taiwan and the Vatican will continue to strengthen.

Chen said he also prayed for stronger diplomatic relations between the two
sides and he hopes that the new pope can visit Taiwan while attending a mass
in the Vatican

Chen invited Pope Francis to visit Taiwan during a trip to the Vatican in
October 2018.

But that invitation was declined.

Chen previously served as Lai's envoy at the funeral of Pope Francis held in
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April 25.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei says local manufacturers are "not afraid" of
U-S tariffs, but are concerned about being affected more heavily than
regional economic competitors such as Japan and South Korea.

Kuo believes Taiwan has many advantages that other countries do not have, the
most notable of which is its semiconductor industry ecosystem ..

.... and United States "must rely on Taiwan" to boost its microchip
manufacturing capacities.

Kuo added Taiwan has submitted a position paper under Section 232 of the U-S
Trade Expansion Act to explain the "complementary relationship" between the
two side in terms of trade and technology.

The economics minister also says the government will wait to see the results
of negotiations between the U-S and Japan and Korea before proceeding with
additional plans ..

.. but is continuing detailed talks with the U-S, where concerns over
"origin-washing" have been a key focus.

Kuo says his office has adopted a four-part strategy of monitoring import
volumes, imposing stricter penalties, strengthening anti-dumping
investigations, and increasing guidance for industry to prevent illegal
transshipments.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Former President Tsai Ing-wen says she believes Taiwan's resilience will help
the country overcome challenges it faces in the ongoing global trade crisis
created by the U-S tariffs.

During a speech at her alma mater, the London School of Economics, Tsai said
the global community is experiencing a "new geopolitical landscape that can
be defined by the uncertainty and unpredictability surrounding the existing
trade and security orders" ..

.. and "the trade conflicts we are seeing now are challenging the decades-old
international trade rules and order."

Tsai pointed out that while Taiwan is also vulnerable to shifts in the global
trade system, it has withstood numerous global crises over the past decades,
as it was able to "transform adversity into opportunity" during these
challenges.

Tsai also used he speech to sharing memories of studying at the prestigious
London university, where she was awarded a PhD in Law in 1984.

Tsai traveled the U-K for the third leg of her European tour after visiting
Lithuania and Denmark.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

A coalition of migrant worker groups has rallied outside the Ministry of
Labor to ask that a rule that limits the number of years a migrant worker can
work here be eliminated.

Current regulations only allow for migrant workers to stay in Taiwan for up
to 12 or 14 years.

One migrant worker union claims that restricting how long its members can
work here is a form of discrimination... since there are no similar limits
for Taiwanese or white-collar foreign workers.

The union says migrant workers currently have no choice but to leave Taiwan
after working here for between 12 or 14 years - which can disrupt their
livelihoods.

The Workforce Development Agency had launched the Long-term Retention of
Skilled Foreign Workers Program in 2022, in an effort to give migrant workers
a pathway to permanent residency.

However, the S-B-I-P-T says while it lifted the restriction on how long an
"intermediate skilled" foreign worker could work in Taiwan, the program has
been plagued by a host of problems and fallen short on the issue of manpower
broker fees.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

The Chongde-Renhe section of the East Coast Line in Hualien has been closed
temporarily after after landslides caused by heavy rain swept soil over the
tracks.

The Taiwan Railway Corporation says it sent work crews to the site yesterday
evening to carry out repair work.

Southbound reserved-seat trains originating in the Greater Taipei area were
last night could only go as far as Su'aoxin Station in Yilan County, while
local trains were running to Heping Station in Hualien.

All northbound trains were terminating at Hualien Station.

Shuttle bus services between Hualien and Heping were operating to help people
get to destinations between those two areas, and rail operator says the
number of shuttle buses will be adjusted dempending on demand.

Premier Zhu Rong-tai said via social media, that he's instructed the Taiwan
Railway Corporation to put "safety first" as the top priority and restore
normal operation as soon as possible.

The railway corporation says normal services on the line are expected to
resume at noon today.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Police in Hualien have arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the
killing of a female junior high school teacher.

Police say the suspect was arrested while attempting to commit suicide by
hanging a wooded along the coast.

The killing occured on Saturday - with police saying they received a report
about the suspected death of a tenant in a rental room in a dormitory of a
local church.

The suspect was also a member of the same church.

The man became a suspect after it was revealed that he had pursued and
sexually harassed his murder victim.

And authorities say they managed to track the man after reviewing
surveillance camera footage of the area around the dormitory.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Bad weather caused airports to shut down briefly in Taipei and Matsu
yesterday afternoon.

Taipei's Songshan Airport briefly halted ground operations due to
thunderstorms... while airports in the Matsu were temporarily shut down due
to fog.

Songshan Airport experienced delays of as long as 70 minutes for domestic
flights operated by either Mandarin Airlines or UNI Airways, and up to 48
minutes on regional flights.

Meanwhile, Beigan and Nangan airports in the Matsu Islands reopened after
closing twice, but low cloud cover continued to affect operations at the
airports through much of Sunday afternoon.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Israel says it will allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza
after a nearly three-month blockade to avoid a “hunger crisis,” after
global experts on food crises warned of famine.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday his Cabinet approved a decision
to allow a “basic” amount of food into Gaza.

Israel imposed a complete blockade on humanitarian aid starting on March 2.

Netanyahu said allowing some aid in would enable Israel to expand its new
military operation, which began Saturday. It was not immediately clear when
aid would enter Gaza, or how.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pope, has vowed to work for unity so
that the Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world.

The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary offered a message of communion during
an inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square before 200,000 people, presidents,
patriarchs and princes.

In his homily, Leo said he wanted to be a servant to the faithful through the
two dimensions of the papacy: love and unity.

His call for unity was significant, given the polarization in the Catholic
Church in the United States and beyond.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni has hosted a key trilateral meeting in Rome,
bringing U.S. Vice President JD Vance and EU Commission President Ursula von
der Leyen to the same table, hoping to usher in what she said could be a
“new beginning.”

It was a diplomatic score for Meloni, who has been touted as a potential
bridge-builder with the Trump administration, but had so far been unable to
provide decisive breakthroughs, amid strained relations with her main
partners in Europe.

Meloni told journalists ahead of the meeting that she was proud to host the
two leaders to start the dialogue ahead of the meeting

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Sunday saw voters in several countries across the European Union head to the
polls...

The pro-European Union candidate in Romania’s tense presidential runoff has
taken a lead in the polls in a closely-watched vote against a hard-right
nationalist that could determine the geopolitical direction of the NATO
member country.

The race pitted front-runner George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the
hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, against incumbent
Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan.

It was held months after the cancellation of the previous election plunged
Romania into its worst political crisis in decades.

After 8.5 million votes had been counted, official data shows Dan was ahead
with 53.56%, while Simion trailed at 46.44%, according to official data.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

In Poland... voters cast their ballot for a new President to succeed Andrej
Duda... with exit polls showing liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzas-kowski and a
conservative historian, Karol Nawrocki, are the front-runners in a
presidential election in Poland.

They will face off in a second round in two weeks.

The poll by the Ipsos institute Sunday shows Trzaskowski with an estimated
30.8% and Nawrocki 29.1%

The official results are expected on Monday or Tuesday.

---

And in Portugal

An exit poll in Portugal’s general election suggests that a center-right
alliance has collected most votes but likely has fallen short of a majority
in parliament.

The exit poll by Portugal’s Catholic University for public broadcaster
Radiotelevisao Portuguesa says the Democratic Alliance captured between 29%
and 34% of the votes on Sunday.

This was Portugal's third election in three years.

The exit poll indicated a jump for the hard-right populist party Chega, or
Enough.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Footage of a tall ship crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge shows the vessel
hurtling into the span in reverse at full speed, suggesting the captain lost
control of the engine.

There are also questions about whether a tugboat escort peeled away too soon
and should have stayed with the vessel until it headed out to sea.

Similar tugboat concerns emerged last year when a large cargo vessel crashed
into a bridge in Baltimore.

Two sailors were killed and 19 were injured Saturday when the 90-meter vessel
struck the iconic New York bridge.

The collision toppled the ship's three masts like dominoes as it drifted
toward a crowded pier.

Posted on 2025-05-19 07:00:13

Former President Joe Biden's office says he has been diagnosed with prostate
cancer.

Biden was seen last week by doctors after urinary symptoms and a prostate
nodule were found.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday, with the cancer cells having
spread to the bone.

His office said Sunday this represents a more aggressive form of the disease,
but the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective
management.

Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.

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