ICRT

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:13

Premier Zhuo Rong-tai has promised to soon nominate another three people for
the Central Election Commission after the opposition-majority Legislative
Yuan rejected the Cabinet's previous nominations.

The Legislature last week approved the nominations of Yo Ying-long for CEC
chairperson, along with three other nominees for commissioner, two of whom
were recommended by the KMT, while another was recommended by the TPP.

The other three proposed by the ruling DPP failed to secure more than half of
the votes.

Zhuo today called on opposition lawmakers to "uphold their integrity" as they
had promised to cooperate with the ruling DPP in the nominations of CEC
commissioners.

In response, KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-xiang said his party has
only one standard when reviewing nominees, professionalism and impartiality,
so the CEC can truly function as an independent body.

according to the law., The CEC should have 9 commissioners and it needs to
have at least 5 for making decisions .

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

Wild bird conservationists are urging the general public not to disturb a
pair of endangered Oriental storks in Yun-lin.

The storks, white with sharply contrasting black flight feathers and red
legs, built a nest late last year on a high-voltage power tower along the
Yun-lin section of the Zhuo-shui (濁水) River.

Yesterday bird watchers reportedly spotted someone using a drone to film the
nest.

The parent birds were suspected to have been frightened by the drone’s
presence and the sound of its propellers, as one of them did not return to
the nest.

The Formosa Wild Bird Conservation Association is calling on people to keep
their distance and avoid disturbing the birds while they are raising their
young.

Fewer than 3,000 Oriental storks remain worldwide, and in Taiwan, it's
classified as a Category I endangered species.

The Association tried to find the person operating the drone but has so far
been unsuccessful.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

turning to world news...

The escalating Iran war is pushing parts of the world into energy
conservation.

Governments are deciding where to cut demand or absorb higher costs, while
prioritizing dwindling supplies.

In places like Bangkok and Vietnam, people are being urged to work from home,
take the stairs and keep air-conditioning above 24°C, while some businesses
are preparing for disruptions.

The conflict is disrupting critical oil and natural gas shipments from the
Middle East, sending prices soaring and threatening global growth — with
Asia facing the greatest risk from the shock.

During trading in Asian markets today, Brent crude was priced at around 103
U.S. dollars a barrel.

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

Officials in Cuba report an islandwide blackout in the country of some 11
million people as its energy and economic crises deepen.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines notes a “complete disconnection” of the
country’s electrical system and says it is investigating.

It was the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

Cuban President on Friday warned that the island had not received oil
shipments in more than three months and that it was operating on solar power,
natural gas and thermo-electric plants.

Cuba has blamed its woes on a U.S. energy blockade.

President Donald Trump warned in January of tariffs on any country that would
sell or provide oil to the island.

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

The Rakuten Monkeys have signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Motoki
Sakakibara to a developmental contract to strengthen the team's pitching
rotation.

The 25-year-old pitcher joins the Chinese Professional Baseball League team
after two standout seasons with the Gunma Diamond Pegasus in Japan's
independent BC League.

Last year, Sakakibara recorded 10 wins, a 2.18 ERA, and 73 strikeouts,
leading his division.

The Monkeys say Sakakibara has a wide variety of pitches and excellent
control, and the team plans to use its training system to help the young
pitcher reach his full potential and add depth to its pitching team.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

The Tai-Ex rebounded in early trading today after international crude oil
prices declined and Nvidia announced solid sales forecasts for its AI chips
overnight.

The main board added 500-point this morning to reach 33,871.

The bump was led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which saw its share
price rise by 35 N-T to hit 1,875 N-T after it announced its 2025 third
quarter dividend for common shares.

T-S-M-C's Q3 2025 cash dividend per share is 6 N-T, totals 155.5-billion N-T
and is expect to be paid out on April 9.

Delta Electronics, MediaTek, Winbond and Nanya Technology also all rose
sharply on the Tai-Ex on the back of Nvidia's announcement.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

The Ministry of National Defense is reporting two Chinese Air Force sorties
operating near Taiwan between 6AM Monday and 6AM today.

Of those sorties, both aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait
and entered Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone.

Eight Chinese Navy vessels and one maritime patrol vessel were also spotted
operating in Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour period.

The defense ministry this past weekend said that 26 Chinese military aircraft
sorties were spotted on Sunday.

No Chinese aircraft were reported between February 27 and March 6.

The defense ministry says the sudden increase in air activity came as Beijing
was carrying out a "joint combat readiness patrol."

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

And,

Retired seven-time N-B-A All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge is slated to visit Taiwan
for the first time in early April to promote an N-B-A event

According to N-B-A Taiwan, Aldridge will meet fans at Banqiao Gymnasium in
New Taipei on April 4 and 5 during the Rising Stars Invitational Taiwan
Regional Qualifiers.

Tickets are available on FamiTicket.

Aldridge is best known for his time with the Portland Trail Blazers and the
San Antonio Spurs, where he played power forward and center.

He retired in 2022 after a 16-season N-B-A career.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

In international news,

The White House says U-S President Donald Trump's anticipated meeting with
China's Xi Jin-ping could be postponed as he remains focused on the Iran war.

Trump is scheduled to travel to China from March 31 to April 2.

Trump has recently called on numerous nations, including China, to help ships
safely transit the key Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's request for assistance so far has largely been rebuffed.

China, which imported around 12 million barrels of oil daily in the first two
months of 2026, has not directly responded to Trump's request.

Trump told the Financial Times that he might postpone the meeting if China
did not help to unblock the Gulf waterway.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

Afghanistan is accusing Pakistan of targeting a hospital for drug users in
the Afghan capital with an airstrike.

Afghanistan's deputy government spokesman says the strike has killed 400
people, while about 250 more have been wounded.

The strike marks a dramatic escalation of a conflict that began late last
month and has seen repeated cross-border clashes as well as airstrikes inside
Afghanistan.

Pakistan has dismissed the accusation, saying strikes which were also
conducted in eastern Afghanistan did not hit any civilian sites.

The strikes came hours after Afghan officials said the two sides exchanged
fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

Officials in Cuba are reporting an island-wide blackout.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, there's been a "complete
disconnection" of the country's electrical system and it is investigating.

The ministry also says there were no failures in the units that were
operating when the grid collapsed.

It's the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned last Friday that the island had not
received oil shipments in more than three months and that it was operating on
solar power, natural gas and thermoelectric plants.

Cuba has blamed the issues on a U-S energy blockade.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

Ecuadorian officials say they have deployed 75,000 soldiers to four
crime-ridden provinces, where the government is implementing a nightly curfew
under which people are banned from leaving their homes.

Officials says 253 people have been arrested for violating the curfew, which
started Sunday night and is expected to last for two weeks.

Areas that are popular with tourists such as the Galapagos Islands and the
capital city of Quito have been spared.

Ecuador has been struggling to control drug violence, as cartels fight over
ports along its coast that are used to ship cocaine to the United States.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

And finally,

Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang has elaborated on his vision for keeping his
company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom

Sporting his signature black leather jacket, Huang spent two hours sauntering
across a stage at the G-P-U Tech Conference in a packed arena in San Jose,
California, explaining how Nvidia's processors have became indispensable AI
components ...

.... and highlighting the products that he believes will keep the company in
the catbird's seat.

To hammer home his point, Huang said Nvidia will be grappling with a
1-trillion U-S dollar backlog in A-I chip orders, doubling his estimate from
a year ago.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology is planning to
develop low-cost munitions to counter China's potential use of such weapons
that could deplete Taiwan's stock of air defense missiles.

According to institute president Li Shih-qiang, test flights of such low-cost
munitions are expected to to take next year.

Defense officials say other sources are also being considered and the defense
ministry hopes to acquire munitions through multiple channels, for Taiwan's
"T-Dome," high-altitude coverage and for protection against long-range
rockets.

The statements come after the defense ministry presented a report to
lawmakers reviewing Taiwan's air and missile defense capabilities.

The report included explanations of low-cost interception methods and
counter-drone measures and said the development of affordable air defense
munitions capable of intercepting long-range rockets is being considered.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien says the government's
birth rate projections that appeared in a 2024 report were "too optimistic."

The statement come after data shows that births last year fell to an all-time
low - while there was all-time monthly low of 6,523 births last month.

According to Yeh, the previous estimates resulted in a relatively large
discrepancy with the actual birth figures, and his agency has now
revised its population projections for 2024 to 2070 - and the new data will
be released in August.

The N-D-C has now revised the hypothetical scenarios and statistical model to
assume the worst-case scenario for population conditions.

Yeh says there is a "serious" trend of people not marrying or having
children, stemming from factors including anti-natal workplace policies,
economic pressure, and changing values among young people ...

.. and he's citing Academia Sinica's research on the issue - saying stipends
and subsidies alone will have only a "limited" impact on the birth rate.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

Economists are forecasting that the central bank will opt to leave its key
interest rates unchanged for the ninth consecutive quarter due to the ongoing
US-Israel war against Iran following its upcoming policymaking meeting.

The meeting is slated for Thursday.

According to economists, global energy prices have been on the rise due to
the Middle East conflict, which has raised concerns over inflation and the
global economy - both of which are factors that impact the central bank's
monetary policies

The central bank kept the local discount rate at a 15-year high of 2-per cent
following its last policymaking meeting in December.

It also left the rate on accommodations with collateral at 2.375-per cent,
and the rate on accommodations without collateral at 4.25-per cent.

Some analysts say the central back could choose to focus on ways to respond
to the volatile global situation during the policymaking meeting ..

.. as sustained increase in energy prices will push up shipping costs, which
in turn will result in higher imported and domestic product prices.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

The government says real regular wages recorded their fastest growth for the
month of January in 11 years as steady pay raises outpaced inflation.

According to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics,
the average monthly regular wage among employees in the industrial and
service sectors reached 48,819 N-T in January.

That was an increase of 2.9-per cent from a year earlier and the largest
increase for the month in 16 years.

The government says after adjusting for inflation, average real regular wages
rose 2.18-per cent year-over-year in January, the fastest growth for the
month since 2016.

The median regular wage stood at 39,136 N-T.

However, data shows that real average monthly earnings, which includes both
regular wages and non-regular income such as overtime pay and bonuses, stood
at 76,495 in January ..

.. and that was a decline of 31.38-per cent from a year earlier.

The government is attributing that decline due to the timing of the Lunar New
Year holiday.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

One person is dead and three others have been injured following a fire broke
at the Zhuyuan Extra High Voltage Substation in Hsinchu City.

The fire at the Tai-Power facility in the city's East District broke out at
yesterday afternoon.

The Hsinchu City Fire Bureau said firefighters received a report at 3:27PM of
a suspected explosion at the facility and arrived six minutes later to begin
extinguishing the blaze.

Three people were sent to the hospital for treatment, including one who was
later pronounced dead.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

According to Tai-Power, the fire occurred while voltage stabilization
equipment at the substation was undergoing testing and the incident caused a
brief voltage drop affecting some power users in the Hsinchu Science Park.

However, Tai-Power says the blaze did not cause a power outage or disrupt the
park's electricity supply.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

The Chunghwa Post says international ePackets will replace registered small
packets as the primary means of sending parcels of up to 2-kilograms overseas
from April 1.

According to the post office, the launch of international ePacket services is
in response to new Universal Postal Union standards and the rapid growth of
cross-border e-commerce.

The post office says the move will offer customers lower-cost services, but
no compensation for lost or damaged packages.

Beginning April 1, international ePacket services will be expanded from the
current 24 countries and regions to any location where international airmail
can be sent or received.

Service for international registered small packets will be halted on April 1.

Chunghwa Post says certain features of international registered small packet
mail made it less efficient and increased labor costs.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

And finally,

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says QR code single-journey tickets will
be launched on the Taipei Metro network starting March 18.

According to the company, the QR code single-journey tickets will be
available from ticket vending machines at all Taipei Metro stations beginning
that day.

Passengers will be able to enter and exit stations by aligning the QR code on
the ticket with the scanning camera on the fare gate.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

President Lai Ching-te is calling for closer cooperation to strengthen supply
chain and economic resilience.

Lai told participants at the Yushan Forum in Taipei that his administration
wants to work with like-minded countries to form "international teams" that
would present opportunities for regional and global cooperation.

The president said his government is looking to form national teams in
specific fields to keep making Taiwan stronger, and by building these
international teams to keep leveraging the power of solidarity with other
nations.

Lai said these groups will leverage the combined advantages presented by
politics, economies and technologies, to ensure the building of more
resilient supply chains and economies.

The two-day Yushan Forum runs through today.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says an initiative announced in January by
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an to limit smoking in public places in the city this
year is legally feasible.

Under Chiang's "smoke-free city" plan, smoking would be banned in public
spaces except for smoking areas or rooms set up by the city.

The scheme would be launched under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which
authorizes competent authorities to designate certain outdoor locations as
smoke-free areas while setting aside spaces where smoking is allowed.

Shih says law does not require the installation of smoking rooms in outdoor
areas, but does not prohibit such facilities either, and designated smoking
areas may still be provided in outdoor areas where smoking is already
prohibited.

The Taipei mayor earlier announced his administration is evaluating the
installation of negative-pressure smoking rooms in the Zhongshan shopping
district and Ximending areas as the next step of its "smoke-free city"
initiative.

Chiang says smoke-free outdoor zones implemented at the Taipei Lunar New Year
Market in Datong District and the Taipei Lantern Festival proved that such
measures can be carried out successfully.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The number of workers placed on formal unpaid leave programs in the first
half of March stood at around 3,800.

The Ministry of Labor says more than 70-per cent of those workers were by
affected by U-S tariffs on Taiwanese exports.

The ministry said just over 38 hundred workers at 240 companies were on
furlough as of Monday.

Most newly reported furlough cases in March were tied to changes in domestic
or export orders, and companies have not indicated they were already being
affected by the Section 301 investigation.

The labor ministry also says that companies in Taiwan have not reported
furloughs linked to oil price fluctuations caused by the US-Israel was in the
Middle East.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The Yunlin County Animal and Plant Disease Control Center says about 900
geese at a poultry farm in Shuilin Township have been culled following
confirmation of an outbreak of the H-5-N-1 bird flu.

According to local authorities, a total of 15 poultry farms within a
one-kilometer radius of the outbreak are now being monitored.

The geese were culled after the Shuilin Township farm began reporting
unusually high death rates last Friday.

The farm is located within a kilometer of a chicken farm that saw an outbreak
of bird flu in earlier this month.

However, officials say the two cases are not thought to to related.

County Magistrate Chang Li-shan is urging poulty farmers to remain alert -
saying bird flu is a higher risk at this time of year due to sharp day-night
temperature fluctuations that can weaken livestock immunity.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih is in Australia this week to hold discussions with
local governments there on urban development, medical and public health
issues, and water resource management.

Hou leads a delegation of local government officials, including City Council
Speaker Chiang Ken-huang and several other city councilors, who are already
in Australia.

They are scheduled to visit Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne during the 10-day
trip.

Hou says the talks will include the planned construction of a multipurpose
stadium in New Taipei, water management, long-term care, and the management
of public celebrations that feature aspects such as large-scale fireworks
displays.

Hou says the aim of the trip is to tap into Australia's "abundant experience"
in those areas, as New Taipei prepares to build a "world-class" dome and hold
major riverside events that include fireworks.

Along with meeting local government officials, Hou and the delegation will
also be meeting with Taiwanese expatriate communities in the three cities.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Beitun District

Tai-Power says electricity has been restored to over 400 households and
business affected by a power outage last night in Taichung's Beitun
District.

The affected business included the Costco north Taichung Warehouse.

Tai-Power says electricity was restored to all households and businesses by
10PM after emergency repairs were carried out and cause of the outage is
under investigation.

Tai-Power says an initial investigation has found that a fuse box failure in
the underground substation of a residential building was likely the cause of
the power outage.

The faulty equipment is being disassembled for inspection.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

And,

Comic artists Wu Shi-san and Rice Dumpling are set to showcase Taiwan's comic
scene during Manga-Comic-Con 2026 later this week in Germany.

The event is one of Europe's major cosplay and comic culture events and takes
place at the Leipzig Exhibition Center as part of the Leipzig Book Fair form
March 19 to 22.

The Ministry of Culture says Taiwan plans to showcase the diversity of the
island's comic scene through exhibitions, talks and autograph sessions.

The cultural division of Taiwan's representative office in Germany, in
collaboration with the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, will present 15 selected
Taiwan comic titles at the event.

Most of the selected works have won or were shortlisted for the 16th Golden
Comic Awards' Comic of the Year.

According the culture ministry, the program also includes cosplay activities
that will allow visitors to dress up as characters from Taiwan comics and
learn more about the island's comic creations.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The Reuters News Agency is reporting that U.S. leader Donald Trump now
looking to delay a highly anticipated trip to China in early April by about a
month because of the Iran war.

China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.

Trump's requested delay in his scheduled March 31-April 2 trip to meet
Chinese President Xi Jinping underscores how the Iran war has upended his
foreign policy agenda.

The delay could also magnify tensions between Washington and Beijing, as the
Mideast crisis also become one in a spectrum of issues separating the world's
two biggest economies.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The Philippines is rejecting Beijing's assertion of sovereignty over the
entire South China Sea.

Its disputing a claim by China's embassy that a Filipino diplomat had once
conceded the disputed Scarborough Shoal was not part of Philippine territory.

Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva said the
Philippines had "indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty"
over Scarborough Shoal and the islands Manila holds in the Spratly
archipelago.

The remarks are the latest in a war of words between Philippine officials and
the Chinese embassy in Manila over disputes in the South China Sea.

China's embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Spain’s King Felipe says Spain’s conquest of the Americas involved abuse
and ethical controversy, as Spain and Mexico remain at odds over calls for an
apology.

On Monday, Felipe made the remarks during a visit to a museum exhibition in
Madrid.

He told Mexico’s ambassador to Spain that parts of the conquest do not make
Spain proud by today’s values. He also said people should study the past in
context and avoid “moral presentism.”

Mexico has demanded a formal apology for years, which Spain has refused to
do.

Mexico’s president said she needed to review Felipe's comments but
acknowledged similar conciliatory remarks made last year by Spain's foreign
minister.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Cuba's national electric grid collapsed on Monday leaving around 10 million
people without power.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines notes a “complete disconnection” of the
country’s electrical system and says it is investigating.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Friday warned that the island had not received
oil shipments in more than three months and that it was operating on solar
power, natural gas and thermoelectric plants.

Cuba has blamed its woes on a U.S. energy blockade.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:15

The BBBC has asked a U.S. judge to throw out President Donald Trump’s $10
billion lawsuit over an edited documentary clip.

The broadcaster filed a motion on Monday saying a federal court in Florida
has no jurisdiction over it, and that it never aired the documentary in
Florida or anywhere in the U.S.

It also says Trump cannot show it meant to mislead viewers, and warned that
the case could have a “chilling effect” on robust reporting on public
figures and events.

Trump sued in December and claims defamation and unfair trade practices.

The BBC has apologized for the edit, but denies defaming the president.

Posted on 2026-03-16 18:54:13

Premier Cho Jung-tai today reassured that Taiwan's energy supply will remain
stable in the coming months despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Cho said the government has closely reviewed energy supplies ... saying
natural gas and other energy resources are sufficient through March and
April.

For May, Cho said the government is working to secure additional supplies
from the spot market, with officials holding meetings to closely monitor
availability.

He added that new energy contracts with other countries are expected to take
effect starting in June, which should further strengthen Taiwan's supply.

Cho said the goal is to ensure stable energy for both households and industry.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-16 18:54:13

Former KMT lawmaker and former Central Pictures Corporation chair Cai
Zheng-yuan (蔡正元) is now waiting to serve his time in jail.

Cai was convicted of occupational embezzlement and last year the High Court
upheld a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, and the verdict is now final.

The High Court has transferred the case files and evidence to the Taipei
District Prosecutors, who are expected to soon notify Cai to report to
authorities to begin serving his sentence.

The case stems from allegations that Cai embezzled more than 280 million NT
dollars from Apollo Company while handling a share transfer involving the
Pictures Corporation years ago.

Tsai served as a KMT lawmaker for 12 years until 2016 and has since remained
active on online political talk shows.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-16 18:54:13

Chunghwa Post is launching a new international shipping service next month
that will offer cheaper rates for small packages sent overseas.

The company announced today that the "International ePacket" service will
begin on April 1st.

The new service offers deliveries at competitive prices, and allows customers
to track their packages online, but does not require a signature upon
delivery.

Chunghwa Post says the new system is more efficient because it reduces the
need for manual processing and written inquiries.

At the same time, the post office will stop accepting international
registered small packets for items containing merchandise.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-16 17:17:13

Defense officials say the first two U.S.-made MQ-9B drones will arrive in the
third quarter of this year.

The Ministry of National Defense told lawmakers today that the delivery of
the high-altitude drones is currently on schedule, and a shipment of 102
advanced Patriot missiles is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

The ministry says international conflicts have not changed the delivery
timeline for these weapons.

The MND says it remains in close contact with the United States to ensure
that all weapons purchases arrive as planned.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-16 17:17:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An says, his administration is considering piloting
the Zhongshan or Ximen areas for his "smoke-free city" program.

The mayor's plan was originally to erect glass rooms in which smokers could
smoke without affecting bystanders, akin to those in major Japanese cities...

but he had concerns that there may arise legal issues with the central
government.

Mayor Chiang says today that the city will consider "negative pressure
smoking areas" while potential legal issues surrounding the smoking rooms are
worked out.

However, Health Minister Shi Chong Liang says that designated smoking areas
would not run against the law, adding that Taipei city can also specify
certain street sidewalks to be smoke-free.

Although smoking indoors in Taipei has long been illegal, outdoor smoking
regulations are often ignored or under enforced.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-16 17:17:13

Hsinchu Mayor Gao Hong An is heading to Japan for a trip aimed at tech
exchange and city governance.

Her office says, the mayor will plan to sign several Memorandums of
Understanding during the trip to a few Japanese cities.

Gao and the city council also aim to visit various research institutions and
cultural sites on the trip, and exchange opinions on industrial innovation
and urban governance.

The Hsinchu city government trip will head to Tsukuba and Sendai this time
around.

Gao noted that, since she took office in 2022, delegations from Kumamoto,
Ibaraki, and Miyazaki have visited Hsinchu to gain understandings of
industrial development.

The mayor says, she hopes it will prove to be a good opportunity to
strengthen Hsinchu industries' connections abroad.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-16 17:17:13

Now turning to international news...

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 12 Palestinians in strikes on a
home and a police vehicle.

According to local health officials, the dead include 2 boys, a woman
pregnant with twins, and 8 police officers.

A local hospital reported that the first strike hit a house in the Nuseirat
refugee camp, killing a couple and their son, as well as a 15 year old
neighbor.

They also recorded a second strike that his a police car in Central Gaza,
which wounded 14 people on top of killing 8.

Despite a ceasefire being in place since October, Israeli fire remains
frequent, with health officials recording repeated airstrikes near
military-held zones.

Meanwhile,

Israel launched new attacks on Beirut and Tehran, while Dubai's airport
suspended flights after an Iranian drone hit a nearby fuel tank.

Iran also launched missiles towards Israel, with Israeli officials reporting
damage in central areas.

Posted on 2026-03-16 17:17:13

Ballot counting is underway in the Republic of the Congo following a vote
that keeps the incumbent president on track for a 5th term.

Officials say that results are expected within 2 weeks, but some say the
outcome feels predetermined...

with officials recording low voter turnout and opposition parties calling for
a boycott.

Authorities shut down the internet and restricted traffic in the capital
during the election.

Analysts say, six challengers lack the strength to seriously threaten 82 year
old president Denis Sassou N'Guesso.

Sassou N'Guesso has ruled for 42 years, aided in part by a 2015 referendum
that removed term and age limits.

The Republic of Congo boasts one of the largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan
Africa, but the country struggles with high international debt.

The election is the latest in a trend of octogenarian African leaders
clinging to power.

Sassou N’Guesso is the third-longest-serving African president, only behind
the leaders of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

Posted on 2026-03-16 16:07:13

The National Development Council says its past population projections may
have been too optimistic, as Taiwan’s birth rate hits a new record low.

Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows there were 107,812 births in
2025, marking the tenth consecutive year of decline.

Taiwan’s total population has also continued to shrink, falling to roughly
23.3 million people.

The numbers are lower than the government’s previous "worst-case scenario"
estimates, and NDC chair Ye Jun-xian told lawmakers today that the government
will update its population report in August using more realistic models.

Ye cited factors including high economic pressure, a lack of family-friendly
workplaces, and changing values among young people, as reasons for the trend.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-16 16:07:13

The Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office has arrested 12 individuals suspected
of involvement in illegal street racing in parts of the city and county.

Prosecutors took stricter-than-usual measures against the suspects.

The prime suspect was released on 100-thousand NT dollars bail, while the
other 11 people were released on bail ranging from 20-thousand to 50-thousand
NT dollars and placed under residence restrictions.

The suspects include a man who runs a vehicle modification shop, several
racers, and a woman hired to rent a van used to transport modified
motorcycles.

Investigators say the group used messaging apps to coordinate late-night
weekend gatherings, where they blocked traffic to perform dangerous stunts
like burnouts and wheelies.

Authorities also seized 11 vehicles ... including 10 modified motorcycles and
a van used for transport.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-16 16:07:13

New Taipei City is set to kick off its first campus career fair of the year
this Wednesday at Tamkang University in Danshui.

According to the city’s Labor Affairs Department, a total of 95 companies
will take part, offering more than 3 thousand job openings.

Officials say about 44 percent of the participating employers come from the
technology manufacturing sector.

The Taiwan Space Agency will also attend the fair, recruiting engineers to
join its team.

Organizers say more than 400 part-time positions will also be available.

The city government added that it's planning more campus job fairs at several
universities through May, as part of efforts to connect graduates with
employers.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-16 16:07:13

In world news...

U.S. President Donald Trump says it would be "very bad for the future of
Nato" if allies don't help secure the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway
for global oil shipping.

A BBC news report has quoted Trump to say today that he expects China to help
unblock the strait and could delay a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping if
it doesn't.

Noting that he's speaking to "about seven" countries about "policing" the
strait, the President adds that he "will remember" if they do not help.

However, according to the latest Reuters news, Trump's demands for a
coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared to be unsuccessful as
allies Japan and Australia said they were NOT planning to send navy vessels
to the Middle East to escort ships.

Meanwhile, Israel says it has begun "limited and targeted ground operations"
against Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Posted on 2026-03-16 16:07:13

Renewable energy projects in Africa that depend on Middle Eastern sovereign
wealth funds and state-backed companies will likely press ahead despite the
Iran conflict.

The continent is seeing surging appetite for power and fuel.

Experts say that critical mineral supply chains and economic diversification
strategies continue to drive interest from Gulf countries in the region.

Over $102 billion U.S. dollars has flowed into African renewable projects
from Gulf investors in recent years, with investors targeting markets such as
Egypt and South Africa.

Those countries have more advanced regulatory frameworks and electricity
systems.

At the same time, disruptions to supplies of oil and gas and higher prices
may strengthen the case for renewable energy investment.

Posted on 2026-03-16 14:14:13

The Legislative Yuan has recently passed a $71.8 billion NT budget to cover
initiatives such as T-Pass and childbirth subsidies, and the Auditor General
said the government can now spend the funds.

The head of the Director-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said
today that while the Legislative Yuan's move is "unprecedented", she has
notified relevant government agencies to begin using the funds.

The Legislative Yuan has yet to review the central government’s general
budget for this year, but the opposition KMT and TPP lawmakers decided to
allow early spending on new capital expenditures and programs.

Responding to lawmakers' questions about the potential economic impact of the
Iran war, officials said with a price-stabilization mechanism in place, fuel
price increases would remain moderate for now.

But if there's a 10-percent rise in oil prices, she said it would reduce GDP
by about 0.12 percent.

She also expects the consumer price index to go up by around 0.24 percent.

She noted that GDP forecasts are reviewed every three months, with revisions
to be made at the next meeting in May.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-16 14:14:13

Taiwan Railway Corporation says, it's adding 20 more train trips for the Tomb
Sweeping long weekend next month.

Tickets for those added trains will be available to book tomorrow evening.

The company says, they're adding the additional trains due to increeased
demand during the April 2nd to 7th period, bringing the total number of
trains during the holiday to 165.

The majority of those added trains will be on the western main line, while 4
will be added to the eastern main line.

Passengers can book tickets via the TRC website or app starting at 12am on
the 18th.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-16 14:14:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 57 points to
close the session at 33342.

The turnover was 730.3 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-03-16 14:14:13

Now turning to international news...

Myanmar is opening its first parliamentary session in more than 5 years
following an election that did not include any major opposition parties.

The military and its allies hold nearly 90% of seats in the parliament.

This ensures that the army can exercise the control it has held since it
seized power from an elected government in 2021.

The new Parliament's first task will be to elect a speaker for each house,
and to elect a president and two vice presidents.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing currently heads the military government, and is
widely expected to assume the presidency.

Posted on 2026-03-16 14:14:13

Chinese state media is reporting that representatives from China and the US
have begun their economic and trade talks in Paris.

The meetings are expected to pave the way for US President Donald Trump's
state visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The US says that Trump will travel to China on March 31, but Beijing has not
officially confirmed the dates.

Last week, Chinese foreign Minister Wang Yi said that it would be a "big
year" for China-US relations.

Trump's visit to China will be the first for a US president since he went
during his first term in 2017.

His trip will follow a prior meeting between Xi and Trump in Busan last year.

Posted on 2026-03-16 11:05:13

The Tai-Ex fluctuated this morning.

The main board added 300-points in early trading, but selling pressure
emerged and the weighted index fall back into negative territory ...

.. with the market settling at 33,411 - a rise of only 11-points from
Friday's close.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing gained 15 N-T, to reach 1,880 N-T, before
losing 10 N-T to fall to 1,855 N-T.

Other tech heavyweights, including Hon Hai and Delta Electronics were trading
in a narrow range.

Market watchers says investors will be closely watching what the U-S Federal
Reserve will say about America's economy after its policymaking meeting,
which will likely dictate market direction later in the week.

Posted on 2026-03-16 11:05:13

And,

Taiwan's Olympic bronze medalist Tang Chia-hung has won gold in the
horizontal bar 2026 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Turkey.

Tang secured the top spot with 15.200 points in the event.

Tang participated in the qualifying rounds for the floor exercise, still
rings, and horizontal bar, successfully advancing to the finals in both
events.

However, he caught a slight cold after arriving in Turkey and opted not to
compete in the floor exercise and still rings, and focus solely on the
horizontal bar.

Tang's win in Turkey is his his second consecutive World Cup gold medal this
year, after taking the horizontal bar title in Azerbaijan earlier this month.

Posted on 2026-03-16 11:05:13

In international news,

U-S President Donald Trump says administration is talking to seven countries
about helping to secure the Strait of Hormuz - calling on them to help
protect ships in the vital waterway that Iran has mostly blocked to oil
tanker traffic.

Trump has insisted that nations relying heavily on oil from the Gulf have a
responsibility to protect the strait as turmoil across the Middle East caused
by his war against Iran is shaking up global energy markets into a third
week.

Trump has declined to identify the governments that his administration has
contacted - but has claimed that he expects many countries will send
warships.

Trump said in a social media post he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea,
Britain and others would participate.

Posted on 2026-03-16 11:05:13

North Korea has held an election for the Supreme People's Assembly to select
delegates to the legislature that formally approves state policy and appoints
the country's top officials.

According to state media K-C-N-A, nearly 99.99-per cent of eligible voters
have cast their ballots.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un cast his ballot at a coal mine run by young
workers, where he said the coal industry is essential to driving the
country's economy and his five-year economic plan.

North Koreans living in China and other socialist countries have also cast
ballots.

Posted on 2026-03-16 11:05:13

Exit polls for a referendum show voters in Kazakhstan have approved a new
constitution that may allow the country's currently President to stay in
power in the beyond 2029.

Two exit polls say around 87-per cent of voters had backed the new
constitution.

The electoral commission has said turnout stood at 73-per cent.

The new constitution streamlines the country's parliament, and recreates the
office of vice president, which was abolished in 1996.

It gives the president the right to appoint the vice president, as well as a
host of other key officials.

Posted on 2026-03-16 11:05:13

And finally,

A closing ceremony boycotted by Ukraine has signaled the end of the
Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics.

Sunday's ceremony came hours after the U-S Para ice hockey team won the final
gold medal of the Games that were marked by the return of the Russian flag
and national anthem to the global sports stage.

China continued its dominance as a Paralympic powerhouse and topped the
medals table with 15 golds, two more than the United States, which matched
its total from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.

The Milan Cortina Games marked the 50th anniversary of the Winter
Paralympics.

Ukraine led the boycott of both the opening and closing ceremonies to protest
the presence of the Russians.

Posted on 2026-03-16 08:05:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

No damage or injuries are being reported following this morning's magnitude
3.3 and 4.3 earthquakes that rattled the Tainan area.

The magnitude 3.3 quake struck at 7:15 and was centered some 40-kilometers
northeast of Tainan City Hall at a depth of 7-kilometers.

That quake was felt strongest in Tainan's Zengwen area - where it registered
a magnitude 3 on the Central Weather Administration's intensity scale.

The 4.3 magnitude quake struck at 7:19 and was centered in the same area and
also had a depth of 7-kilometers.

It was was felt strongest in Tainan's Zengwen area and the Nanxi District -
where it registered a magnitude 4 on the Central Weather Administration's
intensity scale.

That quake was also felt in parts of Chiayi and Kaohsiung - where it
registered a magnitude 2 on the weather administration's intensity scale.

Posted on 2026-03-16 08:05:14

C-P-C has opted to leave gasoline and diesel prices at the pump unchanged
this week, despite continuing surges in international oil prices.

According to the state refiner, international crude oil prices rose sharply
last week amid growing concerns over potential supply disruptions in the
Middle East and tanker security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Under C-P-C's weekly pricing mechanism, gasoline prices should have risen by
9.5 N-T per liter and diesel prices should have gone up by 10.9 N-T a liter.

However, C-P-C says it is adhering to government policy to keep prices at the
pump lower than in neighboring countries, and will absorb the increase as
part of the government's efforts to stabilize consumer prices.

Posted on 2026-03-16 08:05:14

And finally,

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says the mercury is expected to gradually
rise from today through Thursday.

However, Wu is warning of significant day-night temperature differences.

Wu says a weak northeasterly monsoon is expected to move southward on Friday,
bringing scattered brief showers to northern and eastern parts of the island
and a slight drop in temperatures.

The northeasterly monsoon will weaken by the weekend, leading to improving
weather conditions.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:15

The Ministry of National Defense says China has resumed carrying out
large-scale Air Force sorties around the island.

Defense officials reported 26 Chinese military aircraft sorties on Sunday.

Sixteen of those aircraft entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern
air defense identification zones.

The last time that many sorties were reported was on February 25, when 30
aircraft were detected operating in the Taiwan Strait and in Taiwan's air
defense identification zones.

The defense ministry says the sudden increase in air activity came as Beijing
was carrying out a "joint combat readiness patrol."

No Chinese aircraft were reported between February 27 and March 6.

Sunday's sorties came after China's Taiwan Affairs' Office slammed President
Lai Ching-te for a speech in which he discussed the need to boost defense
spending and protect the island's democracy.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:15

A defense official has denied reports that that delivery of the first two
MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the U-S has been delayed due to the war in the
Middle East.

Delivery of the first two drones is set to take place in the second half of
this year in accordance with the original schedule.

The unnamed Ministry of National Defense official also says the required
ground control stations to remotely pilot the advanced drones are currently
being built in preparation for their arrival ...

.. and both the Air Force and Taiwan's defense mission in Washington, D.C.,
have been in close contact with the U-S side to ensure delivery will be on
time.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo questioned the credibility of the report
concerning the delay in delivery last week - saying no weapons deliveries
from the U-S have so far been affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

Taiwan has ordered four MQ-9B surveillance drones from the U-S and delivery
timeline has been set for 2026 and 2027 in two batches of two each.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:16

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen continues her 11-day trip to the U-S... she
arrived in New York following a stop in Boston.

She visited the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Manhattan's
Chinatown, where she met with association President Eric Ngo and other
community leaders.

She later traveled to Columbus Park to lay flowers at a statue of Sun Yat-sen
- where she outlined the goals of her trip ahead of a banquet with Taiwanese
expats in Flushing.

Lu said the U.S. has the largest number of Taichung's sister and friendship
cities, and she hopes to further strengthen exchanges with them during the
visit.

The Taichung mayor maintains her trip has three main goals - deepening
city-to-city exchanges, engaging with overseas Taiwanese communities, and
reinforcing Taiwan-US relations.

Lu is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. this week.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:16

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Poland's former President Lech Walesa
and former Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry are among the foreign
guests set to attend an annual Yushan Forum this week.

The ministry says other prominent figures set to speak include Keiji Furuya,
the head of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council; Gustavo
Villate, Paraguay's minister of information and communication technologies
...

.... and Lee Jun-seok, the leader of South Korea's Reform Party.

President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim will both speak at
the forum later today.

This year's Yushan Forum is being held under the theme "Indo-Pacific
Partnership Prospects: Taiwan's Values, Technology, and Resilience."

The foreign ministry says the event - which is taking place today and
tomorrow - aims to promote regional collaboration through solutions "based on
Taiwan's values and incorporating technology and resilience."

The Yushan Forum was launched in 2017 under former President Tsai Ing-wen.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:16

Some 1,000 participants joined the Taiwan Demo Day in Silicon Valley this
past weekend -- marking the largest scale yet for the event held ahead of
Nvidia's annual G-T-C conference this week.

The Taiwan Demo Day 2026 Spring was co-organized by the Taiwan Next
Foundation and the Startup Island Taiwan -- Silicon Valley Hub.

It was held at the Computer History Museum in California and showcased 12
teams focused on Physical A-I and Agentic A-I technologies.

According to Taiwan Next Foundation founder, Katie Hsieh the event
highlighted the strength of the Taiwan-US startup ecosystem, with six
Taiwan-based teams selected by StarFab Accelerator joining others from the
U-S to showcase their innovations.

Hsieh says nearly half of attendees came from the international startup
community, expressing hope that the event would foster new connections for
Taiwan-led companies.

StarFab was founded in 2016 and is regarded as Taiwan's largest industry
accelerator, is dedicated to fostering collaboration between startups and
enterprises to accelerate innovation and growth.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:16

And,

The Taipei City Government has launched a limited-time promotional campaign
ahead of K-pop group TWICE's three-night concert run at the Taipei Dome.

The campaign is titled "ONCE CITY MAP" and sees the city government is
inviting fans to visit themed attractions and take part in citywide check-in
events.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the eight official fan events and themed
attractions will "turn Taipei into ONCE CITY," making the whole city feel
immersed in TWICE.

The events include a pop-up store at Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a touring
merchandise store at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, photo spots at the
Taipei Dome and lighting displays at The Sky Taipei.

TWICE's three-night concert run at the Taipei Dome starting begins on March
20.

It will be the K-pop group's first concert in Taipei, following its
first-ever performances in Taiwan in November last year in Kaohsiung.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:16

Palestinian hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes hit a home and a police
vehicle in central Gaza and killed at least 12 Palestinians, including two
boys, a woman pregnant with twins and eight police officers.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported the first strike hit a house in the
Nuseirat refugee camp killed a couple and their 10-year-old son, as well as a
15-year-old neighbor whose body went to Awda hospital in Nuseirat.

The Hospital also reported a separate strike hit a police vehicle in central
Gaza and killed eight police officers. There was no immediate comment from
the Israeli military.
There has officially been a ceasefire since October but Israeli fire is still
frequent, Gaza officials say.

Posted on 2026-03-16 06:55:16

Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials wrapped up the first of two days of
talks in Paris at the weekend to iron out kinks in their trade truce and
clear a path for U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to Beijing to meet with
Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.

The discussions were led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese
Vice Premier He Lifeng... they were were expected to focus on shifting U.S.
tariffs, the flow of Chinese-produced rare earth minerals and magnets to U.S.
buyers, American high-tech export controls and Chinese purchases of U.S.
agricultural products.

U.S.-China trade analysts said that with little time to prepare and
Washington's attention focused on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, prospects for
a major trade breakthrough are limited, in Paris or at the Beijing summit.

A Treasury spokesperson said talks are scheduled to resume on Monday morning.

Trump and Xi could potentially meet three other times this year, including at
a China-hosted APEC ?summit in November and a U.S.-hosted G20 summit in
December that could yield more tangible progress.

Posted on 2026-03-14 16:08:13

South Korea's military says that North Korea has fired about 10 ballistic
missiles toward the eastern sea.

The show of force appears to be in response to South Korea conducting a joint
military exercise with the United States.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff say the missiles were fired from an area
near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

Japan's Defense Ministry says the weapons landed in waters outside the
country's exclusive economic zone.

North Korea has long said the joint US-South Korea drills were invasion
rehearsals and has used them to justify weapons tests and other military
demonstrations.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-14 14:10:14

South Korea's military says North Korea has fired at least one projectile
into its eastern sea, as tensions rise around allied drills.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff didn't say if the weapon was ballistic or
how far it traveled.

The launch comes as the United States and South Korea run their annual spring
joint exercises.

North Korea has long called those drills invasion rehearsals and has used
them to justify weapons tests and other military demonstrations.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-14 14:10:14

George Russell of Mercedes has won the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was second, with teammate Lewis Hamilton taking
third.

Russell won the first race of the season in Australia last weekend.

The full Formula 1 race is Sunday, with Mercedes tipped as the favorite.

The top eight finishers earned championship points, with first place earning
eight points and eighth place earning one.

The grid order will be determined by qualifying laps later this afternoon.

Russell and Hamilton swapped the lead several times on the first few laps
today in Shanghai.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-14 13:07:15

Two Iraqi security officials say a missile struck a helipad inside the US
Embassy compound in Baghdad this morning.

Associated Press footage shows a column of smoke rising over the embassy
compound.

There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy in Baghdad. Yesterday, the
embassy renewed its Level 4 security alert for Iraq, warning of potential
rocket and drone attacks against U.S. citizens, interests and infrastructure.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-14 12:09:13

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will miss the rest of the NHL
season due to a knee injury sustained against the Anaheim Ducks.

Matthews was knocked out of a game after Anaheim defenseman Radko Gudas kneed
him.

The Leafs said Matthews has a Grade 3 MCL tear and a bruised quadriceps.

Gudas was suspended for five games after a hearing with the league's
Department of Player Safety. It was the maximum penalty allowable under the
circumstances. Matthews' agent expressed disappointment and shock over the
mildness of the ruling.

Gudas is the Czech player who ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby's Olympics
in quarterfinal play.

AP_JvW

Username
Password
Lost your password