ICRT

Posted on 2026-01-15 19:07:13

Troops from NATO countries, including France and Germany, are arriving in
Greenland to boost security.

This follows talks in Washington on Wednesday between Denmark, Greenland and
the U-S that highlighted disagreements over Greenland's future.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of French troops,
with Germany sending a reconnaissance team on today.

Denmark is also increasing its military presence.

The talks focused on U-S intentions to take over Greenland for its mineral
resources amid rising Russian and Chinese interest.

Denmark's Foreign Minister expressed concerns over U-S President Donald
Trump's intentions.

Greenlanders remain uncertain about the future.

Posted on 2026-01-15 19:07:14

Iran closed its airspace to commercial flights for hours without explanation
as tensions remained high with the United States over Tehran's crackdown on
protests.

A-P correspondent Karen Chammas reports.

Posted on 2026-01-15 19:07:14

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written by volunteers, is embracing
artificial intelligence to mark its 25th anniversary.

The site has signed up new AI partners, including Meta and Microsoft,
alongside existing ones like Amazon and Google.

These companies are paying to access Wikipedia content, supporting its
nonprofit mission.

Founder Jimmy Wales welcomes AI training on Wikipedia data, emphasizing its
human-curated nature.

The Wikimedia Foundation urges AI developers to pay for access, as bots
heavily tax its servers.

Wikipedia plans to use AI to assist editors and improve search experiences,
while addressing criticism of bias and competition from rivals like
Grokipedia.

Posted on 2026-01-15 18:38:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is downplaying concerns that Taiwan's power
grid may struggle to keep up with TSMC's rapid expansion.

The issue was raised by TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei during today's earnings
briefing ... when he emphasized that a stable power supply is "essential" for
the chipmaker to expand capacity and meet surging global demand.

In response, Deputy Economic Affairs Minister Ho Chin-tsang says the
government is making power security a top priority ... saying it conducts
"rolling reviews" of the energy landscape via the state's annual electricity
report.

According to Ho, the latest assessments show Taiwan's power supply will
remain stable through at least 2032.

He clarified that these projections already account for the massive energy
needs of AI applications and advanced semiconductor plants.

The world's largest contract chipmaker reported 2025 consolodated sales
jumped 32 percent to about 3.8 trillion NT, while net profit hit a record
1.72 trillion NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-15 18:38:13

Kaohsiung says it has made major progress in controlling dangerous dogs, as
part of strengthened efforts to protect the public and cut down on stray
animals.

The Animal Protection Office says more than 93 percent of the city's 546
registered high-risk dogs have been neutered to date ... and 35 owners have
been fined for failing to comply with the rules.

Not only that, officials say the city's overall pet neutering rate has
climbed to over 67 percent in 2025 ... up from over 61 percent in 2023 ...
off the back of government subsidies and rural outreach programs.

And almost 18 hundred cats and dogs were successfully adopted within those
three years.

They also said Kaohsiung's stray dog population has dropped sharply in recent
years, from 17 thousand in 2020 to just over 10 thousand in 2024.

Authorities say they will continue education and enforcement to improve
public safety.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-15 18:38:13

ONE OK ROCK is returning to Taiwan to make history at Taipei Dome this April
25th! ...

... by becoming the first Japanese artist to headline a solo concert at the
venue.

General ticket sales open January 31st at noon.

However, you can get your seat a day early if you're a Cathay United Bank
CUBE Credit Card holder.

The Taipei show is a key stop on the rock band's "DETOX Asia Tour", which
follows a massive global run that saw them sell out two nights at Japan's
Nissan Stadium, attracting over 100 thousand fans.

ONE OK ROCK is no stranger to Taiwan, having previously sold out concerts at
Nangang Exhibition Center and Kaohsiung National Stadium.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-15 17:30:13

TSMC has said it is "speeding up" its capacity expansion in the United States
to satisfy client needs as it reported a record high in net profit in 2025
due to the AI development boom.

During today's investor conference for the 4th quarter, TSMC Chairman C.C.
Wei said his company has had to speed up its plans in the U.S., including
pushing up the opening date of its phase 2 semiconductor fab in Arizona.

The issue was being closely watched after recent reports that Taiwan has
negotiated the lowering of the U.S. tariff on its goods to 15 percent in
exchange for the chipmaker to expand its semiconductor capacity in the U.S.

TSMC posted a net profit of $1.7 trillion NT in 2025, up 46-percent from a
year earlier.

It had earnings per share of $66, compared to $45 NT in 2024.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-15 17:30:15

The first tropical storm of the year has just formed some 1,630 kilometers
southeast of Taiwan's southern tip and is not expected to have much impact on
Taiwan.

The Central Weather Administration says Tropical Storm Nokaen is currently
moving in a northwesterly direction but will turn northeastward this weekend.

The storm is unlikely to strengthen into a typhoon as the environmental
conditions are not favorable.

Forecasters say while the storm won't approach Taiwan, its outer bands may
still bring some rain to eastern Taiwan in the coming days.

Less than 2-percent of the over 1,700 typhoons formed in the northwestern
Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea between 1958 and 2024 occurred in
January.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-15 17:30:15

And, some lucky kids in Chiayi County will get a birthday gifts from their
local township office.

That's after the Meishan township offices announced that they were launching
the program for kids between 1 and 3 years old, who can get 6000 NT for their
birthdays.

Meishan officials say, all parents have to do is head to the local township
offices to apply for the cash on the child's birthday.

They add that they came out with a birth subsidy in 2023, offering 10,000 NT
for one kid before upping the amount to 30,000 the following year.

They said, the policy has had a great effect, with 40% more babies born in
2024 than the year prior.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-15 17:30:15

Now turning to international news...

US President Donald Trump is set to host Venezuelan opposition leader Maria
Corina Machado.

Her political party is widely considered to have won elections in 2024 which
were rejected by President Nicolas Maduro.

Trump has previously dismissed Machado's ability to run Venezuela and raised
doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in the country.

Trump has also signaled his willingness to work with Maduro's Vice President
and current acting president Delcy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has pledged to continue releasing prisoners detained under Maduro.

Posted on 2026-01-15 17:30:15

Voting is Underway in Uganda's presidential election.

The polls opened despite a days-long internet shutown that has been
criticized as an anti-democratic tactic.

Crowds have gathered and formed long lines in some areas as polling station
openings were delayed.

Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni has held office since 1986.

He faces 7 other candidates in this election.

Results in the election are required to be announced within 48 hours.

Posted on 2026-01-15 16:07:14

Taipei prosecutors have completed the investigation into Taipei Main and
Zhongshan MRT Stations attacker, Zhang Wen, saying that he acted alone but
planned extensively.

Officials also confirmed that his cause of death was suicide, noting that
Zhang's own materials did not lay out any plans for after the attack,
indicating his intent to take his own life.

Police also presented surveillance footage from November at Taipei Main
Station, in which Zhang observed commuters' activity and recorded information
on a tablet.

Prosecutors were able to conclude that Zhang acted alone given his transit
records, banking details, and evidence such as his acquisition of weapons,
which he bought online himself.

The funds that Zhang used for purchasing the weapons and other tools came
entirely from his mother and his own savings after being unemployed for
years.

They say that, as Zhang is deceased, they will not prosecute him, while
Taoyuan prosecutors will also not prosecute Zhang's alleged draft dodging.

Since Zhang's December 19th deadly attacks, prosecutors islandwide have
investigated 51 copycat cases, and no links to Zhang have been found so far..

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-15 16:07:14

A Kaohsiung food company has been fined $300-thousand NT after inspectors
found it was selling food products expired by over 8 years.

Health officials discovered the expired meat at a warehouse owned by "Orient
Marquis Company" during a routine check.

The packaging on the chicken showed an expiration date of August 28, 2017.

The Kaohsiung City Department of Health says all of the expired food was
sealed and destroyed on-site.

Investigators found no evidence that the company tried to relabel the food or
sell it to the general public.

The city has now listed the company as a priority business for future
investigations.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-15 16:07:14

In world news....

A train derailed in northeastern Thailand yesterday after a construction
crane fell on two of its carriages, killing at least 32 people and injuring
66.

The accident occurred in a province some 230 kilometers northeast of Bangkok,
when 195 people were on the train.

The crane was working on a high-speed rail project when it collapsed and hit
the passing train, causing it to derail and briefly catch fire.

Thailand's Prime Minister told the State Railway of Thailand to provide good
compensation for families of the dead, adding that his government needs to
investigate... and take legal action.

The Italian-Thai Development Public Company, which was contracted to build
the rail segment, expressed regret for the accident and said it would provide
compensation and relief to families of the casualties.

Posted on 2026-01-15 14:10:13

Australian Exchange Student

Prosecutors have dropped a murder investigation against a woman accused of
killing her British husband due to insufficient evidence.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office announced today that it will not
charge the woman, surnamed Yang, in the death of her British husband.

The man died in January 2023, but his body was cremated before police could
test for toxins.

Yang denies poisoning her husband, claiming he died of an illness.

Prosecutors say medical records and witness statements could not confirm a
cause of death or prove the presence of rat poison.

Yang is currently on trial for the attempted murder of Alex Shorey, an
Australian exchange student.

Prosecutors say she repeatedly put rat poison in Shorey’s food and drinks in
early 2023, to stop him from returning to Australia.

In that case, prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of at least eight
years.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-15 14:10:13

Taiwan’s national baseball team began training today for the World Baseball
Classic with 31 players reporting to camp in Kaohsiung.

The first stage of training is being held at the Taiwan Sports Training
Center in Zuo-ying District.

Out of the 32 players selected for this phase, only pitcher Chen Kuan-yu was
absent today.

Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) will serve as the team captain again, with manager
Tseng Hao-chu saying that Chen is the "only choice" for the role.

Chen previously served as captain during the WBSC Premier 12 and helped it
win the gold medal of that tournament in 2024.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-15 14:10:13

Asian shares are mostly lower today after Wall Street retreated on Big Tech
losses.

Taiwan shares are down ahead of a TSMC earnings conference today.

The benchmark tai ex lost 131 points to close the session at 30,810.

The turnover was 648 billion NT

Posted on 2026-01-15 14:10:13

Now turning to international news...

Japan and the Philippines have signed a defense pact that will allow the
tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food, and other necessities in joint
training.

They say, that's to boost deterrence against China's growing aggression in
the region, and to bolster preparation for natural disasters.

Meanwhile Japan also announced new security and economic development
assistance to the Philippines.

Japan has faced increasing political, trade, and security tensions with
China...

while both Japan and the Philippines have had separate territorial conflicts
with China in the East China Sea and South china Sea.

Posted on 2026-01-15 14:10:13

Ukrainian officials say, emergency repair crew are working to restore power
in the Kyiv region.

Russian attacks on energy infrastucture have left Ukrainians facing the
coldest winter in years.

In Boryspil, a town in the Kyiv region, workers dismantled and rebuilt
electrical systems in an attempt to fix the damage...

working in -15 degrees celsius from early morning til midnight.

Officials say, they've managaed to restore the supply for four hours a day,
but once the power turns back on, residents rush to take advantage,
collapsing the system again.

Posted on 2026-01-15 13:06:13

Three days of DPP polling in the south have now concluded, with Tainan's Chen
Ting Fei, Chiayi's Cai Yi Yu, and Kaohsiung's Lai Rui Long taking home the
win.

Polling wrapped up just last night in Tainan, with Chen having 61% support
against KMT nominee Xie Long Jie's 14%...

While her opponent Lin Jun Xian had 58% support against Xie's 21%.

Lin today said that he would support Chen in the election and emphasized the
importance of unity.

Chen is running to replace the DPP's outgoing Huang Wei Zhe, and if she is
successful she will be the first woman mayor in the city's 400 year history.

Overall, in all three nights of polling in Tainan, Chiayi County, and
Kaohsiung, DPP contenders in Kaohsiung were far less popular against a KMT
candidate than their counterparts in Tainan and Chiayi.

Chen, Cai, and Lai are set to be officially nominated on Wednesday.

In November, Chen faces KMT lawmaker Xie Long Jie and Lai will face Ke Zhi
En...

while the KMT has not yet named a nominee in Chiayi county.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-15 13:06:13

Hualien prosecutors are seeking the incommunicado detention of the chief of
Guangfu Township for alleged negligence leading to death in the Matai-an
Barrier Lake disaster on September 23rd.

Prosecutors also searched the township offices and chief Lin Qing Shui's home
and questione Lin and other township workers yesterday.

Prosecutors believe that Lin failed to carry out evacuation orders in
accordance with government orders, ultaimtely leading to the deaths of at
least 19 people on September 23rd.

Three other township officials were released on bail with ankle monitors.

Investigators say that a preventative evacuation alert was issued on
September 21st, and a mandatory alert was issued the following day...

but Lin and 3 others failed to carry out evacuations according to law.

They also allegedly inflated the number of evacuees and reported those
falsified numbers to county officials.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-15 13:06:13

The Executive Yuan has approved a plan to increase monthly welfare payments
for elderly farmers.

The current monthly allowance is $8-thousand-110 NT, and Premier Cho Jung-tai
says the increase is necessary to help retired farmers deal with the rising
cost of living.

The new proposal includes a special rule to adjust these payments if the
Consumer Price Index rises by 3 percent.

The government also plans to relax wealth limits so that more farmers can
qualify for the financial support.

The draft amendment now moves to the Legislative Yuan for final approval.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-15 13:06:17

Now turning to internationla news and in the US,

a federal officer has shot a person in the leg in Minneapolist after being
attack with a shovel during an arrest.

That's after an immigration officer shot and killed a woman in the city just
a week ago.

Federal officials said that the officers stopped a person from Venezuela who
was in the US illegally, and said that that person drove away and crashed
into a parked car before running away.

They also said that, after officers reached the person, two others arrived
from nearby and all three attacked the officer together.

Meanwhile Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the state as being in chaos,
saying what's happening "defies belief."

Posted on 2026-01-15 08:14:14

talks

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Senior government officials are reportedly heading to Washington D.C. in an
effort to push forward talks on reducing U-S tariffs on Taiwan products
entering the American marking and strengthening investment.

Sources are being cited by several media outlets as saying Vice Premier Cheng
Li-chiun and the government chief trade negotiator Yang Jen-ni have left for
the U-S for talks with Trump administration officials in the coming days.

It's not known which U-S officials will be attending those meetings or
whether U-S President Donald Trump will be involved.

It also remains unknown if the visit will produce a deal.

However, the trip comes after reports earlier this week said a deal is being
finalized to reduce the U-S tariff rate on Taiwan products will from 20 to
15-per cent, and commit Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to invest
significantly more in the U-S.

The Cabinet earlier this week refusing to comment on those reports, but said
a "broad consensus" had reached the U-S and discussions are now focusing on a
timetable for a concluding meeting.

Posted on 2026-01-15 08:14:15

Lawmakers have begin public hearings to discuss impeaching President Lai
Ching-te.

The first hearing took place yesterday and a second hearing is scheduled for
today as part of the legislature's impeachment review process.

The Committee of the Whole Yuan will then hold formal review meetings on
January 21 and 22.

The lead sponsors will use those meetings to explain the grounds for
impeachment and Lai will be invited to give a 15-minute statement followed by
questioning by lawmakers.

A second review meeting is scheduled for May, after which the impeachment
case will be put to a vote in the Legislative Yuan on May 19.

Opposition lawmakers approved a motion to initiate impeachment proceedings
against Lai Ching-te on December 26 - arguing that he has undermined Taiwan's
constitutional order and democracy.

The move came after Lai failed to enact an amendment passed by the
Legislature that would have given local governments a larger share of public
revenues on December 15.

The impeachment needs a two-thirds majority of lawmakers for it to pass.

Posted on 2026-01-15 08:14:15

Parents groups says the debate over a proposed amendment to the Assisted
Reproduction Act should consider the need for greater disclosure to patients
of potential health risks associated with assisted reproduction.

The statement comes after the government proposed revisions to Article 12 of
the Act.

The article currently stipulates that a medical institution must explain "any
possible complications or hazards" of assisted reproduction to the recipient
couple, without clearly spelling out what information must be disclosed.

Parents groups argue that the "possible complications or hazards" cited in
the article mainly focus on risks to the woman during pregnancy rather than
the potential health risks for the child ...

.. and those child-related risks should be clearly included in the informed
consent form signed by both parties, and medical institutions should also be
required to ensure that applicants fully understand the information.

The groups are calling for those specific disclosure requirements to be
written into the law.

Posted on 2026-01-15 08:14:15

Taiwan's passport has risen three place in the latest Henley Passport Index
to move up to 33rd spot.

The rise means it returned to the same place it was in the rankings in
January of last year.

The index rank passports by the number of designations its holder can travel
to without a visa.

The latest survey shows that Taiwan passport holders can travel to 139
countries and territories without a visa.

The Singaporean passport was ranked the most powerful with visa-free access
to 192 destinations out of a total of 227.

The Japanese and South Korean passports were tied for second in the rankings
- with holders of them able to travel to 188 countries and territories
without a visa.

Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland were tied for third place,
with each of those passport allowing holders to visit 186 countries and
territories.

Posted on 2026-01-15 08:14:15

The Central Weather Administration says a tropical depression that formed
east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm
of this year.

According to the administration's forecast center, the weather pattern is
currently located some 1,700-kilometers southeast of Eluanbi at the island's
southern most tip and is moving in a westerly direction at
11-kilometers-an-hour.

If its does develop into a tropical storm it will be called Nokaen.

It is currently forecast to move northwest to north, and is expected to
remain east of the Philippines.

There is ittle chance of it affecting Taiwan.

Meanwhile,

The weather administration says the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive
on Monday of next week and a strong continental cold air mass will move south
on Tuesday.

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says the cold front will likely hover
over the island from Wednesday through Friday and current model simulations
indicate that it will meet definition of a "strong continental cold air mass"
...

.. meaning temperatures in some low-lying areas could drop to 8-degrees.

Posted on 2026-01-15 08:14:15

And finally,

Mandopop King, Jay Chou has taken to the courts of Melbourne Park the first
time as a competitor in the Australian Open's high-stakes 1 Point Slam.

Chou was up against against 24-year-old Australian amateur Petar Jovic.

Chou had previously joked about wanting to serve first so he could at least
touch the ball, but he lost the coin toss and Jovic secured the serving
rights.

Chou failed to react to Jovic's fast serve and watched as the ball landed in
court.

The Australian Open's Point Slam was inaugurated by Tennis Australia in 2025
and is now cornerstone of the Grand Slam's "Opening Week" entertainment
festival.

The 48-player "flash" draw this year featured 24 professionals - including
world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion Jannik Sinner, and Naomi Osaka
- competing alongside celebrities and amateur qualifiers.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:13

Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang says he expressed reservations
about the government's proposed 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget
during meetings in Washington, D.C. earlier this week ...

... and his party will now propose a revised budget.

After he returned to Taiwan, Huang said he met with U-S trade, defense and
State Department officials during the visit and told them about the lack of
clarity about how the budget would be spent.

Huang said he told U-S officials that the legislature of a democratic country
like Taiwan could not accept reviewing a budget with unclear or unknown
spending items, and the U-S side "understood and agreed with" his concerns.

Huang said the T-P-P will wait to hear a closed legislative committee
briefing on the special budget next week by the Ministry of National Defense,
after which it will propose its own version of the bill.

The T-P-P and the K-M-T have blocked consideration of the bill in the
Legislature six times since it was referred to lawmakers by the Cabinet for
review.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:17

visit

A spokesperson for two Canadian lawmakers acknowledged tehy were encouraged
to cut short their visit to Taiwan before Canada's Prime Minister Mark
Carney's announced trip to Beijing.

A constituency manager for one of the Liberal Party lawmakers says they
returned home on "advice from the government"... as the party wanted to avoid
confusion concerning Canada's foreign policy.

Liberal Party members Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde were part of a
five-member, cross-party parliamentary delegation that had planned to visit
Taiwan from January 10 to 16.

However, the two lawmakers cut short their planned visit and left Taiwan day
before Carney was slated to arrive in Beijing.

Three other delegation members -- all with the opposition Conservative
Party-- remained in Taiwan, and met with President Lai Ching-te and other
senior government officials this week.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:17

The visiting Mayor of the U-S city of Phoenix has held talks with President
Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office.

Kate Gallego highlighted advanced air mobility, aviation and sports as key
areas for expanded cooperation... saying Phoenix sought to be a leader in
advanced air mobility.

As Phoenix is the first major U-S city to implement drone package delivery,
Gallego said she hopes to have "additional collaboration" given Taiwan's
strength in the field.

Even though semiconductor cooperation between Taiwan and Arizona has drawn
the most attention due to TSMC's investments in Gallego's home city...

.. the mayr said said the two sides have a much longer history of cooperation
in aerospace, including training military and commercial pilots for Taiwan.

She also pointed to people-to-people exchanges, citing a friendly youth
baseball game held Sunday between the Phoenix Arcadia Under 12 team, part of
her delegation, and a youth team from Tainan.

Gallego is in Taiwan this week for talks with government officials and
business leaders and to attend the inaugural ceremony of Starlux Airlines'
new nonstop Taipei to Phoenix route.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:19

D-P-P lawmaker Tsai Yi-yu is set to be nominated by the party as its
candidate in the Chiayi County magistrate election after securing a decisive
victory in the party's primary.

The primary was determined by opinion polls and conducted by three polling
firms.

The DPP said Tsai performed better against the likely K-M-T candidate,
lawmaker Wang Yu-min, than the other candidate vying for the party's
nomination, Chiayi County Councilor Huang Rong-li.

WhileTsai and Huang easily beat Wang in the polls, but Tsai won by a much
bigger margin of victory.

Tsai will be formally nominated by the D-P-P at its Central Executive
Committee meeting on January 21.

The D-P-P conducted polls for its Tainan mayoral primary last night, in which
lawmakers Lin Chun-hsien and Chen Ting-fei vied to represent the party in the
mayoral race there.

The result of the Tainan poll will be announced at around 10 o'clock this
morning.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:22

Medical workers unions and a live-in caregiver employer group have expressed
their opposition to a government plan to let hospitals hire foreign care
workers.

The Taiwan Nurses Union, the Taiwan Federation of Medical Unions and the
International Association of Family and Employers with Disabilities are
warning the move could increase frontline burdens and force hospitals and
some families to compete for the same labor pool.

It comes after Health Minister Shih Chung-liang announced plans to allow
hospitals to hire intermediate skilled foreign workers as care workers to
help inpatients with acute conditions with daily care needs, easing the
workload of nursing staff.

However, the medical workers unions say they "firmly oppose" the recruitment
of foreign workers, as system and support measures remain unclear and could
result in confusion.

The association says existing foreign live-in caregivers and the foreign care
workers hospitals would hire under the plan would "very likely come from the
same labor pool.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:23

The Taiwan High Court Kaohsiung Branch has upheld the death sentence of a man
convicted of fatally stabbing his neighbors, whom he believed had repeatedly
made excessive noise.

The man was found guilty of two counts of murder and sentenced to death on
each count.

The ruling can still be appealed.

The Court found the man acted with direct intent to kill, meeting the
Constitutional Court's requirement that the death penalty be reserved for
"the most serious crimes."

It also cited his trivial motive for the killings and his hostile attitude
during the investigation and trial -- concluding that his prospects for
rehabilitation and resocialization were limited.

The incident occured on September 15, 2023 - when the entered the apartment
of his upstairs neighbors and repeatedly stabbed a woman in the living room
in front of her children.

He then went into a bedroom and fatally stabbed her husband.

Both victims died at the scene.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:24

And,

K-Pop superstars B-T-S have announced that their comeback world tour will
bring them to Kaohsiung.

The venue for the Kaohsiung-leg of the tour has not been announced, but,
according to the schedule, B-T-S will be performing in the city on November
19, 21 and 22.

Local media is speculating that the performances will be taking place at the
Kaohsiung National Stadium - as it's the only venue in the city large enough
to accommodate the massive crowds expected for all three performances.

The stadium has previously hosted major international acts and sporting
events.

B-T-S last performed in Taiwan at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium
in December of 2018 as part of its "Love Yourself" world tour.

The band members were involved in a minor multi-car fender bender while in
Taiwan then - involving three of their tour buses and several cars.

The accident occured as B-T-S was heading back to its hotel after the show.

No one was injured in the accident.

Posted on 2026-01-15 07:02:24

The United States said on Wednesday it is launching the second phase of its
plan to end the Gaza war, even as key elements of the first phase - including
a complete ceasefire between Israel and Hamas - remain unfulfilled.

As part of phase two, the U-S its mediator partners will need to disarm
Hamas, which has refused to give up its arms, and deploy an international
peacekeeping force.

The first phase has been shaken by issues including Israeli airstrikes that
have killed hundreds in Gaza... as well as Israeli delays in reopening
Gaza's border crossing with Egypt.

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:45:13

Health inspectors in Kaohsiung have uncovered almost one metric ton of
expired food during a warehouse raid ...

... as part of nationwide inspections covering food importers by the Food and
Drug Administration.

The discovery included 925 kilograms of meat, oils, and seafood at one
specific company—with some items, like frozen chicken, sitting in storage
since August 2017.

Authorities hit the importer with a 300 thousand NT fine, the heaviest
penalty of the operation.

In total, seven companies were penalized for violations ... including false
reporting and poor traceability.

The FDA is now warning all importers to strengthen quality control and follow
food safety laws to protect public health.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:45:16

Transport service LINE GO says that Taichung High Speed Rail Station was its
busiest spot for ride-hailing in Taiwan last year.

LINE GO revealed its user base has surpased 4.85 million ... and says its
users travelled a total distance equal to 126 trips from Earth to the Moon

Users in Taichung's Xi-tun District made the most frequent use of airport
transfer services—a sign of the area's booming business and international
travel.

In addition, the data points to changes in how people move around Taiwan.

People aged 30 to 39 have become the main users of low-carbon taxis.

At the same time, the company says customer decision-making is shifting from
a focus on price to overall travel experience.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:45:16

In international news... and looking at Thailand...

The death toll has risen to 29 after a construction crane collapsed onto a
passenger train in the country's northeast.

Another 64 people were injured and rescuers were still searching the wreckage
and giving first aid.

The derailment occurred on part of an ambitious planned high-speed rail
project that will eventually connect China with much of Southeast Asia.

The crane was being used to build an elevated part of the railway.

The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, and the
accident took place in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Images from the scene showed rescue workers standing on top of overturned
railways carriages and sections of the crane scattered along the track.

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:45:17

Over in the UK...

The British government has scaled back plans for mandatory digital ID cards,
initially proposed as a way of helping control immigration.

Officials confirmed Wednesday that digital ID cards won't be required for
employment, reversing a policy announced in September.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the BBC that digital IDs will be one
way of proving eligibility to work, alongside other documents like passports.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had argued the plan would reduce unauthorized
immigration and simplify access to public services.

The proposal faced backlash from politicians and the public.

Britain hasn't had compulsory ID cards since World War II, and the idea
remains controversial.

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:44:13

The Presidential Office is dismissing media reports that President Lai
Ching-te may attend the inauguration of Honduran president-elect Nasry Asfura
later this month.

Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui labeled the reports 'pure speculation', stating that
any official overseas travel would be announced through standard channels at
the appropriate time.

The reports had suggested President Lai was weighing a trip to the Central
American nation, with Beijing reportedly watching whether the United States
would allow him to transit.

However, the Presidential Office maintains that any confirmed trip would be
announced through official channels.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:44:13

Meanwhile,

Two Canadian Members of Parliament have cut their Taiwan visit short,
reportedly to avoid overshadowing Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming trip
to China.

Liberal MPs Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde were part of a five-person
delegation scheduled to stay through Friday.

However, the pair departed early—just one day before Carney, their party
leader, was slated to arrive in Beijing.

That left only three Conservative MPs in Taipei who met with President Lai
Ching-te yesterday.

A spokesperson for the departing lawmakers said the move was necessary to
'avoid confusion with Canada's foreign policy'.

The decision has already sparked backlash back in Canada, with the
Conservative Party accusing the Prime Minister of 'kissing Beijing's ring' at
the expense of ties with Taiwan.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:44:13

Polling is in its final hours for the DPP's Tainan mayoral primary, as
legislators Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) and Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) battle to
succeed outgoing mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲).

Both candidates have spent the day on the campaign trail with high-profile
supporters.

Fresh off his own primary win in Kaohsiung yesterday, Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆)
joined Lin in Tainan today, while Taipei lawmaker Wang Shi-jian (王世堅)
stumped for Chen.

Telephone polling will continue across the city until 10:30 tonight.

Tainan is the last of three municipalities to settle its primary this week,
with results expected tomorrow before noon.

Whoever wins the green light from the DPP will face the KMT's Hsieh
Lung-chieh (謝龍介) in the November general election.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 19:44:13

Taipei is continuing its crackdown on ticket scalping, with nearly
$40-million NT in fines handed out in the past few years.

The city's Department of Cultural Affairs says since 2023, it has handled
more than 190 cases related to illegally reselling performance tickets at
high prices.

Officials say in the largest single case, one person was fined more than $2.6
million NT.

The department warns that it is illegal to hide extra costs by bundling
tickets with other items, such as selling tickets alongside "membership fees"
or merchandise.

Even people who are just "helping" others resell tickets can be punished, and
a transaction does not have to be finished for the seller to be in violation
of the law.

The department is encouraging the public to report scalpers through its
official website.

Informants can receive a reward of 20 percent of the total fine, with a
maximum payment of $100-thousand NT.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-14 17:08:13

The DPP is slamming the opposition KMT and TPP for going ahead with an
impeachment motion against President Lai Ching-te.

DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary General Zhong Jia Bin called on lawmakers to
carry out their responsibility of examining the 2026 Central Government
Budget...

and said that the impeachment motion had no basis in the law.

At today' public hearing, scholars and experts also clashed over the issue,
with one retired law professor saying that Lai violated the constitution by
refusing to promulgate amendments to the Allocation of Government Revenues
and Expenditures.

On the opposite side, a lawyer accused the KMT and TPP of trying to distract
voters, as they opt to launch an impeachment against the president, knowing
there are not enough votes, while refusing to introduce a vote of
no-confidence against the premier.

According to the Constitution, impeaching the president requires the support
of 2/3rds of lawmakers, representing a shortfall of 14 seats.

Currently the blue and the white camp only holds 62 seats, while the ruling
DPP has 51 seats.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 17:08:15

TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang says, his party will propose a revised special
defense budget.

That's after he returned from meeting with US officials in Washington DC.

Huang said he met with US trade, defense, and State Department officials.

In the meetings, Huang said that his delegation expressed reservations about
the Executive Yuan's proposed 1.25 trillion NT special defense budget, to be
spent over 8 years.

Huang said that the legislature could not accept reviewing a budget with
unclear or unknown spending items and that the US "understood and agreed
with" his concerns.

That's as the TPP and KMT have multiple times blocked a review of the bill by
Legislative Committees.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 17:08:15

Prosecutors in Hualien have taken away 4 people for questioning in the
county's Guangfu Township.

That's following a search of the township offices and the chief's home this
morning, on potential charges of negligent homicide and dereliction of duty.

Prosecutors summoned the chief, Lin Qing Shui林清水, his secretary, and 2
others.

They add that the investigation is looking into the monitoring and control of
the Matai'an Barier Lake and the evacuation execution units.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 17:08:15

Now turning to international news...

Iran's judiciary chief says, there will be swift trials and executions for
those detained in nationwide protests.

That's as activists warned that hangings of those detained may come soon.

Already, authorities have killed over 2500 in a crackdown on demonstrations.

That figure far outpaces the death toll from any other round of protest or
unrest in Iran in decades.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said that the US may consider
military action over the killing of peaceful protesters...

just months after bombing Iranian nuclear sites.

Posted on 2026-01-14 17:08:15

China

The British governemtn is expected to approve a large Chinese embassy in
London ahead of an expected China trip by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The decision follows years of controversy over potential security risks, with
lawmakers across the spectrum urging officials to reject the application...

fearing that the embassy may be used for espionage and surveillance of
dissidents.

A group of lawmakers has raised concerns about "the recent track record of
Chinese espionage cases, interference activities and issuing of bounties
against U.K.-based Hong Kongers.”

But media reports suggest approval will come this week.

Critics argue the embassy’s location near sensitive infrastructure poses
risks.

China has complained about delays, warning of consequences if the project
isn’t approved.

Posted on 2026-01-14 17:08:15

And in the US,

Republicans in the Senate are facing pressure from President Donald Trump to
vote against a war powers resolution that would limit the president's ability
to carry out military action against Venezuela.

5 Republican Senators joined Democrats in advancing the resolution last week.

Democrats are forcing the vote, after US troops captured Venezuelan leader
Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

The legislation, though, has almost no shot at becoming law, as it would
eventially need to be signed by Trump himself.

The vote may serve, however, as a test of Republican loyalty to the
president.

Posted on 2026-01-14 16:07:13

New Taipei City is cracking down on drug-impaired driving ahead of the Lunar
New Year holiday.

City police say new saliva rapid test kits help officers identify drug use
quickly, adn over 800 motorists were found to be driving under the influence
of drugs in just 42 days recently.

Mayor Hou You-yi says driving under the influence of drugs is like "driving a
killing tool", and warned that the risk is even higher when drugs are mixed
with alcohol.

The mayor says the city has a "zero tolerance" policy.

He has ordered police to increase checkpoints during the upcoming holiday and
year-end party season to ensure public safety.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-14 16:07:13

Pingtung Magistrate Zhou Chun Mi (周春米) is announcing that Pingtung will
offer free lunches in schools in the next school year.

Pingtung will join many other cities and counties in providing free lunches
to kids in elementary and junior high schools...

but, unlike other places, Pingtung will also include high schoolers in the
program.

Zhou says, the program is expected to benefit 50,000 students and cost 820
million NT annually.

The magistrate says, the program will begin this September.

Zhou added that she will ensure that funding for the program does not crowd
out funds for other education-related expenditures like school renovation,
bathrooms, and sports facilities.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 16:07:13

American free-climbing legend Alex Honnold is set to attempt a free solo
climb of Taipei 101.

Next Saturday ... on January 24th, he will scale all 508 meters of the iconic
skyscraper with no ropes and zero margin for error.

Netflix will livestream the event, titled 'Skyscraper Live', worldwide at 9
AM next Saturday Taiwan time.

In a recently released trailer, Honnold admits that while he's grown used to
fear, the unexpected can still happen.

His wife has voiced her support for the climb, noting that despite the risks
of extreme climbing as a father, Honnold's only path to safety is total focus
and a perfect execution.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-14 16:07:13

In world news....

China has reported its trade surplus surged to a record of almost $1.2
trillion U.S. dollars last year as exports to other countries made up for
slowing shipments to the United States.

Customs data released on today showed that China’s global exports rose 5.5%
for the whole of 2025 to $3.7 trillion, while imports flatlined at $2.5
trillion dollars.

The 2024 trade surplus was $992 billion dollars.

China’s exports for December were up 6.6% from the previous year, better
than economists’ estimates and higher than the previous month.

China’s trade surplus surpassed the $1 trillion-dollar mark for the first
time in November.

Economists expect exports will continue to support China’s economy this
year, despite trade friction and geopolitical tensions.

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:13

The opposition KMT and TPP are holding two public hearings today and tomorrow
as they seek to impeach President Lai Ching-te.

The Legislative Procedure Committee has also passed a decision to invite the
President to the Legislative Yuan on January 21st to deliver his response and
explanations, as well as answer lawmakers' questions.

If he doesn't show up, representatives of the political parties will speak
instead.

The Legislative Yuan passed the impeachment introduced by opposition parties
last month after President Lai and Premier Chuo Jung-tai refused to
promulgate amendments to the Allocation of Government Revenues and
Expenditures Act.

A separate impeachment targets Chuo as well.

Lai had said the impeachment proceedings against him are a waste of time.

According to the Constitution, an impeachment can only pass with the support
of two-thirds of all lawmakers.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:16

Tickets for Taiwan Railway’s Western Trunk Line are now on sale for the
Lunar New Year holiday, and officials say many seats are still available.

Bookings opened today for travel between Feb. 13th and Feb. 23rd.

And Taiwan Railways Corporation says by 9 a.m., more than 204-thousand
tickets had been sold.

The railway is adding 271 extra trains to ensure smooth travel during the
nine-day holiday, and while peak travel times on the Western and Eastern
lines only have a few scattered seats left, most other time slots still have
space for passengers.

The South Link Line currently has seats available for all time slots during
the peak travel days.

And the TRC says "real-name registration trains" for residents of Hualien and
Taitung will open for booking at midnight.

These are reserved for people who live in those counties or have specific
identification numbers.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:17

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 234 points to
close the session at 30941

The turnover was 658.7 billion NT

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:17

Now turning to international news...

12 people have died in Thailand after a construction crane fell on a
passenger train in the northeast region of the country.

The crane was being used to construct an elevated highspeed railway.

It fell onto the moving train as it was traveling from Bangkok, causing the
train to derail and catch fire.

Officials say at least 12 people are dead, with 195 on board in total.

They added that the fire had been brought under control and that rescuers
were searching for people still trapped inside.

The Thai transport minister added that he ordered an investigation into the
accident.

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:17

Russia has launched another major drone and missile attack on Ukraine that
targeted the country's power grid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia fired nearly 300
drones, 18 ballistic missiles, and 7 cruise missiles at 8 regions overnight.

One of the strikes, in Kharkiv, killed 4 people, while the attack left
several hundred thousand household without power in the kyiv region.

That's as Ukraine experiences freezing temperatures.

Russia launched a similar attack just days earlier in which they used a
powerful hypersonic missile.

As the US accuses Russia of escalating the conflict, Ukraine is seeking
quicker air defense deliveries from the U.S. and Europe to counter the
attacks.

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:17

Activists say, the satellite internet provider Starlink is offering free
services in Iran.

A Los Angeles-based activist who helped get the units into Iran told the AP
that the free service had started.

Other activists also confirmed in messages online that the services was
working and free.

Starlink has been the only way for Iranians to communicate with the outside
world since authorities shut down the internet nearly a week ago...

as authorities cracked down against demonstrators.

That's as activists in Iran report that the death toll has surpassed 2500.

Posted on 2026-01-14 14:23:17

The leaders of Japan and South Korea agreed to deepen cooperation between the
two countries...

before Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee
Jae Myung gave a surprise performance.

The two leaders sat side by side, drumming to K-pop hits like BTS' "Dynamite"
and Kpop Demon Hunters' "Golden."

The jam session was a surprise by Takaichi, a heavy metal fan and an avid
drummer in her college days.

Lee said, just like they respected each other's differences and aligned their
rhythms gradually, he hoped South Korea and Japan will deepen their
cooperation and become closer step by step.

Posted on 2026-01-14 13:06:13

In Chiayi County, Lawmaker Cai Yi Yu has beat out opponent County Councilor
Huang Rong Li to be the DPP's nominee for magistrate.

Cai will run to replace the DPP's outgoing Weng Zhang Liang 翁章梁, who is
finishing his second term.

Cai is set to be formally nominated next Wednesday.

In the poll, Cai fared better in a head-to-head matchup against potential
opponent, KMT Lawmaker Wang Yu Min　王育敏,...

although the KMT has not yet formally nominated Wang or anyone else in the
county.

The polling results show Cai having almost 65% support against 14% support
for Wang, while Huang had only 38% support.

Meanwhile, polling will continue tonight in Tainan, with DPP Lawmakers Chen
Ting Fei and Lin Jun Xian in the running to become the next mayor.

Tainan will be the last of the three municipalities for which the DPP is
undergoing primary polling to determine their nominee, and the results are
expected tomorrow before noon.

That's after Lawmaker Lai Rui Long was named the Kaohsiung nominee yesterday,
beating out his colleague Qiu Yi Ying by just a hair.
Three separate companies are tasked with undertaking the polling, which takes
place between 6 and 10:30 pm via phone call.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 13:06:13

Hualien Prosecutors are searching the offices of local leaders in the
county's Guangfu Township.

That's after the Matai'an barrier lake overflowed in September, kiling 19 and
leaving 5 still missing.

Prosecutors earlier announced a probe into the incident to determine if
government oversight led to the deaths and destruction of large swaths of the
township.

This morning, prosecutors carried out a search of the Guangfu Township Office
and of the Township Chief Lin Qing Shui's 林清水 home.

Prosecutors are investigating the case under possible charges of negligent
homicide and dereliction of duty.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-14 13:06:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has announced additional incentives for public
school staff in Taipei.

Chiang says the extra pay is for those teachers who also take on
administrative duties at public elementary, junior high, and high schools,
with the goal of ensuring high-quality teaching and talent retention.

The monthly bonuses are $3,000 NT for principals, $2,000 for division
directors, and $1,000 for section chiefs, and will be backdated to September
last year.

This is in addition to the Education Ministry's decision last month to
increase administrative bonuses ranging from 1-thousand to 2-thousand NT for
teachers.

Taipei city's new measure will benefit some 4,300 teachers.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-14 13:06:13

Now turning to international news...

In Gaza, strong winds have caused at least four deaths as walls collapsed
onto flimsy tents housing Palestinians displaced by war.

The dead include three members of one family: a 15-year-old girl, her
72-year-old grandfather, and his daughter-in-law.

Another woman was killed in a separate wall collapse.

Hospital authorities reported the fatalities and highlighted the dangerous
living conditions that persist after more than two years of Israeli
bombardment and aid shortages.

A ceasefire has been in effect since October 10, but aid groups say many
Palestinians lack adequate shelter for winter storms.

Gaza's Health Ministry also reported a rise in child deaths, with a
1-year-old boy dying of hypothermia overnight.

UNICEF says over 100 children have been killed by military means since the
ceasefire began.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-01-14 13:06:13

China is urging Canadia to pursue "strategic autonomy" from the United
States...

as Canadian leader Mark Carney heads to Beijing.

That's as China is hoping US President Donald Trump's economic and military
actions against other countries will weaken the U.S.-Canada relationship.

Carney aims to reduce Canada's economic reliance on the US market by forging
new trade partnerships.

The visit comes amid tensions with China over tariffs and other issues.

While China sees an opportunity to loosen U.S. ties, it remains cautious
about how far countries like Canada will shift, given their differences with
China and historical ties with the U.S.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-01-14 08:15:13

Taiwan's senior APEC official Jonathan Sun says a delegation that visited
China for a round of meetings did not receive any kind of treatment that
downgraded Taiwan's sovereignty.

The statement comes after Sun, who also heads the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs' Department of International Organizations, led a delegation to
Shenzhen to attend the 2026 APEC Informal Senior Officials' Meeting last
month.

According to Sun, the trip went "smoothly and safely" for all of the Taiwan
delegates as the Chinese side arranged the trip in accordance with
long-standing practices.

Sun says the Taiwan group was not met with any suppression politically.

Sun also says that Taiwan has been in talks with China to make sure the APEC
host guarantees Taiwan's "equal, dignified, and safe involvement" in APEC
meetings and activities in Shenzhen ...

.. and both sides agreed to follow a mutually agreed model to facilitate the
Taiwanese delegation's visit to China.

China's foreign ministry in November of last year said it would fulfill its
obligations as the APEC host, as long as Taiwan complies with the "one China"
principle.

Posted on 2026-01-14 08:15:17

The Ministry of Transport is defending its plan to extend the high-speed rail
network to Yilan County -- saying the project has clear benefits and will
continue to be advanced in line with legal procedures.

The statement following calls for the project to be scrapped by several
former senior officials, including former Minister without Portfolio Chang
Jing-sen and former Transportation Minister Ho Chen-dan.

They argue that the distance from Taipei to Yilan on the existing rail route
is only about 40 to 50-kilometers, and it will be a huge waste of money to
build a high-speed rail network that will cost around 400-billion N-T.

They's also warning that the cost of the planned line will potentially have
negative impacts on existing rail services.

However, the Railway Bureau is insisting that the plan was thoroughly
evaluated before being submitted for Cabinet review and capacity constraints
on the existing Taiwan Railway Corporation's network limit service expansion.

The Railway Bureau is also claiming total project costs for the high-speed
rail network to Yilan are estimated at 352- billion N-T, accounting for
inflation and rising construction prices.

Posted on 2026-01-14 08:15:17

Former Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan has been appointed as chairman of
the Straits Exchange Foundation.

Su had long been widely tipped for the post after his predecessor, Frank Wu,
announced his resignation on December 18.

According to Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo, President Lai
Ching-te invited Su to take the post, citing his "extensive political
experience and successful track record in international exchanges."

Kuo says Lai is expressing his hope that Su will strengthen the Straits
Exchange Foundation's operations and help promote "positive and healthy"
cross-strait exchanges.

Su most recently served as chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association
for more than three years.

He was succeeded in that role on January 6 by Frank Hsieh, Taiwan's former
representative to Japan.

It was not immediately known when Su will officially assume his new post.

Posted on 2026-01-14 08:15:17

The Ministry of Finance says the government missed its budget target for last
year by 50.5-billion N-T.

Net tax revenue last year fell 0.3-per cent year-on-year to 3.75-trillion N-T.

The three tax categories with the most significant deficits were business
tax, which fell by 26.7-billion N-T; land value increment tax, which fell by
20.9-billion N-T; and commodity tax, which fell by 18.8-billion N-T.

The finance ministry is attributing the revenue shortfall to tariffs
implemented by the Trump administration since August and government credit
control measures designed to slow down real estate transactions.

Last year marked the government's first "revenue shortfall" in five years.

However, the finance ministry says despite the downturn, nine categories of
tax revenue hit record highs last year.

They included corporate income tax, individual income tax, estate tax,
securities transaction tax, housing tax, vehicle license tax, as well as
income tax on combined real estate and land sales for enterprises.

Posted on 2026-01-14 08:15:17

And finally,

Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation has installed a permanent memorial plaque to
honor the man who was killed while trying to stop last month's deadly knife
and smoke bomb attack at the Taipei Main Station.

The plaque honoring Yu Chia-chang has been installed on a wall along the
underground passage leading to Exit M-8 at Taipei Main Station.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua, Taipei
Rapid Transit Corporation Chairman Chao Shiao-lien and several other
officials.

The "Memorial to Mr. Yu Chia-chang's Heroic Sacrifice" plaque describes the
incident in both Chinese and English, stating that "he acted with selfless
bravery to save others."

Yu was seriously wounded and later died after trying to stop the 27-year old
man who threw smoke grenades inside the Taipei Main M-R-T Station and stabbed
bystanders near the M-R-T's Zhongshan Station on December 19 last year.

The 27-year old attacker later fell to his death from the roof of a nearby
department store after being pursued by police.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

The Cabinet is refusing to comment on reports that Taiwan and the U-S are
close to completing a trade deal.

Reports has suggested the deal will reduce the U-S tariff rate on Taiwan
products will from 20 to 15-per cent, and commit Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing to invest significantly more in the U-S.

That 15-per cent tariff rate is the same as was set for Japan and South Korea
last year.

Reports say T-S-M-C will commit to building at least five more semiconductor
fabs in the U-S state of Arizona as part of the deal.

Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says Taiwan and the U-S have already reached
"broad consensus" on related issues, and are currently discussing the timing
of a wrap-up meeting.

Lee added that the goals of Taiwan-US tariff negotiations have consistently
been to seek reductions in reciprocal tariffs, avoid tariff stacking, and
secure preferential treatment under Section 232 ..

.. and any confirmed arrangements will be announced publicly.

U-S authorities are investigating whether semiconductors should be subject to
"national security tariffs" under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

T-S-M-C has not commented on the report. but is expected to address the issue
at its investor conference tomorrow.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

President Lai Ching-te has thanked the Canadian government for expressing its
opposition to China's recent military drills around Taiwan.

Lai made the remarks while meeting opposition Conservative Canadian
parliamentarians Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Adam Chambers and Melissa Lantsman in
Taipei.

The president said he was pleased to see the Canadian government's public
statement expressing its concern over escalated tensions with China... and
its stated opposition to any unilateral change to the status quo in the
Taiwan Strait.

Lai also stressed during the meeting that Taiwan is taking concrete steps to
demonstrate to the international community its commitment to self-defense,
including raising its defense budget.

The three Canadian opposition lawmakers met with Lai after the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said that two Liberal delegation members said they would cut
their visits to Taiwan short on the advice from the government.

They left after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he was visiting
China this week to meet with Xi Jinping.

We'll have more on this a bit later on in the newscast.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

The National Development Council says new measures aimed at making Taiwan
more attractive to foreign professionals are now in effect.

The new measures include allowing international students at Taiwan
universities to work here without a work permit in the two years after they
graduate.

Foreign nationals who graduated from one of the world's top 200 universities
within the past five years can now also apply for a two-year open work
permit.

A new "fast track" permanent residency policy means that foreign nationals
who obtained an undergraduate, masters or postgraduate degree in Taiwan can
deduct one, two or three years, respectively, from the five-year working
residency requirement.

"Foreign specialist professionals" can also choose to apply for permanent
residence after just one year in Taiwan in some cases.

While spouses of foreign specialist professionals can now also apply to work
freely in Taiwan, instead of having to apply for an employer-backed work
permit.

Other measures include improving access for foreign professionals to Taiwan's
pension and employment insurance systems.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

The Centers for Disease Control is warning that flu cases are rising and
Taiwan is likely to enter the epidemic phase within two weeks.

The CDC says the peak in is expected to coincide with the Lunar New Year
holiday... but it will likely remain lower than last year's peak.

Data shows that nearly 92 thousand people sought medical treatment for
flu-like symptoms from January 4 through 10.

The C-D-C says that's a 9.6-per cent increase from the previous week.

23 new cases of severe complications from influenza and three deaths were
recorded from January 6 through 12.

That brought the total number of cases with severe complications to 441 and
deaths to 86 since the beginning of the flu season in October of last year.

The C-D-C says around 6.65 million publicly-funded flu vaccines had been
administered as of January 12, with about 179,000 shots remaining.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

Lawmakers have passed draft amendments to the Customs Import Tariff that will
make malt and hops duty-free... to lower costs and boost the competitiveness
of Taiwan's domestic beer industry.

Under the revisions, the existing 7.5-per cent tariff on both roasted and
unroasted malt will be eliminated.

While tariffs on hops will also be cut to zero from the current rates of
between 15 and 7.5-per cent.

The amendment proposal was reviewed by the Legislative Finance Committee in
December of last year.

The bill's sponsors say the changes are intended to support local brewers by
reducing tariffs on key imported raw materials, as domestic beer brands have
long faced pressure from foreign competitors benefiting from lower prices and
tariff advantages.

The Ministry of Finance, the tariff cuts are expected to result in a loss of
74-million N-T in customs revenue.

But the ministry also says says the measures could enhance the
competitiveness of domestically produced beer and boost demand, generating an
estimated 169-million N-T in additional tax revenue.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

The Shilin District Prosecutors' Office has indicted two people for allegedly
recruiting more than 70 engineers in Taiwan on behalf of Chinese consumer
electronics manufacturer OnePlus Technology, without prior authorization.

Prosecutors say the two individuals are both Taiwan citizens and have been
charged with violating the Act Governing Relations between the People of the
Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.

OnePlus was founded in China in 2013 to produce premium smartphones and
software.

The company is accused of transferring more than 72-million N-T to a
Taiwanese branch set up in March of 2015 through another Hong Kong-based
firm... under the pretext of "contracted research and revenue from selling
research results."

However, prosecutors say those funds were used between August of 2015 and
January of 2021 to recruit employees in Taiwan, pay salaries, and purchase
equipment for business operations.

Chinese companies are strictly prohibited from operating or recruiting talent
in Taiwan without government approval.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

And,

EVA Airways has been ranked No. 8 on the world's safest full-service airlines
for 2026 by AirlineRatings.com.

Airline President Sun Chia-ming says the carrier has been ranked among the
world's safest airlines for the 13th consecutive year now... that recognition
is an affirmation of its employees' commitment to safety culture and
adherence to standard operating procedures.

Sun also says the company will continue to improve its safety management
systems and enhance risk prevention mechanisms.

Meanwhile, Starlux Airlines was ranked as number 11 in the world's safest
full-service airlines for its 2026 listing.

Starlux says that recognition reflects its employees' dedication to flight
safety and their rigorous execution of every operational detail.

Starlux also said its inclusion was exceptional for such a young carrier,
praising Starlux for an approach to safety and transparency that it described
as "exceptional."

The list of the world's top 10 safest full-service airlines for 2026 is led
by Etihad, with Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Emirates and Singapore Airlines
rounding out the top five.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

A Seoul court says an independent counsel has demanded a death sentence for
former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The charges relate to his imposition of martial law in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court says the request was made at a hearing on
Tuesday.

Yoon was removed from office last April and faces trials over the martial law
incident and other scandals.
Yoon has argued that his decree was a peaceful attempt to raise awareness
about the opposition Democratic Party, which he accused of obstructing his
agenda.

The court is expected to deliver a verdict in February.

Posted on 2026-01-14 06:53:14

The Environmental Protection Agency says it will stop calculating the
economic savings of health benefits from air pollution rules.

The change means the agency will focuses only on industry costs.

It aligns with President Donald Trump's business-friendly approach.

On Monday, the agency stated it remains committed to health protection but
won't monetize impacts now.

Environmental and public health advocates called the agency’s action a
dangerous abdication of one of its core missions.

Posted on 2026-01-13 19:56:13

Taiwan is facing a growing labor shortage in critical industries ... and
hopes to recruit more foreign workers to bridge the gap.

The National Development Council says new changes to the 'Act for the
Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals' have already taken
effect this month ...

... introducing looser rules on employment, residency, and social benefits.

The NDC says the number of foreign professionals in Taiwan has climbed to
nearly 80 thousand by the end of last year, up sharply from 30 thousand in
2018 ... when the act was fist implemented.

But officials warn that's still not enough to meet demand in key sectors such
as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and net-zero development.

Officials say a record-low birth rate and an aging population have created a
long-term labor crunch that threatens economic growth.

Taiwan is also competing with other countries to attract foreign talent,
including Japan, South Korea, and the U-K.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-13 19:56:13

The Centers for Disease Control says flu activity is rising again in Taiwan
and is expected to peak around Lunar New Year.

The CDC reports nearly ninety-two thousand clinic and outpatient visits for
flu-like symptoms last week — about ten percent higher than the previous
week.

Most severe cases and deaths have been among older adults, people with
chronic illnesses, and those who are unvaccinated.

However, some younger patients with underlying conditions have also been
affected.

Health officials are urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated and
to seek medical care early if their symptoms worsen.

As of yesterday, there were around 179 thousand doses of publicly-funded flu
shots available.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-13 19:56:13

A sidewalk dispute in Taipei's Zhongzheng District ended with a cyclist in
police custody after he allegedly threatened a pedestrian with a knife.

The incident happened just after noon on Bo'ai Road, when a 27-year-old
cyclist, surnamed Chang, argued with a 71-year-old man over who had right of
way.

Police say Chang pulled out a knife and waved it during the confrontation.

Officers arrived, ordered him to drop the weapon, and took him into custody
without incident.

Chang later told police he carried the knife for 'self-defense'.

Both men could be penalized under the Social Order Maintenance Act for
fighting, and Chang also faces charges for threatening public safety.

No serious injuries were reported.

Posted on 2026-01-13 19:56:13

Officials in Kaohsiung are warning that recent low temperatures are damaging
local crops.

The city's Agriculture Bureau says frost has hit cantaloupe fields in the
Alian (阿蓮) District.

According to the bureau, about a third of a hectare has been affected, with
losses estimated at 31-thousand NT.

A disaster team is now being formed to see if the damage meets the 20-percent
threshold for government relief.

Meanwhile, Mayor Chen Chi-mai is telling officials to keep a close eye on
fish farms.

He notes that cold-related damage to aquaculture can often take some time to
show up.

Currently, no fishery losses have been reported.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-13 17:13:13

The blue and white camps of the legislative yuan have united again to block
the 1.25-trillion-NT special defense budget and the Government Revenues and
Expenditure Allocation Act from review.

The opposition parties have cited the lack of inclusion of pay raises for
military and civil servants in the 2026 general budget as its reason for
blocking that and the defense budgets.

DPP Lawmaker Fan Yun pointed out that this is the first time in history that
the ROC has gotten so far into the year without the central government budget
being examined by lawmakers.

Meanwhile KMT caucus leader Luo Zhi Qiang said that opposition lawmakers
would submit their own budget items to address more urgent needs.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-13 17:13:13

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will fund 24-hour call centers to help
those living alone.

Officials say these call centers will help elderly residents living alone in
emergency situations, and may be run by private security companies or other
contractors through government bidding.

When a senior citizen presses an emergency button or has a medical crisis,
call center staff will immediately notify the fire department, health
officials, or local leaders.

This follows the success of a Chinese app that alerts emergency contacts if a
user fails to check in for several days.

The ministry says that while apps are useful, a human "back end" is the most
important part of the service to ensure someone can help if a senior is
unconscious or needs a door forced open.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-13 17:13:13

And, a Taipei woman is healthy after giving birth to her child on the side of
the road in the city's Shilin district.

She went out alone and began feeling unwell before calling for help.

But by the time first responders arrived, the woman was holding her newborn
in her arms.

Police today said that, when two officers arrived, they called emergency
services to receive guidance from paramedics to provide care for the baby,
who was not crying.

When an ambulance arrived, parademics cut the still-attached umbilical cord,
and the baby cried out.

After confirming that the baby's airways were clear, mother and child were
sent off to the hospital.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-13 17:13:13

Now turning to international news...

Turning to international news now and in Hong Kong,

former Apple Daily executives are pleading for lighter sentences under a
Beijing-imposed national security law.

That's after founder Jimmy Lai and others were convicted of conspiracy to
collude with foreign forces.

The journalists admitted in 2022 to conspiring with Lai to request foreign
sanction or other actions against Hong Kong or China.

Their sentences aren't expected until a later date.

A conviction on the collusion charge carries a sentence ranging from three
years to life in prison.

But a guilty plea can result in a sentence reduction.

Meanwhile, experts say Hong Kong's press freedom has declined dramatically
over 20 years, falling from 18th to 140th in a global press freedom index.

Posted on 2026-01-13 17:13:13

Pope Leo the 14th has met with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina
Macado at the Vatican.

The Venezuelan leader asked the pope to intervene for the release of hundreds
of political prisoners held in Venezuela and for a swift transition to
democracy.

Machado is touring Europe and the US after she escaped Venezuela early last
year.

The pope called for Venezuela to remain independent...

after US forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Leo expressed deep concern over the situation and urged the protection of
human rights.

Posted on 2026-01-13 16:06:13

DPP Legislator Lai Rui-lung has won his party's Kaohsiung mayoral primary,
setting him up to be formally nominated later this month.

The 52-year-old, three-term lawmaker placed first among four that also
included legislators Qiu Yi-ying, Xu Zhi-jei and Lin Dai-hua based on
telephone polling of Kaohsiung residents last night.

The results of the poll, conducted by three polling firms with at least 1,200
valid responses, found that Lai would fare best in a matchup against KMT
opponent Ko Zhi-en, defeating her by a 56- percent to 25 percent margin.

Lai's results were narrowly better than Qiu's.

The political veteran has represented a Kaohsiung district in the Legislature
since 2016.

Taiwan will hold its next local elections to choose city and county chiefs
and councilors on Nov. 28th.

(CNA)

Posted on 2026-01-13 16:06:13

Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming has expressed his full support for new
rules requiring all soil and rock transport vehicles to be equipped with GPS.

He said central and local governments are establishing cross-agency platforms
to handle the disposal of construction surplus soil and rock.

The Minister's comments come after the the National Land Management Agency
began implementing a full-flow tracking system for surplus gravel on January
1st.

It aims to prevent the illegal dumping of waste soil and curb dishonest
practices such as fake routing, falsified transport manifests and false
reporting of gravel volumes.

Under the new policy, all transport vehicles must install Global Positioning
System, and every entry and exit point must be reported through an electronic
manifest.

Peng is urging the construction industry and gravel operators to abide by the
policy.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-13 16:06:13

In world news...

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has met Japanese Prime Minister Sana-e
Taka-ichi in Japan for a summit.

The two leaders aim to improve the sometimes-strained relationship as Tokyo
faces a deepening row with China.

Today's meeting could deliver a political win as Taka-ichi is seeking to
shore up her power with control of only one house of Japan's parliament.

Taka-ichi will be hosting Lee in her hometown, Nara, an ancient capital known
for its deer and centuries-old Buddhist temples.

Lee visited China last week, and told reporters that relations with Japan are
as important as those with China but that South Korea’s ability to broker
reconciliation between its neighbors is limited.

Posted on 2026-01-13 15:16:13

The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office has appealed the case of a teenage boy who
killed his schoolmate at a New Taipei junior high school in 2023.

The office said the Taiwan High Court’s sentences, 12 years in prison for
the boy and 11 years for the girl who caused the violent act, were not in
line with the law and were overly lenient.

That ruling was harsher than the Juvenile Court’s, which had sentenced the
boy to nine years and the girl to eight years under the Criminal Code
provision allowing reduced penalties for offenders aged between 14 and under
18.

Still, the victim's parents found the High Court's sentences unacceptable,
saying the law only served to "protect the bad people."

The case gave rise to a lot of heated debates about the justice system, as
the boy had already been put under supervision for his previous records when
the killing took place.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-13 15:16:13

New Taipei is launching a new traffic safety plan after reports showed a rise
in senior citizen traffic deaths last year.

Government data shows from January to September last year, 82 elderly
residents died in traffic accidents, marking an increase of eight deaths
compared to the same period in 2024.

Pedestrian deaths also rose during that time.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih says the city’s traffic safety committee will
carry out 24 separate projects this year, including improving intersections
near schools, parks, and senior communities.

The city also plans to create "pedestrian and senior-zones", and fix safety
issues at intersections that do not have traffic lights.

The mayor adds that the city's Rapid Transit Brigade officially launched
today, ensuring that safety at transit stations and terminals remains a top
priority.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-13 15:16:13

Taiwan has issued its highest level travel alert for Iran as nationwide
protests and a government crackdown continue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised the alert to a level 4 red alert last
week.

It is advising citizens not to travel to Iran, and urging those already in
the country to leave as soon as possible.

MOFA says five Taiwan nationals currently in Iran have all been reported
safe, and the ministry is monitoring the situation through its representative
office in Dubai.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-13 15:16:13

Former executives of a defunct Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper are pleading
for lighter sentences under a national security law.

They were convicted of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.

The case is seen as a test of media freedom in Hong Kong.

The journalists admitted in 2022 to conspiring with their ex-boss Jimmy Lai
to request foreign sanctions or other actions against Hong Kong or China.

Lai pleaded not guilty and was convicted in December.

The government claims the case isn't about media freedom, arguing the
defendants used news reporting to harm China and Hong Kong.

Their sentences are expected to be handed down on a later date.

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:14

DPP Lawmaker Qiu Yi Ying says, she "humbly accepts" her primary loss for the
Kaohsiung mayor's post.

That's after the DPP announced earlier today that Lai Rui Long had beat out
Qiu and 2 other contenders to be the DPP nominee in the harbor city.

Qiu lost by a razor thin margin, trailing Lai by just over half a percentage
point when tested against the KMT's Ke Zhi En.

In remarks this afternoon, Qiu said that she congratulated Lai and said that
she would continue to dedicate herself to Kaohsiung for its progress and
improvement.

Meanwhile Ke Zhi En congratulated Lai and said that she "finally" knew who
her opponent would be.

Ke added that she planned to put out a list of her policy views in March.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:18

KMT Chair Zheng Li Wen says, her party will aim to nominate a candidate for
the New Taipei mayor's office before the Lunar New Year.

And Zheng noted that the KMT still plans to work together with the TPP in
some electoral districts...

but she added that the KMT would first complete its nomination process before
conducting polling or negotiations in districts in which the TPP also has a
candidate.

Today Zheng also noted that the her party's nomination process is progressing
smoothly, with the party having already nominated candidates in Tainan,
Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:20

High-speed rail service has returned to normal following a passenger incident
at Tainan Station today.

Taiwan High Speed Rail says a passenger died after colliding with a train
earlier this morning.

Emergency safety measures were immediately activated, and fire and medical
personnel were called to the scene.

Railway police conducted an investigation and all operations resumed by 12:54
p.m.

The company is offering a 10 percent refund to travelers who were delayed by
30 minutes or more.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:24

Environment officials are warning of deteriorating air quality across Taiwan
this afternoon ... due to a cold air mass carrying pollutants southward from
China.

The Ministry of Environment has issued orange-level alerts for parts of the
center and the south, indicating unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups.

While yellow-level alerts cover the north and north-east in Yilan.

Forecasters say the heaviest impact is expected through this evening.

By tomorrow, they say air quality in the north and center should improve.

However, the orange alerts in southern Taiwan could persist through the 17th
due to weak winds and poor dispersion.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:28

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 139 points to
close the session at 30707.

The turnover was 723.4 billion NT

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:29

Now turning to international news in Iran,

mobile phones are now able to make international calls again, following a
crackdown on nationwide protests in which the internet and international
calls were cut.

several people in Tehran were able to make calls to the Associated Press...

but the AP offices in Dubai were unable to call back.

Witnesses also say that the internet is still cut off from the outside world.

Relatedly, US President Donald Trump says Iran wants to negotiate with the US
after his threat to strike the country over its crackdown on protesters.

Activists say that the death toll in the demonstrations has risen to nearly
650.

Iran hasn't yet responded to Trump's comments.

Posted on 2026-01-13 14:07:29

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit China this week to
strengthen relations with Beijing.

That'll be the first visit by a Canadian leader to China in eight years.

Carney aims to double non-US exports over the next decade to reduce Canada's
reliance on its southern neighbor.

This push is part of a major rethink as ties with the US sour under the Trump
administration.

Carney follows other leaders like Australia's Anthony Alabanese and the UK's
Keir Starmer in seeking to improve ties with China.

He will arrive in China Wednesday, and is also slated to visit Qatar and
Switzerland.

Posted on 2026-01-13 13:06:13

In Kaohsiung, DPP Lawmaker Lai Rui Long has won the polling conducted for the
DPP mayoral primaries last night.

He beat out three fellow lawmakers, Qiu Yi Ying, Xu Zhi Jie, and Lin Dai Hua.

Lai received 55.99% support over the KMT's Ke Zhi En...

while Qiu trailed by just over half a percentage point.

Lai is set to be formally nominated by the party next Wednesday.

Meanwhile Lin and Xu both have come out in support of Lai.

And, similar polling will be conducted in Chiayi County tonight to determine
who will be the candidate for magistrate.

Chiayi residents will be able to choose between Lawmaker Cai Yi Yu and County
Councilor Huang Rong Li.

The results of that polling will be released tomorrow before noon.

And Tainan will see polling conducted last of the three municipalities, with
lawmakers Chen Ting Fei and Lin Jun Xian in the running.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-13 13:06:13

Taiwan High Sped Rail Corporation says, some trains may be delayed due to a
person being on the tracks at the Tainan station.

THSR says, a passenger collided with train number 1307 for unknown reasons
before falling onto the tracks.

They say the incident took place just before 11 am this morning, and they've
already dispatched workers to handle the situation.

Safety measures have been put into place, and fire and medical personnel were
called to the scene.

In particular, the delay is affecting trains going north and south between
Chiayi and Zuoying stations.

Passengers aborad train 1307 are being rebooked on later trains.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-13 13:06:13

Now turning to international news...

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has arrived in Japan for a summit with
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

That's as the two countries are aiming to improve ties between Seoul and
Tokyo, amidst Beijing's offensive on Japan over remarks made by Takaichi
about Taiwan.

The meeting may deliver a win to Takaichi, as she aims to shore up power with
control of only one house of the Japanese parliament.

Takaichi will host Lee in her hometown of Nara.

That's after Lee visited China last week, and said that relations with Japan
and with China are equally important...

but South Korea's ability to faciliate reconciliation between the two
countries is limited.

Posted on 2026-01-13 13:06:14

In the US,

the state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are suing
the US federal government in an effort to stop an immigration enforcement
surge by federal immigration agents.

That's following ICE's fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman.

The lawsuits also request a temporary restraining order to halt the
enforcement action or limit the operation.

Federal officials say that they've brought more than 2000 immigration
officers to the state, and made the same number of arrests since last month.

The government also faces a new lawsuit over a similar immigration crackdown
in the state of Illinois.

More than 4,300 people were arrested last year in a federal operation, as
masked agents swept the Chicago area.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:13

Reports that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will invest in at least five
more plants more semiconductor plants in the U-S state of Arizona has sent
its share price surging.

T-S-M-C's American Depositary Receipts hit a record high of 333.55 U-S
dollars overnight after registering a 2.52-per cent increase and that saw its
stock price rising by 30 N-T in early trading on the Tai-Ex to hit yet
another new high of 1,720 N-T.

T-S-M-C's market capitalization hit 44.6-trillion N-T and that contributed
about 240-points to the Tai-Ex's overall rise in early trading.

The main board added 400-points this morning to reach 30,973 following news
that tariffs on Taiwan products exported to the U-S are reportedly set to be
reduced to 15-per cent.

T-S-M-C will be holding an investor conferance this Thursday - at which the
company is expected to give positive guidance and revenue projections for
this year.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:19

And,

The Central Weather Administration's Seismological Center says last night's
magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck off the coast of Yilan has been
initially identified as an aftershock of December 27's magnitude 7 quake.

The center says the aftershock was relatively large, so slight tremors were
felt across parts of northern Taiwan.

The earthquake struck at 9:31PM and was centered some 25-kilometers east of
Yilan County Hall, at a depth of 70-kilometers.

The quake was felt stongest in Yilan's Nan'Ao and Niu Dou areas, as well is
parts of Taoyuan and Hsinchu, where it measured 3 on the weather
administration's intensity scale.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:19

The Ministry of National Defense says it detected 10 Chinese Air Force
sorties operating in the Taiwan Strait from between 6AM Monday and 6AM today.

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

Five Chinese Navy ships were also detected operating in the general vicinity
of the Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour period.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:23

In international news,

U-S President Donald Trump says any country "doing business with Iran" will
pay a 25-per cent tariff "effective immediately."

Trump says the tariff will be imposed on "any and all business being done"
with the U-S.

Trump also says Iran has proposed negotiations following his threat of
military action against Tehran amid a crackdown on protestors.

The statements come as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said
Trump is not afraid to use military force in Iran and that "air strikes" were
one of the many options on the table.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:27

Schools across parts of northern Nigeria have started reopening - after
months of closure triggered by the abduction of hundreds of students in
November.

The abductions last year had underlined the vulnerability of education
facilities in a region plagued by criminal gangs and Islamist insurgents.

Schools resumed academic activities this term after the federal government
said in a circular last month that enhanced security measures had created a
safer environment for students to return.

However, a majority of the schools in Niger State, in central Nigeria, where
more than 300 students and staff were abducted in November, remained shut for
security reasons.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:32

And finally,

A contest that celebrates the much-maligned but enduring mullet hairstyle has
taken place in the U-S state of Pennsylvania.

The A-P's Julie Walker has the story.

Posted on 2026-01-13 11:06:32

London's murder rate fell in 2025 to its lowest level in decades.

Mayor Sadiq Khan says the figures disprove claims by U-S President Donald
Trump and others that crime is out of control in the city.

Police recorded 97 homicides in 2025, down from 109 in 2024.

The rate is the lowest since comparable records began in 1997.

City officials credit targeted policing and violence reduction efforts for
the decrease.

However, overall crime in England and Wales rose by 7-per cent in the year to
March 2025.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:13

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says the military has detected intermittent
signals from the Flight Data Recorder of the F-16V jet fighter that
disappeared last week off of Hualien.

However, Koo says the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard Administration have not
yet pinned down the exact location of the black box and search operations are
ongoing.

Koo told reporters that due to rough seas, vessels were unable to leave port
yesterday, but the search will continue when conditions improve.

The search and rescue operation has involved 62 sorties of Navy vessels, 62
sorties of Coast Guard boats, and 16 sorties of drones.

The aircraft took off from the Hualien Air Base at 6:17PM last Tuesday for a
routine night-time training mission and lost contact just over an hour later.

The Air Force has said the pilot, Captain Hsin Po-yi reported that the
aircraft was losing altitude and that he was about to eject.

The fighter jet's signal disappeared from radar some eight seconds after that
radio message.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:14

The Armaments Bureau says Taiwan and the United States plan to jointly
produce 155-millimeter artillery shells.

The decision was made by both sides because the munition has proven to be in
high demand during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war... it is also considered
useful for Taiwan's self-defense.

Bureau chief Lieutenant General Lin Wen-hsiang told lawmakers that if the
cooperation is successful, the collaboration could be expanded to other types
of munitions.

However, the Armaments Bureau head refused to provide further details of what
other types of munitions could be jointly developed - saying the matter is
sensitive.

Taiwan and the U-S, have been in talks to co-produce munitions and weapon
systems for several years.

During a U-S Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in November, the nominee
for deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, said that joint weapons
production should focus on projects that are relatively less complex and
within Taiwan's existing capabilities.

Alexander Velez-Green further said appropriate co-production or similar
opportunities should focus on less technically complex capabilities for which
Taiwan has existing workforce and production infrastructure.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:14

The National Health Insurance Administration has announced three
reimbursement reforms.

These include the introduction of full coverage for proton therapy for
pediatric cancer patients starting this month, which is expected to benefit
about 100 children each year and will be supported by funding of around
105-million N-T.

Administration head Chen Lian-yu says the proton therapy was added to the
national health insurance program in January, with priority given to
childhood cancers.

But the administration's Medical Affairs Division stressed the benefit is
limited to cases that show safety and effectiveness, meaning not all
childhood cancers are eligible.

Other reforms include raising reimbursements for emergency surgery or
procedures for major trauma cases and improving reimbursements for care
involving high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:18

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says his administration is looking at various
options to limit smoking in public places... with some version of the policy
likely to be implemented this year.

Chiang said a "Taipei smoke-free city" plan is expected to be launched by the
end of this year.

City officials are said to be studying the establishment of designated
smoking areas in Tokyo, which has cut down on secondhand smoke and cigarette
litter in the Japanese capital ...

The mayor hopes his administration can change people's thinking -- that is,
to prohibit public smoking in principle, but allow for some exceptions.

Chiang further said that it's very possible the city will make reference to
examples abroad, such as using designated smoking areas or booths ..
separating smokers and non-smokers to improve the quality of public spaces.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:19

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a Taiwanese labor broker
and his Indonesian wife for allegedly running an underground remittance
service for more than a decade.

Prosecutors say the couple handled over 5.1-billion N-T in transfers between
August of 2013 and August of last year, earning at least 26.6-million N-T in
fees.

The broker and his wife have been charged with violating Article 29 of the
Banking Act.

The article stipulates that non-banks are prohibited from "accepting
deposits, managing trust funds or public property under entrustment or
handling domestic or foreign remittances."

Prosecutors says the man is suspected of operating unauthorized
money-transfer services beginning in August of 2013.

He allegedly partnered with multiple Southeast Asian grocery stores in Taiwan
that were unaware of the scheme to solicit customers who wanted to remit
money to Indonesia, including migrant workers.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:22

A Japanese footwear brand has apologized and suspended an employee at its
Taipei 101 store who was accused of discrimination.

The employee was suspended after allegedly telling a Vietnamese customer that
the shoes she had asked to try on were "very expensive," and then proceeded
to ignore her.

The incident was brought to light in a social media post by a Taiwan netizen,
who said the incident occurred this past weekend, when a Vietnamese migrant
worker she knows asked to try on a pair of shoes at the Onitsuka Tiger store
in Taipei 101.

The social media post added that the saleswoman replied in a disrespectful
tone that the shoes were "very expensive," and then ignored her until the
customer asked again, to which she curtly replied, "we don't have a size 37."

Taipei 101 Chairperson Janet Chia responded to the post -- thanking its
author and vowing to look into the incident.

Onitsuka Tiger has issued a statement offering its "sincerest apologies" for
the "incident" and that it suspended the employee in question pending an
internal investigation.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:22

And,

Reporters Without Borders and the Central News Agency have launched a joint
photography exhibition in Taipei to mark the France-based non-governmental
organization's 40th anniversary.

The exhibition is titled "Shooting the World of Tomorrow."

It features 40 photos by journalists from around the world under three topics
of "Environment, Exile and Crises" - along with 13 award-winning images by
C-N-A photojournalists.

The Taipei exhibition follows seven earlier stops in Europe, Africa, North
and South America.

Reporters Without Borders Asia-Pacific Bureau Cedric Alviani says as Taiwan's
ranks as the country with the highest score in R-S-F's 2025 World Press
Freedom Index, the inclusion of works by CNA photojournalists "turns this
exhibition into a cultural exchange."

The exhibition is free to the public and runs through February 11 at No. 209,
Songjiang Road.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:25

Hospital officials in Gaza say an Israeli drone strike has killed three
Palestinians who crossed the ceasefire line.

The incident on Monday happened near central Gaza’s Morag corridor.

Israel’s military said the three approached troops and posed an immediate
threat.

The deaths come as Gaza awaits an expected announcement this week of a
U.S.-led “Board of Peace” to govern the enclave.

Hamas says it will dissolve its government once a Palestinian technocratic
committee is named, as mandated under the U.S.-brokered peace plan.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:27

A Swiss court has ordered three months of pretrial detention for a manager of
a bar that burst into flames during a New Year’s Eve celebration.

The fire at Le Constellation bar killed 40 people and injured 116 others.

The court ordered that Jacques Moretti be held for the three months because
of a possible “flight risk" highlighted by prosecutors.

But the court said it was inclined to lift the pretrial detention if
sufficient “security measures” are arranged.

The bar the owners are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily
harm and involuntarily causing a fire.

Posted on 2026-01-13 07:01:27

London officials say its murder rate fell in 2025 to its lowest level in
decades.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said the figures disprove claims by U.S. President Donald
Trump and others that crime is out of control in the city.

Police recorded 97 homicides in 2025, down from 109 in 2024.

The rate is the lowest since comparable records began in 1997.

Trump has criticized Khan, calling him a “terrible mayor.” City officials
credit targeted policing and violence reduction efforts for the decrease.

Posted on 2026-01-12 19:55:13

A new survey shows migrant workers in industrial sectors are logging more
overtime, driven by the boom in AI-related manufacturing.

According to the Ministry of Labor, monthly overtime rose by nearly 90
minutes in 2025, bringing the average to just over 28 hours per month.

Officials attribute the increase to stronger production in AI-related
manufacturing sectors.

Pay is also up.

Migrant workers earned an average total monthly pay of nearly 35 thousand NT
in June, up almost five percent from a year earlier, mainly due to a minimum
wage hike.

On the other hand, the report notes that language barriers remain a top
concern for employers.

That is followed by complaints about migrant caregivers' frequent smartphone
use and chatting on the job.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-12 19:55:13

The Ministry of Environment says over half of companies required to pay
carbon fees in Taiwan can receive a major discount if they are classified as
high-risk industries.

The ministry released new auditing rules today for companies deemed to be at
high risk for carbon emissions, with over 260 facilities on the list that
qualifies for an 80 percent discount on their carbon fees.

These high-risk industries include steel, cement, oil refining, and chemical
materials.

Together, they represent about 70 percent of the total carbon emissions from
all fee-paying companies.

The ministry says to get the discount, companies must first have an approved
"voluntary reduction plan" to lower their emissions.

If a company has an approved reduction plan, the rate drops from the standard
$300NT per ton to 50 or 100 NT.

And if the company is also on the high-risk list, they pay at a further
discounted rate.

But the environment ministry says companies that do not meet their reduction
goals will lose their discounts.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-12 19:55:13

China says it has reached a deal with the European Union on exports of
Chinese made electric vehicles to the bloc.

A statement by the Commerce Ministry on Monday said the EU will be issuing
guidelines on minimum pricing for Chinese auto exporters.

It did not directly mention if the deal involved an end to the tariffs of up
to 35.3% that the EU imposed on imports of Chinese EVs following an
investigation.

The expansion of Chinese EV makers overseas has alarmed automakers in Europe
and the U.S.

The EU imposed the tariffs to counter an influx of affordably priced Chinese
EV models into its markets, saying Chinese automakers had benefited from
unfair government subsidies.

Posted on 2026-01-12 19:54:13

A Japanese footwear brand is under growing scrutiny after a staff member at
its Taipei 101 store was accused of discriminating against a Vietnamese
customer.

The incident went viral after a witness claimed a saleswoman at Onitsuka
Tiger told the customer the shoes she wanted to try on were 'too expensive',
before ignoring her entirely.

The post on the platform Threads—which has racked up tens of thousands of
likes—slams the behavior as blatant racial discrimination.

Taipei 101 Chairperson Janet Chia has responded, thanking its author and
vowing to look into the incident.

Meanwhile, Onitsuka Tiger says it has suspended the employee involved, who
could be terminated if the claims are proven true.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-01-12 19:54:14

A famous Taiwanese restaurant chain has raised prices across its menu ...
following an announcement over the weekend.

Formosa Chang, known for its braised pork rice, said the hike comes into
effect today ... citing higher costs for raw materials, labor and
environmental compliance.

The chain's signature dish now costs 71 NT for a small bowl, up from 66.

Popular bento boxes, including chicken and crispy chicken leg meals, also saw
modest increases.

Overall, prices rose by an average of 3.8 percent.

The chain says the increases were unavoidable ... and came despite efforts to
absorb expenses internally.

The move follows a similar price hike by major coffeehouse chain Louisa
Coffee, which recently raised prices on 90 items, citing the higher cost of
ingredients, wages, and utilities.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-01-12 17:16:13

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is downplaying claims that the TPP/KMT's
so-called "Future Accounts" will boost the birth rate...

but they say that it would be helpful in reducing poverty.

Meanwhile the Directorate General of Budget says the expenditure required for
such a thing is likely to have negative impacts on other budget areas.

These comments come as two legislative committees begin reviewing the Future
Account proposal from the opposition parties.

The budget for this policy is capped at 450 billion NT, and it'll be financed
through borrowing- and the government would open savings accounts for kids 12
and under with 50,000 NT each.

Those accounts would receive another 10,000 NT annually from the government.

DPP Lawmakers have criticized the draft, saying it raises concerns over lack
of fiscal discipline, unclear objectives, and a widening wealth gap.

They've also pointed out that the government’s overall remaining borrowing
capacity is $180 billion NT, and after deducting $150 billion a year for
national defense, only $30 billion remains.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-12 17:16:14

The DPP is recommending the chair of the New Taipei City Dental Association
to run for magistrate in Nantou.

The recommendation of Wen Shi Zheng 溫世政 will be formally considered by the
DPP central committee on Wednesday.

The DPP had originally planned to issue the recommendation last week, but
opted to delay the announcement due to the ongoing search for the missing
F-16V fighter jet and pilot.

If he is confirmed to be the nominee, he will face Nantou Magistrate Xu Shu
Hua in November.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-12 17:16:14

Now turning to international news...

Myanmar will face accusations that it is reponsible for genocide against the
Rohingya ethnic minority at the United Nations.

Gambia originally filed the case at the International Court of Justice in
2019, arguing a so-called "clearance operation" by Myanmar's military in 2017
violated the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Myanmar has denied the allegations.

Lawyers for Gambia say that, without the ICJ, the military of Myanmar "will
be accountable to no one and there will be no constraints on their
persecution... of the Rohingya."

Myanmar launched the campaign in 2017 after an attack by a Rohingya insurgent
group.

Security forces were accused of mass rapes, killings, and burning thousands
of homes as more than 700,000 people fled into neighboring Bangladesh.

Now, some 1.2 million Rohingya Muslims are forced to stay in chaotic,
overcrowded camps, where armed groups recruit kids and young girls are forced
into prostitution.

The sudden and severe foreign aid cuts imposed last year by US President
Donald Trump closed thousands of the camps' schools and have caused children
to starve to death.

Posted on 2026-01-12 17:16:15

In the US,

federal immigration officers are continuing to make immigration arrests in
Minnesota's Twin Cities...

where ICE agents just days ago shot a woman, killing her.

In one instance, ICE rammed the door of one home and pushed their way inside,
taking away one man.

In an effort to disrupt what officials are calling the "largest enforcement
operation ever," protesters were honking car horns, banging on drums, and
blowing whistles.

Videos across the area showed some ICE agents pushing back protesters while a
distraught woman later emerged from the house with a document that federal
agents presented to arrest the man.

But the document, signed by an immigration officer, does not authorize forced
entry into a private residence.

Federal officials say that more than 2,000 immigration arrests have been made
in Minnesota since the enforcement operation began at the beginning of
December.

Posted on 2026-01-12 16:08:13

Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) is reassuring commuters that the TPASS
monthly pass is here to stay ... addressing concerns over funding delays from
the central government.

Mayor Chang says if the subsidies are late, the Taoyuan City Government will
step in to cover the costs upfront and keep the program running.

Currently, Taoyuan is a key player in two major pass programs: the Greater
Taipei-Taoyuan link and the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli pass.

According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, over 1
million trips are made each month using TPASS monthly passes.

Chang says ensuring uninterrupted service remains a top priority for Taoyuan.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-12 16:08:15

The DPP is calling on the opposition parties to review the 2026 central
government budget as a whole instead of separating out certain expenditures
for the legislative committee to review.

The DPP says today that the general budget is not a “self-service buffet”
and should be reviewed in its entirety.

The KMT legislative caucus announced this morning that it's pondering on
passing parts of the budget that address urgent public-interest needs such as
the T-PASS subsidies, river improvement projects, and childbirth benefits.

But DPP legislative secretary-general Zhong Jia-bin says the opposition
should not cherry-pick what they want to review among the budget.

He adds that members of the public would want to see the KMT and the TPP
carrying out meaningful oversight of the executive branch as well.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-12 16:08:15

A Hong Kong court is hearing arguments about the sentence for pro-democracy
media founder Jimmy Lai and his co-defendants in a landmark national security
case.

Their convictions under a national security law could lead to life
imprisonment.

Lai was found guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces
and publish seditious articles.

His case has raised concerns about press freedom, drawing criticism from the
U.S. and Britain.

Lai pleaded not guilty, but his co-defendants entered guilty pleas.
Sentencing will occur later.

Lai's daughter says her father, who's 78 years old, would focus on family and
faith if released.

Posted on 2026-01-12 16:08:15

Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok due
to its misuse in generating explicit images.

Authorities in both countries acted over the weekend, citing concerns about
non-consensual and sexual deepfakes.

Regulators say existing controls cannot prevent fake pornographic content,
especially involving women and minors.

Both nations have demanded stronger safeguards from Musk's platform, X, to
prevent abuse.

Grok, launched in 2023, has faced global scrutiny for its image generator
feature.

Critics say recent restrictions on non-paying users don't fully address the
risks.

Posted on 2026-01-12 15:07:13

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says, the military has detected intermittent
signals from the black box of a F-16V fighter jet that disappeated last week.

However, Koo says it has not pinned down the exact location.

Pilot Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅) took off in the jet from Hualien Air Base at 6:17
p.m. last Tuesday on a nighttime training mission but soon reported that the
plane was losing altitude.

He then said that he would eject from the plane, and 8 seconds later the
jet's signal disappeared from radar.

The Air Force set up an emergency response center and launched a search and
rescue operation, but has not yet been able to find the pilot himself or the
plane.

Koo said today that the search and rescue operation has so far involved
dozens of Navy vessels, Coast Guard boats, and drones.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-12 15:07:14

Egg prices in Taiwan are going up this week.

The Taipei Egg Merchants Association says wholesale egg prices are rising by
three NT per catty, bringing the wholesale price to 42 NT per catty.

Association chair Lin Tian-lai (林天來) says the increase is being driven by
colder weather, which has reduced egg production, while demand from hotpot
restaurants has picked up during the winter season.

He says frequent cold fronts have lowered laying rates, and winter is
traditionally a peak period for egg consumption.

Despite the price hike, the Agriculture Ministry says overall supply remains
stable, with daily production still slightly above average demand.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-12 15:07:15

In world news...

Myanmar will face accusations that it is responsible for genocide against the
Rohingya ethnic minority at the top court of the United Nations, as
long-awaited hearings are set to begin.

The West African country of Gambia first filed the case at the International
Court of Justice in 2019, arguing a so-called “clearance operation” by
Myanmar’s military in 2017 violates the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Myanmar, which has since been taken over by the military, has denied the
allegations.

The South Asian country launched the campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 after
an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group.

Security forces were accused of mass rapes, killings and torching thousands
of homes as more than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh.

Posted on 2026-01-12 15:07:15

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran wants to negotiate with the U.S. after
his threat to strike the country over its crackdown on protesters.

Activists said today the death toll in the demonstrations has risen to at
least 544.

Iran has not yet responded to Trump's comments.

The foreign minister of Oman traveled to Iran this weekend, possibly to
mediate.

Trump and his team are considering responses, including cyberattacks and
direct strikes.

He mentioned talks with Tehran but warned action might be needed first.

Posted on 2026-01-12 14:07:14

KMT Taichung lawmaker and deputy Legislative Speaker Chiang Chi-chen is
continuing to try for his party's nomination in the city's mayoral race.

Meanwhile his collague, Yang Qiong-ying, says that she will also continue to
work hard to win the approval and trust of Taichung residents.

That's as KMT Chair Zheng Li Wen says that the party will invite both Yang
and Chiang to the party's headquarters for discussions on Friday.

Whoever ends up taking home the KMT nomination, they will face DPP Lawmaker
He Xin Chun in November.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-12 14:07:14

The KMT legislative caucus says it'll work together with the TPP to speed up
parts the long-stalled central government budget plan.

KMT legislative secretary-general Luo Zhi-qiang said the two parties are in
talks on how to resolve urgently needed funding for new projects and newly
added items in the budget right now.

He said once coordination is completed, the two parties will take unified
action.

As the 2026 general budget is still pending in the Legislative Yuan, the KMT
is reportedly considering passing parts of it that address urgent
public-interest needs such as the T-PASS subsidies, water treatment projects,
and childbirth benefits.

Luo blamed President Lai for the delay, saying his administration should have
drawn it up by following the laws previously passed by the Legislative Yuan.

Local news media reported that the budget plan could be discussed at Friday's
plenary session.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-12 14:07:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says, as Taipei continues to strive to be a
"smokeless city," the city government will consider the experiences of
foreign metropolises.

He adds that his administration will aim to create a separation between
smokers and non-smokers, so as to create a friendly public environment.

He said he would specifically consider the experience of Tokyo in
establishing smoke-free areas and smoking rooms.

The mayor today touted Tokyo's successes in the field, but also raised
concerns over smokers potentially having to resort to smoking in small
alleyways, where the risk of littering or second-hand smoke is higher.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-12 14:07:14

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 278 points to
close the session at 30567.

The turnover was 602.9 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-01-12 14:07:14

Now turning to interntional news...

A Hong Kong court is hearing arguments about the sentencing of pro-democracy
media mogul Jimmy Lai and his co-defendants.

Their convictions under a national security law could lead to life
imprisonment.

Lai was found guilty of conspiring with others to collue with foreign forces
and publish seditious articles.

His case has raised concerns about press freedom and has drawn plenty of
criticism from abroad.

Lai plead not guilty, but his co-defendants entered guilty pleas.

Sentencing will occur later.

That's as experts say Hong Kong's press freedom has declined dramatically
over 20 years, falling from 18th to 140th in a global press freedom index.

The drop follows the shutdown of Lai's Apple Daily and other independent
outlet under the 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing.

Posted on 2026-01-12 13:07:13

The ruling DPP is holding much-anticipated polls tonight to choose the
nominee for the Kaohsiung mayoral race.

Kaohsiung will be the first city for which the DPP is conducting polling to
determine the party's nominee for Kaohsiung mayor, Tainan mayor, and Chiayi
magistrate.

The polling will run through the 17th.

The DPP says based on a draw of lots, Kaohsiung is the first to be polled,
and the result will be publicized before noontime tomorrow.

Four sitting DPP lawmakers, Qiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), Xu Zhi-jie( 許智傑), Lai
Rui-lung (賴瑞隆) and Lin Dai-hua are vying fiercely for the nomination.

In Jia-yi, the contenders are legislator Cai Yi-yu (蔡易餘) and County
Councilor Huang Rong-li (黃榮利), while in Tainan it's Chen Ting-fei(陳亭妃)
and Lin Jun-xian (林俊憲).

Under party rules, DPP headquarters draws lots each morning to decide which
city or county will be polled that day.

Polling is then carried out from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. by three polling firms
simultaneously using landline telephone surveys.

Once 1-thousand 200 valid questionnaires are completed, the results are
released by noon the following day.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-12 13:07:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is urging dialogue amidst a legislative stalemate
over the central government and special defense budgets.

Chiang notes that, in past instances in which the executive and legislative
branches were controlled by two opposing parties, the leaders of each still
sat down to discuss tense issues.

The mayor said that such polarization is not to the benefit of the people,
and says that the responsibility to open dialogue rests upon the leader of
the DPP, President Lai Ching-te.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-12 13:07:13

In international news,

Britain is discussing with NATO allies how to enhance Arctic security against
Russia and China.

The British Secretary of Transport says that these talks are routine and not
a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent interest in acquiring
Greenland.

Trump expressed his desire to make a deal for Greenland, a semiautonomous
region of NATO ally Denmark, to prevent Russian or Chinese influence...

but British officials are emphasizing the importance of a strong deterrent in
the Arctic.

Britain's former ambassador to the U.S., who was sacked last year because of
his friendship with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, said he did not
think Trump would take Greenland by force...

while the leader of the Liberal Democrats suggested Britain offer to deploy
troops to Greenland in collaboration with Denmark.

It is unclear how remaining NATO members would respond if the U.S. decided to
forcibly take control of the island or if they would come to Denmark's aid.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-01-12 13:07:13

In Ecuador, police have found five human heads displayed on a beach in Puerto
Lopez.

The discovery, made on Sunday, is linked to ongoing drug-trafficking violence
in the area.

Authorities say criminal groups are fighting over territory and drug
trafficking routes.

The groups have used fishermen and their small boats for their illicit
activities.

The region has seen increased violence, including a recent massacre.

Ecuador has been struggling with a wave of violence for over four years, with
2025 being the most violent year on record.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-01-12 13:07:13

Wedding

In Pakistan, a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception in
Islamabad has killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom,
and injured seven.

Police say the blast occurred early Sunday as guests were sleeping.

Part of the house collapsed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (Sheh-BAHZ Shah-REEF) offered condolences to
the victims’ families and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, which
have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

President Lai Ching-te says his administration has approved almost 200
subsidy programs worth about 3 billion N-T under a plan to encourage medical
institutions to adopt 'smart health care' technologies.

The subsidy programs are part of the five-year Healthy Taiwan Cultivation
Plan, which the government launched last year.

Lai said the subsidy programs are designed to leverage the advantages of
smart health care to strengthen medical services.

Lai pointed out that although average life expectancy in Taiwan is currently
above 80, people spend an average of 8.4 years in poor health ...

.. that means "about 10-per cent of the average lifespan is unhealthy," with
some people bedridden, using wheelchairs or needing daily care.

The president said government's goal is that "the longer people live, the
longer they stay healthy" and his administration aims to train 500,000
"artificial intelligence professionals" by 2040 to help lead the 'smart
health care' technologies initiative.

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

A delegation led by Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang is
visiting the U-S capital this week for talks with Trump administration
officials.

Huang said the group is looking to discuss issues related to "arms
procurement and high tariffs" with US officials.

The delegation hopes to have "very frank and sincere discussions" and the
four-member delegation is seeking to obtain "direct and reliable" information
from the U-S side even as it conveys the Taiwan public's shared concerns on
those issues.

Huang did not name the agencies the delegation will be visiting or the
officials it will meet with -- saying the details cannot be made public at
this time due to "mutual trust and understanding" with the U-S side.

However, the T-P-P chair said he will hold a news conference after the
delegation returns to Taiwan on Wednesday morning to brief the public on the
trip's outcomes.

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

against Taiwan

Research from the National Security Bureau is said to show that China has
been using Chinese I-T and marketing companies to create fake news sites,
manage accounts, and collect and spread misinformation, as part of its
cognitive warfare against Taiwan.

The information was part of a recently completed analysis on China's
"cognitive warfare tactics against Taiwan in 2025."

The national intelligence gathering team said it identified over 45,000 fake
social media accounts and over 2.314-million pieces of disinformation being
spread using such tactics last year.

The disinformation was spread by both fake and bot accounts hired by Chinese
I-T companies which set up databases... the accounts are said to be managed
by automated programs under the instruction of the China's Central Publicity
Department and the Ministry of Public Security.

The accounts create fake news websites to spread narratives aligned with
China's official stances... they also operate content farms via Facebook fan
pages that tend to post sensational articles to attract clicks.

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

The Air Force says six aircraft, two Navy ships, and seven Coast Guard
vessels have been deployed as part of on-going efforts to locate an F-16V and
its pilot that went missing last week off the coast of Hualien.

Along with searching seas in the area, the Air Force says the Coast Guard
Administration is also searching seashores looking for wreckage.

F-16V training flights remain suspended, while inspections of the aircraft
type are carried out while an investigation into the cause of the incident
is ongoing.

The aircraft took off from the Hualien Air Base at 6:17PM Tuesday on a
routine night-time training mission and lost contact at 7:29PM.

The Air Force has said the pilot, Captain Hsin Po-yi, is believed to have
ejected from the aircraft some 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township.

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the Health Promotion Administration
will issue new daily dietary guidelines later this year... in the first
update since 2018.

A draft of the new guidelines was completed late last year, but the
government is delaying the release of the new guidelines, since the
government needs to review newly released U-S dietary recommendations, and
the Lunar New Year holiday.

As a preview Shih said eggs will be promoted more than in the past, given the
growing body of research showing they are an excellent source of nutrition
...

.. and while earlier guidelines only recommended skim or low-fat milk, the
updated guidelines recognize that whole milk contains important nutrients, as
long as it is consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

Kenting is seeking a continuing decline in visitor numbers - as data show the
amount of people visiting the southern seaside town fell to a new low last
year.

Tourism authorities say a total of 2.13-million tourists visited Kenting in
2025.

That's down slightly from 2.14 million in 2024.

Visitor numbers to the Kenting National Park are also down.

Park headquarters deputy director Tseng Tien-ting says his office has
released a plan to develop tourism this year, as the park and the town need
to take concrete steps to transform or lose more visitors.

Meanwhile, the Pingtung County Government's Transportation and Tourism
Division says its working on improving Kenting's branding with the aim of
attract more international visitors by increasing it multilingual services.

Posted on 2026-01-12 07:00:13

If you're looking for a quick nature break... around half of the 296 plum
trees in late President Chiang Kai-shek's former vacation retreat in
Taoyuan's Fuxing District are already in bloom.

This comes well ahead of the start of the 2026 Jiaobanshan Plum Blossom
Festival on January 17.

The Taoyuan Scenic Area Service Agency says peak flowering in Jiaobanshan
Park is expected in mid-January - and weekly updates on bloom conditions are
available on its Facebook page.

The Taoyuan Department of Tourism says special festival events will be held
in the park on the weekends of January 17 and 18 and January 24 and 25.

Those events include an "international tea gathering under the plum trees"
featuring local, British, Japanese and European teas, a 22-booth market
offering local produce and handicrafts, as well as live calligraphy sessions.

The Taoyuan City Government has also partnered with 34 businesses and
attractions in the Jiaobanshan, Luofu and Xiaowulai areas to offer
festival-only discounts from January 17 through 25.

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