ICRT

Posted on 2026-08-21 18:55:13

The Mainland Affairs Council is calling for the immediate release of the two
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists convicted under the city's national
security law.

Former Hong Kong Alliance chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and former vice chairwoman
Chow Hang-tung were convicted today of inciting subversion of state power.

The now-defunct Alliance had organized annual commemorations of the 1989
Tiananmen crackdown and advocated democracy and freedom in China.

Taiwan's government expressed deep regret over the convictions, accusing
Beijing and Hong Kong authorities of using national security laws to suppress
dissent.

The council also urged the authorities to release others detained in the case
and respect freedom of speech, human rights and the rule of law.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 18:55:13

Taipei Songshan Airport has temporarily suspended ground operations due to
thunderstorms in the area, with some flights expected to be delayed.

The Civil Aviation Administration says ground operations were suspended just
after 5:00 PM today.

The airport's departure boards shows a number of outbound and arriving
flights marked as delayed.

Passengers and people meeting arriving travelers are advised to keep up to
date with the latest flight information.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 18:55:13

The National Immigration Agency says seven Chinese travelers were denied
entry and sent back after arriving at Taipei Songshan Airport with purposes
that did not match their approved applications.

The cases were recorded in the first half of this year, with family
visitation among the reasons given for coming to Taiwan.

Officials say some travelers knew little about the relatives they claimed to
be visiting, while others were suspected of planning to work illegally.

The agency says having a valid entry permit does not guarantee admission, and
travelers must still undergo immigration checks and stick to the purpose of
their approved stay.

Officials say suspicious cases will continue to face closer scrutiny, with
entry denied when violations are confirmed.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 18:55:13

The Taiwan High Court has overturned the corruption convictions of incumbent
KMT legislator Chen Chao-ming and former New Power Party legislator Hsu
Yung-ming ...

.... acquitting both in a case involving the ownership of Pacific SOGO
department stores.

However, the court upheld the convictions of former DPP legislator Su
Chen-ching (蘇震清) and former KMT legislator Liao Kuo-tung (廖國棟) ...

... who were sentenced to 10 years and eight years and six months in prison,
respectively.

Prosecutors alleged that businessman Lee Heng-lung paid lawmakers to use
their influence to help him regain control of SOGO, including by pushing for
changes to company law.

The case dates back to alleged payments made from 2012 onward, with lawmakers
later accused of pressuring the Ministry of Economic Affairs to amend
relevant regulations.

The ruling can still be appealed.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 17:13:13

A man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for pushing a Taiwan Railways
employee onto the tracks.

The incident took place in October at Taichung's Wuquan station after the
man, surnamed Chen, had a verbal dispute with the employee, surnamed Chang.

Prosecutors say that Chen used the full force of his body to push Chang off
the platform and only the train tracks before fleeing immediately after.

Fortunately, the approaching train was able to stop in time to avoid hitting
Chang, but he did sustain two fractures.

Prosecutors indicted Chen on attempted murder and the Taichung District Court
today sentenced him to 5 years in prison.

The sentence can be appealed.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 17:13:15

New Taipei mayoral candidate Li Si Chuan paid a visit to the KMT and TPP
caucuses today to garner support for his candidacy.

He says, the TPP caucus and party chairman Huang Kuo-chang exchanged views on
issued faced by New Taipei.

He added that he aimed to gather feedback on his policy proposals through the
first 5 months of his campaign and to identify outdated laws.

Li said that they also discussed how to deepen cooperation between the two
opposition parties.

Huang reiterated that Li has the full support of the TPP in New Taipei.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 17:13:15

A second round of extra flights and larger aircraft to Penghu and Kinmen ...

... for the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers' Day holiday ...

... will open for booking next Wednesday at 9 AM.

The Civil Aviation Administration says the additional capacity will provide
more than 7,300 seats, including about 4,900 for Penghu and 2,500 for Kinmen.

The four-day holiday runs from September 25th to 28th, with peak travel
expected before the holiday for flights to the islands and immediately
afterward for return trips.

The CAA says tickets during peak periods will carry stricter conditions and
tiered cancellation fees.

It urges travelers to book ahead because island flights can be affected by
weather.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 17:13:15

Now turning to international news...

Indonesia and China are discussing increasing defense cooperation...

with the two countries' ministers meeting in the Indonesia capital today.

The Indonesia side said that the two countries aimed to ensure that there was
progress toward their priorities for strengthening cooperation in political,
economic, security, maritime and people-to-people relations.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said that they agreed to coordinate on major
development and security priorities.

Wang said that the two countries aimed to "jointly oppose unilateral
bullying."

Posted on 2026-08-21 17:13:15

Residents in the Tunisian capital are protesting the president's rule...

as people face water and electricity shortages amid extreme heat.

The protest, organized by the Nafas movement, aims to unite political parties
and independent figures against President Kais Saied's rule.

Some of the protesters' grievances include utility cuts, medicine shortages,
and rising living costs.

The ongoing heatwave has pushed electricity demands to record levels, leading
to rationing.

Recent protests have seen increased participation demaning the release of
prisoners.

Protesters pleaded for improvements to basic utility services and an end to
medicine shortages and restrictions on freedoms.

Some called out the president, for failing to meet the people's demands since
he was elected 7 years ago.

Posted on 2026-08-21 16:06:14

Mainland Affairs Council Chair Chiu Chui Cheng says today that the council
"wronged" Taitung Magistrate Rao Qing Ling over her video appearance at
China's Straits Forum.

He emphasized that her remarks at the forum were just niceties and did not
touch on political topics.

Rao expressed her thanks and said that she was satisfied with the outcome.

The exchange comes after the MAC said it would fine Rao over her recorded
remarks at the event, in which she was promoting Taitung's shijia.

Shortly before the forum took place, the MAC called the Straits Forum a
platform for the CCP's united front work...

and said that local and central government officials were prohibited from
participating in the event.

But Rao still appeared in the pre-recorded video.

Chiu today noted that Rao applied to participate and was denied, but added
that her video appearance did not count as participation and that she had
respected the central government regulations.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 16:06:14

Forecasters are warning of possible heavy rain through Tuesday...

especially in southwestern Taiwan, as a broad low-pressure system combines
with moisture-laden southwesterly winds.

They say, strong thunderstorms could bring lightning, strong winds and
intense downpours, with several days of rain increasing the risk of flooding
and other damage.

Forecasts also note that Tropical Storm Saudel could strengthen into a
typhoon as it moves toward Japan's Ryukyu Islands.

Weather conditions after Wednesday will depend largely on Saudel's track and
its interaction with surrounding weather systems.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 16:06:14

The Food and Drug Administration says there is no record of recalled frozen
berries from the United States being imported into Taiwan.

U-S authorities recalled the product named "Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries
and Whole Mixed Berries, 10 oz and 48 oz" ... by the brand GreenWise ... over
possible E. coli contamination - a type of bacteria that can cause stomach
pain.

Taiwan's F-D-A says it found no import inspection records for the affected
products as of July 30th and has classified the recall notice as its
lowest-risk "green" alert.

The agency is advising importers not to bring in the affected products and to
immediately suspend sales and notify authorities if any recalled items are
found.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 16:06:14

In internatiional news,

Japan says it has executed a man convicted of killing five people after
setting fire to a pachinko parlor in 2009.

Today's execution is the first by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government
as the country faces growing calls for more transparency and the abolition of
capital punishment.

The Japanese Justice Ministry says the 58-year-old man was hanged to death
earlier today.

The man set fire to a crowded pachinko parlor in Osaka by spreading gasoline
and throwing a lit match, engulfing the building.

In addition to the five people killed, 10 were injured.

Japan and the U.S. are the only two countries in the Group of Seven leading
industrialized nations that use capital punishment.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-21 15:28:13

The KMT says, it supports federal cash handouts of 20-30,000 NT.

That's after Premier Zhuo Rong Tai said 10,000 NT handouts were reasonable,
but that doubling that figure would seriously squeeze social welfare and
population growth subsidies.

The Lai administration previously announced that it would include those
handouts in next year's central government budget proposal...

but KMT legislative caucus whip Fu Kun Chi says, the opposition not only
supports the measure, but also hopes that the amount will be doubled or
tripled.

He says, that's due to the unprecedented economic growth that Taiwan has
enjoyed this year.

Fu added that the caucus will continue discussions on the issue.

The Cabinet yesterday passed the 2027 Central Goverment Budget proposal, with
235.7 billion NT carved out in the Ministry of Finance's budget for 10,000 NT
handouts.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 15:28:14

With less than 100 days to go before November's local elections, Taipei
mayoral candidate Puma Shen says, he hopes candidates can focus on this
year's elections, rather than any presidential ambitions.

Shen made the comments this morning as he headed to Neihu to campaign, when
reporters mentioned that excitement and speculation over the 2028 elections
seems to be building.

He said that he hoped other candidates would shift their focus to municipal
issues instead of thinking ahead to 2028.

Meanwhile, the DPP candidate also voiced his support for his opponent Chiang
Wan An pursuing legal action over the Charisse kindergarten's use of his
thank-you note.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 15:28:14

Several ferry operators between Pingtung and Xiaoliuqiu Island are ending
services early today because of heavy rain and rough seas.

Waves have reached up to 1.5 meters as a low-pressure system and strong
southwesterly winds affect the area.

LEUCO SAPPHIRE Shipping, Taifu Ferry and Dafu Liuqiu Shipping have all
adjusted their afternoon schedules, while Dong-Liu Ferry is operating
normally.

LEUCO SAPPHIRE and Taifu say services will return to normal tomorrow, while
Taifu's Sunday schedule will depend on sea conditions.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 15:28:14

Turning to international news,

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been taken from prison to a
private hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment.

His party says this follows a Supreme Court order earlier this week.

It's unclear if he will return to prison or stay in the hospital for
treatment.

His party and family want him to remain at the hospital.

Concerns about Khan’s health have been ongoing, with reports of vision
issues.

Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in multiple cases.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-21 15:28:14

Status

The U.S. has deported 161 people to Haiti, the first deportations to the
country since the Trump administration won a legal battle to end Temporary
Protected Status for some 350,000 Haitians.

The plane landed in a northern Haitian city because the main international
airport in Port-au-Prince is considered too dangerous because of ongoing gang
violence.

Many deportees covered their faces out of safety as journalists filmed their
arrival.

Nearly all declined to talk, with some fearing being targeted by gangs that
control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince and swaths of land beyond.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-21 14:08:13

Premier Zhuo Rong Tai and the Taipei mayor are again trading fire over cash
handouts, after the premier said yesterday that upping the amount to 20,000
NT would squeeze the budget for social welfare and population growth
subsidies.

That's after the Lai administration has said that 10,000 NT handouts will be
included in the 2027 general government budget.

Zhuo called the 10,000 NT amount reasonable, but said that doubling it would
negatively affect other expenditures.

However, the premier added that local governments can consider issuing extra
funds to their residents if they feel so inclined...

especially considering that next year's Cabinet-proposed version of the
central government budget includes over 1.3 trillion NT in subsidies for
local governments.

But Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is emphasizing today that the city government
is not in a place financially speaking to be distributing cash handouts.

Chiang says that the city's debts exceed its revenue, and that it's therefore
not able to finance such a move.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 14:08:14

The Ministry of Education has announced a list of 10 kindergartens
shortlisted for this year's Teaching Excellence Awards.

Officials say, 29 kindergartens were considered for the award after being
recommended by local governments.

The schools are being recognized for their integration in local communities
and tribal ones in particular...

and for fostering special talents in their children.

One shortlisted school, in Yilan's Datong explores Atayal culture through
teaching the migration history of the Pyanan tribe to introduce students to
lands where their ancestors traversed.

Another school in Hsinchu City's East District helps kids cultivate empathy
for animals with interviews at the local zoo, emphasizing the relationship
between humans and the environment.

The MOE says, the award winner will be announced in November, with a top
prize of 600,000 NT.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 14:08:14

The Ministry of National Defense says it detected seven Chinese military
vessels and six government vessels operating around Taiwan between 6 AM
yesterday and 6 AM today.

No Chinese military aircraft were detected during the same 24-hour period.

The ministry says Taiwan's armed forces monitored the activity using
aircraft, naval vessels and land-based missile systems.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-21 14:08:14

Asian shares are mixed following a retreat on Wall Street, as the U.S.
Treasury Department's plan to expand government debt buybacks appeared to
have only limited capacity to calm markets.

Taiwan shares are up today with the benchmark tai ex gaining 290 points to
close the session at 45224

The turnover was 719.2 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-08-21 14:08:14

Keep Fighting

Turning to international news,

In Canada, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew (WOHB kih-NEW) has launched a
blistering attack on U.S. President Donald Trump in urging Canada to keep
fighting rather than rush to make concessions in trade talks with Washington.

On Thursday, he called Trump a “bad person” and “not to be trusted.”

Kinew says Canada has leverage in the talks even as his province weighs
restoring U.S. alcohol sales at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s urging,
to help secure a deal to avert threatened 50% tariffs.

Despite his criticism, Kinew said Manitoba may go along with Carney’s request
as part of a “Team Canada” approach.

Eight of 10 provinces restrict or ban U.S. alcohol in retaliation for
Trump’s previous tariffs.

Provinces do not have a veto over the overall trade agreement, but they
control measures such as liquor sales that have become part of the
negotiations.

Kinew urged consumers to keep buying Canadian even if U.S. liquor returns.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-21 13:07:13

The Taiwan High court has overturned two rulings related to two lawmakers'
corruption charges, finding both current lawmaker Chen Chao Ming陳超明 and
former lawmaker Xu Yong Ming徐永明 innocent.

However, in the same ruling, the court also rejected the appeals of two other
former lawmakers, sentencing them to 10 and 8 and a half years.

The case stems from accusations against a former chairman of Pacific Tong Liu
Investment, who allegedly used a middleman to bribe the four legislators in
an attempt to retain control of SOGO.

The Taipei District Court previously sentenced the KMT's Chen, who was
acquitted today, to 7 years and 8 months in prison, independent Su Zhen
Qing蘇震清 to 10 years, and Liao Guo Dong廖國棟, of the KMT, to 8 and a half years,
all on bribery charges under the Anti-Corruption Act.

Meanwhile, Xu of the New Power Party, who was also acquitted today, was
originally sentenced to 7 years and 4 months on bribery charges under a
pre-arranged agreement.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 13:07:13

The Taipei MRT today suffered its second issue in two days...

with the doors of a train on the red line stopped at Zhongshan station
failing to close for about 5 minutes earlier this morning.

Officials say, the cause of the issue was a passenger's umbrella being stuck
in the doors, causing them to be unable to close.

The issue caused passengers to be forced to switch trains and wait for the
next one about 5 minutes later.

Regular service was restored shortly afterwards.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-21 13:07:13

In Hong Kong, two former organizers of the city's decades-old vigil in
remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have been convicted in a
national security case.

It was brought under a Beijing-imposed law that has effectively crushed the
city’s previously thriving pro-democracy movement.

The candelight vigil was the only large-scale public commemoration in China
that drew tens of thousands of people annually to mourn the Tiananmen Square
victims.

Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung are former leaders of the now-disbanded Hong
Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.

They both were charged in 2021 with inciting subversion...

and the two both pled not guilty.

They are expected to be sentenced at a later date and face a maximum prison
term of 10 years.

The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China
itself was also found guilty.

Observers say the trial symbolizes the erosion of freedom of expression in
the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-21 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Cabinet has approved the central government's 2027 general budget
proposal.

The proposed budget totals 3.9266-trillion N-T, an increase of 29.4-per cent
from this year's general budget.

The government is insisting that the proposed budget will be balanced between
revenue and expenditure, with 179-billion N-T in borrowing needed to finance
debt repayments.

The 2027 budget allocates 1.1225-trillion N-T for defense spending.

The Cabinet is expected to submit the budget to the Legislative Yuan for
review by the end of August.

Posted on 2026-08-21 08:13:13

The Central Election Commission has announced that 11,051 officials will be
elected in the upcoming nine-in-one local elections and around 19.65 million
people expected to be eligible to vote.

The statement comes as there's now 99 days to go before the November 28
ballots.

According to commission chairman Michael You, elections will involve 8,906
electoral districts and 18,244 polling stations, with nearly 250,000 election
workers to be mobilized, excluding personnel needed for any referendums.

Data shows that of the 19.65 million eligible voters, around 600,000 will be
casting their ballots for the first time.

You says the Central Election Commission will coordinate with local election
commissions to ensure the elections are conducted professionally and
smoothly.

The commission chairman says his office had originally planned to review
three referendum proposals passed by the Legislature last week, but it only
received the Legislative Yuan's official notice on Tuesday, leaving
insufficient time to prepare for the review.

That meeting has now been postponed until August 28.

Posted on 2026-08-21 08:13:13

Taiwan's shortage of readily available low-carbon electricity could deter
investment in artificial intelligence data centers despite the country's
technological strengths - that, according to a renewable energy executive.

According I-N-A Energy Corporation Chairman Norman Tsai, A-I data centers
require power that is available around the clock, scalable, affordable,
low-carbon and deliverable within their development timelines.

Tsai says large facilities can require between 50-megawatts and several
hundred megawatts of power, with some reaching gigawatt scale - and that
required power infrastructure must also be available quickly because data
centers can be completed within 12 to 24 months.

Tsai is warning that new transmission lines or substations currently often
take five to 10 years to complete.

The I-N-A Energy Corporation Chairman is also stressing that Taiwan lacks
green electricity and identifying an adequate low-carbon power source is a
major challenge facing an AI date center operator seeking to establish a
facility Taiwan.

Citing the International Energy Agency, Tsai's says global data center
electricity demand is projected to rise from 485 terawatt-hours in 2025 to
950 terawatt-hours in 2030.

Posted on 2026-08-21 08:13:13

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che has announced plans to in invest 2.47-billion N-T
over four years to provide every student in the city with a tablet computer
and to expand smart learning in schools.

According to Huang the program will run from this year through 2029 and
schools will receive funding to upgrade computer classrooms to ensure that
the machines are capable of running A-I applications

Teachers will also receive training in using A-I learning platforms to
monitor student progress, provide tailored instruction and reduce learning
gaps.

Huang says schools will be required to develop specialized technology courses
in areas such as robotics or drones.

While other planned classes will cover evaluating online information, digital
communication.

The mayor says the programs have been planned with the aim of strengthen
students' technology and communication skills.

The Tainan City Government has also said that it will fully subsidize lunches
for elementary and junior high students, improvements air conditioning at
schools and ensure that all schools have covered sports areas.

Posted on 2026-08-21 08:13:13

And,

Government subsidies for extended care at public preschools will increase
from two hours to three hours beginning September 1.

Public preschools usually finish classes at around 4PM - which some have long
argued creates difficulties for households where both parents work.

The plan will mean that care services are extended until 6PM.

The Ministry of Education says schools can receive up to 850,000 N-T for each
additional caregiver they hire, and the government will also increase
subsidies for hourly wages and overtime pay.

However, teachers’ unions are warning that preschools may struggle to recruit
staff for late afternoons and evenings and such work could instread fall on
existing educators and create additional overtime.

The unions say schools should not be forced to offer extended care if they
lack sufficient staff or cannot ensure children’s safety.

Posted on 2026-08-20 18:59:13

New data from Cathay Financial Holdings shows strong preference for investing
in Taiwan stocks compared to U-S stocks.

In the bank's National Economic Confidence survey conducted this month, 57
percent of respondents chose Taiwan stocks as their preferred market to
invest in over the next six months - more than twice the 24 percent who favor
U-S stocks.

The top reasons given are "optimism about sustainable profitability of
companies", confidence in "Taiwan's strong economic fundamentals" ... and a
desire to "diversify investment risk".

Despite this, the survey suggests investors are becoming less optimistic
towards Taiwan's stock market and more risk-averse ...

... amid concerns over about inflation, rising global oil prices ... and the
possibility of higher U-S interest rates.

Respondents expect Taiwan's economy to grow by an average 8.94 percent this
year, below the government's latest forecast of 11.05 percent.

And 68 percent expect inflation to exceed two percent, with the average
forecast at 2.3 percent.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-20 18:59:14

China Airlines will raise fuel surcharges on cargo exports from Taiwan by
more than 10 percent starting September 1st, citing higher international oil
prices.

Surcharges on long-haul routes will rise nearly 14 percent to 58 NT per
kilogram, while those on short-haul Asian routes will increase 11 percent to
20 NT.

The airline already raised the charges in mid-August, with the latest
increase reflecting continued pressure from higher aviation fuel costs.

The surcharges apply to most export cargo based on billable weight.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-20 16:24:14

The Central Election Commission says, this November's local elections will
choose over 11,000 people to fill seats across the country.

Chair You Ying-long says today that the elections will see 19.6 million
voters heading to the polls across Taiwan's almost 9000 electoral districts
and over 18000 poll stations.

You added that, if referendums passed by the legislature also pass the CEC,
they will dispatch over 300,000 election workers.

He emphasized that, with 100 days to go ahead of the vote, the CEC is
preparing for the polls with a "joyous spirit."

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-20 16:24:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is again defending his administration's handling
of a child abuse case at a kindergarten.

Independent city councilor Xu Li Xin today called on the mayor to come up
with ways to respond to the abuse at Charisse kindergarten, like releasing
surveillance footage to parents...

to which Chiang said his government would consider proposing amendments to
the central government.

Xu also asked Chiang if he would consider meeting with the victims' families
again, to which Chiang responded that he had already met with the parents and
that the city government is undertaking an invesitgation...

leading Xu to criticize him for failing to directly answer the question.

Meanwhile DPP councilor Jian Shu Pei said that the city government should
establish a consultation window for parents who are seeking legal action in
the case.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-20 16:24:14

The Tourism Administration is set to launch a 33.3 billion NT tourism
promotion package, starting September 1st.

Officials say the the initiative includes weekday accommodation subsidies,
where travelers can receive discounts up to 800 NT for the first night and
1,200 NT for a consecutive second night at participating hotels.

Higher discounts are available for stays on outlying islands.

In addition, registration opened today for a birthday raffle granting monthly
winners a 1-thousand-200 NT accommodation voucher, along with a program for
tour groups on corporate staff trips, and discounted Taiwan PASS packages
paired with hotel vouchers.

And returning international travelers entering Taiwan after October 10th can
enter drawings for up to 8,000 NT in subsidies.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-20 16:24:14

Kaohsiung Chang-geng Hospital is warning wheelchair users against equipping
their chairs with motors...

after a man riding a hospital wheelchair faster than surrounding motorcycles
went viral online.

The hospital reminds the public that such equipment is meant for use inside
the hospital only.

The video in question was taken from near the hospital, and showed the man,
who many called the "ageless motorcyclist," riding the wheelchair at
breakneck speeds.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-20 16:24:14

Now turning to internaitonal news...

Residents of Hawaii's Big Island are struggling to recover after a hurricane
last week.

The hurricane killed 2, including one kindergarten teacher and community
figure.

Residents were struggling to clean up after Hurrican Lala tore roofs from
homes and uprooted trees.

Many households were also without electricity for days, with work expected to
take weeks in some cases.

Forecasters are also warnings that another cyclone is forming near Hawaii.

The heaviest recorded rainfall from Lala at 1.1 meters occurred on the
northeast coast of the Big Island。

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:51:13

Taiwan has tied with the United Kingdom for third place among non-OIC
destinations in the Global Muslim Travel Index 2026.

President Lai Ching-te says the ranking recognizes Taiwan’s efforts to
improve public safety, religious freedom and Muslim-friendly tourism.

Prayer rooms and ritual washing facilities have been installed at major
airports, railway stations, national parks and freeway service areas.

More than 350 restaurants across Taiwan have also received halal-related
certification.

Lai made the remarks while meeting Taiwan’s Hajj delegation after its return
from the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

He says the government will continue improving facilities and services while
promoting an environment where people of different faiths and cultural
backgrounds can live safely and with mutual respect.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:51:15

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling on Uganda to not bend to political
pressure...

after 4 Taiwanese tourists had their passports confiscated when trying to
enter the country.

Uganda cited the "One China Policy," saying that the tourists should have
Chinese passports.

A spokesperson says that the local representative raised its concerns with
the Ugandan side, which returned the passports.

They called for Uganda and other countries to respect Taiwan's passport.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:51:15

LINE users can now edit text messages after sending them without withdrawing
and retyping them.

The messaging platform has begun offering a free trial of its new editing
feature through LINE Labs.

Users can correct text messages within 15 minutes in individual and group
chats, or within six days in Keep Memo.

Edited messages will display their latest content along with an “Edited”
label.

The feature does not support changes to photos, videos, voice messages, files
or stickers.

Users must manually activate it through LINE Labs and update their app to a
supported version.

After the trial ends, the feature will become exclusive to LINE Premium
subscribers.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:51:20

Russian ballistic missile strikes have killed at least five people and
injured more than two dozen others in Ukraine’s capital.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko says the overnight attack damaged residential
buildings, warehouses and a children’s hospital.

People were trapped inside one apartment building, while fires broke out at
several locations.

Parts of Kyiv were also left without power.

A separate strike in the surrounding Kyiv region killed another person.

Poland says it launched defensive air operations to protect its airspace
during the attack.

The strikes come as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled.

Ukraine has submitted peace proposals to U.S. negotiators, while Russia says
it has not received any specific proposals for new meetings.

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:51:20

A Chinese court has sentenced Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan (許家印) to life in
prison and ordered the confiscation of all his personal property.

Hui pleaded guilty in April to eight charges, including fundraising fraud,
misuse of funds and illegally accepting public deposits.

Evergrande was once China’s largest property developer but defaulted on most
of its 300-billion-U.S.-dollars in liabilities beginning in 2021.

Its collapse became a symbol of China’s prolonged property-sector crisis.

A court in Shenzhen also fined Evergrande 1.31-billion-U.S.-dollars and its
main subsidiary nearly 1-billion dollars.

Five other senior executives received fines and prison terms ranging from six
to 18 years.

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:51:20

A mission to rescue an aging NASA space telescope has been canceled after the
spacecraft sent to move it developed technical problems.

Katalyst Space launched its LINK spacecraft in July to pull the Neil Gehrels
Swift Observatory into a higher orbit.

But LINK began spinning uncontrollably after reaching space.

NASA and Katalyst have now abandoned plans to capture and move the telescope.

Swift has studied gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic events since 2004.

Without the orbital boost, the 500-million-U.S.-dollar observatory will
likely fall into Earth’s atmosphere and burn up later this year.

The rescue mission was the first of its kind in the United States.

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:19:13

The Taipei MRT red line will be getting a new station on August 30th.

That's according to Mayor Chiang Wan An today, who thanked construction and
city workers for their help with the Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station.

Chiang says, the new station will extend the Tamsui Xinyi Line by almost 1.5
kilometers.

He added that the new station was particularly challenging to build but that
it was accomplished with the help of experts and scholars.

Chiang said that, after receiving the go-ahead from the Ministry of
Transportation and Communications, residents can expect the new station to
open August 30th.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:19:13

The Taiwan Railway Corporation has announced schedule additions for the
upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers' Day long weekend.

TRC says a total of 158 extra train services will run across all rail lines
from September 24th through September 29th to handle holiday travel demand.

Standard ticket booking for the extra trains opens at midnight on August 25th.

In addition, real-name ticket reservations for eligible residents of Hualien
and Taitung Counties will open at midnight on August 26th.

On the Western Trunk Line, non-reserved seating for EMU3000 train sets will
be paused, with a limit of 200 standing tickets released per train on the day
of travel.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:19:13

Taiwan shares are up today with the benchmark tai ex gaining 214 points to
close the session at 44933.

The turnover was 792 billion NT

Posted on 2026-08-20 14:19:13

Now turning to international news...

The Israeli military says it will "investigate" the killings of a 5 year old
Palstinian child named Hind Rajab and her family...

as well as those of 15 paramedics in Gaza.

Israeli soldiers killed Hind when they opened fire on a vehicle that was also
carrying her aunt, uncle, and four cousins as they tried to flee Gaza City.

After killing the civilians, Israeli troops then bulldozed their bodies and
buried them in a mass grave.

Officials said they would not, however, investigate three other attacks in
which Israel killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors
Without Borders.

That's after they carried out reviews of 150 incidents of troop conduct
during the Israeli war on Gaza.

The Australian Foreign Minister expressed concern over that last call,
emphasizing that the convoy in which the aid workers were traveling was
struck three times in a fire control zone.

All this, as Israel continues killing civilians in Gaza, with 10 dead today.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says on ongoing investigation into numerous
allegations against the Lai administration's representative in Geneva is
likely to take two months.

According to Lin, Greg Lee has now returned to Taiwan and is cooperating with
investigators.

Speaking during a legislative hearing, Lin also told lawmakers that an ad hoc
investigative task force was formed on August 2 and the team includes
individuals from outside the foreign ministry with legal expertise.

The statements come after the foreign ministry received a 134-page complaint
signed by "all affected colleagues."

The complaint detailed seven categories of alleged serious misconduct by Lee
including workplace bullying, incompetent leadership and using public
resources for personal purposes.

The foreign minister told lawmakers that his office is now relying on the ad
hoc investigative team to clarify the facts and will jump to conclusions
before the final results are released.

The foreign ministry's Personnel Department has said if the investigation
finds that Lee was engaged in workplace bullying, he will be removed from his
post in Geneva and face follow-up disciplinary action.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:16

The Ministry of Culture is rejecting the Gwangju Biennale Foundation's
defense of its decision to rename Taiwan's pavilion at the event.

It comes after foundation issued a statement saying Taiwan's National Taiwan
Museum of Fine Arts applied to participate as an institution.

According to the foundation, the museum signed an agreement on January 12 to
participate as an institution and was therefore identified by its museum name
rather than as the "Taiwan Pavilion."

However, the culture ministry is insisting that that is incorrect and says
the museum submitted its proposal under the name "Taiwan Pavilion" and
received official confirmation on April 2 that the proposal had been
approved.

The ministry also says two sides subsequently signed an agreement on April
23, while later correspondence continued to use the name "Taiwan Pavilion" in
discussions over the venue and exhibition arrangements.

A statement released earlier this week, signed by 10 Taiwanese artists and
curators invited to participate in the biennale in South Korea, accused the
foundation of politically censoring an art exhibition.

The foundation is also denying that - calling it an administrative matter
concerning participant classification and naming conventions.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:17

Reports say the first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased from
the United States are expected to arrive in Taiwan soon.

The fighter jets reportedly left from a base in the U-S on August 17 Eastern
Time.

According to sources, the two jets will be refueled in the air and make a
maintenance stop during the trans-Pacific flight to accommodate the pilots'
physical needs and the aircraft's range limitations.

The Air Force spent 247.2-billion N-T between 2020 and 2026 to procure the 66
new F-16V Block 70 jets from the U-S.

They were all originally scheduled to all be delivered to Taiwan by the end
of this year, but the program was delayed by factors including the relocation
and restart of the production line and supply chain disruptions.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:17

Taiwan companies are showcasing their latest robot dog developments at
Automation Taipei -- highlighting applications ranging from infrastructure
inspections to firefighting.

Swancor Robotech says it plans to launch a robot dog fully designed and
developed here in Taiwan and dubbed the "Taiwanese native dog," by mid-2027.

According to the company, it plans to begin local assembly by the end of this
year and develop core technologies including the robot's "brain," control
systems and joint modules, moving beyond its current role as an importer and
distributor.

Swancor also says its robot dogs can perform autonomous navigation, image
recognition, voice commands, environmental sensing and can also climb stairs
and overcome obstacles.

The company is estimating that Taiwan's annual robot dog market at more than
3,000 units, worth between 2 and 3-billion N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:17

Hengchun Township in Pingtung County is preparing for its annual Ghost
Festival pole-climbing contest on August 27.

Organizers have erected a 21-meter bamboo lantern pole in a traditional
ritual inviting wandering spirits to join the festivities.

Using an excavator, workers hoisted the 21-meter pole onto the roof of the
competition structure -- a raised structure supported by 36 wooden poles for
the event.

Locally known as Ciang-gu, the contest sees five-member teams form a human
pyramid and help a climber scale a 13-meter wooden pole slicked with beef fat
to seize a ceremonial flag at the top.

The first team to do so wins a prize of 350,000 N-T.

The total prize pool for this year's event stands at 1.15-million N-T and
organizers are expecting some 1,000 visitors to attend.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:17

In sports news,

Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei and her Latvian partner Jelena Ostapenko have advanced
to the women's doubles quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Open.

The fifth-seeded Hsieh and Ostapenko advanced after their Slovenian opponents
were forced to withdraw early in the second set due an injury.

Hsieh and Ostapenko are using the event to warm up as they prepare for the
U-S Open, which begins next week.

They are also seeking their second title of the season.

Hsieh and Ostapenko won the women's doubles title at the Brisbane
International in January, but were eliminated from the W-T-A 1000 Toronto
Masters last week after losing their semifinal match.

Posted on 2026-08-20 08:13:17

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says we can expect to see rain islandwide
from today through the weekend due to the influence of a low-pressure system.

According to the weather administration's forecast center, southern and
mountainous areas of central and eastern Taiwan could see localized heavy or
torrential rain, while the north couuld see localized heavy rain and brief
periods of intense rainfall in the afternoons.

The seasonal southwesterly winds are forecset to strengthen from tomorrow
through Sunday, bringing more frequent showers and thundershowers to central
and southern parts of the island that could prompt heavy rain advisories.

Localized heavy rain is also expected in the north and other areas.

The low-pressure system is expected to move away from Taiwan after Monday of
next week.

However, central, southern and southeastern areas could still see rain and
afternoon thundershowers are forecast in the south on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a tropical storm that formed in waters southeast of Guam yesterday
is expected to approach waters near Okinawa on Monday, but it's potential
impact on Taiwan is still unclear.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the government "respects" different views
in Japan after senior officials' visited to a controversial Tokyo shrine that
honors all of Japan's war dead, including World War II war criminals.

Lin said the Lai administration recognizes the diversity of views within
Japanese society regarding the issue and looks forward to Japan's continuous
reflection and anticipates joint efforts between Taipei and Tokyo to uphold
regional peace and stability.

He added the government hopes that current Taiwan-Japan relations will
contribute to peace in the region.

Lin's comments came after Japan's defense minister and several other Cabinet
members visited the shrine on August 15 to marked the 81st anniversary of
Japan's surrender in World War II.

The visits drew immediate diplomatic protests and strong condemnation from
China and South Korea... here at home the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party
described the ministry's response as too soft.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:15

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology says it is
investigating the cause of an accident during the test launch of satellite
launch rocket at its Jiupeng Base in Pingtung.

The incident occured Wednesday morning.

The state arms developer said the satellite launch vehicle being tested for
the first time and self-destructed after experiencing an anomaly shortly
after taking off.

The institute says the rocket deviated from its intended trajectory during
the initial stage of flight, prompting operators to activate its
self-destruct mechanism in line with pre-established emergency procedures.

Authorities say the crash in a mountainous area of Mudan Township was
within the planned safety control area, and there were no injuries or
property damage.

Local media reports say residents of villages near the test site saw the
rocket spiral out of control shortly after liftoff before crashing,
triggering alarm among some nearby communities.

The Pingtung County Government has called on institute to suspend further
launch tests, review its launch procedures, and adjust future flight paths to
avoid villages and other residential communities.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:15

The Ministry of Labor says blue-collar migrant workers injured on the job are
eligible for a legal assistance program for occupational accident victims.

Confirmation comes as the government is set to expand the program from
January 1 of next year.

The labor ministry has said the program's expansion mean legal representation
can be provides during criminal trials in occupational accident cases,
extending existing assistance beyond the investigation stage.

The program is meant to provide legal consultations, lawyers to accompany
workers during settlement and mediation proceedings, and litigation
assistance to occupational accident victims, including migrant workers.

Interpretation services are also provided For migrant workers throughout the
process.

The labor ministry says it has also instructed local government personnel
dedicated to occupational accident cases to assess the needs of the migrant
workers they assist and connect them with lawyers where necessary.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:15

The Taipei City Government has announced plans to introduce what will be
Taiwan's first postpartum meal allowance program next year.

The program aims to provide 30,000 N-T per delivery and benefit about 11,000
mothers each year.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says it aims to help mothers maintain their
physical and mental well-being by easing the financial burden of postpartum
care.

The eligibility requirements for the planned allowance will be the same as
those for the city's Childbirth Incentive Payment.

Applicants need to be registered residents of Taipei for at least 10
months... it also covers instances where one of the parents is a foreign
national.

The Taipei City Government has also announced that the subsidy for its
maternity taxi program will increase from 8,000 to 10,000 N-T starting in
October.

The period during which that subsidy can be used will also be extended from
six months to one year after the expected delivery date.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:17

This year's Taiwan Culture in Europe initiative made its latest stop in
Dublin this past weekend with the visit of the Kaohsiung-based Taiwan Chorus.

The choir held a concert at a church, performing more than 10 Taiwanese
songs, including "The Song of Alishan," "The Maiden of Malan" and "Tian Mi
Mi."

The performance was led by choir director Wu Hung-chang with pianist Chen
I-chen accompanying the choir.

The concert attracted nearly 170 people, including former Irish senator Gerry
Horkan.

Taiwan's Representative to Ireland Tang Diann-wen said Taiwan and Ireland
share a commitment to freedom and democracy and have witnessed increasingly
close exchanges in recent years.

The government's Taiwan Culture in Europe initiative promotes Taiwanese arts
and culture across the continent.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:17

A mother and daughter in Tainan have become the first people to complete
their official registration as Indigenous Siraya people.

It comes after the government recognized the Siraya as Taiwan's 17th
Indigenous group on July 30.

The registration of the mother, Mai Fang-chi, and daughter, Shih Ya-hsin, was
completed at Tainan's South District Household Registration Office and
witnessed by Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che.

Huang says the registration marked an important milestone for the Siraya, who
have long sought recognition of their identity and place in history after
preserving and passing down their culture in Tainan for generations.

Tainan's household registration offices began accepting applications for
Indigenous Siraya identification on August 13, after the Council of
Indigenous Peoples announced the relevant eligibility criteria that same day.

City officials say as of Tuesday, the offices had received 1,545
applications, of which 10 of the first 12 applications reviewed met the
requirements.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:17

And,

The Taipei Zoo says orangutan Da Pao's health continues to improve in
intensive care.

The zoo says Da Pao was born with underdeveloped lungs and other organs and
initially required intubation and a ventilator, but the breathing tube has
since been removed as the baby orangutan's ability to breathe independently
improved.

Da Pao and its twin, Hsiao Pao, were born by cesarean section to Bornean
orangutan Ke Yi on June 29... but Hsiao Pao died shortly after from
premature-birth-related complications.

Da Pao's weight is gradually increasing, while its activity, limb movements
and responses to external stimuli have become more pronounced.... and staff
recently began bottle-feeding Da Pao.

However, the zoo says Da Pao's organs are still developing and the baby
orangutan will only be reunited with its mother when it is sufficiently
mature and stable.

The zoo released the statement as it marked International Orangutan Day.

Posted on 2026-08-20 07:00:17

But North Korea says the U.S. decision to scale back its military exercises
with South Korea doesn't change what it views as the provocative nature of
the drills.

Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong shrugged off the move, dampening hopes for renewed
diplomacy between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Trump.

Experts warn this move could weaken the U.S.-South Korean defense posture.

Posted on 2026-08-19 20:14:13

Taipei MRT's Xinyi Line east extension has received final approval to begin
operations.

The 1.4-kilometer extension runs from Xiangshan Station to the new
Guangci/Fengtian Temple terminal, serving the Guangci Bo'ai Park area.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications gave the green light ...
after the city completed improvements required following its final
inspection.

Taipei officials say final preparations are now underway and the extension
will open as soon as possible.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an had previously said the city was targeting the end of
August for the start of passenger service.

Posted on 2026-08-19 20:14:13

Forecasters say that rain is expected across Taiwan from Thursday through the
weekend as a low-pressure system affects the island.

Southern Taiwan and mountainous areas in the central and east could see
localized heavy or torrential rain.

Northern Taiwan may also experience heavy rain in some areas, particularly
during the afternoons, along with brief periods of intense rainfall.

Seasonal southwesterly winds are expected to strengthen from Friday through
Sunday, bringing more frequent showers and thunderstorms to central and
southern Taiwan.

The low-pressure system is expected to move away after Monday, although rain
could continue in central, southern and southeastern Taiwan.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-19 19:41:13

The first two of Taiwan's 66 newly purchased F-16V Block 70 fighter jets have
departed the United States and are expected to arrive in Taiwan soon.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the jets left on August 17 and
will make a maintenance stop and receive aerial refueling during their
trans-Pacific journey, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Taiwan paid almost $250 billion NT for the 66 aircraft under a program that
originally called for all of them to be delivered by the end of this year.

The delivery schedule has been delayed by production and supply chain issues,
but Lockheed Martin has increased production to accelerate the program.

Posted on 2026-08-19 19:41:13

Taoyuan City signed a major contract today for the Taoyuan Metro Brown Line's
electromechanical systems, targeting full completion in 2032.

The project was awarded to a joint consortium from Singapore and South Korea,
featuring 15 automated train sets and GoA4 fully driverless technology.

Mayor Chang San-cheng says the Brown Line will serve as a vital regional
link, connecting Taoyuan Railway Station, Taoyuan Metro Green Line, Taipei
Metro Xinzhuang Line, and the Tucheng-Shulin Line.

He says preliminary site work is already underway, with the completed line
expected to trim travel times between Taoyuan and New Taipei to 18 minutes.

City officials also launched a procurement ethics platform to maintain public
transparency and mitigate financial risks during construction.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-19 19:41:13

The Alishan Forest Railway is launching special stargazing train tours ...
taking passengers deep into the mountains for a night under the stars.

There will be a two-day tour on September 13th and 14th ... as well as a
one-day trip on September 13th.

Members of the Chiayi City Astronomy Association will accompany passengers on
the century-old railway to Zhushan Station, before heading to the Xiaoliyuan
viewing platform.

At nearly 2,500 meters above sea level, the platform offers 360-degree views
and extremely low light pollution for stargazing.

Each tour is limited to 40 people.

Online booking opens at 10 AM on August 28th ... with tickets available
online only and not at station counters.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-19 19:41:13

The International Criminal Court has condemned new U-S sanctions against two
of its senior officials as a "flagrant attack" on the court's independence.

The U-S State Department announced sanctions Tuesday against ICC President
Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, freezing their assets
under U-S jurisdiction.

The Trump administration accuses the ICC of exceeding its authority by
investigating officials from countries that are not members of the court,
including the United States and Israel.

Human Rights Watch condemned the sanctions, saying they are aimed at
shielding officials from accountability.

Japan has also criticized the move and reaffirmed its support for the ICC and
its efforts to uphold international law.

Posted on 2026-08-19 19:41:13

Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies are investigating senior officials in
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, adding to political pressure on the
wartime government.

The investigation involves an alleged criminal organization led by a sitting
lawmaker and a former lawmaker.

The development comes a day after recently dismissed Defense Minister
Mykhailo Fedorov called for national elections despite the ongoing war with
Russia.

Fedorov has also criticized corruption and challenged Zelenskyy's position on
keeping martial law in place, which prevents elections from being held.

The political tensions follow a recent reshuffle of Zelenskyy's wartime
leadership that sparked protests, even as Ukraine reports military successes
against Russian forces.

Posted on 2026-08-19 18:15:13

Tropical Storm Saudel has formed in the western Pacific, but its potential
impact on Taiwan remains unclear.

The Central Weather Administration says the storm developed from a tropical
depression southeast of Guam this afternoon, becoming the 18th named storm of
the typhoon season.

Saudel was located about 1,500 kilometers southeast of Taiwan mid-afternoon,
and was moving north at around 32 kilometers per hour.

The storm is currently forecast to move toward waters south of Japan's Ryukyu
Islands.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-19 18:15:13

An industry group says Taiwan is not facing an egg shortage despite tighter
supplies ...

... as some retailers adjust sales in response to reduced production.

Costco Taiwan is testing smaller 20-egg packs instead of the usual 30 at its
Zhonghe and Xizhi stores, saying the move will allow more members to buy
eggs.

The Taiwan Egg Processing Association says supplies have been affected by
high temperatures, an earlier bird flu outbreak and the seasonal culling of
older laying hens.

The group says the situation is currently more pronounced in northern Taiwan,
but supplies could gradually return to normal from September.

Other major retailers, including PX Mart and Prosperity Plaza, formally known
as Carrefour, say they are continuing to work with suppliers to maintain
stable stocks.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-19 18:15:13

Kaohsiung Metro has apologized after six passengers were trapped in an
elevator at Kaohsiung Main Station for nearly 90 minutes last night.

The elevator malfunctioned while traveling between two basement levels,
triggering a safety mechanism that locked it in place.

Station staff opened the doors for ventilation and provided the passengers
with water while waiting for help.

At around 10 PM, a contractor entered through a maintenance opening and used
a ladder to help all six passengers climb out safely.

No one was injured.

Kaohsiung Metro says the elevator will remain closed until the cause of the
malfunction is determined.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-19 15:09:13

A Taitung county councilor is raising concerns over a local government plan
to add another deputy magistrate position.

DPP Councilor Jian Wei Guo questioned the need to add a second deputy
magistrate and a deputy secretary-general, given that Taitung's population is
only 210000 people.

He called on the county government to carefully evaluate if the cost of
adding two high level positions was worth it to the Taitung taxpayer...

asking if the positions were truly necessary.

In particular, Jian called into question if the deputy secretary-general post
would actually decrease the efficiency of the county government, making it
more bureaucratic.

But county officials say, the additions are necessary, as Taitung county is
quite diverse, both geographically and in terms of population.

However, they noted that the exact division of labor has yet to be hammered
out

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-19 15:09:13

Premier Zhuo Rong Tai says, he hopes to work with the legislative speaker to,
in his words, "restore constitutional order."

In comments this morning, Zhuo said that he hopes to work with speaker Han
Kuo-yu to resolve the imbalance of constitutional powers and get back on
track.

That's after Han took to social media yesterday to criticize Zhuo for failing
to countersign an act passed by lawmakers last month.

But Zhuo fired back, asking if the legislature under Han had always adhered
to the constitution.

He added this morning that the refusal to countersign is a power granted to
the Executive Yuan by the Constitution.

In the Executive Yuan's view, the Special Act on Taiwan Future Accounts
passed by the legislature violates principles of separation of powers and tax
laws.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-19 15:09:13

Taipei prosecutors have indicted a city employee on charges that he embezzled
310,000 NT in city funds.

The employee, surnamed Pan, was responsible for paying bills on behalf of the
city for water and electricity expenses...

when he was actually allegedly using it to buy gifts for his girlfriend or
for his own personal expenses.

Prosecutors say that the city had a safe in which to keep the cash that Pan
would need for paying those bills, which Pan opened thrice in June of last
year, embezzling a total of 150,000 NT.

After his superior discovered this, Pan repaid the money and the key to the
safe was given to an employee surnamed Yu...

but the superior failed to report the incident.

The following month, Pan allegedly approached Yu to get the key, again taking
162,000 NT in funds.

He ultimately turned himself in last year.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-19 15:09:13

Now turning to internaitonal news...

Ukrainian drones have targeted a major logistics center outside Moscow,
setting it ablaze.

The overnight attack on one of Russia's largest retail warehouses is part of
Ukraine's strategy to strike deep inside Russia, hitting military,
industrial, and logistical sites.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian 413th “Raid” Unmanned Systems Regiment launched
drones from a field in southern Ukraine.

The operation aims to pressure Russia into peace talks.

Kyiv has increased drone and missile attacks this year, impacting Russian air
defenses and morale.

The regiment commander believes these strikes highlight the war's cost to
ordinary Russians.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 15:09:13

In India, floods in Assam state have killed more than 100 people.

Government officials say the floods are the worst the climate-vulnerable
region has seen in six decades.

Millions of dollars have been spent to build river embankments and offer
flood relief... but floods are becoming more intense and frequent due to
climate change.

Disaster experts say adapting to worsening floods requires action against
deforestation upstream, establishing early warning systems, and investing in
studying the changing flood risk patterns.

Experts say the long-term impact of floods is worsening for those affected in
states like Assam as they are hit by another disaster before they have been
able to recover from the previous catastrophe.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 15:09:13

In Nigeria, the race for the country's top job has begun, as the electoral
commission formally opened the campaign season.

Nigeria will be holding the election amid worsening economic and security
crises that have caused anger among voters against President Bola Tinubu’s
government.

His massive economic reforms and their poor implementation have resulted in
the country's worst economic hardship in a generation.

But Tinubu is seeking reelection against 18 opposition candidates, including
two top contenders that he defeated in 2023.

Historically, the ruling party in Nigeria's presidential elections usually
has a higher chance of winning when the race features more than one prominent
opposition candidate.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 14:17:13

The Minister of Health and Welfare says, he has a "responsibility" to change
the system to prevent future food contamination incidents...

after Taichung prosecutors indicted 15 people yesterday in the Central Union
oil scandal.

In comments today, Shi Chong Liang thanked prosecutors for their speedy
investigation, and spoke in support of heavy sentences for those that
maliciously broke the law.

He made the statements after TPP Chair Huang Kuo-Chang questioned why no one
had taken "political responsibility" for the incident.

But Shi rebutted, saying that his "responsibility" is to right the wrongs in
the system...

not to worry about his personal job security.

Investigators found that Central Union had relaxed its standards on
heat-damaged soybeans, leading to excessive amounts of the carcinogen BaP in
its products.

Investigators say, they were aware of this issue, but instead of reporting
it, they continued to ship the oil downstream.

According to the MOHW, Taichung city conducted factory inspections and other
sampling, finding that products all complied with regulations.

FDA results this year confirmed compliance as well.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-19 14:17:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 44719
after losing 589 points.

The turnover was 847 billion NT

Posted on 2026-08-19 14:17:13

Now turning to international news,

Thousands of people in Indonesia are still displaced on Flores island, three
days after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed at least 70 people, injured
nearly 1,200 and damaged about 12,000 homes.

More than 40,000 survivors have been sheltering in tents and evacuation
centers.

Authorities have recorded over 2,100 aftershocks through yesterday, although
only 70 were felt by residents.

The quake has also damaged schools, health facilities, and places of worship.

Many are afraid to return home.

Police and aid workers have launched trauma-healing programs while emergency
teams distribute food, medical supplies, and shelter assistance to affected
communities.

Flores experienced one of the country’s deadliest disasters in 1992, when
another magnitude 7.7 earthquake and an ensuing tsunami killed about 2,500
people.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 14:17:18

South Korea says the South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten
their drills at the U.S.'s request.

South Korea’s military says in a statement today that the drills with the
U.S. would end on Friday, August 21, not August 27 as initially planned.

It says the allies have also agreed to downsize some joint field training
exercises.

U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered cuts to the drills just before they
began Monday.

Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim
Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 14:17:20

In Peru, archaeologists have unveiled skeletal remains found near an ancient
pyramid in Lima.

They believe the remains are of a man sacrificed in a ritual linked to a
ceremonial pool.

The excavation leader says the bones will help researchers understand the
rituals of the Lima culture, which thrived between the first and seventh
centuries.

The body was found inside a canal, positioned with the skull facing the
pyramid and the Pacific Ocean.

The pyramid was a key ceremonial center and is now a tourist site.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 13:08:14

The Interior Minister is calling for an investigation into the death of a
search and rescue dog that died last year...

after a firefighter made comments online raising questions about the
circumstances surrounding Wilson's death.

Minister Liu Shi Fang says today that her ministry has already sent a letter
to Hualien officials requesting an investigation into the matter in
accordance with the Animal Protection Act.

Liu says, she hopes that local officials can clarify the matter to the public
in a timely manner.

Wilson was a Jack-Russell terrior who became famous during search and rescue
operations after the April 2024 Hualien earthquake.

He reportedly died last year after falling from a training tower.

But a firefighter recently posted online saying that Wilson's cause of death
was "not simple," inciting controversy over the issue.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-19 13:08:14

The Central Weather Administration says, a tropical storm may form near Guam
later today...

but whether it will have any impact on Taiwan is currently unclear.

As of this morning, the tropical depression was located almost 3900
kilometers east-southeast of Taiwan's southernmost point...

moving northwest at 17 kilometers per hour.

The CWA says, the system is expected to head for Japan, but it may still
affect Taiwan's weather conditions too.

They say, they'll continue to monitor the system's path to determine its
impact on Taiwan.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-08-19 13:08:14

Now turning to international news...

Israel has struck an air base in northwest Syria, saying that it aimed to
prevent Turkish troops from deploying there.

The eight strikes that hit the runway of the air base caused damage but no
casualties.

Syria condemns the strikes as a violation of sovereignty.

Israel claims Syria was "on the verge of breaching" a security agreement by
allowing Turkish troop deployment.

Turkiye and other countries in the region have condemned the attack.

The U.S. expressed concern over the escalation, urging diplomacy.

Tensions between Israel and Turkiye have been rising since the fall of Bashar
Assad’s government.

Talks between Israel and Syria have yet to produce a security agreement.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 13:08:14

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is delaying the 50% U.S. tariffs on $20
billion worth of Canadian imports for three days after the two countries
reached a last-minute deal hours before the sanctions were to go into effect.

The agreement, which Trump announced late Tuesday on social media, buys time
for more negotiations and avoids, for now, another strain in already tense
relations between the historic allies.

Trump’s tariffs would have hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the U.S.
every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue
depressors.

The political impact would likely have been bigger than the economic one.

Canada threatened to retaliate against any new tariffs with levies of its
own, aggravating a trade fight between countries that sold each other $880
billion worth of goods and services last year.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-19 08:15:14

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted four companies and 15
individuals in connection with the recent contaminated cooking oil scandal
involving Central Union Oil Corporation.

Central Union, Taisun Enterprise, Fwusow Industry and Formosa Oilseed
Processing, along with officials from the four companies, have all been
charged with violating the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, forgery
and fraud.

According to the prosecutors' office, Central Union senior executives were
aware that certain shipments of soybeans imported from Brazil had higher
levels of heat damage, increasing the risk of a carcinogen forming during the
manufacturing process.

Prosecutors say they loosened the company's heat-damage control standard from
0.5 to 5-per cent without introducing corresponding measures such as
increased testing and monitoring in order to avoid immediately reporting the
issue.

Central Union finally reported the contamination on June 30 and a subsequent
investigations identified seven batches of soybean-based cooking oil produced
by the company that contained excessive levels of the carcinogen.

It affected more than 13,000 businesses across Taiwan.

Prosecutors office the four companies under indictment made illicit gains of
about 887-million N-T due to the sale of products containing the contaminated
cooking oil.

Posted on 2026-08-19 08:15:17

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a soldier for
allegedly providing confidential military electronic records to a
China-linked organization in exchange for money.

The 34-year-old has been charged with the violating the National Security Act
and the Anti-Corruption Act.

According to the prosecutors' office, the served as a sergeant with the
Military Police Dong'ao Ling Unit from October 2019, until leaving active
service in January of 2025, before re-enlisting as a sergeant with a reserve
brigade in Yilan County in June of 2025.

Prosecutors say the soldier was recruited by the organization after
encountering a Chinese national while seeking loans online to address
financial difficulties and received payments in exchange for providing
confidential military information.

To demonstrate his loyalty before joining, he allegedly recorded videos
expressing support for cross-strait unification, opposing Taiwan independence
and pledging not to resist in the event of a cross-strait conflict.

The Chinese national allegedly belonged to the "Wolong Society" - a group
established to recruit active-duty Taiwanese military personnel to gather
classified information.

Posted on 2026-08-19 08:15:17

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing concerns over a ban on
displaying the Republic of China flag last week at the 14th World Choir Games
in Sweden.

According to the ministry's Department of European Affairs, it has asked
Taiwan's representative offices in Sweden and Germany to look into the matter
and convey the Lai administration's position to the organizer, Interkultur.

Department head Eric Huang says Interkultur should have upheld the event's
inclusiveness and respected the rights of free expression and media freedom.

The call comes after a Swedish national was stopped by event staff on
Saturday after he unfurled an R-O-C flag while speaking with a C-N-A reporter
based in Sweden outside Helsingborg Concert Hall, where the World Choir Games
were held.

The staff also said the event follows the "Olympic Model," under which Taiwan
teams compete as "Chinese Taipei" and the ROC flag is not permitted at
venues.

Interkultur has issued a statement saying it has applied the same regulations
since 2000 and its events are based on the "Olympic idea."

Posted on 2026-08-19 08:15:18

The Food and Drug Administration says it has seized two shipments of fresh
melons imported from Japan after they tested positive for excessive pesticide
residue.

According to the F-D-A, a total of 332 kilograms of melons were ordered
returned or destroyed.

The F-D-A says the two shipments were both imported by Chuan Yong Fruit,
which has had three shipments fail inspection over the past six months.

That means all future melons imported by the New Taipei-based company will be
subject to 100-per cent batch-by-batch inspections.

However, the border inspection sampling rate for Japanese melons in general
will remain at between 20 and 50-per cent.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:13

The Ciaotou District Prosecutors' Office has detained the head of a
technology company on suspicion of using Chinese-made components in drones
supplied under a military procurement contract.

The company now faces possible charges of violating the National Security Act
and the Criminal Code.

The 8th Field Army says it discovered the possible use of Chinese components
during a contract review and acceptance inspection of the drones.

The drones were reportedly assembled using Chinese-packaged drone chips,
Chinese-made flight control boards and other components.

Prosecutors say product labels were falsified, as were certificates of
origin.

Authorities searched the two companies earlier this month and seized evidence
and questioned the suspects and witnesses.

Prosecutors say the case is the first involving alleged National Security Act
violations linked to a military drone procurement project.

The tech company was awarded a 2.95-million N-T tender by the Army last year
for a training drone procurement project.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

billion

Tai-Power is warning that fuel costs for electricity generation are likely to
rise by over 120-billion N-T this year due to tensions in the Middle East.

Tai-Power Vice President Tsai Chih-meng says the higher fuel costs have
increased the financial burden on the company.

He's urging the Lai administration to provide more support to the
state-generator to ease the financial pressure.

Tsai says if natural gas prices for the power sector remain at current
levels, Tai-Power's monthly fuel expenditure is expected to increase by
15-billion N-T from now through December - increasing total added fuel costs
for 2026 as a whole.

Tsai says the Cabinet is expected to propose a budget for subsidies, but the
final say will come from the Legislative Yuan.

The Tai-Power vice president also says the subsidies will help the company's
finances and maintain price stability for households and industry.

Tai-Power has said its fuel costs rise by 42-billion N-T in the first half of
this year, leading to a loss of 25.7-billion N-T in the six-month period and
an accumulated loss of 376.4-billion N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

The K-M-T is calling on President Lai Ching-te to double his planned 10,000
N-T cash handout next year.

The call to raise the cash handout to 20,000 N-T echoes a proposal made
earlier by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.

K-M-T Culture and Communications Committee Director Chen I-hsin says Lai's
announcement about the cash handout showed that the government has the fiscal
capacity to share the benefits of economic growth with the public ...

... and if Lai want to use next year's general government budget to share
what he's calling an "AI dividend" with the public, then the government could
increase the total payout to 20,000 N-T per person as early as January.

Those statements come after the Taipei mayor criticized the 10,000 N-T
handout, saying it would be gone after "just buying groceries" and that
people would be better off with 20,000 N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

The Centers for Disease Control is set to expand eligibility for
government-funded flu antiviral medications from August 24 through September
30.

The extended timeframe is due to a gradual rise in flu activity.

Expanded coverage will include health care personnel involved in disease
prevention, residents and staff at nursing and long-term care facilities, and
other designated groups.

The C-D-C says data shows more than 95 thousand people sought outpatient or
emergency treatment for flu-like illness from August 9 through 15 and that
was up by 1.2-per cent from the previous week.

The C-D-C is also reporting 80 new severe flu cases and 17 deaths from August
11 through 17.

Type A flu viruses currently account for 89-per cent of all current cases.

Government-funded antiviral flu medications are available at about 4,000
contracted medical facilities nationwide.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

The Ministry of Agriculture says a new "Taiwan Peanut" label and elemental
analysis may help local peanut farmers compete against imports.

The move comes amid concerns over the planned tariff-free import of U-S
peanuts under the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

Locally grown peanuts currently account for around 75-per cent of Taiwan's
domestic market,

Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih says locally grown peanuts have a
distinctive flavor and the "Taiwan Peanut" label will allow consumers to
easily identify 100-per cent locally grown products simply by looking at the
packaging.

Chen says the label will initially apply mainly to products in which the
origin of the peanuts can be directly identified, such as shelled peanuts and
peanut candy.

The agriculture minister says more heavily processed peanut products will be
considered in a second phase.

The Ministry of Agriculture has said it plans to submit the necessary
documents to have its peanut testing methods publicly recognized by the Food
and Drug Administration by the end of the year.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the appointment of Wang
Liang-yu, , has been named Taiwan's new top envoy to Australia.

Wang is currently in charge of U-S and Canadian affairs

Her appointment was approved by the Cabinet earlier this week.

Wang has served as head of the foreign ministry's Department of North
American Affairs since August 2023.

Before taking up that post, she was Taiwan's deputy representative to the
United States from 2021 to 2023 and chief of Taiwan's representative office
in Geneva from 2018 to 2021.

Wang will take up the post in Canberra, which has been vacant since last
month following the departure of her predecessor, Douglas Hsu.

Hsu is now serving at the foreign ministry's Institute of Diplomacy and
International Affairs.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

And,

The Ministry of Culture has announced that "A Foggy Tale" will represent
Taiwan in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy
Awards.

The movie was directed by Chen Yu-hsun.

It's set during the White Terror ere and follows a girl who travels to
northern Taiwan to retrieve the body of her executed brother.

The selection committee says it chose the film for its vivid characters,
compelling storytelling and portrayal of the lives of everyday people during
one of Taiwan's darkest chapters.

The movie was released last November here in Taiwan and had grossed more than
1.19-billion N-T as of July year and attracted more than 4.4-million
moviegoers.

The film won Best Narrative Feature, Best Original Screenplay, Best Makeup
and Costume Design and Best Art Direction at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards.

The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan
transferred from prison to a hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment.

Its the first time in the court has intervened directly in Khan's case, over
the jailed leader's health.

This comes after a medical report submitted to the court raised concerns
about Khan's blood pressure, mental health and other conditions he has
developed in detention.

Khan has been behind bars for more than three years, serving sentences
totalling more than thirty years on corruption and other charges.

Rights groups including Amnesty International have condemned what they call
the systematic denial of his right to a fair trial and adequate medical care.

Posted on 2026-08-19 07:02:17

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has added the head
of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as well as one of its senior
lawyers to a list of sanctioned individuals.

The list includes ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer
Abdoulaye Seye in what it claims is the Trump Administration's "unwavering
mission to protect Americans from this sham of a court"

Akane is a Japanese judge, has served as the ICC’s president since her
election in March 2024, while Seye, who hails from Senegal, works as a senior
trial lawyer at the court.

The US has sanctioned more than a dozen judges and prosecutors from the ICC,
triggering a response from financial institutions that cuts them off from
much of the international banking system.

The ICC itself has denounced the Trump administration’s efforts as a means of
eroding the rule of law.

Posted on 2026-08-18 19:08:14

The head of a Taiwanese technology company has been detained over allegations
that his firm used Chinese-made components in drones supplied to Taiwan's
military.

The Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office says the company won a $2.95 million
NT contract last year to supply training drones to the Army's 8th Field Army.

Investigators allege the company's head and a technical supervisor used
Chinese drone chips and flight-control boards, despite contract rules banning
components from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

They are also accused of concealing product labels and submitting false
certificates of origin to mislead military inspectors.

The military says it has withheld payment, will seek to terminate the
contract and plans to bar the company from future government tenders.

Prosecutors say it is the first case involving alleged National Security Act
violations in a military drone procurement project.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-18 19:08:14

The Defense Ministry says 13 Chinese military aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line and entered areas north, central and southwest of the
island this morning.

The ministry says it detected 18 Chinese aircraft operating near Taiwan from
8:55 a.m., including J-10, J-11 and J-16 fighter jets and KJ-500 early
warning aircraft.

Thirteen crossed the median line or its extensions.

The aircraft operated alongside Chinese naval vessels in what Beijing calls a
"joint combat readiness patrol".

The MND says Taiwan's forces closely monitored the activity and deployed
aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems in response.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 19:08:14

Detroit Tigers infielder Lee Hao-yu (李灝宇) has set a new record for the most
hits by a Taiwanese player in a single Major League Baseball season.

Lee collected three hits in Detroit's 8-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates,
raising his season total to 57.

That breaks the previous record of 54 hits set by Yu Chang with Cleveland in
2021.

Lee reached the mark in his 80th game, faster than Chang, who needed 89 games.

The 23-year-old finished 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs, reaching base
in all five plate appearances.

His batting average rose to .275.

Lee also has six home runs this season, three short of Chang's Taiwanese
single-season MLB record of nine.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 19:08:14

A grenade attack near a school in Afghanistan's capital Kabul has reportedly
injured multiple children.

Kabul police say the explosion occurred Monday afternoon local time in a
neighborhood largely inhabited by members of the Hazara ethnic minority.

The Hazaras, who are predominantly Shiite Muslims, have faced decades of
discrimination and attacks in Afghanistan.

Authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the attack or
provided further details about the victims.

Posted on 2026-08-18 19:08:14

Israeli airstrikes have damaged an airbase in northwest Syria, with no
casualties reported.

According to Syrian state television, the strikes hit the runway at Abu Duhur
airbase in Idlib province early Tuesday.

Israel's military has not commented on the reported attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says foreign fighters previously used
the base, while Turkey has been working to rehabilitate the facility.

Tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria have risen since the fall of
Bashar Assad's government in December 2024.

Posted on 2026-08-18 18:51:13

The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted four companies and 15
individuals over the Central Union Oil food safety scandal.

Prosecutors say Central Union supplied soybean oil containing excessive
levels of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene to Fwusow Industry, Formosa Oilseed
Processing and Taisun Enterprise.

They allege Central Union failed to promptly report and recall the affected
oil, while the three downstream companies also failed to take timely action
after learning of the problem.

The defendants face charges under the Food Safety and Sanitation Act and
other laws.

Prosecutors are also seeking to confiscate nearly 887 million NT in alleged
illegal proceeds.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-18 18:51:13

TaiPower estimates higher natural gas prices will add more than 120 billion
NT to its fuel costs this year, adding to its financial pressure.

The state-run utility says if current gas prices remain unchanged through the
end of the year, its monthly fuel spending could increase by around 15
billion NT.

TaiPower says fuel costs rose by more than 42 billion NT in the first half of
the year, after natural gas prices were raised amid the conflict in the
Middle East ...

.... while posting a loss of 25.7 billion NT over the same period.

That brought its accumulated losses to more than 376 billion NT.

The company says additional government funding would help ease its financial
burden and limit pressure on electricity prices.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-18 18:51:14

Delivery worker groups and digital-security advocates have protested outside
the Fair Trade Commission ...

... against Grab's proposed acquisition of Foodpanda's Taiwan operations.

They say the deal could reduce competition in the food delivery market and
raise concerns over data security and digital sovereignty.

The groups are calling on the F-T-C to reject the acquisition and hold a
public hearing.

The F-T-C said it will review the deal objectively and has no predetermined
position.

The comission had extended its review by 60 working days, with a new deadline
of October 27th.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-18 18:51:14

In international news,

Ukraine has launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia since the
invasion began, firing nearly 800 drones overnight.

The attack came just two days after another major Ukrainian drone assault.

Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike on a village in Ukraine's Kharkiv region
killed at least 10 people and wounded eight others.

The latest attacks underscore the escalating use of long-range strikes by
both sides as Ukraine seeks to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into
peace talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the Russian strike a "brutal
attack" on civilians, while analysts say Putin shows no sign of ending the
invasion.

Posted on 2026-08-18 18:51:14

Thousands of people remain displaced on Indonesia's Flores Island ..

... three days after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed at least 68 people and
injured 213.

More than 19,000 survivors are sheltering in tents and evacuation centers
after the quake damaged more than 4,500 homes, as well as schools, health
facilities and places of worship.

Authorities have recorded more than 2,100 aftershocks, adding to fears among
residents.

Many children remain traumatized and are afraid to return home.

Police and aid workers are providing trauma support, while emergency teams
distribute food, medical supplies and shelter assistance.

Posted on 2026-08-18 18:51:14

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says a strong alliance with the United
States remains a key foundation of the country's national security.

His comments come as South Koreans express concern over U-S President Donald
Trump's order to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South
Korea.

Trump made the announcement shortly before the annual U-S-South Korea drills
began Monday, saying he had a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim
Jong Un.

Trump also cited South Korea's refusal to join the U-S war against Iran.

Lee says maintaining a strong alliance with Washington is essential to South
Korea's security.

Posted on 2026-08-18 16:23:13

Taiwan's government has strongly condemned Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim over comments it says undermine Taiwan's sovereignty.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Anwar portrayed Taiwan as a separatist
province of China and justified Beijing's possible use of force against the
island during a recent media interview.

MOFA says such remarks threaten regional peace and could seriously damage
political trust between Taiwan and Malaysia.

It reiterated that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other.

The ministry also warned Anwar's comments could affect Taiwanese businesses'
confidence in investing in Malaysia, despite close economic and trade ties
between the two sides.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 16:23:13

The Taipei City Government says it does not have the financial capacity to
give residents a 20-thousand N.T.-dollar cash payment.

The proposal came from DPP City Councilor Hung Chien-yi (洪健益) after Mayor
Chiang Wan-an said the central government's planned 10-thousand N.T.
universal payment should be doubled.

Hung argued Taipei has enough accumulated budget surpluses to fund its own
payment without borrowing.

But the city's Finance Department says those surpluses are needed to cover
future spending and debt repayments.

It says Taipei's financial situation is different from that of the central
government and does not support a universal cash handout.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 16:23:13

As the countdown to this year’s Citizens Sports Games kicks off… the Taoyuan
City government today released the official theme cheer song ahead of the
event in October.

The song "挑戰巔峰," which translates to "Challenge the Peak," is performed by
singer-songwriter GBOYSWAG and Rakuten Monkeys cheer captain Lan Lan (籃籃).

Its music video also brings together cheerleaders from four Taoyuan
professional sports teams for the first time, including the Rakuten Girls,
Pilots Crew, Peach Girls and Leopard Girls.

The city government says the song highlights athletes' determination to
overcome challenges and push beyond their limits.

The 2026 Citizens Sports Games in Taoyuan will run from October 17th through
the 22nd at 43 venues.

The event will feature 32 sports and is expected to attract more than
13-thousand athletes, team officials and spectators.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 16:23:13

Russia is warning Britain of unspecified consequences over its supply of
drones to Ukraine.

The Russian embassy in London issued the warning after The Times reported
that British-made drones had been used for long-range strikes inside Russia
for the first time.

Britain's Ministry of Defence has not confirmed whether British drones were
used in those attacks.

The U.K. announced in June that it would provide Ukraine with 150-thousand
drones by the end of this year as part of a nearly 1-billion U.S.-dollar
support package.

A British defense ministry spokesperson says the country remains committed to
providing Ukraine with equipment to defend itself against Russia's invasion.

Moscow has repeatedly warned Western countries that military support for Kyiv
risks a broader confrontation.

Posted on 2026-08-18 16:23:13

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit South Korea from August 19th to
the 20th, in his first official trip to the country in five years.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to meet Wang at the Blue
House on Thursday to discuss bilateral ties and regional affairs.

Wang will also hold talks with South Korea's national security adviser and
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

Officials say discussions are expected to cover developments on the Korean
Peninsula and preparations for future high-level exchanges.

The visit comes ahead of the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November and as Seoul
and Beijing work to improve relations.

Posted on 2026-08-18 16:23:13

U.S. President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has
responded to his efforts to restart direct diplomacy.

Trump gave no details, and neither the White House nor North Korea
immediately commented.

The statement came a day after Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially
reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, calling the drills costly
and saying North Korea had been "unthreatening and respectful" during his
presidency.

Trump and Kim held summits in 2018 and 2019, but talks later collapsed over
Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

Analysts say another meeting remains possible, although North Korea is now in
a stronger position after deepening ties with Russia and maintaining close
relations with China.

Posted on 2026-08-18 14:41:13

The Filming Taipei Screenplay Competition has announced 16 finalists from a
record 267 submissions this year.

The entries cover genres ranging from science fiction and crime to comedy,
musicals and action-adventure, with many drawing on Taipei's landscapes,
history and city life.

Actor and jury member Wu Ke-xi (吳可熙) is encouraging aspiring screenwriters to
draw inspiration from their own experiences.

Wu says writers should "live wildly," meet different people and experience as
much as possible, because those moments can later become material for
stories.

Producer Tsou Chieh-chung (鄒介中) says international audiences are increasingly
interested in stories with strong local character, and writers should focus
on naturally incorporating Taiwan's culture and everyday life rather than
trying to cater specifically to overseas markets.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 14:41:13

Actor Will Or will host this year's Golden Horse Awards ceremony, after
competing for Best Leading Actor at the awards last year.

The Golden Horse Executive Committee says Or will host the 63rd edition of
the awards on his own.

Pink Yang and Huang Di-yang (黃迪揚) will co-host the red carpet, with Yang
returning for her 17th year covering the event.

Or says this will be his most nerve-racking Golden Horse appearance yet,
despite having attended the awards several times as a nominee.

The 63rd Golden Horse Awards will be held at the Taipei Music Center on
November 22nd.

The red carpet begins at 5 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 6:30.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 14:41:13

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is calling for stronger independent
defense capabilities while stressing that military exercises are not aimed at
North Korea.

Lee says Seoul should move ahead with plans to take wartime operational
control of its forces from the United States during his term.

He says a stronger U.S.-South Korea alliance and greater self-defense
capabilities reinforce each other.

Lee also called for faster development of South Korea's nuclear-powered
submarine program.

His comments come after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a substantial
reduction in joint military exercises.

Lee says accompanying civil-defense drills are defensive and intended to
protect South Korean civilians, not threaten North Korea or increase tensions
on the peninsula.

Posted on 2026-08-18 14:41:13

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner has ended two days of talks with Israeli and Hamas
leaders without a breakthrough on President Donald Trump's plan to end the
Gaza war.

Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for nearly four hours
after talks with Hamas political leader Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt.

The two sides remain divided over the order of Hamas disarmament and an
Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Netanyahu says Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms,
while Hamas says Israel must first halt attacks and pull back its troops.

Kushner says progress could still be possible within weeks.

Israel and the U.S. also agreed to form working groups on disarmament and
public health conditions in Gaza.

Posted on 2026-08-18 14:41:13

Europe's increasingly extreme weather is putting growing pressure on
government budgets, as much of the damage remains uninsured.

The European Environment Agency estimates weather and climate disasters
caused 822-billion euros in economic losses across the European Union between
1980 and 2024.

A quarter of that damage occurred in just the last four years.

Only about 25-percent of climate-related catastrophe losses are insured
across the EU, leaving governments to cover much of the cost of rebuilding
after floods, wildfires and other disasters.

Analysts warn repeated climate events could increasingly compete with
defense, pensions and other public spending.

The EU is expected to unveil new proposals on climate resilience and
disaster-risk management later this year.

Posted on 2026-08-18 12:44:13

The Taiwan High Court has held its first hearing in prosecutors' appeal
against the acquittal of entertainer NONO on sexual assault and forcible
indecency charges.

The hearing lasted about 15 minutes.

NONO, whose real name is Chen Hsuan-yu (陳宣裕), was accused of sexually
assaulting one woman between 2011 and 2013 and forcibly molesting another
woman in 2011.

The Shilin District Court acquitted him in May, ruling there was insufficient
evidence.

Prosecutors appealed, arguing the lower court's factual findings conflicted
with the evidence and that its reasoning was incomplete.

NONO did not respond to reporters' questions after today's hearing, including
whether he was confident the acquittal would be upheld.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 12:44:13

More than 300 kilograms of Japanese food products have been stopped at
Taiwan's border after failing food-safety inspections.

The Food and Drug Administration says two batches of Japanese melons,
totaling 332 kilograms, contained residues of a pesticide that is not
permitted on melons in Taiwan.

A separate three-kilogram shipment of Japanese mozuku seaweed was found to
contain inorganic arsenic at more than four times the legal limit.

All of the affected products will be returned or destroyed and did not enter
the local market.

The FDA says it is also increasing inspection rates for the importers
involved and for certain Japanese melon and seaweed shipments through
September 17th.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-18 12:44:13

Iran is threatening to shift to a "fully offensive" military posture after
talks with the United States failed to produce a permanent peace deal.

A senior Iranian official told reporters that Tehran could escalate in the
Strait of Hormuz and launch military action to break a U.S. naval blockade if
diplomacy fails.

A temporary agreement signed in June gave both sides 60 days to reach a
broader deal on Iran's nuclear program and U.S. sanctions.

That deadline has now expired, and U.S. President Donald Trump says
Washington will not extend the agreement.

However, reports suggest the Trump administration has opened back-channel
contacts with Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed
up global oil and U.S. gasoline prices.

Posted on 2026-08-18 12:44:13

Two students have died in a school shooting in the southern Philippines,
including the student identified by police as the gunman.

Police say a Grade 9 student brought a pistol and rifle onto the campus of
Ateneo de Zamboanga University and opened fire inside a classroom.

A male Grade 10 student was killed before the gunman died by suicide.

University officials say there are no additional fatalities or reported
injuries, and the situation is now under control.

The attack is the Philippines' second deadly school shooting in less than two
months.

In June, three students were killed and about 20 others injured in a shooting
at a public high school in Tacloban City.

Posted on 2026-08-18 12:44:13

Colombia's president says economic losses from last week's powerful
earthquake could reach nearly 9.6-billion U.S. dollars.

President Abelardo De La Espriella says preliminary estimates include about
7.8-billion dollars in damage to buildings and another 1.8-billion dollars in
infrastructure losses.

He says the figures are expected to change as authorities continue assessing
damage across affected areas.

The magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, including the major
cities of Cali and Pereira.

At least 280 people were killed, more than 4-thousand injured and another 143
remain missing.

De La Espriella took office only days before the disaster and is now
overseeing relief and reconstruction efforts.

Posted on 2026-08-18 08:07:13

Taiwan and New Zealand have agreed on six areas for closer cooperation over
the next three years.

The agreement was reached during a joint committee meeting to review the
implementation results of the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu on Economic
Cooperation.

That agreement has been in effect since December 2013.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, delegates at the 13th ANZTEC
Joint Committee meeting discussed the results of the implementation of
previous provisions such as food safety inspections and plant quarantine,
e-commerce and intellectual property.

The ministry says members of Taiwan delegation voiced their hopes that
reviews concerning the agreement's growth will continue.

They stressed that current priorities include small and medium-sized
businesses, trade, and Indigenous cooperation.

Posted on 2026-08-18 08:07:17

The Civil Aviation Administration has confirmed that it is reviewing an
application from Uni Air to suspend its regular Taipei to Hualien route.

The Uni Air application was submitted in June and mirrors a formal request
made by Mandarin Airlines that same month to suspend its Kaohsiung to Hualien
and Taichung to Hualien routes.

The three Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines routes are the only three regularly
scheduled inbound and outbound flights currently handled by Hualien Airport.

The airport does not offer services to any international destinations except
through occasional charter flights.

According to Uni Air, most people traveling between northern Taiwan and
Hualien rely on ground transportation, resulting in limited demand for air
travel.

The Civil Aviation Administration says the Taipei to Hualien route is
currently operated only by Uni Air and had an average load factor of 24.2-per
cent from January to June of this year.

While the Mandarin Airlines' Taichung to Hualien and Kaohsiung to Hualien
routes had load factors of 57.5-per cent and 42-per cent, respectively.

Under the Civil Aviation Act, airlines must file applications with and obtain
approval from the C double A before making adjustments to any domestic
routes.

Posted on 2026-08-18 08:07:19

And finally,

The Taipei Dome will host the opening and second rounds of the 2027 W-B-S-C
Premier 12 in November.

Organizers say Group A of the opening round will be played from November 8 to
12, followed by the second round from November 13 to 15.

The four-team Super Round will be held in Japan.

The announcements came as the organizers unveiled a new 16-team format for
the tournament.

Taiwan secured its place in the Premier 12 by finishing second in the W-B-S-C
men's baseball world rankings at the end of 2025 and will play in Group A at
home.

The other three teams in Group A and the hosts of Groups B, C and D will be
announced at a later date.

The 12 automatic qualifiers are Japan, Taiwan, the United States, South
Korea, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Netherlands, Cuba,
Australia and the Dominican Republic.

Spain, Colombia, Italy and Germany will contest the qualifier in Barcelona on
October, while China, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Nicaragua will
play their qualifying games in China in November.

The top two teams from each qualifier will advance to the 2027 Premier12.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

President Lai Ching-te says a proposed 2027 central government budget will
include 235.7-billion N-T to fund a universal 10,000 N-T cash handout.

Lai says the projected central government revenue for 2027 has been raised to
3.9266-trillion N-T... and that increase will allow the cash handout to be
included while maintaining a balanced budget, which also includes
"effectively no new borrowing."

The president says the decision was spurred by strong economic growth fueled
by booming AI-related industries... and says his administration wants the
'A-I dividend to be shared by all.

Individuals and families will be free to decide how to use the money, citing
uses such as education, elder care, household expenses or spending that
supports local businesses.

The Presidential Office has not provided any details concerning eligibility,
the distribution method or when the cash handout will be paid.

The announcement came after the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and
Statistics raised its forecast for Taiwan's 2026 economic growth to 11.05-per
cent from 9.64-per cent last Friday.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

Lai's announcement triggered accusations from the K-M-T that the president
was applying a "double standard" after he announced plans to distribute
10,000 N-T in a cash handout to eligible recipients next year.

K-M-T Culture and Communications Committee Director Chen I-hsin says his
party had already proposed a 10,000 N-T cash payment in May, and a bill
containing the provision had already cleared its first reading in the
Legislative Yuan.

Chen further criticized the president for announcing the cash handout so
close to November local elections.

Chen says when the K-M-T proposed the 10,000 N-T cash handout in May, the
Cabinet had emphasized "fiscal discipline" -- saying budget funds should be
prioritized for national defense, major infrastructure projects and debt
repayment.

A similar accusation was levied at the Executive branch by the KMT's
legislative caucus.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

Premier Zhu Rong-tai has refused to countersign the Special Act on Taiwan
Future Accounts, which was passed in July.

The cabinet claims the refusal is triggered by what it claims are "violations
of constitutional principles."

Its also being fuelled by concerns that it could allow wealthier families to
accumulate larger amounts and ultimately widen the wealth gap.

Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says the government will instead continue
implementing the family support measures it approved in May.

This marks the sixth time since December of last year that the Premier has
refused to countersign legislation...

The K-M-T says Cho's decision not to countersign legislation is further
evidence of the contempt the Lai administration has for the Legislature and
the legislative majority.

The Act requires government to deposit 60,000 N-T annually into a Growth
Allowance Account for eligible children under the age 8.

Children aged 7 to 17 would receive 30,000 N-T annually in the Growth
Allowance Account and another 30,000 N-T in a Future Account.

The accounts would also accept "corporate sponsorship funds."

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

The government says excess savings are expected to reach a record 11-trillion
N-T in 2027, as the current AI boom boosts exports and current account
surplus.

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says the excess
savings rate is forecast to rise to a new high of about 29 and a half per
cent next year.

That's up from an estimated 25.13-per cent in 2026.

Taiwan's excess savings hovered around 3-trillion N-T from 2020 to 2023, but
strong global demand for A-I applications beginning in 2024 boosted exports,
paving the way for a rise in the current account surplus and an increase in
excess savings.

The current account primarily measures a country's exports and imports of
goods and services.

Taiwan's excess savings topped 4-trillion N-T for the first time in 2024 and
rose further to 5.6-trillion N-T in 2025.

The government says excess savings are expected to surpass 8-trillion N-T
this year to reaching 8.4-trillion N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

The Investigation Bureau has confirmed that a visiting German scholar
researching China's intelligence services was followed by a Chinese woman in
May of 2025 while vacationing in Alishan.

Jurgen Kremb is now a visiting scholar at Soochow University... he was a
correspondent in Beijing for Der Spiegel in the 1990s.

The Investigation Bureau saying it launched an investigation after Kremb
reported the incident.

The bureau also says the case shows that China has begun engaging in
transnational repression, targeting not only Chinese and Taiwanese people but
also individuals who oppose totalitarianism and advocate democracy, freedom
and human rights.

But the bureau is refusing to disclose any other details related to the case
- citing confidentiality.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

The Tainan City Government says its new underground main railway station will
be unveiled next month.

The statements come after Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che inspected the station's
concourse and platforms.

During his inspection, Huang thanked the the Railway Bureau, the Taiwan
Railway Corporation and local residents for their support for the project

Work on the 8.23-kilometer-long, 33.67 billion N-T underground station
project began in September of 2009.

The underground section of track runs from south of Daqiao Station in
Yongkang District, through Tainan Main Station, and remerges near
Dalin Road rail crossing.

Two new stations, Linsen Station and South Tainan Station, are scheduled to
open in the coming years.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

Inventions Festival

And,

Taiwan inventors won big at this year's Silicon Valley International
Inventions Festival in California.

They took the event's top prize, 24 gold medals and other special awards.

The event featured entries from more than 30 countries.

Taiwan students who jointly designed "AllerDetect GO" won the top prize in
the Youth Talent Competition category.

The "AllerDetect GO" app is an active health protection system designed for
children, older adults and people prone to allergies, that helps users
identify potential allergen risks earlier and reduces accidental exposure.

The second prize went to a team from the Affiliated Senior High School of
National Taiwan Normal University.

In the general inventors category, Baichao Greenergy Tech won the special
award from the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The gold medal count was the highest for Taiwan since it first participated
in the Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival in 2018.

The festival was held in the Santa Clara Convention Center in California from
Friday to Sunday.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

South Korea has expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S.
and North Korea to ease animosities on the Korean Peninsula.

The South Korean announcement came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump
said he ordered annual U.S. military exercises with South Korea to be scaled
back.

He cites his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning as scheduled.

It was not known which parts of the training were being downsized.

Posted on 2026-08-18 06:55:14

Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak has now killed over 2,300 people.

That toll released overnight makes it the deadliest outbreak of the disease
ever recorded in the Central African nation.

The outbreak has recorded 4,945 cases including 2,325 deaths.

It is unfolding in one of Congo’s most vulnerable regions, and the virus
causing it has no approved vaccines or treatments.

The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak now spreading
across six provinces in the conflict-battered region is on track to surpass
the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa.

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