ICRT

Posted on 2026-08-15 16:07:14

SEMICON Taiwan's CEO Summit will be expanded into a full-day event for the
first time on Sept. 2, with discussions covering the technologies needed to
deploy AI at scale.

SEMICON's organizer said the expanded event will bring together executives
from major global technology companies and five key segments of Taiwan's
electronics supply chain.

Google Senior Vice President and Chief Technologist for AI and Infrastructure
Amin Vahdat will deliver the opening keynote, marking his first public
keynote address in Asia.

The association said an afternoon session will shift the focus to the
technologies supporting hyperscale AI development.

Guests at SEMICON will include executives from Microsoft, Micron, Broadcom,
Infineon, Meta and Nvidia.

An evening fireside chat will be co-hosted by executives from ASE and TSMC,
with panelists from MediaTek, Foxconn and Unimicron Technology Corp.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 16:07:14

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia just before 6am
local time today, damaging buildings and killing at least 20 people.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of eastern Indonesia,
prompting residents to flee coastal areas ... but the alert was later lifted
after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Strong shaking caused panic across Flores Island, with witnesses reporting
collapsed buildings.

AP_JvW

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

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council says passage yesterday of
legislation to fund development of the country's unmanned vehicle industry is
going to provide a significant boost to the frontier sector.

TAITRA Chairman Huang Chih-fang (黃志芳) said today that Taiwan's drone industry
already has a strong foundation thanks to the country's advantages in a range
of ICT and related areas, but what's been lacking so far is domestic demand.

He said government development and procurement programs will help to
accelerate drone development, adding that TAITRA will prioritize drones in
its overseas promotional activities.

CNA_JvW

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

3 Sundays

Traffic restrictions will be imposed around Tamsui's Fisherman's Wharf and
the Danjiang Bridge during fireworks displays on the next three Sundays.

The New Taipei Transportation Department said restrictions will be in effect
from 4-10pm on Aug. 16, 23 and 30 to ensure safety during the 8pm fireworks.

Roads around the wharf as well as the pedestrian walkway extending from the
seaward side of the Danjiang Bridge to the waterfront will become
pedestrian-only zones during the restricted period.

The department says visitors driving to the wharf will only be allowed to
enter through the waterfront's second entrance, and vehicle access will be
halted once the parking lot reaches capacity.

Bicycles are included in the traffic ban, hence rental of YouBikes at
stations in the area is also suspended from 3 to 10pm for the next few
Sundays.

CNA_JvW

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

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi prayed at the Yasukuni shrine
early today, angering neighboring countries.

Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine, which commemorates soldiers who
died in the country's service -- including World War II criminals.

Shrine visitors have been criticized by China and South Korea. They see it as
showing Japan's lack of remorse over its wartime atrocities.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stayed away from the controversial
shrine as the country marks the 81st anniversary of its World War II
surrender.

Nevertheless, she didn't mention her country's wartime past in Asia or
remorse over it in an address today.

As many as 30,000 Taiwanese have been enshrined at Yasukuni. In 2007, former
president Lee Teng-hui made a pilgrimage to pay respects to his brother, who
died while fighting for the Japanese during World War II.

He too was criticized, but he defended his visit as being personal.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

Authorities say a woman injured in a hornet attack in Kenting National Park
was taken to a hospital early today, while the search continues for two men
who were also attacked.

Pingtung County's Bureau of Fire and Emergency Services said two men got
separated from the woman following the hornet attack.

All three are mountain guides who were scouting the area ahead of an event.

The bureau said it received a call from the woman around 9am yesterday.

The rugged terrain and thunderstorms hampered her evacuation and the search
for her companions.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

The government says it's optimistic about expanding Taiwan's share of the US
unmanned aerial vehicle market.

This comes after Washington imposed new tariffs on Thursday.

The Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations said Taiwanese companies
are well positioned to benefit from shifting supply chains and increase their
presence in the US market.

Under the latest US policy, some larger drones suitable for military use will
be subject to up to a 100 percent tariff, while smaller models will be
subject to a 25 percent tariff.

Imports from Taiwan and some other countries will be subject to a lower 15
percent tariff, giving it an advantage over some competitors.

The office says Taiwan is currently the sixth-largest supplier of drones to
the United States, behind Vietnam, China, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute says it has developed a
digital treatment technology for generalized anxiety disorder.

Clinical trials are under way, and the treatment is expected to be available
for in-home use in three to five years.

The treatment involves non-invasive micro-electrical stimulation of the vagus
nerve in the ear to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

The device combines treatment with monitoring of physiological signals like
heart rate variation and optical angiography to provide feedback to patients.

ITRI says the treatment could initially be used in conjunction with
psychotherapy and drugs ... but could eventually replace the other
interventions.

It says that after it transfers the technology for commercial development,
anxiety treatment and monitoring devices will likely be sold for home use at
prices comparable to commercial blood-pressure monitors.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

President Trump is downplaying concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln's
extended deployment in the Middle East.

Trump denied reports of mental health and supply issues and noted that the
Lincoln would soon be relieved:
Asked if the vessel was deployed for too long, Trump was unconcerned:
The Lincoln supports the US war against Iran, and Democratic lawmakers are
pressing the Pentagon for accountability over conditions aboard the carrier.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that the conditions are
"completely misrepresented."

The Navy says it hasn't observed an increase in suicidal ideation, as some
reports have it.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

Ash spewing from Mount Etna has forced the closure of Sicily's largest
airport for the fifth consecutive day.

Hundreds of summer holiday travelers are stranded during the biggest travel
week of the year.

Catania's airport will remain closed until this afternoon, coinciding with
the Ferragosto holiday.

This is the longest emergency since 2002.

Volcanic ash poses a significant risk to aircraft, potentially stalling
engines.

The closure has led to rerouted flights while increasing taxi fares and car
rental prices. Trenitalia has added trains to ease travel pressure.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 13:07:13

Taiwan has concluded its annual Han Kuang military exercises, with Defense
Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) praising troops and urging officers to address
issues identified during the drills to further strengthen combat readiness.

The 10-day exercises featured fully operational command centers at all levels
for the first time. Koo noted that units responded to dynamic orders based on
developing threats while maintaining strict safety discipline during
high-intensity maneuvers.

The Han Kuang exercises are aimed at testing the country's combat readiness
in the event of a possible Chinese invasion.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 13:07:14

Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund is launching a book marking
30 years of Taiwan's international development and foreign assistance.

Speaking at the book lunch, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Taiwan
has transformed from an aid recipient into an aid provider.

He said Taiwan is now using its technology in areas including smart
healthcare and AI.

Saint Lucia's Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis says TaiwanICDF assistance has
had a positive effect in nearly every business sector in his country.

TaiwanICDF says it will build on these partnerships by connecting Taiwan's
technology, know-how and talent with countries around the world.

TB

Posted on 2026-08-15 13:07:14

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia just before 6am
local time today, damaging buildings and killing at least five people.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of eastern Indonesia,
prompting residents to flee coastal areas ... but the alert was later lifted
after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Strong shaking caused panic across Flores Island, with witnesses reporting
collapsed buildings.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 12:07:13

Taiwan's legislature has approved three of four referendum proposals put
forward by the opposition KMT and TPP, making it possible the referendums
will be held alongside local elections on Nov. 28.

The three approved proposals concern the use of traffic fines, the
introduction of judicial caning as a criminal punishment ... and the
abolition of Taiwan's nuclear-free energy policy.

On traffic fines, voters would be asked whether they want all revenue from
fines to be used to improve traffic safety and subsidize public
transportation.

The caning referendum would ask voters to approve corporal punishment for
sexual assault, child abuse, high-value fraud and aggravated fraud.

A TPP proposal to legalize euthanasia failed to pass. It sought approval for
the procedure to alleviate suffering from incurable diseases and unbearable
pain.

The three approved proposals must be sent to the Central Election Commission
within 10 days,

CEC Chairman Michael You (游盈隆) said he couldn't predict how many of the
proposals would ultimately qualify.

He said if all three proposals are approved, election-related spending would
increase by about NT$1.4 billion.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 12:07:13

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics has raised its
economic growth forecast for this year to 11.05 percent - the highest level
in 39 years.

The stats agency says stronger-than-expected demand for AI is driving robust
exports and investment, while rising stock market wealth is also boosting
consumer spending.

The new forecast is 1.41 percentage point higher than an estimate in May.

The agency has also raised its inflation forecast from 1.93 to 2.07 percent,
citing the impact of continued conflict in the Middle East.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-15 12:07:13

The International Community Choir is looking for new voices.

The choir is seeking additional singers, especially tenors and basses, for
its next semester, which begins on September 2.

Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays from 10am to noon at the Taipei American
Club.

The choir will be holding its annual Christmas Charity Concert on December 13.

All proceeds are going to support St. Anne's Home, which provides a safe,
stable place for people with disabilities who require long-term,
round-the-clock care.

The International Community Choir was founded in 2003 as a women's choir and
gradually added male voices, now boasting a full range of soprano, alto,
tenor, and bass voices.

The choir's repertoire includes classical choral works, traditional carols,
folk and world music, jazz and swing, gospel, and Broadway-musical songs.

For more information, go to the choir's website at ICC-Taipei.org.

Posted on 2026-08-15 11:07:14

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has passed the central government's 2026 budget,
after a record 266-day delay.

The opposition-controlled legislature voted to reduce the originally proposed
budget from just over 3 trillion NT to just under 3 trillion -- slicing 48
billion NT or 1.6 percent off the original.

One of the most closely watched items was 63.4 billion NT in drone-related
spending. The opposition had considered cutting the entire amount from the
budget but ended up keeping it intact.

Most recently, the KMT had proposed cutting the drone budget by around 70
percent.

The KMT caucus said it decided against the cuts after determining there was
no overlap between the drone development and procurement programs that would
result in wasteful spending, which it had previously cited as the basis for
the proposed reduction.

Lawmakers cut special allowances for heads of government agencies by 60
percent.

Spending on military equipment and facilities was reduced by 2.5 percent,
while media policy and publicity budgets were cut by 50 percent, except for
expenditures required by law.

According to the Taipei Times, DPP spokesman Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城) accused the
KMT and the TPP of staging a political farce by proposing cuts and then
hastily withdrawing them -- saying they were misleading the public.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 11:07:14

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia just before 6am
local time today, damaging buildings and killing at least two people.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of eastern Indonesia,
prompting residents to flee coastal areas ... but the alert was later lifted
after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Strong shaking caused panic across Flores Island, with witnesses reporting
collapsed buildings.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:13

Local media reports that Kaohsiung International Airport has temporarily
suspended ground operations due to thunderstorms around Xiaogang District.

The airport's departure board shows a number of inbound and outbound flights
listed as delayed, with weather conditions given as the reason.

Some other flights have been cancelled.

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:18

Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund is launching a new book
marking 30 years of Taiwan's international development and foreign
assistance.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said at the book launch that Taiwan has
transformed from an aid recipient into a provider of solutions.

He says Taiwan is now using its technology in areas including smart
healthcare and artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile.. Saint Lucia's Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis says TaiwanICDF
assistance has had positive an impact across nearly every business sector in
his country.

That was Saint Lucia's Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis.

TaiwanICDF says it will build on these partnerships by connecting Taiwan's
technology, know-how and talent with countries around the world.

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:18

Ash from Sicily's Mount Etna has forced the closure of the island's largest
airport for a fifth consecutive day, disrupting travel during one of Italy's
busiest holiday periods.

Catania airport is expected to remain closed until early Saturday, coinciding
with the Ferragosto holiday.

Volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines and pose a serious safety risk,
forcing airlines to reroute flights.

The closure has left hundreds of travelers stranded and driven up taxi and
car rental prices, while Trenitalia has added trains to help ease the
pressure on other transport services..

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:18

The National Development Council says a new program making it easier for
overseas Chinese and international graduates to stay and work in Taiwan is
showing strong results.

Since the program took effect in January, more than 3 thosuand 200 valid
residency extensions had been issued by the end of July, compared with just
281 applications under the previous system throughout last year.

The program allows graduates with associate degrees or higher to extend their
residency for up to two years and work during that period without obtaining a
separate work permit.

The N-D-C says this gives graduates more time to find suitable jobs and makes
it easier for employers to hire them.

During the extension period, they are also exempt from restrictions on
professional job categories, employer qualifications and minimum salary
requirements, as long as their employment complies with labor laws.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Rescue teams are trying to reach three hikers in Kenting National Park after
they were attacked by Asian giant hornets, with two men in cardiac arrest and
a woman injured.

The three, all tour guides, were scouting a route in Pingtung County
yesterday when they were attacked.

The injured woman managed to retreat to a nearby trail and contacted rescuers
by phone Friday morning.

A 13-member rescue team entered the area and is trying to reach her first
before moving on to the two men.

Heavy rain was hampering the operation this afternoon.

The three were scouting the route for a 42-person hiking trip scheduled for
August 16th.

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Taiwan's top envoy in Geneva has been ordered to return home on Monday next
week to answer allegations of workplace bullying, misuse of public funds and
other misconduct.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the Foreign Ministry launched a formal
investigation after receiving a signed complaint from employees at the Geneva
office in late July.

Lin says the allegations cover multiple issues and require the envoy, Greg
Lee, to provide a detailed explanation in person.

The ministry has formed a special investigative task force that includes
outside legal experts, and Lin says the investigation must be free from
interference.

Media reports say a 134-page complaint accused Lee of poor leadership,
mistreating staff and using public funds for personal expenses ...

... including expensive bedding for his residence worth around 3 thousand U-S
dollars ...

... and high-end chocolates worth around 4 thousand U-S dollars reportedly
for Taiwanese guests attending events.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Payments

Credit card payments for individual income tax in Taiwan hit a record 270
billion NT this year - up nearly 24 percent from a year earlier.

The National Credit Card Center says the biggest one percent of payments
accounted for more than half of the total.

The threshold for that group was 2.5 million NT, while the single largest
payment exceeded 2.5 billion.

The average credit card tax payment was about 177 thousand NT - but the
median was just 15 thousand 100 - highlighting the outsized impact of
high-value payments.

Hsinchu City recorded the highest average payment per transaction nationwide
- at about 422 thousand NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Regent Taipei has received government approval to hire 37 Indonesian workers
...

... becoming the first hotel in Taiwan to recruit foreign
intermediate-skilled workers under a new program aimed at easing labor
shortages.

According to the Ministry of Labor, the workers previously trained at the
hotel through a government internship program and already have experience in
hospitality services.

The ministry says they will be able to begin work quickly and are already
familiar with Taiwan's workplace environment.

More than 50 hospitality businesses have applied under the program so far,
seeking to fill more than 500 positions.

The government has established recruitment channels with Indonesia and
Thailand, and is also working with Vietnam and the Philippines to expand the
program.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

The KMT has opted to support the DPP's proposals for drone funding over its
own proposal.

The KMT legislative caucus said today that it would "fully support" not only
the Executive Yuan's 19.2 billion NT special budget for drone funding...

but also a 44.2 billion NT 6 year proposal in the Ministry of Economic
Affairs' 2026 budget to fund development of the domestic drone industry.

Those two items were thus excluded from a 1.5% overall cut in the budget.

The KMT says, the caucus made the call after Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu
convened a meeting where it was confirmed that there were no duplicate budget
items.

The KMT says they support building up Taiwan's drone industry and making it a
center of drone manufacturing.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

The Tourism Administration says Taiwanese tour groups remain safe and
unaffected following record-breaking torrential rains in Chiba, Japan.

The extreme rainfall disrupted ground transit to Narita Airport, stranding
about 7,000 travelers inside the terminal, as Chiba City received triple its
average monthly August rainfall in just 12 hours.

The administration says no local travel agencies have reported impacted tour
groups.

Travel authorities added that they are working closely with Taiwan’s
representative office in Japan, and will continue monitoring transportation
conditions around Narita.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

Taiwan's Lin Yun-ju (林昀儒) and Cheng I-ching (鄭怡靜) have reached the semifinals
of the WTT Europe Smash in Sweden after upsetting the world's top-ranked
mixed doubles pair.

The Taiwanese table tennis duo, ranked 11th, beat South Korea's Lim Jong-hoon
and Shin Yu-bin four games to one in the quarterfinals in Malmö.

It was their first win over the Korean pair after two previous defeats.

The victory is also the Taiwanese pair's best mixed doubles result at a WTT
Grand Smash event.

Lin and Cheng are scheduled to face world No. 5 and third-seeded Chinese pair
Lin Shidong (林詩棟) and Kuai Man (蒯曼) at 6pm for a place in the final.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

And in international news...

Fears of a civil war in Yemen are coming to the forefront, as government
forces clashed with Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Some fear that the war could reignite and open another warfront in the Middle
East.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked government-held areas across the country
in recent days.

The Yemeni military says dozens of government troops have been killed.

The Houthis also said they launched another drone attack on an Aramco oil
refinery in Saudi Arabia.

Last month, the Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi shipping, threatening
another key trade route in the region.

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

Firefighters in the UK are tackling multiple fires in central England as the
UK recorded its hottest day of the year at 38.1 degrees celsius...

as an intense stretch of hot water continues to grip Europe.

The fire burned several houses to the ground in one of the most significant
such instances the region's fire services have ever dealt with.

A child and three firefighters were taken to the hospital following the
wildfire.

The cause of the fires still has yet to be determined, and they may take days
to put out.

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

The Constitutional Court is set to issue a ruling in one hour on extending
the statute of limitations for sexual abuse of minors.

The Ministry of Justice says, the court will announce its ruling at 3pm
tpday.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

The DPP is hitting out at opposition lawmakers over their proposals to put 4
referendum measures on the ballot this November.

DPP caucus secretary general Zhuang Rui Xiong says, all of those proposals
are things that the TPP and KMT have opted to hand over to the people...

reflecting their laziness in actually passing new legislation into law.

The 4 proposals handled today deal with caning as capital punishment;
assisted suicide; abolishing the "nuclear-free homeland" policy; and
dedicated use of traffic fines.

Zhuang notes that the DPP is inclined to cooperate with the opposition on
passing the dedicated use of traffic fines...

but said that the TPP and KMT instead opted to proceed directly to a
referendum vote on the matter.

Meanwhile, DPP caucus leader Fan Yun also lambasted the opposition for
passing changes that dictate that referendums be held at the same time as
elections...

saying the change is inconsistent with international democratic norms.

The 2026 central government budget is expected to be handled after those 4
referendum proposals.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

McDonald's Taiwan says customers who bought its recently recalled shrimp
burgers can now apply for a full refund through September 30th.

The "Sea Flavor Shrimp Cutlet Burger" and "Sea Flavor Double-Layered Shrimp
Cutlet Burger" were pulled from the menu just one day after their launch this
week ...

... after residue from banned antibiotics was detected in the shrimp cutlets.

Customers who bought the burgers on August 12th or 13th can receive a cash
refund at the restaurant where they made the purchase.

Customers should bring their receipt or proof of purchase.

Those who ordered through delivery platforms should first request a refund
through the platform, or contact the original restaurant if the platform's
refund period has expired.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

Taiwan shares are down today,

with the benchmark tai ex closing at 45811 after losing 210 points.

the turnover was 1.064 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

In India,

officials say a tunnel has collapsed at a hydropower project, killing at
least 7 people.

A rescue operation was launched overnight after a sudden rush of water and
debris entered the under-construction tunnel.

Officials say that 12 people were recovered alive, as search and rescue
efforts are underway to locate the missing workers.

A total of 22 people had been working in the tunnel at the time of the
collapse.

In the Himalayan region, fragile mountains, seismic activity and
unpredictable underground conditions make tunnel projects especially risky.

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is calling on the Mainland Affairs Council to
apologize after it said that it will not punish the Taitung magistrate for
her prerecorded appearance at China's Straits Forum.

The council previously said that Rao Qing ling had violated the Cross-Strait
Act and would face a fine of half a million NT.

But they changed their tune yesterday, saying that she did not violate the
act, as the video mainly contained niceties and did not touch on political
affairs.

Chiang says today that the MAC owes Rao and agricultural groups that
participated an apology...

and that it's not enough just to not punish her.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

Taitung officials say, several fires broke out last night at the city's
Forest Park before being extinguished this morning.

Firefighters say, they aren't ruling out the possibility that the fires were
caused by fireworks.

The Taitung environmental protection department says, fireworks should only
be set off in the area after careful consideration.

Events were held at the park last night, including a fireworks show.

After the event, multiple fires broke out near the beach in the adjacent
Taitung Forest Park.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fires around 1am today.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

Now turning to international news...

Israeli settlers are besieging three homes in the occupied West Bank.

The settlers have surrounded three Palestinian homes on the outskirts of a
town for 5 nights, preventing the families from safely leaving as food and
water supplies dwindled.

The settlers also cut water and electricity supply to the homes, forcing them
to drink well water.

The standoff is the latest instance in a wave of violence by Israelis
directed at Palestinian residents.

Meanwhile, the US ambassador to Israel referred to the settlers as
"terrorists."

That's a rare rebuke from the US Trump administration, which usually reserves
such language for Palestinian militants.

Mounting criticism of Israel from the US may pose a challenge for Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...

who hopes to stay in Washington's good graces, as Israel's biggest backer,
ahead of elections.

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

A passenger train has derailed in southern England, injuring 11.

Footage shows emergency responders attending to passengers in a field next to
the train with several ambulances and helicopters on standby.

The train was traveling from Victoria station in London to Eastbourne when it
derailed.

One passenger said the train had been rocking and jumping upward before
stopping.

Then, he said, he could see the car behind had flipped onto its side and slid
down a hill.

Transit officials expressed concern and gratitude to emergency services.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

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

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of Digital Affairs has confirmed that overseas hackers used
artificial intelligence agents to target government agencies in a July
cyberattack.

The statement comes after the Financial Times published a report about the
incident.

According to the ministry, the Administration for Cyber Security's monitoring
unit detected the attacks in July and the National Institute for Cyber
Security began issuing alerts on July 20.

The digital ministry says as investigation was launched immediately, and the
source, methods and scope of the attacks have been determined, while affected
agencies have completed their responses.

However, the ministry has not disclosed where the attacks originated.

The Financial Times said researchers at Israeli A-I company Dream were the
first to detect the intrusion and the attackers allegedly used open-source
A-I agents to build an autonomous hacking tool.

The report also cited a source as saying the tool compromised at least 85
government user accounts and extracted more than 2,500 personnel records
before the attackers expanded their operations to Taiwan's nuclear safety
agency and at least seven energy companies.

Dream did not attribute the attack to a specific group, but researchers noted
that internal communications linked to the operation were in simplified
Chinese, suggesting the operators were likely connected to China.

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

The Yunlin District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 14 people for allegedly
operating a cross-border heroin trafficking network.

They include a 70-year old former Winter Olympian, who prosecutors say
directed the group's operations by cellphone while bedridden with a serious
illness.

All 14 suspects have been charged with violating the Organized Crime
Prevention Act and the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.

Prosecutors are seeking sentences ranging from at least five years to life
imprisonment.

According to the prosecutors' office, the former Olympian, who represented
Taiwan at the 1984 Winter Games, began operating the heroin trafficking and
sales network in 2025.

He has been bedridden after undergoing a tracheostomy and prosecutors say
they believe he turned to drug trafficking to cover his medical expenses.

Investigators say the 70-year old man arranged for heroin to be transported
into Taiwan four times, totaling more than 2.3 kilograms.

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

And finally,

Star guard, Benson Lin has announced that he's signed a multiyear contract
with the Taiwan Professional Basketball League's Taipei Taishin Mars.

Although details of the contract have not been released, reports say Lin
could earn 60-million N-T annually.

Lin has spent the past six seasons with the Tianjin Pioneers in the Chinese
Basketball Association.

According to Lin, he's very excited and happy to be returning to Taiwan,
hopes to contribute to the T-P-B-L and his only goal with the Mars is to win
a championship title.

The 26 year old has long been regarded as one of the top guards on Taiwan's
national team.

Lin is join a Mars team that went 11 and 25 in the 2025-2026 T-P-B-L regular
season, finishing sixth in the seven-team league.

The franchise has yet to win a title since it was established in 2023.

Its best result came in its inaugural 2023-2024 season in the now defunct T-1
League, when it reached the finals but finished runner-up.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

drills

The last day of nationwide civil defense exercises saw medical capacity
reduction drills at the Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital in New
Taipei.

Officials say the drill simulated sustaining medical care when critical
infrastructure is damaged, and supplies of water, electricity or oxygen are
disrupted.

Staff also also set up an underground ward area to simulate wartime
operations, as underground spaces are considered safer than the ground
surface during war.

The hospital's third basement level was turned into a restricted area,
wartime storage facilities, a blood donation station and core medical areas,
such as general wards, an emergency dialysis area and an intensive care unit.

President Lai Ching-te inspected the drill, while American Institute in
Taiwan Director Raymond Greene and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih were also in
attendance.

Medical personnel say the drill showed that shortages of painkillers and
sedatives could become a major challenge during wartime, but doctors could
use ultrasound-guided pain management techniques to maintain adequate pain
control in the underground facility.

The drills was part of the nationwide Urban Resilience Exercises, that were
held in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Yilan yesterday.

Mobile internet services slowed in those areas as part of the drills for the
first time.

The drill marked the second and final day of Taiwan's first exercise
simulating a major slowdown in mobile internet speeds, following a similar
operation in central Taiwan on Monday.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

Meanwhile,

The military conducted an exercise in Yilan to simulate the blocking of
Hsuehshan Tunnel and prevent Chinese forces from using it to advance on
Taipei.

Defense officials say the exercise brought together officials from central
and local government agencies to set up three barriers under a simulated
scenario in which enemy forces attempted to advance through the tunnel.

The exercise was not physically held inside the tunnel due to heavy traffic
during the summer vacation period, but instead in an open area near the
bureau's Toucheng branch office.

The office says it worked with the military to block an enemy attack, repair
potholes before the bureau hand control of the highway over to the military,
Lin said.

The drill was designed to test how well the highway system could respond in
an emergency.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The Cabinet has passed draft amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act,
aimed at strengthening oversight of cryptocurrency-related activities and
stablecoins and preventing them from being used for money laundering.

If passed, providing virtual asset services or third-party payment services
without registration, as well as issuing stablecoins without authorization,
would be designated as "specified unlawful activities" for the purposes of
money laundering offenses.

The draft incorporates international standards by establishing a legal
definition of a beneficial owner as a person who ultimately owns or controls
a client or a transaction, or a natural person who exercises ultimate
effective control over a legal entity or legal arrangement.

And it also authorizes the central competent authorities overseeing relevant
industries to establish inspection and identification measures for beneficial
owners in consultation with other government agencies.

The draft amendments will now to sent to the Legislature for review.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Ugandan immigration officers have
withheld the passports of three Taiwan travelers and demanded that they
produce Chinese passports, citing the country's "One China principle."

The three encountered the officers on arriving at Entebbe International
Airport on Wednesday.

They were eventually allowed to enter Uganda.

However, the foreign ministry says immigration officers refused to return
their Taiwan passports unless they produced passports issued by China in
which entry stamps could be placed.

Taiwan's representative office in Somaliland, which is responsible for
affairs involving Uganda, and the Taiwanese business association in the
country immediately provided assistance to the travelers.

The incident follows two earlier cases in which Taiwan nationals had their
passports withheld at Entebbe International Airport.

One of them was subsequently denied entry and repatriated.

The foreign ministry is advising Taiwan nationals to carefully assess the
necessity and potential risks of traveling to Uganda and to postpone planned
visits for the time being.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The Mainland Affairs Council says Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling
will not penalized over her prerecorded appearance at China's Straits Forum.

The council said she did not violate the Cross-Strait Act.

The statement comes a week after council minister Chiu Chui-cheng told
reporters that the National Immigration Agency said the magistrate had
violated the Act and would be fined 500,000 N-T.

However, council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh says Yao's participation via a
prerecorded video was "not entirely consistent" with the government's policy
banning central and local government officials from taking part in the forum
or related activities "in any form."

Liang also says a review of Yao's remarks in the video found they were
limited to "courtesy greetings and the promotion of Taitung agricultural
products" and did not touch on political issues.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a former senior
engineer at Nanya Technology for secretly filming confidential company
information in an alleged effort to secure a high-paying job in China.

Prosecutors says the man has been charged with violating the Trade Secrets
Act and breach of trust.

The man is said to have contacted Chinese headhunters on WeChat between 2025
and 2026 to inquire about high-paying positions without his employer's
knowledge.

After he resigned February, he allegedly entered restricted areas of Nanya's
offices three times between March and April and downloaded documents related
to core manufacturing processes and filmed the documents with a camera.

The case came to light after Nanya's information security specialists
detected anomalies by comparing the locations of wireless equipment with
employee access-control records and activity logs from company-issued
computers.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

And,

McDonald's Taiwan suspended the sale of its newly launched "Sea Flavor Shrimp
Cutlet Burger" and "Sea Flavor Double-Layered Shrimp Cutlet Burger" after
residue from banned antibiotics was detected in the shrimp cutlets.

The products were pulled from the menu only one day after they were launched.

McDonald's says it received a report from the importer that self-testing had
detected 0.7 parts per billion of nitrofurans and their metabolites, in
samples of the cutlets, despite suppliers having provided certified documents
for the seafood ingredients.

McDonald's says it has stopped using the cutlets and suspended sales of the
two burgers.

It will also refund customers who purchased the products on Wednesday or
Thursday morning.

The company has apologized and says it will conduct additional testing and
clarify the results with its suppliers and testing laboratories.

Nitrofurans are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are banned in many
countries including Taiwan because of their potential carcinogenic effects.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The United States on Thursday threatened to maintain a naval blockade of Iran
indefinitely, ratcheting up economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire talks
have floundered, global oil supply is dropping and regional tensions are
rising.

Iran has sought to control the Strait of Hormuz and has attacked some
vessels trying to transit the strategic waterway,

Two vessels from the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked
transiting the strait... the UAE government said it was an Iranian attack...

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to eight vessels on
Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of about 12 vessels, and 130 to 140
ships before the war.

The U-S continues to claim it has total control over the strait.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The U.K. has recorded its hottest day of the year, with temperatures hitting
38.1 degrees Celsius in west London.

This surpasses the previous high of 38 degrees recorded in June.

Britain and France are experiencing their fifth heat wave of the year.

Drought conditions are spreading, affecting crops and water resources.

Authorities remain on high alert for wildfires, with firefighters in action
in both countries.

In italy... The remains of an ancient bridge have emerged in Rome’s Tiber
River, near St. Peter’s Basilica, as weeks with virtually no rain caused
water levels to plunge.

The bridge — known as Nero’s Bridge, named for the former Roman emperor —
once connected Rome’s city center with the Tiber’s right bank.

The Tiber’s flow has fallen below 80 cubic meters (2,825 cubic feet) per
second or about half the historic average for the month of July,

Posted on 2026-08-13 19:34:13

The head of Taiwan's top business association is calling for electricity
prices to remain frozen for households and small businesses.

The call comes ahead of an electricity price review expected in September,
with October rates reportedly likely to remain unchanged.

Hsu Shu-po (許舒博), Chair of the General Chamber of Commerce, says if prices do
need to rise, companies with higher profits and strong export performance
should bear the increase first.

Hsu says tight global energy supplies continue to put upward pressure on
electricity prices.

He also called for continued government funding for TaiPower ...

... warning that worsening finances could weaken the state-run utility's
ability to respond to natural disasters and other major emergencies.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 19:34:13

A former Winter Olympian has been indicted along with 13 others over an
alleged cross-border heroin trafficking network, with prosecutors accusing
the 70-year-old of directing the operation from his sickbed.

The Yunlin District Prosecutors' Office says the man, surnamed Wu,
represented Taiwan at the 1984 Winter Olympics and began running the alleged
network last year.

Despite being bedridden with a serious illness, prosecutors say Wu used his
cellphone to arrange heroin shipments into Taiwan and coordinate the group's
operations.

Investigators allege the network brought more than 2.3 kilograms of heroin
into Taiwan, with an estimated street value of over 23 million NT.

Authorities arrested all 14 suspects in May and seized more than 1.6
kilograms of heroin and cash.

Prosecutors are seeking life sentences for Wu and two other defendants, while
asking for prison terms of at least five years for the others.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 19:34:13

The Cabinet has approved draft amendments aimed at strengthening oversight of
cryptocurrency activities and preventing digital assets from being used for
money laundering.

Under the proposed changes, providing virtual asset or third-party payment
services without registration, as well as issuing stablecoins without
authorization, could be treated as money-laundering offenses.

The amendments would also introduce a legal definition of a beneficial owner,
meaning the person who ultimately owns or controls a customer, transaction or
legal entity.

The government says financial institutions and virtual asset providers would
also be allowed to share information when necessary to prevent money
laundering or terrorist financing.

The draft amendments will now be sent to the Legislature for review.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 19:34:13

An Australian jury has convicted former Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders
of sexually abusing two young Indigenous men.

The District Court of Western Australia found Saunders guilty of 13 of 19
charges involving alleged abuse between 2008 and 2019.

Prosecutors said Saunders lured young men to a church-owned house with
alcohol and cigarettes.

Saunders led the remote Broome Diocese from 1996 until his resignation in
2021.

He is one of the most senior Australian Catholics convicted in the global
clergy abuse scandal.

The Vatican conducted its own investigation before Australian police reopened
the case.

Posted on 2026-08-13 19:34:13

Romania has begun a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at the
Cernavoda nuclear power plant as severe drought pushes the Danube River to
record low levels.

The plant relies on river water to cool its reactors and had already shut
down its first reactor in late July.

When fully operational, Cernavoda supplies about 20 percent of Romania's
electricity.

The country's Energy Ministry says the country's power needs will be covered
through alternative sources and electricity imports.

Authorities had tried to redirect the river's flow, but water levels
ultimately fell too low to keep the reactor running.

Posted on 2026-08-13 18:46:14

Google has unveiled its new Pixel 11 smartphone series in Taiwan, with four
new models set to go on sale from August 20th.

Those are the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel
11 Pro Fold.

All four feature Google's new Tensor G6 chip, built using TSMC's upgraded
three-nanometer process.

The phones are designed around Google's Gemini AI features.

Prices start at 29,990 NT for the Pixel 11 base model with 256 GB of storage.

While the Pro Fold base model comes in at 60 thousand 990 NT -- for the same
amount of storage.

Some models are keeping the same prices as the previous generation despite
rising memory costs.

Google says this is possible thanks to advances in software and hardware
optimization.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 18:46:14

Lower-priced apartments are attracting buyers in Taipei's cooling property
market, with some projects still selling well despite the broader slowdown.

Real estate magazine My Housing says only three new projects priced below 20
million NT have disclosed at least 10 transactions this year, compared with
seven during roughly the same period last year.

With new homes averaging about 1.2 million NT per ping, apartments in this
price range are generally small units or studios.

Some have still sold well, helped by convenient amenities, access to MRT
stations and nearby school districts.

But analysts say limited space and potential financing difficulties could
make these properties less attractive to first-time buyers.

They add that neighboring cities can offer more living space for the money,
while convenient transport links to Taipei are helping some housing demand
spill over from the capital.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 18:38:14

The Ministry of Digital Affairs says overseas hackers used artificial
intelligence agents in a July cyberattack targeting Taiwan's government
agencies.

The ministry says its cybersecurity teams detected the attacks and began
issuing alerts on July 20th, with affected agencies since completing their
response.

The Financial Times reported that attackers used open-source AI agents to
build an autonomous hacking tool that compromised at least 85 government
accounts and stole more than 2,500 personnel records.

Taiwanese officials say the attack combined conventional hacking techniques
with AI agents, allowing the attackers to operate faster and on a larger
scale.

The ministry says it has introduced new guidelines for AI-related
cybersecurity threats and will strengthen monitoring and defenses.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 18:38:14

McDonald's Taiwan has suspended sales of two shrimp burgers after traces of
banned antibiotics were detected in the shrimp cutlets.

The "Sea Flavor Shrimp Cutlet Burger" and double-layered version had only
been launched Wednesday.

Sales were suspended at 10:30 this morning after an importer reported that
self-testing had found nitrofuran residues in samples.

McDonald's says the level detected was 0.7 parts per billion.

The company has stopped using the affected cutlets and will refund customers
who bought the burgers from yesterday through to this morning.

McDonald's says it is conducting additional tests and working with suppliers
and laboratories to clarify the results.

Nitrofurans are a class of antibiotics banned in Taiwan because of concerns
over their potential carcinogenic effects.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 18:38:14

Travelers can expect to pay more for overseas tours in the fourth quarter,
particularly for trips to Japan.

The Travel Quality Assurance Association expects Japan group tour prices to
rise 7 to 10 percent from a year ago.

The association points to inflation and rising travel costs in Japan,
including higher prices for hotels, restaurants and transportation.

South Korea tours, on the other hand, are expected to remain relatively
stable, ranging from unchanged to about 3 percent higher, helped by increased
flight capacity and favorable exchange rates.

Tours to Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island are expected to rise by around 15 percent,
as a surge in visitors pushes up hotel prices.

Domestic tour prices are also expected to edge higher as fuel, labor and
other operating costs rise.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 17:07:13

The Presidential Office is slamming opposition lawmakers for blocking the
Executive Yuan's special drone budget proposal...

after British newspaper The Economist published an article called "Taking
Taiwan's Democracy Hostage" which accuses the legislature of blocking bills
to build up Taiwan's domestic drone industry.

They called it a "dramatic act of self-sabotage" that poses a serious threat
to Taiwan's interests.

Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo stated that the article clearly
argues that the opposition is kneecapping government functions and erasing
Taiwan's ability to defend itself...

with China having more to gain than anyone else.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-13 17:07:13

The DPP has condemned KMT Chair Cheng Li Wun for remarks she made in which
she accused the DPP of engaging in political persecution against the KMT's
pick to run Pingtung County.

KMT Candidate Su Qing Quan is currently the honorary president of the
Pingtung Donggang Antai Hospital...

where a fire in 2024 killed 9 people.

Su was believed to have committed negligent homicide and to have violated the
Building Act, with the Control Yuan later finding that nearly half of
hospital buildings were not up to code.

Prosecutors granted Su a two year suspeded prosecution and fined him 10
million NT, but the High Prosecutors Office later revoked the suspended
prosecution, and he was indicted in June of this year.

Cheng yesterday claimed that Su's case was one of "political persecution"

But DPP spokesman Michelle Lin says that Cheng's comments cause secondary
harm to families of the victims of the fire...

and are an insult to the judiciary.

Lin emphasized that prosecutors' investigations into Su were entirely within
their realm of responsibilities

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-13 17:07:13

Taiwan Railway Corporation has revealed three little-known stations hidden
beneath Taipei, designed to help evacuate passengers from the city's
underground rail tunnels.

The Ximen (西門), Fuxing (復興) and Guangfu (光復) stations are normally off-limits
to the public, and only used during emergencies.

Railway officials say the stations can guide passengers safely to the surface
within five minutes.

They are warning the public not to try to visit the stations, saying
unauthorized access could be dangerous.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-13 17:07:13

Now turning to internaitonal news...

Two powerful earthquakes within less than two months have exposed stark
differences in how Venezuela and neighboring Colombia respond to catastrophe.

In Venezuela, civilians dug through rubble by hand for days, while Colombia
mobilized rescuers and equipment within hours.

The gap reflects differences in resources, political systems, and
institutional strengthen between the two coutnries.

In Venezuela, years of economic crisis, mass migration, and polititcal
repression have weakened state capacities and public trust.

Interrim President Delcy Rodriguez relied on international rescue teams to
fill critical gaps in the reponse.

Colombia has thus far declined foreign teams except for those from the US,
saying they have enough rescuers already.

Posted on 2026-08-13 17:07:13

Pakistan is facing a challenges to its authority in Pakistan-administered
Kashinmir.

Nikkei Asia reports that violent protests and an election boycott have
disrupted regional elections and strengthened a long-running dispute over
political representation.

The vote was originally scheduled to be held in three phases, with the first
two having already been completed.

The third phase is now due to be held August 21st, after polling was delayed
due to unrest in the region.

The leading opposition party has boycotted the polls.

The center of controversy is one party's demadn to abolish 12 seats reserved
for refugees in the assembly.

Since early June, supporters have held a sit in protest on the issue.

Kashmir has been a disputed territory between Pakistan and India since 1947,
when both nations won independence from the U.K.

Posted on 2026-08-13 17:07:13

In Canada, the premier of British Columbia says, a fast-moving wildfire may
be the "new normal."

The fire has forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate and has outpaced
official models.

The Bald Range wildfire erupted last Friday, and by Wednesday it had grown to
about 184 square kilometers after destroying homes and killing one.

Officials have begun damage assessment, but the area remained unsafe, with no
timeline for residents to return.

They also said they were withholding broader details on property losses until
residents could be notified directly.

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

Urban Resilience Exercises will be taking place in northern Taiwan in half an
hour.

Residents of Yilan, New Taipei, Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu will
also see simulated mobile network slowdowns during the half hour drill
period.

Despite the roaming data slowdowns, SMS texting and voice calls will be
unaffected, and authorities emphasize that calls to emergency services will
go through.

Fixed broadband/wifi will also continue to function.

When the alarm sounds at 2:30, officials will direct people to air defense
shelters or other safe indoor locations, where they must stay until 3.

People who violate the evacuation face a fine of up 150,000 N-T.

(AH)

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

The National Health Insurance Administration is warning the public against
false LINE messages claiming card suspensions.

Officials say the fraudulent messages urge users to click on phishing links,
which can compromise passwords, leak personal data, or install malware on
mobile devices.

The agency emphasizes that its legitimate L-I-N-E account features a verified
blue badge... and never sends unsolicited friend requests or demands
immediate action through messaging links.

And officials say citizens can verify or report suspicious communications
through the National Health Insurance toll-free hotline, or the 165
anti-fraud network.

(NS)

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

In Taipei,

DPP Mayoral Candidate Puma Shen headed to Dongmen traditional market today to
campaign.

Shen acknowledged that Da'an is considered a KMT stronghold, but said that he
wanted to visit all corners of Taipei to collect opinions from the public.

He noted that Dongmen market is currently undergoing rennovations, adding
that he hoped to understand patrons' and business operators' needs.

Meanwhile, when asked about a former city government spokesperson who's
accused of leaking information, Shen suggested the city government may have
deliberately withheld or concealed information...

as Shen's opponent Chiang Wan An initially stated that the spokesperson left
the post for "career reasons."

(AH)

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

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 503 points to
close the session at 4602.

The turnover was 1.049 trillion NT

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

Now turning to international news...

The Associated Press has found that the decision by the US to slash foreign
aid funds last year has increased pregnancy complications and deaths in
Nepal.

Health workers, government officials, aid workers, and families say that aid
cuts to programs that ensured pregnany women got proper nutrition and
prenatal case have led to more women and babies dying preventable deaths.

The Gates Foundation has predicted that 2025 will be the first year this
century that child deaths will increase...

due to global cuts to foreign aid.

US aid cuts and those that followed by other countries forced the majaority
of women's organizations around the world to reduce their services.

The U.S. government has repeatedly claimed that no one has died because of
its funding cuts.

But the AP has documented the deaths of women and children from Myanmar to
Nigeria.

A study published in The Lancet journal, meanwhile, said the U.S. cuts could
lead to more than 14 million deaths, including more than 4.5 million children
under age 5, by 2030.

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

Voting for president has begun in Zambia, where voters will decide if
President Hakainde Hichilema's economic reforms were enough to overcome
widespread frustration over the cost of living.

Around 8 million people in the country of 22 million are registered to vote.

In addition to voting for president, voters will also choose members of
Parliament and local government councilors.

Results are expected early next week.

Hichilema faces over one dozen other candidates, but Brian Mundubile of an
opposition alliance is expected to be his strongest challenger.

The election is widely seen as a referendum on the president's handling of
the economy.

The president came into power in 2021 and is seeking a second term, and says
thathe has overseen the restructuring of Zambia's foreign debt and led
economic growth...

but many Zambians say they're not feeling the beneftis, as unemployment, food
prices, and an unstable power supply strain household budgets.

Zambia has long been regarded as one of southern Africa’s more stable
democracies, with a history of largely peaceful transfers of power.

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

The Council of Indigenous Peoples says, an investigation is underway into the
conduct of Deputy Chair Chen Yi Xin.

That's after media reported that he was involved in workplace bullying.

The Council says that they will convene a panel of outside experts to look
into the case...

emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy of workplace bullying.

In a statement, the Council added that it had already adjusted relevant
personnel oversight measures.

They noted that support has been offered to the victim.

(AH)

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

Education groups in Kaohsiung are demanding an official investigation
following the death of an elementary school teacher on Tuesday.

The teacher’s former school confirmed the educator served there for eight
years before taking leave in June, but denied reports that the death was
linked to a formal disciplinary complaint.

However, the Formosa Education Union stated that the educator had previously
its sought help regarding heavy administrative stress, transfer processes,
and parent complaints.

The union is urging Kaohsiung’s Education Bureau to launch an independent
investigation to review administrative pressure and strengthen psychological
support mechanisms for educators.

(NS)

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

Now turning to international news...

Rescuers in Colombia are continuing to search for survivors of Monday's 7.4
magnitude earthquake.

The disaster is testing Colombia's new president, as his government scrambles
to respond to the natural disaster and ensure that aid makes it to the
communities most affected by the quake.

There have been more than 100 aftershocks in the days since the quake, with
at least 265 dead and hundreds still missing.

Aid agencies consider the first 2-3 days after the quake to be the most
crucial for retrieving people alive.

Teams are continuing to search for survivors in the hardest-hit areas of
Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo.

In Pereira and Cali in particular, families have been sleeping in parks, as
some fear aftershocks or the collapse of their damaged homes.

Others lack homes to return to.

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

Bangladesh is partnering with Turkiye and China to build a domestic defense
industry through drone manufacturing.

Nikkei Asia reports that the Bangladeshi air force is working with a Turkish
entity to build a drone manufacturing plant in the northern city of Bogura
with a planned air force base.

The announcement followed a January agreement between Bangladesh and a
Chinese company to found a manufacturing and assembly plant.

The two initiatives together suggest that Dhaka is aiming to build the
foundations of a domestic drone industry...

rather than just importing them.

Analysts say Bangladesh's interest in drone production reflects how warfare
has evolved...

with relatively inexpensive unmanned systems playing an increasingly
important role in conflicts from Ukraine and Myanmar to the Middle East.

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

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has asked Indonesia to clarify a
joint naval exercise east of Taiwan announced by China.

The statement comes after China's defense ministry announced that joint
Chinese-Indonesian Naval navigation exercises would be taking place.

According to the foreign ministry, it "immediately contacted relevant
parties" to learn more about the situation and asked the Indonesian side for
clarification after China "unilaterally claimed" Indonesia would participate
in the drill.

The ministry say it has "sternly condemned" what it's describing as China's
"arbitrary and irresponsible" behavior, saying Beijing has again disregarded
international norms and responsibilities and "further increased tensions in
the region."

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

Defense Minister Wellington Koo is stressing the importance of employing
3D-printing equipment for the urgent resupply of drones on the battlefield as
part of the government's efforts to strengthen combat resilience.

Koo made the statement while visiting a drone unit garrisoned in Taoyuan.

Koo was accompanied by Vice Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien and defense
officials say the visit was aimed at highlighting the equipment as combat
units conducted drills as part of the Han Kuang military exercises.

The equipment is capable of producing non-electronic components, including
airframes and weapons bays.

Koo says by developing rapid production capabilities using 3D-printing
technology, drone units can establish a decentralized, rapid and sustainable
maintenance and resupply mechanism, thereby strengthening combat resilience.

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

The Taoyuan City Government has announced plans to expand its free milk
program.

The move will include junior high school students beginning with the 2026
school year that commences on August 31.

According to Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang, the expansion of the program will
benefit some 280,000 students aged between 2 and 15, from preschool through
junior high school.

The city government says the expansion is intended to provide essential
nutrients to junior high school students during a critical stage of their
growth and development.

The program was launched in February and provides one free milk or soy milk
product per week to every preschool and elementary school student in Taoyuan.

The city government has said the take-up rate had reached about 70-per cent.

The Taipei City Government expanded its free milk program to include junior
high school students last week.

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

An Urban Resilience Air Defense Exercise will be taking place in northern
Taiwan this afternoon and will include a mobile network slowdown simulation.

The drill will be taking place in Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan,
Hsinchu and Yilan from between 2:30 and to 3PM.

When the alarm sounds, police officers and other government personnel will
direct people to air defense shelters or other safe indoor locations.

Traffic controls will be implemented across the areas during the exercise,
vehicles n the road will be required to pull over and members of the public
are required to follow evacuation instructions.

Most indoor and outdoor business operations will be temporarily suspended
during the drill, although medical services and other essential activities
will continue as normal.

People who violate the evacuation face a fine of up 150,000 N-T.

There will also be a 4G and 5G mobile network slowdown simulation for the
first time.

The network slowdown simulation will last for the entire 30-minute drill.

However, standard voice calls, SMS text messages, emergency hotlines and
fixed broadband/Wi-Fi will continue to function.

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

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration is warning of hot and unstable weather
over the coming days - with areas in the southwest likely to see heavy rain.

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says forecasts show that southwesterly
winds will bring moisture from the South China Sea from today - making
atmospheric conditions unstable.

Intermittent rain in windward areas in the southwest can be expected today,
while localized afternoon thunderstorms are expected in the north and center
- some of which might bring heavy rainfall.

Daytime temperatures though will remain high and could hit 36-degrees in
parts of the north, center and east.

From Saturday through next Friday, seasonal winds are expected to weaken and
give way to a broad low-pressure system near Taiwan, meaning we could see
strong winds and intense short-term rain in the afternoons.

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

The military has conducted separate drills simulating the repulse of an
amphibious landing and stay-behind operations involving sabotage and ambushes
behind enemy lines as part of the live-fire Han Kuang exercises.

The exercise involving the Matsu Defense Command saw the deployment of
long-range artillery units and reconnaissance drones.

The Command says the granite terrain, extensive tunnel network and fortified
positions in Kinmen and Matsu provide natural protection and help preserve
combat power.

Meanwhile, troops rapidly unloaded equipment and supplies from M109 assault
boats, concealed the boats with camouflage and dispersed to avoid detection
during a drill at a Kaohsiung-area port.

They then used civilian vehicles to travel to safe houses, where they
prepared for covert operations.

Troops there employed a software platform for real-time battlefield
coordination and reconnaissance drones as part of a stay-behind operations
simulated troops remaining behind enemy lines to conduct reconnaissance,
sabotage and harassment.

The live-fire portion of this year's Han Kuang exercises concludes tomorrow.

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

Residents of Hualien and Taitung held urban resilience air defense drills on
Wednesday, practicing evacuation and sheltering procedures.

However, the drill was conducted without a simulated mobile network slowdown
as was implemented in central Taiwan earlier this week and will be
implemented in the north later today.

Authorities said the decision not to include the mobile network slowdown was
made after taking into account the region's communications infrastructure and
the potential impact of such a measure, without providing any details.

Today's Urban Resilience Air Defense Exercise in the north will be taking
place in Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Yilan from between
2:30 and to 3PM.

Traffic controls will be implemented across the area during the exercise, and
members of the public are required to follow evacuation instructions.

Most indoor and outdoor business operations will be temporarily suspended
during the drill, although medical services and other essential activities
will continue as normal.

People who violate the evacuation face a fine of up 150,000 N-T.

There will also be a 4G and 5G mobile network slowdown simulation and that
will last for the entire 30-minute drill.

However, standard voice calls, SMS text messages, emergency hotlines and
fixed broadband/Wi-Fi will continue to function.

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

Lawmakers on the Legislative Education and Culture Committee have approved a
series of amendments to the School Health Act.

The revisions require the government to assist schools in stocking menstrual
products and to promote menstrual education.

The amendments also include adding mental health education to school
curricula and healthy-eating education programs as well as expanding campus
restrictions on e-cigarettes, new tobacco products and other nicotine
products.

Schools are required to provide guidance on students’ overall health
according to their age, stage of learning and campus needs.

They also need to step-up the prevention and treatment of poor vision, dental
hygiene, hepatitis, and parasitic infections among students.

However, a proposal to ban beta-agonists, commonly known as "lean-meat
agents", from food supplied for school lunches was left for cross-party
negotiations.

K-M-T lawmaker Lo Ting-wei, who heads the Education and Culture Committee,
says several other provisions have also been reserved for cross-caucus
negotiation.

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

Uber Eats says it will modify its payment formula for multi-order deliveries
and adjust its reward structure for couriers.

The move is expected to raise pay by between 4 to 6 N-T per order.

Uber Eats says it will also revise its payment formula for "stacked orders"
starting from August 17.

Stacked orders are when a courier handles multiple deliveries in one trip, by
counting overlapping delivery times separately for each order.

The decision to replace the current payment formula, which calculates stacked
deliveries based on total combined time, follows union complaints and a
Ministry of Labor ruling that the practice violated delivery worker
legislation passed on July 21.

Uber Eats says it will pay out the shortfall incurred by couriers from July
21 to August 17 by the end of this month.

The company has also announced plans to adjust its overall reward system for
couriers starting tomorrow.

However, details of that have yet been disclosed.

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

The Food and Drug Administration has ordered the recall of the
antihypertensive drug Beniel F.C. 8 milligram manufactured by Synmosa
Biopharma.

There concerns that the medication may not work as intended.

The company said a recent stability test found the tablets failed to meet the
required dissolution standards, which could affect the drug's quality and
effectiveness.

The recall applies to batch No. 2KA31 of Beniel F.C. Tablet.

The recall must be completed by August 24.

Synmosa has also been required to submit an investigation report and details
of a corrective action plan for future production by that date.

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

And,

A group of Taiwanese youths selected for a government-funded annual
ambassadorship program is set to visit Taiwan's South Pacific and Caribbean
allies later this month to promote people-to-people exchanges.

The ambassadorship program included unmanned aerial vehicle operators for the
first time.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the "youth ambassadors" will be divided
into two groups this year, with one traveling to Palau and the other to Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Kitts and Nevis from late August to
early September.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with local officials and youth, perform,
and promote Taiwan's culture.

Lin also called on the youth ambassadors to be "confident, humble, and
creative," and to "use your own talents, perspectives, and experiences to
tell Taiwan's story and show the world what makes Taiwan special."

The government-funded annual project was launched in 2009 and sends Taiwan
students aged between 18 and 35 to visit diplomatic allies for exchanges and
cultural promotion.

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

Lebanon's parliament has passed a controversial general amnesty law,
following the abolition of the death penalty.

Lawmakers supporting the bill say it addresses past judicial overreach and
helps overcrowded prisons, but critics argue it mainly benefits Sunni
Islamist prisoners.

The law replaces death sentences with long prison terms and frees some
militants and drug dealers.

It excludes crimes like rape, trafficking, and corruption.

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

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian missiles and drones blitzed
Russia's naval base on the Black Sea coast in a nighttime operation.

Officials in Russia's Krasnodar region reported hundreds of Ukrainian drones
attacked various locations, with air defenses downing over 500.

Meanwhile Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired 138 long-range drones
overnight, killing two people in the Kherson region and destroying a shopping
mall in Zaporizhzhia.

Russia reportedly is expanding production of ballistic missiles and
jet-powered drones, while Ukraine is seeking to scale up its weapons
manufacturing through agreements with partner countries.

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

Morocco has beefed up security along its border with Spain as calls have
resurfaced on social media for mass crossings into the Spanish city of Ceuta.

The calls have raised concerns of another surge, similar to the one last
month when tens of thousands of migrants rushed the border.

Spain’s Civil Guard said on Wednesday that the border will remain closed
while Defense Minister Margarita Robles warned against any new attempt at a
mass entry into Spain’s North African exclaves.

Official tallies say at least 80 people died in the border rush in late July
while human rights groups have reported higher figures.

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

Millions of people crowded cloudless cities and towns in Spain in search of
the best views of a total solar eclipse, when the alignment of the sun, moon
and Earth briefly plunged parts of the planet into darkness.

The crowds brought lawn chairs and umbrellas as they eagerly awaited the
celestial spectacle, which began early in the evening.

As the sky darkened, people broke into applause and cheered. It was the
country’s first total solar eclipse in more than a century.

Across a wide band of northern and central Spain and Portugal, millions of
people enjoyed some of mainland Europe’s best views of the eclipse.

Spanish authorities say the eclipse was expected to draw at least a
half-million additional visitors.

Posted on 2026-08-12 19:11:13

Hon Hai Precision Industry says it will continue ramping up investment in
artificial intelligence production in 2026, with capital spending expected to
grow by more than 30 percent.

The Foxconn parent company says spending will focus on AI servers,
next-generation AI racks and liquid-cooling equipment, as well as
manufacturing and research facilities in Taiwan, the United States, Mexico
and Vietnam.

Hon Hai expects its AI rack shipments to more than double this year from
2025, with the next generation entering mass production in the third quarter.

The company currently holds more than 40 percent of the global AI server
market and says it aims to increase that share to 50 percent.

Hon Hai says it will also expand production and research facilities in
several U.S. states to meet growing demand from American customers.

Posted on 2026-08-12 19:11:14

A group of young farmers in Tainan's Madou District are once again selling
Mid-Autumn Festival pomelo gift boxes ... and donating 20 percent of proceeds
to charity.

The campaign is now in its 12th year, with participating orchards using
environmentally friendly farming methods, including grass cover instead of
herbicides, and providing agricultural traceability certification.

Organizers are encouraging companies to buy the gift boxes for employees and
clients, supporting local farmers while also helping disadvantaged people.

Madou is Taiwan's largest pomelo-growing area, with about 810 hectares of
orchards, while Tainan as a whole grows around 28 percent of the nation's
pomelos.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-12 19:11:14

K-pop girl group aespa lit up the stage last night, with their first-ever
concert at the Taipei Dome.

Members Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning kicked off their "S-Y-N-K
COMPLæXITY" concert with high-energy hits, including "LEMONADE," "Whiplash,"
and their iconic debut track "Black Mamba."

The group also revealed that band member Winter fell in love with local
dishes like oyster omelets and spicy wontons while in Taiwan.

During the second half of the show, the quartet surprised fans by riding
giant drink-shaped parade floats around the arena floor, giving fans an
up-close experience.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-12 19:11:14

Chinese state media is reporting that former Premier Zhu Rongji has died at
the age of 98.

Zhu was one of China's most influential economic reformers, helping drive the
country's rapid economic growth in the 1990s and leading China into the World
Trade Organization.

He served as premier from 1998 to 2003 and pushed major reforms of
state-owned companies, seeking to make them more efficient and profitable.

Known for his sharp tongue and impatience with bureaucracy, Zhu frequently
clashed with Communist Party conservatives and state industry leaders over
his reform agenda.

Zhu died of illness in Beijing at around 11 AM today.

He had earlier been sent to rural exile and forced to perform manual labor
after praising economic reforms in other communist countries.

Posted on 2026-08-12 19:11:14

South Korea says North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward the sea,
its second missile test in less than a week.

South Korea's military says it detected the launch from the eastern coastal
area of Wonsan at around 6 AM local time.

The launch comes two days after South Korea and the U-S announced plans to
begin their annual joint military exercises next week.

North Korea has long condemned the drills as rehearsals for an invasion, and
analysts say the latest missile launch may be intended as a protest.

The exercises are aimed at strengthening South Korea and the U-S's readiness
to respond to potential threats from North Korea.

Posted on 2026-08-12 18:07:14

Schools across Taiwan could be required to provide menstrual products and
promote menstrual education under proposed amendments to the School Health
Act.

The amendments have passed an initial review by the Legislative Yuan's
Education and Culture Committee.

They would also add mental health education to school health curricula,
alongside existing healthy-eating education ...

... as well as expand campus restrictions on e-cigarettes, new tobacco
products and other nicotine products.

However, a proposal to ban beta-agonists, commonly known as "lean-meat
agents", from food supplied by schools was left for cross-party negotiations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-12 18:07:14

Taoyuan is expanding its free school lunch and student milk programs starting
in the new academic year.

Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) says more than 7-thousand-400 homeroom teachers
and school lunch coordinators at public and private elementary and junior
high schools will be added to the city's free lunch program.

The city will also continue providing homeroom teachers with a monthly 300
N.T. lunch supervision allowance.

Meanwhile, Taoyuan's "Fresh Milk for Every Student" program will be expanded
to about 67-thousand junior high students.

The program currently provides eligible children with one bottle of fresh
milk or soy milk each week.

More than 280-thousand children and students are expected to be covered after
the expansion.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-12 18:07:14

The Ministry of Labor has approved almost 5 thousand 300 applications for
foreign household helpers in the three months ...

... since eligibility rules were relaxed to allow families with children
under 12 to apply.

Of the approved applications, over half involved families with more than two
children, while over 13 percent involved families with special circumstances.

Under the new rules, families generally pay a monthly employment
stabilization fee of 5 thousand NT, reduced to 2 thousand NT for certain
high-need households, such as those with rare-disease children or three or
more children under 12.

Demand has been gradually slowing, with daily domestic recruitment
applications falling from about 185 in the second half of April to 74 in
early July.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-12 17:07:13

KMT legislative caucus whip Fu Kun Chi yesterday failed to show up for party
negotiations on the 2026 central government budget.

The move reportedly incensed Speaker Han Kuo-yu, who said that those with
power should not simply flaunt it.

He called on Fu to either assign someone else to act as whip in his stead or
resign from the post.

Fu says today that the move wasn't meant to disrespect Han, rather it was an
act of protest over the Executive Yuan's treatment of the legislative
speaker.

In his statement today, Fu also called on the KMT to "unite," a sentiment
echoed by KMT heavyweight Hou You Yi.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-12 17:07:17

Taichung city councilors are questioning the city government over
investigations into a labor procurement case, following the resigntion of a
former spokesperson implicated in the case.

KMT councilor Zhu Nuanying朱暖英 questioned whether the investigation now into
the case, which originated in 2020, was due to new evidence or
developments...

or if there were other considerations to be had.

Meanwhile DPP council caucus leader Zhou Yong Hong stated that 3 of the 4
people involved in the case are still employed by the Taichung city
government, including one sitting city councilor.

He called on the city government to assess if that implicated councilor is
fit or not to remain in the post.

DPP council Chen Shu Hua also claimed that the former spokesperson had
previously worked for China's United Front, and she urged Mayor Lu Xiu Yan to
address the impact of her core staff's involvement in the procurement leak...

rather than, in Chen's words, blaming everything on the president.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-12 17:07:22

Now turning to international news...

Thailand says, it will tighten gun control and crack down on illegal
firearms.

That's following two deadly shootings near Bangkok.

In the first, a student opened fire at his high school and his house, killing
at least 8 people.

Three days afterwards, a former lawmaker was arrested after a shooting at a
government office.

Officials say, they will aim to raise awareness about gun responsibilities
and strengthen regulations.

The Prime Minister ordered an urgent review of gun regulations, including a
suspension of new permits.

Thailand has restrictive gun laws but a relatively high rate of gun ownership
in Asia.

Currently, penalties for illegally owning a firearm in Thailand include
prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to 600 US dollars.

But critics say, there are weaknesses in enforcement.

Posted on 2026-08-12 17:07:22

The first of Taiwan High-Speed Rail's 12 new N-700-S-T trainsets has departed
Japan aboard a cargo ship bound for Kaohsiung Port, where it is expected to
arrive on August 15th.

The 12-car train is the first of the new fleet, which will be introduced in
stages from July 2027 through September 2028.

T-H-S-R has also launched an online "voyage log" (or vlog if you will)
documenting the train's journey from Japan to Taiwan, allowing the public to
follow its progress and countdown to its arrival.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-12 14:51:14

The National Communications Commission is recommending residents of northern
Taiwan take 3 precautions ahead of Urban Resilience Drills tomorrow.

The half hour drills will be accompanied by simulated internet slowdowns or
blackouts from 2:30 to 3 pm tomorrow.

The NCC says, residents are encouraged to take screenshots of or print out
tickets..

to confirm whether or not important information can be accessed offline...

and to try turning airplane mode on and off or restarting mobile phones if
they still can't access the internet after the exercise.

Urban Resilience Drills will take place in Yilan, Keelung, New Taipei,
Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu County and City tomorrow from 2:30 to 3pm.

The NCC says, the drill will simulate how the government can respond with
either limited or no access to internet, and to promote public awareness of
establishing communication backup plans.

The commission emphasizes that voice calls and SMS text messaging, as well as
calls to emergency services will not be affected.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-12 14:51:14

The Executive Yuan is expressing their gratitude towards Legislative Speaker
Han Kuo-yu after he presided over cross-party negotiations regarding the 2026
central government budget.

Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee says, she hopes the progress will
continue, and that the legislature will pass the budget as soon as possible.

That's as the Executive Yuan is expected to pass along the 2027 general
budget to the legislature as early as next week.

Lee notes that the 2026 general budget has now been awaiting passage for 349
days.

She says that budget increases in next year's proposal will include funds
related to allowances for retired farmers, national pensions, and for civil
servants.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-12 14:51:14

Shimen Reservoir has returned to full capacity following the passage of
Typhoon Dolphin, with officials saying household and industrial water
supplies remain stable.

The Water Resources Agency says the reservoir's watershed received 166
millimeters of rain during the storm.

Flood-control operations reduced releases by 7.1-million cubic meters, while
about 158-thousand cubic meters of sediment were flushed through the Amuping
desilting tunnel.

Officials say the operation also saved an estimated 80-million N.T. in
sediment removal costs.

The reservoir returned to 100-percent capacity by late Sunday.

Authorities say reservoir operations caused no downstream damage and water
supplies remained normal throughout the typhoon.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-12 14:51:14

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in western Colombia has risen to at
least 254, as rescue crews continue searching for survivors trapped under
collapsed buildings.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck early Monday and is the country's deadliest
this century.

Pereira and Cali are among the hardest-hit cities, with homes, schools,
hospitals and other buildings damaged or destroyed.

More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded, while thousands of people have
been left homeless.

Rescue efforts are especially difficult in parts of Choco near the epicenter,
where some communities remain without electricity, water or basic services.

Three airports were still closed Tuesday afternoon, and several major roads
remained blocked.

Officials warn the full extent of the damage and final death toll may take
days to determine.

Posted on 2026-08-12 14:51:14

Australia has approved new minimum pay and insurance standards for food and
grocery delivery workers.

The Fair Work Commission says gig workers must be paid at least 31-dollars-30
Australian an hour, or about 710 N.T., above Australia's national minimum
wage of about 600 N.T. an hour.

Delivery companies will also be required to provide personal accident
insurance, although workers will remain responsible for third-party vehicle
insurance.

The new rules take effect Monday and are expected to cover about 250-thousand
workers.

Uber Eats, DoorDash and the Transport Workers Union have backed the changes,
saying they can provide stronger protections while preserving flexible work
arrangements.

The move follows years of pressure to extend workplace protections to gig
workers typically classified as independent contractors.

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

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun says any major change in cross-strait relations must
respect the interests and wishes of Taiwan's people.

In an interview with TIME magazine, Cheng said there is no rush to change the
status quo, adding that even a referendum on unification would require public
support.

Cheng, who met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing in April, said Taiwan
needs sufficient self-defense capabilities but must also maintain dialogue
with China to reduce the risk of conflict.

She said the KMT supports necessary U.S. arms purchases, but defense spending
should undergo legislative review and follow fiscal discipline.

Cheng also called for sustainable cross-strait relations based on the "1992
Consensus," saying Taiwan should not become the front line of military
conflict between major powers.

She said the immediate priority is preventing a war in the Taiwan Strait.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-12 13:08:15

New Taipei City Councilor Wang Wei Yuan has posted bail following questioning
by prosecutors last night.

According to prosecutors, Wang is under investigation for corruption charges
related to alleged bribery in a project bid.

Investigators searched Wang's office and residence last night, taking 5 in
for questioning.

He was released on 2 million NT bail, while an assistant surnamed Ke was
released on 500,000 NT bail.

Wang, of the KMT, was first elected back in 2018, before winning reelection
in 2022, and he is seeking reelection again this year.

It's also not Wang's first run-in with the law; in 2024 he was accused of
spreading false information during the legislative elections, and he was
again indicted last year for violating the Election and Recall Act...

for which he was later acquitted.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-12 13:08:15

In international news,

South Korea says North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward the sea
today, the second such weapons testing activity by North Korea in less than a
week.

North Korea's launch events are likely a protest of the upcoming Korea-U.S.
military drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

South Korea’s military says the the ballistic missile from North Korea’s
eastern coastal Wonsan area around 6 a.m. flew more than 700 kilometers.

Japan's Defense Ministry also detected the launch, saying the weapon landed
in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, between the Korean Peninsula
and Japan.

The launch came two days after South Korea and the U.S. announced they would
kick off their annual military drills next week to beef up readiness against
North Korean threats.

The two launches are seen as part of North Korea’s extended run of weapons
tests as the country has refused to return to talks with the U.S. and South
Korea for years.

Experts say North Korea often uses its rivals’ military training as a pretext
to boost its own testing activities.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-12 13:08:15

In a western Libyan town, firefighters have extinguished a massive fire
caused by a drone strike on an oil facility in a wave of drone attacks
targeting key oil installations.

The latest drone strikes that began on Monday also collapsed a tank which
held 4.5 million liters of fuel and the state-run National Oil Corporation
declared a state of maximum emergency at the facility.

The strikes continued on yesterday, hitting the town’s power plant and oil
refinery, underscoring the fragile state of security at Libya’s critical
infrastructure.

There were no reports of casualties, authorities said.

By late Tuesday evening, the company said all the fires had been extinguished.

In the eastern city of Benghazi, a car bomb killed a senior officer with a
self-styled military force on Monday.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for either the drone strikes or
the bombing.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-12 08:15:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Coast Guard Administration Director-General Chang Chung-lung has been forced
to issue an apology for failures in the handling of the illegal entry of two
Chinese nationals after their rubber dinghy was found near Taipei Port by a
member of the public.

In a press statement Chang apologized for the lapses, which included a radar
operator's failure to follow standard operating procedures and officers on
patrol not thoroughly investigating the coastline.

He said his agency will not shield those responsible and would hold them
strictly accountable.

The apology came after an unidentified person took to social media to accuse
Coast Guard personnel of doing a poor job patrolling the coastline and of
allegedly trying to keep information out of the public eye.

The incident occured on July 24 when an inflatable boat was found near the
northern breakwater of Taipei Port in New Taipei's Bali District.

The two Chinese suspects were identified after Coast Guard officers reviewed
footage from coastal monitoring systems.

They were arrested on July 30 in Taoyuan and remain in detention.

The Shilin District Prosecutors' Office is now investigating the case.

Posted on 2026-08-12 08:15:13

Visiting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday says
his new administration is ready to usher in a "next chapter" in the two
countries' 45-year diplomatic relationship.

Speaking at a military welcome ceremony hosted by President Lai Ching-te in
Taipei Friday said more than four decades of diplomatic relations have laid a
strong foundation for future cooperation and he hopes to see increased Taiwan
investment to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Friday also pledged his continuing support for Taiwan's bid to participate in
international forums, including the United Nations and its specialized
agencies, as well as organizations such as Interpol.

It is Friday's his first trip to Taiwan since he took office in late last
year.

The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' delegation will be participating in
events commemorating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and attend
an investor roundtable.

Officials say that event will bringing together the Vincentian delegation and
prospective Taiwanese investors.

Members of Friday's delegation include Saint Vincent and the Grenadines'
Attorney General and Foreign Minister as well as its Ambassador for Finance,
Climate and Investment.

Friday and his delegation arrived in Taiwan yesterday for a five-day visit.

Posted on 2026-08-12 08:15:13

The New Taipei District Court has sentenced a China-born spouse to seven
years in prison after convicting her of campaigning for the Taiwan People's
Party's 2024 presidential ticket under instructions from Beijing.

The court ruled that Xu Chun-ying acted on directives in 2021 to support
T-P-P candidates.

Xu headed an organization representing China-born spouses after naturalizing
as Taiwanese.

According to the court, those directive came from officials working for
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs' Service Center for Cross-Strait Marriages
and Families and the Shanghai branch of the Revolutionary Committee of the
Chinese Kuomintang.

The court said Xu and Chung Chin-ming, the head of an association promoting
cross-strait marriages, became acquainted with the officials during visits to
China and were instructed to support Huang Shan-shan's run for Taipei Mayor
in 2022.

Xu and Chung were found guilty of organizing a support network of foreign
spouses for Huang's campaign and when she lost the election, they were
instructed to build a relationship with then-TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je.

Ko was preparing to stand in the 2024 presidential election at the time.

The court ruling can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-08-12 08:15:13

The Centers for Disease Control says it expects the number of flu cases to
peak in mid-September after flu-related outpatient and emergency room visits
accounted for 10.5-per cent of all visits last week.

C-D-C spokesman Lin Ming-cheng says the number of outpatient and emergency
room visits has risen gradually over the past four weeks following an uptick
in early July, bringing the rate close to the epidemic threshold.

According to Lin, most of the patients are young children and people aged 65
and older.

There has also been a simultaneous increase in upper respiratory tract
infection clusters, with influenza-positive clusters predominantly testing
positive for Type A and mainly concentrated in densely populated areas.

Recent community virus surveillance shows that Type A flu is the most common
strain, accounting for 57-per cent of cases detected cases and un-vaccinated
people aged 65 and older with chronic diseases accounted for the majority of
severe cases and deaths.

The C-D-C is warning that the resumption of classes in September is expected
to accelerate transmission.

Government-funded flu medication is available at about 4,000 contracted
clinics and hospitals nationwide.

Posted on 2026-08-12 08:15:13

And finally,

The Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store Company says it plans to renovate
the commercial and public spaces at the Taipei Main Railway Station.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi took over commercial operation at the station on July 25.

The railway station's commercial areas were previously operated by the Breeze
Center.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi says it has earmarked 1-billion N-T for the renovation
project, which includes replacing the famous black-and-white flooring in the
station's main hall.

According to the company, the renovations will be carried out over the next
two to three years and included upgrades to the station's image aimed at
promoting international tourism and improving safety.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi executive vice president Wu Hsin-chang says the
renovation will also introduce artificial intelligence technologies to the
station.

The company says the new food and beverage businesses planned for the station
will include both international restaurant chains and diners serving
traditional Taiwan food.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

The military has conducted anti-airdrop drills in Taipei and Miaoli as part
of the ongoing Han Kuang live-fire exercises.

The drill simulated efforts to repel enemy airborne forces and prevent
infiltrating troops from breaching defensive lines.

In Taipei, the Military Police Reserve Brigade carried out an overnight
anti-airdrop drill around Taipei Songshan Airport.

They closed part of the Fuxing North Road Underpass and deploying multiple
layers of obstacles to prevent simulated Chinese troops and special
operations personnel from breaking out of the airport area.

The exercise assumed Chinese forces had gained air superiority and used
special forces, drones and other assets to support an airborne assault on
Songshan Airport while disrupting the defense of the Taipei area.

Anti-tank mines were also incorporated into the first five layers of the
defensive line.

Meanwhile, the 5th Combat Theater Command conducted an anti-airdrop drill in
Miaoli, simulating special operations personnel detecting an enemy force and
requesting fire support.

Reconnaissance drones were used to locate the simulated enemy and provide
intelligence, while a fire coordination center directed supporting fire,
while a psychological warfare vehicle broadcast messages intended to
undermine enemy morale.

The live-fire portion of the Han Kuang exercises is scheduled to conclude
Friday.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

The U-S has reacted to China's announcement that it would impose traffic
control measures on vessels in the Taiwan Strait during the approach of
Typhoon Dolphin last week.

A State Department spokesperson said the U-S opposes any actions that
interfere with high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight that apply in
the Taiwan Strait.

U-S reaction came days after China's Guangdong Maritime Safety
Administration announced that it would impose traffic control measures
beginning last Thursday on northbound vessels entering the Taiwan Strait
through its southern approach.

The administration said that all vessels must comply with the measures, seek
safe shelter from the storm, and follow the instructions of maritime
authorities to ensure safety at sea.

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration had earlier responded by saying the
Taiwan Strait is an international waterway and that China has no authority to
impose controls over it.

U-S Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department have previously
criticized China's deployment of coast guard vessels near Taiwan, saying such
operations undermine regional stability.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

President Lai Ching-te has presided over the launch ceremony for two new
marine survey vessels which took place in Kaohsiung.

Lai reiterated his administration's resolve to uphold maritime governance and
national security through surveys of Taiwan's surrounding waters.

Lai named the survey vessels "Blue Ocean 101" and "Blue Ocean 102."

The vessels were built by C-S-B-C after an open tender initiated by the
National Academy of Marine Research under the Ocean Affairs Council.

The two vessels are responsible for collecting hydrographic and biological
data in the shallow coastal waters off Taiwan's main island and outlying
islands to bolster the country's maritime governance and disaster response
capabilities.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling also attended the launch ceremony.

And she told reporters that long-term accumulated marine data is the
foundation of marine scientific research in peacetime, but also an important
basis for the country to understand the maritime situation when facing
security challenges.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a lawyer for allegedly
fabricating information to help Chinese nationals enter Taiwan under false
pretenses.

Prosecutors say Chen Chen-wei owned an immigration consulting agency and drew
up false business plans to secure permits from the National Immigration
Agency for four Chinese nationals to enter Taiwan between 2023 and 2024.

The prosecutors' office says they were not in Taiwan for business purposes,
and three of the Chinese nationals planned to to apply for a passport from
Belize at the Central American country's embassy in Taipei.

The lawyer's immigration consulting agency was paid 80,000 U-S dollars in
compensation for successfully helping one applicant to secure a Belize
passport.

Chen has been charged with violating the Act Governing Relations between the
People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

The Centers for Disease Control says 14 COVID-19 deaths and 72 cases
involving severe complications were confirmed between August 4 and 10.

That's the highest weekly total during the current domestic COVID-19 wave.

C-D-C Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin says since October of last year, health
authorities have recorded 337 domestic COVID-19 cases involving severe
complications, including 42 deaths.

Data shows there were 24,645 COVID-19-related outpatient and emergency room
visits between August 2 and 8 - and increase of 27.6-per cent from the
previous week.

The C-D-C says although the number of visits continued to rise, the increase
was slower than in previous weeks, when weekly visits jumped by between 66
and 117-per cent.

Health officials say about 140,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine remain in
storage.

All 37,000 vaccine doses currently held by the C-D-C expire on September 9
and will be distributed to local governments tomorrow after being removed
from cold storage.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

Taiwan's representative office in the Philippines has unveiled a larger
consular hall in Makati City.

It comes after the office relocated its consular services to accommodate
growing demand amid increasing exchanges between the two countries.

Taiwan's top envoy to the Philippines, Wallace Chow, said the number of
Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan has risen from around 150,000 in 2023,
when he took office, to over 180,000 this year.

... while the number of Filipino university students studying in Taiwan has
grown from around 3,000 to over 5,500 as of early this year.

Chow says that growth reflects expanding exchanges and cooperation between
the two sides.

The office has also added more staff, including personnel handling consular
and administrative affairs.

Chow says the increase in demand, along with the expansion of staff, made the
existing office space insufficient, prompting it to relocate its consular
hall to a larger space.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

And,

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih says the M-R-T Sanying Line will begin operating
at its full daily schedule beginning this Sunday.

The move means trains will be running from 6AM to midnight.

The newly opened metro line that connects Dingpu Station on the Bannan to
Yingge District will continue to be free during the trial period.

The mayor says extended operating hours are intended to give the public more
opportunities to use the line and allow operators to further evaluate its
performance under normal operating conditions.

The Sanying Line began trial operations on June 30.

... and at the beginning of this month, it has operated daily from 8AM to
10PM, with trains running every six to eight minutes depending on the time of
day.

The New Taipei City Metro Corporation says the line recorded more than
900,000 passenger trips between its opening and late July.

The trial service will offer free rides through August 31 and fares will then
follow the tiered pricing system of the Taipei and New Taipei M-R-T networks,
ranging from 20 to 35 N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

Japan’s Defense Ministry says North Korea has launched a possible ballistic
missile toward the sea.

It cited South Korea's military, which reported that North Korea fired an
unidentified projectile off North Korea’s east coast.

The Defense Ministry says the suspected weapon has landed in the waters.

The reported launch came two days after South Korea and the United States
said they will kick off their annual large-scale military drills next week to
beef up readiness against North Korean threats.

Last week, South Korea, the U.S. and Japan detected the launch of a
short-range ballistic missile from North Korea in what was the North’s first
ballistic weapons testing activity since late June.

North Korea didn’t confirm the reported launch, though it usually releases
details of weapons tests a day after.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

Crews searched through rubble in Colombia after a powerful earthquake left
thousands missing.

President Abelardo de la Espriella said Tuesday that at least 181 people died
in the cities of Cali, Pereira, Choco and Manizales and thousands more were
injured.

More than 1,000 buildings were destroyed in the 7.4 magnitude earthquake on
Monday.

De la Espriella has mobilized military and police resources, and soldiers,
rescue teams, and volunteers are sifting through the rubble.

Choco, near the epicenter, is one of Colombia's poorest regions and hard to
access.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

A deadly wildfire in Western Canada continues to grow.

Authorities are still fighting to contain the blaze that’s destroyed homes
and other properties near Okanagan Lake in British Columbia.

Provincial officials have ramped up evacuations, securing hotel rooms and
group-lodging spaces for evacuees.

About 100 firefighters from Mexico are on the way to help fight the blaze.

Authorities are investigating whether criminal activity played a role in the
fire.

Posted on 2026-08-12 06:56:14

Human Rights Watch and three other advocacy groups have sued the Trump
administration to challenge its campaign against the International Criminal
Court.

The complaint argues that sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors are
undermining the ability to prosecute people responsible for humanity’s worst
crimes.

The lawsuit is the latest example of organizations pushing back on what they
call the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine international law and
prevent efforts to combat impunity by governments around the world.

The groups say the financial and legal penalties against the ICC have forced
them to “curtail a wide range of human rights and legal work."

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