ICRT

Posted on 2026-03-28 12:07:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an backed up the police department in its handling of
a TPP rally set for tomorrow on Ketagalan Boulevard.

The TPP applied for the permit to rally in front of the Presidential Office
after the sentence in founder Ke Wen-zhe's trial was announced yesterday.

Ke was sentenced to 17 years on charges of bribery and corruption.

He and his party said the charges and sentencing reflect political
interference.

DPP politicians have said that the swift approval for a rally tomorrow
contravenes a rule that applications for protests must be filed at least
seven days before the event.

Chiang Wan-an said he was satisfied that police followed appropriate
procedures.

Asked if he would attend the rally, he said he would but he had other plans.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-28 12:07:13

Bank SinoPac says its board has approved a merger with King's Town Bank

It said the merger will take effect sometime after regulatory approval.

Bank SinoPac said it will pay for the acquisition in shares and cash.

Following the merger, Bank SinoPac's total assets will reach US$100 billion,
ranking 12th among all banks in Taiwan and fifth among private-sector
lenders.

Its number of branches will increase to 191, making it the second-largest
network in the country.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-28 12:07:13

Attacks have appeared to intensify in the war in the Middle East, including
strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and an Iranian missile attack that
wounded US service members and damaged planes at a base in Saudi Arabia.

In a positive development, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva
said overnight that Tehran has agreed to "facilitate and expedite"
humanitarian aid through the Strait of Hormuz.

The aid plan would be the first breakthrough at the shipping chokepoint after
a month of war.

In the United States, President Donald Trump reiterated his desire for Saudi
Arabia and Israel to normalize ties when the war ends, though significant
obstacles remain.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-28 12:07:13

Authorities say five people were killed when a train and a van collided in
rural Mississippi.

Stone County's coroner said all of the casualties were in the van, including
one passenger, who was flown to a hospital.

There were no reported deaths or injuries on the Canadian Pacific Kansas City
train.

The crash occurred near the town of Wiggins about 45 miles northwest of
Biloxi.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-03-28 11:07:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs' electricity price-review committee decided
yesterday that Taipower should keep the price of electricity unchanged next
month and at least for the next five months.

The decision was made to tamp down potential inflation stemming from wars in
the Middle East, particularly Iran's restrictions on shipping traffic out of
the Persian Gulf.

We reported yesterday on the price freeze for at least one month, but Taipei
Times reported that Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Chien-hsin
(賴建信) told reporters the freeze would last for six months.

Lai said US tariffs also figured in the committee's rationale for the freeze.

He said Taipower reported a profit in excess of US$2 billion last year, so it
can absorb the cost of keeping prices steady in the face of crude oil prices
exceeding $100 a barrel.

The ministry's deputy chief added that the decision will be reviewed if the
US-Iran war exceeds three months.

JvW

Posted on 2026-03-27 18:13:13

Electricity prices in Taiwan will remain unchanged starting in April.

The Electricity Price Review Committee made the decision at its first meeting
of the year, citing ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East and global trade
conditions.

Officials say keeping rates steady will help stabilize consumer prices and
maintain industrial competitiveness.

The average electricity rate will stay at 3-point-7-8-2-3 NT per
kilowatt-hour.

The government had raised rates slightly last September, while freezing
prices for industrial users.

Authorities say they will continue monitoring global energy trends before
making any future adjustments.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-27 18:13:16

KMT lawmakers are proposing changes to boost parental leave benefits.

The bill would formalize the current system providing up to 80% of a worker's
salary during parental leave, making it a legal entitlement.

Currently, only 60% is mandated by law, with the remaining 20% provided
through government subsidies.

Under the proposal, that additional 20% would be funded through the national
budget and become a statutory responsibility.

It also proposes increasing support for disadvantaged families, with
subsidies reaching up to full salary in some cases.

Lawmakers say the move responds to Taiwan’s worsening low birth rate crisis
... as many families hesitate to have children due to financial and workplace
pressures ... and the risk of income loss during leave.

They also say policies should support not only families but businesses, which
face staffing pressures when employees take parental leave.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-27 18:13:16

The career fair at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology today
drew large numbers of young attendees.

A total of 220 companies participated, offering about 16,000 job openings,
with nearly 60% from the manufacturing sector, including semiconductors and
electronics.

Around 40 companies offered positions for international students, encouraging
overseas youth to join Taiwan's workforce.

Employers say that the university's students are valued for skills such as AI
collaboration, the ability to learn things quickly, and cross-disciplinary
integration.

They noted that amid the rise of AI and Taiwan's declining birth rate,
skilled talent is becoming increasingly scarce, giving graduates more choice
and leverage in the job market.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-27 17:10:13

The Cabinet has rolled out new measures to stabilize prices amid rising
global energy costs linked to Middle East tensions.

At a price stabilization meeting, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun approved steps
including keeping household natural gas and LPG prices unchanged in April.

Officials say these costs are closely tied to food and dining prices, and
stabilizing them is key to controlling inflation.

The government will also freeze fertilizer prices and work with suppliers to
keep LPG prices steady.

Authorities have been told to monitor supplies of daily necessities,
including plastic bags, and ensure stable access to medical goods.

Recent disruptions in petrochemical supplies, linked to conflict in the
Middle East, have already caused shortages.

The Cabinet says Taiwan's energy reserves remain sufficient, with natural gas
supplies secured through May, and additional imports planned from June.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-03-27 17:10:13

Experts say, the sentence handed down to former Taipei Mayor and TPP Founder
Ke Wen Zhe may strengthen the alliance between the TPP and KMT heading into
November elections.

A retired NTNU political science professor, Chu Chao-hsiang 曲兆祥 noted
that many TPP supporters viewed the ruling as unfair...

which is likely to deepen resentment towards the DPP and translate into
support for the proposed TPP-KMT cooperation and boosting the smaller party's
prospects in local elections.

Meanwhile Chen Shih-min 陳世民, of the NTU political science department,
said the the TPP would move to frame the case as political persecution, with
supporters likely to believe Ke is innocent.

But, Chen said it may hurt the party and make it more difficult to attract
moderate voters.

Chen noted that recent data shows that the TPP's support has dropped by about
10 percentage points over the past year.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-03-27 17:10:13

The Taipei Zoo is offering free admission to elementary school students and
one parent on Children’s Day as part of a citywide celebration next month.

The zoo announced today that children from Taipei can visit free of charge on
April 4-th.

To get the deal, families must show a special "2026 Children's Month" map
provided by the city's education department.

The free admission is part of a larger city program for the holiday weekend.

From April 3rd to 6th, students with the holiday map can also enjoy unlimited
rides on the Maokong Gondola.

Free skating at the Taipei Arena and free entry to the Taipei Children's
Amusement Park are also included in the promotion.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-27 17:10:13

Now turning to international news

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in France to meet his Group of Seven
counterparts after President Donald Trump attacked NATO over a refusal to
take part in the Iran war.

Some of the US' closest and oldest allies have met the conflict with deep
skepticism.

Rubio will have a tough time today trying to sell the other top diplomats
from G7 countries on the U.S. strategy for the Iran conflict, to which almost
all nations have raised objections.

Trump’s vitriolic comments about NATO during a Cabinet meeting Thursday will
likely make the task even tougher.
Most of those in the G7 are also members of the trans-Atlantic military
alliance. Japan is the only one that is not.

Posted on 2026-03-27 17:10:13

China's commerce ministry said today that it has initiated two counter-probes
into U.S. practices hampering the flow of Chinese products into the United
States.

The Ministry said tha two investigations - to conclude within six months but
which could be further extended are launched in response to two U.S. Section
301 investigations against China.

The Ministry called "reciprocal," saying that based on the findings of the
investigations, China will take corresponding measures to defend its rights
and interests.

Posted on 2026-03-27 17:10:13

A stranded whale in Germany’s Baltic Sea has finally swum free after
rescuers cut an escape route, but it still faces danger.

A marine biologist says the whale moved overnight through a channel dug in
the sand.

The whale got stuck on Monday near the resort town of Timmendorfer Strand
right by the sea.

Boats tried to push it off the sandbank by making waves, but the Baltic has
weak tides.

On Thursday, an excavator dug a trench in front of the whale.

Researchers say the whale then headed out of Lubeck Bay under escort.

Experts think it is a young male humpback, a species that's not native to the
Baltic.

This one faces a journey of several hundred kilometers through German and
Danish waters if it is to reach the North Sea.

Posted on 2026-03-27 16:08:13

TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang says, the party will absolutely not remove founder
Ke Wen Zhe from the membership rosters...

following Ke's being sentenced to 17 years behind bars on corruption and
embezzlement charges.

Huang also accused the DPP of carrying out political persecution against Ke.

At a press conference this morning, reporters pointed out that Hsinchu Mayor
Gao Hong An quit the party soon after she was sentenced to jail time in a
first ruling.

But Huang says party discipline is meant to address violations of internal
integrity rules, not to deal with party members facing political persecution.

Huang is also calling on TPP supporters and all those upholding justice for
all to gather at Ketagalan boulevard on Sunday to protest the sentence.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-27 16:08:13

Taiwan's consumer confidence has fallen to a more than three-year low.

National Central University says the index dropped by more than 4 points in
March to 62.3 — with all six key indicators declining.

Experts say the main driver is the ongoing conflict between the U-S and Iran,
which has pushed up global energy prices and raised inflation concerns.

They warn that as long as Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz,
high oil prices could persist — increasing pressure on household spending,
businesses, and even the job market.

While the government may step in to stabilize fuel and electricity prices,
analysts say that would only delay inflationary pressure, not resolve it.

Despite the stock market hovering near record highs, investor sentiment is
turning more cautious, with many reluctant to buy at elevated levels.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-27 16:08:13

The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's board members have agreed to form a special
team to look into alleged financial irregularities involving two former staff
members.

They made the decision at today's board meeting with former President Ma
Ying-jeou and current CEO Dai Xia-ling (戴遐齡), as well as four other board
members attending.

Ma said before the meeting that former CEO Xiao Xu-cen (蕭旭岑) and a staff
worker Wang Guang-ci (王光慈) left their jobs due to some financial problems
regarding the Foundation.

The allegations attracted much media attention and sparked various rumors.

Xiao, who's now KMT deputy chair, has adamantly denied any wrongdoing or
breach of trust.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-27 16:08:16

Pope Leo XIV is going to the principality of Monaco for a one-day trip.

He'll become the first pope in nearly five centuries to travel to the
Mediterranean enclave when he visits on Saturday.

Monaco is also one of the few European countries where Catholicism is the
official state religion.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the visit would provide the American
pope with his first real chance to speak to all of Europe.

Bruni said the “defense of life” would be one of the themes of Leo’s
one-day visit Saturday.

But he stressed that Leo’s vision would be in the larger context of
defending all life, including in wars and conflicts.

Posted on 2026-03-27 15:07:13

The Water Resources Agency has carried out cloud seeding operations early
this morning, hoping to boost rainfall in key reservoir catchment areas amid
ongoing dry conditions.

Rainfall across western Taiwan has been significantly below average since
last winter, with reservoirs from Hsin-chu to Tai-nan receiving just 9 to 35
percent of their usual levels.

That's the lowest in more than 75 years.

Water restrictions have already been tightened, with Hsinchu moving to
reduced-pressure supply earlier this month, and Taichung placed under a water
alert.

The agency says the cloud seeding operations were conducted at multiple sites
in northern and central Taiwan.

Water levels at Hsin-chu’s two reservoirs are now a little above 20 percent,
with Taichung's Liyu-tan (鯉魚潭) and Ming-de (明德) reservoirs hovering near
the 30 percent mark.

Officials say they will continue to monitor weather conditions closely, with
another rain system expected around March 31st.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-27 15:07:13

Cathay Pacific Airways has again increased its fuel surcharge by
approximately $1,600 NT for long-haul flights starting next month.

Citing rising crude oil prices due to the Middle East conflict, the Hong
Kong-based carrier said today surchage for the short-haul flights will also
go up by $412 NT.

That means beginning April 1st, short-haul routes will be charged $1,600 NT,
and long-haul routes some $6,400 NT just for the fuel.

The carrier said according to the International Air Transport Association,
the average global jet fuel price rose to 197 dollars per barrel in the week
of March 20th.

That's nearly double the level seen in late February.

Cathay Pacific said many airlines around the world have adopted similar
measures, adding that to better respond to sharp fluctuations in fuel prices,
it will now review its surcharges every two weeks.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-27 15:07:13

Taiwan Power has sent its plan for reactivating the No. 3 nuclear power plant
to the Nuclear Safety Commission.

The state-run company says the move is part of the required legal process for
restarting the nuclear reactors, but stresses that even if the plan is
approved, the plant will not be able to resume operations immediately.

It says the plan includes staffing and training, restart procedures and
routine maintenance and operational guidelines.

TaiPower says the plan is just for the preparation of resuming normal
operations, and meanwhile it'll initiate a comprehensive self safety
inspection, which is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

Afterwards the plant will still be reviewed by the N-S-C before a license can
be issued.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-27 15:07:13

Israel has launched a wave of strikes on Iran ahead of a planned U.N.
Security Council meeting to discuss attacks on Iranian civilian
infrastructure.

Iran and the United States appeared stuck in a diplomatic impasse, setting
the stage for more potential escalation as the first month of the Middle East
war neared its end.

Air raid sirens sounded in Israel early today as the military said it was
working to intercept Iranian missiles.

Meanwhile Iran kept up its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors, with incoming
drones and missiles reported in both Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

After Wall Street's worst day since the war began, Asian shares mostly fell
over growing doubts about the chances for de-escalation.

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

Taiwan Railway says service between New Taipei's Shu-lin and Ying-ge has
partially resumed since 1:15 PM after hours of repair.

Trains are now running in both directions on a single track, so delays are
still expected.

Service was temporarily suspended between the two railway stations in both
directions starting 9:17 AM today due to power line failure at Shan-jia
(山佳) Station.

Taiwan Railway has apologized for the disruption and provided shuttle buses
for passengers.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Xiu Yan has become the latest political figure to comment
on former Taipei Mayor and TPP founder Ke Wen Zhe's sentencing.

Lu seemed to mostly side with her party in saying that the public has hopes
for a just and transparent judiciary that is separate from politics...

but she stopped short of openly accusing the DPP of political interference,
as others have done.

The mayor also said that there should be no partisan double standards when it
comes to legal punishment.

Lu went on to say that Ke's mother and wife were saddened by his 17 year
prison sentence and that she hoped they would persist.

Lu is seen as a strong contender for the KMT's presidential nomination in
2028, and her party appears on track to deepen cooperation with the TPP
during this round of elections.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is thanking lawmakers from other countries
who condemned Taiwan's exclusion from a major World Trade Organization
meeting.

MOFA says host country Cameroon blocked Taiwan from attending the 14th W-T-O
Ministerial Conference, breaking a long-standing tradition of recognizing
Taiwan as a "separate customs territory".

U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan
Caucus, says the move is part of a "diplomatic manipulation" by China, and
warns that excluding a vital economic partner like Taiwan sets a dangerous
precedent for international organizations.

Other U.S. lawmakers issued a joint statement, also warning that Beijing is
using its influence to weaken the W-T-O's ability to plan for the future of
global trade.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

Championships

Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting will return to international competition
tomorrow as Taiwan’s national boxing team heads to the 2026 Asian Boxing
Championships.

Lin has been unable to compete for more than 18 months due to unclear testing
regulations from World Boxing.

Following appeals by the Chinese Taipei Boxing Association, the global
governing body officially cleared her for competition on March 21.

The tournament begins Saturday, and the Taiwan national team also includes
top fighters such as Huang Hsiao-wen and Chen Nien-chin.

Following the Asian Championships, the team plans to train in Japan and
Indonesia to prepare for the Nagoya Asian Games in September.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 33112
after losing 225 points.

The turnover was 631.1 billion NT

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

Now turning to international news...

The Israeli military says it has struck at "the heart of Tehran" while smoke
was simultaneously seen billowing in the Beirut skyline.

Israel has moved thousands of troops across the border into Lebanon, where
Israeli officials publicly admit that they want to take control of an area
some 30 kilometers within Lebanon.

This comes as the US president has delayed his threat to attack Iranian
energy plants over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the call following Wall Street's worst day since the start of the
war.

Posted on 2026-03-27 14:08:13

Nepal's youngest ever prime minister will take the oath of office this
afternoon.

At 35 years old, Balendra Shah will be sworn in by the nepalese president at
12:34 pm local time, which Hindu priests say is the most auspicious moment of
the day.

The swearing-in also lands on a major Hindu festival, and will include conch
blowing and chants from Hindu priests and Buddhist lamas.

The new PM is a structural engineer who rose to fame as a rap artists before
becoming the mayor of Kathmandu.

He leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which won about 2/3rds in the
parliament's lower House of Representatives.

Shah will lead a government tasked with navigating deep public frustration
with Nepal’s established parties, who were widely blamed by voters for
corruption and chronic political instability.

Posted on 2026-03-27 13:07:13

The Ministry of National Defense says it is seeking to delay a looming
payment deadline for additional HIMARS rocket systems, as legislative
approval for the funding remains pending.

Deputy Defense Minister Xu Si-jian (徐斯儉) says the military is keeping
close contact with the U.S., hoping to secure an extension before the first
payment due on March 30.

But without passage of the special budget bill and related legislation in
the Legislature, the ministry currently has no legal basis to make the
payment.

Xu says missing the deadline could delay delivery of the high mobility
artillery rocket systems until the end of the year.

The United States announced the sale of 82 HIMARS to Taiwan in December last
year at an estimated cost of $4 billion U.S. dollars.

That's part of a historic $11 billion-U.S.-dollar arms package.

The Ministry received a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the system from
the U.S. early this month.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-27 13:07:13

The Mainland Affairs Council is responding to criticism from China following
yesterday's sentencing of former Taipei Mayor and TPP founder Ke Wen Zhe...

saying that China has no right to criticize Taiwan's internal politics, given
the fact that China itself is a dictatorship.

MAC chair Chiu Chui Cheng slammed China's Taiwan Affairs Office for
statements saying that Ke's sentencing amounted to political repression.

Chiu said that the Republic of China is a democratic country in which the
judiciary follows the law in passing judgements...

whereas China is an authoritarian country.

He advised the Taiwan Affairs Office against using the case as a chance to
push its agenda in Taiwan.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-27 13:07:13

Now turning to international news...

Costa Rica says it will accept "third party" migrants deported from the US.

Costa Rica thus joins a growing number of countries across Africa and the
Americas to sign contentious and often hush-hush agreements with the US to
accept deportees from other countries.

Officials say they will take 25 migrants weekly as part of the agreement.

Under similar agreements with other countries like Honduras and Rwanda,
migrants who previously hoped to seek asylum in the US are left in a legal
gray zone in countries where they don't speak the local language.

Costa Rican authorities say, the deportees will be processed under a special
migratory status that will avoid returning people to countries where they may
face persecution.

Posted on 2026-03-27 13:07:13

The leaders of Belarus and North Korea have held talks and signed a
friendship and cooperation treaty in another step closer for the two Russian
allies.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was in Pyongyang on a two day
official visit.

He called the treaty "fundamental" and said that relations between the two
countries are "entering a new stage."

This comes as the two Moscow allies draw closer in the face of confrontations
with the west.

Lukashenko previously allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory as a staging
ground for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and later OK'd the
deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Posted on 2026-03-27 08:07:13

Now for a look at the week in business here in Taiwan, as I chat with Dimitri
Bruyas in Taipei ...

Good morning ... Dimitri

Thanks Dmitri .. and we'll be speaking w/ you at the same time next week
......

Posted on 2026-03-27 08:07:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning ...

Taiwan People's Party founder and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je says he will
"not surrender or yield" after being found guilty by the Taipei District
Court on charges of bribery and corruption.

Speaking to reporters after the court handed down a 17 year prison sentence,
Ko said he didn't "seek improper benefits, nor commit corruption" and the
case didn't "pursue factual truth" and involved "too much political
interference."

Ko described the case against him and his trail as "a political script
written in advance" - arguing that procedural justice had been undermined -
with "rules of evidence discarded" and testimony "selectively accepted."

According to the former Taipei mayor, the court used 2.1-million N-T donation
from the Core Pacific Group to convict him of corruption, despite prosecutors
failing to find any evidence of "illicit financial flows.

The court sentenced Ko to 13 years in prison for corruption, two years for
one case of misappropriating political donations, three years and six months
for another, and two years for breach of public trust.

The court also sentenced Core Pacific Group founder and chairman Shen
Ching-jing to 10 years in prison.

While Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying was sentenced to 15 years and six
months in prison for pressuring city government officials to facilitate
approval of the Core Pacific City development project.

All three defendants were present at the court for the verdict.

Meanwhile,

T-P-P Chairman Huang Kuo-chang told reporters the he was "unable to believe"
the verdict and described it as "political judgment."

Huang says the party will will remain united behind Ko and supporters will
rally on Ketagalan Boulevard on Sunday afternoon to show they support for the
T-P-P founder.

Posted on 2026-03-27 08:07:13

defense budget

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene is urging lawmakers
across party lines to pass a special defense budget to fund planned purchases
of U-S weapon systems.

Speaking at the annual American Chamber of Commerce Hsieh Nien Fan banquet in
Taipei, Greene said Washington's decades-long commitment to Taiwan's
self-defense remains "rock-solid" ...

... and America's "goal continues to be to create an environment in which the
two sides of the Taiwan Strait can resolve their differences peacefully and
free from coercion."

According to Greene, U-S President Donald Trump is urging allies and partners
to increase their defense spending to 5-per cent of G-D-P, and said Taiwan is
no exception.

The A-I-T director went on to say all parties in Taiwan's legislature need to
work through political differences and quickly pass a defense budget that
demonstrates the island's commitment to its self-defense by funding the
acquisition of critical defense capabilities.

President Lai Ching-te also attend the American Chamber's annual banquet -
and his address said Taiwan and the U-S are continuing to deepen their
"comprehensive strategic partnership" and economic ties are "closer than
ever."

Posted on 2026-03-27 08:07:13

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih has returned to Taiwan following a 10-day
visit to Australia - and says that the main purpose of the trip was to find
ways to make the city more cosmopolitan.

Speaking to reporters at Taoyuan International Airport, Hou said he met with
Australian government officials and lawmakers and also visited a youth mental
health center to learn about their support and prevention strategies ..

... which he hopes to use as a reference in New Taipei.

According to Hou, he and his delegation also visited sites in Brisbane, where
stadium projects are in full swing in preparation for the 2032 Summer
Olympics, in order to gain planning and design ideas for New Taipei's planned
dome project.

Hou said he met with a team that plans the fireworks display over the Sydney
Harbor Bridge, with the aim of doing something similar over the soon to be
opened Danjiang Bridge, in the hope of making it an international landmark.

Hou and the delegation also held discussions concerning ideas for libraries
and other municipal projects, as well as the care of dementia patients.

Posted on 2026-03-27 08:07:13

The Centers for Disease Control has ordered the recall of 2,642 doses of a
government-funded flu vaccine following the discovery of a discolored vial at
a clinic in New Taipei.

The dose was manufactured by G-S-K and was found to be cloudy and white
during a routine pre-vaccination inspection.

The vial was reported and later classified as a defective product by the Food
and Drug Administration.

It was not administered.

The C-D-C says it traced the batch and found that 2,642 doses remained unused
across 14 jurisdictions, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and Taichung.

However, about 545,280 doses from the same batch have already been
administered.

According to the F-D-A, the cause of the discoloration is under investigation
and the manufacturer has been asked to conduct a prompt probe under defective
product reporting mechanisms.

Similar incidents have occurred in the past.

Sanofi flu vaccines were found to contain suspended particles in 2018, while
in 2024, a single discolored dose of a domestic Adimmune vaccine led to the
disposal of the entire remaining batch.

Posted on 2026-03-27 08:07:13

And finally,

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has attended Taipei Fashion Week Autumn/Winter
2026 at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.

Hsiao visited the C JEAN Runway Show yesterday evening.

A press release from the Presidential Office says Hsiao believes that Fashion
Week is a platform that can successfully connects design creation, industrial
development, and international exchange ...

.. and showcases Taiwan's innovative strength and development potential in
the global fashion arena.

Along with Hsiao, other attendees included Deputy Culture Minister Wang
Shi-si, D-PP lawmaker Wu Si-yao, Control Yuan member Fan Xun-lu and Taiwan
Design Research Institute head Zhang Ji-yi.

Taipei Fashion Week Autumn/Winter is taking place at the Songshan Cultural
and Creative Park until Sunday.

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:13

Taiwan People's Party founder and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has been
sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Taipei District Court after being
found guilty of bribery and corruption charges.

The Taipei District Court sentenced Ko to 13 years in prison and six years of
deprivation of civil rights for corruption, two years for one case of
misappropriating political donations, three years and six months for another,
and two years for breach of public trust.

The court also sentenced Core Pacific Group founder and chairman Shen
Ching-jing yo 10 years in prison and five years of deprivation of civil
rights.

Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying was sentenced to 15 years and six months in
prison, along with a six-year deprivation of civil rights, for pressuring
city government officials to facilitate approval of the Core Pacific City
development project.

All three defendants were present at the court for the verdict.

Ko is the first major opposition leader in Taiwan to have ever received a
prison sentence.

There was a heavy police presence as over 100 of Ko's supporters and T-P-P
members gathered outside the court as the ruling was announced.

Minor scuffles broke out after bystanders mocked pro-Ko chants and after
pro-independence activists set off firecrackers and criticized Ko.

No arrests were reported.

Ko was indicted on December 26, 2024 and prosecutors had been seeking a
sentence of 28 and-a-half years.

Ko remains under investigation in connection with six other cases.

The district court ruling can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:15

Three days of review have yielded no consensus on special defense bills for
members of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee and Finance
Committee.

Lawmakers kicked off the review process when they questioned defense
officials on the various measures proposed.

Line-by-line reviews of the bills took place Wednesday and yesterday.

Three versions of the bill are on the table: the Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T
version, the K-M-T's 380-billion N-T proposal and the Taiwan People's Party's
400-billion N-T version of the special defense budget bill.

Only two provisions have been passed since Monday.

These are Article 2, which stipulates that the Ministry of National Defense
is the competent authority, and Article 3 of the K-M-T's version requiring
procurement to follow the Government Procurement Act.

The remainder of the articles will now be returned for further cross-party
negotiations.

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:16

Two U-S lawmakers have criticized China for allegedly interfering in the
upcoming World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Cameroon -- which
they say has resulted on Taiwan being blocked from attending the event.

A joint statement was issued by U-S House Select Committee members John
Moolenaar and Ro Khanna.

They called the move by Cameroon to stop Taiwan from participating in the
14th WTO Ministerial Conference another troubling example of Beijing's
continuing efforts to manipulate multilateral institutions.

Committee members say as a full member of the global trade body, host
countries have long followed W-T-O precedent, which recognizes Taiwan as a
"Separate Customs Territory" ...

.. and the U-S will continue to stand with Taiwan and urges the W-T-O to
stand up to China's bullying and facilitate Taiwan's participation in the
Ministerial Conference.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week lodged a formal protest with the
W-T-O Secretariat after Cameroon listed Taiwan as "Taiwan, Province of China"
on visa documents for the conference.

Taiwan is officially listed by the WTO as Separate Customs Territory of
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu or Chinese Taipei.

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:16

Anti-nuclear groups are protesting purported plans by the Lai administration
to reopen two decommissioned nuclear power plants.

It's the second time this week that anti-nuclear protesters have voiced their
anger over the move - as a similar protest took place outside the D-P-P
headquarters on Wednesday.

An alliance of political parties opposed to a return to nuclear powers as
also been vocal in its opposition to the move.

They argue that amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act
made last year do not mean the nuclear power plants can simply be brought
back on-line, but act as legislative basis for the continuation of operations
after entering the decommissioning stage.

The alliance is calling on the government to cease making plans to restart
the plants and to withdraw Tai-Power's ongoing feasibility review process.

The D-P-P is insisting the government has no immediate plans to restart the
plants and comments by Lai and senior government officials are based on
"contingency plans."

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:16

The Lai administration is planning to send Chinese-language teachers to
Tibetan schools in India.

The move is part of an agreement signed earlier this week with a Tibetan
higher education institute.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the education division of the
Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi and the Dalai Lama Institute
for Higher Education.

Taiwan's top envoy to India, Chen Mu-min says Taiwan teachers will be placed
in Tibetan schools to teach Mandarin, creating more opportunities for
cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

The initiative marks the first formal collaboration in higher education
between Taiwan and the Tibetan community in India.

Tashi Dickey, the secretary of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in
New Delhi, said the M-O-U is a milestone for the Tibetan community in India
..

.. as learning Mandarin expands job opportunities for Tibetan students and
can open doors for the wider Tibetan society, enabling them to better express
themselves to Chinese-speaking audiences.

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:16

And,

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says children aged 12 and under
will be able to enter 14 national forest recreation areas for free during the
upcoming four-day weekend Tomb Sweeping Festival and Children's Day holiday.

Lala-shan, Da-syue-shan, Alishan and Ao-wan-da are particularly suited for
children interested in nature, where they can see towering trees and explore
forest trails.

At Ao-wan-da, fireflies can also be seen from April to May, lighting up the
night sky and showcasing a different side of the forest.

For children who enjoy water-based activities, areas with streams and
waterfalls, the agency is recommending Nei-dong, Man-yue-yuan, Ba-sian-shan
and Shuang-liou, which feature cool waters and scenic cascades.

And the agency is suggesting that children interested in history visit
Dong-yan-shan and Chih-nan, as the sites feature preserved forestry
facilities and exhibition spaces that offer insights into Taiwan's forestry
development.

The four-day weekend Tomb Sweeping Festival and Children's Day holiday falls
from April 3 through 6.

Posted on 2026-03-27 07:00:16

EU regulators are investigating Snapchat over fears it's not doing enough to
protect children from online harm.

The European Commission opened a formal case on Thursday under the Digital
Services Act.

Regulators say Snapchat’s age checks may not stop users under 13, or spot
users under 17.

Snapchat said it has been fully cooperating with the Commission's
investigation.

Posted on 2026-03-26 18:11:13

The Taipei District Court has ruled to maintain bail and electronic
monitoring measures for former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je and other defendants
following today's sentencing.

The court says Ko will remain free on bail under existing conditions,
including an electronic ankle bracelet and restrictions on residence and
travel, rejecting his request to ease those measures or reduce his $70
million NT bail.

The decision came after a post-verdict hearing, where prosecutors argued all
four defendants had been convicted and still face appeals and future
sentencing procedures.

Ko was earlier sentenced to 17 years in prison and six years of civil rights
deprivation in corruption and embezzlement cases linked to the Core Pacific
City project and political donations.

The ruling can still be appealed.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-26 18:11:15

Authorities are warning of a wave of misinformation claiming Taiwan's natural
gas supply is at risk due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Officials say the rumors, widely shared on social media, falsely suggest
Taiwan could run out of gas within days.

The government has rejected those claims, stressing that current LNG reserves
remain stable and supply sources are diversified.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin earlier had said that an imminent
shortage is 'impossible', noting that Taiwan imports energy from multiple
countries.

Authorities also warn some of the content may be part of coordinated efforts
to stir public anxiety and undermine confidence in energy security.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-26 18:11:15

Taipei transportation officials are expanding a pilot program for heavy
motorcycles parking at 24 public parking garages starting next month.

Officials say starting April 6th, heavy motorcycles can park diagonally
across two standard scooter spots.

Owners will be charged twice the standard scooter rate for that specific
garage.

Large motorcycles have traditionally been required to park in car stalls,
leading to complaints from drivers about wasted space.

Participating garages will post signs at their entrances to let riders know
they can use the scooter zones.

The parking spots inside will also be clearly marked for shared use.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-26 18:11:20

New data shows that nearly half of parents in Taiwan have seen their children
struggle with negative emotions about their height or appearance.

According to a survey by the Taiwan Precision Child Health Association, 46
percent of parents reported their children feeling upset about their height
or appearance.

However, only about 31 percent said they proactively took their children to
see a doctor.

The study also found that many parents lack awareness of key growth warning
signs, such as growing less than about four centimeters a year.

Experts warn that delaying action could mean missing critical growth periods,
potentially affecting physical development, self-confidence, and mental
well-being.

They urge parents to monitor growth regularly and seek evaluation as early as
possible if concerns arise.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-26 17:20:13

Although the Taipei District Court has delivered its ruling in the Core
Pacific City and political donations cases, former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s
legal troubles are far from over.

Taipei prosecutors have launched a separate probe into possible violations of
the Anti-Corruption Act related to Ko and his wife's unexplained sources of
property.

During his tenure as Taipei mayor, his government was allegedly involved in
the Bei-tou Shi-lin Technology Park's land rights disputes, and Ko has been
listed as a defendant.

Prosecutors are also looking into several influence peddling cases regarding
two wholesale markets and a private company.

Ko and current TPP chair Huang Guo-chang are currently holding a press
conference at NTU Hospital International Convention Center.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-26 17:20:14

Taiwan will send Mandarin teachers to Tibetan schools in India under a new
agreement between a Tibetan higher education institute and a local Taiwan
representative office.

Diplomats say that, under the agreement, Taiwanese teachers will be placed in
Tibetan schools to teach Mandarin, creating more opportunities for cultural
exchange and mutual understanding.

This marks the first formal collaboration in higher education between Taiwan
and the Tibetan community in India.

Representatives from the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education in
Bangalore say that the school has long offered Mandarin courses, but they've
mostly been taught by Tibetan teachers.

Tibetan officials say that learning Mandarin will expand job opportunities
for Tibetan students and allow Tibetans to better express themselves to
Mandarin-speaking audiences as they confront China and fight for a free
Tibet.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-03-26 17:20:14

Nuclear power is getting a second look in Southeast Asia as the region
prepares for surging demand to power AI data centers.

Analysts also say, the Iran war is adding momentum to nuclear interest and
action.

Countries are reviving nuclear plans that have long been simmering on the
back burner and many have set ambitious targets.

Some, like Malaysia, say that nuclear power can satisfy Southeast Asia's data
center industry without raising carbon emissions...

but safety concerns remain.

The International Energy Agency says, Southeast Asia will account for one
fourth of growth in global energy demand by 2035...

partially due to the more than 2000 data centers across the region.

Posted on 2026-03-26 17:20:14

The US state of Idaho is thinking about taking another step to ban
transgender people from bathrooms...

in yet another move targeting transgender people in more conservative states
in the country.

Lawmakers in the state are considering a bill that would make it a crime for
trans people to use bathrooms matching their gender, even in private
businesses.

Many states already have laws barring trans people from using bathrooms that
align with their genders in schools and other public places...

but the others do not apply to private businesses.

Under the proposal, violators could face up to 5 years in prison...

which is more time than Idaho imposes for a first drunk driving conviction.

Activists and police say, the law invites harassment and makes daily life
harder.

They emphasize that the legislation would likely lead to more unwanted
profiling of people regardless of if they are actually trans or not.

Posted on 2026-03-26 16:19:13

In world news....

Iran and the United States have hardened their positions after diplomacy
aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to be
faltering.

Tehran moved to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz as
Washington prepared for the arrival of combat forces that could be used on
the ground in the Islamic Republic.

Israel today carried out a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure,
and Iran kept up its attacks on Persian Gulf neighbors, with Saudi Arabia
intercepting multiple drones.

The United Arab Emirates’ air defenses also worked to intercept incoming
fire, and Bahrain was extinguishing a blaze near its international airport.

Posted on 2026-03-26 16:06:13

The Taipei District Court has sentenced 3 defendants to prison time in the
first ruling on the Core Pacific City and 3 other cases.

Core Pacific Group Chair Shen Qing Jing was handed 10 years for allegedly
bribing former Taipei Mayor Ke Wen Zhe and current KMT City Councilor Ying
Xiao Wei in the Core Pacific City case.

Ying herself got 15 and a half years for allegedly accepting over 50 million
NT in bribes.

Prosecutors believe that she acted as a middleman for Shen and city
government officials to secure an usually high floor area ratio.

Li Wen Zong was sentenced to four and a half years.

As the former chairman of the Taipei Metro as well as Ke's former
presidential campaign finance manager, Li is accused of using the Muke
company to embezzle millions from both campaign funds and TPP party funds.

Li also allegedly took in another several million in public donations from
the Zhongwang Foundation to pay office employees.

Shen, Ying, and Li all received less time than prosecutors sought, while Ke
Wen Zhe got 17 years, where prosecutors wanted 28 and a half.

All sentences are still subject to appeal.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-26 16:06:13

The Taipei District Court is holding a hearing at the moment to decide
whether to revise bail conditions and electronic monitoring measures for Ko
and other defendants.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers are presenting their arguments.

The session immediately follows today’s court verdict, which sentenced Ko to
17 years in prison and six years of civil rights deprivation on corruption
and embezzlement charges in the Core Pacific City and political donations
cases.

Prosecutors launched multiple rounds of searches and questioning in August
2024, with several suspects, including Ying Xiao-wei and Shen Qing-jing
detained incommunicado.

They were later granted bail during the trial under strict conditions,
including travel restrictions and electronic monitoring.

Ko was released on bail in September last year after posting 70 million NT.

He has also been fitted an ankle bracelet, with restrictions on his residence
and travel.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-26 16:06:13

In world news....

Iran and the United States have hardened their positions after diplomacy
aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to be
faltering.

Tehran moved to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz as
Washington prepared for the arrival of combat forces that could be used on
the ground in the Islamic Republic.

Israel today carried out a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure,
and Iran kept up its attacks on Persian Gulf neighbors, with Saudi Arabia
intercepting multiple drones.

The United Arab Emirates’ air defenses also worked to intercept incoming
fire, and Bahrain was extinguishing a blaze near its international airport.

Posted on 2026-03-26 16:06:13

A bus carrying about 50 people plunged into a major river in central
Bangladesh as it was driving onto a ferry, leaving at least 18 people dead.

Ten women and two children were among the dead, according to the Fire Service
and Civil Defense Department.

Rebecca Bundhun has more.

Posted on 2026-03-26 16:06:13

Taiwan Railway is planning a livery update to its Puyuma Express trains.

The corperation has opened bids for a new exterior paint scheme for the
TEMU-2000 series, meaning the iconic red-and-white design could soon be
retired.

Officials say the update aims to refresh the appearance of the fleet ... and
modernize the company’s image.

The tilting trains, which entered service in February 2013, can reach speeds
of up to 130 kilometers per hour ... and have helped reduce travel times
between western Taiwan and the Hualien-Taitung region.

Experts in rail and design will be consulted during the process, with a
prototype train expected to begin trial operations by the end of the year.

Bids are being accepted until April 7th.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-26 15:40:13

Former Taipei mayor and TPP founder Ko Wen-je has been sentenced to a total
of 17 years in prison, along with six years of civil rights deprivation,
following nearly two years of investigations and political disputes.

Ko was ordered by the presiding judge to be at the Taipei District Court to
listen to the verdict, while some 100 supporters are seen outside the court
to show their support.

He arrived at the court earlier today with his lawyers and current TPP chair
Huang Guo-chang, as large numbers of reporters gathered inside and outside
the courthouse.

Ko and 10 others were indicted in December 2024 on four major charges with
prosecutors seeking a hefty sentence of 28 years and six months on Ko.

The charges include Core Pacific City illegal land floor area ratio case,
embezzlement of political contributions, breach of trust in the
misappropriation of Zhong-wang (眾望) Foundation' funds, and false reporting
of financial accounts to authorities.

According to the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act,
any person sentenced to more than ten years of fixed-term imprisonment is
disqualified from registering as a candidate for president or vice president.

Posted on 2026-03-26 15:40:14

Education officials say they will begin on-site inspections of quasi-public
kindergartens to ensure the meals served to children match the menus posted
online.

The Ministry of Education says schools under contract with the government
must upload their daily breakfast, lunch, and snack menus to a national
campus food platform.

Official inspectors will now visit schools to check if the food being served
is the same as the items listed.

The ministry says by law, schools are expected to cook their own food and
kindergartens should provide meals that are easy to digest and low in salt,
oil, and sugar.

Authorities say the goal is to keep children healthy and give parents a way
to talk with their kids about what they ate at school each day.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-26 15:40:14

The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution declaring the trafficking
of enslaved Africans “the gravest crime against humanity” and calling for
reparations as “a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs.”

The resolution also urges “the prompt and unhindered restitution” of
cultural items to their countries of origin without charge.

This includes artworks, monuments, museum pieces, documents and national
archives.

Wednesday's vote in the world body had 3-against, with 52 abstentions.

Argentina, Israel and the United States were the three members voting against
the resolution.

The United Kingdom and the 27 members of the European Union were among those
that abstained.

Posted on 2026-03-26 14:06:13

Lawmakers are calling for better leave options for workers who also serve as
family caretakers in their off hours.

DPP Lawmaker Lin Yue Qin cited statistics showing that the majority of
workers had considered leaving their jobs due to the stress of caregiving.

She's asking the Ministries of Labor and of Health and Welfare to put forward
a better plan for employees to take temporary leave from their jobs.

Lin argued that the labor shortage currently may cause the costs to be passed
onto the public, and she suggested that the Cabinet consider a plan similar
to the childcare leave plan.

This comes as the Lai administration pushes its "Long-term care 3.0" plan to
address social pressures associated with elderly care.

In response to Lin's request, the mininisters of both health and welfare and
labor said that they would assess the feasability of such a plan.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-26 14:06:13

The Fair Trade Commission is warning that coordinated stockpiling or
withholding shipments could violate competition laws.

Deputy FTC chair Chen Zhi-min (陳志民) said today that the Commission will
probe into it if there's reason to believe that stockpiling is taking
place...

after lawmakers questioned him about price volatility and shortages in the
plastics sector.

Local news media reported that many small businesses have experienced
delivery delays or price gouging in plastic wrappings, bags and pipes since
the Middle East conflict began.

Chen said if wholesalers act in tacit agreement to take advantage of the
situation, that may qualify as collusion, and the Commission will step in to
investigate.

He added that his organization is closely monitoring the situation.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-26 14:06:13

Over a dozen national parks are offering free entry for children over the
upcoming tomb sweeping long weekend.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says from April 3rd to April 6th,
children under age 12 will get free admission to 14 national forest
recreation areas across Taiwan.

In addition, younger visitors can also ride the Wulai Trolley for free.

The offer covers several popular destinations, including Alishan,
Taipingshan, and Kenting, and officials say each park offers different
experiences for families.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-26 14:06:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 33,337
after losing 101 points.

The turnover was 736.4 billion NT

Posted on 2026-03-26 14:06:13

In the US,

an appeals court has handed a win to the Trump administration in its
continued crackdown on immigration.

The court ruled that the US can continue to detain immigrants without bond.

That ruling overturned a lower court ruling that required that a Mexican
national arrested for lacking legal documents be given a bond hearing before
an immigration judge.

That's the second appeals court to rule in favor of the Trump administration
on this issue.

Both these opinion counter several lower court decision across the country
calling the practice illegal.

Under past administrations, most noncitizens with no criminal record who were
arrested away from the border had an opportunity to request a bond hearing
while awaiting trial.

Historically, bond was often granted to those without criminal convictions
who were not flight risks, and mandatory detention was limited to recent
border crossers.

Posted on 2026-03-26 13:34:13

皜祈岫?函???啗????A new study suggests that one in five elementary school students in Taiwan suffers from social anxiety, with many struggling to handle conflicts or make friends.

皜祈岫?函???啗????The Child Welfare League 皜祈岫?函???啗????Foundation released its 2026 report today after surveying more than 1,200 fifth and sixth graders.

The data shows that children with such 皜祈岫?函???啗????social anxiety are nearly four times more likely to want to skip school compared to their peers, and over 60-percent of these students suffer from insomnia almost every day.

皜祈岫?函???啗????In addition, more than half of the students surveyed said they do not know how to express their true feelings, and nearly 40-percent said they do not know how to make friends, marking a significant increase from seven years ago.

The foundation is calling on parents to offer emotional support instead of criticism when children face social setbacks.

It also urges schools to teach students how to manage conflicts and rebuild relationships.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-26 13:09:13

The Ministry of Civil Service has proposed amendments to the Civil Service
Performance Evaluation Act, introducing a three-tier rating system:
“Excellent,” “Good,” and “Below Good.”

Under the draft, those rated “Excellent” or “Good” would receive a
one-grade salary increase, along with bonuses of 1.3 months and one month of
salary, respectively.

The proposal also defines six conditions for a “Below Good” rating, with no
pay raise and a six-month improvement period.

The draft would also scrap the current special evaluation system, replacing
it with “special rewards,” offering a bonus of two months’ salary, but
without a promotion.

The draft also states that evaluations should be based on routine
assessments, focusing on job performance and service attitude, and will no
longer consider an individual’s academic background or talents.

The M-O-C-S says these revisions aim to boost government workers' morale and
encourage them to pursue outstanding performance.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-26 13:09:21

Cuba says, a former president is in talks with the US as the US conducts an
oil blockade on the country, resulting in nationwide blackouts.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel said talks between the US and former president
Raul Castro are still in the early stages.

Meanwhile US President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs for any country
that provides oil to Cuba...

and has raised concerns that he may try to take military action against the
country.

Due to a US oil embargo, Cuba has not received any fuel shipments in the past
3 months...

with prolonged power outages becoming the new normal.

Raul Castro succeeded his brother, Fidel, as president and led historic talks
with former US President Barack Obama that led to the reopening of embassies
and the re-establishment of diplomatic relations.

Posted on 2026-03-26 13:09:17

Taitung is setting up traffic control measures as the 2026 Taitung Puyuma
Triathlon brings over 3-thousand-300 athletes to the region.

Organizers say the two-day event starting this Saturday includes a full
226-kilometer "ultra" triathlon, a half-distance event, and a youth
competition.

Up to 6,000 people are expected to arrive in the area before tThe
ultra-triathlon begins Saturday morning at 6 a.m. at Taitung Forest Park.

Taitung county officials say several major roads will be partially closed,
and police will block access to the Zhonghua Bridge from Guangfu and Zhonghua
Roads.

Large vehicles are strictly banned from the cycling routes, and sections of
Mahengheng Boulevard and Zhihang Road will also be restricted.

The standard distance and youth triathlons will take place on Sunday morning.

Drivers in the area are being told to follow all police instructions during
the weekend.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-26 13:09:26

And,

Rehabilitated sea turtles in the US state of Florida are getting special
post-op care...from space!

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center wants to learn how well sea turtles can
survive in the wild after losing a limb.

One turtle named Amelie lost her right front arm but was released today at
the beach after rehabilitation.

She was rescued seven weeks ago and had surgery.

When it was time to release her, scientists glued a tracking device to her
shell.

Amelie is the fourth amputee sea turtle being tracked by the center, with one
of the others having traveled over 1100 kilometers since being released in
January.

Posted on 2026-03-26 09:07:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says thunderstorms are expected to affect
northern parts of the island from this evening.

According to the administration's forecast center, an approaching front will
bring rain and thunderstorms to coastal areas in Keelung and other areas in
the north.

The front will pass Taiwan tomorrow - as the northeasterly monsoon
strengthens - and that will bring rain to central and eastern parts of the
island.

The northeasterly monsoon is forecast to weaken on Saturday - when showers
can be expected in coastal areas of the north, mountainous areas in Greater
Taipei as well as in both Yilan and Hualien.

Posted on 2026-03-26 09:07:15

In international news,

Iran's foreign minister says no talks are underway with the U-S - despite
claims by the White House that Donald Trump is having "productive
discussions" with Tehran.

According to the foreign minister, messages have been conveyed by "friendly
countries," but that does not amount to "dialogue nor negotiation."

Iran has also issued five conditions to end the war - including a conclusion
to the conflict "across all fronts" and payment of reparations

Iran had earlier received a 15-point proposal from the U-s from Pakistan,
which is acting as an intermediary - and Tehran says it is reviewing those
proposals.

The White House has declined to disclose specifics of its proposal and is now
threatening to escalate its strikes.

Posted on 2026-03-26 09:07:19

The United Nations General Assembly has voted to recognise the slave trade as
"the gravest crime against humanity."

The resolution was proposed by Ghana.

It called for this designation, while also urging U-N member states to
consider apologising for the slave trade and contributing to a reparations
fund. It does not mention a specific amount of money.

The proposal was adopted with 123 votes in favour.

The United States, Israel and Argentina voted against it and 52 countries
abstained.

The resolution was backed by the African Union and the Caribbean Community.

Posted on 2026-03-26 09:07:19

The British government is banning political parties from taking
cryptocurrency donations.

The government says the move will help protect democracy from illicit
finance.

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, there will also be a yearly cap on
donations from voters who live overseas.

The move is likely to hurt the hard-right party Reform U-K -- which accepts
crypto and has received large donations from a British businessman who lives
abroad.

A government-commissioned review has warned that untraceable crypto donations
can hide foreign attempts to influence British politics.

Posted on 2026-03-26 09:07:20

Germany's finance minister has been outlining proposed measures aimed at
boosting the country's sluggish economy.

The measures include income tax reform and the capping of excess profits by
energy companies.

Germany is Europe's largest economy.

However, it's struggled to grow since the COVID pandemic, as rising
competition from China and higher energy prices have strained its
export-driven economy.

Posted on 2026-03-26 09:07:20

And finally,

Netflix says its livestreamed comeback concert by K-pop boy-band B-T-S at
Gwang-hwa-mun Square in Seoul this past Saturday drew 18.4-million global
viewers.

It was livestreamed to more than 190 countries, including South Korea.

The one-hour programme was the first time all seven members had performed
together since October 2022, when they went on hiatus to complete their
mandatory military service.

The free concert was attended by about 104,000 people -and that was less
than the 260,000 anticipated by authorities.

The event marked the start of the band's sold-out, 82-date world tour.

Posted on 2026-03-26 08:13:14

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Taipei District Court is slated to hand down its verdict in former Taipei
Mayor Ko Wen-je's corruption case.

The court session has been scheduled for 2:30PM.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 28 years.

The case centered on allegations that Ko accepted 17.1-million N-T in bribes
from Core Pacific Group Chairman Shen Ching-jing to approve the expansion of
the floor area ratio at his Core Pacific City project.

Ko has faces charges of embezzling political donations and of campaign
finance irregularities.

He has persistently denied any wrongdoing is all of the cases brought against
him.

The district court has ordered four key defendants in the case to be present
for the verdict.

Along with the Core Pacific Group Chairman Shen Ching-jing, they include
Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying and Ko's former office manager Lee
Wen-tsung.

Posted on 2026-03-26 08:13:14

Former K-M-T lawmaker Jason Hsu is slamming the party's 380-billion N-T
defense bill proposal.

According to Hsu, the figure is "highly unfeasible" and should be raised to
at least 800-billion N-T to ensure that weapons systems approved by the U-S
for sale to Taiwan can be purchased.

The statement comes as lawmakers this week are reviewing the the K-M-T's
defense bill, the Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T proposal and the Taiwan
People's Party's 400-billion N-T defense budget bill proposal.

The review is being carried out over three-days in a joint session of the
Legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee and the Finance
Committee.

Taking to social media, Hsu said that as a former ruling party, the K-M-T
should know better than to propose a "highly unfeasible" budget for foreign
arms procurement ..

... as the bill's phased budget planning approach contradicts the nature of
foreign arms procurement packages, which are not made at random but require a
lengthy negotiation and assessment periods.

Hsu is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C.

Posted on 2026-03-26 08:13:14

Taiwan's higher education system has seen a net 20-per cent decline in the
latest Q-S World University Rankings by Subject.

Taiwan contributed 299 entries from 30 universities, including 257 individual
subjects and 42 broad faculty areas.

Of these, 58 subjects rose, 119 fell, and 88 remained unchanged.

The National Taiwan University was the island's top performer -- with 39
subjects in the global top 100.

The university rose to sixth place in Classics & Ancient History, up from
19th last year.

It ranked 60th in Natural Sciences, 63rd in both Engineering and Technology
and Arts and Humanities and 67th in Social Sciences and Management -- all of
which were gains from last year's ranking.

However, the university fell three places to 83rd in Life Sciences and
Medicine.

The rankings use five indicators, which include academic reputation; employer
reputation; research citations per paper; H-index, which measures total
citations; and international research network.

Posted on 2026-03-26 08:13:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is touting its new trade promotion office -
saying it will serve as a platform to build public-private cooperation and
create business opportunities with Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

The Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Economic and Trade Office was first
announced this past Monday by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.

However, Lin offered very few details of what it would entail then.

According to the foreign ministry, the office will be modeled on the Central
America Trade Office and be aimed at promoting economic development among
Taiwan's allies.

The ministry says the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Economic and Trade Office
will complement and expand on the Central America Trade Office by offering
services to allies and like-minded partners in the South Pacific and Africa.

The new trade promotion office is part of the government's Diplomatic Allies
Prosperity Project.

That project was created by the foreign minister and seeks to assist in
development projects in allied countries related to smart medicine,
sustainable tourism, sovereign AI and digital governance.

Posted on 2026-03-26 08:13:14

A 7-year-old boy had to be rescued by firefighters at Taoyuan International
Airport after jumping into anti-fall netting and getting stuck.

Witnesses say the unaccompanied child in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall climbed
on a trash can and crossed a guardrail above an escalator wellway before
jumping into the anti-fall netting in the wellway.

The boy began jumping and bouncing around in the net, but was unable to climb
out.

The Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says security guards had
immediately notified the fire department and firefighters pulled the child
out of the net some 30-minutes later.

Police have not pressed charges against the child or his parents.

Posted on 2026-03-26 08:13:14

And finally,

Taiwan's 7-Eleven chain will be partnering with its Philippine counterpart in
Saturday's Earth Hour campaign.

It means each store will turn off their sign lights from 8:30PM to 10:30PM.

According to Uni-President Chain Store Corporation, more than 4,500 7-Eleven
stores in the Philippines will join in the initiative, bringing the total
participating in the two economies to more than 10,000.

The 7-Eleven chain operators says that will be the largest ever cross-border
lights-off effort by convenience store chains in Asia.

The company estimates that more than 5,200 kilowatt-hours of electricity will
be saved, equivalent to about 3,000 kilograms of carbon emissions.

It's the fifth consecutive year that Uni-President Chain Store Corporation
has participated in Earth Hour and the third year it has headed the campaign
here in Taiwan.

FamilyMart and OK Mart are also marking Earth Hour this Saturday by turning
their sign lights off.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

Rights Protection Act

The Ministry of Health plans to release draft amendments to the Child and
Juvenile Welfare and Rights Protection Act next month.

It will be the first major revisions to the Act in over a decade.

The draft is said to align Taiwan's laws with the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child and it will put greater emphasis on children's
rights.

The revisions cover online safety and children's right to express their views.

The draft amendments will be open for public consultation for two months
before they are sent to the legislature for review.

The ministry issued the statement after child welfare, youth rights and
student groups rallied outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei calling on the
government to make revisions to what they described the "outdated articles in
the Act."

Several lawmakers on the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee
are proposing their own amendments.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is criticising Beijing for telling delegates
at the World Trade Organization's 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon
that Taiwan's participation in the global trade body is reliant on the "one
China" principle.

The statement came after China's foreign ministry indicated the "one China"
principle was a political prerequisite for Taiwan's involvement in the W-T-O.

Taiwan was also listed as "Taiwan, Province of China" at the ministerial
conference - and Taiwan officials were prevented from attending the meeting.

Legal experts have said the World Trade Organization does not require its
members to be states.

The body recognises Taiwan as a separate customs territory, and is recognised
as ""Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu" or Chinese Taipei.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

The Kaohsiung Ciaotou District Prosecutors' Office are holding two people
after the arrest of a former C-P-C executive who went missing days before he
was sentenced to 25 years in prison for corruption.

Prosecutors say the two are suspected of helping him escape.

Hsu Han disappeared on March 19 after removing his ankle monitor in
Pingtung's Wanluan Township.

He was re-arrested Taitung's Jinfeng Township on Tuesday.

Hsu traveled to Chaozhou Station in Pingtung, where he used an angle grinder
and other tools to break off his ankle monitor, before heading to Wanluan
Township, where he visited several temples.

Hsu was then picked up by a man in his 30s, who drove him to the Kinchen
Mountain area, west of Taimali in Taitung County.

He was staying in bed and breakfast there when he was arrested by police, who
also seized over 200,000 in cash from Hsu.

Hsu is detention pending additional charges for jumping bail and destroying
his ankle monitor.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has been highlighting artificial intelligence
related cooperation between Taiwan and America at the US-led Pax Silica
initiative, at the Hill and Valley Forum in Washington D.C.

In a pre-recorded address, Hsiao said the Lai administration has launched 10
new A-I infrastructure projects covering robotics and next-generation
unmanned systems ...

.... and those efforts seamlessly align with the growing demand from U-S
industry for secure components and systems.

The Vice President went on to say Taiwan contributes to every layer of the
U-S AI hardware stack and is more than just essential, as Taiwan is
trustworthy partner.

Pax Silica is a US-led partnership that aims to boost economic security and
build a technology ecosystem covering semiconductors, A-I, critical minerals
and advanced manufacturing.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

The Supreme Court has upheld a 14-month prison sentence for a woman who
repeatedly used drugs beside her newborn, exposing the infant to toxic smoke.

The court rejected an appeal by the woman who was found guilty by the High
Court's Kaohsiung branch of harming a minor's physical and mental
development.

The case dates back to 2022, when the woman was arrested for dug use.

She regularly used heroin, methamphetamine and ketamine in close proximity to
the infant.

Police notified social services, and the infant was removed from the home and
placed in protective care... subsequent hair tests on the child returned
positive for drug exposure.

She was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Kaohsiung District Court
in her first trial.

Prosecutors appealed that ruling and the High Court's Kaohsiung Branch
increased the sentence to 14 months, citing the severity of the harm and the
high levels of drug exposure.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

The Tainan City Government says it aims to turn initial deals into long-term
orders after shipping 7,000-kilogram batch of diced frozen Irwin mangoes to
Japan for the first time.

The order was secured between Japanese businesses and Taiwan farmers at a
conference which took place in Tokyo earlier this month.

The Tainan Agriculture Bureau said local producers used liquid nitrogen
freezing technology to preserve the mangoes' texture and aroma.

Total shipments of the diced frozen Irwin mangoes to Japan are expected to
reach 15,000 kilograms.

The Tainan City Government says frozen pineapple and fruit juices are also
being considered for future export markets.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

And,

Jay Chou has released his first new album in four-years.

The digital version of "Children of the Sun" hit download and streamer
platforms on Wednesday.

The physical album is scheduled for release on April 10.

Chou unveiled the album at a press event in Taipei earlier this week - at
which the music video for the title track also premiered on a Muvie Cinemas
titan screen for media and some 100 fans.

The singer said preparations are now underway for the Taiwan leg of his
upcoming tour.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution declaring the trafficking
of enslaved Africans “the gravest crime against humanity” and calling for
reparations as “a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs.”

The resolution also urges “the prompt and unhindered restitution” of
cultural items to their countries of origin without charge.

This includes artworks, monuments, museum pieces, documents and national
archives.

Wednesday's vote in the 193-member world body was 123-3, with 52 abstentions.
Argentina, Israel and the United States were the three members voting against
the resolution.

The United Kingdom and the 27 members of the European Union were among those
that abstained.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. is making its offer of
security guarantees for a peace deal in Ukraine conditional... on Kyiv ceding
all of the country's eastern region of Donbas to Russia.

He made the comments during an interview with the Reuters News Agency.

Zelenksyy said that while problems the in the Middle East are occupying the
Trump administration, it has -- in his words -- unfortunately chosen a
strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side.

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly said robust security guarantees from
international partners are needed to ensure that Russia does not restart
hostilities in the future, after any peace deal is agreed.

Posted on 2026-03-26 06:55:13

North Korea's state media reports leader Kim Jong Un has welcomed Belarusian
President Alexander Lukashenko to Pyongyang.

The Belarusian leader arrived Wednesday accompanied by a delegation.

The group was welcomed by Kim with a 21-gun salute, Pyongyang citizens and
school children waving the flags of both countries.

KCNA did not describe any talks between the leaders.

Posted on 2026-03-25 19:58:13

Nutritionists in Taiwan warn that alcohol can help people fall asleep, but
might disrupt sleep quality.

They say alcohol reduces deep sleep ... and warn it can actually wake people
during early hours — leading to fragmented sleep and reduced overnight
recovery.

Alcohol increases the risk of sleep apnea by relaxing airway muscles, and may
lead to low blood sugar during the night — in severe cases causing
dizziness, sweating or even unconsciousness.

Instead of drinking, nutritionists suggest improving sleep through diet,
including nutrients like calcium and magnesium to help regulate the nervous
system and support deeper sleep.

They add that avoiding alcohol altogether remains the best option for overall
health, noting no level of alcohol consumption is completely risk-free.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-25 17:00:14

Taiwan's civil servants could see changes to their professional allowances
under reforms planned by the end of June.

Personnel Administration Director Su Chun-jung (蘇俊榮) says he's seeking a
pay raise for military personnel, civil servants and teachers, and expects to
send the plan to the Cabinet in April once it's finalized.

The government had previously decided not to raise salaries this year, citing
slower economic growth and other fiscal pressures, but officials now say the
issue is still under review.

A salary review committee is expected to meet before June to discuss whether
pay should be adjusted next year.

Officials say the changes are aimed at reflecting professional expertise,
addressing staff shortages, and narrowing the pay gap with the private
sector.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-25 17:00:14

Environmental officials say Taiwan’s air quality is improving after a global
report showed the nation’s pollution ranking dropped last year.

The Ministry of Environment says the latest data from the Swiss company IQAir
shows Taiwan is now ranked 71st out of 143 countries for pollution.

The list ranks countries from dirtiest to cleanest, a lower ranking means the
air is getting better.

The report shows that PM2.5 levels fell to an average of 13.3 micrograms per
cubic meter in 2025, improving from over 17 micrograms the year before.

Ministry officials say Taiwan's air is now cleaner than the air in South
Korea, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

Only Japan performed better among nearby Asian countries.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-25 17:00:14

New Taipei's Feitsui Reservoir is currently at 90-percent capacity, and is
helping ease pressure from declining levels at Shi-men Reservoir by supplying
water through downstream pipeline networks.

The Feitsui Reservoir Administration says rainfall in its catchment area has
reached only about 70 percent of the historical average so far this year, but
the reservoir's water level remains high due to careful water management.

Taoyuan's Shi-men Reservoirs, on the other hand, is just over half of its
capacity at the moment.

As Shi-men supplies water to New Taipei, Taoyuan and Hsin-chu, the
Administration has begun sending 780-thousand tons of water to the city's
Ban-qiao and Xin-zhuang districts every day to ease Shi-men's burden.

Water levels at the two Hsin-chu reservoirs, Bao-shan (寶山) and Bao-Er
(寶二), have dropped to just above 20 percent.

Officials are urging the public to conserve water as the dry spell continues.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-25 17:00:14

Japan has conveyed regrets to China after authorities confirmed the arrest of
a Japanese army soldier on suspicion of trespass at the Chinese Embassy in
Tokyo.

The case surfaced Tuesday after Beijing protested to Tokyo over an alleged
break-in at its embassy. It is the latest in an escalating spat between Japan
and China.

Police said today that they arrested a 23-year-old member of the Ground
Self-Defense Force, or Japan’s army, in the alleged trespassing.

A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry in Beijing said that the
individual who scaled the wall and forced his way into the embassy compound
yesterday morning.

Following China's protest and demand for preventive measures, Japan conveyed
to China its regret over the case and explained that Japanese ministries will
respond appropriately,

Posted on 2026-03-25 17:00:14

Two Pakistani officials say that Iran has received a 15-point proposal from
the U.S. to reach a ceasefire in the war.

The Pakistani officials described the proposal broadly as touching on
sanctions relief, civilian nuclear cooperation, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear
program, monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

It also contains missile limits and access for shipping through the Strait of
Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

Iran has insisted it isn’t engaged in negotiations with the U.S. and a
military spokesman mocked America over its diplomatic efforts today.

Iran has also launched more attacks on Israel and the Persian Gulf region,
including an assault that sparked a fire at Kuwait International Airport.

Posted on 2026-03-25 14:06:13

Former CPC Refinery division CEO Xu Han, who was arrested in Tai-tung last
night, has been detained without communications.

The Qiao-tou District Court said this morning that Xu could flee again or
collude with accomplices and witnesses, and that the charges laid against him
are serious.

Xu jumped bail on the 19th by removing his electronic ankle bracelet and took
a train from Kaohsiung to Ping-tung.

He had remained missing until police found him hiding at a bed and breakfast
in Taitung's Tai-mai-li together with his driver last night.

That's after the Court sentenced him to 25 years of imprisonment yesterday
morning for corruption and other offenses.

According to prosecutors, Xu made over 17 million NT in illegal profits by
asking for bribe money from contractors in his capacity as the CPC official
between 2019 and 2022.

He was released on 5-million-NT bail in 2023, but then put under electronic
monitoring in May last year.

His lawyer has protested against his detention.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-25 14:06:13

The Ministry of Labor has amended the Labor Pension Act to give pension
recipients more time to change their minds about how they're going to get
their pension payments.

The MOL says workers who choose to receive monthly pension payments will now
have a 30-day grace period after their first payment to switch to a lump-sum
payout.

This new rule will start taking effect on the 27th.

The Ministry also seeks to strengthen employer compliance, making it clear
that employers cannot refuse to process workers’ voluntary pension
contributions.

Employers failing to comply will face fines and late payment penalties
starting August 1st.

The Ministry says the revisions are designed to safeguard basic retirement
rights and improve how 13 million workers can use their pension funds.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-25 14:06:13

Taiwan shares rose today as did most other Asian stock markets over the
possibilities of a de-escalation of the Iran war.

The Taiex rose 826 points, or 2.5-percent., to end the session at 33,439.

The turnover was 624.7 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-03-25 14:06:13

Denmark’s election Tuesday ended in an inconclusive result that left the
prime minister’s future unclear.

Her campaign had focused on bread-and-butter issues rather than her handling
of the crisis over U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions toward Greenland.

Official results showed that Prime Minister Mette Farde-riksen’s center-left
Social Democrats lost ground compared with the last election in 2022.

Neither left-leaning nor right-leaning blocs won a majority in parliament.

That leaves Foreign Minister Lars Lokke (LUR-geh) Rasmussen, a former prime
minister, in the role of kingmaker with enough seats to decide the next
administration.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-25 14:06:13

Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Corporation is warning customers of potential
supply shortages starting next month as fighting in the Middle East disrupts
global shipping lanes.

The company says it is declaring "Force Majeure" because it cannot get enough
raw materials through the Strait of Hormuz.

This legal move allows a company to miss contract deadlines due to
unpredictable events like war or natural disasters.

Formosa Chemicals says it will prioritize its domestic customers and those
with existing contracts in April.

However, the company warns that if the war continues, it may completely run
out of some materials by May.

Two other major firms, Formosa Petrochemical and Formosa Plastics, issued
similar warnings earlier this month.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-25 14:06:13

Fortnite publisher Epic Games said Tuesday it is laying off 1,000 employees
to save money as it grapples with industry-wide and company-specific
challenges.

The U.S. company said the job cuts are not related to AI.

Rather, they stem from industry-wide challenges such as slower growth, weaker
spending, and tougher cost economics.

Games like Fortnite are also competing for people's attention with social
media and other forms of online entertainment.

Epic's company-specific hurdles include being “only in the early stages of
returning to mobile” after court battles with Apple and Google over app
store payments.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-25 13:08:13

The finance ministry says it will review a new tax policy for small
restaurants following concerns that the rules could drive up food prices.

The Ministry of Finance recently announced that popular local eateries with
monthly sales over $200-thousand NT will no longer be exempt from issuing
official receipts starting in 2029.

But during a legislative hearing today, lawmakers warned that the shops may
pass the extra costs of bookkeeping and taxes onto customers.

There are currently about 70-thousand small restaurants in Taiwan that pay a
flat tax rate.

Government data shows about 5,300 of those shops have monthly sales that
exceed the $200-thousand NT limit.

The finance minsitry says it will conduct a full review of the policy a year
after it goes into effect, and officials will use the next three years to
help these businesses prepare for the change.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-25 13:08:13

Taiwan's convenience store chains, led by Uni-President 7-Eleven, will all
join the Earth Hour campaign by turning off their signage lights for one or
two hours.

Uni-President said the signboard lights will be shut across over seven
thousand 7-Eleven stores and other subsidiaries including Mister Donut, COLD
STONE, Starbucks and Cosmed between 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM on Saturday.

The company said it has also invited 7-Eleven in the Philippines to join the
campaign, and more than 4-thousand 500 stores there have agreed to do so.

It's expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by three thousand kilograms.

Meanwhile FamilyMart and OK Mart both said they are participating in Earth
Hour as well, and will switch off signage lights for one hour starting at
8:30 p.m. on the 28th.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-25 13:08:13

Japanese authorities have confirmed the arrest of a Japanese army soldier on
suspicion of trespass, a day after China protested over an alleged break-in
at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

The case, the latest in an escalating spat between Japan and China, surfaced
Tuesday after Beijing protested to Tokyo.

An individual who claimed to be a Japan Self-Defense Forces officer scaled
the wall and forced his way into the embassy compound on Tuesday morning.

The Tokyo police said today they arrested a 23-year-old member of the Ground
Self-Defense Force, or Japan's army.

The suspect is a soldier based at the Camp Ebino, in Japan's southwestern
prefecture of Miya-zaki, and that officials are “fully cooperating” with
police.

Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said “China is deeply
shocked by the incident and has expressed strong protest.”

Posted on 2026-03-25 13:08:13

69 Soldiers

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has questioned the use of secondhand planes
by his nation’s armed forces.

This comes as officials investigate the crash of a military transport plane
that killed at least 69 soldiers in southwestern Colombia.

The military transport plane crashed Monday shortly after takeoff.

Officials said that 57 soldiers were rescued alive from the crash site.

The plane that crashed had been donated to Colombia by the United States in
2020 under a cooperation agreement.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-25 11:07:13

Former CPC Executvie Hsu Han reportedly hid out at a Taitung bed n breakfast
after jumping bail in his corruption case.

The owner of the guesthouse where Hsu stayed said that a driver brought Hsu
to the BNB, claiming that his brother was suffering from an illness and
needed a place to stay.

Because the driver had previously stayed at the guesthouse, the owner did not
feel the need to check the identification of the two men.

The owner said that Hsu and the driver both wore masks while they were at the
guesthouse, which he thought was strange, but said that he was not paying
attention to the news.

The owner said that last night four police cars suddenly appeared to arrest
Hsu, who cooperated with police instruction.

Hsu was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison for 11 counts of
corruption.

He went missing nearly a week ago after removing his ankle monitor.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-25 11:07:13

The Central Weather Administration says, areas north of Taichung can expect
slightly cooler weather and some cloud cover today...

while temperatures will rebound slightly tomorrow.

The east is also expected to have some scattered rain showers during the same
period, while the south and center can expect continued warmer temperatures.

Meanwhile the CWA has also issued a dense fog advisory for Taoyuan and Mazu
through this afternoon.

Meterologists say that those two areas have already seen visibility fall to
less than 200 meters.

Although forecasters expect more moderate temperatures in the north through
Friday, they say weekend temperatures will be "summer-like" before dropping
again early next week.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-25 11:07:13

An election in Denmark has shown disappointing results for Prime Minister
Mette Frederiksen.

The campaign focused on bread-and-butter issues rather than geopolitical
ones, like those relating to the US' plans for Danish territory Greenland.

Frederiksen's center-left Social Democrats lost ground compared with the last
election in 2022, as did both partners in the outgoing government.

Neither left nor right leaning blocs were able to secure a majority in
parliament.

In that case, the foreign minister will play the role of kingmaker, with his
centrist Moderate party poised to determine whether Frederiksen can serve a
third time or not.

Frederiksen is known for her strong support of Ukraine in its defense against
Russia’s invasion and for a restrictive approach to migration

Posted on 2026-03-25 11:07:13

Posted on 2026-03-25 09:06:14

And,

An exhibition honoring the career of basketball's Lin Chih-chieh will open in
Taipei in late May at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.

According to the Plus League's Taipei Fubon Braves, the "Be the Beast"
exhibition will tell the story of the 43-year-old shooting guard's journey
from street courts to professional arenas.s.

Lin began his professional career in 2001 with Taiwan Beer in the Super
Basketball League, before joining the Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese
Basketball Association in 2009.

He returned to Taiwan in 2019, when he joined the Fubon Braves.

Lin announced his retirement in October of last year 2025.

Posted on 2026-03-25 09:06:14

Hong Kong police have reportedly arrested a bookstore owner and three
shopkeepers for allegedly selling "seditious" publications including a
biography of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

According to broadcaster T-V-B, the owner of the Book Punch store and three
staff members have been accused of selling copies of "The Troublemaker."

The book is a biography of Lai written by Mark Clifford - a former director
of Lai's media group Next Digital.

Lai was sentenced to 20-years in prison in February for collusion with
foreign forces and sedition in the city's biggest national security case.

Posted on 2026-03-25 08:08:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Credit information agency, CRIF Taiwan is warning that the island faces
rising risks to consumer prices and energy supply as the US war with Iran
enters its fourth week.

According to the agency, pressure is building on supply chains, which could
affect energy supply stability, oil prices, consumer prices and exchange rate
movements here in Taiwan.

The agency says the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could prevent
natural gas shipments from Qatar from arriving on schedule, increasing
pressure on supply ...

... and companies face compounded pressure when oil prices rise and the New
Taiwan dollar weakens because crude oil and natural gas imports are priced in
U-S dollars.

CRIF Taiwan says the New Taiwan dollar's real purchasing power has declined
by between 3 and 5-per cent since the war began, increasing inflation
pressure on imports.

The organization is projecting that large restaurant chains may introduce
price increases of about 5 to 10-per cent from next month due to rising
ingredient and transportation costs.

Posted on 2026-03-25 08:08:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urged the Danish government to correct its
description of Taiwan on residence permits that implies Taiwan is part of the
People's Republic of China or face retaliatory measures.

Ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei says the Lai administration has
"condemned" the Danish government's listing of the nationality of Taiwanese
citizens on residence permits as "China" ...

.. which is not consistent with the longstanding foreign policy of European
Union member states nor with the principles of democracy and human rights.

According to Hsiao, the government has repeatedly issued protests to
Copenhagen in recent years, calling on it to correct the designation, but has
received no response so far.

Hsiao says if the Danish government continues to ignore the request due to
pressure from Beijing, the Lai administration will launch retaliatory
measures.

However, the foreign ministry spokesman did not say what those measures might
be.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung last week said the government has asked other
friendly nations around the world to jointly urge Copenhagen to make the
necessary changes as soon as possible.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration has said the
listing is not a mistake, but reflects the Danish government's position that
it does not recognize Taiwan as an independent country and considers it
"under China."

Posted on 2026-03-25 08:08:13

The Kaohsiung Ciaotou District Prosecutors' Office says a former C-P-C
executive who went missing days before being sentenced to 25 years in prison
for corruption earlier this week has been detained in Taitung.

According to the prosecutors' office, Hsu Han was arrested Jinfeng Township.

However, prosecutors have not said how authorities managed to track him down.

Hsu went missing on March 19 after removing his ankle monitor in Pingtung's
Wanluan Township.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Ciaotou District Court on
Monday.

The court found him guilty on 11 counts of corruption related to his
receiving 16-million N-T in bribes for steering eight purchasing contracts
worth almost 1-billion N-T to select companies ..

... and of holding an additional 4-million N-T in assets for which he failed
to explain the sources.

The district court verdict can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-03-25 08:08:13

The Criminal Investigation Bureau has confirmed reports that a Taiwanese
suspect linked to a money laundering case has been shot dead in Cambodia.

The statement comes after T-V-B-S reported that Lin Ping-wen was shot late
Monday night in the port city of Sihanoukville in south-west Cambodia.

According to the bureau, Cambodian authorities are still investigating the
circumstances surrounding to his death.

Taiwan's representative office in Ho Chi Minh City is assisting Lin's family
with various arrangements.

Lin was indicted by the New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office in February
of 2023 for suspected money laundering in a case linked to Kuo Che-min - who
operated a now shuttered private club in Taipei called "88 Lounge."

Lin subsequently failed to appear in court after jumping bail and an a
warrant was issued for his arrest in December 2024.

Kuo was arrested in Thailand in July of 2023, repatriated to Taiwan and later
indicted for violating the Banking Act and Money Laundering Control Act.

Posted on 2026-03-25 08:08:13

The Water Resources Agency has raised its water alert level for the Taichung
area to green.

The green alert signals the strengthening of water supply allocation
measures,

The agency says Taichung's alert level was adjusted because water flow in the
Daan River remains low due to a lack of rainfall and the Liyutan Reservoir is
currently about 30-per cent full, significantly below levels seen in recent
years for the same period.

According to the agency, it is now prioritizing using water from the Dajia
River, drawing from drought-resistant wells in Taichung, and using subsurface
water as a supplementary source without affecting irrigation.

Science and industrial parks in Taichung will reduce water use by 7-per cent
voluntarily.

While the agricultural department will implement scheduled irrigation and
gate management to conserve water.

The Water Resources Agency has opted to leave the Hsinchu area's water alert
level at yellow, with reduced-pressure water supply from 10 PM to 5AM
continuing there.

However, the agency says this will not affect household or industrial water
supplies.

Yellow indicates reduced water pressure and partial supply suspensions in the
public sector.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:13

Taiwan Space Agency Director-General Wu Cong-xin 吳宗信 says he believes
recent passage of Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act will accelerate
the development of Taiwan-US cooperation in the space field.

Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Washington D.C.-based Center for
Strategic and International Studies, Wu said the U-S holds a leading edge in
space technology, while Taiwan has strong manufacturing capabilities.

According to Wu, that means, U-S companies can leverage Taiwan's strengths to
accelerate and industrialize the space sector and related infrastructure,
with both sides able to quickly finalize a cooperation framework.

Wu said that Taiwan's globally recognized strengths in electronics,
semiconductors, and precision manufacturing are already supporting various
space projects, including a planned lunar data center and equipment for
NASA's Perseverance Mars mission.

Wu is currently visiting Washington D.C., and says his trip is aimed at
strengthening ties with U-S industry and positioning Taiwan as a reliable
player in the global space supply chain.

The Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act was approved by a Senate
committee earlier this month.

The legislation seeks to expand cooperation between the Taiwan Space Agency,
NASA and the U-S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the China-born
chairwoman of the Taiwan New Immigrants Development Association.

Xu Chunying 徐春鶯 has been charged with violating the Anti-Infiltration Act
and financial crimes.

According to the prosecutors' office, Xu frequently traveled to China under
the pretext of providing services for Chinese spouses, but met with Chinese
officials and regularly reported on Taiwan politics and elections.

Prosecutors say she sought assistance from China to organize other Chinese
spouses to campaign in support of Huang Shan-shan's 2022 Taipei mayoral run
as an independent candidate and to support Ko Wen-je is is his 2024
presidential campaign ....

.. action's prosecutors say violated of the Anti-Infiltration Act.

Prosecutors also say she "expressed her loyalty" to the Chinese Communist
Party.

Xu has also been charged with violations of the Banking Act, and with fraud
and forgery under the Criminal Code.

She has been accused of operating an illegal underground currency exchange
between 2020 and 2025, and illegally obtained a 26-million N-T loan.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

The Taiwan Higher Education Union says it will send a list of new member
teachers from the National Taiwan Normal University's Mandarin Training
Center to the school to begin the collective bargaining process.

The statement comes after teachers at the Mandarin Training Center protested
their working conditions last Friday.

They're accusing the university of failing to grant them basic rights such as
offering sick leave, marital leave and annual leave.

The teachers have released a draft collective agreement that requires the
university to comply with Labor Standards Act provisions on stable
employment, transparent systems for hiring, pay, evaluations and course
assignments, and better salaries and treatment.

Higher education union secretary-general Chang Zhi-lun 張志綸 says under the
Collective Agreement Act, a union may initiate negotiations if more than half
of the employees in the bargaining unit are union members.

According to Chang, more than two-thirds of Mandarin Training Center teachers
had joined the union as of last Friday.

The university has said it will verify the union's legal bargaining status
based on the Collective Agreement Act and will review the union's group
agreement draft.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

The Ministry of Finance says seven of the 17 10-million N-T winning receipts
from the November-December uniform invoice lottery remain unclaimed.

The winners have until May 5 to redeem their prizes.

The unclaimed receipts include one for a 173 N-T phone bill in Keelung, while
others were for a 5,913 N-T purchase at a Costco in Taipei's Neihu District,
a 49 N-T purchase at a FamilyMart in New Taipei's Tamsui District ..

... and a 500 N-T purchase at a tea shop in Shulin District in New Taipei.

Seven 2-million N-T grand prize receipts have yet to be redeemed.

The winning numbers for the January-February lottery will be released today.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

A survey by the Child Welfare League Foundation shows that nearly one in five
schoolchildren show signs of social anxiety.

According to foundation, the survey found that 18.6-per cent of children
exhibit traits associated with social anxiety and even among those who
self-identified as extroverts, 11.2-per cent still met the criteria.

The foundation is warning that some outwardly active children may be masking
anxiety - as children with social anxiety are significantly less likely to
express themselves.

The survey found that some 16.2-per cent of them said they rarely interact
with others in real life, compared with 8.2-per cent of other children

Meanwhile, 18.3-per cent of respondents said they are too nervous to express
themselves online, versus 4.3-per cent of their peers.

The foundation says family and peer dynamics may be associated with the
condition - as the survey showed that socially anxious children were more
likely to report being scolded or questioned about schoolwork at home.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

And,

Premier Cho Jung-tai has confirmed that deputy trade representative Yen
Hui-shin has recently died.

She was 53.

Speaking a legislative hearing, Cho said he learned of Yen's death after
receiving her resignation and found that she had been suffering from health
issues for a long time due to stress from her job.

According to Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee, Yen made important
contributions to Taiwan-US tariff negotiations, before taking leave for
"health reasons" last September and submited her resignation at the beginning
of March.

The United Daily News has reported that Yen was hospitalized with an
unspecified illness at the beginning of the year and died on March 12.

News of her death was kept quiet until after her memorial service was held on
Monday on the wishes of her family.

Yen was the daughter of former Finance Minister Yen Ching-chang.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

Poland is reporting a sharp uptick in cyberattacks last year.

Officials say that the country saw about 270,000 incidents in 2025, marking a
250% increase from the previous year.

Poland has strengthened cyber defenses since Russia launched its full-scale
invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Polish officials have repeatedly said that they suspect Russia of being
behind cyber attacks targeting Poland.

Authorities have raised concerns about a particularly destructive attack on
the energy sector in December.

Attacks hit a heat and power plant and several wind and solar sites.

Experts see signs tying the attacks to Russian-linked groups, but authorities
have not named a suspect.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

In Colombia,

the attorney general has obtained arrest warrants for seven members of a
rebel group suspected in the killing of the late senator Miguel Uribe.

Uribe was assassinated last year while at a rally for his presidential
campaign in Bogota.

The attorney general called his killing the "result of a structured criminal
operation that involved an urban criminal gang" hired by the rebel group
Segunda Marquetalia.

According to the attorney general, one of those targeted for arrest is
Luciano Marin who fought for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia,
which signed a peace deal with the Colombian government in 2016.

Miguel Uribe was speaking in a park in June when he was shot several times by
a teenager, who fled the scene but was quickly captured by Uribe's
bodyguards.

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

An exit poll appears to indicate disappointing results for the party of
Denmark's prime minister.

The campaign focused on bread-and-butter issues rather than geopolitical
ones, like those relating to the US' plans for Danish territory Greenland.

All three parties in Prime Minister Mette Frederiken's government looked set
to lose ground in the election.

The results suggest that left and right leaning blocs are both likely to fall
short of a majority in parliament.

In that case, the foreign minister may play the role of kingmaker, with his
centrist Moderate party poised to determine whether Frederiksen can serve a
third time or not.

Frederiksen is known for her strong support of Ukraine in its defense against
Russia’s invasion and for a restrictive approach to migration

Posted on 2026-03-25 06:54:17

Thousands marched in Buenos Aires to mark 50 years since a military coup
which led to a dictatorship responsible for widespread human rights abuses.

Demonstrators gathered in the capital and across the country under the slogan
"Memory, Truth, and Justice."

President Javier Milei has called for a broader commemoration that also
includes victims of guerrilla violence.

His government's cuts to human rights programs have further fueled concerns
about ongoing efforts to investigate past crimes and recover victims'
remains.

Human rights organizations estimate that about 30,000 people were disappeared
by the regime in its campaign against dissidents...

Official figures place the number at around 8,000.

A truth commission and human rights groups attribute the majority of violence
during that period to state security forces.

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