ICRT

Posted on 2026-05-11 08:17:13

Trump-Xi meeting

In news from and about Taiwan this morning.

Taiwan's top envoy to the U-S, Alexander Yui has told Fox News that any
attempt by Beijing to take Taiwan by force would severely disrupt global
trade.

According to Yui, China needs to be aware that other countries with interests
in the region could respond to such an attack.

Yui said the Lai administration remains open to dialogue with China, but any
cross-strait talks must be based on mutual respect ..

.... and that the US position on Taiwan remains unchanged - as peace and
stability across the Taiwan Strait are beneficial to all relevant parties,
including the U-S, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

The interview comes as U-S President Donald Trump is slated to travel to
China Wednesday evening for talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday
morning.

Posted on 2026-05-11 08:17:13

The Yunlin District Court has ordered the son of the chairman of one of
Taiwan's most prominent Mazu temples to be detained after a group of men
allegedly attacked and injured the temple's former chairwoman at her home in
Yunlin County.

Tsai Chin-tsai is the 22-year-old son of Yunlin County Council Deputy Speaker
and Beigang Chaotian Temple Chairman Tsai Yung-te.

He was arrested and detained by prosecutors after 80-year old Tseng Tsai
Mei-tso was attacked at her home late last week.

Police questioned 21 people following the incident - detaining three suspects
and releasing several others on bail.

Posted on 2026-05-11 08:17:13

And,

C-P-C has once again opted to keep gasoline and diesel prices unchanged this
week as part of government efforts to ease the impact of rising international
crude oil prices amid continuing tensions in the Middle East.

It marks the sixth consecutive week that the state refiner has held fuel
prices steady.

The move means 92 octane unleaded remains at 32.4 N-T per liter, while the
price of premium diesel stays at 31 N-T a liter.

According to C-P-C, it expects to absorb 2.6 N-T per liter for gasoline and
4.2 N-T per liter for diesel this week.

However, the amount absorbed by the state refiner has declined from last week
due to lower average crude prices and a stronger New Taiwan dollar.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Paraguay's President Santiago Pena has wrapped-up his first state visit to
Taiwan with a meeting with former President Tsai Ing-wen.

Pena described Tsai "as great friend of Paraguay" and said they "reviewed the
extraordinary bilateral agenda that unites the two countries and all they
have built in these years of a solid and committed alliance."

Pena went on to say that the friendship has been exemplified by concrete
cooperation projects and investments that have created opportunities for the
Paraguayan people.

He didn't say when the meeting took place.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung accompanied Pena to the Southern Taiwan
Science Park and the National Center for High-performance Computing in Tainan
on Saturday ...

.. saying the visits gave the Paraguay president a first-hand understanding
of Taiwan's achievements in artificial intelligence, computing, and
technology governance.

Pena and his delegation left Taiwan for the Philippines on Sunday afternoon
for the next stop of their regional trip.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is leading a delegation a cross-party
delegation of lawmakers to France and the U-K this week as part of efforts
to boost parliamentary diplomacy.

Before his departure, Han said it was the first time the Legislative Yuan had
organized a delegation to visit the two European countries.

The trip is being undertaken after invitations from the French Senate's
Taiwan Friendship Group and the Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in
Europe.

Han says he plans to showcase five major advantages of Taiwan to his
European counterparts, starting with its globally leading semiconductor and
contract chipmaking industries.

The delegation includes 10 lawmakers from the D-P-P, the K-M-T and the Taiwan
People's Party.

The delegation's itinerary includes attending the Council of Taiwanese
Chambers of Commerce in Europe's annual general meeting in London.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

The Reuters News Agency is reporting disappointment out of the U.S. over the
Legislative Yuan's approval of the 780 billion NT special defense budget last
week.

The amount is said to be short of what Washington believes is needed, because
it "left some stuff left on the cutting room floor that we believe still
needs to be funded."

780 billon NT represents about two-thirds of the amount sought by the
Executive Yuan to bolster the armed forces in the face of a rapidly
modernizing Chinese military.

The special funds are to be spread out over eight years and would be in
addition to normal defense spending that is included in the government’s
annual budget.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

The K-M-T's representative in the U-S, Chin Jih-hsin says party chairwoman
Cheng Li-wun is currently finalizing the itinerary for her planned trip to
America.

Cheng is slated to travel to the U-S early next month.

Although no dates for the visit have been announced, the K-M-T chair has said
she's received invitations from members of the U-S Congress, think tanks, and
overseas Taiwanese groups.

She reportedly plans to travel to New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Los
Angeles - while reports say she could also make a stop in Texas.

Cheng says she will be talking with people from across the political spectrum
while in the U-S and exchanging views on issues of mutual concern.

Cheng has previously said she's arranging meetings with senior officials in
Washington, D.C., to explain what was discussed during her recent meeting
with China's Xi Jinping.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

A delegation led by Tuvalu's transport, energy, communications, and
innovation minister has arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit.

Simon Kofe is leading a four-member delegation for talks on digital
infrastructure, communications, and energy security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the delegation is slated to meet with
several government agencies and private sector companies to discuss
information and communications technology, digital governance, network
resilience, and energy development.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will also host a banquet for the visiting
delegation.

Lin traveled to Tuvalu in March, where he held talks with Tuvalu's Prime
Minister Feleti Teo.

Those talks included a submarine cable project, Taiwan-Tuvalu cooperation on
digital resilience, and secure network infrastructure.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Unions representing nurses at six hospitals are criticizing the Ministry of
Health for delaying the implementation of newly legislated three-shift
nurse-to-patient ratios to 2028.

The unions accuse the ministry of "shirking responsibility" - saying the
government need to accelerate implementation of the new legislation, rather
than delaying enforcement.

The statement comes after lawmakers passed amendments to the Medical Care Act.

Those revisions formally incorporated nurse-to-patient ratios introduced by
the government in 2024 into law, and establishing penalties for hospitals
that fail to comply.

Nursing groups had called for the law to take effect in December 2027.

However, Health Minister Shih Chung-liang has said implementation will begin
on May 1, 2028 - citing year-end scheduling concerns and the Lunar New Year
holiday period.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Prosecutors is Tainan have released the owner of a cosmetic clinic on bail of
300,000 N-T after a hidden camera was said to have been found at the
facility.

The clinic's manager was also released on 50,000 N-T bail.

Both were questioned after the Tainan City Health Bureau expanded its
inspections of cosmetic clinics.

Authorities say they found a device believed to be camera concealed inside a
smoke detector on the ceiling of a beauty treatment room at the Yanyimien
Clinic in the city's West Central District.

Prosecutors have since summond the clinic's owner and manager for questioning
over alleged privacy violations.

Another branch in Tainan's Yongkang District was inspected, but no recording
devices were found.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says a dedicated women and children's hospital
will officially open in June -- marking its transition from a branch of
Taiwan City Hospital into a fully independent specialized medical
institution.

Chiang said he recently visited the facility to inspect preparations for its
relaunch and described it as a "a warm medical environment tailored to the
needs of mothers, women and children.

The Taipei mayor says it includes Taiwan's first breast milk bank equipped
with cold-chain delivery services, family-style delivery rooms and an
all-female medical team offering women-focused outpatient services.

The new facility is located at the Taipei City Hospital's Heping Fuyou Branch.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

And finally,

Taiwan fire dancer Yang Li-wei has advanced to the final of Britain's Got
Talent -- after receiving a Golden Buzzer during her live semifinal
performance.

Yang is a member of Taiwan's Coming True Fire Group.

She nailed her place after a high-intensity fire performance featuring
flaming umbrellas, fire swallowing and spinning metal structures balanced
with her legs.

Judge Simon Cowell praised Yang as a superstar, while guest judge K-S-I used
the Golden Buzzer to send the dancer straight to the finals.

The dance troupe said via social media that the Golden Buzzer was "the
highest honor" on the talent show and - "twenty-three years of hard work
became a golden light."

Yang first appeared on the program in February, when she earned unanimous
approval from all four judges after a five-minute fire dance performance
inspired by Taiwanese folk arts and circus techniques.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Israel has deported two activists detained for over a week after leading an
aid flotilla attempting to break the naval blockade of Gaza.

The activists, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila, were intercepted by the
Israeli navy off Crete.

Both are members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to bring
humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry called them "professional provocateurs."

Spain and Brazil condemned their detention in international waters.

This comes as an Israeli strike in Gaza killed at least three people,
including a Hamas police officer, and in the midst of a fragile ceasefire
between Israel and Hamas.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

British Prime Minister Keir Starmerbegins a political fightback today by
delivering a speech that defines his government's mission as rebuilding
relations with the rest of Europe.

This comes as more than 30 of Starmer's lawmakers have called for him to quit
or to set out a timetable for his departure after the local election
defeats-- the worst for a governing party in more than three decades.

In his statement to be delivered today, Starmer is expected to say that the
scale of reforms needed to revive the economy, rebuild Britain's military,
and boost energy security are bigger than he had realised,

Starmer's future was thrown into doubt after his Labour Party suffered heavy
losses in local elections last week.

A former minister threatened to seek lawmakers' backing for a leadership
contest if he fails to offer radical change.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

The Philippine National Police will summon its former chief as part of a new
investigation of officers suspected of involvement in alleged extrajudicial
killings in anti-drug crackdowns ordered by ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. said Ronald dela Rosa, who is
now a senator, will be summoned today to be investigated for the killings.

Thousands were executed when Duterte was a city mayor and when he became
president in 2016.

Duterte was later arrested in March 2025 and taken to the Netherlands, where
he now faces trial at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes
against humanity.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Indonesian police have arrested 321 foreign nationals in a raid on an alleged
online gambling operation in the country’s capital.

They were arrested at a commercial building in West Jakarta that
investigators described as a hub for more than 70 online gambling websites,
targeting players outside Indonesia.

Those arrested include 228 Vietnamese, 57 Chinese and the rest came from
Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Authorities have detected signs that online gambling operators previously
based in Cambodia are relocating operations to other countries, including
Indonesia, after authorities there stepped up crackdowns.

Online gambling is illegal in Indonesia.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Venezuela said that an oil spill that originated in Trinidad and Tobago has
caused serious environmental damage along the coastlines of at least two of
its states and in a gulf area near the Caribbean nation.

Trinidad and Tobago are two islands just off the coast of Venezuela.

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said that initial assessments found “severe
risks” to ecosystems like mangroves, wetlands and the environmental balance
of the region.

Venezuela didn’t say when it first detected the spill or specify how much
was spilled.

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:14:13

Russia marked Victory Day on Saturday with its most reduced Red Square parade
in years, as the ongoing war in Ukraine cast a shadow over one of the
country's most revered national holidays.

For the first time in recent memory, no tanks or military equipment rolled
across Red Square due to security concerns over potential Ukrainian attack.

Soldiers marched, fighter jets flew over the Kremlin, and President Vladimir
Putin delivered a speech before laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier.

Russia had warned that any Ukrainian attempt to disrupt the parade would
trigger a massive missile strike on Kyiv, prompting Moscow to advise foreign
diplomats to evacuate their staff from the Ukrainian capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded with a tongue-in-cheek
decree "allowing" the parade to proceed, saying Ukrainian weapons would not
target Red Square.

A three-day ceasefire announced by U-S President Trump -- running from May 9
to May 11 -- was agreed to by both sides, along with an exchange of
1-thousand prisoners.

Trump said Friday he hoped the ceasefire could be extended significantly.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:07:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will resume mobile consular services
in Taitung starting May 15th, after a more than year-long suspension caused
by legislative budget cuts.

The Eastern Office's mobile passport service was halted in March last year
after the Legislative Yuan cut operational funding for the Executive Yuan's
Eastern Joint Service Center.

Starting May 15th, ministry staff will travel to Taitung on the 15th of every
odd-numbered month to process passport renewals, replacements, and visa
endorsements.

If the 15th falls on a holiday, the service will be moved to the next working
day.

Number tickets will be distributed starting at 1 P-M, with service running
until 3:30 P-M.

Applicants can download forms from the Bureau of Consular Affairs website or
pick them up at the Taitung liaison office.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:07:13

The Legislative Yuan has written nurse-to-patient ratios into law, giving
legal force to a policy the Ministry of Health and Welfare introduced in
2024.

Under the amendment to the Medical Care Act, hospitals that fail to meet
staffing ratios face fines and could be ordered to suspend operations for up
to one year if they are penalized three times without making sufficient
improvements.

Fines range from 50-thousand to 250-thousand NT for district hospitals,
200-thousand to 1-million NT for regional hospitals, and 1-million to
2-million NT for medical centers.

The ratios set day, evening, and night shift targets for each hospital tier,
ranging from 1 nurse to 6 patients on day shifts at medical centers, to 1
nurse to 15 patients on night shifts at district hospitals.

All three major parties supported making the ratios statutory, but disagreed
on how the advisory committee determining them should be composed.

Taiwan has around 300-thousand licensed nurses, but only about 190-thousand
are currently working in the field.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:07:13

Starlux Airlines has updated its cabin crew uniform policy, allowing male
flight attendants to wear short-sleeved shirts and permitting crew members
with eye discomfort to wear glasses on duty.

The short-sleeve option for male cabin crew took effect in April.

Starlux says the changes are aimed at helping crew members balance
professional appearance with personal comfort.

The airline also previously opened up flat shoes and trouser uniforms as
options for female cabin crew.

On the glasses policy, Starlux joins China Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, and EVA
Air, which had already allowed crew to wear glasses during flights.

Starlux says the uniform adjustments are part of its ongoing efforts to
improve working conditions, and that further reviews are planned.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

Two U-S senators and the State Department have welcomed Taiwan's Legislative
Yuan approval of a 780-billion NT supplementary defense budget, calling it a
signal of resolve at a critical moment for Indo-Pacific stability.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator John Curtis said in
a joint statement that the vote shows Taiwan is taking seriously the need to
strengthen its defenses against growing Chinese military pressure.

The senators also called for additional steps to boost Taiwan's asymmetric
capabilities and domestic defense production.

The State Department said the U-S supports Taiwan's acquisition of defense
capabilities commensurate with the threat it faces, but warned that further
delays in funding the remaining proposed capabilities amount to "a concession
to the Chinese Communist Party."

The budget passed 59 to zero, with 48 abstentions, falling short of the
ruling D-P-P's original 1-point-25-trillion NT request.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense separately warned that the scaled-back
budget excludes commercial purchases and commissioned development projects,
undermining long-term defense planning.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

Taiwan's exports surged 39 percent year-on-year in April to 67.6-billion US
dollars, the second-highest monthly total on record, driven by booming global
demand for artificial intelligence technology.

The Ministry of Finance says the 30th consecutive month of year-on-year
export growth was fueled by massive investment in A-I infrastructure and
next-generation computing.

Information and communications products led the way, with exports up 62.3
percent to 30.57-billion US dollars.

Electronic components added another 22.79-billion US dollars, up 38.9 percent.

Together, the two sectors accounted for nearly 79 percent of total exports.

The United States was the top buyer, purchasing 21.53-billion US dollars
worth of Taiwanese goods, up nearly 64 percent from a year earlier.

Taiwan's trade surplus nearly doubled year-on-year to 14.35-billion US
dollars in April.

The ministry forecasts May exports between 67.8 and 70.9-billion US dollars,
representing 31 to 37 percent growth from a year earlier.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

ones

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is marking Taiwan No Alcohol Day today by
urging families of people with alcohol dependency to seek professional help.

The ministry says 49 percent of callers to its alcohol addiction consultation
services are family members, not the individuals with drinking problems.

Officials say alcohol dependency is treatable, and that quitting can relieve
related conditions such as depression and anxiety.

The ministry offers a subsidy program covering up to 40-thousand NT per
person per year for alcohol addiction treatment, including outpatient care,
medication, and psychological and family therapy.

More than 4-thousand people benefited from the program this year alone.

Ministry data show that nearly 90 percent of patients who receive treatment
reduce their drinking frequency or amount.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

China says exports have risen 14.1% in April from a year earlier, despite the
Iran war and lingering impacts from higher U.S. tariffs.

The data were released today, just days ahead of a planned meeting next week
between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

That beat analysts' estimates and is a significant improvement from March's
2.5% year-on-year expansion.

Imports have climbed 25.3%, slower than the 27.8% growth in March but still
robust.

The Trump-Xi summit comes at a time when relations are beset by multiple
troubles, with efforts to end the war in Iran topping the list.

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

Pope Leo has marked the first anniversary of his election as head of the
Catholic Church by calling on world leaders to step back from violence and
reduce hatred.

Speaking in Pompeii on Friday, the pope asked worshippers to pray that
governments would turn away from conflict and that God would calm what he
called "fratricidal hatreds."

Leo said world peace is being endangered by international tensions and an
economy that, in his words, "prefers the arms trade to respect for human
life."

The address came a day after Leo met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at
the Vatican, where the two pledged to improve bilateral relations amid
unusual tensions with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the pope on social media,
including over Leo's opposition to the U-S military campaign against Iran.

Later Friday, Leo visited Naples, where he praised local efforts to welcome
refugees from Gaza and urged residents to counter what he called "the logic
of confrontation."

Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost and the first American pope, was
elected on May 8th, 2025, to succeed the late Pope Francis.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:13:14

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has reported its highest-ever
monthly sales for April, driven by strong global demand for artificial
intelligence chips.

T-S-M-C posted consolidated sales of 410-point-73-billion NT for April, up
17-point-5 percent from a year earlier.

April revenues were down slightly from March, when sales hit
415-point-19-billion NT, the company's all-time monthly high.

In the first four months of this year, T-S-M-C's consolidated sales surged
nearly 30 percent year-on-year to 1-point-54-trillion NT.

Analysts say the slight month-on-month dip in April was largely due to a
stronger Taiwan dollar, which appreciated against the U-S dollar despite
central bank intervention.

T-S-M-C has forecast second-quarter sales of between 39 and 40.2-billion US
dollars, representing roughly 32 percent growth from a year earlier.

The company expects full-year 2026 sales to grow more than 30 percent in U-S
dollar terms.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:13:14

The Ministry of National Defense says it monitored 16 Chinese military
aircraft, warships, and coast guard vessels operating in areas around the
Taiwan Strait from 6 AM Friday to 6 AM today.

Eight P-L-A aircraft crossed the strait's center line into Taiwan's central,
southwest, and eastern airspace.

Six Chinese warships and two coast guard vessels were also tracked in the
surrounding waters.

According to the ministry's activity map, two P-L-A combat aircraft crossed
the center line between 10:20 A-M and 12:15 P-M yesterday.

Four additional combat and support aircraft were detected in Taiwan's
southwest airspace east of the center line between 8 A-M and 12:40 P-M.

Two P-L-A helicopters were tracked in Taiwan's eastern airspace from 8:55 A-M
to 8:35 P-M.

Taiwan's armed forces responded using mission aircraft, naval vessels, and
shore-based missile systems.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:13:14

Laura Fernandez has been sworn in as Costa Rica's new president, pledging a
major offensive against organized crime in a country long known as one of
Central America's most peaceful nations.

Fernandez, 39, took the oath of office Friday at the National Stadium in the
capital, promising deep reforms to the judiciary and security laws.

She said in her inaugural address that, quote, "Costa Rica cannot normalize
the shame of seeing its institutions penetrated by crime."

Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948, but murder rates hit record highs
during the term of her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves, as the country became a
key transit point for cocaine shipments to the U-S and Europe.

Fernandez says she will soon open a maximum security prison modeled after El
Salvador's C-E-C-O-T detention center, which human rights groups have
criticized for alleged torture and denial of basic services.

She also promised to build one of the most modern police surveillance centers
in the world.

Fernandez won February's election with 49 percent of the vote and will serve
until 2030.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:13:14

The World Health Organization says eight people have fallen ill in a
hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, with three of those cases
proving fatal.

Six cases have been confirmed as Andes virus through P-C-R testing, with two
additional probable cases.

The ship had 147 passengers and crew on board when the outbreak was first
reported on May 2nd, with 34 others having already disembarked.

Four patients remain hospitalized in South Africa, the Netherlands, and
Switzerland.

The W-H-O says the first case may have been infected before boarding,
possibly during travel in Argentina or Chile, with later spread occurring on
the ship.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control says it plans to evacuate the 17 American
passengers aboard on a government medical repatriation flight to Omaha,
Nebraska.

The ship left Cabo Verde on May 6th and is heading to Spain's Canary Islands,
where remaining passengers are expected to disembark.

The W-H-O says the risk to the general public remains low, but rates the risk
to those on board as moderate.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 12:14:14

The ruling D-P-P is expressing regret after the opposition-controlled
Legislature passed a defense budget well below what the government had
requested.

The Legislature approved 780-billion NT for U-S arms purchases Friday,
falling short of the D-P-P's proposed 1.25-trillion NT.

D-P-P spokesperson Lee Kun-cheng warned the cuts could undermine mutual trust
with Washington, weaken Taiwan's self-defense commitment, and create gaps in
future defense capabilities.

The party said some of the trimmed funding was earmarked for joint Taiwan-U-S
projects, including a multilayered air defense network known as "T-Dome," as
well as drone and counter-drone systems.

The opposition K-M-T and T-P-P defended the move, saying lawmakers must not
hand the ruling party a "massive blank check" that could invite corruption.

K-M-T Chairperson Cheng Li-wun and T-P-P Chairman Huang Kuo-chang held a
joint press conference, with both parties saying they supported prioritizing
U-S government-approved arms purchases.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 12:14:14

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country's commitment to
its mutual defense treaty with Russia, in a message congratulating President
Vladimir Putin on the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Kim said North Korea would give "top priority" to its partnership with Moscow
and fulfill its obligations under the two countries' comprehensive strategic
partnership treaty, signed during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in 2024.

North Korea sent an estimated 14-thousand troops to fight alongside Russian
forces in the Kursk region of Ukraine.

South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western officials say more than 6-thousand of
those soldiers were killed in the fighting.

Russia is holding its most scaled-back Victory Day parade in years Saturday,
due to the threat of Ukrainian attack.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire announced by US
President Donald Trump, running from May 9 to May 11.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 12:14:14

The U-S Defense Department has released around 160 previously classified
files on unidentified aerial phenomena, following an order from President
Donald Trump.

The documents include photos, videos, and reports dating back to a 1947
account of "flying discs," as well as footage and transcripts from the Apollo
12 and 17 lunar missions.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the files had been hidden behind
classifications for too long, and that the American people deserved to see
them.

Trump said the public could now decide for themselves what was going on,
adding -- quote -- "Have fun and enjoy."

Analysts say the release contained new videos of known sightings but offered
no conclusive evidence of alien technology or extraterrestrial life.

Some critics dismissed the move as a distraction from Trump's political
troubles, including the unpopular U-S military campaign against Iran.

A second tranche of declassified material is expected in about 30 days.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

The Legislative Yuan has passed a supplementary budget bill to fund purchases
of U-S military equipment, capping spending at 780-billion NT -- about
24.8-billion US dollars.

The opposition KMT and TPP used their legislative majority to pass the bill
Friday, 59 to zero, with 48 abstentions.

The bill covers two funding provisions: 300-billion NT for arms already
approved by Washington in December, and 480-billion NT for a future package
not yet announced.

Weapons in the approved package include HIMARS rocket systems, self-propelled
howitzers, and Javelin anti-armor missiles.

A second U-S arms package -- reportedly worth around 14-billion US dollars --
is expected to include PAC-3 interceptors and NASAMS air defense systems.

The bill runs from 2026 to 2033, with annual budgets subject to legislative
approval.

The opposition had blocked the ruling D-P-P's original 1-point-25-trillion NT
proposal 10 times before a scaled-back version advanced.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

President Lai Ching-te and visiting Paraguayan President Santiago Pena have
witnessed the signing of three bilateral cooperation documents.

Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez signed the agreements with Taiwan's
ministers of foreign affairs, digital affairs, and justice.

The documents cover artificial intelligence infrastructure, cybersecurity,
and criminal justice cooperation.

The most notable agreement is a memorandum of understanding on a joint
sovereign A-I computing center, described as the world's first such
initiative between two governments.

It will combine Taiwan's technology sector with Paraguay's green energy
resources.

A pilot phase of around 10 megawatts is planned, with potential expansion to
up to 1 gigawatt.

The cybersecurity M-O-U focuses on policy exchanges and threat intelligence
sharing.

While the criminal justice treaty establishes a framework for evidence
sharing and cross-border law enforcement.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed no Taiwanese citizens were
aboard the Dutch cruise ship M-V Hondius following a hantavirus outbreak on
the vessel.

The C-D-C said it contacted health authorities in the Netherlands and
Argentina, as well as the World Health Organization, on May 7 to verify
passenger information.

Both countries confirmed no Taiwanese nationals appeared on the passenger or
crew manifests.

The clarification came after a Spanish newspaper reported, citing an
anonymous passenger, that a traveler from Taiwan left the ship in Saint
Helena on April 24 and returned home.

The C-D-C called those claims false.

The W-H-O has identified eight ship-related hantavirus cases as of May 5,
including three deaths.

The outbreak is believed to have started with a passenger who contracted the
virus in Argentina or elsewhere in South America before boarding.

The W-H-O says the overall public health risk remains low, as hantavirus does
not spread easily between people.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

Efforts to formally end the war between the United States and Iran appear to
be stalling, as sporadic clashes continued Friday in and around the Strait of
Hormuz.

Iranian forces and U-S vessels exchanged fire in the strait, though an
Iranian military source said the situation had calmed.

The U-S military said it struck two Iran-linked vessels attempting to enter
an Iranian port.

Iran accused the U-S of breaching a ceasefire that has largely held since it
was announced on April 7.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Washington opts for military
action every time a diplomatic solution is within reach.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted two ballistic
missiles and three Iranian drones Friday, injuring three people.

Washington is awaiting Tehran's formal response to a U-S proposal to end the
war before talks on harder issues, including Iran's nuclear program.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday he expected a response from Iran
that day, but none had been reported by mid-afternoon Washington time.

The U-S Treasury also announced new sanctions Friday against 10 individuals
and companies, including some in China and Hong Kong, for helping Iran
acquire materials used to build Shahed drones.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-08 19:57:13

Civil groups are calling for reforms to Taiwan's paid annual leave system,
arguing that long working hours worsen gender inequality.

At a news conference ahead of Mother's Day, activists urged the government to
increase paid leave and stop linking it solely to years of service.

They say the current system places a heavier caregiving burden on women,
especially mothers.

According to researchers, women in Taiwan spend far more time on household
and family care work than men, while also balancing employment
responsibilities.

Labor advocates argue that many younger workers frequently change jobs,
making it difficult to accumulate enough years of service to qualify for
longer leave.

They also say Taiwan's statutory leave system is less generous than those in
several other developed countries.

The groups are urging amendments to the Labor Standards Act, saying more
flexible leave policies would help promote work-life balance and gender
equality.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 18:12:13

The Legislative Yuan today passed a supplementary budget bill authorizing up
to $780 billion NT in defense spending for major arms purchases from the
United States.

The funding will support a two-part arms procurement plan focused on
strengthening Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities.

The first phase — capped at $300 billion NT — includes High Mobility
Artillery Rocket Systems, or HI-MARS, M-109-A7 self-propelled howitzers,
Javelin anti-armor missiles, TOW 2B missiles, and Altius-700M and 600 drones.

The second package — worth up to $480 billion NT — would fund a future U-S
arms package that has not yet been formally announced ...

... including counter-drone systems, anti-ballistic and air defense missiles,
and medium- and low-altitude air defense systems ...

... though lawmakers would still need to sign off on the purchases after
Taiwan receives formal offers from the United States.

Lawmakers say the measure is aimed at strengthening Taiwan's national defense
and asymmetric warfare capabilities.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 18:12:13

Taiwan has overtaken the United States and Germany in the adoption of
generative artificial intelligence.

According to new data from Microsoft, Taiwan's AI adoption rate reached
31-point-8 percent in the first quarter of 2026, placing it among the world's
top 20 economies for the first time.

That puts Taiwan slightly ahead of the U-S at 31-point-3 percent and Germany
at 31-point-1 percent.

The report says global use of generative AI continues to grow rapidly, with
nearly one in six workers worldwide now using AI tools on the job.

Among the fastest-growing markets, Asia dominated the rankings, with 12 of
the top 15 growth markets located in the region, including South Korea and
Japan.

Microsoft says advances in AI-powered coding tools are transforming software
development and helping drive a sharp increase in global code production.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 18:12:13

A Haitian couple stranded at Taoyuan International Airport for over a month
has finally headed home.

The National Immigration Agency says the couple had been traveling from the
Philippines back to Haiti and arrived in Taiwan on January 5th for a
connecting flight to Palau.

But Palau, the Philippines, and Malaysia all refused them entry due to
missing return tickets and other documentation issues.

Without sufficient travel funds, no US visa, and limited options due to
European transit restrictions and widespread refusals across Asia, the couple
found themselves stuck in Taoyuan Airport's transit zone with no clear path
forward.

The agency says one of its officers Kang Ching-nien took the couple under his
care, checking on them daily and providing food out of his own pocket.

On March 18th, the couple finally departed for Hanoi, Vietnam, and reached
Phnom Penh, Cambodia on March 24th, continuing their journey home.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-08 18:12:13

Starlux Airlines has launched a new direct route between Taichung and Tokyo,
expanding flight options for travelers in central Taiwan.

Taichung officials say the new service is expected to help attract more
international tourists and deepen ties with the Japanese travel market.

To promote the route, the Taichung City Government is leading a delegation of
23 travel-related businesses to Tokyo this week to market the city’s food,
accommodations, shopping and tourism attractions.

Officials say Japanese travelers are especially interested in nature, local
culture, and food tourism — areas where central Taiwan hopes to attract more
visitors.

The Tokyo service adds to Starlux's growing list of Japan destinations from
Taichung, including Kobe, Takamatsu, Okinawa, Miyakojima and Kumamoto.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 17:07:13

The opposition KMT and TPP have passed their version of a special defense
budget with a budget ceiling of 780 billion NT.

It includes the funds for the first round of arms purchases from the US at
300 billion NT...

while the rest is set aside for a future purchase.

Included in those purchases are M109 Howitzers, HIMARS systems, anti-tank
drone missile systems, anti-drone systems, and more.

The KMT caucus announced the joint proposal this morning, which represents a
departure from both the KMT's "380 billion N" NT proposal and the TPP's 400
billion NT proposal.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-08 17:07:13

New Taipei has launched an inspection campaign targeting hidden pinhole
cameras amid growing concerns over privacy violations at cosmetic clinics.

Mayor Hou Yu-ih says a joint task force has been formed ... to inspect
cosmetic clinics, sports facilities, fitness centers and saunas across the
city.

Officials say police will use scanning equipment to check for illegal hidden
cameras in sensitive spaces such as bathrooms, changing rooms, and shower
areas ...

The crackdown follows the alleged discovery of a pinhole camera in a smoke
detector inside a private treatment room at the Banqiao District branch of
Airlee Cosmetic Clinic.

Health authorities say clinics must clearly notify patients and obtain
informed consent before using surveillance equipment in treatment rooms.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 17:07:13

Taiwan's men's table tennis team has moved into the semifinals of the 2026
ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London.

Taiwan's top ranked player at 7 in the world, Lin Yun Ju (林昀儒)defeated the
number 2 ranked Swedish competitior.

The win guarantees Taiwan at least a bronze medal and secures the team's
second consecutive podium finish at the tournament.

The Taiwanese squad, in addition to Lin, features Feng Yi-hsin (馮翊新), Kuo
Guan-hong (郭冠宏), Hong Jing-kai (洪敬愷) and Hsu Hsien-chia (徐絃家).

The men's team has now matched the best result in its history and will next
face Japan, led by world No. 3 Tomokazu Harimoto, for a place in the final.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-05-08 17:07:13

In the US,

a federal judge says, instructions given to federal immigration officers to
make arrests without warrants should not be used as guidance.

The judge thus continues a preliminary injunction she issued in December.

She wrote that the instructions failed to instruct officers to assess
someone's community connections before concluding that they need to be
arrested.

This action marks the latest step in a lawsuit filed by four noncitizens
challenging their arrests during immigration sweeps.

She did say, however, that the government had adhered to her preliminary
injunction order on some issues.

Posted on 2026-05-08 16:49:13

Taipei prosecutors are seeking another 26 years in prison for Core Pacific
City chair Shen Qing Jing.

That's as prosecutors concluded their investigation in a case separate from
but relevant to the Core Pacific City case.

Prosecutors indicted Shen and 12 others on charges of violating the
Securities and Exchange Act.

According to the investigation, when Core Pacific land was auctioned off in
2019, the reserve price was 34.2 billion NT, breaking a record for the
highest auction price for commercial real estate in Taiwan.

Prosecutors believe that some involved in the land transaction violated the
law by committing breach of trust and taking part in irregular transactions.

Shen was sentenced in March to 10 years in prison for allegedly bribing
Taipei officials in the Core Pacific City case.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-08 16:49:13

Penghu County officials are investigating after a drone light show at the
opening of the 2026 Penghu International Ocean Fireworks Festival was
disrupted by suspected signal interference.

Deputy County Magistrate Lin Chieh-hsing and other officials expressed regret
to local residents and visitors after planned aerial formations were not
displayed correctly.

Lin says the show was disrupted by signal interference twice, with some
drones experienced positioning errors, even after recalibration and relaunch.

Officials say pre-show positioning tests and flight checks had all been
passed before the performance.

The county says it has asked the Civil Aviation Administration and the
National Communications Commission to investigate whether external signal
interference was involved, and to assist with follow-up testing and
mitigation.

Officials say all relevant data and records have been handed to police for
further investigation.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-08 16:49:13

The Taiwan Centres for Disease Control confirmed that there were no Taiwanese
passengers on the cruise ship that has experienced a deadly outbreak of
hantavirus.

Rumours had been circulating that these passengers had already returned to
Taiwan.

An unnamed Spanish passenger on board the Dutch vessel, MV Hondius, said that
Taiwanese passengers were amongst the 23 who had disembarked early on Saint
Helena, an island in the South Pacific Ocean.

But the Taiwan CDC confirmed with authorities in the Netherlands and
Argentina and with the World Health Organisation that no Taiwanese citizens
were to be found amongst the 149 people on the passenger and crew lists.

Five cases of hantavirus have been confirmed on the Hondius to date.

(JM)

Posted on 2026-05-08 16:49:13

A 39-year-old man faces charges for harassing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the
former Prince Andrew.

Authorities say that Alex Jenkinson, wearing a ski mask, ran towards Andrew
and hurled abuse at him whilst Andrew was out walking his dogs near his home
in eastern England on Wednesday.

Jenkinson is due in court today.

The 66-year-old Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, moved to the
Sandringham Estate after being evicted from his longtime home near Windsor
Castle.

He was stripped of his titles following scandals, including his association
with Jeffrey Epstein.

Posted on 2026-05-08 16:49:13

Toyota has reported a 19 per cent drop in its annual profit as President
Donald Trump's tariffs hurt its earnings, although its global sales grew.

Japan's top automaker said that its profit for the fiscal year that ended in
March was 3.85 trillion yen (760 billion NT).

It said that Trump's tariff policies erased some 1.4 trillion yen (280
billion NT) from its annual operating income.

Toyota said it sold nearly 9.6 million vehicles around the world in the last
fiscal year, a bit more than the 9.4 million it sold a year earlier.

The company is also keeping a relatively modest forecast for the next fiscal
year, citing potential impact from the war in the Middle East, both in its
supply chain and in its sales in the region.

It said it would grow leaner, reoganise its models, and increase local
procurement whilst cutting costs.

And Toyota reiterated that it wants to transform into a "mobility company",
adding boats and planes to its product offering.

Posted on 2026-05-08 16:49:13

Three hikers have died after a volcano erupted on one of Indonesia's Maluku
Islands this morning.

A group of twenty hikers, composed of nine Singaporeans and eleven locals,
went up Mount Dukono this morning, despite a climbing ban.

The local police chief said that two of the dead were Singaporean citizens,
whilst one was a local resident.

A local resident reported that the locations of two of the dead have been
identified, but rescuers have not yet been able to reach their bodies.

The location of the third dead has not yet been determined.

All of the survivors have been accounted for.

Mount Dukono erupted at 7:41 this morning, sending a 10-kilometre column of
ash into the sky.

It is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, having erupted nearly 200
times since the end of March, according to the Volcanological Survey of
Indonesia.

Posted on 2026-05-08 15:26:13

Two candidates for the leadership of Taiwan's most populous municipality are
trading fire over nepotism accusations.

Media reported that KMT candidate Li Si Chuan 李四川 said that his opponent,
the DPP's Su Qiao Hui 蘇巧慧, had been given her lawmaker's position on a
silver platter due to her father being the former premier Su Zhen
Chang　蘇貞昌.

But Su dismissed Li's accusations today, saying that she was not a second
generation autocrat...

adding that her generation grew up under the shadow of authoritarian rule in
Taiwan, surrounded by fear rather than assets.

The longtime lawmaker emphasized that she hoped the campaign could return to
an exchange of views on how New Taipei should be run.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-08 15:26:14

President Lai Ching-te welcomed Paraguayan President Santiago Pena with
military honors in Taipei today ...

... marking nearly 70 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

At the Presidential Office, Lai thanked Paraguay for consistently backing
Taiwan's international participation and said the two sides continue to
deepen co-operation in areas such as education, healthcare, and trade.

Pena, on his fourth visit to Taiwan, reaffirmed Paraguay's support, saying
the partnership is based on shared values including democracy, freedom, human
rights and the rule of law.

The two leaders later held talks and witnessed the signing of co-operation
agreements.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 15:26:14

Traffic controls are being implemented near the Ch'ihshang (池上) Bridge,
which connects Ch'ihshang (池上) to Guanshan (關山) in Taitung County along
Provincial Highway 9.

Until Monday, traffic along the flood control road running underneath the
north Ch'ihshang (池上) side of the bridge and parallel to the Peinan (卑南)
Creek will be diverted into single-lane, two-way traffic.

These controls run from 7:30 AM to 6 PM each day.

But luckily for most drivers, this will not affect the traffic on Provincial
Highway 9.

This is all because the supporting structures that hold the bridge upright at
the northern end of the bridge are being demolished.

Posted on 2026-05-08 15:26:14

Three Australian women who have returned to the country from Syria have been
refused bail after appearing in court charged with slavery and terrorism
offences.

They returned with ten other Australians whom police say are linked to the
Islamic State group.

These four women and nine children spent years in the Roj camp in the Syrian
desert.

They arrived back in Australia yesterday, despite the Australian government
warning them that they would face charges if they returned.

A 53-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter were charged in relation to
a female Yazidi slave whom police allege they and their family bought in
Syria for $10,000.

They travelled in 2014 to Syria, which at the time was the centre of the
Islamic State's so-called caliphate.

A 32-year-old woman was charged with being a member of a terrorist
organisation.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said that he had sympathy for the
returned children, but none for the parents who could expect no government
support.

Another 21 Australian women and children remain in Roj camp.

Posted on 2026-05-08 15:26:14

The death toll from an explosion at a fireworks plant in Changsha in China's
Hunan province on Monday has risen to 37, state media reported.

Local authorities said one person remains missing, according to China's
official news agency.

Authorities have said they are still investigating the cause and have ordered
the halt of all fireworks manufacturing in the surrounding area.

Posted on 2026-05-08 15:26:14

David Attenborough, the world's most famous wildlife presenter, celebrates
his hundredth birthday today.

The BBC will hold a party for him at London's Royal Albert Hall tonight.

But despite the accolades, Attenborough prefers the animals to be the stars
instead of himself.

He got his start in TV after being rejected for a job on radio with the BBC
in the early 1950s.

At the time, the station's bosses weren't sure that television even had a
future.

Over 70 years, his documentaries about evolution, animal behavior, and
biodiversity have brought the wonders of nature into homes worldwide.

He has also raised awareness about climate change and other environmental
threats.

And fun fact: Attenborough is the man behind why tennis balls today are
yellow.

In his role as Controller of BBC Two, he realised that fluorescent yellow
would be easier to see on colour TV than the traditional white.

Attenborough said, "I've been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings
from preschool groups to care home residents and countless individuals and
families of all ages.'

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:13

A former acting civil affairs chief in Hualien's Guangfu has been released on
bail following questioning in an investigation into the flooding that killed
at least 19 people in September.

Hualien prosecutors conducted a search of the home of interim civil affairs
chief Li Wei and took him in for questioning...

before releasing him on bail of 100,000 NT with an ankle monitor and
restrictions on movement and residence.

Hualien prosecutors previously indicted several others in the case, including
Guangfu township chief Lin Qing Shui, and are seeking up to 10 years in
prison for the defendants.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:15

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has announced a citywide cleanup campaign aimed at
tackling growing concerns over rodent infestations.

The effort officially began today in Zhongshan District and will expand
across all 12 administrative districts of the city.

More than 500 sanitation workers and local volunteers were mobilized for the
first phase of the campaign.

City officials say crews will clean streets, inspect parks for rat holes, and
immediately seal any nests they find as part of a 'see a hole, fill a hole'
strategy.

The city is also sending health, environmental, and market officials to work
with vendors and businesses on improving sanitation practices.

Chiang says Taipei is also reviewing staffing plans for specialized rodent
control teams and considering whether to restart a formal rodent monitoring
program with help from outside experts.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:19

Taiwan Railways is set to revise its timetable on July 1st, adjusting
schedules for over 600 train trips.

Officials say schedules will be shifted for 653 train services, with over 300
of those services shifting by five minutes or more.

According to the TRC, the changes will add peak-hour commuter services on the
west line, increase capacity between Taipei and Yilan on the east line, and
help .as well as help improve efficiency overall.

The revision will also accelerate the phase-out of older Juguang express
trainsets and introduce more EMU3000 Ziqiang trains to improve ride comfort.

The TRC says passengers can check new schedules on the Taiwan Railways
website and app from May 11th.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:19

Asian shares are down today while oil prices climbed as the fragile ceasefire
in Iran was tested by strikes on both sides.

Taiwan shares are down as well, with the benchmark Tai ex closing at 41632
after losing 301 points.

The turnover was 1.184 trilloion NT

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:19

Now turning to international news...

partial results from local elections in England are showing big losses for
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labor Party...

and gains for the hard-right party Reform UK.

Reform in particular took hundreds of local council sears in working-class
areas in England's north.

The vote is largely seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, who took
office less than two years ago.

Results are due later today for the majority of local councils, including
Labor strongholds like London.

A poor showing for Labor may trigger moves by restive party lawmakers to oust
Starmer.

Even if Starmer survives for now, many analysts doubt he will lead the party
into the next national election, which must be held by 2029.

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:19

A UK border official and a former Hong Kong police officer have been
convicted of spying for China.

They allegedly helped the Chinese spy agency by conducting "shadow" policing
operations in Britain.

The two Chinese and British nationals were convicted yesterday.

Prosecutors believe they acted as "shadow" police by posing as legitimate
officers or intelligence agents to conduct surveillance and gather
information on Hong Kong dissidents and pro-democracy advocates.

Chinese officials urged the UK to stop what it called "anti-China political
manipulation."

Posted on 2026-05-08 14:06:19

Hungary has a new prime minister in town, with Peter Magyar taking office
today, ending Viktor Orban's 16 year rule.

Magyar's Tisza party defeared Orban's Fidesz in a historic landslide last
month.

This victory allows Tisza to reverse many of Orban's controversial policies.

Magyar has invited Hungarians to a "regime-change" celebration tomorrow as he
aims to tackle corruption and mend ties with the Eueopean Union.

Magyar plans to hold former officials accountable and overhaul the government
structure.

Magyar is a 45-year-old lawyer who formed Tisza in 2024 after spending years
as an insider within Orban's party.

Posted on 2026-05-08 13:06:13

The opposition KMT and TPP are proposing a joint special defense budget and
are hoping to pass three readings of the measure today.

KMT Legislative Caucus Whip Fu Kun Chi annonced the proposal, which comes
with a price tag of 780 billion NT.

He called on the DPP to support the proposal.

This comes as the Ministry of National Defense has warned that the first
installment for a HIMARS multiple launch rocket system purchase must be paid
by the end of the month, lest the deal be cancelled.

Fu was joined by other caucus leaders today when he announced the new
proposal...

which appears to depart from both the KMT's "380 billion NT N" version, as
well as the TPP's 400 billion NT version

Fu says, the joint version aims to protect Taiwan and strengthen Taiwan-US
defense ties while also deepening Taiwan-US relations.

Meanwhile DPP Caucus Whip Cai Qi Chang continued to stump for the Executive
Yuan's 1.25 trillion NT version...

while green heavyweight Wu Si Yao added that the 780 billion NT version will
create vulnerabilities in Taiwan's defense.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-08 13:06:13

Taiwan's population continues to decline, with April figures showing both a
continued drop in total population and a slight fall in births compared to
March.

The Ministry of the Interior released its monthly household registration data
today, showing Taiwan's total population stood at 23-million 262-thousand-544
people as of the end of April.

That's down just over 8 thousand from March, and marks the 28th consecutive
month of declines.

April births came in at 8-thousand-144, slightly lower than both March and
the same month last year.

Matsu's Lienchiang County recorded the highest birth rate among all counties
and cities.

Taiwan entered super-aged society status last year, with people aged 65 and
above now making up just over 20-percent of the total population.

Those aged 14 and under account for just over 11 percent.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-08 13:06:13

Taiwan Railway Corporation says, service on the Southern Link Line is being
disrupted due to a power equipment malfunction.

The issue is affecting the Chaozhou, Kanding, and Nanzhou stations.

TRC adds that they're running shuttle buses between Fangliao and Chaozhou
stations.

They say, they expect the issue to be resolved before 5pm today.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-08 13:06:17

Now turning to international news...

The United Arab Emirates says, air defenses are "actively engaging" with a
missile and drone attack.

The Ministry of Defense advised residents not to approach, photograph, or
touch debtis caused by the air interceptions.

Hours before, the US military said it had intercepted Iranian attacks on 3
Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz...

and targeted Iranian military forces that launched the attack.

Despite these attacks, the US president told reporters that a ceasefire was
holding...

while Tehran said it was examining the latest US proposals to end the war.

Posted on 2026-05-08 08:13:14

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

C-S-B-C says the Navy's indigenous defense submarine prototype has conducted
torpedo launch trials as part of its eighth round of dive tests.

According to the shipbuilder, the Narwhal fired two torpedoes during the
weapon launch verification phase of its ongoing sea acceptance tests earlier
this week.

C-S-B-C says the weapon launch verification phase was initiated with the aim
of authenticating the Narwhal's combat capabilities in areas including combat
system reconnaissance, analysis, and torpedo system launch and guidance.

C-S-B-C has released a short video showed the submarine prototype sailing
out from the Port of Kaohsiung, accompanied by a number of support ships.

The Narwhal was originally scheduled to complete sea trials by November 2025,
but the timeline was pushed back as it underwent final adjustments ahead of
the submergence tests.

Posted on 2026-05-08 08:13:14

allowance

The Cabinet says it is working on plans to grant each parent an additional
month of parental leave allowance if both apply for the full six months of
parental leave allowance.

The move is part of the government's plans to encourage more equal sharing of
childcare responsibilities.

Under current regulations, parents may take up to two years of parental leave
before a child turns 3.

Those covered by employment insurance are eligible for parental leave
allowances for up to six months per child, receiving 60-per cent of their
insured salary plus an additional 20-per cent subsidized by the government.

The government eased parental leave rules starting on January 1 of this year
to allow leave to be taken by the day rather than only by the month.

But speaking in March, Labor Minister Hung Sun-han said his agency is
discussing raising the eligible child age for parental leave benefits to 6
years old.

Posted on 2026-05-08 08:13:14

The Internal Administration Committee has approved draft amendments to lower
the voting age from 20 to 18.

The amendments are to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act and the
Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act.

The committee is now urging the Legislative Constitutional Amendment
Committee to begin a formal constitutional revision process.

The revised bills also seek to allow citizens aged 18 and above to sign
petitions endorsing presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Although lawmakers from across party lines have expressed support for
lowering the voting age to align Taiwan with international practice, the
proposal faces a constitutional hurdle.

As Article 130 of the Constitution stipulates that citizens must be at least
20 years old to vote.

Any formal revision to the Constitution has to be passed by three quarters of
the Legislative Yuan and ratified by a national referendum in which the
revision is supported by over half of eligible voters.

The Central Election Commission says lowering the voting age would add an
estimated 410,000 eligible voters and affect election operations such as
polling station arrangements and voter registry preparation.

Posted on 2026-05-08 08:13:14

Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai says the government is considering treating
drug-impaired driving as a distinct offense separate from drunk driving -
potentially leading to harsher penalties.

According to Chen, officials from the transport and interior ministries are
scheduled to meet next Monday to discuss possible amendments to current laws,
including tougher penalties and joint liability provisions for drug-impaired
driving.

Chen says while drug use itself is already a criminal offense, driving a
vehicle under the influence of narcotics - especially when it results in
injury or death - should carry tougher penalties than drunk driving.

The statements come amid growing concern over a recent spate of serious
traffic accidents involving drivers under the influence of narcotics.

Those incidents include a drug-driving crash on May 4 that resulted in the
deaths two people.

Several lawmakers have voiced their support for criminal liability for drug
driving to be made different from that for drunk driving.

Posted on 2026-05-08 08:13:14

The Supreme Court has upheld television personality Mickey Huang's four-year
suspended sentence for purchasing sexually explicit material involving
minors.

The ruling comes after both Huang and prosecutors filed appeals against
previous sentences.

According to the Supreme Court it made its ruling based on evidence in the
case supported Huang's conviction and the suspension of the sentence was
appropriate.

The court says, neither prosecutors' appeal against the suspended sentence,
nor Huang's appeal against the conviction met the grounds for a final appeal.

Huang was found guilty by the Taiwan High Court in November of last year of
purchasing over 2,300 sexually explicit videos and images involving 37 minors
aged between 10 and 17.

He was charged with violating the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation
Prevention Act and the Personal Data Protection Act.

The High Court later sentenced Huang under the provisions of the Personal
Data Protection Act - and handed down a one-and-half year sentence, suspended
for four years.

The High Court defended that sentence by saying Huang had no previous
criminal record and had reached settlements with the victims.

Posted on 2026-05-08 08:13:14

And finally,

President Lai Ching-te has presided over the inauguration of the Asia-Pacific
International Baseball Training Centers in Tainan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lai described it as historic moment for Taiwan's
baseball development.

The centers is located in Tainan's Annan District.

The facility consists of two standard stadiums, one of which - the
Asia-Pacific Stadium - has a 25,000-seat capacity, two youth stadiums, two
infield training fields, six outdoor training lanes and an indoor training
facility.

Construction of the 2.2-billion N-T center began in 2018.

The Asia-Pacific Stadium is now home to the Chinese Taipei Baseball
Association's Uni-President Lions.

The Lions played their first game there on the opening day of the new C-P-B-L
season in March in front of a sell-out crowd of 23,500 - when they beat the
T-S-G Hawks 3-1.

The center's second standard stadium will host group games in the W-B-S-C
Women's Baseball World Cup in late August.

Taiwan is in that group with Japan, Venezuela, Cuba, Great Britain and one
other yet to be announced team.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:14

No damage or injuries are being reported after this morning's magnitude 4.6
earthquake.

The earthquake struck at 4:57 and was centered off-shore some 30-kilometers
northeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 25-kilometers.

The quake was felt strongest in Hualien's Taroko National Park area - where
it registered a magnitude 4 on the Central Weather Administration's intensity
scale.

The earthquake registered a magnitude 3 in other parts of Hualien, as well as
in areas of Yilan and Nantou and it registered a magnitude 2 in Taichung's
Lishan Scenic Area.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

Paraguay's visiting President Santiago Pena is reaffirming his country's
diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

During the second day of his visit, said Paraguay and Taiwan have been
friends for many, many decades and there is no doubt that friendship has
become stronger than ever and will continue to grow in the coming years.

Pena is here for his first official state visit to the country and his fourth
trip overall.

The Ministry of Foreign Affair says Pena is leading a delegation of business
representatives to Taiwan for a four day visit and will meet with President
Lai Ching-te and other senior government officials.

The talks will focus on investments, international industrial cooperation and
other policy measures aimed at strengthen bilateral ties.

Pena's trip to Taiwan this week follows reports that Beijing is pressuring
Paraguay to sever ties with Taiwan in favor of China.

Lai is expected to formally welcome Pena later today with full military
honors.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

meeting

A former U-S assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security says he
believes U-S President Donald Trump will likely to focus on trade and
economic matters during his meeting with China's Xi Jinping next week.

However, Randall Schriver says the Taiwan issue is likely to be raised by
Beijing.

Schriver thinks Trump will be prepared to address the Taiwan issue during the
meeting, while maintaining Washington's longstanding policy.

The former official sayid he's confident that Trump will not just represent
Taiwan, but really represent US-Taiwan interests, "which are in most cases
shared interests."

Trump is expected to visit Beijing from May 14-15 for talks.

U-S Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week told a White House press
briefing Taiwan will likely to be a topic of conversation.

China has signaled that Taiwan will be a priority topic at the summit.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

Incumbent head prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors Office, Hsu Hsi-hsiang
has been appointed acting prosecutor-general.

Hsu was appointed to the position in an acting capacity after the current
prosecutor-general, Hsing Tai-chao, officially completed his four-year term
that same day.

Hsu's appointment come two days after lawmakers rejected Hu for the position.

President Lai Ching-te nominated Hsu on March 13... the nomination advanced
to a floor vote following cross-party negotiations in the Legislature on
April 17.

That was eventually rejected on Tuesday - with opposition lawmakers arguing
that Hsu lacked "core experience" and previously held political roles,
raising questions about his differentiating of political and judicial
spheres.

The acting prosecutor-general serves until a new nominee is announced and
confirmed by the Legislature.

Under the Court Organization Act, the president is required to submit a new
nominee for prosecutor-general within three months of the position becoming
vacant.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to tighten penalties for illegal gravel
mining.

The move double the maximum fine for offenders to 10-million N-T.

The proposed amendment to the Sand and Gravel Excavation Act will requires
local authorities to order offenders to restore excavation sites within a
prescribed period ..

.. and restoration work must be carried out using materials and methods
specified by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The proposal seeks to raise the maximum fine for offenders who fail to
complete restoration work by the deadline to 2-million N-T.

While offenders whose illegal mining activities cause fatal disasters could
face life imprisonment and fines of up to 100-million N-T.

The new penalties have been put forward following the discovery of major
gravel mining violation in Kaohsiung's Meinong District last year.

The proposal will now be sent to the Legislature for review.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh says two government
employees received visits from Chinese public security bureau officers at
their hotels during separate trips to China last month.

Liang says works at the National Immigration Agency, while the other is
employed by the Customs Administration.

They both reported the incidents after returning to Taiwan.

The council spokesman says both of them were asked about their family,
education and career backgrounds, the purpose of their visits to China, where
they work and their job duties.

Liang also says they also both had their mobile phones inspected by Chinese
police officers.

The Mainland Affairs Council is stressing that believes the incidents
indicate that Chinese authorities had prior information about their trips,
including their itineraries and the hotels where they were staying.

The council said in January that 19 government employees had been questioned
by Chinese police officers during trips to China since 2023.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

camera case

The New Taipei District Court has ordered the chairman of a cosmetic surgery
chain, an employee and a contractor to be detained pending further
investigation into a suspected hidden camera found at an Airlee Group clinic
in the city's Banqiao District.

The New Taipei City Prosecutors' Office had requested their continued
detained after questioning them earlier this week.

Airlee Group Chairman Chang Ju-shan, the branch employee and the surveillance
equipment supplier were among eight people questioned after authorities
searched multiple branches of of the company.

The searches were carried out following allegations that hidden camera was
found in a smoke detector in a private treatment room at Airlee's Banqiao
branch.

Prosecutors the three were ordered detained on charges of invasion of privacy
and violations of the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act.

At least 10 people have reportedly filed alledged invasion of privacy
complaints against the Airlee Group.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

The Taipei City Government has opened its first five negative-pressure
smoking rooms.

Three of the five smoking rooms are in the Ximending shopping area, while the
other two are in Xinzhongshan Linear Park and at the Xingyi bus parking lot
near Taipei Main Station.

Speaking during an inspection of one of the smoking rooms in Ximending,
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an called the initiative a major milestone in his
administration's wider efforts to promote a smoke-free city.

Chiang says the smoke-free measures have the support of Taipei residents --
a majority of them backing the establishment of outdoor smoking rooms in all
public spaces.

The mayor also urged the public to give feedback on the initiative so that
the city government can make any necessary adjustments.

The city government has plans to open more negative-pressure smoking rooms
and says there are aleady 183 designated smoking areas across Taipei.

Under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, smoking in a designated no-smoking
area may result in a fine of up to 10,000 N-T.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

China's state run Xinhua News Agency says two former Chinese defence
ministers have been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve over graft
charges.

Past reports indicated Wei Fenghe, who was defense minister from 2018 to
2023... was found to have accepted "a huge amount of money and valuables" in
bribes and "helped others gain improper benefits in personnel arrangements"

While Li Shangfu, who served for just months in 2023 was suspected of taking
and receiving bribes... an investigation aso claims to have found he "did not
fulfil political responsibilities" and "sought personal benefits for himself
and others".

As their death sentences have been commuted, both men will be imprisoned for
life without the possibility of further commutation or parole.

Experts say China's ongoing military corruption purges are leaving serious
deficiencies in its command structure... and are likely to have hampered the
readiness of its rapidly modernising armed forces.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

A U.K. border official and a former Hong Kong police officer have been
convicted of assisting China’s spy agency by conducting “shadow” policing
operations in Britain.

Peter Wai and Bill Yuen are both dual Chinese and British nationals.

Prosecutors said they acted as “shadow” police by posing as legitimate
officers or intelligence agents to conduct surveillance and gather
information about Hong Kong dissidents and pro-democracy supporters.

A London jury found them guilty on charges that they violated the National
Security Act by assisting a foreign spy service.

Hong Kong's government said it wasn't a party to the case, but firmly opposed
“unfounded allegations” against it or the London trade office.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

At the same time...

Norwegian authorities have arrested a Chinese citizen on espionage
allegations.

The arrest took place on Thursday, according to the country's domestic
intelligence service.

The accused allegedly tried to set up a satellite receiver to collect
sensitive data.

Police have seized the equipment and halted the plans.

Several others have been charged in the case, but details remain limited.

Posted on 2026-05-08 06:48:16

And finally...

The Trump Administration is floating a plan to coat the granite exterior of a
historic building next to the White House with white paint could cost
taxpayers at least $7.5 million.

That's the word from a White House official who discussed the details before
the National Capital Planning Commission as the federal agency began
reviewing the proposal on Thursday.

The White House says the Eisenhower Executive Office Building is in disrepair
and that painting it will hide stains.

But preservationists, architects and historians contend that paint damages
granite and could make things worse. Public sentiment is also overwhelmingly
against the proposal.

A lawsuit against the proposed paint job is also pending in federal court.

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