ICRT

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

The Mainland Affairs Council is confirming that group travelers to China will
not be forced to register their trips...

even under new rules requiring travel agencies to help clients do so.

Spokesperson Liang Wen Jie said that the voluntary travel registration system
is meant to help authorities keep track of Taiwanese travelers in China,
should they go missing or encounter other emergency situations.

Liang described last week's flash floods in Nepal and Tibet, saying 51
Taiwanese people had registered as being in Tibet at the time, giving
authorities a general picture of how many Taiwanese people were in the region
at the time of the accident.

His remarks came after the Tourism Administration recently instructed travel
agencies to inform travelers of the risks of visiting China, assist them in
completing the government's voluntary online travel registration, submit
relevant statistics to authorities and ensure the group is covered by travel
agency liability insurance.

Taiwan's new rules come ahead of China's implementation later this month of
new entry-exit regulations, which the MAC says may increase risks for
Taiwanese citizens.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

The Coast Guard Administration says, it's closely monitoring two Chinese
vessels operating off Taiwan's east coast in an area where the exclusive
economic zones of Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.

The CGA said in a statement that it dispatched the patrol vessel Chi An to
shadow the Chinese vessels that were "loitering" near Green Island.

This comes as China has stepped up activity by its coast guard and research
vessels in waters east of Taiwan since Tokyo and Manila announced in May that
they would begin talks over an area where the three EEZs overlap, which is
also claimed by China.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Tokyo and Manila to include Taipei
in any future EEZ talks.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

The KMT says, President Lai Ching-te should apologize for phasing out nuclear
power, as regulators indicated they were close to approving the restart of
the number 3 nuclear power plant.

The KMT's communications offices says, plans to return the plant to operation
showed that Lai's pledge to achieve a "non-nuclear homeland" by 2025 without
electricity shortages had failed.

They says that nuclear power is essential to industrial competitiveness,
artificial intelligence development, and energy security...

and that Taipower's pursuit to reopen the Number 3 Nuclear Power Plant
vindicate the KMT's calls for a more pragmatic energy policy.

Taipower applied to restart the plant in March, after amendments passed last
year allowed for the licenses of decommissioned reactors to be extended for
20 years after their original 40 year operating limit.

But the DPP said that voters would ultimately decide the issue through a
referendum on scrapping the "non nuclear homeland" policy this year.

Even if that referendum passes, restarting the plant would still require
clearning several regulatory and safety hurdles.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

The TPP's Huang Shan Shan has announced her retirement from electoral
politics.

Huang took to social media to make the announcement, saying that she had
entered nine elections since the age of 28...

including six Taipei City Council races, two legislative elections, and one
Taipei mayoral race.

She also recalled campaigning multiple times for presidential and legislative
candidates.

Huang said that she had decided not to seek a 6th term on the Taipei City
council after getting sick in 2015...

but said that she later realized her responsibilities were not complete.

But she now says that she's completed her mission, having done her best and
having no regrets.

Huang said though, that she would continue to participate in politics, just
in a different way.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

Kaohsiung officials say, record rainfall in the city has caused more than 77
million NT in agricultural losses.

The city's Agricultural Bureau says that wax apple growers were hardest hit,
losing around 80 hectares of crops worth over 18 million.

Guava growers were the second worst affected, followed by papaya farmers.

Kaohsiung received a cumulative 1712 milimeters of rainfall in August...

surpassing the previous record for August ranfall, set in 1931, and was four
times the month average.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

A taxi rammed into the Taipei prosecutors office yesterday in what was likely
a protest against court rulings involving him.

Police say they received a report that a taxi was driven into the front door
of the office.

When they arrived at the scene, police arrested the driver, surnamed Shao,
and seized his cab.

Police say, preliminary findings suggest that he may have acted out of
dissatisfaction with the outcomes of several legal cases involving him,
including one ruling issued this week.

They say, Shao vented his dissatisfaction on social media and later began
surveiling the prosecutors' office before ramming into the building.

United Daily News reported that Shao was involved in a defamation civil
lawsuit with a doctor as well as two traffic-related cases.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

Attendance

The US is citing Taiwan's contributions to Palau in a rebuke to China's
dissatisfaction at Taiwan's attendance of the Pacific Islands Forum.

ICRT Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

troops

President Lai Ching-te has honored Taiwan's fallen military personnel and
pledged that his government will provide more support for current armed
service members.

During a ceremony in Taipei yesterday on Armed Forces Day, the president
commemorared the Martyrs' Shrine, which honors the nearly half million
soldiers who died fighting during World War II for the ROC.

Lai also thanked all of Taiwan's armed service members for protecting
national security and defending Taiwan's sovereignty.

He noted that this administration has improved salaries and benefits for
miltiary personnel, and that, starting next year, military personnel, civil
servants, and teachers will see 4% salary increases.

The president said that the government will continue to improve living and
training environments for service members.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:13

Pacific nation leaders have expressed collective concern over China's
ballistic missile launch into their waters.. but they couldn't reach
unanimous agreement on a stronger statement against Beijing.

Nauru dissented from the statement, and Kiribati had no representative at the
leaders' retreat day.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon downplayed the significance of
these absences.

The Pacific region has gained geopolitical importance, with major powers
seeking alliances.

The inability to form a unified stance hints at deeper regional divisions.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

South Korea is preparing to deploy military assets to support freedom of
navigation in the Strait of Hormuz ‌and aims to dispatch them before the end
of the year,

Media reports say the government would seek parliamentary approval for the
deployment, including submitting a consent motion to parliament this month
after cabinet review.

Seoul is said to be considering options including sending a maritime patrol
aircraft, a logistics support vessel or a mine detection and clearance unit.

It has also been discussing the scale and nature of a potential ‌contribution
with countries including the United States, Britain and France.

This comes after U-S President Donald Trump said he had scaled back
U.S.-South Korea ⁠joint military exercises in part because South Korea had
declined to help the U.S. in the war against Iran.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

security agencies

Ukraine's government has launched an investigation to determine what caused a
dispute between two of Ukraine's security agencies to escalate into a
shootout in ‌Kyiv this week.

Three members of the Defence Ministry's HUR Military Intelligence Directorate
were injured in the altercation.

The dispute had centered on the disappearance for nine days of a Russian
nationalist activist fighting alongside Ukrainian troops in the war against
Russia.

The nationalist said he was detained by the SBU Security Service and obliged
to sign a confession that he collaborated with Russian intelligence... but
later retracted the statement.

The street clash occurred in central Kyiv after the activist's Kyiv home was
searched.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

mount

Germany was investigating a suspected arson attack outside a defence firm in
Munich.

The incident comes just days after two sabotage attempts on the power grid
and a month after ‌an airport drone attack that Berlin and its allies blamed
on Russia.

Police arrested two people suspected of throwing incendiary devices and
causing a fire at a construction site at the headquarters of a firm, whose
products include radar systems to detect, track and jam drones.

The fire caused no significant damage and no one was injured,

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

Meanwhile Russia says it will close German cultural centers on its territory
in a retaliatory measure amid deepening tensions between Moscow and European
countries who are helping Ukraine resist the Kremlin’s invasion.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's announcement came after Germany blamed
Moscow for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4.

Germany said it was closing the Russian Consulate in Bonn and a cultural
center in Berlin.

Western officials accuse Russia of sabotage and disruption to undermine their
support for Ukraine, but Moscow denies the accusation.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

Volkswagen’s board has approved a major cost-cutting plan to address
competition and tariffs.

The plan, presented by CEO Oliver Blume, includes cutting 50,000 jobs,
reducing its model line by half, and ending auto production at four German
plants.

This is in addition to 50,000 job losses previously agreed upon.

The company aims to counter low-cost competition in China and challenges from
U.S. tariffs.

The decision overcame resistance from employee representatives and the
regional government, which holds a stake in the company.

---

Returning to tech news now...

Nvidia continues on its buying spree... spending $13 billion of its growing
AI war chest on a popular developer platform.

Marcella Sanchez reports.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits rose
marginally last week amid low layoffs, pointing to stable labor market
conditions that give the Federal Reserve room to focus on inflation.

Rising price pressures have led economists to expect an interest rate hike
from the U.S. central bank by year end... with one Fed governor indicating
he'd be open to voting for a rate hike... if conditions were right.

Donna Warder explains.

Posted on 2026-09-04 07:32:14

And in American football...

The Khosla family officially closed its purchase of the reigning Super Bowl
champion Seattle Seahawks for $9.612 billion.

The Seahawks announced the final step eight days after NFL owners approved
the sale.

Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, will hold the title of chair.

Neeru Khosla will serve as controlling owner and president of the Seahawks
Charitable Foundation.

And Neal Khosla will serve as vice chair.

The new owners are Silicon Valley Royalty -- Khosla Ventures is a Silicon
Valley venture capital firm.

Forbes says his current net worth is $13.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Posted on 2026-09-03 19:23:13

The main opposition KMT is calling on President Lai Ching-te to apologize for
phasing out nuclear power, saying the possible restart of the country's last
operating reactor shows the policy has failed.

A party spokesperson said that Taiwan needs nuclear power to support its
energy security and growing technology industry, including artificial
intelligence.

The Nuclear Safety Commission yesterday said that it had completed its
technical review of Taipower's application to restart the No. 3 Nuclear Power
Plant in Pingtung.

Final approval is still pending.

The ruling D-P-P says it is too early to conclude whether the plant will
restart.

D-P-P caucus chief Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) said any restart would still face
regulatory and safety requirements, including the disposal of nuclear waste.

The reactor shut down in May last year.

Posted on 2026-09-03 19:23:13

A Chinese lawyer who defended an underground church in Beijing has fled to
Taiwan and is seeking help to resettle.

Ruth Wang, a partner at VDoor Law Firm, has faced increasing pressure from
Chinese authorities.

Her firm has represented pastors and members of Beijing's Zion Church since
October 2025.

Zion Church is one of China's largest unregistered house churches, which
operate outside the official state-controlled religious system.

Wang says Chinese authorities threatened to shut down her law firm unless she
dissolved it.

Her case highlights continued pressure on underground churches and those who
defend them in China.

Posted on 2026-09-03 19:23:13

Agoda says that searches for domestic accommodations during this year's
Mid-Autumn Festival have doubled from a year ago.

According to the online booking platform, Taipei, Yilan, Tainan, Hualien and
Taichung are the five most-searched destinations for the September
25th-to-28th holiday.

Green Island saw the biggest jump, with accommodation searches reaching
four-and-a-half times last year's level.

Penghu searches were nearly four times last year's level, while Hualien and
Taitung were both close to triple.

Agoda says the figures show growing interest in domestic travel, particularly
to the outlying islands, eastern Taiwan and coastal destinations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-03 19:23:13

More than 2,000 people in Finland are taking part in Europe's largest civil
defense drill since the end of World War II.

The exercise in Kuopio simulates cyberattacks disrupting critical
infrastructure, along with the threat of missile strikes from Russia.

Underground bunkers can protect people from missile attacks, but officials
say they cannot prevent sabotage or disruptions to essential services.

Finland joined NATO in 2024 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The country says its defense relies not only on the military, but also on the
readiness of ordinary citizens.

Posted on 2026-09-03 18:54:14

Energy Prices

The Cabinet has approved a 607 billion NT supplementary budget ...

... including more than 100 billion NT to help the state-run CPC absorb
higher gasoline, diesel and natural gas costs.

Another 8.4 billion NT will subsidize household liquefied petroleum gas ...

... while over 71 billion NT will help TaiPower offset higher natural gas
costs and keep electricity prices stable.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the funding could help keep bottled gas
and household natural gas prices unchanged through the end of the year.

Electricity prices changes are still to be decided by the electricity rate
review committee ... but officials say the funding could help limit the need
for increases.

The government is also proposing 233.8 billion NT in additional capital for
the CPC, which has recorded operating losses for six consecutive years.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-03 18:54:14

Vegetable prices appear to be rising in Taiwan ...

... as prolonged heavy rain in the center and south damages crops and cuts
supplies.

Arrivals at Yunlin County's Xiluo Produce Market have fallen from more than
900 metric tons in mid-August to around 700 tons this week.

Market data shows average wholesale prices have risen by more than 50 percent.

TVBS reports that wholesale prices for leafy greens have risen by 30 percent
in just half a month.

The impact is also being felt at markets in the north.

A vegetable vendor in New Taipei's Xinzhuang District says water spinach -
normally known for being hardy - is now selling for at least 70 NT for 600
grams, making it more expensive than A-choy, a type of Taiwanese lettuce.

The price rises follow an exceptionally wet August in southern Taiwan.

Tainan recorded 1,372 millimeters of rain last month - its second-highest
August total since records began in 1897.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-03 18:54:14

In related news,

Record rainfall in Kaohsiung last month has caused more than 77 million NT in
agricultural losses, with fruit crops bearing the brunt of the damage.

According to the city's Agriculture Bureau, wax apples suffered the largest
losses, with about 80 hectares affected and damage estimated at over 18
million NT.

Guavas were also heavily affected, with more than 200 hectares damaged and
losses of almost 17 million NT.

Papayas accounted for another $12.5 million NT or so in losses.

This comes as Kaohsiung recorded 1,712 millimeters of rain in August, the
highest total for the month since records began in 1931.

That's nearly four times the city's average August rainfall and equivalent to
about 93 percent of its average annual rainfall.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-03 16:24:13

A Taiwan national security official says China and Russia are increasingly
coordinating information operations targeting countries including Taiwan and
Japan.

The official says the two countries are using each other's media networks,
organizations and other channels to amplify selected political narratives.

Russian outlets are also said to have echoed Chinese messaging on
international issues.

Taiwanese authorities are monitoring whether Russian-linked groups could help
Beijing reach local actors in Taiwan or provide resources for influence
activities.

However, officials have not publicly released evidence establishing this
specific China-Russia arrangement.

Taiwan says it is working with partner countries to monitor foreign
information manipulation and interference.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 16:24:13

Bus rides in Taipei and New Taipei will be free on Sept. 22 to mark World
Car-Free Day.

The offer covers 719 city bus routes under the two governments, with
passengers able to board without tapping a transit card or paying cash.

Bus operators say they will increase service capacity and station staff at
major stops and transfer points to handle additional passengers.

Officials estimate the two systems currently carry around 2 million passenger
trips a day and hope ridership will rise by 5 to 10 percent during the event.

Highway buses are not included.

The two city governments expect to spend a combined 50-million N.T.
subsidizing the free rides.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 16:24:13

A Kaohsiung temple is offering accommodation for up to 240 BTS fans during
the group's three concerts in November.

Fudingjin Bao'an Temple (覆鼎金保安宮) says fans with concert tickets can apply in
groups of five to 16 to stay in its pilgrim lodging building.

Guests will be asked to make a small temple donation and pay a cleaning fee.

The temple will not arrange groups, and fans must show their concert tickets
when checking in.

BTS is scheduled to perform at Kaohsiung National Stadium on November 19th,
21st and 22nd.

Guests can also take part in a temple prayer activity and write wishes for
the concerts on special prayer cards.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 16:24:13

North Korea has revised the rules of its ruling Workers' Party to give leader
Kim Jong Un more explicit control over senior appointments and party
organizations, according to a South Korean security institute.

The rules were adopted at the party's Ninth Congress in February.

The Institute for National Security Strategy says Kim now has clearly stated
authority to appoint or dismiss key officials, expel party members and
dissolve party bodies.

The revisions also allow the Politburo to make major wartime decisions when
authorized by the Central Committee.

The institute says references to the achievements of Kim's father and
grandfather were removed, further emphasizing Kim's leadership.

The minimum age for party membership was also raised from 18 to 20.

Posted on 2026-09-03 16:24:13

Belgium recorded nearly 3-thousand more deaths than expected during three
heatwaves this summer.

Public health institute Sciensano says 2-thousand-935 excess deaths were
recorded between June 18th and August 16th, or about 23 percent above
expected levels.

The worst period was from June 18th to July 3rd, when mortality was nearly 49
percent higher than expected.

Sciensano says that was the highest excess mortality during a Belgian
heatwave since its analysis began in 2000.

People aged 65 and older accounted for most of the deaths, although excess
mortality was also recorded among younger people.

Posted on 2026-09-03 16:24:13

Schools across the Philippines have taken part in a nationwide safety drill
following two recent school shootings.

At a high school in Bulacan province, students practiced locking and
barricading classroom doors, switching off lights and sheltering out of
sight.

The Department of Education says the exercise was designed to prepare schools
for active threats without using realistic gunman reenactments that could
distress students.

Schools also practiced coordinating with police, evacuating students,
conducting headcounts and treating simulated casualties.

The drill follows an August 18 shooting in the southern Philippines that left
two students dead, including the alleged gunman.

Another school shooting in June killed three people.

Posted on 2026-09-03 15:56:13

China says it carried out a three-week seabed survey in waters east of Taiwan
last month, as Beijing steps up activity in the area.

China's Ministry of Natural Resources says the survey ran from August 10th to
31st and collected data on seabed terrain, sediment and deep geological
structures.

China also sent coast guard ships to waters east of Taiwan today, calling the
operation a routine law enforcement patrol.

Taiwan's Coast Guard says it monitored the Chinese vessels and rejected
Beijing's claim of jurisdiction over waters around Taiwan.

The patrol was China's third announced operation of its kind east of Taiwan
since June.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 15:56:13

Taiwan's nuclear regulator says it has completed its technical review of a
plan that could eventually lead to the restart of the Third Nuclear Power
Plant.

The Nuclear Safety Commission says the plan is now going through final
administrative procedures.

The Nuclear Safety Commission says the plan is now going through final
administrative procedures.

Taipower would first have to restore equipment, complete safety inspections
and submit further reports for regulatory review before receiving a renewed
operating license.

Taipower says it expects to gradually restore the plant's equipment to
operable condition between this year and next.

The development has sparked another political dispute over nuclear energy.

The KMT says President Lai Ching-te should apologize for the DPP's previous
nuclear-free policy.

The DPP says the government's position has not changed, and any return to
nuclear power still requires safety, a solution for nuclear waste and public
consensus.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 15:56:13

The Ministry of Labor has launched a third application phase for its hourly
migrant caregiver pilot program to expand coverage nationwide.

The ministry says its pilot program allows families to hire temporary, hourly
caregivers through non-profit organizations to meet urgent or short-term home
care needs.

Official data shows the initiative has logged over 100,000 service hours,
reaching more than 10,000 residents across 16 counties and cities.

Applications for new non-profit service providers close on Sept. 24-th, with
expanded nationwide operations set to begin early next year.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-03 15:56:13

Nepal says around 20-thousand homes may need to be rebuilt after last week's
catastrophic flooding, as rescuers continue searching for thousands of
missing people.

Authorities say at least 1-thousand-204 people were killed and more than
4-thousand-200 remain missing.

Officials say many surviving homes are unsafe and some communities will need
to be relocated rather than rebuilt in the same high-risk areas.

Search teams are also continuing efforts to reach workers believed trapped in
tunnels at hydropower projects.

UNICEF says at least 22-thousand children in affected areas urgently need
safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene support.

Posted on 2026-09-03 15:56:13

Iran has warned the United States it could launch a large-scale attack if
Israel mounts a full offensive on a Hezbollah-held ridge in southern Lebanon,
according to three officials briefed on the message.

The Ali al-Taher ridge has become a major flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah
conflict.

Two regional officials say more than a dozen members of Iran's Revolutionary
Guards are there with Hezbollah fighters, although Reuters could not
independently verify their presence. An Israeli military assessment
reportedly disputes that claim.

A White House official also rejected Reuters' account of the Iranian warning
as inaccurate.

Israel says Hezbollah recently launched explosive drones toward its troops
near the ridge, while Hezbollah says a large-scale Israeli assault could
trigger renewed full-scale war.

Posted on 2026-09-03 15:56:13

A U.S. federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump's latest attempt to
restrict birthright citizenship.

Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction covering children in
an existing class-action lawsuit.

Trump's August order sought to deny automatic citizenship in several cases,
including some involving foreign government employees and so-called birth
tourism.

Boardman said the order is likely unconstitutional as applied to the class
because the Supreme Court ruled in June that children born in the United
States to parents unlawfully or temporarily in the country are citizens at
birth.

The administration argued the challenge was premature because agencies had
not yet issued implementation guidance.

Federal agencies can still prepare that guidance, but cannot deny citizenship
to children covered by the injunction.

Posted on 2026-09-03 12:23:13

Guatemala's interior minister has reaffirmed his country's diplomatic support
for Taiwan during a four-day visit.

Marco Antonio Villeda says President Bernardo Arévalo remains firmly
committed to relations with Taiwan, which he called an important development
partner.

Taiwan has provided Guatemala with more than 500 police motorcycles to
improve the mobility of its security forces.

Taiwan's Investigation Bureau has also trained 15 Guatemalan law enforcement
personnel in cybersecurity and cybercrime investigations.

Villeda says that expertise is particularly useful as Guatemala deals with
cyberattacks from abroad.

Taiwan and Guatemala have maintained diplomatic relations for more than nine
decades.

Guatemalan officials have repeatedly pledged to support Taiwan's
participation in international organizations.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 12:23:13

The Health Ministry plans to launch a pilot program by the end of the year to
ease chronic emergency department overcrowding at two major medical centers.

The move follows the death of an 85-year-old woman who spent 12 days in the
emergency department at National Taiwan University Hospital waiting for a
regular inpatient bed.

Officials say the program will focus on NTU Hospital and Linkou Chang Gung
Memorial Hospital.

The National Health Insurance Administration is also discussing changes to
payments for patients temporarily held in emergency departments, along with
stronger incentives for hospitals to transfer suitable patients to
lower-level facilities.

Health officials say another goal is to build public confidence in receiving
hospitals, as patients sometimes refuse transfers.

The ministry also plans to make greater use of home-based acute care to
reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-03 12:23:13

A taxi driver has been arrested after ramming his vehicle into the front
entrance of the Taipei District Prosecutors Office early this morning.

Police apprehended the driver at the scene around 5:45 a.m. and impounded his
taxi, which was painted with anti-judiciary slogans.

Authorities confirmed no one was injured in the crash and that tests showed
the suspect was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Investigators say the suspect was protesting an unfavorable court decision
issued Wednesday, having expressed his frustration on social media before
driving to the building.

He was transferred for further questioning on charges including obstructing
official duties, endangering public safety, and property damage.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-03 12:23:13

Iran says 18 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the latest U.S.
strikes, as renewed fighting raises concern over civilian casualties.

The Iranian Red Crescent says four people were killed and 67 wounded when a
strike hit a wedding gathering near the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military says it never targets civilians and says reports about the
wedding originated with Iranian state media.

Iran has meanwhile launched missiles and drones at what it says are U.S.
targets across several Middle Eastern countries.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is deeply alarmed by the
reported civilian casualties and is calling for an immediate end to military
action.

Posted on 2026-09-03 12:23:13

China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang says Beijing sees broad prospects for
expanding cooperation with Russia in its Far East.

Ding made the comments during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in
Vladivostok on Wednesday.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency says Ding called for closer coordination
between development plans for northeast China and Russia's Far East.

He also called for stronger cooperation in areas including investment and
energy.

Putin welcomed Ding to the Eastern Economic Forum and said Russia wants to
strengthen strategic coordination with China.

The meeting comes just days after Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met
at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.

Posted on 2026-09-03 12:23:13

UNICEF estimates about 20 million internet-using children across 21 countries
experienced sexual exploitation or abuse online within a one-year period.

The study found nearly 60 percent of reported cases involved social media
platforms.

More than half involved someone the child already knew, while fewer than one
percent were reported to police, social workers or helplines.

UNICEF is calling for stronger online safeguards, updated laws and better
support systems.

Posted on 2026-09-03 11:07:13

A report is pointing out that key upstream materials of domestically made
drones still comes from China despite the government's push to establish
non-Chnese supply chains.

That report also says that stable export demand for Taiwan-made drones
remains unsteady.

The report by the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging
Technology notes that exports of Taiwan-made drones increased from just under
3500 in 2024 to nearly 123,000 last year.

The main export markets include Poland, the Czech Republic, and the US, with
large orders this year also coming from the Middle East.

But analysts note that part of European demand is tied to the ongoing
invasion of Ukraine, which may not translate into a sustained post-conflict
demand.

Meanwhile, the report points out that Taiwan continues to source some chips
and software from overseas.

But even with governmetn funding to develop local alternatives, it would take
2-3 years to begin mass production.

Posted on 2026-09-03 11:07:13

Taiwan Sports Lottery made 8.93 billion NT in bets during the 2026 Men's
World Cup, marking the second-highest total in the company's history for the
tournament.

For the first time, online betting surpassed in-person bets...

with the share of bets placed by women rising sharply to 35%.

The company president claims that the sharp rise in women's participation was
due to a promotional campaign offering luxury handbags as raffle prizes.

Taiwan Sports Lottery has recorded 60 billion NT in total betting so far this
year and is targeting a record 84 billion by the end of the year.

Posted on 2026-09-03 11:07:13

Now turning to international news...

China is threatening to boycott Korea's Gwangju Biennale over the name of the
Taiwan pavilion...

which was changed from "Taiwan" and then changed back again.

The pavilion was originally named "Taiwan," in step with other countries'
pavilions, before the organization changed the name to NTMoFA, which is short
for National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.

But strong pushback from Taiwan and local artists in Korea prompted the
organization to change the name back to Taiwan ahead of the event's opening
this weekend.

But now, China is reportedly threatening to not participate.

Nikkei Asia reports that the Gwangju Biennale apologized to Beijing, saying
that the name of the pavilion did not amount to regonition of Taiwan as a
country.

Artists in Gwangju previously noted that the dispute was particularly salient
given the history of the Gwangju uprising less than 50 years ago.

Posted on 2026-09-03 11:07:13

after more than 500 fall ill

500 students have fallen ill from a suspected food poisoning incident in
Indonesia...

amidst ongoing controversy over the school lunch program in the country.

Reuters News Agency is reporting that the students are believed to have
gotten food poisoning from free meals provided by the government.

Officials say an investigation is underway.

President Prabowo Subianto launched his multibillion-dollar programme last
year to eradicate under-nutrition by giving free meals to tens of millions of
children.

But the plan has been plagued by food poisoning, corruption allegations,
leadership changes, and a hefty price tag.

Officials say the 512 students in East Java got sick after lunch Tuesday,
with 80 of them still receiving treatment.

This comes as the new head of the agency in charge of the program has vowed
to reform it. z

The agency has recently been through a number of recent changes in leadership,

Posted on 2026-09-03 11:07:13

A US journalist has been sentenced to two years in prison for working for the
Chinese government.

The US Justice Department says that the man pleaded guilty earlier this year
and is not planning to appeal.

The case is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions involving people
accused of working for the Chinese government without proper disclosure.

The man worked as a journalist for various Chinese news organizations after
moving to China in 2010...

including state broadcaster CCTV.

Court documents indicate that he worked at the direction of people he knew
worked for China's government for at least 6 years...

making over 100,000 dollars in gains.

Posted on 2026-09-02 19:17:14

Taipei prosecutors have indicted 57 people over an alleged romance scam that
defrauded more than 20-thousand people of at least 900 million NT.

Prosecutors say the group used fake dating profiles, bogus sales pitches and
AI voice-cloning technology to target victims.

The group allegedly built romantic relationships with victims before asking
them for money, gifts and payments for various products and services.

Women involved in the operation also allegedly met some victims in person and
collected cash and expensive gifts.

Prosecutors say an engineer developed software that allowed members of the
group to imitate the voices of women involved in the scheme during phone
calls.

The alleged ring was led by a man surnamed Huang and his wife, surnamed Hsu.

Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of at least 25 years for Huang and 18
years for Hsu.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-09-02 19:17:14

Germany's state of Saxony is stepping up efforts to attract Taiwanese
semiconductor companies, as it prepares for TSMC-backed chip production in
Dresden.

Speaking at SEMICON Taiwan 2026, Saxon State Minister Dirk Panter said the
region's well-established chip industry gives it an edge in attracting
Taiwanese investment.

But Panter says attracting companies is only part of the effort.

As Taiwanese engineers and their families move to Saxony for the TSMC-backed
ESMC project, he says the state also wants to make sure they feel at home.

Meanwhile, the German Pavilion at this year's SEMICON Taiwan has a record 31
participating organizations, up from 18 last year.

And construction of the ESMC chip plant in Dresden is underway, with
production expected to begin by the end of 2027.

(TB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 19:17:14

Congo's Ebola outbreak has killed more than 3,000 people, with the virus
continuing to spread faster than health authorities can contain it.

The Health Ministry also confirmed the outbreak has resulted in almost 6
thousand 200 confirmed cases since it was declared in mid-May.

The outbreak remains the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record, with
conflict in eastern Congo making it harder to track and contain the virus.

The reopening of schools during the outbreak has also raised concerns about
further transmission in classrooms.

Posted on 2026-09-02 18:32:13

New Taipei City health officials have ordered a clinic to suspend operations
after 11 people were diagnosed with acute Hepatitis C, all of whom had
received injections there.

The cases were uncovered after two members of the same family tested positive
in August, prompting an investigation that eventually identified eight more
patients linked to the clinic.

Authorities are contacting more than 1,100 people who received injections at
the clinic between July last year and August 27, asking them to undergo blood
tests.

An inspection found nine problems with infection control, including poor hand
hygiene and unsafe practices for preparing medication for injections.

Officials found needles left in medication vials and reused to draw up drugs,
as well as pre-filled syringes stored outside treatment areas, although there
is no clear evidence of shared injection needles.

All 11 confirmed patients have recovered and been discharged, while the
clinic was fined 300-thousnad NT and ordered to suspend all operations until
it passes a follow-up inspection.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-02 18:32:13

A new survey suggests Taiwanese children and teenagers are spending far more
time online than they do exercising.

Researchers at National Chengchi University say young people spend more than
31 hours a week online using computers, and almost 31 hours on smartphones.

By comparison, they spend fewer than 10 hours a week exercising.

The researchers warn that this can leave children vulnerable to online risks,
including scams and sexual exploitation.

They found that while most children know they should protect their personal
information, many struggle to manage their screen time and identify people
they meet online.

D-P-P lawmaker Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) is calling for more government funding and
stronger policies to help children better deal with online risks.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-02 18:32:13

Some popular seafood items are seeing price changes ahead of the Mid-Autumn
Festival ... even as supplies are generally stable.

The Fisheries Agency says clam prices are up about seven to 10 percent from a
year ago ...

... after Typhoon Danas last year damaged clam farms ... and caused many
clams to die later on, reducing this year's supply.

Saury prices are also expected to rise ... as last year's unusually large
catch pushed prices down, while this year's catch has returned to more normal
levels.

In contrast, Taiwan tilapia wholesale prices have fallen nearly 15 percent
from a year ago ...

.... amid weaker export demand and a mix-up in food safety testing in
Kaohsiung that affected consumer confidence.

Overall, the agency says seafood supplies are sufficient to meet the expected
increase in demand ahead of the holiday.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-02 18:23:13

An advisory for travelers planning a trip to Thailand... visa-free stays are
being cut in half starting September 15th.

Thailand announced it will reduce its visa-free period for citizens of 60
countries, including Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada
and Australia, from 60 days to 30 days.

The change was published in Thailand's Royal Gazette earlier this week.

Thailand's Interior Ministry said the revised rules reflect current
circumstances, taking into account national security, economic considerations
and tourism promotion.

The new policy also cuts the number of countries eligible for visas on
arrival from 31 to three, while Mauritius and Seychelles will receive a
15-day visa exemption.

The changes take effect September 15-th.

Posted on 2026-09-02 18:23:13

An iconic traditional event returns to Kinmen but with a twist this year...

From now through September 25th, the Kinmen County government hosts the “2026
Kinmen Mid-Autumn Bó Zhuàngyuán Festival.”

Bó Zhuàngyuán Bǐng is an important traditional folk custom in Kinmen and is
an intangible cultural heritage.

This year's event links local shopping districts, tourist attractions, local
specialty industries, and activities throughout the townships.

A variety of online and in-person Bó Bǐng experiences will be offered,
creating an almost month-long Mid-Autumn cultural carnival.

People from across Taiwan are invited to visit Kinmen during the Mid-Autumn
season, roll the dice for good luck, and experience this centuries-old
tradition.

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:45:13

SEMI says artificial intelligence could push global semiconductor revenue
toward 2-trillion U.S. dollars by 2030, with Taiwan expected to play a
central role in that growth.

SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha made the forecast as SEMICON Taiwan 2026
opened in Taipei.

He says growing demand for AI inference will require more memory, higher
bandwidth, advanced packaging and silicon photonics.

But Manocha says the expansion is also creating challenges, particularly for
electricity supplies and skilled workers.

He says roughly 70 chip fabs are currently under construction worldwide,
alongside a growing number of data centers.

Manocha also says President Lai Ching-te told him Taiwan would have
sufficient electricity through at least 2035.

This year's SEMICON Taiwan features more than 1,300 exhibitors and 4,300
booths.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:45:13

Free tickets for Taiwan's 2026 National Day Gala in New Taipei will become
available online this Saturday.

The event will be held at Banqiao First Stadium from 6 p.m. on October 9th,
with more than 9,000 seats available.

The lineup includes Golden Melody Award winners SANGPUY, Enno Cheng and
ZiXuan Huang.

Japanese singer Maki Ohguro, known for performing an ending theme for Slam
Dunk, will also appear, along with Indonesia's Grrrl Gang and South Korean
singer-songwriter Lang Lee.

Tickets will be available through KKTIX from 1 p.m. on September 5th, with a
limit of two per person.

Organizers are encouraging people to take public transportation to the venue.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:45:13

Venus and the bright star Spica will appear close together in Taiwan's
evening sky on Thursday.

The Taipei Astronomical Museum says the two will reach conjunction at 11:21
a.m., when they will be about 1.5 to 2 degrees apart.

That happens during daylight in Taiwan, so the best chance to see them will
come after sunset.

The museum recommends looking low toward the west-southwest from an open
location until around 7:30 p.m.

Venus should be easy to spot first because of its brightness, with Spica
becoming visible as the sky gets darker.

The pair can be seen with the naked eye, while binoculars should make it
easier to view both together.
(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:45:13

Possible Life Sentence

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to conspiracy
to collude with foreign forces — his second conviction under the territory's
national security law.

The twenty-nine-year-old is already serving a prison sentence of more than
four years for subversion and had been due for release early next year, but
the fresh conviction could add years behind bars.

The charge relates to alleged efforts in 2020 to persuade foreign governments
and organisations to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:45:13

Warming

In a strategic retreat, the United Nations concedes that Earth has lost its
chance to prevent some of the worst impacts of global warming.

A report released today by the United Nations Environment Programme reveals
that the planet will soon exceed the temperature threshold set by the 2015
Paris climate accord.

Instead of giving up, scientists and U.N. officials recommend limiting
excessive warming and then bringing temperatures back down.

It's called overshoot.

This involves slashing fossil fuel use and finding ways to remove carbon
dioxide from the air and storing it somewhere.

The report said the traditional approach of this is planting more trees, but
it says planting trees could, at most, shave a tenth of one degree Celsius
off global temperatures.

The authors said more novel carbon removal approaches will be needed.

In the meantime, the world will face decades of increased disasters, rising
seas, and extinctions.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:18:13

The Ministry of Health and Welfare says, the new "health token" incentive
program will be open to any adult enrolled in the national health insurance
program...

including foreign nationals.

The Health Promotion Administration previously said that the program would be
open only to Taiwanese nationals.

The program rewards those who participate in designated health activities
like checkups and screenings with programs for each activity.

Minister Shi Chong Liang says, negotiations regarding usage of the tokens
with several retailers have been completed...

but details on the rewards have yet to be finalized and will be announced
later thsi month.

The HPA previously provided examples of how many tokens can be earned, saying
a health check will earn 800 tokens, while certain kinds of cancer screenings
would get 1000.

Then, they said at the time, participants could redeem the tokens at a rate
of 1 NT per token at participanting supermarkets.

（AH-CNA）

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:18:13

Police in Germany have responded to an explosion near Augsburg's main train
station.

Officials say an unidentified object exploded in a building passageway, and
that several people were injured.

Road traffic and public transit in the area were disrupted, and police
completely closed the train station.

Another suspicious object was later found nearby.

Further details were not yet available.

Posted on 2026-09-02 16:18:13

Nikkei Asia is reporting that a data center boom in Asia is leading to public
backlash.

Protesters are concerned about how data centers, driven by rising demand for
AI, will be powered.

Across Asia, data center demand stood at 28 gigawatts last year, making up
one third of the global total.

Plus, some experts expect capacity to triple by 2030.

At the same time, energy demand is quickly rising, with some predicting data
center electricity consumption in Asia to more than double by 2030.

In Australia, rising discontent led the government to require data centers to
pay for their own power supply and the cost of connecting to the grid.

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:34:14

Travel agencies will now face fines if they fail to help tour groups to China
complete pre-trip registration.

That's according to the Tourism Administration, which says that violators
will face fines of up to 50,000 NT.

This comes after the Mainland Affairs Council says that China will put into
place new rules for travelers going into and out of the country.

The council has warned that these rules will "significantly increase" the
personal safety risks for Taiwanese people traveling to China.

They're urging "high-risk" individuals to carefully assess the necessity of
their trip and to register their trip ahead of time just in case.

As of yesterday, travel agencies are now required to assist travelers in
filling out their pre-trip registrations.

Agencies must also inform travelers of the potential risks of trips to China.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:34:14

TSMC plans to build an advanced packaging testing and research hub at
Kaohsiung's Baipu Industrial Park.

The chipmaker says the three-hectare site will include cleanrooms,
laboratories and a training center for semiconductor specialists.

TSMC Vice President Jun He says the facility will speed up testing and
validation of advanced packaging materials and equipment by an estimated 25
to 50 percent.

The project is being developed with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and
Kaohsiung City Government, and is also intended to help local suppliers enter
global semiconductor supply chains.

The expansion comes as AI drives strong demand for advanced packaging.

TSMC expects its CoWoS packaging capacity to grow by more than 80 percent a
year through 2027.

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:34:14

The Taiwan High Court has upheld the acquittal of a man prosecuted over a
social media comment made after last December's deadly knife attack in
Taipei.

The man, surnamed Tang, wrote on Threads, "Someone actually did what I wanted
to do!"

Prosecutors charged him with an offense involving putting the public in fear.

But the Taoyuan District Court found the comment did not amount to a threat
because Tang did not say that he or anyone else intended to harm people.

The High Court agreed, noting Tang deleted the comment shortly afterward and
made no further related statements.

It rejected prosecutors' appeal, making the acquittal final.

The December 19th attack killed three victims and injured several others.

The attacker, Chang Wen (張文), also died.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:34:14

A confidential U.N. report says Syria was constructing a nuclear reactor in
Deir el-Zour under ousted former President Bashar Assad.

The report was seen Tuesday by the Associated Press.

Inspectors with the U.N. nuclear watchdog visited several sites in Syria in
August and carried out verification work.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that it was able to establish
that the former Syrian authorities had failed to report information on
nuclear material, facilities and activities as required under the Safeguards
Agreement of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

This information included a nuclear reactor under construction, a fuel
fabrication plant, and another site used for fuel storage.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:07:13

The Central Weather Administration is warning of heavy rain today in Taitung
and the south after the resurgence of Tropical Storm Saudel.

The CWA says, the former typhoon is expected to bring heavy rain to those
areas today, while areas north of Hsinchu can also expect to get hit
tomorrow.

Regarding Saudel, the CWA says the storm is weakening as it heads towards
China, and the chance of Taiwan putting out a sea warning remains quite low.

They also note that the outlook regarding rain is expected to improve next
week, with drier conditions supposedly on the way.

Meanwhile the CWA has put into place a heavy rain advisory for all of
Taitung, in addition to the mountainous regions of Pingtung and the Hengchun
peninsula.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:07:13

Taipei prosecutors have indicted a man who allegedly made threatening
comments ahead of a KMT/TPP rally in July.

The man, surnamed Chen, was charged with intimidating the public for posting
a comment tha read "kill all KMT and TPP supporters."

Prosecutors say that the rally took place July 25th, and that Chen left the
message on TVBS' facebook page on the 22nd.

Prosecutors emphasize that Chen stated his intention to harm people and
encouraged others to do the same...

thus indicting him for intimidating the public.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:07:14

Taiwan independence advocates and several smaller political parties are
calling for Taiwan's future to be determined by its own people.

The comments come ahead of the 75th anniversary of the signing of the San
Francisco Peace Treaty on September 8th.

Under the 1951 treaty, Japan renounced all claims to Taiwan and Penghu, but
the document did not name a recipient of those territories.

Representatives from four parties in the Taiwan Gogo Front say Beijing is
also using competing interpretations of history and international law to
portray Taiwan as a domestic Chinese issue.

The groups argue Taiwan should strengthen international understanding of its
democratic system and the principle of self-determination.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:07:14

Taiwan shares are sharply down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 784
points to close the session at 46164.

The turnover was 918 billion NT

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:07:14

Now turning to international news...

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude
with foreign forces to endanger national security.

That's under the Beijing-imposed "national security" law that has crushed the
pro-democracy movement in the city.

Wong has been prosecuted twice under the law.

He faces up to life in prison and is expected to be sentenced at a later
date.

Critics say, the case shows authorities' determination to silence prominent
dissidents.

Wong has already been serving a nearly five year prison term aftering
pleading guilty in a separate national security case.

Pleading guilty could result in a reduced sentence.

Before the arrest for the collusion-related offense in June 2025, Wong had
been expected to be freed in January next year.

Posted on 2026-09-02 14:07:14

In the US,

Tropical Storm Edouard has knocked out power to thousands of people and
flooded roads.

The storm made landfall in Louisiana and is now slamming southeastern Texas.

The storm arrived with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour but
has weakened as it moves through Texas.

Officials say the storm is expected to dump 8 to 17 centimeters of rain,
which could produce flash flooding and river flooding.

That's as several storms are still brewing in the Pacific Ocean, including
one that reached hurricane strength.

Posted on 2026-09-02 12:27:13

Fourteen typhoons formed in the Northwest Pacific in July and August, tying
the highest number on record for the two-month period.

The Central Weather Administration says that's well above the average of
about nine.

A total of 22 typhoons have formed since the start of the year, making 2026
the third-most active January-to-August period since records began in 1958.

The CWA says Taiwan could still be affected by one or two typhoons this
autumn, although the number passing near the island is expected to be normal
to below normal.

With El Niño strengthening, temperatures this autumn are forecast to be
normal to above normal.

The CWA also says Taiwan has a greater chance of a warmer winter, followed by
above-normal spring rainfall next year.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 12:27:13

The Ministry of Education has purchased 8-thousand rapid saliva drug tests
for use in schools once lawmakers approve the necessary legal changes.

The tests are intended to improve detection of emerging drugs such as
etomidate, which can be difficult to identify through urine tests alone.

The ministry says there are no plans for universal screening.

Testing would remain limited to designated high-risk cases, including
students with previous drug-related records or those schools have specific
reasons to suspect of drug use.

Schools would also have to follow rules covering privacy, consent and
follow-up counseling.

The Cabinet approved amendments in June that would add saliva to the types of
samples allowed for drug testing.

The changes still require approval by the Legislative Yuan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 12:27:13

The Freeway Bureau is urging drivers to avoid peak travel times during the
four-day Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers' Day holiday later this month.

The holiday runs from September 25th through the 28th.

For southbound travel on western freeways on the first two days, motorists
are advised to leave before 6 a.m. or after noon.

Drivers heading south on Freeway Number 5 should leave before 5 a.m. or after
5 p.m.

For northbound trips on September 27th and 28th, drivers leaving southern
Taiwan should depart before 9 a.m., while those leaving central Taiwan should
leave before noon.

Northbound traffic on Freeway Number 5 is expected to build from 9 a.m. from
September 26th through the 28th.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-02 12:27:13

In international news,

In Nepal and China, rescue teams are continuing to search for thousands of
people still missing after last week's catastrophic flooding, as the death
toll exceeds 1,000.

As police in Kathmandu buried dozens of bodies in multiple trenches, Nepal's
disaster agency reported 987 deaths and 3,916 missing, including 583
foreigners.

China has reported 16 deaths and 546 missing.

The scale of the August 26 disaster is hampering rescue efforts, with
landslides and destroyed roads cutting off remote areas.

In Nepal, rescuers are racing to reach hundreds of hydropower workers trapped
in tunnels.

The disaster began with a chain of events high in the Himalayas.

A glacial collapse sent large amounts of rock, ice and meltwater into valleys
below, triggering powerful floods downstream.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-09-02 12:27:13

China’s President Xi Jinping is visiting Egypt this week for the first time
in a decade.

The trip illustrates China’s growing ambitions in the Middle East at a time
when U.S. influence has been weakened by its war against Iran.

Xi aims to present China as a stabilizer in the region in contrast to the
U.S., which for decades has been militarily entangled there.

Egypt views its relationship with China as a way to attract investment and
diversify its strategic partnerships.

China has invested over $318 billion N-T in Egypt, building a business hub
and an electric rail line for industry.

Annual trade between the two countries is an estimated $636 billion N-T.

The Suez Canal, controlled by Egypt, is another reason for China to
strengthen ties with the country.

Because oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been heavily
disrupted by the Iran war, the Suez Canal has become an important
alternative.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-09-01 19:37:14

China has warned Taiwan of consequences after officials from Beijing and
Taipei attended a Pacific leaders summit in Palau.

The meeting brings together 18 member states and territories of the Pacific
Islands Forum.

China, the U-S and Taiwan are not members, but all three have significant
interests in the region.

Palau is one of the few countries that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan
and has hosted joint events with Taipei's representative.

A Chinese envoy called Taiwan's presence at the summit "very inappropriate"
and hinted that Beijing could take action.

The dispute highlights growing competition among major powers for influence
in the Pacific.

Posted on 2026-09-01 19:37:14

Princess Cruises has ended its local sales operations in Taiwan ... but its
scheduled sailings this year will not be affected.

The company's Taiwan branch, Carnival Taiwan, stopped its website, social
media and local sales operations on August 31st.

Princess Cruises said it will no longer accept new bookings through its local
entity, but existing reservations and passenger support services remain
unaffected.

Future travelers will need to book through the company's global website or
other international channels.

The move is part of parent company Carnival Corp.'s decision to halt local
sales operations in several Asian markets, including Taiwan, China, Hong Kong
and South Korea.

Taiwan International Ports Corp. says the decision was a business strategy
adjustment and would not affect this year's scheduled port calls.

Princess Cruises ships will continue to call at Keelung and Kaohsiung, while
Taiwan authorities work to attract more international cruise operators.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-09-01 19:37:14

Weight-loss doctor Wang Ming-yu (王銘嶼) has been indicted for allegedly
defrauding 424 patients out of 18.02 million NT by charging them for a
surgical device prosecutors said was never used.

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office said Wang faces charges including
fraud, document forgery and violations of medical laws.

Prosecutors said Wang told patients undergoing weight-loss surgery they would
need to pay an additional $42,500 NT for a disposable wireless ultrasonic
surgical device known as "Maxima".

However, investigators found no evidence the device was actually used,
leading prosecutors to conclude patients were charged for equipment they did
not receive.

Wang's medical license was revoked in September 2025.

He is also being investigated over the deaths of two patients who underwent
weight-loss surgery at Antai Hospital.

Posted on 2026-09-01 19:37:14

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham later today is set to face lawmakers in
the House of Commons for the first time since becoming U-K leader six weeks
ago.

Wars in Europe and the Middle East are weighing on his promise to kick-start
the economy and ease the cost of living.

Burnham has spent the summer traveling the country promising renewed national
optimism.

He has announced modest money-saving measures including a tax cut on domestic
energy bills.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch finally gets a chance to grill Burnham on
Tuesday when Parliament returns from its summer break.

Burnham is set to make a statement in the House of Commons setting out his
vision of a more active and less centralized state.

Posted on 2026-09-01 18:05:13

Ferry operators are suspending services between Taiwan's east coast and
Orchid Island and Green Island from tomorrow afternoon due to worsening sea
conditions.

Ferries between Taitung and Green Island will operate only in the morning,
with a 9:30 AM departure and a 12:30 PM return to Fugang Harbor.

While all Taitung to Orchid Island ... and Pingtung Houbitou to Orchid Island
services will be canceled tomorrow.

Operators said the disruptions are due to strong winds and waves associated
with a tropical depression.

Passengers are advised to check the latest updates before traveling.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-01 18:05:13

Meanwhile,

Kaohsiung saw its wettest August on record this year, with 1,712 millimeters
of rain falling over the month.

That's nearly four times the historical average for August and equivalent to
93 percent of the city's average annual rainfall.

The city government has stepped up flood preparations, with its disaster
response center activated and emergency teams deployed to monitor rainfall
and water levels and prepare equipment and personnel for possible flooding.

Local officials say rainfall could become more concentrated and intense
through to tomorrow, September 2nd, as a low-pressure system and
southwesterly winds continue to affect the region.

Authorities are urging residents to watch for flooding in low-lying areas, as
well as lightning and strong winds.

People in mountainous areas and near rivers and streams are also being urged
to take extra care.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-01 18:05:13

Netflix has told Taiwan health officials that its response to concerns over
tobacco imagery in the Japanese anime series "Chainsmoker Cat" may take some
time due to internal procedures.

Hsinchu City health officials visited Netflix at the end of August ... after
formally contacting the company over scenes repeatedly showing identifiable
tobacco brands and packaging.

The Health Promotion Administration says the matter may need to go through
internal review procedures and be reported to Netflix's U-S parent company.

Several other streaming platforms have removed the series, while Netflix has
continued showing and updating episodes without obscuring the tobacco
imagery.

Taiwan health authorities are urging the company to quickly mask identifiable
tobacco brands and markings.

The H-P-A says platforms that removed the series can restore it once the
non-compliant imagery is obscured.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-01 18:05:13

New Taipei's Sanying MRT Line has recorded more than 1.7 million passenger
trips during its two-month trial operation.

According to the city's metro operator, the five busiest stations were
Dingpu, Yingge Station, Ceramics Old Street, National Taipei University and
Sanxia.

Electronic smart cards accounted for 44 percent of trips, followed by social
welfare cards at 36 percent and commuter monthly passes at 12 percent.

The line began charging fares today, with tickets ranging from 20 to 35 NT
... after beginning trial operations on June 30th.

Single day passes are also available for 60 NT, allowing unlimited rides on
the line on the day of purchase.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-01 14:07:13

To help fishermen locate fish, the Ministry of Agriculture says it will work
with the National Science and Technology Council on a four-year project
beginning next year.

Minister Chen Jun-ji says the project will combine decades of Taiwan's catch
statistics with satellite imagery and ocean data, including sea temperatures,
water color and acidity, for big-data analysis.

The Fisheries Agency says AI models will initially be used to predict the
location of skipjack tuna in the western and central Pacific, as well as
mackerel and scad in waters around Taiwan.

Fishermen currently often rely on visual clues, such as seabirds and drifting
wood, to locate fishing grounds, making the process costly and uncertain.

Officials hope more accurate predictions will reduce the time and resources
fishermen spend searching at sea.

Taiwan's fisheries produced about $97 billion NT in output last year, while
the entire industry chain was worth an estimated $350 billion NT.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-09-01 14:07:13

Three players on Taiwan’s Asia U18 Rugby national team have been disqualified
for drinking alcohol during training camp ahead of the Asian championships.

The team has been in Taipei since August 3rd to prepare for the tournament
starting September 5th in mainland China.

But an investigation was launched after social media evidence surfaced,
showing the players drinking while out past curfew.

The association filled the vacant spots on the 13-man roster with three
replacement players ahead of the tournament in China.

The association also confirms that following the emergency meeting, strict
disciplinary action was taken to officially revoke the national team status
of all three athletes.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-01 14:07:13

Taiwan shares were higher as were many other Asian stock markets. The Taiex
gained 820 points to end the session at 46,948.

The turnover also expanded to 1-trillion 810 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-09-01 14:07:13

In world news...

The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Nepal and China has passed 1,000
as rescue teams worked to reach communities cut off by the disaster.

Nepal’s disaster agency also said some 3,900 people remain missing, including
583 foreigners.

Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths in their most recent update on Sunday.
The Aug. 26 disaster began with a chain of events high in the Himalayas.

A glacial collapse sent large amounts of rock, ice and meltwater into valleys
below, triggering powerful floods downstream.

Scientists studying satellite imagery said the collapse appears to have
involved the failure of bedrock beneath a glacier in the Himalayan region.

The rockfall was powerful enough to register as a magnitude 5.2 seismic
event.

Posted on 2026-09-01 13:09:13

Turning to world news...

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals have swept three special
elections in a result that showed voters backing Carney for standing up for
Canada against U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Canadian Press projected Liberal victories in Quebec, Beaches-East York
in Toronto and North Vancouver-Capilano in British Columbia.

In Quebec, the Liberal candidate was projected to win a district held by the
opposition Conservatives since 2018.

U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed Aug. 21st after the two sides failed to
reach a deal, and Trump imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion US dollars
in Canadian goods.

Canada responded with plans for tariffs on U.S. products.

Posted on 2026-09-01 13:08:13

The Ministry of Education is offering free online classes for teachers,
students and the public to learn more about artificial intelligence.

The MOE says the courses are available on its MOOCs learning platform, which
has also added a special AI section with features including personalized
course recommendations and automatically generated subtitles.

The ministry worked with a team from National Taiwan Normal University to
introduce an AI evaluation system for the first time.

The system assesses AI courses based on five areas, including how engaging
they are, the depth of their content, hands-on learning, organization and
range of applications.

The first 18 recommended courses cover topics including introductions to
AI, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing and computer
vision.

Among the highest-rated courses is "Applied Machine Learning with Python,"
taught by National Chengchi University professor Lin Yi-ling.

It takes learners from basic machine-learning concepts through data analysis
and eventually to building machine-learning models.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-09-01 13:08:13

The opposition TPP is gearing up to support its Taipei City Council
candidates' campaign for this year's local elections.

TPP chair Huang Guo-chang and founder Ko Wen-zhe accompanied the 6
candidates, including sitting councilors Lin Zhen-yu and Huang Jing-ying, to
register at the Taipei Election Commisssion.

Asked whether the TPP plans to cooperate with the KMT in Taipei, Huang said
the party's immediate priority is to get its own campaign on a firm footing.

On the issue of any further cooperation or coordination with Taipei Mayor
Chiang Wan-an, Huang indicated that it can be discussed at the next stage.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-09-01 13:08:13

Turning to world news...

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals have swept three special
elections in a result that showed voters backing Carney for standing up for
Canada against U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Canadian Press projected Liberal victories in Quebec, Beaches-East York
in Toronto and North Vancouver-Capilano in British Columbia.

In Quebec, the Liberal candidate was projected to win a district held by the
opposition Conservatives since 2018.

U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed Aug. 21st after the two sides failed to
reach a deal, and Trump imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion US dollars
in Canadian goods.

Canada responded with plans for tariffs on U.S. products.

Posted on 2026-09-01 11:09:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday approved a 9.8 billion NT
investment by US semiconductor equipment supplier Lam Research.

Lam Research will invest the money in its Taiwan subsidiary to support
research, development, and design operations for critical equipment used in
advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes.

The ministry's Investment Commission approved a total of 6 major investment
cases, including 2 foreign investments in Taiwan and four overseas
investments by Taiwanese companies.

The other foreign company approved to invest in Taiwan yesterday was Zhen
Ding Technology Holdings, which will invest 3 billion NT in subsidiary
Boardtek Electronics to support printed circuit board research and
development.

Meanwhile, one of the companies approved to invest abroad is the
semiconductor company Nuvoton Technology Corporation.

Posted on 2026-09-01 11:09:13

CPC says, it will keep natural gas prices for domestic and industrial users
unchanges this month...

but will increase prices for companies that generate electricity.

The oil supplier says that LNG prices have been on the rise due to
uncertainty over supply as negotiations between the US and Iran have
stalled...

and European countries push to build up their inventories before the winter.

CPC says it will absorb additional costs for industrial users after taking
into account consumer prices and overall economic conditions.

A statement from the oil supplier added that it has absorbed about 140
billion NT in losses on sales to the industriak sector since 2021.

However, prices for the electricity sector will be increased by just under
6%.

It's not yet clear if that will translate into higher electricity costs.

Posted on 2026-09-01 11:09:13

Now turning to international news...

A school principal in Nepal is being celebrated for his decision to evacuate
his school.

Rajendra Dawadi's call saved at least 900 students from last week's flash
floods in the country.

That's as the total death toll from the disaster is approaching 1000.

Dawadi heeded warnings and led students to safety, watching his school
disappear beneath water and debris.

His story has emerged as a striking example of foresight and courage.

The floods destroyed thousands of classrooms and disrupted education for
nearly 19,000 students.

Dawadi is urging the government to rebuild schools and resume classes...

emphasizing the need for psychological counseling for students.

The disaster took place after a glacier in the Himalayas collapsed, killing
over 950 people in Nepal and Tibet, with more than 4400 still missing.

Posted on 2026-09-01 11:09:13

Israel has signed a major weapons deal with Greece, marking their largest
agreement to date.

The deal, coined Achilles Shield, is valued at nearly $3.5 billion and
includes a multi-layered air defense system for Greece.

Greece is modernizing its armed forces amid regional tensions, particularly
with Turkey.

Israeli arms exports reached a record high last year, exceeding $19 billion
with experts saying Israel's battle-tested weapons are a key attraction.

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