ICRT

Posted on 2026-08-28 19:33:13

The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted nine people linked to
the Dr. Shine cosmetic clinic chain ...

... over the systematic installation of hidden cameras at eight branches in
Taipei and New Taipei City.

Prosecutors say more than 300 people were filmed, including four minors, with
cameras disguised as smoke detectors and motion-sensor lights installed in
treatment and consultation rooms ...

... which allegedly recorded customers while they were changing clothes or
partially undressed.

Prosecutors add that the hidden cameras were installed over a period of
several years, from 2020 until March of this year.

After a separate hidden-camera case at another cosmetic clinic chain came to
light in May, Dr. Shine employees were allegedly ordered to remove the
cameras and destroy evidence.

Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of at least 16 years for operations
executive Chen Chih-min and at least 14 years for information manager Tang
Yung-chieh.

The clinic group's founder, Wang Chao-hui (王朝輝), has left Taiwan and has been
placed on a wanted list.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 19:33:20

Nepal's flash flood death toll has risen to 538, with more than 1,500 missing.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority says almost 15
thousand security personnel have been mobilized for search and rescue, with
over 3,700 people rescued so far.

On the Chinese side of the border, five people have died, although little
information is available on survivors.

Both countries remain on high alert for further flooding as rescue efforts
continue.

Posted on 2026-08-28 19:33:15

Taiwan-based chipmaker Vanguard International Semiconductor, or V-I-S, says a
fire at one of its facilities in Taoyuan had little impact on operations.

The fire broke out on the top floor of the company's Fab 3 at around 11:30
Thursday night.

V-I-S says about 200 workers evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within about 45 minutes and
fully extinguished it shortly afterward.

V-I-S says the fire did not damage the plant's main facilities, power systems
or production equipment, and most production lines are running normally.

The company says some air pollution control equipment and connected systems
were affected, but are expected to be back online by the end of this week.

V-I-S says it is investigating the cause of the fire and any other possible
impacts.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 19:33:20

Congo's Ebola outbreak has spread to two more health zones in the country's
east ... bringing the total number of affected zones to 60.

The new cases were reported in Biena {bee-EH-nah} and Manguredjipa
{mahn-goo-reh-JEE-pah} in North Kivu province, where the case fatality rate
is higher than the overall 48 percent, partly due to delayed response
efforts.

The Health Ministry says the outbreak has now recorded nearly 5,800 confirmed
cases and almost 2 thousand 800 deaths.

Officials say the virus continues to spread at an unprecedented rate.

Posted on 2026-08-28 19:33:20

Russian forces have resumed drone attacks on Ukraine's Kyiv region, striking
buildings and storage depots and disrupting civilian life and the economy.

Officials in the southern Kherson region are warning residents to prepare for
a difficult winter, including possible power outages, and advising some to
relocate.

Ukrainian officials say Russian strikes are aimed at exhausting the country's
air defenses and population, while the attacks are also weighing on economic
growth.

Ukraine continues to carry out its own long-range strikes against Russian
infrastructure in response.

Posted on 2026-08-28 19:33:20

Icelanders are voting tomorrow on whether to restart negotiations on joining
the European Union, a question that has divided the country over sovereignty
and economic interests.

Supporters say E-U membership could bring greater economic security, while
opponents argue Iceland already benefits from close ties with Europe without
giving up control over its resources.

The referendum asks voters simply whether to resume accession talks. A "yes"
vote would begin a lengthy negotiation process.

Fishing rights are a key issue, with Iceland seeking to maintain control over
its rich fishing grounds.

The result is expected to be close.

Posted on 2026-08-28 18:39:13

TSMC employees are getting a big boost in their profit-sharing bonuses - more
than 50% higher than a year ago.

The company handed out about 36 billion NT for the second quarter on Friday,
following record revenue and profit.

TSMC reported revenue of 40.2 billion U-S dollars, while net profit surged
nearly 77.5% year-on-year to more than 706.5 billion NT.

For the first half of the year, employee bonuses totaled about 70.35 billion
NT - up over 54% from a year earlier.

The world's largest contract chipmaker says the growth in bonuses was still
smaller than the increase in profits, as it directed more of its earnings
toward social sustainability initiatives and giving back to Taiwan.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 18:39:13

Samsung says Taiwan's smartphone market will continue shifting toward
higher-end models in the second half of the year ... with devices priced
above 600 U-S dollars expected to be a major growth driver.

The company says smartphone sales volume in Taiwan fell about 7% to 8% in the
first half, but sales value rose 3% to 5% as consumers moved toward more
expensive models and memory costs increased.

Samsung expects the trend of fewer phones being sold at higher prices to
continue in the second half, with sales volume projected to fall 6% to 8%,
while sales value could rise about 10%.

It says continued pressure from memory prices and strong demand for AI
technology are also expected to push smartphone costs higher.

Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S26 FE in Taiwan on Friday, with the 8GB ram
256GB storage model priced at 25,900 NT and set to go on sale September 4th.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 18:23:13

A new worrying government projection shows Taiwan's population could shrink
by nearly half over the next 50 years.

According to the National Development Council, the total could fall 48
percent from current levels to just 12.15 million by 2075 .... driven by low
birth rates and rapid aging.

The council said it lowered its long-term fertility projections ... after
Taiwan's fertility rate fell to just 0.695 children per woman last year.

As a result, the demographic impact is expected to become increasingly
apparent over the coming decades ...

The council estimates the population will drop below 20 million by 2045 ...
when people aged 65 and over could account for 37 percent.

And by 2075, more than half of Taiwan's population could be 65 or older,
while the working-age population would account for just over 42 percent.

The government says it's developing policies on childcare, housing,
workplaces and support for older people to address the impact of population
decline and an aging society.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 18:23:13

Taiwan's military has completed a third day of live-fire artillery drills,
testing the use of drones to spot targets and relay information to artillery
units for strikes.

The exercises were held across Taiwan's third, fourth and fifth theater
commands, with troops linking drone reconnaissance, target acquisition and
artillery fire.

The drills also tested the ability of artillery units to move between firing
positions and maintain sustained fire under simulated battlefield conditions.

In the third theater command, troops also used Javelin and TOW anti-armor
missiles to simulate attacks on armored forces landing on Taiwan's coast.

The fourth and fifth theater commands used M-109-A2 and M-110-A2
self-propelled howitzers in their artillery exercises.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 18:23:13

three years

Taiwan Realty says the Youth Housing Loan 2.0 program disbursed nearly 1.4
trillion NT to roughly 177 thousand households over its three-year run.

The real estate agency says the average loan was about 7.82 million NT per
household — up 3 million NT from the previous version of the program.

The program offered loans of up to 10 million NT, with repayment periods of
up to 40 years and grace periods of up to five years, significantly
increasing the borrowing power of eligible homebuyers.

Taiwan Realty says the program initially helped fuel a surge in homebuying,
but the government tightened eligibility requirements in mid-2024 amid
concerns that nominee borrowers were being used for property speculation.

Applications picked up again in July as buyers rushed to take advantage of
the program before it ended, with monthly disbursements returning to around
5,000 households.

Taiwan Realty expects the new Youth Housing Loan 3.0 program to continue
supporting demand from people buying homes to live in.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 18:23:13

Taiwan will launch a "health tokens" program in October, rewarding adults for
getting health checks and cancer screenings.

President Lai Ching-te says the program is part of a broader push to shift
Taiwan's healthcare system toward prevention, as the population ages and
chronic diseases become more common.

The Health Promotion Administration says Taiwanese nationals aged 18 and
above will initially be eligible.

Participants will earn tokens for designated health activities.

A health check will earn 800 tokens, while screenings for breast, oral and
lung cancer will each earn 1 thousand.

Flu vaccinations will earn 450 tokens.

People can redeem the tokens once they have at least 1 thousand, exchanging
them for health-oriented food products at participating convenience stores
and hypermarkets.

The government says the program is intended to encourage greater use of
preventive health services, many of which are already offered free of charge.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-28 15:04:14

The Investigation Bureau says a joint crackdown on cross-border smuggling has
resulted in 71 cases being investigated or referred for further action.

Authorities seized 1,000 vials of botulinum toxin, more than four tons of
meat and fresh fruit, and protected animals including Indian star tortoises
and island pit vipers.

Officials also confiscated counterfeit luxury goods and electronics, as well
as 14-thousand pain-relief patches and hundreds of tubes of anesthetic cream.

Other seizures included live plants, veterinary drugs, illegal alcohol and
more than 10-thousand heated tobacco products.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-28 15:04:14

Taipei plans to put four autonomous buses into trial operation in October
next year as part of a three-stage rollout.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the buses will be tested at the Beitou-Shilin
Technology Park and along the Xinyi Road bus lane.

The city plans to begin with smaller proof-of-concept trials this year on
Xinyi and Ren'ai roads.

A third phase is planned for early 2028, when Taipei expects to deploy 12
autonomous buses and consider new routes based on demand.

The city has budgeted 1.1-billion NT for autonomous-driving systems,
connected-vehicle infrastructure, mapping and monitoring equipment.

Chiang says safety and clear responsibility rules will be required throughout
the testing process.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-28 15:04:14

Authorities in Nepal have temporarily halted rescue operations after reports
that a barrier lake in the flood-hit region began overflowing.

An army officer says rescue efforts were suspended for about 90 minutes.

Helicopter operations in hard-hit Rasuwa district have also been stopped.

Residents were seen rushing to higher ground as concerns grew over possible
further flooding.

The lake was formed by debris after a glacier collapse triggered catastrophic
flooding along the Nepal-China border earlier this week.

Posted on 2026-08-28 15:04:14

The Trump administration is moving to tighten rules for international
students seeking certain internship work authorizations in the United States.

A federal memo says universities may lose certification to enroll foreign
students if they approve Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, that does not
meet existing requirements.

The government says CPT should only be authorized when the training is an
integral part of a student's established curriculum.

The guidance has already prompted UCLA and UC Berkeley to pause some
applications while they review the new federal requirements.

Berkeley says it will continue processing CPT tied to degree requirements and
some graduate research.

The Department of Homeland Security says the regulations themselves have not
changed, but schools and employers are now on notice that violations will
face stricter enforcement.

Posted on 2026-08-28 15:04:14

Andrew and Tristan Tate will remain in custody in Miami while a U.S. judge
considers whether to release them on bail as they fight extradition to
Britain.

The brothers were arrested in July after Britain requested their extradition
over rape and other charges involving several alleged victims.

They deny wrongdoing.

At a federal court hearing, prosecutors argued the brothers could pose a
danger to the community and pointed to Andrew Tate's past online comments
about violence against women.

The brothers testified that their online personas were exaggerated characters
designed to attract attention.

Their lawyers have proposed bail conditions including surrendering passports
and electronic monitoring.

Britain has until September 16 to submit its full extradition request.

Posted on 2026-08-28 12:58:13

The National Taxation Bureau says vehicle owners whose cars or motorcycles
were destroyed by heavy rains or mudslides can apply for tax reductions when
purchasing new vehicles.

Officials say eligible owners scrapping older cars or motorcycles can receive
baseline trade-in refunds of up to 50-thousand NT for cars and 4-thousand NT
for motorcycles.

And the bureau adds that combining trade-in subsidies with current
fuel-efficient vehicle incentives allows qualifying car buyers to receive
maximum tax refunds of up to 100-thousand NT.

Tax officials emphasized that the scrapping of the damaged vehicle and
registration of the new vehicle must be completed within six months of each
other.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-28 12:58:13

Taiwan has placed third overall at this year's International Earth Science
Olympiad, winning two gold and two silver medals.

The competition, hosted by Italy, brought together 160 students from 41
countries.

All four students representing Taiwan won medals.

Taichung First Senior High School student Wang Yicheng (王翌澄) won gold and
placed second individually, while Kaohsiung Senior High School's Shi Zihong
(施子閎) also took gold and finished sixth.

Students from Hsinchu and Tainan won the two silver medals.

The Ministry of Education says gold medalists are eligible for scholarships
of 200-thousand NT, while silver medalists can receive 100-thousand NT.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-28 12:58:13

The death toll from devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 469, with almost
1,000 people still missing across Nepal and neighboring Tibet.

Rescue crews are using heavy machinery, helicopters and search dogs to look
for survivors after a glacier collapse sent water, rock and mud through
Himalayan valleys on Wednesday.

The disaster destroyed villages, roads, bridges and power stations, and at
least 540 foreigners are among those missing.

Authorities are also warning of further flooding.

Debris has blocked rivers and created unstable lakes on both sides of the
Nepal-China border.

Chinese officials say one barrier lake could breach around September 1, and
engineers are assessing ways to drain it safely.

Nepal's government says rescue operations remain its top priority.

Posted on 2026-08-28 12:58:13

Iran says it is preparing a list of conditions for fully reopening the Strait
of Hormuz, as regional mediators push to restore normal shipping through the
key waterway.

Qatar's prime minister raised freedom of navigation during talks with senior
Iranian officials in Tehran.

Iran says it has also agreed in principle with Oman on a shipping corridor
through the strait, but details remain unresolved.

The U.S. is no longer directly involved in negotiations and is instead
relying on economic pressure.

American military officials say international shipping lanes are open after
U.S. forces cleared Iranian mines.

However, commercial traffic remains far below normal because many vessels are
still avoiding the strait amid Iranian threats.

Posted on 2026-08-28 12:58:13

South Korea, Japan and the United States will hold joint military drills next
month focused on threats from North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says the annual Freedom Edge exercises
will run from September 9 to 11.

The drills will take place in international waters south and east of Jeju
Island.

Officials say the exercises are defensive and are designed to test the three
countries' readiness to respond to North Korean missile and nuclear threats.

Posted on 2026-08-28 08:06:13

President Lai Ching-te has announced that his administration will launch a
"health coin" incentive program in October which aims to boost the number of
people getting health checks, cancer screening, and preventive care.

According to Lai, the program will serve as a new model to incentivize
digital health management - and will be led by the Ministry of Health, which
will employ technology and incentives to encourage healthier habits.

Speaking at a meeting of his Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, Lai said the
goal of the program is to make preventive care a more regular part of daily
life.

Lai also stressed that the program will bring together government and private
sector to improve public health.

The Health Promotion Administration says the "health coin" program will
reward people for taking health-promoting actions and is open to
all citizens aged 18 or above.

The initial phase would reward people for participating in health-promoting
activities via the National Health Insurance app.

When participants have earned a minimum of 1,000 coins via the app, they will
be able to use them to claim healthy foods or health promotion services at
partnered convenience stores and supermarkets.

Posted on 2026-08-28 08:06:13

The government says its has prepared Taiwan's national search and rescue team
to travel to Nepal following the deadly flash floods near the Nepal‑China
border earlier this week.

According to the National Fire Agency, it has ordered the national special
search and rescue team and rotating units from Tainan, Hsinchu City and
Chiayi County to prepare for departure.

Fire Agency Director‑General Hsiao Huang‑chang says although Taiwan has yet
to receive a request for help, the national special rescue and research team
will respond in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to any such
requests from affected countries.

Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says Premier Cho Jung-tai instructed Cabinet
officials to determine whether any Taiwanese nationals were affected and to
assess local rescue needs.

However, the foreign ministry says there have been no reports of any Taiwan
nationals being trapped or affected by the disaster.

Posted on 2026-08-28 08:06:13

The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a doctor accused of
illegally supplying sleeping pills to a drug dealer.

According to the prosecutors' office, the case involving the 65-year-old
doctor came to light during an investigation by the Taipei City Police
Department investigation into a drug dealer.

Police traced sleeping pills sold by the drug dealer to a clinic in Taoyuan's
Guanyin District.

Prosecutors say an investigation found that the doctor had supplied the drug
dealer will sleeping pills by falsifying records and adding the drugs to
prescriptions issued to patients without their knowledge.

Officials seized over 21,000 sleeping pills, prescription forms and
16-million N-T in cash when they raided the doctor's clinic in April.

The doctor has been charged violations of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act
and the Criminal Code.

He was released on bail of 400,000 N-T.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 12 years in prison and fines totaling
13-million N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-28 08:06:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration is warning of heavy rain and possible
flooding in the south and southeast, as the outer bands of severe Tropical
Storm Saudel, combined with strengthening southwesterly winds effect the
areas today.

Saudel was downgraded to tropical storm this morning.

The storm is currently located some 290-kilometers northeast of Matsu and is
moving in a westerly direction at 23-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm now has a radius of 180-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 108-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 137-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm is forecast to pass closest to Taiwan today, when its outer rain
bands will brush past Matsu, before it makes landfall at about noon in
China’s Zhejiang Province - when it is expected to weakening significantly.

According to the weather administration's forecast center though, rain and
localized flooding could still last into tomorrow in some places, as central
and southern Taiwan will continue to be affected by a low-pressure system.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:13

Lawmakers have passed a key budget bill that prioritizes the procurement of
indigenous unmanned vehicles, but includes a spending cap of 240 billion N-T.

The bill also allows for additional funding subject to legislative approval.

The Act on Strengthening Defense Autonomy and Developing the Unmanned
Vehicles Industry was initiated by the K-M-T and directs the Ministry of
National Defense to prioritize domestically produced "low-cost,
high-performance" unmanned systems.

It also covers three types of UV's: coastal attack drones, coastal
reconnaissance drones, and small suicide unmanned surface vehicles.

The act further requires the central government to earmark 40-billion N-T
annually for six consecutive years, using its general budget to procure
unmanned vehicles, to bolster national defense and drive industrial growth.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense will
oversee its implementation and establish at least three test sites for
military and private manufacturers.

The two agencies must also brief the Cabinet and the Legislature annually on
progress in procurement, efforts to meet domestic mass production targets and
manufacturer accreditation.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

A delegation led by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is in Palau to attend side
events held alongside the 55th Pacific Islands Forum.

With Lin is a delegation which includes representatives from the Taiwan
Chamber of Commerce, and from Taiwan's energy, technology, food, construction
and organic agriculture sectors.

Lin said the visit is aimed boosting trade, investment and tourism
cooperation between Palau and Taiwan, while creating opportunities for
exchanges with other Pacific nations.

Lin will participate in the 30th Taiwan/Republic of China-PIF Countries
Dialogue and the attend the Pacific Prosperity Exhibition, where the U-S,
Japan and Australia will showcase Pacific cooperation and development
projects.

Lin is also scheduled to meet with Palau's President Surangel Whipps, and
will hold sideline meetings with representatives from Taiwan's Pacific allies
and other partner countries to discuss promoting peace, stability and
prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan and other non-members of the bloc were barred from participating in
last year's event in the Solomon Islands, which was only attended by the
bloc's 18 member states.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

Labor groups are urging the government to raise employers' mandatory pension
contributions from 6 to 15-per cent, arguing that workers have not received a
fair share of Taiwan's economic and productivity gains.

The Taiwan Solidarity Front Confederation of Trade Unions says Taiwan's
workers have created greater economic value almost every year, but the
additional profits they've generated have not been reflected in their
compensation.

The union says if the government really wants to address the problem of
corporate profits not being fairly distributed to workers, "the most direct
way is to raise employers' pension contributions.

The statements are aimed at the new labor pension system, which was
introduced in 2005.

The new system currently covers about 7.7 million workers and employers are
required to contribute at least 6-per cent of a worker's monthly wage to an
individual pension account.

The union a recent National Audit Office report found hat employers
contributed an average of just 6.04-per cent last year, which shows that most
employers are contributing only the statutory minimum.

The minimum rate has not been changed since 2005.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

The Civil Aviation Administration has cleared Mandarin Airlines to reduce
flights on two Hualien routes when passenger demand is weak, but it has not
approved the carrier's request to suspend the services altogether.

Mandarin Airlines had applied to suspend its Kaohsiung-Hualien and
Taichung-Hualien routes.

The government agency has asked the airline to provide additional information
and consider Hualien's transportation needs before ending the routes.

Instead, Mandarin Airlines proposed taking a gradual approach by reducing
flights when bookings are poor rather than suspending the services, and it
agreed in principle to such reductions.

The move will allow Mandarin Airlines to redeploy aircraft to busier domestic
routes while maintaining air links to Hualien.

But the CAA says the airline has yet to formally apply for the reductions,
and their extent has not been finalized.

Mandarin Airlines Chairman Chen Ta-chun has said the carrier is considering
reducing its Kaohsiung-Hualien service from seven flights per week to five,
while initially maintaining three weekly flights on the Taichung-Hualien
route.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

The Ministry of Transport recorded 1,333 traffic fatalities within 30 days of
crashes of the first half of this year.

Statistics show that to be a decline of 15-per cent from the same period in
2023 - that is baseline year established under the Road Traffic Safety Basic
Act.

The ministry says the figure was also down by 3.3-per cent from the first
half of 2025.

The ministry's figures show that deaths involving children and adolescents
fell nearly 60 -per cent, fatalities in drunk-driving crashes declined by
almost 59-per cent, while motorcycle-related deaths dropped by under 21 and a
half-per cent

The transport ministry says all three categories recording their largest
declines in recent years.

Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai says the decline is evidence that the
government's road safety measures are working.

Chen is attributing the improvement to stricter enforcement against drunk
driving, tougher penalties, greater public awareness of the need to yield to
pedestrians, and continued efforts to improve road infrastructure and traffic
regulations.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

And,

The 2026 Startup World Cup Final has wrapped-up in Taipei - where teams were
selected to represent Taiwan at the global competition in San Francisco.

The event is organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures.

There's a 1-million U-S investment prize at stake in the global final.

Pegasus business development director Justin Jackson says the competition is
designed to connect entrepreneurs around the world with Silicon Valley.

Jackson says more than 200 international companies will compete at the final
and multiple teams from Taiwan are taking part.

Meanwhile, Michael Kao, the chairman of the Taiwan I-T-R-I New Venture
Association Taiwan’s technology and America’s capital and markets make the
two startup ecosystems natural partners.

Kao also says that Taiwan’s startup strengths include A-I, biotech and deep
technology, and events like this can help young companies reach investors and
customers overseas.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

Qatar's prime minister visited Tehran on Thursday in an effort to revive
stalled diplomacy six months into the war.

Iran, in turn, called on regional neighbors to prevent the U.S. from using
their territory to carry out military or economic attacks on Iran.

Major combat operations have been paused for weeks but there has been little
progress toward a wider peace agreement or reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump, facing political pressure at home over higher energy prices ahead of
November congressional elections, has opted to focus on economic sanctions.

But aggressively enforcing them would require taking measures against Iranian
trade partners such as China and India.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

The Japanese president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected
Washington's accusations that the institution is corrupt and vowed that it
will continue its work despite U.S. sanctions.

Nikkei Asia reported that Tomoko Akane, president of the ICC, said she is
aware of concerns that the ICC will become dysfunctional given that 9 of its
18 judges have been sanctioned by the U.S.

But she told reporters during an online news conference that morale remains
high.

The cases scheduled for this year, including the trial of former Filipino
President Rodrigo Duterte.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

Canadian military spending is surging, with companies expanding into defense
contracting.

The Canadian government is investing billions to reduce reliance on U-S
suppliers.

This shift is partly due to pressure from the U.S. to contribute more to NATO
and strained relations between Washington and Ottawa.

Posted on 2026-08-28 07:02:14

Peter Cullen, the iconic voice actor behind Optimus Prime and Eeyore, has
died at 85.

His agent announced Cullen died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home.

Cullen's career spanned decades, starting with “The Smothers Brothers Comedy
Hour” and including roles in"Winnie the Pooh", “The Smurfs” and “G.I. Joe.”

He became a cultural icon as Optimus Prime in “Transformers,” inspired by his
brother, a Vietnam War veteran.

Posted on 2026-08-27 20:16:13

Taiwan's average life expectancy rose to 81.27 years in 2025, as the number
of deaths fell for the third consecutive year.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, women had an average life
expectancy of 84.75 years, compared with 77.93 years for men.

Nearly 200-thousand people died last year, down about 17-hundred from 2024,
with people aged 65 and over accounting for more than three-quarters of all
deaths.

The increase brings Taiwan's life expectancy back to its 2019, pre-pandemic
level, as the impact of COVID-19 has eased.

Among the cities and counties included in the figures, Taipei had the highest
average life expectancy at nearly 84 years, followed by Hsinchu City and New
Taipei.

Taitung County had the lowest, at 76.49 years, making it the only county or
city in the figures below 77 years.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-27 19:23:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed a key bill prioritizing the development and
procurement of domestically made drones, with a spending cap of 240 billion
NT in principle.

The opposition-led bill passed 60 to 50 in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan,
with additional funding possible subject to legislative approval.

The legislation also aims to strengthen Taiwan's unmanned vehicle industry,
including plans for testing sites and requirements for domestic production
and cybersecurity standards.

The government says the measures are intended to strengthen defense autonomy
while developing Taiwan's drone industry.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-27 19:23:13

straight red light

Taiwan's economy maintained strong growth momentum in July ...

... with the government's economic monitoring indicator remaining at a red
light for the eighth consecutive month.

The National Development Council says the indicator's composite score held
steady at 41 points, while both leading and coincident indicators continued
to rise.

Strong demand for AI products helped improve conditions in the manufacturing
sector.

One weaker area was the amount of money readily available in the economy,
which declined as foreign investors moved funds out of Taiwan.

The council says the economy remains on solid footing, but warns that Middle
East tensions, changes in U-S tariff policy and monetary and fiscal policies
in major economies remain key uncertainties.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-27 19:23:13

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze that broke out behind a restaurant in
Taipei's busy Ximending district this morning.

The Taipei Fire Department received a report at around 11 AM and sent 35
emergency personnel, nine fire engines, three command vehicles and an
ambulance to the scene.

Firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of a
first-floor restaurant and brought the fire under control about 30 minutes
later.

Police temporarily restricted traffic at nearby intersections.

No one was injured or trapped, and the cause of the fire remains under
investigation.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-27 19:23:13

In news from the world of sport ...

The New York Yankees hosted Taiwanese Night at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday,
with fans receiving limited-edition Yankees merchandise featuring elements of
Taiwan's flag.

The event was held during the Yankees' 9-3 win over the Houston Astros and
was organized by ROF International Sport Marketing Co. and the Taiwanese
Chambers of Commerce of North America.

Taiwanese pitcher Teng Kai-wei (鄧愷威) came on in relief for the Astros,
drawing loud cheers from Taiwanese fans in attendance.

Buyers of Taiwanese Heritage Day ticket packages received co-branded caps and
tote bags.

Taiwan's flag and the word "Taiwan" were also displayed several times on the
stadium's video board.

It was the second Taiwanese Heritage Day held at Yankee Stadium.

Posted on 2026-08-27 19:23:13

Nepal's flood death toll has risen to at least 273 after a glacier collapse
sent a massive wall of water and mud through communities along the
Nepal-Tibet border.

Rescue teams are searching for more than 1,300 people still missing,
including foreigners and pilgrims, while hundreds have been displaced.

Videos show people fleeing as floodwaters swept away buildings and bridges.

The Himalayan region is particularly vulnerable to floods and landslides.

Scientists warn that human-caused climate change is accelerating glacier melt
and increasing the risk of such disasters.

Posted on 2026-08-27 19:23:13

Torrential rain has caused flooding and landslides in Japan's north-central
prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama.

The severe weather on Thursday closed roads and stranded people in flooded
homes and vehicles.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued its highest Level 5 heavy rain
warning for parts of the two prefectures.

Up to 20 centimeters of rain is forecast in the Kaga and Noto areas through
Friday morning.

Authorities have advised more than 380 thousand people to take precautions
against flooding and landslides, including moving to safer ground.

Posted on 2026-08-27 18:43:13

Taiwan is bracing for heavy rain in the south and rough seas around the Matsu
islands as Typhoon Saudel passes north toward eastern China.

The Central Weather Administration said Saudel is now expected to pass
closest to Taiwan tomorrow, when its outer rain bands are forecast to affect
Matsu, before making landfall around midday in China's Zhejiang Province.

The storm's outer bands, combined with strengthening southwesterly winds, are
expected to bring heavy rain to southern and southeastern Taiwan from this
evening into tomorrow.

The CWA issued "yellow" heavy rain advisories for Chiayi County, Nantou,
Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung ...

... warning of lightning, strong winds, landslides and flooding in low-lying
areas.

These are in effect through this evening.

There's also a sea warning in place for waters north of Taiwan .... and
vessels in the area are advisded to exercise extreme caution.

The CWA is also warning of rough seas ... saying waves of more than 2 meters
have already been reported along northern and eastern coasts, Matsu and other
offshore islands.

Posted on 2026-08-27 18:43:17

In other storm news,

The Central Weather Administration says newly formed Tropical Storm Etau is
not expected to affect Taiwan's weather.

Etau developed from a tropical depression northeast of Wake Island at 2 PM
today, becoming the 21st named storm of this year's Pacific typhoon season.

The storm is forecast to move northeast before turning north, keeping it well
away from Taiwan.

As of mid-afternoon, Etau was moving north-northwest at 15 kilometers per
hour, with maximum sustained winds of almost 65 kilometers per hour.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-27 18:43:17

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications says the number of people
dying within 30 days of traffic accidents fell during the first half of this
year.

The figure stands at 1 thousand 333 -- down 15 percent from the same period
in 2023 -- and meeting the reduction target set under the Road Traffic Safety
Basic Act.

Deaths among those under 18 fell by nearly 60 percent, while fatalities
caused by drunk driving dropped 58.8 percent.

Motorcycle fatalities fell more than 21 percent, though motorcycles still
account for over two-thirds of annual traffic deaths.

Pedestrian fatalities, meanwhile, declined 9.2 percent.

Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai credits stronger enforcement, road
improvements and greater public awareness.

He says Taiwan has recorded fewer than 3,000 traffic deaths for three
consecutive years, with the government now targeting a seven-percent annual
reduction.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-27 18:43:17

Regional powers are seeking a way to de-escalate the Iran war as another
tanker attack is reported in the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK Maritime Trade Organization says an oil tanker was hit by an unknown
projectile in the strategic waterway. No further details were immediately
available.

Diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and Qatar are continuing, while Iran
has dismissed the latest U-S sanctions.

Meanwhile, a Jerusalem court has acquitted a man accused of beating a
Catholic nun but ordered him to undergo psychiatric hospitalization for
several years.

Israel's continued strikes in Gaza have also drawn criticism from the senior
diplomat overseeing the U-S-brokered ceasefire.

Posted on 2026-08-27 18:43:17

Rescue teams are searching for hundreds of people missing along the
Nepal-China border after a devastating torrent of floodwater and mud swept
through several communities.

The disaster, triggered by a glacier collapse on Wednesday, has killed at
least 168 people and left more than 1,300 missing, including foreigners and
pilgrims.

Hundreds more have been displaced across the Himalayan region.

Drone footage from Nepal shows widespread destruction, while videos from the
scene captured people trying to escape the fast-moving floodwaters.

Posted on 2026-08-27 18:43:17

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Beijing and Washington need to overcome
obstacles in their relationship ahead of an expected September summit between
U-S President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Wang made the comments during a meeting Wednesday with U-S Ambassador to
China David Perdue.

Chinese state media says Wang called on both sides to focus on a positive
agenda, manage differences and reduce interference in high-level exchanges.

Trump and Xi met in May in Beijing and agreed to keep relations stable and
maintain a fragile trade truce.

But the two countries have continued imposing targeted economic measures
against each other since then.

Posted on 2026-08-27 12:24:13

The Tai-Ex surged past the 46,000-point mark in early trading after Nvidia
reported stronger-than-expected earnings and an upbeat outlook.

Taiwan's benchmark index opened more than 550 points higher and climbed as
high as 46-thousand-390.

Heavyweight TSMC rose nearly 1 percent to 2-thousand-435 NT, while Hon Hai
gained more than 2 percent.

MediaTek briefly topped 4-thousand NT before giving up its gains and trading
near the previous close.

Memory-chip stocks also rallied, with Nanya Technology rising more than 4
percent and Winbond Electronics gaining over 3 percent.

High-priced chip designer Global Unichip hit the daily limit at
2-thousand-650 NT.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-27 12:24:15

President Lai Ching-te says everyone who makes their life in Taiwan should
receive comprehensive support, regardless of when they arrived.

Lai says providing greater care for new immigrants has long been an important
government principle.

He made the remarks as 80 new immigrants visited the Presidential Office
during a two-day educational trip organized by the DPP's Department of New
Immigrant Affairs.

Participants also visited the National Human Rights Museum's Jing-Mei White
Terror Memorial Park and the Legislative Yuan.

The DPP says it hopes the program will help new immigrants better understand
their civil rights and participate in shaping Taiwan's future.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-27 12:24:15

Large numbers of sardines became stranded inside a traditional stone fish
weir in Penghu as the tide went out yesterday.

The owner discovered the fish during a routine inspection of the structure
near Wude in Magong.

News quickly spread, and residents arrived with nets and buckets to collect
the fresh catch.

Local fishermen say the sardines likely followed the rising tide toward shore
to feed on seaweed, but failed to escape before the water receded.

Pacific reef herons were also seen circling the area in search of a meal.

Several other migratory fish species have been found trapped in Wude's stone
fish weirs this year, which fishermen say reflects the diversity of the
area's marine life.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-27 12:24:15

Qatar's prime minister is traveling to Tehran today in an effort to restart
diplomacy between Iran and the United States.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani is expected to discuss Qatar's
mediation efforts and ways to reduce regional tensions.

He will also push for the restoration of free navigation through the Strait
of Hormuz, a major route for global oil supplies.

Fighting between the United States and Iran has largely paused, but no formal
peace negotiations are underway.

Traffic through the strait has fallen sharply since the war began in
February, with oil flows dropping to about 5-million barrels a day.

Iran has sought to use its control of the waterway as leverage.

Talks between Iran and Oman over managing the strait and sharing revenue
remain unresolved.

Posted on 2026-08-27 12:24:15

A senior Pentagon official is set to brief NATO ambassadors today amid
concern over possible further cuts to U.S. forces in Europe.

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is leading a six-month
review of the U.S. military presence on the continent.

Washington currently has about 80-thousand troops in Europe but has already
announced some withdrawals and reduced forces assigned to NATO defense plans.

European officials say they remain uncertain whether the review is a genuine
consultation or a tool to pressure allies.

The United States has sent NATO members a questionnaire covering defense
spending, military procurement, basing rights and support for U.S. foreign
policy.

European diplomats are expected to use today's meeting to emphasize their
growing defense contributions and reassure Washington that it can rely on its
allies.

Posted on 2026-08-27 12:24:15

Wildfires sweeping across several Algerian provinces have killed at least 12
people as an intense heatwave grips North Africa.

Another 54 people suffered burns, including six who remain in critical
condition in intensive care.

Algeria's civil protection services recorded 154 wildfires across the country
on Wednesday.

The blazes come as exceptionally high temperatures affect Algeria and
neighboring Tunisia.

Posted on 2026-08-27 09:05:13

The Central Weather Administration has issued a sea warning for Typhoon
Saudel.

The warning covers waters north of Taiwan.

Typhoon Saudel is currently located some 560-kilometers east-northeast of
Matsu and is moving in a west-southwesterly direction at speeds of between 12
and 18-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm still has radius of 200-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 126-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 162-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration's forecast center says Typhoon Saudel will move
into waters north of Matsu tomorrow as it heads towards China's Zhejiang
Province.

The storm will be closest to Taiwan proper today and tomorrow.

Posted on 2026-08-27 09:05:13

China

In international news,

Flash floods in a border area of Nepal and China have killed at least 160
people and left hundreds of others missing.

Experts say an avalanche from a glacier was the likely cause in the warming
Himalaya region.

Nepalese police are reporting 157 dead, while China’s state broadcaster
reports at least three dead there.

Drone footage shows roads destroyed and buildings buried.

Officials in Nepal say 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, are
missing.

Many of the missing were on a pilgrimage to a sacred site.

The United Nations says several of its agencies are deploying personnel in an
effort to meet what will be a massive humanitarian need.

Posted on 2026-08-27 09:05:13

Meta has agreed to pay up to 17-billion U-S dollars to settle claims brought
by 47 U-S states that its platforms harmed children.

The Facebook and Instagram owner says it will also add stronger child-safety
measures platforms as part of a landmark legal settlement.

The deal ends a trial over teen social media addiction and resolves a case
years in the making that sought to hold the tech giant accountable for the
role its platforms played in undermining children’s mental health.

The effort targeted features designed to hook young people’s attention.

If approved by the court, it will stop an avalanche of litigation by states
against Meta.

However, the company still faces lawsuits from individuals and school
districts across the U-S.

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

The Ministry of Culture is welcoming the restoration of the name "Taiwan
Pavilion" at the Gwangju Biennale.

The ministry in thanking the Taiwan curator and artists for their
perseverance and also the global community for its support.

According to the ministry, the Gwangju Biennale Foundation sent a message
earlier this week confirming that the pavilion's name had been restored.

The organizer had arbitrarily changed it in June to the "National Taiwan
Museum of Fine Arts Pavilion."

Prior to foundation sending out the correction, the culture ministry had
issued an ultimatum demanding the original name be restored by Wednesday.

The foundation says it received an official document from Taiwan's Ministry
of Culture confirming that the museum was participating in the biennale on
behalf of Taiwan under the name "Taiwan Pavilion" and the approval process
had been completed.

The event's documents and promotional materials now identify Taiwan as an
exhibitor, while the Asia Culture Center, where the "Taiwan Pavilion" is
located says exhibition staff are now allowed to enter and begin setting it
up.

The 16th Gwangju Biennale will run from September 5 to November 15.

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

The Kinmen County Government has suspended shipments of pork and processed
pork products to Taiwan proper and other outlying islands after a African
swine fever was detected in the carcass of a pig that had washed ashore.

The suspension of shipments of processed pork products runs until next
Monday.

Live pigs from Kinmen are already banned from being shipped to Taiwan proper
and other outlying islands under existing regulations.

According to Kinmen County Department of Economic Development, the pig
carcass was found on the shoreline at Wu-sha-jiao in Jin-ning Township on
Saturday by Coast Guard personnel.

County animal health officials collected tissue samples, disinfected the
site, and incinerated and buried the carcass.

The surrounding area was also isinfected.

Authorities in Kinmen has since inspected 22 pig farms within a 10-kilometer
radius of the site and officials say no traces of the African swine fever
were found at any of the farms.

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

The Taipei District Court has sentenced the construction site supervisor of
the Kee Tai Properties project to four years and 10 months in prison over the
2023 collapse of a neighboring residential building in the city's Dazhi
District.

Prosecutors argued that Chang Po-hsiang failed to follow construction plans
and procedures, while also repeatedly altering monitoring data to avoid
disputes over damage to neighboring properties.

The court sentenced Kee Tai employee, Chiang Jo-yen to eight-months in prison.

Supervising architect Wang Te-sheng was sentenced to one year, suspended for
two years, and technician Liu Feng-shou received a 10-month sentence.

The case stems from September 7, 2023, when excavation work at the Kee Tai
Dazhi construction site caused a neighboring residential building to sink and
several nearby buildings to tilt, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate
and temporarily relocate.

All five defendants were indicted in April 2024 on charges including
violations involving construction practices.

The district court rulings can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-08-27 08:07:14

And finally,

A survey by the Child Welfare League Foundation shows that junior high school
students spend an average of nearly 40 hours online each week, while nearly a
third have encountered AI-related online safety issues.

The 2026 survey on mobile phone and internet was conducted among seventh- to
ninth-graders.

According to the foundation, the findings highlight three alarming trends -
those being that children are going online at younger ages, spending more
time online and facing growing online safety threats.

The foundation says 91.6-per cent of junior high school students own a
personal smartphone, while the average age at which children receive their
first phone has dropped to 9.98 years, down from 10.8 years in previous
surveys.

It says data shows that students spent an average of 38.4 hours online a week
in 2026.

That's up from 27.2 hours before the COVID-19 pandemic and approaching the
length of a standard 40-hour workweek.

The survey also found that 20.1-per cent of respondents had experienced
potentially harmful situations online, including cyberbullying, requests to
provide personal information and unwanted sexually explicit messages.

Posted on 2026-08-27 06:56:13

No damage or injuries have been reported following this morning's 5.2
magnitude earthquake the rattled the southeast.

The quake struck at 5:47 and was centered some 21-kilometers east of Taitung
County Hall at a depth of 35-kilometers.

It was felt strongest in Taitung's Donghe, Chenggong, Chishang townships and
Orchid Island, as well as in Hualien's Fuli Township where it registered a
magnitude 3 on the Central Weather Administration's intensity scale.

The quake was also felt in parts of Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi,
Yunlin and Namtou, where it registered a magnitude 2 on the weather
administration's intensity scale.

Posted on 2026-08-27 06:56:18

Lawmakers are set to vote on competing drone procurement bills later today.

The vote had originally been scheduled for tomorrow, but legislative caucuses
agreed to move up the vote to allow lawmakers to return to their districts to
inspect damage caused by the recent heavy rains and flooding in southern
Taiwan.

The D-P-P, K-M-T and Taiwan People's Party caucuses are still at odds over
key aspects of the bills... these include which ministry will oversee the
drone procurement program, the budget for drone procurement, and whether
annual spending caps will be imposed.

The Cabinet's proposal seeks to earmark 210-billion N-T in a special budget
from now through the end of 2031 and will designate the Ministry of National
Defense as the competent authority for drone procurement.

The K-M-T bill proposes earmarking 240-billion N-T in the general budget over
six years, with an annual spending cap of 40-billion N-T, and placing the
Ministry of Economic Affairs in charge of the spending plan.

While the T-P-P's proposal will designate both the defense and the economics
ministries as the competent authorities and seeks to fund drone procurement
through the general budget, with no annual spending limits.

Posted on 2026-08-27 06:56:18

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will attend this year's Pacific Islands Forum,
which takes place in Palau next week.

Lin will be attending the Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue
and the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit.

He departs for Palau today and attend events coinciding with the 55th Pacific
Islands Forum annual summit, which begins on Sunday.

The foreign ministry says Lin will also meet with Palau's President Surangel
Whipps, and inspect a Taiwan-funded development of the Belau National
Hospital's A-I system, to assess the progress being made to date and discuss
future cooperation.

Lin will be accompanied by a delegation which includes representatives from
the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and from Taiwan's energy, technology, food,
construction and organic agriculture sectors.

The foreign ministry says says they will be exploring business and investment
opportunities in Palau.

Taiwan and other non-members of the bloc were barred from participating in
last year's event in the Solomon Islands, which was only attended only by the
bloc's 18 member states.

Posted on 2026-08-27 06:56:18

The Centers for Disease Control is reporting two new cases of Mpox involving
a strain not seen before...

It marks the first domestic cases of the variant... which is believed to be
more transmissible and more easily spread through close physical or intimate
contact.

Both patients are men in their 30s who had not been vaccinated and contact
tracing found they had engaged in high-risk sexual behavior with unspecified
partners.

The C-D-C says the sources of both infections remain unknown.

The first patient sought medical attention in late July, while the second
patient sought treatment in earlier this month.

The C-D-C has recorded 28 Mpox cases, including 19 domestic and nine imported
cases, from January 1 through August 23.

That figure is lower than the 48 cases reported in 2024 and 31cases reported
in 2025 over the same period.

Posted on 2026-08-27 06:56:18

The Chiayi City Public Health Bureau has ordered a sesame cooking oil maker
to suspend operations after excessive levels of of a known carcinogen were
detected in its products.

The bureau said it inspected Uni‑Procurement Corporation on Monday after the
company reported that testing of its 255‑milliliter
bottles of black sesame oil found excessive levels of the carcinogen.

Inspectors also sampled black sesame oil stored in on‑site tanks.

The city's public health bureau says Uni-Procurement reported the matter to
authorities after Santa Cruz, an organic brand owned by Taoyuan's President
Natural Industrial, detected non-compliant results during self-inspections.

President Natural Industrial has also notified the Taipei City Department of
Health of the results and officials have order a blanket recall of the
product across all sales platforms and retail channels.

Uni‑Procurement is a legacy brand that has been in business for more than 70
years.

Posted on 2026-08-27 06:56:18

The government's main foreign development aid agency has signed a memorandum
of understanding with the Ukrainian city of Lviv to help modernize two of its
hospitals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the virtual agreement on Smart
Healthcare enhancement was signed between Taiwan I-C-D-F Secretary General
and Lviv officials gathered in the Lviv City Council session hall.

The ministry says the agreement will pave the way for the launch of a
Taiwan-funded project aimed at strengthening the emergency departments and
intensive care units of the two hospitals by integrating hardware, software
and AI-driven information systems.

The project will also provide professional training for medical and IT
personnel at the two hospitals and is expected to benefit Lviv's 720,000
residents.

Lviv's Mayor Andriy Sadovyi expressed gratitude for Taiwan's support and
friendship at the signing ceremony.

Posted on 2026-08-26 20:13:13

Taipei health authorities have ordered all batches of a cold-pressed black
sesame oil removed from sale after tests found excessive levels of the
carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene.

The affected product, labelled "100% Natural Black Sesame Oil," was supplied
by UNI-PROCUREMENT CORPORATION and sold mainly through the Santa Cruz retail
chain.

Authorities say 216 bottles from the affected batch had been stocked, with
187 already removed.

All batches are now being pulled as a precaution.

The recall comes amid wider testing of cooking oils following the Central
Union Oil contamination case.

Taipei has launched a fourth round of testing, focusing on sesame oil sold
through restaurants, stores and online retailers, as well as other cooking
oils.

Officials say Taipei schools did not use the affected product, while the
retailer is offering full refunds for bottles from the affected batch.

Posted on 2026-08-26 19:11:13

A passenger ferry carrying 146 people ran aground in a channel at Donggang in
southern Taiwan today, leaving passengers and crew stranded for more than
three hours.

The "LEUCO SAPPHIRE No. 1" was carrying 141 passengers and five crew members
to Xiaoliuqiu when it became stuck shortly before noon.

No one was injured.

Officials say heavy rain had washed sediment into the channel, while low tide
reduced water levels.

Several attempts to free the ferry failed before a tugboat was brought in.

The rising tide eventually freed the vessel about three and a half hours
later.

The ferry returned to Donggang, where passengers transferred to another
vessel.

The Pingtung County Government says dredging will begin tomorrow, while the
operator has been ordered to submit a maritime accident report.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-26 19:11:13

The Ministry of Education has released a new guidebook to help universities
establish gender-friendly dormitories across Taiwan.

Developed alongside gender equity experts and academic researchers, the
handbook highlights flexible housing models, including gender-inclusive floor
plans and facilities where student groups can apply for shared housing units
and coordinate their own room arrangements.

Officials say the initiative aims to reduce unnecessary gender barriers while
protecting student privacy and campus safety.

The ministry encourages universities to introduce inclusive housing options
gradually based on student needs and campus infrastructure.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-26 19:11:13

National Taipei University of Technology has signed an agreement with Dresden
University of Technology to join a Taiwan-Germany program aimed at developing
semiconductor talent.

The partnership will take effect this fall, making Taipei Tech the fourth
Taiwanese university in the Semiconductor Talent Incubation Program Taiwan.

The six-month program combines semiconductor coursework at a Taiwanese
university with practical training at T-S-M-C in Taichung.

The number of German university students coming to Taiwan each year is
expected to rise from a previous maximum of around 70 to about 100.

The program was established alongside T-S-M-C's investment in Germany to
develop the semiconductor talent needed in Dresden.

Selected students have their tuition and program fees covered, plus a monthly
grant of 700 euros and a 1,500-euro travel allowance.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-26 19:11:13

And in Nepal,

An avalanche of ice and rock has triggered massive flash floods, killing at
least eight people and causing widespread damage.

Officials say 384 tourists are missing, including 291 foreigners from
countries such as India, Britain, the United States and Malaysia.

The Bhotekoshi River flooded today, destroying villages and infrastructure
and prompting authorities to warn people to stay away from riverbanks.

Nepal has requested rescue assistance from India and China.

Climate experts say the flooding was likely triggered by an ice-and-rock
avalanche from a glacier, highlighting the Himalayan region's growing
vulnerability to extreme weather linked to climate change.

Posted on 2026-08-26 19:11:13

Thousands of people have descended on the Spanish town of Buñol {boo-NYOHL}
for the annual La Tomatina food fight ...

.... where participants are expected to throw up to 165 tons of overripe
tomatoes at each other.

The messy event lasts about an hour, with buildings covered in tarps to
protect them from the tomato barrage.

More than 20 thousand people are expected to take part this year, with about
40 percent coming from outside Spain.

La Tomatina began in 1945 and became an international attraction in the 1980s.

Participants are required to squash the tomatoes before throwing them to
reduce the risk of injury.

Posted on 2026-08-26 18:08:13

Use

Premier Cho Jung-tai says Taiwan will raise its projected annual electricity
demand growth through 2035 as the rapid expansion of AI computing drives
greater demand for power.

The government currently forecasts annual growth of 2.5 percent, but Cho says
the figure will be raised significantly to provide a more prudent estimate.

He says the government is working with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and
the state-run TaiPower to strengthen the power supply ...

... including expanding renewable energy, reinforcing the national grid and
developing regional microgrids with energy storage.

Cho also touched on nuclear power ... saying it remains an option.

Any restart of the No. 3 Nuclear Power Plant would require safety reviews, a
solution for nuclear waste and broad public support.

He says the government is also open to newer nuclear technologies, including
small modular reactors and nuclear fusion.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-26 18:08:14

New data shows Taiwanese junior high school students now spend an average of
38.4 hours a week online, nearly matching a typical 40-hour adult workweek.

The finding comes from a survey by the Child Welfare League Foundation ...
which pointed out that children spent just over 27 hours a week online before
COVID.

That jumped to more than 47 hours during the pandemic, partly because of
online classes, before falling again.

The survey also finds almost 92 percent of junior high students have their
own smartphones, while the average age at which they get their first phone
has fallen to just under 10.

More than 20 percent have encountered problems online such as cyberbullying,
as well as requests for personal information and unwanted explicit messages
or images.

In addition, about 31 percent say they or a classmate have encountered
problems with AI ... ranging from over-reliance on the technology to fake
AI-generated photos or videos of classmates.

And when shown an AI-generated fake-news image, only about 32 percent
immediately recognized it as fake, while 15.5 percent believed it completely
(without question).

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-26 18:08:14

Taiwan has reported its first two domestic cases of a more transmissible
strain of Mpox ... known as clade lb.

The Centers for Disease Control says both patients are men in their 30s who
had not been vaccinated and had engaged in high-risk sexual behavior.

The sources of their infections remain unclear.

The two men developed fever and rashes in late July and early August and
tested positive after doctors suspected Mpox.

Taiwan has recorded 28 Mpox cases this year, including 19 domestic and nine
imported

Nine of the cases have involved the clade Ib strain, including the two newly
reported domestic infections.

The CDC says vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent Mpox, with
publicly funded vaccines available to people considered at higher risk.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-26 14:57:13

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed the country's first two locally
transmitted cases of Clade one-b mpox.

Both patients are men in their 30s from central Taiwan who had not received
an mpox vaccine.

They developed symptoms including fever, rashes, pustules and muscle aches
before testing positive.

CDC spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) says both men had engaged in
unprotected sex with unspecified partners, although the source of their
infections remains unknown.

Taiwan has now recorded nine Clade one-b cases this year, including seven
imported infections.

Health officials say existing mpox vaccines remain effective against the
strain and are urging eligible people to complete the two-dose vaccination
series.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-26 14:57:15

Fraud cases in Taipei fell more than 17 percent in the first half of this
year compared with the same period last year.

The Taipei City Department of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says
8-thousand-97 cases were reported from January through June, while the number
of victims fell 17.1 percent to 8-thousand-277.

Fake online auctions were the most common type of scam, accounting for 26
percent of victims, followed by investment fraud at 19.5 percent.

The sharpest declines were among younger people, with the number of victims
aged 17 or under falling more than 40 percent.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-26 14:57:15

Dolly Parton, a beloved icon whose influence spans music, film, and
philanthropy, has died at 80.

She was known for her rhinestone-studded style and quick wit, and captivated
fans across all walks of life.

Her music includes hits like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You."

Her songs have over 100 million worldwide sales and over 1 billion online
streams in total.

She starred in films including "9 to 5," "The Best Little Whorehouse In
Texas" and "Steel Magnolias."

Parton grew up in poverty in Tennessee and rose to fame with her unique blend
of authenticity and talent.

She was also a dedicated philanthropist.

Her Imagination Library has donated over 300 million free books.

Parton's legacy is one of creativity, generosity and unity.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-26 14:57:15

In Pakistan, officials say a fire that erupted at a newborn nursery at a
major government hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, has killed 14
newborns.

The nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences housed at least 15
newborns when the fire broke out today, hospital officials said.

At least one baby was rescued.

Rescue officials said the fire began at about 6:45 a.m., apparently after the
compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery.

Firefighters quickly responded and extinguished the blaze, and rescue teams
were carrying out cooling operations at the site, local media reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (sheh-BAHZ shah-REEF) expressed sorrow over the
deaths and ordered an immediate investigation.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-26 12:11:13

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is urging lawmakers to back the government's
210-billion N.T. special budget for military drones, saying delays could
weaken Taiwan's deterrence and international confidence.

In an interview with CNA, Hsiao said drone capabilities are urgently needed
to prevent Beijing from misjudging Taiwan's determination to defend itself.

The proposal would fund coastal surveillance and attack drones, as well as
unmanned attack boats, with the Defense Ministry overseeing procurement based
on military needs.

Hsiao said the plan is separate from a six-year, 44.2-billion N.T. program
aimed at developing Taiwan's wider drone industry.

She said large government orders, international cooperation, and AI
technology could help Taiwan expand domestic production and build a globally
competitive, non-China supply chain.

Lawmakers have yet to reach agreement on competing versions of the special
legislation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-26 12:11:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will lead an official delegation to Palau
tomorrow to attend events surrounding the 55th Pacific Islands Forum summit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today that the weeklong visit
running through September 3rd will focus on strengthening bilateral ties with
Taiwan's Pacific allies.

Officials say Lin will host the 30th Taiwan-PIF dialogue meeting and meet
with Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. to review ongoing health and
infrastructure projects.

The ministry notes that the delegation includes leaders from Taiwan business
groups and representatives from the clean energy, tech, and agricultural
industries.

MOFA emphasized that Taiwan remains committed to supporting the Pacific
Islands Forum's 2050 development strategy, expanding technical cooperation,
scholarships, and resilience funding across the region.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-26 12:11:13

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh held a rally Tuesday to
demand safe return to Myanmar.

They fled Myanmar nine years ago during a government crackdown.

The demonstrators urged the international community to ensure security in
Myanmar's Rakhine state.

More than 1 million Rohingya now live in camps around the Bangladeshi city of
Cox's Bazar.

Bangladesh has attempted to repatriate refugees twice, but refugees cited
security concerns.

The International Court of Justice held hearings in January on genocide
accusations against Myanmar.

Myanmar claims its actions were counter-terrorism operations.

The situation in Rakhine remains volatile.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-26 12:11:13

In Syria, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has
announced the group's official dissolution.

Speaking Tuesday at the presidential palace in Damascus, the commander said
the SDF has completed a merger with the Syrian army and will no longer
operate independently.

The Kurdish-led force once controlled a de facto autonomous zone in Syria's
northeast, but lost it to a government offensive in January.

The SDF was once the main U.S. partner in Syria against the Islamic State
group.

However, after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December
2024, Washington formed close ties with the new government in Damascus.

(KK)

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

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Lawmakers have approved a sweeping reorganization of the Ministry of Health.

The move create two new agencies and two government-funded administrative
institutions.

It's the first major structural overhaul to the ministry since 2013 and the
governnent says it will give more attention to children's health and
healthcare issues, long-term care, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Lawmakers approved amendments abolishing the existing Social and Family
Affairs Administration and split its functions into a new Administration of
Children, Youth and Family Support and a new Administration of Social
Development and Long-term Care.

The new children, youth and family support administration will oversee
policies and programs related to childcare, early intervention services,
child and youth welfare and rights, family support services, and pediatric
health care.

While the social development and long-term care administration will be
responsible for policies covering senior citizens, people with disabilities,
long-term care services, and the National Pension program.

The Cabinet first approved the amendments to the Organic Act of the Ministry
of Health and related organic acts in December of last year.

The Cabinet cited the need to respond to Taiwan's declining birthrate and
rapidly aging population as the reasons for the amendments.

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

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says his administration will fully support the
rebuilding of the Chih-Nan Temple's Lingxiao Chapel after it suffered
extensive damage in a fire Monday night.

Speaking during an inspection of the site with temple officials, Chiang said
the city will establish a cross-agency task force to coordinate restoration
efforts and provide administrative assistance to help the temple rebuild the
chapel as soon as possible.

According to Chiang, experts will determine which parts of the damaged hall
should be preserved and which can be removed.

The fire broke out at about 8:50 Monday evening and the 60-year-old Taoist
structure burned for more than three hours.

The blaze destroyed the first floor and damaging about one-third of the
second floor and fire officials say the hall's wooden structure and
combustible materials contributed to the rapid spread of flames.

The temple's mountainous location, narrow roads and limited water supply also
hampered efforts to get fire teams to the site.

No one was injured in the fire and the cause of the blaze remains under
investigation.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is talks with St. Vincent and the
Grenadines on funding a national development bank and several social
empowerment projects in the Caribbean country.

According to ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuangwei, the projects remain under
active discussion and nothing has been finalized, but Taiwan will continue to
work closely with the Caribbean ally to help it implement policy priorities
within Taiwan's capabilities.

The statement follows comments by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime
Minister Godwin Friday, who last week announced that the Lai administration
had pledged at least 2-million U-S dollars in grant funding to help establish
a national development bank.

That pledge was made during Friday's recent visit to Taiwan earlier this
month.

Friday also said that Lai administration also promised to provide 1-million
U-S dollars annually in grant funding for social and community empowerment
programs.

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

The Centers for Disease Control says this year's government-funded seasonal
flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will begin as usual on October 1.

According to the C-D-C, it has purchased a record 7.05-million publicly
funded flu vaccine doses for the upcoming flu season.

That total includes about 208,000 doses of enhanced vaccines designed to
provide stronger protection.

The enhanced vaccines will initially be prioritized for people aged 65 and
older in long-term care and nursing facilities.

The C-D-C also says the government has also purchased 2.4-million COVID-19
vaccine doses, including 1.9 million doses of newer-generation vaccines for
people aged 12 years or older.

The publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination program will open on October
1 for adults aged 65 and older, preschool-aged children, healthcare and
disease prevention personnel, and people with chronic illnesses.

Adults aged between 50 and 64 without high-risk chronic conditions will be
eligible for the free flu and COVID-19 jabs from November 2.

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

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says Typhoon Saudel is continuing to
weaken and veering in a more northerly direction.

According to the administration, it could issues a sea warning this evening
and it may issue a land warning for the outlying island of Matsu tomorrow
morning.

Typhoon Saudel is currently located some 800-kilometers northeast of Taipei
and is moving in a northwesterly direction at 17-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm now has a radius of 200-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 136-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 172-kilometers-an-hour.

The administration's forecast center says the storm is expected to be closest
to Taiwan from tomorrow night through Friday.

It is expected to bring localized rain to north and south and mountainous
areas in the center.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has released K-M-T lawmaker Chen
Hsueh-sheng on bail of 2-million N-T after he was questioned as part an
investigation into corruption allegations.

Chen is said to have used his official position to fraudulently obtain
property, as well as for accepting bribes and other improper benefits.

The lawmaker has been banned from leaving Taiwan.

Prosecutors searched 35 locations, including Chen's residence, his
legislative office, and the homes of related individuals earlier this week.

The search targets also included the offices of several shipping companies.

A total of 27 people, including Chen, were brought in for questioning.

Chen's younger brother, Chen Hsueh-huai, who serves as his office director,
was released on 100,000 bail, while several other relatives and staff members
were granted bail ranging from 80,000 to 500,000 N-T.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed a series of amendments to the Medical Care
Act penalising medical personnel who capture images of a patient's intimate
body parts without permission.

The amendments also bar medical institutions and their staff from using
equipment to view patients' intimate body parts, or view or listen to
patients' medical records, "without a valid reason."

Those found guilty of making recordings could face up to three years in
prison or fines of up to 300 thousand NT.

While those who make money off the images and recordings face up to five
years in prison and fines of up to 500,000 N-T.

The amendments were originally proposed after beauty clinics were said to
have filmed patients' intimate body parts without their consent.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

Reports from South Korean media say the Gwangju Biennale Foundation has
agreed to allow Taiwan’s exhibitors to use the name "Taiwan Pavilion" in the
exhibition venue and in official documents and promotional materials.

The foundation reportedly revised its previous decision to rename Taiwan's
participation the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts Pavilion after Taiwan
artists threatened to pull out of the event.

The Ministry of Culture had urged the foundation to respond to its request to
restore the name of Taiwan’s participating exhibition from to "Taiwan
Pavilion."

The ministry said it also "sternly protested" the foundation's and the Asia
Culture Center's refusal to restore the exhibition name.

The Culture Ministry said early this month that the agreed name of "Taiwan
Pavilion" was changed to without discussion or prior notice.

It also said there were efforts to prevent Taiwan Pavilion personnel from
entering the venue to set up the exhibition.

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

However, the foundation denied that - calling it an administrative matter
involving participant classification and naming conventions.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The Central Weather Administration says it issued a national-level earthquake
alert because an offshore quake was initially overestimated at magnitude 6.6.

The quake was later determined to have a magnitude of 5.8.

It registered an intensity of 4 on the administration's intensity scale in
Tainan, Chiayi, Yunlin, Taitung and Hualien.

Most other areas experienced little or no shaking.

The national-level earthquake alerts were issued across Taiwan except for
Taoyuan and Keelung.

The quake's depth was initially estimated at more than 30-kilometers, about
17-kilometers deeper than its actual depth.

That error caused the system to overestimate the quake's magnitude at
magnitude 6.6, triggering the nationwide alerts.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The Centers for Disease Control is warning that flu activity could rise again
after schools re-open... and that the public can expect cases to keep rising
until around October.

C-D-C Director-General Philip Lo is the number of flu cases have remained
unusually high this summer, with weekly outpatient and emergency visits for
flu-like illness in August reaching their highest levels for the same period
in a decade.

Data shows more than 94 thousand people sought outpatient or emergency care
for flu symptoms between August 16 to 22.

The H1N1 strain currently accounts for most of the flu cases detected in the
community.

Schools are being urged to strengthen infection-control measures, while
members of the public are being advised to wear masks in crowded or poorly
ventilated places.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The High Speed Rail Corporation says it is adding 176 train services during a
six-day travel period from September 24 to 29 covering the four-day
Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers' Day holiday weekend.

Tickets for long weekend holiday travel well go on sale starting August 27.

Tickets for the additional services will be available through the T-EX mobile
app as well as participating convenience stores, and station ticket counters
and machines.

Passengers who need reserved seats are advised to book in advance and collect
their tickets before arriving at the station to avoid lines.

Each train during the holiday travel period will have between two and nine
unreserved-seat carriages.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The Taipei is welcoming a new Malayan tapir calf.... born on August 17.

The zoo says both mother and baby are healthy and have been doing well in the
week since the calf was born.

The female calf is the second offspring for Putri and 12-year-old male
Malayan tapir Mosu...

Malaysian tapirs have a gestation period of about 13 months... Putri's
pregnancy was detected in November of last year.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

The Ministry of Agriculture is set to launch a lottery in September to boost
pet registration.

Up for grabs: 30,000 "pet gift cards" worth 300 N-T each and 100 pet
health-check packages valued at 3,000 N-T each to owners of registered dogs
and cats.

The gift cards can be used to purchase pet food or agricultural products at
436 participating stores, while the health check packages can be redeemed at
licensed veterinary institutions.

To qualify, pet owners can log into the "Pet Owners' Section" of the
ministry's Pet Registration Information System from September 1 through 30...
then pick "Pet Gift Card Program" to verify their pets' registration
information and enter the draw.

Each dog or cat is eligible for one entry.

Owners who have not yet registered their pets can also enter the lottery as
long as they complete the registration process by September 30.

The draw will be held Oct. 2 and livestreamed on the Animal Welfare
Information Website YouTube channel.

Posted on 2026-08-26 06:58:13

A prominent Sikh separatist says that the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police have warned him that he faces a new credible threat to his life.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said he was warned by FBI agents who visited him last
week that he should not travel while an investigation of the threat is
underway.

Pannun is a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, and advocates for the creation of the
sovereign Sikh state and is considered a terrorist by the Indian government.

The new threat comes as a man from India who pleaded guilty to federal
conspiracy charges faces sentencing later this year in Manhattan federal
court for plotting in 2023 with others to assassinate Pannun.

The FBI has said the man in the 2023 plot coordinated his plans with an
Indian government employee.

Posted on 2026-08-25 17:11:13

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck off the coast of southeastern Taiwan at
3:00 p.m. today.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Central Weather Administration said the epicenter of the temblor was
located at sea, about 48 kilometers east-southeast of Taitung County Hall, at
a depth of 13.1 km.

The earthquake's intensity was highest in Taitung County, where it measured 4
on Taiwan's 7-tier intensity scale.

The quake also measured an intensity of 3 in Hua-lien, Chia-yi, Yun-lin and
Tai-nan.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Railway says trains have been ordered to reduce speed on
several sections of track following the earthquake.

They were all passing through the eastern railroad in Hua-lien and Tai-tung.

(CNA JL)

Posted on 2026-08-25 17:11:13

DPP lawmakers say, the Cabinet's special drone funding bill would offer more
stability than the opposition version.

That's as lawmakers prepare to take another go at drone funding negotiations
tomorrow, and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has said that he hopes a third
reading can be completed within the week.

Lawmaker Zhong Jia Bin says, the multi-year cabinet version would provide
more stable funding year-over-year...

while opposition versions are written into the 2027 central government
budgets.

Industry experts emphasize the importance of long-term contracts for
developing the domestic supply chain.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-25 17:11:13

Pingtung

Rescuers in Pingtung are searching for an elderly man suspected of having
been swept away by floodwarers yesterday.

The 70 year old man and his wife were motorcycling around the Wandan area
yesterday.

It is understood that they were not paying attention to the floodwaters and
were swept into a river.

Fortunately, the wife was able to hold onto a tree and got rescued later, but
her husband is still missing.

Authorities have deployed search teams and drones in an effort to find the
man...

but conditions are still poor due to ongoing rain and high water levels.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-25 17:11:13

Now turning to international news..

Israel has killed at least 4 people today in Gaza, including two kids.

Residents evacuated after receiving notice of strikes, with some uing canes
or wheelchairs to navigate the destroyed terrain.

That's as the US says it asked Israel to "reduce attacks" last week.

In the 7 days since the US made that claim, Israel announced strikes on 6
days.

Since an agreement last October, Israel has killed at least 1288 Palestinians
in Gaza.

5 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the same time period.

Posted on 2026-08-25 17:11:13

Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is growing in Poland, after the country initially
was one of the first to welcome refugees when Russia launched its full scale
invasion of the country.

One Ukrainian woman living in Poland launched a support group for female
Ukrainian refugees escaping gender-based violence in 2022.

But now she struggles to keep the organization above water, as funding for
refugee support runs dry and hostility towards Ukrainians grows.

The organization, called Martynka, has hoted more than 100 women and children
to escape abusers and access medical care, psychological support, jobs, and
housing.

But, as Martynka faces financial troubles, efforts to fundraise have been
meant with online abuse.

Founders say, it's due to the associations with Ukraine.

Around 3.5 million Ukrainians fled to Poland in the first weeks of the war.

The government granted refugees access to jobs and social security benefits.

But the refugees have increasingly become targets of anti-Ukrainian rhetoric,
particularly since last year's elections.

Posted on 2026-08-25 14:08:13

Local Hualien officials say that two access roads in the county have been
severed after days of heavy rain in the south and east.

In Fuli and Yuli townships, the Yuchang and Luntian access roads were broken
by floodwaters.

Officials say they've reported the issue to the county government and are
discussing repair options.

Authorities emphasize that the roads have cracked and become impassable.

Drivers are advised to take alternative routes.

The Mingli Bridge, however, has reopened given the relatively lighter level
of rain.

Meanwhile, emergency workers are continuing to search for a man surnamed
Huang, who's suspected to have been swept away in floods.

And in Kaohsiung...

a landslide has blocked off part of the Provincial Highway 20 Baiyun Temple
Road.

Officials say they're working to clear the blockage now, and traffic is
expected to resume later this evening.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-25 14:08:20

In a related news...

Heavy rain has continued to pound southern Taiwan today with the accumulated
rainfall having reached 260 millimeters in Kaohsiung Zuo-ying (左營) and 230 in
Ping-tung Shi-zi (獅子) Township so far.

The Central Emergency Operation Center said 35 locations remain inundated in
the south as of noontime, while more than 6,100 residents have been evacuated
from high-risk areas since Saturday.

The Center noted that Water Resources Agency officials have deployed 80 large
water pumps to help drain flood water.

Red alerts also remain in effect for 57 potential mudslide areas and three
areas at risk of large-scale landslides.

Although the rain is expected to ease starting today, people in mountainous
areas are still being warned to watch out for landslides, falling rocks and
debris flows.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-25 14:08:20

The Ministry of Agriculture is launching a campaign to encourage owners to
register their pets, offering vouchers worth 300 NT.

The ministry says 30-thousand pet shopping vouchers are available, with the
aim of raising registration coverage across the island's 3.2 million domestic
pets.

The government is also offering a grand prize draw for 100 pet health checkup
packages valued at 3,000 NT.

Under the Animal Protection Act, owners must microchip and register dogs and
cats once they reach four months of age, or face fines up to $15-thousand NT.

Officials say the ministry will conduct a live public drawing on October 2nd,
sending winning vouchers directly to participating pet owners.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-25 14:08:22

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 407 points to
close the session at 45169.

The turnover was 696 billionNT

Posted on 2026-08-25 14:08:22

In the US,

the Federal Bureau of Investigation is announcing tens of thousands of
dollars for help in solving cold cases involving Native Americans.

The move is part of a broader effort to address high rates of violence
affecting such communities.

But victims' families and experts have mixed reactions.

Some hope that the money will being fresh attention to such cases...

but others aren't sure that a reward will be enough to encourage witnesses to
come forward.

The minimum 25,000 USD will apply to more than 50 cases.

Experts say, some may be reluctant to turn over a friend or relative to a
system that has failed to serve them in the past.

Posted on 2026-08-25 13:06:13

by 3

The Taiwan Railways Corporation says, a landslide has taken place on the
southern link line, obstructing traffic in both directions...

but it's expected to be cleared before 3pm today.

TRC says that the landslide took place between Fangshan枋山 and Fangye枋野
stations.

This comes as Pingtung's Fangshan township has gotten over 200 milimeters of
rain today as of 12:45.

Meanwhile, TRC says some trains running between Fangliao, Qidu, Fangye, Dawu,
and Taitung stations will be rerouted.

Passengers are advised to check their reservations or the TRC website before
heading to the station.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-25 13:06:19

Now turning to international news...

Nikkei Asia is reporting that Japan's ruling party will propose hundreds of
millions of dollars in funding to help buy undersea cable ships.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will include the nearly
630 million US dollars in next year's budget.

It is reportedly considering covering about half of the cost of procuring
such ships...

which have a price tag of more than 8 billion NT

It will be the first time that Japan directly supports the purchase of such
ships.

This comes as security concerns have grown, with cable disruptions near
Taiwan and in Europe raising suspicion of Chinese and Russian involvement.

During Japan's devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, undersea cables
around the country were severed.

A shortage of cable-laying vessels would make it more difficult to respond to
such challenges.

Posted on 2026-08-25 13:06:18

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An says, the city government will do its utmost in
restoring Wenshan District's Zhinan temple...

following a fire last night that devastated the main building of the complex.

Chiang noted that that none were harmed in the fire, and said that the cause
of the fire was under investigation.

Firefighters say that the entire first floor of the building was destroyed in
addition to part of the second floor.

They add that the fire was exacerbated by the wood construction and paper
money and incense in the temple.

Plus, Zhinan gong's relatively difficult-to-reach location also made it
harder for firefighters to fight the fire, with efforts continuing past
midnight this morning.

Mayor Chiang says, the city has established a one-stop service window for
reconstruction efforts, and added that he hopes the temple can be restored as
quickly as possible.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-25 13:06:20

Authorities in Indonesia's South Sumatra are praying for rain as forest fires
continue across parts of the country.

About 3000 residents gathered to perform a mass islamic prayer seeking rain
as smoke has reduced visibility and disrupted daily life.

South Sumatra has recorded the highest number of wildfire hot spots in
Indonesia.

Local officials say the prayer completed ongoing firefighting efforts,
including water-bombing and cloud-seeding operations.

The fires, driven by prolonged dry weather and an intensifying El Nino
pattern, have scorched vast areas and spread haze to neighboring countries as
well.

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

In news from and abour Taiwan this morning ...

Officials from the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office have searched the
legislative office of K-M-T lawmaker Chen Hsueh-sheng.

Chen's Matsu office was also searched.

Prosecutors says the raids were carried out as part of an investigsation into
allegations that Chen lobbied on behalf of a shipping company owned by the
family of the chairman of the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing
Corporation.

According to the prosecutors' office, that company secured more than
800-million N-T worth of contracts from C-P-C between 2004 and 2020.

Prosecutors also say Chen is being investigated for allegedly using relatives
and associates to fraudulently claim government-funded aide expenses.

Some 20 people, including Chen's brother have been questioned in connection
with the investigation.

Prosecutors says Chen is facing possible charges of violating the
Anti-Corruption Act and other offenses.

Posted on 2026-08-25 08:13:14

The Central Weather Administration says there is a low probability of Typhoon
Saudel making landfall in Taiwan, but uncertainty remains over its track in
the later stages, including how close it will come to Taiwan.

Typhoon Saudel is currently located some 1,000-kilometers east of Taipei and
is moving in a west-northwesterly direction at 21-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm has a radius of 220-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds
of 172-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 208-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration's forecast center says Typhoon Saudel is expected
to gradually weaken after its reaches Japan's Ryukyu Islands.

If the storm continues on it current projected path, Saudel is forecast to
move over waters north of Taiwan on Thursday and Friday - when it will have
its most significant impact on the island ...

... as it's storm circulation will affect northern parts of Taiwan proper and
the outlying island of Matsu.

Posted on 2026-08-25 08:13:14

The Taiwan-based Chinese National Federation of Industries says labor
shortages are a major issue facing the country's industrial development.

The warning is included in the federation's 2026 white paper.

According to federation vice chairman Zhan Cheng-tien, a declining birth rate
and aging population are worsening the labor shortage and the lack of workers
is a pressing challenge in terms of enhancing industrial innovation and
economic resilience.

The white paper suggests the government review its policy on migrant workers
by shifting from a focus on the 3-K industries -- those considered to
dangerous, dirty and intense -- to one guided by actual labor shortages.

The federation is urging the government to extend the length of time
industrial migrant workers can stay in Taiwan from 12 to 14 years, and
calling on it to seek alternative sources of migrant workers beyond Vietnam,
Thailand and Indonesia.

The federation says a recent survey shows that 76.6-per cent of its members
say the labor shortage is their top concern.

Posted on 2026-08-25 08:13:14

Reports are saying the Air Force's AT-3 trainer aircraft has completed its
final flight-training missions and been fully replaced by the Brave Eagle
advanced jet trainer.

The AT-3 had been one of the Air Force's trainer aircraft since it entered
service in 1984.

It was jointly developed by the Aero Industry Development Center, the
predecessor of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation and U-S company
Northrop.

The Taichung-based Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation later
developed the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer to gradually replace the aging
fleet of AT-3s under the government's indigenous defense program.

Reports say the AT-3s final flight-training missions were completed in late
July.

An official decommissioning ceremony has yet to be held and the Air Force has
released not details concerning when the could be.

The Air Force held a handover ceremony at its Gangshan base in Kaohsiung in
August last year for the Thunder Tigers aerobatic team, which previously flew
the AT-3s.

Posted on 2026-08-25 08:13:14

The Ministry of the Interior says Taiwan's average life expectancy stood at
81.27 in 2025, up from 80.77 a year earlier.

Taipei recorded the longest average life expectancy rate of 83.98 last year.

According to the ministry, the national average life expectancy had not
returned to the pre-COVID 19 peak of 81.32 in 2020 despite the year-on-year
rise.

However, the ministry says Taiwan's average was higher than the global
average of 73.5 in 2025.

Average life expectancy for both women and men in Taiwan was higher than the
global average of 76.2 years and 70.9 years.

Data shows that number of deaths moved lower for the third consecutive year
in 2025 as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic eased, down by 1,674 from a
year earlier to stand at 199,639.

The number of deaths at ages of 65 or older in 2025 accounted for 76.1
percent of the national total.

Posted on 2026-08-25 08:13:14

And finally,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says donations raised through a dedicated
bank account set up by the government to help people affected by the
magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture late last
month has surpassed 300-million N-T.

The designated Mega International Commercial Bank account was set up on
August 1 and will continue to accept public donations until August 31.

According to the foreign ministry, the government and its Japanese
counterparts are still discussing how the funds will be used to assist
post-disaster relief efforts in Kumamoto after the one-month donation period
ends.

The ministry says more details will be announced later.

Along with the fund raising campaign, the government has already donated
5-million N-T to support Japan's reconstruction efforts following the
earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.

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