ICRT

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

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says the military is closely monitoring
China's military exercises, but they are taking place off the coast of China
rather than near Taiwan.

However, Koo is stressing that the Ministry of National Defense is preparing
for various scenarios.

The statement comes after China's Maritime Safety Administration issued
no-sail notices late last week for five marine areas ahead of military
exercises scheduled for this week.

The five no-sail areas listed are in the Yellow Sea, the East China the Sea,
South China Sea and Bohai Sea, where China's military is carrying out
live-fire drills.

According to Koo, the military has assessed that the exercises will be held
near China's coastline and will involve only artillery units.

Beijing has not explicitly said whether or not the exercises are in response
to President Lai Ching-te's National Day address on Saturday, but has said
the drills are a deterrent to any move by Taiwan towards "independence."

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

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang is defending the government's drug
harm-reduction program against mounting political criticism, stressing that
it does not involve supplying illicit drugs in communities.

Shih is also calling for the privacy of people seeking addiction treatment to
be protected.

The calls come came as drug policy has become a flashpoint in the Taipei
mayoral race.

Methadone maintenance treatment and clean-needle distribution are at the
center of dispute between incumbent K-M-T Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the
D-P-P's mayoral candidate Puma Shen.

Speaking at a hearing of the Legislative Social Welfare and Environmental
Hygiene Committee, Shih said recent political rhetoric has distorted public
understanding of the drug harm-reduction program.

Shih stressed that the Ministry of Health does not support legalizing
cannabis and has no plans to adopt a model involving the direct provision of
illicit drugs in communities.

He also insisted that the health ministry's drug harm-reduction policy is
evidence-based and focuses on needle-exchange programs and methadone
treatment.

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

Tai-Power Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng says he believes the island's electricity
industry should be brought into technology-sector decision-making as soon as
possible.

According to Tseng, energy will become increasingly important to the tech
industry because computing power depends on electricity, while electricity
will also become a critical part of the supply chains of the semiconductor
and technology industries.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the 2026 Net-Zero Taiwan and Energy Taiwan
exhibitions, Tseng said Tai-Power needs to play a greater role in industrial
decision-making rather than simply providing electricity, as industrial power
supply and demand patterns evolve.

Tseng also said parts of Tai-Power's operations should take a more
industry-oriented approach, enabling the company to better understand the
technology sector's operating models, business challenges, financial
arrangements and supply chain partnerships.

He also stressed that as businesses' demand for renewable energy grows,
electricity suppliers and consumers should jointly discuss energy
procurement, the acquisition of renewable energy certificates and energy
storage.

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

In local election news

Kaohsiung's two major-party mayoral candidates have been outlining their
plans for developing the city's artificial intelligence industry.

The proposals range from an A-I industry cluster and closer industry-academia
ties to wider access to A-I education.

D-P-P candidate Lai Jui-lung says Kaohsiung was well positioned to become an
A-I industry hub due to its available land, power supply, talent pool and
established industrial ecosystem, and the Asia New Bay Area had the potential
to become such a hub.

Lai says former site of the now relocated 205th Arsenal military production
site, spans about 58 hectares and could provide additional space for
industrial development.

And K-M-T Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en is proposing developing A-I
parks and the drone industry, including flight control and geospatial
information applications.

Ko's campaign office says she is also proposing expanding A-I education
through school programs, teacher training and digital learning opportunities
for workers, small and medium-sized businesses, and older adults, to make the
technology more accessible in everyday life.

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

Meanwhile,

Twelve candidates in the upcoming local government elections have signed
pledges to promote sustainable and resilient policies if elected.

The names of the 12 candidates who have signed the pledges were announced at
a press conference held by civic groups.

Those civic groups include the Green Citizens' Action Alliance and the Taiwan
Climate Action Network.

The groups invited candidates running for mayor in Taiwan's six special
municipalities to sign a pledge on 18 policies in the areas of renewable
energy, disaster preparedness and resilience, heat adaptation, flood
management, and sustainable transportation.

The 12 candidates who have signed the full pledge include K-M-T Taipei Mayor
Chiang Wan-an and D-P-P Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen.

Tainan mayoral candidate Hsieh Lung-chieh has signed it in part, while New
Taipei candidate Lee Shu-chuan and Taichung candidate Johnny Chiang have
declined to sign.

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

And finally in last night's Chinese Professional Baseball League play-offs
....

.. the C-T-B-C Brothers booked their spot in the Taiwan Series after beating
the Uni-President Lions 8-2 in the deciding Game 4 at the Intercontinental
Stadium in Taichung.

A second-half season champions, the Brothers entered the play-offs with a one
game advantage.

It's the third consecutive year the Brothers have made the finals and they
will now meet the first half season champion Wei Chuan Dragons.

The best-of-seven Taiwan Series will begin on October 17 at the Taipei Dome,
where the Dragons will host Games 1 and 2 and, if necessary, Games 5 through
7.

Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for October 20 and 21, and will also be played at
Taipei Dome.

The Brothers last won the Taiwan Series in 2024, while the Dragons most
recent C-P-B-L title was in 2023.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is slamming China's decision to sanction two
ministers from Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

This, after China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Belize's Foreign
Minister Francis Fonseca and Paraguay's Minister of Information Gustavo
Villate as "anti-China politicians" and barred them from entering China.

Beijing called the two officials "pawns" who have smeared Beijing... but did
not say why the two ministers were singled out.

Taipei's foreign ministry describes Beijing's sanctions as "preposterous" and
a "blatant interference in other countries' sovereignty and diplomacy."

It adds action is evidence of China's "futile attempt to deploy political
intimidation and transnational repression to coerce other countries into
submission to its political agenda."

The move is seen as symbolic, since ministers from Taiwan's diplomatic
allies generally don't travel to China

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Ministry of National Defense is proposing scrapping the maximum length of
service for the Air Force.

The Air Force is now experiencing a shortage of experienced pilots, since
many leave the military to fly for civilian airlines.

The ministry has cited defense needs in proposing to remove the cap, which it
says will apply to selected experienced pilots.

If the Cabinet approves the proposal and it takes effect, the defense
ministry aims to retain 74 pilots ranked lieutenant colonel or colonel in
service longer.

Under the law, pilots holding the rank of lieutenant colonel can currently
serve a maximum of 26 years and those ranked colonel a maximum of 30 years.

That means pilots at these ranks must leave military service at around 48 and
52 years of age, respectively.

Defense officials say as a result of that, many pilots leave the Air Force
before reaching their service limits so they can join civilian airlines
sooner.

Airline pilots can work until 65 and earn significantly higher salaries.

The defense ministry sent proposal to the Cabinet last month and it is still
awaiting approval.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office has detained two executives of drone
supplier Jiin Ming Industry over allegations the company used banned
China-made chips and camera lenses in drones supplied under recent military
contracts.

Officials raided Jiin Ming offices as well as those of its subsidiaries and
its suppliers last week.

The raids followed a report that the company had breached its procurement
contracts by putting the prohibited components into drones delivered to the
military

Prosecutors say Jiin Ming Vice Chairman and President Chien Hao-ting,
business manager Chen Yang-cheng and seven other people connected to the case
have been questioned.

Chien and Chen are believed to have violated the National Security Act by
knowingly supplying Chinese-made products under military procurement
contracts.

The two are also suspected of submitting falsified business records and of
aggravated fraud committed by three or more people under the Criminal Code.

The other suspects have all been released without bail.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has resumed accepting visa applications from
Moroccan nationals.

The move ends a months-long suspension imposed after Morocco abruptly halted
visa applications from Taiwan nationals earlier in the summer.

The ministry says it made the decision after receiving official confirmation
that Morocco had resumed accepting visa applications from Taiwan nationals on
September 21.

MOFA has said it welcomes the Moroccan government's decision, ending a
dispute that began in July when the Moroccan Embassy in Japan suspended its
review of Visa Confirmation Letter applications from Taiwanese without saying
why.

In response, the foreign minister announced it would suspend processing visa
applications from Moroccan nationals effective July 31, except for applicants
involved in special projects approved by the Taiwan government.

Travel agencies here in Taiwan most frequently submit visa applications for
travelers heading to the North African country to the Moroccan Embassy in
Japan.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office says a man who admitted to reposting
a defamatory fake image of D-P-P Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen has been
granted deferred prosecution for two years.

Prosecutors say the ruling was made on the condition he regularly attends
legal education sessions.

The statement comes after the man reposted a fake photo on his Facebook page,
purporting to show Shen with a nude woman near a table littered with drug
paraphernalia on June 7.

Prosecutors says the fake image of Shen was first posted earlier in June on
an X account by a user named "Hsueh Ting-ting Returns," whose IP address had
been traced to China.

Shen filed a complaint with Ministry of Justice, saying that the fake photo
was defamatory because it falsely implied that he frequented disreputable
places, used drugs, and engaged in sexual activity with unidentified women.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

Police in Taoyuan have arrested a 33-year-old man suspected of stabbing his
aunt to death in New Taipei's Xinzhuang District.

Police in New Taipei say they received a call Sunday evening about the
stabbing and found a 59-year-old woman dead in her kitchen after arriving a
the scene.

Authorities say the woman had suffered multiple stab wounds.

The victim's husband, found her when he returned home from work, told police
that their nephew had recently moved in with them and had quarreled with his
wife earlier that same day.

A preliminary investigation found the man to be unemployed and frequently
asked for money to buy alcohol and tobacco.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

Lala Mountain in Taoyuan has been designated an Urban Night Sky Place by
DarkSky International.

This makes Lala Mountain has become the first site in Taiwan and only the
third in Asia to receive the recognition.

The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Tourism said it was notified of
the designation by the US-based nonprofit, which will formally announce it
tomorrow.

The nonprofit works to protect the nighttime environment.

An Urban Night Sky Place is a municipal park, open space, stargazing site or
similar property in or near a heavily urbanized area that promotes an
authentic nighttime experience despite significant artificial light.

The designation recognizes sites that educate the public about responsible
outdoor lighting that maintains public safety while reducing harm to the
nighttime environment.

DarkSky International currently lists 19 Urban Night Sky Places worldwide.

The other two in Asia are Minami-Rokuroshi in Japan's Fukui Prefecture and
Zhangwu Town in China's Zhejiang Province.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

India’s opposition parties have marched to the Supreme Court to protest a
voter list purge they claim favors Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party.

Police detained thousands of activists over the weekend in a sweeping
crackdown.

Opposition lawmakers and their supporters submitted a petition alleging
irregularities in the nationwide revision of voter lists.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner
Gyanesh Kumar.

Protests led by the “Cockroach” youth movement have intensified since
election authorities began the revision last year, removing more than 130
million voters.

Critics say the process is politically motivated. Modi’s party and the
Election Commission deny allegations of manipulation.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

And finally,

The Trump administration has been ordered to temporarily halt work on a
historic D-C golf course near the Jefferson Memorial.

The A-P's Lisa Dwyer reports.

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

5 media platforms are inviting Taipei mayoral candidates Puma Shen and Chiang
Wan An to participate in a televised debate.

Those platforms include the Liberty Times newspaper and China Television
Company, among others.

A statement from the 5 platforms emphasized that Taipei residents have a
right to see both candidates' policy proposals and their ideas for how to
make these proposals happen.

The announcement added that the debate, should candidates accept the
invitation, would maintain neutrality and transparency...

emphasizing a return to "rational policy exchange" rather than virtue
signaling and political sloganeering.

The invitation comes as Shen and Chiang have already in principle agreed to a
debate hosted by TVBS and S-E-T News but have not nailed down dates or
format.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

Police have arrested a 33-year old man suspected of killing his aunt in New
Taipei's Xinzhuang District.

He was caught in Taoyuan District around noon today after officers used
surveillance footage to track his movements.

Police say the 59-year old woman was found dead with multiple knife wounds in
her kitchen on Yong'an Street.

Her husband discovered her body after returning from work yesterday evening
and called police.

Investigators say her nephew lived with her, had previously argued with her,
and could not be contacted after the incident.

Police are investigating the circumstances of her death.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

China has sanctioned Paraguay’s communications minister and Belize’s foreign
minister over ties with Taiwan.

China's Foreign Ministry said the sanctions against the two officials serve
to safeguard China’s interests.

Paraguay and Belize are 12 diplomatic allies of Taiwan.

The sanctions are mostly symbolic, as officials from countries that have ties
with Taiwan do not generally travel to China.

Countries including Nauru, Honduras and Nicaragua have switched allegiances
from Taiwan to Beijing in recent years.

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

A red panda from Taipei Zoo is settling well into his new home in Singapore.

Chi-Chi (奇奇), also known as Yaffa, moved to Singapore Zoo in June as part of
an international conservation program.

A keeper tells CNA he is eating and sleeping well, exploring his surroundings
and staying active.

Now on public display, he is also drawing visitors who have followed news of
his move.

Taipei Zoo says transfers between zoos help maintain genetic diversity and
reduce the risk of inbreeding among endangered red pandas.

The two zoos also hope to support healthy breeding through cooperation in
animal care and conservation research.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

In international news...

Experts say, nearly 2 million Somali children either already are or are
expected to suffer from acute malnutrition by June.

An analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification also
identifies 433,000 kids expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition...

putting them at highest risk of death.

Most of Somalia's expected malnutrition cases are concentrated in the south,
where there are higher rates of disease outbreaks and food insecurity, as
well as less access to health services.

This comes as humanitarian organizations have fewer resources to respond to
such crises due to cuts to international humanitarian aid.

Posted on 2026-10-12 16:38:13

The Air Force says some electronic warfare hardware is installed on Taiwan's
first two new F-16V Block 70 fighters.

But software development and system integration are still underway.

The jets arrived in Zhi-hang (志航) Air Base in eastern Taiwan from Hawaii, on
October 2nd, roughly one month later than initially expected.

Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan (李慶然) says work on their Viper Shield
system is proceeding according to plan.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says integration must meet the timetable set
for after delivery.

Koo hopes more fighters will arrive this month after passing acceptance
inspections.

But he says completing all 66 deliveries next year still requires
coordination with Washington.

The United States approved the sale of those fighter jets and related
equipment to Taiwan in 2019, and delivery was supposed to begin in 2023 and
be completed by 2026.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-12 16:38:13

In world news...

North Korea has fired multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters,
adding to a recent streak in weapons demonstrations heightening tensions
during a prolonged freeze in diplomacy.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area
around the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, where the country has used its
airport as a major launch site in recent years.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said it detected at least two missiles and that the
weapons landed in waters outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The launch followed an October 3 test of what the North described as a
hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to evade missile defenses in
South Korea and Japan.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-10-12 16:38:13

The Nobel prize in economics is the last to be announced this year.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences will announce the winners later today
in Stockholm.

Three researchers who probed the process of business innovation won last year
for explaining how new products and inventions promote economic growth and
human welfare.

Nobel honors were announced last week in medicine, physics, chemistry,
literature and peace.

Alfred Nobel established those five prizes, and the economics prize was
established later by Sweden's central bank as a memorial to him.

The prize money this year is about $1.2 million U.S. dollars.

Posted on 2026-10-12 16:38:13

UK police say a man died Saturday after entering the tiger enclosure at a
wildlife park in northern England.

The incident occurred at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near the city of
Doncaster.

South Yorkshire Police says the tigers remained inside the enclosure and
there was no danger to the wider public.

The enclosure includes a 300-meter raised walkway that allows visitors to
watch the big cats roam through woodlands and grasslands.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it dispatched two ambulances, an air
ambulance and a doctor attended the scene.

Authorities didn’t immediately release information about the victim’s
injuries.

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Defense Minister Wellington Ku says, the Coast Guard is the primary law
enforcement unit for patroling Taiwan's territorial waters, while the Navy
can provide assistance.

He added that the Coast Guard should drive away Chinese maritime militia or
coast guard vessels if they cross into restricted waters.

The Defense Minister made the remarks when answering KMT lawmaker Huang
Jian-bin's question regarding a Reuters report that a Chinese militia vessel
was spotted in waters east of Taiwan in August.

It marked the first known appearance of such a vessel in the area.

Ku said Taiwan monitors Chinese militia vessels using databases maintained by
the Coast Guard and the military, along with joint intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance operations.

He said these resources allow authorities to closely track the movements of
those ships.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Legislative Speaker Han Guo-yu has reiterated that no matter how hard the
ruling and opposition parties clash, they should follow the rules, compromise
and uphold moral standards.

Stumping for a TPP candidate in Keelung yesterday, Han said he often tells
foreign dignitaries that Taiwan has a mature and successful democracy...

but said that privately he feels uneasy due to the Cabinet's refusal to
countersign legislation and last year's recall campaign.

He described the situation as "anti-democratic," claiming that even
professors of constitutioanl law can no longer properly teach the subject.

The comments echoed his comments at Saturday's National Day ceremony, when he
called on President Lai Ching-te to resolve the current standoff between the
legislative and executive branches.

Han also said that people absolutely cannot allow the world to see Taiwan's
democracy as "a democracy in name, but a dictatorship in reality."

Meanwhile the Presidential office and DPP legislative caucus leaders called
Han's speech "embarrasing and inappropriate", saying Han fell short of the
standards expected of a Speaker.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Taiwan shares closed slightly down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 11
points to close the sessiont at 49301

The turnover was 843.9 billion NT

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Now turning to international news...

Rescuers in Nepal have arrived at a disaster site following floods yesterday.

Helicopters brought soldiers and food to an area along the Buhi Gandaki river
in north central Nepal, and began evacuation processes.

Five people are currently missing with no fatalities yet reported.

The government says that an early warning allowed most people to reach higher
ground before the flood hit.

Yesterday's flood was caused by a landslide that initially blocked the river
near a village.

The floods destroyed or damaged five bridges, construction sites of three
hydropower plants, and dozens of houses and farms.

The Budhi Gandaki River merges into the Trishuli River and is a key waterway
near the capital Kathmandu.

Nepal is still recovering from a devastating flood that swept through the
mountainous Nepal-China border in August, leaving more than 1,400 people dead
and thousands more missing.

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

In Saudi Arabia, a passenger terminal at the international airport in Riyadh
has been struck again, killing 1 and injuring 11 a day after a missile hit
the complex and killed 12.

The strike occurred as the King Khalid International Airport remained closed.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility.

The Houthis have threatened more strikes across Saudi Arabia and warned
airlines about using Saudi airspace.

Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and previously asked
France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defense support to the
region.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

12 candidates in this year's local elections have signed on to a climate
resilience, energy and transportation policy pledge.

The pledge was put forward by civic groups including the Green Citizens'
Action Alliance and the Taiwan Climate Action Network, and asks candidates to
agree to 5 major policy directions, including adapting to extreme heat and
flood control.

Among the signees were both candidates for Taipei mayor, while KMT candidates
Li Si Chuan and Jiang Qi Chen in New Taipei and Taichung both refused to sign
on.

Advocates say that leaders of the six major municipalities should take the
initiative to assess how well-prepared schools and other public places are
for climate change...

adding that local governments should also integrate solar power and energy
storage into disaster preparedness centers in order to make them
self-sufficient.

They're calling for local leaders to incorporate the needs of vulnerable
groups into disaster prevention plans and drills as well.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

The Maritime Port Bureau says, fresh drills launched by China will not have
too much of an impact on shipping in waters around Taiwan.

China announced last week that it would be carrying out drills in the South
China, Yellow, East China, and Bohai Seas, with the drills kicking off today.

They're expected to continue through the end of the week.

The Maritime Port Bureau is emphasizing that the areas where China is
carrying out the drills are outside Taiwan's search and rescue area of
responsibility.

Although authorities say that shipping is running normally right now, the MPB
will continue to monitor Chinese military activity in the region.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

Taiwan's manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry said that the U.S.
International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into it under
Section 337 of the Tariff Act.

Hon Hai said the process began on Friday, and that it will actively respond
to the investigation through established legal procedures.

The tech company stressed that it respects intellectual property rights and
vowed to protect the interests of investors.

It also said that its operations remain unaffected.

Hon Hai is among 20 businesses, including German, US, and Chinese companies,
named in the U.S. trade investigations into alleged patent infringement.

Taiwan's Delta Electronics and Quanta Computer are on the list as well.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

Pope Leo XIV (the fourteenth) will undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his
lung in the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.

The lesion was found at an early stage and is small and well-localized.

Leo, who is 71 and physically active, made the announcement in an unusual
display of transparency about his health during his Sunday blessing.

He thanked the crowd for their support and prayers.

The Vatican said Sunday the surgery is scheduled in the coming days, with a
recovery time of about a week.

Leo has a major trip planned for November to South America, but it's unclear
if the surgery will affect his itinerary.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-10-12 08:16:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The U-S International Trade Commission has launched a Section 337
investigation naming several Taiwan tech companies as respondents.

Those companies include Hon Hai, Delta Electronics and Quanta Computer.

According to the U-S International Trade Commission, the investigation under
the U-S Tariff Act of 1930 stems from a complaint filed by
Massachusetts-based power technology company Vicor Corp.

It focuses on some vertical power delivery systems, related components and
computing devices incorporating such systems.

The commission says the investigation covers 20 companies from Taiwan, China,
Germany and the U-S.

Here in Taiwan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs says the probe involves
power delivery technology used in artificial intelligence servers and it's
ready to assist the effected companies if necessary

Posted on 2026-10-12 08:16:13

And finally

The Uni-President Lions are on the cusp of booking a spot in the Chinese
Professional Baseball League Taiwan Series -- after beating the C-T-B-C
Brothers 4-2 in Game 3 of the play-offs at the Intercontinental Stadium in
Taichung to take a 2-1 lead.

Game 4 is this evening also at the Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung.

And that game begins at 6:30.

The winner of the playoff series will meet the first half season champion Wei
Chuan Dragons in the Taiwan Series.

The best-of-seven Taiwan Series will begin on October 17 at the Taipei Dome.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

D-P-P Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen is reiterating his call for four
debates, saying a single event would not allow enough time for detailed
discussions of individual policy issues.

He made the call as he held his first campaign motorcade in the capital.

Shen's motorcade event started in Datong District and drew thousands of
supporters, some of whom followed the procession on scooters, carrying
campaign banners.

This comes as incumbent K-M-T Mayor Chiang Wan-an called on Shen's camp to
discuss arrangements for a televised election debate or debates.

Chiang says the focus should be on actually holding debates, rather than
turning them into a campaign talking point... both camps have already agreed
in principle to T-V-B-S holding a televised debate or debates and signed
consent forms.

The broadcaster is scheduled to meet representatives of both parties later
today to discuss details of the possible televised election debates.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

Eswatini's visiting King Mswati III thanked Taiwan for its donation of
military helicopters to the African kingdom as he visited an aviation
training center in Tainan.

King Mswati was accompanied by President Lai Ching-te during his tour of the
Army Aviation and Special Forces Command's Flight Training Command.

King Mswati and his wife were shown military helicopters on display in a
hangar during the visit... both also tried their hand at operating a military
helicopter flight simulator, while the king sat in the cockpit of a Black
Hawk helicopter.

Lai said Taiwan donated two retired UH-1H helicopters to Eswatini in 2020 and
between 2019 and 2020, the Tainan-based command also trained 11 Eswatini
pilots and maintenance personnel to operate and maintain the helicopters.

Lai also expressed his gratitude to the personnel involved in the mission for
their contributions to diplomatic ties between the two countries.

King Mswati arrived in Taiwan last Friday, primarily to attend the National
Day celebrations.

It's his 20th visit to Taiwan since he was crowned king in 1986.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

Social and medical support groups have come out in support of drug
harm-reduction policies... amid a political debate fueled largely by Taipei's
mayoral candidates.

The Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology and the Association of Taiwan
Clinical Psychologists expressed harm-reduction measures, including
clean-needle programs and methadone maintenance treatments.

The call comes amid similar statements issued by the Taiwan Medical
Association and the Taiwanese Society of Psychiatry on October 5, and the
Taiwan Society for Forensic Clinical Psychology on Saturday.

The Taiwan Union of Nurses Association also emphasised that harm-reduction
policies do not encourage drug use and is urging politicians to respect
professional expertise and avoid sending unclear messages that could deepen
social divisions.

The nursing association further called on the government to strengthen drug
prevention and addiction treatment systems, as it ensures that people with
addiction are treated with dignity.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

Firefighters have been working to extinguish a fire at a Miaoli trash dump.

The Miaoli County Fire Bureau said the fire broke out at a trash dump in
Yuanli Township - burning an area of about 4,000 square meters.

No injuries have been been reported so far.

A total of 13 fire trucks and 29 firefighters from Yuanli and neighboring
townships were dispatched after the fire was reported.

The fire bureau says two drones, a disaster response robot and three
excavators were at the scene to assist with firefighting efforts.

Yuanli Township chief Liu Yu-yu says she notified the county's Environmental
Protection Bureau to monitor air quality.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

And,

The Philippines has opened its largest overseas Filipino worker service
center in Taipei.

It's located in the same building as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office
in Taipei's Neihu District.

The O-F-W Global Center-Taipei is the third such facility worldwide,
following centers in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

It is also the largest to date.

The country's Overseas Workers Welfare Administration called the Taipei
center a one-stop hub where Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan can access
government services, welfare assistance and training without returning to the
Philippines.

The facility includes training spaces, a cafe, a karaoke room and areas for
government services.

Planned activities include Mandarin classes, financial literacy programs,
computer and artificial intelligence training, and courses on content
creation and entrepreneurship.

Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chairperson Corazon Avecilla-Padiernos
says the new center reflects the Philippine government's commitment to
supporting its citizens overseas.

Posted on 2026-10-10 14:07:13

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government has announced new
measures to lower fuel prices.

This comes ahead of the presidential election's second round.

Fuel costs are a sensitive issue for voters, who'll decide on October 25
between Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula.

A new decree eliminates federal taxes on gasoline imports and sales for 30
days.

Ethanol tax exemptions and subsidies are also extended and the government
will provide additional subsidies to diesel importers.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 13:09:13

China and the European Union have reached a broad initial agreement to ease
trade tensions.

The EU trade commissioner has announced that the deal includes lower tariffs
for some European goods and measures to stabilize rare-earth supply chains.

The agreement could cut up to 50% of Chinese electric and plug-in hybrid
vehicle imports to the EU.

The talks were aimed at addressing growing trade imbalances, and the deal
would require approval from leaders across the 27-nation EU.

Both sides plan to meet again in January by video and in person in March.

The EU has been limiting imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles and other
products, while China has launched investigations into imports from the EU.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 13:09:13

At least 36 people have sustained minor injuries after parts of a plaster
ceiling collapsed at a shopping mall in South Korea's Daegu city.

The Daegu Fire Department says about 70 others were evacuated from the
facility.

Officials say at least nine people were receiving treatment at hospitals, but
they didn't immediately report any serious injuries.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 13:09:13

Angel Reese scored 22 points and Rhyne Howard added 21 as the Atlanta Dream
beat the New York Liberty 85-83 to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first
time since 2013.

The fourth-seeded Dream completed a three-game sweep of the Liberty.

Meanwhile, Kayla Thornton scored 18 points and the second-year Golden State
Valkyries became the expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals the quickest,
sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime.

A'ja Wilson scored 21 points in a disappointing night for the WNBA MVP.

The two teams will face each other next Friday at Chase Center in San
Francisco.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 11:07:14

Hurricane Isaias has made landfall on the western Florida panhandle,
threatening dangerous storm surges and damaging winds.

The National Hurricane Center says it came ashore as a Category 2 storm.

Isaias is expected to bring potentially dangerous conditions to the Florida
Panhandle and southern Alabama.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis advised residents to take the storm seriously.
DeSantis said flash flooding would be a hazard "throughout the region."

AP_JvW

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