ICRT

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The newly appointed chair of the Central Election Commission has been
sworn-in.

Speaking at a handover ceremony, Michael You thanked President Lai Ching-te
and Premier Cho Jung-tai for their support and he pledged to lead the
commission as a neutral, fair, objective and professional body.

You also outlined the agency's key priorities - those being upcoming
elections, referendum procedures, absentee voting and the political rights of
naturalized Chinese spouses.

According to You, as the local elections are just seven months away,
preparations will need to proceed at an accelerated pace, while he believes
the commission must act cautiously when handling referendum proposals from
the Legislative Yuan.

You told reporters he believes as Taiwan's elections are increasingly
complex, implementing absentee voting in major elections will be challenging
and should first be tested in referendums.

And he went on to say the recent case of China-born Li Chen-hsiu, who lost
her legislative seat after being expelled from the Taiwan People's Party,
exposed gaps in existing laws.

You was a member of the D-P-P before leaving the party in 2019 and previously
served as the chairman of the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

defense budget bill

Legislative party caucuses have once again failed to reach a consensus on the
Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget bill.

Monday's talks centered on the procurement items listed in the draft bill.

The talks took place after lawmakers last Thursday also failed to reach any
agreements on specific procurement items and a ceiling for the budget.

Lawmakers last week reached agreements on two basic administrative provisions.

They included that the Ministry of National Defense would be required to
submit a special report to the legislature on the progress and performance of
projects that are included in the special defense act.

And that the special defense budget be in effect from the date of its
promulgation until December 31 of 2033.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has scheduled another round negotiations the
special defense budget bill for May 6.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun says she plans to visit the United States in
June to meet with political figures, think tanks and overseas Taiwanese in
order to promote her ideas for cross-strait peace.

Speaking in a radio interview, Cheng said she will discuss her recent meeting
with Xi Jinping during her time in the U-S and will also present a new
direction for cross-strait relations that aligns with US interests.

Cheng went on to stress that she believes Taiwan should not have to choose
between Beijing and Washington.

The K-M-T chairwoman did say when the trip will be taking place, but that it
is expected to last about 10 days - and see her visiting several cities with
large overseas Taiwan populations.

Cheng also did not name any of the U-S officials she's hoping to meet with -
saying only that she has been in discussions with the U-S side to arrange an
itinerary, but it's not yet convenient disclose details of that plan.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

The final batch of M-1-A-2-T Abrams main battle tanks purchased from the U-S
has been delivered to the Army's Armored Training Command in Hukou Township,
Hsinchu County.

The 28 tanks were transported to the base on civilian flatbed trailers. after
arriving at the Taipei Port.

The first two deliveries of 80 tanks in total were made in December 2024 and
July 2025.

The tanks will be deployed with the Army's Sixth Corps to strengthen defenses
in northern Taiwan.

The final 28 tanks will undergo testing, including readiness training and
evaluation, before the Army deploys them to full operational service.

They will then reportedly be allocated to the 584th Combined Arms Brigade -
which is responsible for defending Linkou's Baodao Beach and the Taipei Port

The militar allocated 1.28-billion U-S dollars over an eight-year period to
procure 108 Abrams M-1-A-2-T main battle tanks from the U-S.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

The Pingtung District Prosecutors' Office says a man filmed holding a sea
turtle while visiting Xiaoliuqiu is facing a fine of up to 300,000 N-T.

The statement comes after the man was reported by a member of the public on
Sunday afternoon after he was seen touching a sea turtle near Vase Rock.

According to the Coast Guard Administration, the person who reported the
incident also provided video footage of the encounter and
officers later identified him based on his clothing in the video.

He was found by Coast Guard personnel near the shoreline and taken in for
questioning.

Coast Guard officials say the man, in his 50s, is a Chinese national who is
visiting relatives in Taiwan and defended his actions by claiming the turtle
had been washed toward him by waves and was trying to move it away.

However, video footage shows the man holding the turtle by both sides of its
body, and briefly lifting it out of the water before letting it go after he
was hit by a wave from behind.

Authorities are dismissing the man's story - saying contact with the sea
turtle constituted a violation of the Act on Wildlife Conservation.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Bureau says we can expect to see a frontal system pass
through Taiwan from tomorrow - which will bring rain and push temperatures
down.

According to the bureau's forecast center, localized showers or thunderstorms
are forecast across the island from tomorrow and into Thursday.

The mercury is forecast to drop to a low of around 19-degrees in the north as
well as in Yilan and Hualien.

The frontal system is forecast to weaken on Friday, resulting in temperatures
rising and mostly sunny skies islandwide through Sunday.

However, another approaching front on Sunday will see the increased
likelihood of localized afternoon thunderstorms in the south.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has sentenced a former Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing engineer to 10 years in prison for his role in
leaking trade secrets.

The court said it found Chen Li-ming guilty of violating the National
Security Act and of other offenses related to the unauthorized acquisition
and use of Taiwan's "national core key technologies."

The leaked information involved the company's advanced 2-nanometer process...
the case is the first involving a corporate entity under the National
Security Act, which is related to national core key technologies.

Prosecutors say the information included trade secrets related to etching
equipment used in 2-nanometer production and was photographed and reproduced
to allow Tokyo Electron to evaluate and improve its equipment performance.

Two other T-S-M-C engineers were sentenced to three and two years in prison,
respectively, another employee received a six-year sentence.

While a fourth defendant, who is an employee of Tokyo Electron Taiwan,
received a 10-month suspended sentence and fined 1-million N-T

The rulings can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has slammed Beijing's moves to pressure three
African countries into revoking their overflight permits for President Lai
Ching-te's planned charter flight to Eswatini.

Lin said regardless of what political power China uses to interfere with
international civil aviation operations or to weaponize flight information...
Taiwan will not bow its head, and Beijing's actions will it stop the island's
progress.

Lin arrived in Eswatini on Saturday as a special envoy for Lai to attend
events celebrating King Mswati III reign and his 58th birthday.

Lin has also held talks in the Southern African country over the construction
of a Strategic Fuel Reserve Facility and a 330-million U-S dollar Taiwan
Industrial and Innovation Park there.

The foreign minister said ongoing construction of the oil reserve facility
and the establishment of the industrial park in Eswatini will help enhance
the African nation's energy resilience and spur economic growth.

Lin says some 60 Taiwan investors have visited Eswatini to explore investment
opportunities in the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park since it was conceived
last year during a meeting between with King Mswati III.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene has repeated his call
for lawmakers to approve a "comprehensive" defense budget.

Greene made the comments in an interview with the China Times... it was
published before the latest round of party caucuses negotiations on the
Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget bill once again failed to
reach a consensus.

Greene reiterated it is "vital for Taiwan to pass a comprehensive budget
package" - as the bill is a critical signal to the international community
and essential to ensuring Taiwan acquiring the full range of defense
capabilities it has requested.

Greene said the Ministry of National Defense is seeking funding for
integrated air and missile defense systems, as well as unmanned vehicles and
drones.

The AIT director said such systems are not only critically important but are
also in extremely high demand worldwide, as evidenced on the battlefields of
the Middle East and Ukraine.

Greene added that passing the budget swiftly would create a "positive
atmosphere" ahead of a planned Washington visit by opposition K-M-T
Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

Wireless technology company RapidTek says the successful connection between
the 8-U CubeSat Black Kite-2 and ground stations marks "a key step" toward
multi-satellite system verification.

The statement comes nearly a month after the satellite was launched into
orbit from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The company said its satellite received a beacon signal within 20-minutes of
entering orbit, which is significantly faster than its predecessor and
indicates improved mission preparation and operational procedures.

The Black Kite-2 is the second of four 8-U CubeSats commissioned by the
Taiwan Space Agency.

RapidTek Chairman Arthur Wang says while initial missions are focusing on
verifying the functionality of a single satellite, the long-term goal of low
Earth orbit development is aimed at accumulating orbital data to enable
coordinated operations among multiple satellites.

The Black Kite satellites are part of the space agency's program to establish
a domestic CubeSat industry to develop constellation missions with commercial
application value.

The Black Kite-2 is operating at an altitude of 590-kilometers.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

care access

A senior hospital official is lauding the use of interpretation services and
planned AI-assisted tools - aimed at making healthcare more accessible to
patient groups including foreign nationals.

The deputy superintendent of the Taipei Hospital said caring providing
language support, is "a capability modern hospitals must have" that is
essential to realizing "health care equity.

Wu Chien-hsien said interpretation services on the messaging app LINE enables
patients who speak Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese to make appointments online
and receive medical consultations.

Wu says hospital can also arrange interpreters to accompany foreign patients
during medical visits, with support available not only in the three Southeast
Asian languages, but also in English.

Wu also says an on-site interpretation service, launched three years ago, has
received a "good" response from foreign patients because "when they speak
directly with doctors on their own, some information is often difficult to
fully convey."

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

The Railway Police Bureau says a man who took a shower in the bathroom on a
Taiwan Railway's commuter train has been identified and will be fined.

The incident occured on Sunday on a local train traveling from Hukou in
Hsinchu County to Ruifang in New Taipei.

Railway police say they responded to complaints about the incident and
boarded the train at Taipei Station, but the man had already left.

Police later used to surveillance video footage to identified the individual
as a man in his 50s, who is known to hang around Taipei Station, approaching
travelers with fabricated stories and asking to borrow money.

Police say the man has previously been charged with fraud and larceny in
connection with those activities.

His is now facing a fine of up to 7,500 N-T for violating Article 71 of the
Railway Act - which covers various types of misbehavior on trains.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

And,

A professor emerita at the National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate
Institute of Science Education has received a top research award from the
US-based National Association for Research in Science Teaching.

Chiu Mei-hung was honored with the 2026 Distinguished Contribution Through
Research Award.

The university says the award recognizes scholars with sustained
contributions and far-reaching academic and societal impact.

Chiu is the first scholar of Chinese descent to receive the organization's
highest honor since its founding in 1928.

Chiu earned her master's and doctoral degrees at Harvard University before
returning to teach at her alma mater.

She retired in 2023.

The university said the recognition highlights both Chiu's achievements and
growing international standing in science education research.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

Japan’s prime minister has inaugurated a panel tasked with reviewing her
country’s security and defense policies as tensions with China, North Korea
and Russia escalate in the region.

It's part of a push by Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, to
accelerate Japan's military buildup as a deterrence against regional threats.

She argues that Japan needs to prioritize its defense strategy to further
strengthen its military capability to better protect itself and survive
prolonged, new forms of warfare.

Takaichi told a meeting Monday at her office that the “international
situation has completely changed.”
The revisions will likely increase further Japan’s defense spending to give
its military more offensive capability.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

A lack of financing is emerging as a major barrier to moving away from fossil
fuels.

Officials and experts at a global conference in Colombia say high borrowing
costs, debt and limited access to capital make it easier for many countries
to invest in oil and gas than in renewable energy.

Some governments are using fossil fuel revenues to fund the transition, but
experts warn this approach is limited.

But there is good news... efforts outside U.N. talks are gaining momentum,
with small island nation Tuvalu announcing it will host the next conference.

Posted on 2026-04-27 18:13:13

The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board says that 'advanced driving
assistance' may have been a contributing factor in a fatal crash on National
Freeway 1 last year.

The board says that the system likely failed to detect lane markings before
shutting off, causing the vehicle to veer off course.

Investigators say the driver, who may have been relying on the system, did
not react in time to correct the steering or apply the brakes.

The crash, which occurred at the Yangmei Rest Area, left four people dead and
four others injured after the vehicle hit a divider caught fire.

Officials are now calling on the Ministry of Transportation and
Communications to accelerate the introduction of road safety inspection
mechanisms and expand ADAS safety education, particularly for rental car
users.

The board also recommends that rental car companies better inform drivers
about how to safely use these systems and understand their limitations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-27 18:13:13

A man who took a shower on a Taiwan Railway local train, flooding part of a
carriage, has been identified and will face a fine.

Railway police say the incident happened Sunday morning on a train traveling
from Hsinchu to New Taipei.

Passengers reported water leaking from a bathroom and spreading across the
carriage floor.

By the time officers boarded the train, the man had already left.

Police later identified him using surveillance footage as a man in his 50s.

Authorities say he used a hose in a multi-functional bathroom, typically
intended for cleaning, to shower.

The man is known to frequent Taipei Main Station and has previously faced
fraud-related charges.

The Railway Act mandates fines of up to $7,500 NT for various types of
inappropriate behavior on trains.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has sentenced Chen Li-ming, a
former TSMC engineer to 10 years of imprisonment for leaking classified
information about the company's core technology.

The other three Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing employees received a jail
term ranging from 2 to 6 years for their involvement in leaking the
information to Tokyo Electron.

Prosecutors indicted the three in August last year after TSMC suspected that
the secrets of its advanced 2-nanometer process has been compromised and
reported the case to authorities.

In the indictment, prosecutors accused the three of violating the National
Security Act, stealing classified business information and the nation's core
technology.

The Court today also imposed a fine of 150 million NT on Tokyo Electron.

The case can still be appealed.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

The Ministry of Digital Affairs has launched a competition challenging
developers and civic tech communities to build tools for disaster response.

The competition uses a real-world scenario, the Mataian Barrier Lake disaster
as the design context, asking competitors to develop digital tools that can
be reused and recombined across different emergency situations

The ministry says the concept draws on the idea that disaster response
functions, such as reporting, data aggregation, and visualization, can be
broken down into reusable components.

When emergencies occur, these components can be quickly assembled into
operational systems, reducing setup time and improving response efficiency.

MODA says the goal is to build a growing library of open-source disaster
prevention components that can serve as shared digital infrastructure for
future use.

Submissions are open through June 1st.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

The Ministry of Education has announced an 83 million NT subsidy for its
'Foreign English Teaching Assistant Program' for the upcoming academic year.

As the name implies, the program aims to bring English native speaking
assistants into 611 elementary and junior high schools ...

... allowing students to practice English through interaction and cultural
exchange, rather than just traditional classroom learning.

The MOE adds that since the launch the program in the 2021–2022 academic
year, foreign teaching assistants have worked with local teachers to create
real-life English learning environments.

Examples include ordering food in English, outdoor learning activities, and
even bilingual sports and technology camps.

Education officials say these experiences help students build confidence and
connect with the world.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

Energy shocks linked to the Iran war are pushing households across Africa and
South Asia back to charcoal and firewood as cleaner cooking methods become
more expensive and unreliable.

This reversal is worsening deforestation and adding to pressure on wildlife
habitats.

Governments had promoted cleaner fuels like LPG for health and conservation
reasons, but rising costs are undermining those gains.

Experts warn the ripple effects from disruptions to fuel supply chains are
also hitting conservation systems, with more wood cutting, higher risks of
poaching, and falling tourism revenue that helps fund parks and anti-poaching
efforts.

Posted on 2026-04-27 16:09:13

Invited scholars at the Legislative Yuan's hearing on impeaching President
Lai Ching-te said the opposition-party's move is legitimate, legally
grounded, a last resort, and constitutional.

The DPP caucus has refused to attend the hearing, while both the KMT and TPP
caucuses submitted lists of invitees and designated their lawmakers to
conduct questioning.

The KMT caucus' guests include Dong-hai law professor Lin Teng-yao (林騰鷂),
while the TPP caucus invited Yang Chia-fa (楊家法), founder of the Climate
Vanguard Alliance.

Lin Teng-yao said President Lai has violated his constitutional duty of
loyalty, betrayed the people, and deviated from core constitutional
principles.

Yang said flawed energy policy is more dangerous than corruption, and the
president’s electricity policy has been inconsistent and can't meet the
demand.

After Premier Cho Jung-tai announced on December 15 last year that he would
not countersign the revised Allocation of Government Revenues and
Expenditures Act, the opposition lawmakers decided to impeach President Lai.

However, the chances of it passing the Legislative Yuan are low.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 16:09:14

The Kaohsiung City Government is working on converting an underused shopping
area into a spot with outdoor seating for restaurants and bars.

... I-C-R-T's Southern Taiwan reporter, Michael Smith, has more on plans for
the Central Park Shopping District.

Posted on 2026-04-27 16:09:14

Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has abandoned his bid to
serve the remainder of his sentence at home, according to local media reports
citing court documents.

Najib withdrew his appeal against a December court ruling that denied his
request for home detention.

He has been serving a six-year sentence since August 2022 after being
convicted of graft and money laundering linked to the multibillion-dollar
1MDB scandal, invovling the alleged theft of billions of dollars from a state
investment fund he helped establish in 2009.

The withdrawal marks another setback for Najib, who in December was handed an
additional 15-year sentence and fined for abuse of power and money laundering
in the largest 1MDB-related trial to date.

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

Newly appointed Central Election Commission chair Yo Yi-long officially took
office today, six weeks after his nomination was approved by the Legislative
Yuan.

Yo, with this year's local elections and the 2028 general elections ahead of
him, has pledged to safeguard Taiwan's democratic elections, and to uphold
the Commission's fairness, neutrality, transparency and professionalism.

As the local polls are only 7 months away, Yo said there's no time to waste.

The new chair has also laid out the major challenges that the CEC is facing,
including the issues of restoring referendums alongside elections and
absentee balloting.

The Legislative Yuan has amended the law to restore holding referendums
together with elections, and Yo said he wants to make sure that they won't
interfere with election operations.

He has also expressed support for absentee voting, saying that it's a
progressive concept.

With Yo and three others taking office today, the Commission now has eight
members, meeting the minimum five-member requirement for decision-making.

Meanwhile the Executive Yuan has nominated 3 more candidates for the CEC, and
they're now pending in the Legislative Yuan.

Premier Chuo Rong-tai had said he's hoping to bring the total number of CEC
members to 11.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

The government says 250-thousand people still have not claimed their
$10-thousand NT universal cash handout, with just four days left to do so.

The Ministry of Finance says nearly 99-percent of those eligible have claimed
the one-off payment.

Officials say among those who have not yet collected, nearly 30-thousand had
attempted to register for direct bank deposit but failed, and have not tried
any other collection method since.

People collecting at post office counters should note that the service ends
at 5 p.m. on April 30th.

The ministry also warns that the government will never send unsolicited text
messages, emails, or phone calls asking people to transfer money or enter
personal details at an ATM or online banking platform in connection with the
cash handout.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

Shares are mixed in Asia and Tokyo has hit a fresh record after U.S. stocks
ended last week with new highs.

The benchmark Taiex gained 684 points to end the session at 39,616.

The turnover remained robust at 1 trillion 184.4 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

North Korea has opened a memorial museum for its soldiers killed while
fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with top leaders of North Korea and
Russia pledging a push for greater cooperation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and visiting Russian officials attended a
museum ceremony Sunday.

During the ceremony, Kim threw dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and
laid flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary.

Kim also met with the Russian defense minister and said North Korea will
fully support the Russian policy of defending its sovereignty.

North Korea's state media report Monday also said Russian President Vladmir
Putin sent a letter to Kim saying he was convinced the two countries would
continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Recent tests on peanuts and nuts on the market have found two samples of
peanut powder exceeding limits for aflatoxins.

The affected batch has already been pulled from shelves.

The Consumer Protection Committee, which conducted the tests, said 16
samples were collected from stores in greater Taipei, Hsin-chu, Taichung and
Tai-nan, while another 16 were purchased online.

The Committee said the 2 problematic peanut powder products were sold in
physical stores in New Taipei and Tai-nan.

As for labeling, the Committee said all physical stores were in compliance,
but 8 online products failed to meet requirements.

Issues included inconsistencies between net weight and nutrition labeling
units, missing ingredient lists, missing expiration dates, and absence of
Chinese labeling.

Local health authorities have ordered food businesses to make corrections
within a specified time frame or to recall and relabel products.

Officials also remind people that with Taiwan's hot and humid weather,
there's a risk of mold growth if peanuts and nuts are not properly stored,
which can lead to toxin contamination.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Taiwan's Lee Hao-yu hit his first Major League Baseball home run today,
coming off the bench to deliver a go-ahead two-run shot that helped the
Detroit Tigers beat the Cincinnati Reds 8 to 3.

The 23-year-old became the fifth Taiwanese player to hit a home run in the
majors, and the youngest Taiwanese player ever to do so.

The blast came in his 19th MLB plate appearance.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Lee says he made an adjustment to his
back foot during his swing yesterday, and felt the results today.

The athlete also says he plans to keep the home run ball, and in his words,
"treasure it like a baby".

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Chernobyl Disaster

In international news,

Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, and Russia have killed at
least 16 people.

The attacks on Sunday coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl
disaster, prompting warnings about risks near the plant during Russia's more
than four-year invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia, sparking fires.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian attacks risk
repeating history.

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency stresses the
need for immediate repairs to Chernobyl's protective shell.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates that the
repairs will require at least 500 million euros, or about $18.4 billion NT.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Mali's defense minister has been killed in a sweeping attack by jihadi and
rebel forces who seized several towns and military bases.

The death was confirmed by a spokesman and broadcast on state-run television
on Sunday.

Separatist fighters joined Islamic militants in one of the biggest
coordinated attacks on the Malian army on Saturday, leaving at least 16
wounded.

The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state
in northern Mali.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:13

President Lai Ching-te is thanking Eswatini for its support for Taiwan in a
pre-recorded video address broadcast at a gala dinner for international
dignitaries in Eswatini's administrative capital of Mbabane.

In it, the president said he had hoped to attend celebrations for its King
Mswati III, but his planned visit was disrupted by reported Chinese
interference.

Lai also congratulated King Mswati III on the 40th anniversary of his reign,
the king's 58th birthday, the 58th anniversary of Eswatini's independence,
and 58 years of diplomatic ties between the Taiwan and Eswatini.

The president praised Eswatini's achievements in infrastructure, social
welfare, health care and regional stability - noting that electricity access
in the country has surpassed 85-per cent, among the highest in sub-Saharan
Africa.

He further noted that Taiwan is a sovereign country that has right to engage
with the international community and the greater the external pressure Taiwan
faces, the more courage and resolve its people have.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

President Lai Ching-te has taken to social media to condemn political
violence following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents'
Gala in Washington DC.

Lai said he was "shocked and gravely concerned to hear about the gunshots
fired at the event" and was "relieved to hear" that President Donald Trump
and "other attendees remain safe from physical harm."

Lai went on to says his administration "strongly condemns any form of
political violence."

We'll have the latest on the incident a bit later on in the program.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

defenses

Former Japanese vice defense minister and sitting lawmaker Nakayama Yasuhide
is calling on Tokyo, Washington and Taipei to develop joint defenses, to
prevent China from taking military action.

Nakayama said Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is seeking defense reform and
re-evaluating of Japan's security strategy as part of efforts to assist in
collectively protecting its allies - which include Taiwan.

Former American Institute in Taiwan director William Stanton also spoke at
the event.

He said the U-S and Taiwan share values, such as independence, freedom, rule
of law and human rights, as well as shared interests.

The symposium was co-organized by the World Taiwanese Congress and the Taiwan
Nation Alliance in Taipei.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

A village chief in Yilan has been recalled after his handling of a mining
project in an Indigenous traditional territory triggered controversy.

The recall vote against Lunpi Village chief Wu Ping-tsung in Datong Township
passed with 214 in favor of the recall, 120 against, and four invalid
ballots.

The Yilan County Election Commission votes in favor of the motion exceeded
both the legal threshold and the number of opposing votes.

Initiators of the recall had argued that Wu ignored local opposition to the
mining project and instead supported the developer under the guise of
administrative neutrality.

They also says the recall was aimed at protecting future generations from
potential environmental harm.

Wu claimed in March that the project proceeded in accordance with the
Indigenous Peoples Basic Law and he denied accusations that he supported the
company that won the bid.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

The Taipei District Court has ordered the detention of man in his 40s for
allegedly attacking a 3-year-old Filipino girl at the Taipei Main Station
this past weekend.

Prosecutors said the man should be detained because could re-offend or try to
flee.

The man was arrested on Saturday afternoon outside the train station after
being identified by several witnesses of the attack.

Police say the man told them he went after the girl because she was making a
noise.

Surveillance footage shows the man kicking the 3-year-old girl in the
abdomen in the station's main hall.

She suffered injuries to her face and limbs and was taken to the nearby
National Taiwan University Hospital for treatment.

The suspect was referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office and
police his is being investigated for attempted murder.

Railway police say they have stepped up security measures at the station.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

The Highway Bureau says a rock slide affected traffic in the Daqingshui
open-cut tunnel on Provincial Highway No. 9 in Hualien.

The rock slide struck the tunnel's rock shed, damaging its steel roof
structure.

The tunnel is part of Taiwan's Suhua Highway.

The tunnel was initially closed to traffic after the rockslide occurred
around midnight at the road's 159.4-kilometer marker... roads were later
reopened with alternating one-lane traffic in both directions following
emergency repairs.

The repair work is ongoing and traffic will continue to be limited to a
single lane.

The agency's Eastern Region Branch is warning motorists of possible hazards
as a weather front has brought intermittent showers and localized heavy rain
to parts of the area in recent days.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

Two Israeli political heavyweights say they will join forces in upcoming
elections in an effort by their parties to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are former partners who both served as prime
minister in a rotation agreement in a coalition government in 2021-22.

Bennett said the new government on its first day would establish a state
commission of inquiry into the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks if elected..
that's an issue that has dogged Netanyahu.

Bennett and Lapid have ideological differences but enjoyed a close working
relationship during their short-lived coalition.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, and Russia have killed at
least 16 people.

The attacks coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster,
prompting warnings about risks near the plant.

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia, sparking fires.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns that Russian attacks risk
repeating history.

Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency stresses the need for
immediate repairs to Chernobyl's protective shell.

Pope Leo has described those who wage wars and appropriate the earth's
resources as thieves who rob the world of a peaceful future.

He also issued a warning about the use of nuclear power on the anniversary of
the Chornobyl reactor accident.

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:49:13

began

C-P-C Corporation says fuel prices will remain unchanged for another week,
from Sunday through next Saturday.

Prices at the pump stay at 33-point-9 NT for 95-unleaded gasoline and 31 NT
for super diesel.

C-P-C says it is continuing to absorb price increases to keep Taiwan's fuel
costs the lowest among neighboring Asian countries, amid ongoing Middle East
tensions.

Since the U-S-Iran war broke out on February 28th, the company estimates it
has absorbed a combined total of roughly 124-billion NT in fuel price
differences -- though the absorption margin this week is slightly smaller
than last week.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:49:13

drags on

Commuters using the T-PASS 2-point-0 transit pass program are going without
cashback rewards for a third consecutive month, as the central government
budget remains unresolved.

Under the program's rules, monthly cashback is supposed to be available by
the 25th of the following month -- but payments for January, February, and
now March have all failed to go out.

The cumulative unpaid amount has reached roughly 27-million NT, affecting
tens of thousands of eligible commuters each month.

The Directorate General of Highways says budget execution is being handled in
line with Executive Yuan policy directives, but offered no payment timeline.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:49:13

The Foreign Ministry says its diplomatic relationship with Eswatini remains
strong, despite President Lai Ching-te's planned visit being put on hold
after three countries revoked overflight permits under apparent Chinese
pressure.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said today that the long-standing
friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini is solid and not in question.

He described China's move as part of a broader pattern of influence-building
across Africa, saying it makes Taiwan's ties with Eswatini all the more
valuable.

Eswatini is Taiwan's only remaining diplomatic ally on the African continent.
A special envoy will be sent in President Lai's place to attend Eswatini's
national day celebrations, though Chen said the identity of the envoy will be
announced at an appropriate time.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:49:13

Palestinians will vote in local elections, the first in two decades in Gaza
and the first in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas
war.

Turnout in Saturday's vote for village and municipal councils may reflect the
level of public trust in a broader system led by aging leaders in the West
Bank and as Gaza prepares for an anticipated transition from Hamas rule.

The Palestinian Authority has promoted the local races following reforms it
enacted last year following demands from international backers.

Analysts say the lack of candidates and party participation reflect political
disillusionment under the authority’s aging leadership, including
90-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas.

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:49:13

birthday

Britain's King Charles the Third embarks on a state visit to the U.S., aiming
to strengthen ties between the two nations.

His mother, Queen Elizabeth the Second, set a high bar with her 1991 speech
to Congress, highlighting shared democratic values.

Charles plans to echo these themes as he celebrates America's 250th birthday.

The visit includes a commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks and a tribute to
fallen service members.

Despite political tensions, Charles seeks to emphasize the enduring
friendship between the U.S. and the U.K.

His speech to Congress aims to unite lawmakers across party lines, focusing
on long-term bonds over short-term disputes.

(AP)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:27:13

The Financial Supervisory Commission says domestic banks earned a combined
25-point-67-billion NT from New Southbound Policy countries in 2025.

The figure is part of a broader record, with total overseas branch profits
reaching 91-point-8-billion NT for the year, up 5-point-3 percent.

Taipei Fubon Bank says this year's growth in the region is being driven
mainly by India, Australia, and Singapore, and is working to upgrade its
Sydney office to a full branch while applying to open a branch in India's
GIFT City.

Cathay United Bank says it follows a dual strategy of supporting Taiwanese
businesses and building local presence, with a Mumbai branch application now
under formal review in India.

C-T-B-C Bank, which has more than 120 locations across the region, is also
expanding in Vietnam and India and recently opened its own GIFT City branch
in March.

All three banks cited steady economic growth, supply chain shifts, and rising
middle-class demand as key drivers of continued expansion in the New
Southbound region.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:27:16

The Ministry of Labor says newly employed graduates earned an average monthly
wage of 39-thousand NT in 2025, up 5-point-4 percent from the previous year.

The data covered 138-thousand graduates, with 73 percent holding a university
degree and 21-point-5 percent holding a master's degree.

University graduates earned an average of 36-thousand NT a month, while
postgraduate degree holders averaged 53-thousand NT.

About 17 percent of new graduates -- roughly 24-thousand people -- were paid
the minimum wage of 28-thousand-590 NT.

The data also showed a gender pay gap of 9-point-2 percent, with female
graduates earning an average of 38-thousand NT compared to 41-thousand NT for
male graduates.

The ministry attributed the gap partly to male dominance in higher-paying
science, technology, and engineering fields.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:27:17

Thousands of people turned out today for a public walking event on the
Danjiang Bridge in New Taipei City, ahead of its scheduled opening to traffic
on May 12.

The event was open to all without registration, drawing long lines of
participants across the 2-point-5-kilometer route from Tamsui Fisherman's
Wharf to the Bali end of the bridge and back.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih fired the starting gun at this morning's launch.

Live music and market stalls added a festival atmosphere, with many families
joining in and capturing the experience on camera.

The city says the Danjiang Bridge is the world's longest single-tower
asymmetric cable-stayed bridge, and is expected to become a major landmark in
northern Taiwan.

Once open, it will cut travel time between Tamsui and Bali districts by about
25 minutes and connect with the local light rail network.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 14:27:17

Peruvian police have raided the home of Piero Corvetto, the former head of
Peru's national election agency.

Corvetto resigned earlier this week amid investigations into ballot shortages
and irregularities during the first round of presidential elections on April
12.

The anti-corruption police announced the raids on social media, targeting
Corvetto, five other former electoral officials, and a company responsible
for transporting ballots.

Corvetto has denied wrongdoing but said he resigned to boost confidence in
the upcoming June 7 runoff.

The election faced criticism after voting materials failed to reach centers,
affecting over 52,000 voters.

An EU mission found no fraud indications.

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:58:13

diverse

Taiwan's representative to the Netherlands says newly elected Dutch lawmakers
have pledged to keep strengthening support for Taiwan as bilateral relations
continue to deepen.

Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) made the remarks in an interview with the Central
News Agency in The Hague, marking one year in his post.

He described the relationship as gradually evolving, pointing to a Dutch
naval transit of the Taiwan Strait in 2024 and close cooperation between
T-S-M-C and A-S-M-L in semiconductors as examples.

Bilateral trade reached nearly 17-billion US dollars in 2025, up about 14
percent from the previous year.

Tien said many of the Netherlands' newer, younger lawmakers are familiar with
Taiwan and have expressed interest in joining the Formosa Club, a
cross-national parliamentary friendship platform.

He added that both sides see potential for expanded cooperation in water
management, agriculture, food security, and education, and that
Taiwan-Netherlands ties will continue moving in that direction.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:58:13

The National Institute of Cyber Security is warning the public about a new
scam pattern targeting online interest groups.

The agency says fraudsters are infiltrating communities built around
religion, sports, vegetarianism, and charity work.

Scammers typically begin by sending friend requests, then invite users into
groups or ask them to fill out surveys -- which are used to gather personal
and financial details.

The institute says the scheme follows a pattern seen in investment and
romance fraud cases, and is now shifting toward seemingly safe spaces like
hobby and charitable communities.

The public is urged to treat any combination of group invitations and
requests to add contacts on messaging apps as a warning sign -- especially if
conversations then turn to money or investments.

People are advised to verify any financial offers through official websites
or the government's 1-6-5 anti-fraud hotline, and to use only licensed
financial institutions for investments.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:58:13

Russia and Ukraine have each returned 193 captured personnel in a prisoner of
war exchange facilitated by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the swap Friday, saying
some of those returned had injuries, while others had faced criminal charges
in Russia.

The returned Ukrainians included soldiers, border guards, and police.
Russia and Ukraine have conducted many such exchanges over four years of war,
returning thousands of captives in total.

In Ukraine, returning prisoners arrived by bus, many draped in their
country's flag and visibly emotional.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:58:13

Argentina's foreign minister has renewed his country's call for bilateral
negotiations with the United Kingdom over the long-running sovereignty
dispute over the Falkland Islands.

Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno made the statement Friday in response to
comments from a spokesperson for U-K Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who
reaffirmed that sovereignty of the islands rests with Britain.

Quirno called for talks that would lead to a peaceful and definitive
resolution to what he described as a colonial situation.

The exchange comes after an internal Pentagon email suggested the U-S could
review its position on the Falklands as leverage over Britain's stance on the
Iran war.

Argentina, which calls the islands the Malvinas, has long claimed sovereignty
over the territory.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:42:20

Russia says President Vladimir Putin may attend the G-20 summit in Miami in
December, after U-S President Donald Trump said it would be helpful if he
did.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin may go, may not go, or may send
another representative.

The United States has invited Russia to the annual summit, which Washington
is hosting this year, and Moscow has accepted the invitation, according to a
U-S official familiar with the matter.

Putin has not attended a G-20 summit since 2019, first due to the COVID
pandemic and then Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump told reporters he doubted Putin would actually come, but added that he
believes in talking to everyone.

A U-S State Department spokesperson confirmed Russia has been invited to all
G-20 working-level meetings and is welcome to attend the leaders' summit.

Trump has taken a notably warmer stance toward Russia since returning to
office, and has said it was a mistake to expel Russia from the G-8 in 2014.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:42:16

Sixty-eight ambulances and fire trucks donated by Taiwanese groups have been
delivered to Ukraine to support frontline rescue efforts.

The vehicles were handed over at a ceremony held by the Lviv city government
Thursday.

They came mainly from fire departments across New Taipei, Taipei, Taichung,
Tainan, and Kaohsiung, with the remainder from non-government groups.

This marks the fourth round of donations by the Taiwan Association of
Community Advancement and partner groups, bringing the total to more than 200
vehicles delivered since the Russia-Ukraine war began.

Twenty-six of the vehicles will go to Kharkiv, which has faced repeated
bombardment throughout the conflict, while the rest will support military and
border guard units in cities including Lviv and Kupyansk.

Taiwan's representative to Poland attended the ceremony virtually and said
Taiwan will continue standing with Ukraine.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:42:13

disrupted

Italian and German representatives are voicing support for Taiwan after
President Lai Ching-te's visit to the African ally Eswatini was delayed when
several countries suddenly revoked overflight permits for his presidential
aircraft.

Italian Senate Deputy Speaker Gian Marco Centinaio said Taiwan's
democratically elected president and all its people should have the right to
travel freely and maintain relations with diplomatic allies.

He said China appears to be exerting serious pressure on third countries to
undermine Taiwan's legitimate diplomatic relations, and warned that Beijing's
military posture in the Taiwan Strait already threatens regional stability.

Three other Italian lawmakers -- including two who visited Taiwan in January
-- also posted statements on X, saying the sky should not become a tool of
political pressure.

Former Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Gianni Vernetti called the incident
"international bullying" and described it as a sign of China's growing global
influence.

The German Institute Taipei also weighed in, saying overflight rights are a
fundamental principle of international civil aviation and reaffirming the
importance of safe and predictable civil aviation operations under the
Chicago Convention.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 13:42:25

At least 12 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, including
six police officers, according to Palestinian health officials.

Strikes hit Gaza City, Beit Lahiya in the north, and Khan Younis in the south
on Friday.

The Israeli military confirmed the Gaza City strike, saying it targeted Hamas
militants, but did not immediately comment on the others.

Gaza's interior ministry says the strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis
specifically targeted the local police force, with one hitting near a wedding
hall in Khan Younis.

Violence has continued despite a ceasefire deal that took effect in October
2025, with Israel conducting near-daily attacks.

At least 800 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect,
according to local medics.

Israel says militants have killed four of its soldiers in the same period.

More than 72-thousand Gazans have been killed since the war began in October
2023, most of them civilians.

Hamas' October 7th, 2023 attacks on Israel killed around 12-hundred people.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 11:38:13

The Legislative Yuan is set to hold a full chamber hearing Monday on the
impeachment case against President Lai Ching-te, with a final roll-call vote
scheduled for May 19th.

The hearing runs from 9 in the morning to noon, with government officials and
public figures invited to testify before legislators conduct questioning.

The K-M-T and T-P-P caucuses have each submitted witness lists and designated
legislators to ask questions.

The D-P-P caucus has done neither.

Review sessions are also planned for May 13 and 14, at which President Lai
will be invited to appear and address the legislature.

The impeachment process was triggered after Premier Cho Jung-tai declined to
countersign a revenue-sharing law last December, prompting opposition parties
to move against President Lai.

Under the constitution, the impeachment motion requires a two-thirds
legislative majority to be referred to the Constitutional Court, where a
further two-thirds of Justices must concur for the president to be removed
from office.

The K-M-T currently holds 54 seats, the D-P-P 51, and the T-P-P 8.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 11:38:13

Defense Minister Wellington Koo has declared the conclusion of the Han Kuang
42 computer-assisted command post exercise, a 14-day joint operations drill
focused on real-combat simulation.

Koo praised participants for completing the exercise under high-intensity,
round-the-clock conditions, and urged commanders to turn lessons learned into
practical improvements for peacetime readiness and wartime operations.

The exercise featured scenarios progressing from gray zone harassment to
high-intensity conflict, incorporating multi-domain and complex threat
elements drawn from recent international conflicts.

Units operated under dispersed and off-site deployments throughout the drill,
testing the armed forces' ability to maintain command and control even under
simulated enemy strikes.

Koo said the armed forces must continue strengthening strategic early warning
and response capabilities as the threat environment grows more complex.

He added that the August Han Kuang live-fire exercise will be the next major
focus for advancing overall combat readiness and national security.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 11:38:13

The Ministry of National Defense says it detected 15 Chinese military
aircraft and vessels operating around the Taiwan Strait from 6 A-M Friday to
6 A-M today.

The ministry says 8 aircraft sorties were tracked in Taiwan Strait airspace
between 9:35 yesterday morning and just after 5 in the afternoon.

Seven P-L-A naval vessels were also detected in the area during the same
period.

The military says it monitored and responded using aircraft, ships, and
shore-based missile systems.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 11:38:13

boost trade

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez
have agreed to share intelligence and step up cooperation to combat crime
along their shared border.

The two leaders met Friday at the presidential palace in Caracas, also
agreeing to increase bilateral trade and work together on electricity supply
to western Venezuela, which suffers frequent blackouts.

Their roughly 2-thousand-200-kilometer border is a hub for more than
one-billion US dollars in annual trade, but is also home to drug trafficking,
smuggling, and armed criminal groups.

Rodriguez said the two governments will immediately establish mechanisms for
sharing intelligence to fight drug and fuel smuggling, among other crimes.
Both leaders are under pressure from U-S President Donald Trump -- Rodriguez
to open Venezuela's economy to foreign investment, and Petro to do more to
combat drug trafficking.

Rodriguez, formerly Venezuela's vice president, took over after her
predecessor Nicolas Maduro was removed in a U-S operation in January.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 11:38:13

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he has undergone
treatment for prostate cancer.

It was his first public acknowledgment of the diagnosis.

He said that roughly a year and a half ago he had prostate surgery.

Then two and a half months ago, his doctors discovered and treated a small
tumor at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital with radiation therapy.

That was not announced at the time.

The 76-year-old Israeli leader said Friday that he requested a delay to the
announcement quote, "so that it would not be released at the height of the
war" against Iran.

(AP)

Posted on 2026-04-25 10:44:13

A cold front is bringing rainfall across Taiwan today, with temperatures
slightly lower than normal and cooler conditions in the north.

Rain is expected to ease tonight, with the front moving away on Sunday and
Monday, bringing sunny, hot weather and rising temperatures.

Northern Taiwan is seeing highs of around 23 degrees Celsius today, with the
south reaching up to 31.

The eastern half of the island may see brief showers through the weekend.

Another front is forecast to arrive Tuesday afternoon, bringing showers and
thunderstorms and a sudden drop in conditions, before clearing on Wednesday.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 10:44:13

A man in his 30s is in custody after attempting to rob a bank in Taipei's
Daan District yesterday afternoon.

The suspect entered a C-T-B-C Bank branch armed with a B-B gun and a fake
grenade, threatening staff before employees called police.

Taipei City's Police Commissioner says officers received the call at 3:32 in
the afternoon and were on scene within three minutes.

Police found the suspect inside the vault loading 10-million NT into a
suitcase.

After a brief standoff, officers subdued and arrested him.

Police say the suspect appears to have acted alone and is believed to have
been motivated by financial debt.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the full circumstances of the
case.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 10:44:13

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan,
raising hopes for a restart of peace talks with the United States after eight
weeks of war.

U-S President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran plans to make an
offer aimed at satisfying U-S demands, though he said he did not yet know
what the offer would contain.

Iran's foreign ministry, however, said its officials do not plan to meet
directly with U-S representatives -- adding that Iranian concerns would
instead be conveyed through Pakistan.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said U-S envoys Steve Witkoff
and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Islamabad on Saturday, and that
Washington has seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days.

The war has left Iran's oil exports blocked and pushed U-S gasoline prices to
multi-year highs.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, with only five ships
crossing in the last 24 hours, compared to around 130 a day before the
conflict began.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-25 10:44:13

Miro

Portuguese police have seized 278 artworks from a house in Portugal and are
questioning a former butler suspected of trying to sell some of them.

The works are believed to have belonged to a U-S citizen who lived in the
town of Penalva do Castelo and died last year.

Police say the collection is attributed to 27 artists, ranging from German
Renaissance master Albrecht Durer to Spanish modernists Pablo Picasso and
Joan Miro, to British Pop Art painter David Hockney.

The trove also includes sculptures and other artifacts.

Authorities carried out the raids under "Operation Butler" in collaboration
with experts from the National Museum Machado de Castro.

The authenticity of the works has not yet been confirmed, and an
investigation is underway.

(PB)

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