A partner company of Line TV, a video streaming platform with more than 6
million users, reported that some users' data were hacked in late January.

They said the incident did not affect Line or related services, which operate
on a separate server and information security system from Line TV.

Choco Media Entertainment Co., a service provider for Line TV, said yesterday
that it discovered that part of its user data had been accessed without
authorisation between January 24 and 26.

The leaked data include user IDs, email addresses, phone numbers, passwords,
birthdays, nicknames, and profile photos.

The company stressed that no financial information, such as bank account or
credit card details, was compromised.

Line TV will grant free access to users as compensation.

It said it had fixed the system vulnerability and strengthened data
protection.

The Taipei Blood Centre says there is an urgent shortage in blood stocks as
donor numbers drop with recent temperature swings.

It says Taipei has only about 4 days of blood supply left overall.

Type B is down to 4 days, and type O is at 3 days, near the critical line.

The Taiwan Blood Services Foundation says the national supply is about 5
days, with type O at 4 days.

Officials say more people are sick with colds, while hospitals are using more
blood, so reserves keep falling.

The centre says demand will not drop during the Lunar New Year holiday and
urges eligible people to donate before the break.

It also says the age range for donation expanded to between 16 to 70 since
July of last year, with extra rules for older donors.

(PB)

Yunlin prosecutors say task forces busted 2 etomidate "zombie vape cartridge"
packaging sites in Kaohsiung and Yunlin.

Prosecutors indicted 2 men for alleged drug offenses.

In a November raid, police say they seized heroin, methamphetamine with net
pure weight of up to 120 grams, and etomidate liquid, worth over $1 million
NT.

Prosecutors say one of the suspects used a rented home in Mailiao (麥寮) to
make and package drugs, including etomidate powder and finished cartridges.

They say officers also seized tools used for heating, mixing, and filling
cartridges, along with a press mold, grinder, bags, and electronic scales.

(PB)

Now in international news ...

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be sentenced
next Monday.

He was convicted in December under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, could
face up to life in prison in a case that has stirred criticism from some
foreign governments.

Lai was an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Party and was
arrested in 2020 under the national security law that Beijing deemed
necessary for the city’s stability following anti-government protests the
previous year.

His trial was widely seen as an indicator of the decline of press freedom in
the former British colony.

But the city’s government insists the case has nothing to do with media
freedom.

An unprecedented four-site, two-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony is
scheduled to officially start the Milan Cortina Games tonight.

The ceremony will feature Italian cultural icons, including operatic tenor
Andrea Bocelli and a reference to the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani.

American singer Mariah Carey will also perform.

This is the most spread-out Olympics in history, with competition venues
across an area a bit larger than half the size of Taiwan.

The main hub Friday is in Milan at San Siro soccer stadium.

Athletes will also march at three other sites in the Dolomite Mountains and
the Italian Alps.

Milan is home to the ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating
competitions.

Skiers and ski jumpers, snowboarders, curlers, and bobsledders, lugers, and
skeleton riders will compete at the mountain venues.

Political parties in Thailand are gearing up for their final campaign rallies
ahead of a general election.

This is under a backdrop of slow economic growth, rising nationalism and
allegations of cybercrime and corruption.

It's expected to be a tight race amongst the three major parties with no
outright winner.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called the snap vote in December after
dissolving parliament to avoid a no-confidence motion.

Anutin seeks to return to power with his conservative Bhumjaithai Party
focusing on national security and economic stimulus.

The progressive People’s Party leads in polls but faces challenges in
forming a coalition.

A referendum on replacing the 2017 constitution will also be held.


There will be 400 lawmakers directly elected based on constituencies, while
100 others will be chosen from “party list” nominees, who gain seats
according to each party’s proportional share of the vote. Together they will
constitute the 500 members of the House of Representatives who select the
prime minister.

No single party is expected to win an outright majority, leaving the prime
minister to be determined through intense coalition bargaining, similar to
the result in 2023.

Analysts say the People’s Party may win the most seats but faces significant
hurdles in finding coalition partners due to its reform agenda, which
includes shaking up the powerful military.

A Bhumjaithai-led coalition is a more probable outcome because the party
would likely secure the backing of the conservative establishment that views
its platform as less disruptive to the political status quo.

Referendum could impact the constitution

A referendum also will be held asking voters whether Thailand should replace
its 2017 military-drafted constitution.

Rather than a specific draft, the vote will decide whether to authorize
Parliament to begin a formal drafting process. Pro-democracy groups view it
as a critical first step toward reducing the influence of unelected
institutions such as the military and judiciary. Conservatives oppose the
measure, saying the changes could remove essential safeguards for political
stability.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has confirmed that NVIDIA has completed pricing
negotiations to move into the Beitou–Shilin Technology Park, clearing the
way for final procedures.

Deputy Mayor Lee Szu-chuan says the agreed rights fee totals 12.2 billion NT.

Lee says negotiations with NVIDIA concluded smoothly, and the contract could
be signed as early as February 11th, or no later than February 13th, ahead of
the Lunar New Year holiday.

City officials say NVIDIA will now complete its internal contract review,
with further details to be released later.

Once the deal is signed, the project can move into permit applications, with
city officials hoping construction can begin before June.

The project would see NVIDIA establish its Taiwan headquarters at the
technology park, marking a major boost for Taipei's technology and innovation
hub.

(IG)

TSMC plans to hold a board meeting in Kumamoto on Monday, its first board
meeting in Japan.

A source says National Development Council head Yeh Chun-hsien (葉俊顯), a
government representative on TSMC's board, will travel there to attend.

The plan follows yesterday's meeting between TSMC chairman C.C. Wei and
Japan's Prime Minister Sana-e Taka-ichi.

The source said Wei told Takaichi that TSMC aims to make advanced 3-nanometer
chips at its second Kumamoto fab to meet AI demand.

TSMC began mass production at its first Kumamoto plant in late 2024, with
support from partners including Sony and Toyota.

The second fab, now under construction, had been set to make 6- to
12-nanometer chips and is scheduled to start production in late 2027.

Economy minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said overseas expansion is unlikely
to reduce TSMC investment at home.

(CNA-PB)

The U.S. military says Washington and Moscow agreed on Thursday to
reestablish high-level military-to-military talks.

The agreement followed meetings in Abu Dhabi involving General Alexus
Grynkewich, the head of U.S. European Command.

The United States cut most military communication with Russia just before
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The U.S. military says the renewed dialogue aims to reduce risks of
miscalculation and escalation.

U.S. and Russian forces have still kept an emergency deconfliction line in
place.

The statement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President
Vladimir Putin have spoken directly several times.

Team Taiwan has announced its 30-man roster for the 2026 World Baseball
Classic.

The squad has 16 pitchers, 3 catchers, and 11 position players, and captain
Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲).

Two Taiwanese Americans, outfielder Stuart Fairchild and infielder Jonathon
Long, will make their Taiwan debuts.

Both were born to Taiwanese mothers and now play in Triple-A systems for the
Guardians and the Cubs.

Pitchers to watch include Lin Yu-min (林昱民) of the Diamondbacks and Lin
Wei-en (林維恩) of the Athletics, both invited to MLB spring training.

The World Baseball Classic runs from March 5th to March 17th, and Taiwan will
compete in Pool C of the games agaisnt Australia, Japan, the Czech Republic,
and South Korea at Tokyo Dome.

(CNA-PB)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attacked former ambassador Peter
Mandelson on Thursday and said he was sorry for believing his "lies."

Starmer faces pressure over appointing Mandelson as ambassador to Washington
in December 2024, despite known ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

New U.S. Justice Department files highlighted the closeness of that
relationship and suggested Mandelson leaked government documents to Epstein.

Mandelson quit the House of Lords on Tuesday amid the uproar and is now under
police investigation for alleged misconduct in office.

Starmer said people knew Mandelson knew Epstein, but not "the depth and the
darkness" of the relationship.

Starmer apologized to Epstein's victims and said he shared lawmakers' anger
about the appointment.

He said he wants to publish the security vetting advice, but will not act in
ways police say could harm the investigation.

Tainan's Health Bureau says the city has confirmed its first imported dengue
case of the year.

Officials say the patient is a Vietnamese woman in her 40s who lives in
Guanmiao District (關廟區).

They say she entered Taiwan on Jan. 31st through Kaohsiung Xiaogang Airport
(高雄小港機場).

The bureau says she developed fever, muscle pain, cough, and a runny nose on
Feb. 2nd.

Officials say she sought medical care two days after showing symptoms and was
reported after a rapid test.

The case was lab-confirmed yesterday as dengue virus serotype 2.

Tainan's dengue control center says teams were sent to remove mosquito
breeding sites near her home and plan chemical control work.

(PB)

An orange low temperature warning is now in place for greater Taipei,
Taoyuan, Xinzhu, Yilan and outlying Kinmen, as the mercury can drop to 10
degrees Celsius or lower for long periods of time on Sunday and Monday
morning.

The Central Weather Administration says with the arrival of a cold surge
tomorrow, there'll be a noticeable drop in temperatures and rain across
central and northern Taiwan.

Temperatures should range between 9 and 12 in the north, and between 10 and
14 in the center.

Other areas will also experience cold mornings and evenings from early
morning on the 8th to the 9th.

In Kaohsiung, low temp can plunge to 13 degrees.

Forecasters are calling on everyone to stay warm and be careful when using
gas water heaters.

(JL)

Taiwan shares edged lower along with most Asian markets after Wall Street
extended losses driven by technology stocks.

The TaiEx lost 18 points to close the session at 31-thousand-782.

The turnover reached 676 billion NT.

The White House says diplomacy is U.S. President Donald Trump's first choice
in dealing with Iran, ahead of talks in Oman on Friday.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump wants "zero nuclear capability"
from Iran, but also has military options.

Final preparations were under way as the United States builds up forces in
the Middle East, which Trump has called a massive "armada."

The talks are set to proceed despite differences over the agenda, with
Washington seeking wider issues and Tehran saying the focus must be the
nuclear program.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left for Oman on Thursday, as Tehran
said it seeks a fair and dignified understanding on the nuclear issue.

Araqchi is expected to meet in Muscat with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and
the president's adviser Jared Kushner.

Trump has warned of strikes if no deal is reached, while regional governments
are urging calm to avoid wider conflict.

Norway's economic crime police, Oekokrim, says it has opened an investigation
into former prime minister Thorbjoern /THOR-byorn/ Jagland.

Oekokrim says the case involves suspicion of aggravated corruption, linked to
newly released files tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jagland, who chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee and later led the Council
of Europe, has not been charged.

Police say they will examine whether gifts, travel, or loans were received in
connection with his positions.

Norway's Foreign Ministry agreed to seek the lifting of Jagland's immunity as
a former head of an international organization.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide /IDE/ said it is important to bring the
facts to light and Norway will propose revoking the immunity.

Jagland's lawyer said he welcomes the investigation and expects a favorable
outcome, while the Nobel Committee declined to comment.

Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say they will try again this year to
bring aid to Gaza by sea.

They say they hope to send about 100 boats, with up to 1,000 medics, more
than twice last year's effort.

Israel's military stopped about 40 boats last October as they tried to reach
blockaded Gaza.

Organisers say more than 450 people were detained, including Swedish activist
Greta Thunberg.

Israel has called such missions publicity stunts and says it is not
withholding supplies for Gaza's 2 million residents.

Aid groups and Palestinians say supplies are still not enough, even after an
October ceasefire that promised more aid.

The activists say even if Israel blocks the flotilla again, the mission will
still spotlight Gaza's situation.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo is raising concerns over an increase in PLA
harassment in 2025.

Koo says, PLA planes and drones made over 3700 intrusions into Taiwan's
airspace last year...

marking a 23% increase from in 2024.

The defense minister adds that he blieves the CCP is intending to slowly
incorporate Taiwan into China by exerting pressure through gray zone warfare.

Koo added that statistics show that Chinese planes and drones frequently
crossed into Taiwan's Air Defense Identificaiton Zone last year to enter the
southwest and eastern airspace.

Additionally, PLA warships entered Taiwan's response zone over 2500 times
last year, representing an increase of about 7% to the previous year.

Koo says, the multilayered repression raises fears of the Taiwanese public
being lulled into a false sense of security.

Authorities in Taipei have arrested 6 people after a woman was robbed of over
7 million NT.

The woman, surnamed Hsu, fell victim to an online romance and fake
crytocurrency scam.

Police say that officers arrested the suspects in New Taipei and recovered
most of the stolen money.

Officials say, they received reports that cash linked to a fraud case had
been snatched in Datong district.

Hsu had met a man online months earlier and was drawn into a romance scam
before being persuaded to invest in a fake crytocurrency scheme.

Last month, Hsu handed over 1 million NT as an initial inevstment, after
which the scammers encouraged her to invest more.

She then arranged to meet a man surnamed Hsieh who posed as a broker, to
deliver over 7 million NT.

But during the handover, another man grabbed the cash and fled in a nearby
getaway car.

The Taichung City government has moved to close a Japanese restaurant after
several people developed symptoms of food poisoning.

Officials say, just under half of those that dined at the West District
establishment reported discomfort.

Inspectors visited the site earlier this week to collect samples.

Results are expected in about 2 weeks.

The case came to light after one diner posted online about seeking medical
treatment after eating at a sukiyaki restaurant.

The Mexican state of Jalisco has issued a health alert and mandated face
masks in schools due to a measles outbreak in the state capital.

This comes after the Pan American Health Organization issued an
epidemiological alert over the disease's spread in the Americas, with Mexico
leading in confirmed cases.

Jalisco is the epicenter, with over 1,100 confirmed cases this year.

The outbreak began last year in Chihuahua and has spread across Mexico.

This outbreak coincides with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Authorities in Canada have arrested 7 police officers over suspected ties to
organized crime.

Officials say, the officers unlawfully collected and distributed personal
information to organized crime figures, in some cases for bribes.

Mobsters then used this information for shootings and other violent crimes.

The investigation began in June when police uncovered a murder plot targeting
a corrections manegement employee.

The officers under investigation have now been suspended.

The Tourism Administration joined airlines and travel firms at a major travel
fair in Mumbai, India.

Officials promoted a new marketing theme, "Taiwan never sleeps," aimed at
high-end and incentive travel.

The Taiwan pavilion used the brand "Taiwan - Waves of Wonder" and hosted
business matching and public activities.

Opening-day events included a performance by Lei Sheng Art Group
(雷昇傳藝劇團) and a "Sword Lion" painting workshop from Lukang (鹿港).

Taiwan highlighted daytime scenery and late-night city life, along with
nightlife options and 24-hour services.

Office head Shih Chih-chung (施志忠) said safety and convenience are key
selling points for Indian travelers.

He said 24-hour convenience stores help visitors, especially women, feel
secure even late at night.

Organizers say the Outbound Travel Mart runs until tomorrow in Mumbai, with
over 60 countries and more than 2-thousand-200 exhibitors.

(PB)

Weather expert Wu Derong (吳德榮) says Taiwan is forecast to be mostly cloudy
to sunny today, but northern areas will cool after dark.

He says a front moves in tonight, bringing local rain to northern Taiwan and
falling temperatures.

Wu says temperatures drop sharply tomorrow, with rain in the north and the
east, and more clouds in central Taiwan.

He says Sunday and Monday turn drier but stay cold, with the east seeing
occasional brief showers.

He says European and U.S. model runs show Taipei could touch 10 degrees early
Sunday to Monday, the second cold wave this winter.

Wu says some lowland areas could fall below 6 degrees, and high mountains may
see snow as the snow line drops to about 1-thousand-200 meters.

He says it stays very cold early next Tuesday, then warms in the day, before
a smaller cold push arrives on Wednesday.

(PB)

British defence minister John Healey says NATO defence ministers are likely
to discuss Greenland security at a meeting in Brussels next week.

The talks follow comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said he
wants Greenland and claims allies have not secured it well.

Trump's remarks sparked a dispute with NATO member Denmark, which controls
Greenland as an overseas territory.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says he discussed Arctic security with
Trump, but few details have been released.

Healey pointed to a proposed NATO "Arctic Sentry" mission as a way to boost
vigilance around Greenland.

He says the mission would show NATO is already acting and could step up
further.

Healey also said Britain wants more private investment to match rising public
defence spending.

New Zealand marks Waitangi Day today, the anniversary of the 1840 Treaty of
Waitangi.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the country must keep evolving to
empower Maori while preserving national unity.

Hundreds gathered at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands for a
dawn service.

Paddlers from different tribes arrived by waka, the traditional Maori canoe,
and were expected to perform the haka.

The treaty, signed by the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs, still
guides laws and policy.

The day has added political weight ahead of a national election last
November, after the government rolled back some Indigenous policies.

A bill last year to reinterpret the treaty's principles sparked protests and
later failed, and Luxon called for peaceful debate.

About 35 of 85 countries at a military AI summit in A Coruna, Spain, agreed
to a declaration on governing AI in warfare.

According to attendees, China and the United States did not join the pledge.

Supporters say fast AI advances could outpace rules, raising risks of
accidents, miscalculation, or unintended escalation.

Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said governments face a "prisoner's
dilemma" between limits and competition.

The declaration lists 20 principles, including human responsibility for
AI-powered weapons and clear command and control.

It also calls for risk assessments, robust testing, and training for
personnel using military AI.

Major signers included Canada, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands,
South Korea and Ukraine.

Authorities are warning travelers that food brought back to Taiwan from
overseas is strictly for personal use only ... and must not be re-sold,
either online or in person.

The Food and Drug Administration says violators can face fines up to $3
million NT, even if the food is only listed for sale and not actually sold.

Officials say 116 violations were caught last year, with total fines
exceeding $3.6 million NT.

Most cases involved travelers selling imported food online without proper
labeling or import approval.

The FDA also reminds travelers that strict quantity limits apply to food
brought into Taiwan ...

... and urges the public to check official guidelines before purchasing food
abroad.

(IG)

In similar news,

Health authorities in Taiwan are reminding travelers to stay alert to disease
outbreaks during the Lunar New Year travel rush and to take proper
precautions.

The CDC says global activity for flu remains high, especially in nearby
countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong.

Measles cases have also been reported in parts of North America and Southeast
Asia.

Officials warn that mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya
continue to circulate in Southeast Asia and the Americas, while malaria
remains a risk in parts of Africa and South Asia.

Travelers are advised to get recommended vaccinations before departure,
practice good hygiene, avoid contact with wild animals, and take mosquito
protection measures.

Anyone feeling unwell during or after travel should seek medical care and
report their travel history.

(IG)

Chang Geng's medical system says 9 hospitals will open special outpatient
clinics during the 9-day Lunar New Year holiday.

The clinics aim to divert minor cases like flu-like illness, fever, breathing
symptoms and gastroenteritis.

The system says the infectious disease special clinics will run from the
first to the third day of the holiday, from February 17th to 19th.

It says outpatient IV antibiotic treatment will continue, so stable patients
can avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

Hospitals also urged people with chronic prescriptions to refill medications
before February 13th if supplies will run out.

Chang Geng says a dedicated team will monitor ER crowding indicators daily
and coordinate beds and staff.

It also says it will activate cross-hospital support with nearby facilities
if capacity becomes tight.

(PB)

A recent survey has found that teenagers in Taiwan spend more than seven
hours a day using digital tools, with over half saying this has led to
emotional anxiety.

In response, the Taiwan Alliance for Advancement of Youth Rights and Welfare
has partnered with a convenience store chain to release a series of digital
safety comics aimed at strengthening young people’s digital literacy.

The Alliance said its survey also showed that more than half of respondents
said recommendation algorithms have led to behaviors such as endless
scrolling, sleep deprivation, and emotional anxiety.

Over 60 percent of young people said adults rarely discussed rules for
digital device use with them.

Responding to the needs of young people, the Alliance has published a comic
titled “Think Before You Scroll: Your Guide to Digital Safety” with Family
Mart and will distribute the book in educational settings.

The organization also plans to roll out four interactive games in the near
future to help teenagers learn how to assess and respond to different digital
scenarios.

(JL)

Taiwan's disaster film "96 Minutes" has become a hit overseas after its
Netflix release.

Netflix data show it ranked No. 4 worldwide on the non-English films chart
for January 26th to February 1st.

The film also reached No. 1 in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and
Vietnam.

It placed in the top 10 in 24 countries, including markets in Africa and the
Americas.

The movie is Taiwan's first disaster film built around the high-speed rail,
and earned $200 million NT at the local box office.

(PB)

In world news....

The last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States has
expired, removing caps on their atomic arsenals for the first time in over 50
years.

The end of the New START Treaty could lead to an unconstrained nuclear arms
race.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to stick to the
treaty’s limits for another year if the U.S. agreed, but U.S. President
Donald Trump has remained noncommittal.

On Wednesday, Putin discussed the expiration with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that both countries are now free to choose
their next steps.

The treaty, signed in 2010, was extended in 2021 but inspections stopped in
2020.

The U.S. House committee on Science, Space, and Technology has approved an
authorization bill that includes an amendment to strengthen space cooperation
with Taiwan.

It would break the status quo by allowing U.S. space personnel to be
stationed at Taiwan’s space agencies, helping boost Taiwan’s space
capabilities.



The Committee approved a sweeping authorization bill for NASA, incorporating
the bipartisan Taiwan–U.S. Space Assistance Act, or T-A-S-A Act.

The Act, proposed by House Representatives French Hill and Gabe Amo in
December, grants NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
authority to work directly with Taiwan’s Space Agency.

Hill said the areas of cooperation include satellite programs, space
exploration and atmospheric research.

The bill still needs to passed by the House and the Senate, and signed by the
President to make it effective.

(JL)

Taiwan's domestically built submarine prototype Hai Kun (海鯤) carried out
its third dive test this morning.

A military analyst says the recent pace of sea trials suggests the boat is
stable and needs few adjustments.

He says testing is expected to continue at different depths and speeds in the
coming days.

The submarine sailed out around 8 a.m., joined at sea by a Da Wu-class rescue
ship and a CSBC-developed unmanned vessel called the "Endeavor Manta USV"
(奮進魔鬼魚號).

The analyst says today's work was still shallow-water testing, with a planned
depth within 100 meters.

CSBC says the previous dive test on January 30th met its targets, and the
program is moving step by step to verify full-ship performance for Navy
requirements.

(PB)

The Cabinet has approved holiday measures to help stabilize prices ahead of
the Lunar New Year.

Officials say gasoline and diesel prices from the 16th to the 23rd will only
fall, not rise.

They also say natural gas and bottled LPG will not increase in price in
February.

CPC says car-wash prices at its directly operated stations will stay
unchanged during the period.

Meanwhile, the agriculture ministry says supplies of key items, including
vegetables, fruit, flowers, pork, poultry and seafood, will rise by 7 to
140-percent.

Health officials also announced holiday plans to support vulnerable groups
and ensure emergency care capacity, alongside stronger food safety checks.

(PB)

UNICEF is calling on governments to criminalize the creation of AI-generated
child sexual abuse content.

The UN children's agency says it is alarmed by reports of more AI images
being used to sexualize children.

UNICEF also warned about "nudification," where AI alters photos to create
fake sexualized images.

It said at least 1.2 million children across 11 countries reported their
images were turned into sexually explicit deepfakes in the past year.

UNICEF urged AI developers to build stronger safeguards into their systems
and called on platforms to improve detection and moderation.

Britain says it plans to make it illegal to use AI tools to create child
sexual abuse images, in what it says would be a first.

The Central Bank has pulled remaining stock of its zodiac coin sets to
prevent arbitrage as silver prices surged.

Officials say the bank noticed unusual buying late last year and ordered
Chunghwa Post to remove the sets from sale and recall them.

The bank says the silver content cost had risen above the selling price,
creating incentives for bulk purchases.

Officials say tens of thousands of sets were taken off shelves and sent to
the Central Mint as raw material for future coins.

The central bank says this is the first time it has faced this kind of
situation, after years of silver trading near $30 US dollars an ounce.

It says this year's Year of the Horse set has been raised to a record
$2-thousand-450 NT, and future prices will track global silver markets.

Officials stress the sets are meant for collecting and gift-giving, not for
profit-taking.

(PB)

TSMC says chairman C.C. Wei met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on
Thursday to discuss investment in Japan.

Wei told Takaichi the company plans to mass-produce 3-nanometer chips in
Kumamoto, and said it should help local growth and support Japan's AI
industry.

Takaichi called the plan "exciting" and said Japan's government intends to
provide support.

TSMC says it is evaluating upgrading its second Kumamoto fab in Kikuyo from
the original 6-to-12 nanometer plan to 3-nanometer production.

Japanese media say the move would be Japan's first domestic site to make
3-nanometer chips.

Reports also say equipment investment for the still-unfinished second fab
could rise from about US$12.2 billion to US$17 billion.

TSMC is expected to finalize the plan soon and coordinate next steps with
Japan's economy ministry.

(PB)

Taiwan shares are lower along with other Asian markets after more drops for
technology stocks weighed on Wall Street.

The TaiEx ended down 488 points to close the session at 31-thousand-801.

The turnover reached 690 billion NT.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says about 55-thousand Ukrainian
soldiers have been killed in the war with Russia.

He gave the figure in a pre-recorded interview aired Wednesday on French TV
channel France 2.

Zelenskiy said the number covers troops killed on the battlefield, including
professional soldiers and conscripts.

He added that a large number of people are also officially listed as missing.

Zelenskiy had previously cited more than 46-thousand Ukrainian military
deaths in an interview in February last year.

Messaging app Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticized Spain's proposed rules
to ban social media access for youth under 16.

He also opposed plans to prosecute platform executives over hate speech and
to criminalize algorithms seen as amplifying harmful content.

Durov warned the package would push platforms to collect data on all users
and remove more content to avoid prosecution.

Spain's prime minister's office defended the proposal and said Durov's mass
message to Spanish users shows why regulation is needed.

The office accused him of spreading false claims and said the measures aim to
protect minors and enforce the law.

Elon Musk also condemned the plan, calling Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez a
"tyrant" in a post on X.

Reports say Spain is among several countries considering tougher social media
rules, after Australia moved to block access for under-16s.

Taipei police say they have arrested 6 suspects and recovered most of the
cash stolen in a daylight robbery tied to an investment scam in Datong
District.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon near Chien-cheng (建成) Circle, after
a woman was lured into a bogus cryptocurrency scheme that began as an online
romance trap.

Investigators say the victim was handing over $7 million NT in an in-person
deal when a man suddenly grabbed the money and fled.

Police say they identified targets and the getaway car within 5 hours, then
made arrests in New Taipei and other areas.

Officers say they recovered about $7 million NT in cash, and are holding the
suspected ringleader.

Police say the scam courier may have known the robbery suspects, and
investigators are looking into possible collusion.

(IG, PB)

The U.S. State Department said that during the recent sixth Taiwan–U.S.
Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, both sides exchanged views on
strategic coordination for supply chain security, including cooperation in
critical minerals.



Economics Minister Gong Ming-xin said in addition to actively developing
mining and refining technologies, the United States is also willing to help
Taiwan secure access to mineral sources and jointly develop production in
third countries.

It's meant to diversify risks and ensure stable supplies.



On the domestic research front, Gong noted that his Ministry is supporting
the Industrial Technology Research Institute in advancing indigenous rare
earth R&D and pilot-line technologies.

He said plans are in place to establish a trial-scale production line within
three years, which is expected to meet around 50 percent of domestic demand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with representatives from 54
countries and the European Commission, announced today at the 2026 Critical
Minerals Ministerial meeting that they're seeking to reshape the global
market for critical minerals and rare earths.

He stressed the importance of critical minerals, saying this market is highly
concentrated nowadays, leaving it a tool of political coercion and supply
chain disruption, putting the U.S. core interests at risk.

President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the U.S. is launching a
12-billion-U.S.-dollar rare earth minerals reserve for civilian use in times
of emergency

This is an effort called Project Vault, and it aims to reduce US. reliance on
imports from countries like China for minerals that are critical in making
products such as smart phones and vehicles.

The President says Project Vault will be funded by a loan from the U.S.
Export and Import Bank and private sector financing.

Attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority have surged since the ouster of
former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in an uprising in 2024.

The violence has deepened fears about their place in the Muslim-majority
nation ahead of a consequential election on Feb. 12.

Human rights groups say homes, temples and businesses have been targeted in a
campaign of violence and intimidation that reflects deepening polarization,
the re-emergence of Islamists and a widening culture of impunity.

Community leaders warn that the climate of fear could suppress minority
participation in the vote.

While the interim government has condemned the attacks and promised
protection, critics say accountability has been limited.

Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have also inflamed tensions with neighboring
India, prompting protests by Hindu nationalist groups and criticism from
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Taipei officials yesterday conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new
section of the Taipei Metro Circular Line.

That section will pass through the Neihu technology park to connect with
Zhongshan district.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An says that the project includes the construction of
3 underground metro stations and 4 shield tunels.

Chiang said he ordered the responsible departments multiple times to
implement supporting measures to ease traffic congestion...

acknowledging the potential inconvenience to nearby residents.

Officials say that, to minimize disruption, sidewalks and nearby green spaces
will be adjusted for traffic flow, while zhouzi street and ruikang road may
be converted to one-way streets.

Chiang noted that construction on the yellow line has been taking place over
the last 3 years.

Once completed, the mayor says commuters can expect 11 minute travel times
from Neihu Technology Park to Shilin.

According to the mayor, the completion of the eastern section of the Yellow
line is expected to ease Neihu's traffic congestion.

Tigerair Taiwan says, it will launch a new Taichung-Okinawa route next month.

The airline is planning two flights per week in the first phase.

TigerAir says, the service will make it the only Taiwan-based airline
offering direct flights to Okinawa from Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and
Kaohsiung.

The airline says, the flight will leave from Taichung Monday and Friday
mornings, while return flights will leave from Okinawa on Tuesday and
Thursday nights.

Jeremy Lin is set to return to the NBA All-Star Weekend in the US later this
month.

It'll be the retired basketball star's first time playing in the Celebrity
Game.

The NBA unveiled the rosters of the two celebrity teams with the game
scheduled for February 13th in California.

The game will be Lin's second straight year of involvement in the NBA
All-Star Weekend, following his debut as an honorary head coach for the 2025
NBA Rising Stars mini-tournament.

Now turning to international news...

A Chinese asylum seeker who exposed human rights abuses in China has been
released after months in US federal detention.

Guan Heng said that he was in a great mood after being released and reunited
with his mother.

The release came nearly a week after being granted asylum by an immigration
judge who determined that Guan faced a risk of persecution if deported to
China.

Guan's mother, Luo Yun, traveled to the US from Taiwan to support her son.

This marks a rare successful outcome for an asylum seeker since the US
president returned to office.

Guan in 2020 secretly filmed detention facilities in Xinjiang, adding to a
body of evidence of what activists say are widespread rights abuses in China.

In a hearing last week, Guan said that he sympathizes with the Uyghurs and
wanted to bear witness to their plight.

Nigerian officials say, extremists killed 162 people in attacks on 2
villages.

Officials say the assaults happened on Tuesday evening in Woro and Nuku in
the west of the country.

They say, the attacks were carried out by the Lakurawa, a group linked to the
Islamic State.

A Red Cross official confirmed that scores of people were killed.

In a separate incident in Nigeria, gunmen killed 13 peoplein Katsina state.

The US has sent a small military team to the country in response to the
crisis.

The Washington Post has laid off one-third of its staff, eliminating its
sports section, several overseas bureaus, and its books coverage.

The purge is a brutal blow to journalism in the US and one of its most
legendary brands.

Editors called the move painful but necessary to put the outlet on stronger
footing to weather changes in technology and user habits.

Executive Editor Matt Murray outlined the changes in an online meeting, after
which staff members started receiving emails informing them if they were laid
off or not.

Some staff members had hoped that owner and one of the world's richest people
Jeff Bezos would step in and intervene...

but the newspaper had been bleeding subscribers in part due to decisions made
by Bezos himself, like the paper's decision to not endorse Kamala Harris over
Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he has held a long phone call with Chinese
President Xi Jinping, with topics including trade, military matters, Taiwan,
and a planned visit to China.

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that the call was "very
good" and covered many issues, but he did not give details on what was said
about Taiwan.

China's state news agency Xinhua reported that Xi told Trump the Taiwan issue
is the most important issue in U.S.-China relations, and urged the U.S. to
handle arms sales to Taiwan with great care.

Xinhua also reported that Trump said he takes China's concerns on Taiwan
seriously and would work to keep U.S.-China ties stable during his term.

After the call, a White House official, speaking on background, said that
U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed.

The official said the U.S. "one China policy" is based on the Taiwan
Relations Act, the three U.S.-China joint communiques, and the Six
Assurances.

Trump mentioned plans to visit China in April, and also listed the
Russia-Ukraine war and the current situation in Iran.

He said China may buy more U.S. oil and natural gas, and increase soybean
purchases this season to 20 million tons.

Trump said relations between the two countries, and his personal relationship
with Xi, remain very good, and he is looking forward to the April trip.

(PB)

The Central Weather Administration says a tropical depression east of the
Philippines has strengthened into a typhoon.

The system became a mild typhoon at 8 PM last night and is this year's No. 2
storm, named Penha.

Forecasters say it is expected to move generally westward, and the storm will
NOT have a direct impact on Taiwan.

As of last night, the storm was moving west-southwest at about 24 kilometers
per hour, with top winds near the center of 18 meters per second.

(PB)

Ukrainian and Russian officials held a first day of new U.S.-brokered talks
in Abu Dhabi, and Kyiv's lead negotiator called it productive.

A U.S. official also described the meetings as productive, and said talks
will continue on Thursday.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the talks must lead to real
peace and not give Russia more time to keep fighting.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine expects the talks to lead to a new prisoner exchange
soon.

As the talks began, Donetsk regional Governor Vadym Filashkin said a Russian
strike hit a crowded market in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 7 people.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it is significant that technical
military teams from both sides are meeting with U.S. experts involved.

The sides remain far apart, with Russia demanding Ukraine give up more land,
while Ukraine wants the war frozen along current front lines.

U.S. and Iranian officials say they will hold talks in Muscat, Oman, on
Friday.

The two sides remain split on what the talks should cover.

Washington says negotiations must include Iran's missile program and other
issues, not only nuclear matters.

Iran says it will discuss only its nuclear program, and calls its missile
program off the table.

President Donald Trump said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
"should be very worried," and said Iran is negotiating.

The talks come as the U.S. builds up forces in the Middle East, raising
concern about a wider conflict.

years

The Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington says a female Asian elephant
calf has been born, the first there in almost 25 years.

The zoo says the calf was born on Monday to 12-year-old mother Nhi Linh and
44-year-old father Spike.

A neonatal exam found the calf looked healthy, and weighed about 140
kilograms.

Zoo officials say the calf will help genetic diversity because the parents'
genes are not well represented in zoos.

The calf will spend up to a month bonding off exhibit with her mother, the
herd and keepers before going on public view.

The zoo says the public will choose the calf's name in a poll of 4 options,
ending on February 13.

Orsi

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rebuked the statement issued by the
President of the Oriental Republic supporting the one-China policy.

MOFA says the statement by Uruguay Yamandu Orsi "seriously distorts the
facts,” and reiterated that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each
other.

MOFA says it strongly disagrees with the Uruguayan government for echoing
China’s political position.

President Orsi is visiting China and met Chinese leader Xi Jin-ping today.

The two sides later released a joint statement that included claims that
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory”.

MOFA has expressed its strong protest against the Chinese government for
continuing to spread malicious rhetoric internationally that undermines
Taiwan’s sovereignty.

(JL)

Two incumbent County Magistrates have been nominated for reelection by the
ruling DPP.

DPP chairman Lai Ching-te says Zhou Chun-mi (周春米) and Chen Guang-fu
(陳光復) have both performed well during their first term, adding that he has
confidence in them to continue leading Ping-dong and Peng-hu for a brighter
future.

He touted Zhou's warm, caring leadership style, saying that she has
strengthened her county through efforts in cultural branding, long-term care
services, family and parenting policies.

Lai also praised Chen, saying he has worked hard to bring change and drive
local development and his “pragmatic governance” has focused on bringing
the government’s public debt down to zero.

(JL)

Tigerair Taiwan is adding four Airbus A321neo jets to its fleet, marking a
major push toward more fuel-efficient regional travel.

The new aircraft will be configured with 232 seats, allowing the low-cost
carrier to boost capacity on high-demand routes.

Because Tigerair already uses an all-Airbus fleet, the company says the move
will streamline training and maintenance.

To date, the A320neo family has secured more than 10 thousand orders
worldwide as airlines shift toward more sustainable aviation fuels.

(IG)

Meanwhile,

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a
video call.

Chinese state media didn't immediately provide details about the talks.

The meeting occurred amid Xi's series of discussions with Western leaders.

The British and Canadian prime ministers visited Beijing last month, and the
German chancellor is expected later this month.

European leaders have urged China to end its support for Russia over the war
in Ukraine.

Despite this, China continues to trade with Russia, easing some effects of
Western sanctions.

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu visited Beijing last
weekend, emphasizing the need for close ties.

And finally,

Talks between the U-S and Iran appear to still be on despite a recent
military engagement.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports.

The Ministry of Agriculture says fresh fruit, vegetable and various meat
supplies will be plentiful throughout the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

Officials say overall supply levels for produce, seafood, livestock, and
flowers are all significantly higher than usual, helping keep prices largely
stable.

Fruit shipments are up more than twenty percent, with items like wax apples,
mandarins, dates, and other seasonal citrus now in peak season.

Vegetable supplies have also increased by more than thirty percent, led by
cabbage, radishes, and cauliflower.

Seafood supplies are also up more than thirty percent … while pork and
poultry supplies have been boosted to meet holiday demand.

The ministry adds that compared with last year, prices for many fruits,
vegetables, and flowers have actually fallen, easing holiday shopping
pressure for consumers.

(IG)

The government has announced that year-end bonuses for government workers
will be paid out on February 6th, just ahead of the Lunar New Year.

According to the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration, civil
servants, teachers, military personnel, and eligible support staff will
receive a year-end work bonus worth up to one-and-a-half months' salary.

On top of that, performance bonuses could add another half to a full month's
pay, depending on annual evaluations.

Officials say bonus payments are based on time served, and may also apply to
those who retired or left their posts during the year.

(IG)

Miaoli County Police shot and killed a 40-year-old man following a knife
attack at a traditional market.

Officials say the suspect, surnamed Chung, ignored orders to drop his weapon
and continued to move toward people despite the use of pepper spray.

During the confrontation, an officer was stabbed twice in the head,
sustaining a skull fracture.

Police added that a second officer fired two shots, hitting the suspect.

But a bystander was also struck in the hand during the gunfire.

Chung was later pronounced dead at a hospital, while the injured officer is
currently in intensive care with stable vital signs.

Authorities said Chung had a criminal record, including attempted murder, and
local media reported he had a long history of mental illness and substance
abuse.

(CNA_IG)

Taipei began construction today on the C-F-710 contract of the Metro Circular
Line's East Ring Line in Neihu Technology Park.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the section is a key link between Zhongshan and
Neihu districts.

The project includes 3 underground stations and 4 shield-tunnel segments
along Jingye (敬業) 3rd Road, Lequn (樂群) 2nd Road, and Ruiguang (瑞光)
Road.

City officials say 4 of the East Ring Line's 6 section contracts have now
been awarded.

They say the remaining 2 contracts could be awarded as soon as the end of
this year, with another section, C-F-720, set to start as early as April.

Officials say traffic disruption will grow from the second half of this year
as major wall construction begins.

The city says it may adjust streets near the work zone into paired one-way
routes to ease congestion.

(PB)

The field of candidates eyeing the New Taipei Mayor's race is getting crowded.

The opposition TPP has decided to nominate party leader Huang Guo-chang for
the office, and has also passed the first batch of nominees for city and
county councils.

Huang has pledged to give citizens a "whole new New Taipei city", one that
will make them proud.

As the KMT has two potential candidates, Deputy Taipei City Mayor Li Si-chuan
and Deputy New Taipei mayor Liu Ho-ran, vying for nomination, Huang has also
addressed the possibility of cooperation between the blue and white camps.

He says he will approach the situation with “the greatest grace and
sportsmanship,” adding that all healthy competition is a sign of democracy.

Noting that anyone with political ambitions should face the challenge
head-on, Huang says he wants to prove he's the best candidate and the best
choice.

(JL)

Engineering departments have always been popular university majors, and
according to U-News, programs that combine engineering with AI have become
even more in demand.

U-News is a website dedicated to helping students choose their majors and
better understand individual universities.

The website analyzed nearly 55 million pageviews from the past year to
compile a ranking of the 100 university programs most closely followed by
high school students.

It noted that National Taiwan University continues to enjoy strong brand
appeal, with many of its departments ranking near the top.

In terms of selecting majors, almost all engineering fields, including
electric, materials, mechanical, and chemical engineering, have benefited
from Taiwan's booming semiconductor sector.

Basic science subjects such as physics and chemistry have also attracted a
lot of attention.

U-News said interdisciplinary programs that combine information technology
with finance and economics are in the upper tier of the top 100 university
programs as well, reflecting the recent rise of "fintech".

(JL)

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says travelers must get approval
before bringing canned bear meat into Taiwan.

It issued this reminder after bear sightings in Japan drew attention and
online users asked about bringing back canned bear meat.

It says products from protected wildlife are tightly controlled under Taiwan
law and international rules.

The agency says violations can bring criminal penalties of up to 5 years in
prison.

It also says offenders can be fined up to $1.5 million NT.

Officials say applications must be filed in advance through the Agriculture
Ministry's online customs and permit platform.

If a CITES-listed species is involved, the agency says an export permit from
the source country is also required.

The agency says reviews can take 3 to 4 weeks, so last-minute purchases
during travel may not get approved in time.

(PB)

Taroko National Park says it has reopened parts of the Lushui (綠水)
Recreation Area starting this month.

The park says the area was closed for repairs after the April 3rd earthquake
two years ago.

It says two trails near Tianxiang (天祥) are now partly open, and weekend
guided tours have resumed.

The park says the Lushui Trail is open for about 250 meters to a small
suspension bridge, a 15-minute one-way walk.

It says the Lushui-Wenshan (文山) Trail is open for about 450 meters to
Tuoyouen (陀優恩), taking about 30 minutes one way.

The park also says the Lushui exhibition hall, viewing platforms, and parking
lot have reopened.

Officials say the area is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4 PM, but visitors
should check Highway 8 traffic control times before going.

(PB)

Mexico and the United States have reached an agreement for Mexico to send a
minimum amount of water annually to the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to raise tariffs by five percent
on Mexican imports if more water wasn't delivered.

The new deal requires Mexico to send at least 350,000 acre-feet of water each
year during the current five-year cycle.

The previous treaty required Mexico to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of
water to the U.S. every five years.

The average annual amount is 350,000 acre-feet, but the U.S. has complained
that Mexico builds up a water debt in the first years of a cycle that hurts
Texas farmers before eventually meeting the treaty requirement.

The United States, in return, gives Mexico even more water from other water
sources farther west along their shared border.

The agreement aims to even out deliveries from Mexico.

Mexican farmers, especially in drought-hit northern states, are concerned
about the impact.

(KK)

In Japan, two weeks of heavy snow is being blamed for 35 deaths so far,
including people suffering sudden heart attacks or slipping while shoveling
snow.

As of today, 15 prefectures have been affected, with up to two meters of snow
piled up in the worst hit areas.

Niigata Prefecture, a rice-growing region, has the biggest number of
snow-related fatalities, at 12 people.

A government spokesperson warned that as the weather gets warmer, more danger
will lie ahead because melting snow can result in landslides and slippery
surfaces.

More heavy snow is forecast for the coming weekend.

(KK)

In the U.S., a Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

On Tuesday night at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Penny came out on
top after two days, 2,500 dogs, and more than 200 breeds who strutted their
stuff.

The award is considered the most prestigious prize in the U.S. dog show
world.

Each dog is judged according to how closely it matches the ideal for its
breed.

The winner gets a trophy, ribbons, bragging rights and, this year, the
distinction of winning the milestone 150th annual Westminster show.

It's the second win for Penny's handler, who won best in show in 1989 with
another Doberman.

(KK)

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city and Nvidia will sign a contract
before the Lunar New Year to build its Taiwan headquarters.

He says the site will be in Beitou Shilin Technology Park.

Chiang says the city is reviewing land rights and royalties for plots T17 and
T18 today.

He says the process will then move to valuation, negotiations, and final
signing steps.

The Lunar New Year falls on February 17th this year, and Taiwan's holiday
period runs from February 14th to 22nd.

Jensen Huang has just finished a four-day Taiwan visit, including meetings
with major suppliers such as TSMC.

(CNA-PB)

Taipei's Animal Protection Office has compiled a list of more than 30 clinics
that will stay open during the Lunar New Year holiday.

It says the city has 272 animal hospitals in total, and most will be closed
during the holiday.

The office says it often gets calls during the break from owners who cannot
find emergency care.

It urges owners to check nearby clinic information in advance, especially for
pets with chronic illnesses.

It also says owners should call first to confirm hours and appointment rules
to avoid long waits or sudden closures.

Pet owners can access the list by visiting the Taipei City Animal Protection
Office's Mandarin website.

(PB)

Online book retailers have reported fast growth in e-book sales and
subscription services amid the ongoing Taipei International Book Exhibition.

Books.com.tw said its e-book service has posted double-digit growth for eight
consecutive years, with its catalog now exceeding 300-thousand titles.

It noted that new titles in the e-book category added in 2025 were more than
20 percent higher compared with 2024, indicating the steady growth of the
digital reading market.

The company said e-book sales now account for more than 13 percent of the
platform’s overall book sales.

Rakuten Kobo, meanwhile, said it launched a subscription service in 2024,
allowing users unlimited access to more than 2.5 million e-books worldwide
and 300-thousand audiobooks.

It added that subscriber numbers have been doubling each year.

Fubon Multimedia also reported that Momo member figures show overall e-book
sales in the fourth quarter of last year rose by nearly 40 percent
year-on-year.

(JL)

Taiwan shares are up while Asian markets are mixed, with Japan and China
dragging lower by selling of tech-related stocks.

Here in Taiwan, the TaiEx ended up 94 points to end the session at 32,290.

The turnover reached 685.4 billion NT.

In world news,

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings says its subsidiary started arbitration
proceedings against Panama after that country’s Supreme Court ruled a
concession for the subsidiary to operate Panama Canal ports was
unconstitutional.

Hutchison, whose Panama Ports Company has operated ports at both ends of the
Panama Canal since 1997, said it strongly disagreed with last week’s ruling.

China warned Panama would pay “a heavy price” if it persisted.

Panama’s president has moved to assure the public that the ports would
operate without interruption after the ruling.

The ruling advances a U.S. aim to block any influence by China over the canal
linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Panama Ports Company began arbitration proceedings under the rules of the
Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce.

It’s unclear what the impact of the proceedings would be.

(KK)

In Western Australia, a 13-year-old boy swam for four hours in cold and
choppy waters to save his mother and two younger siblings who had been swept
out to sea off the coast.

The family had rented paddleboards and a kayak that were pulled further and
further out to sea as the wind picked up Friday.

Austin Appelbee said Tuesday that he told himself to just keep going during
his 4-kilometer ocean swim back to shore.

His mother, 12-year-old brother and 8-year-old sister were in the water for
about 10 hours before they were rescued.

A police official praised Austin, saying the teenager's "determination and
courage" saved their lives.

(KK)

The Finance Ministry says it has revised various tax deductions, with the
personal exemption raised to $101-thousand NT per person.

Adding that to the standard deduction and the special deduction for salary
income, the tax-free threshold for a single office worker who rents a house
will be $644-thousand NT.

Finance officials say the personal exemption will rise to $151-thousand 500
for those aged 70 and above, and the standard deduction, at $136-thousand.

It will be doubled for taxpayers with a spouse.

People can take advantage of those deductions when filing their personal
income tax returns in May next year.

For those who need to take care of young children or disabled elderly family
members, there are extra tax exemptions if their income falls under a certain
threshold.

Finance officials say the tax system will continue to be reviewed and
adjusted according to consumer price index changes and the nation's economic
sitution.

(JL)

The Travel Quality Assurance Association has released its reasonable group
tour price ranges for the second quarter.

It says Japan and South Korea tour prices are down about 10 to 20 percent
from a year earlier, linked to airfare and hotel factors.

U.S. and Europe tours are up about 10-percent, mainly due to exchange rates.

For Japan, most regions are about 10-percent higher than the first quarter as
spring peak season begins, with cherry blossoms expected from March 22nd.

For South Korea, lower airfares are pushing prices down, with year-on-year
drops of 15 percent for Seoul.

Vietnam tours are down 2 to 5 percent from the first quarter, while Central
Asia and Africa are up 20 to 30 percent due to inflation and higher fuel
costs.

For domestic travel in Taiwan, prices are slightly lower than the first
quarter but up 3 to 5 percent from a year ago.

(PB)

Taiwan Tigerair says it will start a new route from Taichung to Japan's
Okinawa on March 30th.

The service begins with 2 flights a week.

Capacity will be shifted from its existing Taichung-Macau route to support
the new flights.

Tigerair says it will be the only Taiwan-based carrier with direct Okinawa
flights from Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Promotional launch fares go on sale starting today.

Tigerair also says it plans a 30-plane new-generation fleet by 2033 to
improve fuel efficiency.

(PB)

In international news,

In Norway, the eldest son of Crown Princess Met-te-Ma-rit has pleaded not
guilty to rape charges as he goes on trial for multiple alleged offenses in a
case that has cast a shadow on the royal family’s image.

Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, is the stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince
Haakon.

He has no royal title or official duties.

Hoiby stood Tuesday as the prosecutor read out the 38 counts against him at
the Oslo district court, asking him if he pleaded guilty.

He replied “no” to the four counts of rape, admitted bodily harm relating
to a woman but denied abuse, and admitted to several other allegations.

The trial opened at a particularly sensitive time.

Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny over her past contacts with Jeffrey
Epstein, sex offender and human trafficker, following the release on Friday
of a new batch of documents from the Epstein files.

(KK)

The KMT is pushing back against a US senator's comments stating that he was
"disappointed" that the KMT and TPP had "slashed" a Cabinet-proposed defense
budget.

Senator Roger Wicker said on social media that he was disappointed in the
opposition parties' moves to "dramatically" cut President Lai's proposed
defense budget.

He called on the legislature to reconsider, especially, he says, given
"rising Chinese threats."

In response, the KMT said in a press release that it has "always supported
the defense budget" and said that Wicker's remarks were made with
"insufficient information."

The KMT also rhetorically asked if the US Congress would "approve an
eight-year blank-check budget with no content."

Now turning to international news...

A crash between a speedboat and Greek coast guard patrol vessel has killed at
least 14 people.

A search and rescue operation is underway, involving patrol boats, a
helicopter, and divers.

The speedboat was carrying migrants near the Aegean island of Chios.

The coast guard says, 24 migrants were rescued and taken to a hospital, as
were 2 coast guard officers who were injured.

Local news showed at least one person being carried in a blanket from a coast
guard boat into a rescue vehicle.

Officials did not yet have further information on exactly how the accident
happened.

nationals

Taiwanese banks have been instructed to freeze suspected mule accounts held
by foreign nationals who leave Taiwan under certain circumstances.

Financial Supervisory Commission officials say that those circumstances may
include departing after the expiration or early termination of a work
contract, being reported as missing, or being detained for illegal entry or
unlawful employment.

Banks are now required to cross-reference accounts against a list of departed
foreign nationals provided by the National Immigration Agency.

They may exercise discretion to freeze accounts following a review.

While the policy applied to all foreign nationals, it is mostly aimed at
migrant workers, in response to reports of fraud rings using the accounts of
workers who have departed Taiwan to carry out fraud.

KMT lawmaker Lai Shi Bao previously urged the FSC to mandate account closures
for departing migrant workers...

but the FSC raised concerns that these workers may still need those accounts.

As a result, the FSC says that oustanding payments can be issued by other
means.

Spain says, it will ban social media access for kids under 16.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized tech companies for allowing harmful
content like child abuse and deepfake images.

He emphasized that governments cannot ignore these issues any longer.

Spain joins countries like Australia and France in working to restrict
minors' social media access.

Sanchez said the ban would require age verficiation systems.

The measure will be added to existing digital protections for minors being
debated in parliament.

A 13 year old boy is being celebrated for saving his family after swimming
for around 4 hours in waters of the coast of Western Australia.

The family rented paddleboards and a kayak that got pulled further and
further out to sea.

The boy said that he just told himself to keep going during his 4 kilometer
swim.

His mother, brother, and sister were in the water for about 10 hours before
they were rescued.

The Ministry of Education says tuition and miscellaneous fees will not rise
for the 2025 to 2027 academic years.

The ministry says the policy follows an Executive Yuan special budget to
support public and private colleges and universities.

Officials estimate the freeze will benefit about 910-thousand students each
year.

The ministry says it is also continuing broader measures to reduce education
costs, including fee reductions, grants, loans, and scholarships.

It says private college students can get up to $35-thousand NT a year in fee
cuts, and disadvantaged students can receive up to NT$55-thousand NT.

The ministry also says students from families earning under $1.2 million NT a
year can get student loans with zero interest while enrolled.

It adds a pilot scholarship for 8-thousand low-income top students in 2025,
paying $8-thousand or $10-thousand NT a month for nine months.

(PB)

Weather expert Wu Der-Rong (吳德榮) says Taiwan will stay sunny and stable
through Friday, with big temperature swings between day and night.

He says daytime highs may top 25 degrees, but nights and early mornings will
feel chilly.

Wu says a front is expected to arrive around midnight on Friday, bringing
cold weather to the north.

Over the weekend and into Monday, he says cold air may reach cold-wave
strength, bringing wet and chilly weather to central and northern Taiwan.

Model forecasts suggest Taipei could drop below 10 degrees, and lows on the
main island plains could fall to about 6 degrees.

The Central Weather Administration says today's lowest early-morning
temperature was 10.6 degrees in Fenglin, Hualien.

Wu says a tropical depression southeast of the Philippines may become
Tropical Storm Penha tomorrow, but it is not expected to affect Taiwan.

(PB)

Palestinians gathered on both sides of the Rafah crossing on Tuesday after it
reopened, hoping to pass but facing delays and uncertainty.

On the Egypt side were people who left Gaza earlier in the war for medical
treatment, while patients in Gaza waited for permission to travel out.

Officials in North Sinai said some patients and companions crossed from Gaza
into Egypt, but did not give a number.

A bus carrying about 40 Palestinians entered Gaza and reached Nasser Hospital
in Khan Younis early Wednesday, where families welcomed them.

The first day took more than 10 hours, with only small groups crossing each
way, far below earlier expectations.

The import of humanitarian aid and goods through Rafah remains banned, and
United Nations officials say Rafah must work as a real aid corridor.

Separately, Israel Defense Forces and Gaza health officials gave differing
accounts after a 19-year-old was reported killed by Israeli fire in southern
Gaza on Tuesday.

The man convicted of killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in
2022 has appealed his life sentence.

Japanese media say Tetsuya Yamagami filed the appeal on Wednesday in Nara.

A court there sentenced him to life in prison last month.

Prosecutors had sought a life term.

The Nara District Court rejected a defense argument that Yamagami's "tragic"
upbringing should reduce his punishment.

Abe was fatally shot during a campaign event in 2022.

The appeal means the case will now move to a higher court for review.

French police raided the X office in Paris on Tuesday as prosecutors widened
an investigation into the platform.

French prosecutors say the probe started in January last year over suspected
algorithm abuse and fraudulent data extraction.

Prosecutors say the case now also covers alleged distribution of child sexual
abuse images and sexually explicit deepfakes linked to the Grok chatbot.

Billionaire Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino were summoned for a
hearing on April 20, according to the prosecutor's office.

X says French authorities are pressuring its U.S. leadership and ignoring
normal legal channels, while Musk called it a political attack.

In United Kingdom, the privacy watchdog Information Commissioner's Office
opened a formal probe into Grok over personal data and harmful sexualized
images.

The European Union has also launched its own investigation into X over
illegal content linked to Grok.

Six new at-large TPP lawmakers were sworn in earlier today, replacing their
predecessors, including party chairman Huang Guo-chang.

The arrangement is in compliance with the opposition party's 2-year term
rules.

Huang said his party will announce its priority bills for this legislative
session tomorrow, and the TPP legislative caucus leaders will also meet their
KMT counterparts to exchange opinions about the bills.

The TPP has designated Taichung City Councilor Chen Qing-long (陳清龍) as the
caucus convener.

The new lawmakers include Chinese spouse Li Zhen-xiu, who has come under
pressure to renounce her Chinese nationality.

Li said she tried to do so in her hometown in China, but the application was
not accepted.

The Interior Ministry, meanwhile, said she should provide proof.

(JL)

The Justice Ministry's Prosecutors Evaluation Committee has referred Lin
Jun-yan (林俊言), the prosecutor on the Core Pacific City case, to the New
Taipei Prosecutors Office for administrative oversight.

The ruling is made after Core Pacific Group chairman Shen Qing-jing requested
(沈慶京) that the Committee probe into Lin's improper conduct during the
investigations into the case.

According to Shen, Lin conducted excessively long interrogation sessions,
discussed matters unrelated to the case during those sessions, and met the
defendant privately without notifying defense counsel.

Shen also accused Lin of leaking investigation information to the media.

Lin defended his behavior by saying it was all within the realm of his
official duties, stressing that he didn't pressure or intimidate the
defendant.

The Committee ruled that while it did not find Lin had acted illegally or
improperly during the investigations, he did fail to comply with a part of
the Prosecutors’ Ethics Code.

The New Taipei Prosecutors Office, where Lin works now, will continue to
monitor his conduct.

(JL)

British police are assessing whether former Labour Party politician Peter
Mandelson should face a criminal investigation for leaking sensitive
government information to Jeffrey Epstein.

The government is working to remove Mandelson from Parliament and strip his
noble title.

Documents released by the U-S Justice Department reveal Mandelson's ties to
Epstein.

Police on Tuesday are reviewing reports of misconduct to determine if they
meet the criminal threshold for investigation.

Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday and cited potential
embarrassment.

U-K Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered an urgent review of all of
Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein while he was in government roles.

A thirteen-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero in Australia after an
incredible four-hour swim to save his family.

Young Austin Appelbee was with his mother and two siblings on Friday when
they were swept more than two miles out to sea.

Realizing they were in trouble, Austin first tried to paddle for help on an
inflatable kayak—but when that failed, he dove into the rough surf and swam
nearly four kilometers back to shore.

His solo mission allowed rescue teams to launch a search and locate his
family clinging to a paddleboard just as night fell.

Police praised Austin's determination and courage for ultimately saving their
lives.

The National Development Council says Taiwan is aiming for 4.56% economic
growth this year ... driven by AI and investment

NDC officials say domestic and international forecasters have recently
revised Taiwan's growth outlook for this year to above four percent.

They say two key drivers include the conclusion of Taiwan–U-S tariff talks,
and continued expansion in capital spending by global cloud service
providers—boosting demand for Taiwan's A-I and semiconductor supply chains.

The council's baseline forecast puts growth at about four-point-one-one
percent ....

.... but the government plans to lift it further through increased public
spending, stronger private investment, higher consumer demand, as well as
growth in net exports.

If successful, officials say these policies could add about
zero-point-four-five percentage points, helping Taiwan reach the new growth
target.

The council also expects per-capita G-D-P to reach around forty-two thousand
one hundred and seventy U-S dollars.

(IG)

In international business news,

Nintendo has reported a 51% rise in profit for the first three quarters of
its fiscal year as the Japanese video-game maker continues to score success
with its revamped Switch machine.

For the April-December period, Kyoto-based Nintendo said Tuesday it recorded
a $2.3 billion profit.

Its nine-month sales nearly doubled.

Switch machines work both as a home console and a portable device. Nintendo,
behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises, stuck to its profit projection
for the fiscal year.

It’s expecting to sell 19 million Switch 2 machines during the year. The
challenge is whether the company can continue to roll out attractive software
to keep the sales momentum going.

Taipei has reported its first death due to Hantavirus this year—and the
city's first in 25 years.

Health officials say the victim was a man in his seventies living in Da'an
District, with underlying chronic health conditions.

He developed respiratory symptoms in early January and died eight days later.

Tests later confirmed the infection.

In response, Taipei's Department of Environment Protection launched
large-scale rodent control and disinfection efforts around the area,
targeting markets, and nearby public spaces.

City officials are urging residents to keep homes and surroundings clean ...
and to report any rodent sightings in public areas to authorities.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an has also ordered intensified cleanup efforts ahead of
Lunar New Year to reduce the risk of further infections.

(IG)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is warning citizens not to misuse visa-free
entry privileges to engage in illegal activities while traveling abroad.

This follows a rise in the number of Taiwanese arrested in South Korea this
year over alleged involvement in telecommunications scams.

According to MOFA, six Taiwanese nationals have been detained in South Korea
since the start of 2026, a pace faster than in previous years.

Officials said similar cases have also occurred in Thailand, where some
visa-free travelers later moved on to Myanmar or Cambodia to join online
gambling or fraud operations.

Thai authorities have tightened screening of visa-free visitors at border
checkpoints in response.

The foreign ministry stressed that visa-free travel is limited to permitted
activities and does not allow paid work or other illegal behavior.

(CNA_IG)

A Taichung egg farm operator has been detained and held incommunicado on
suspicion of illegally disposing of chickens that died during an outbreak of
bird flu.

Prosecutors allege the operator concealed the outbreak and buried dead
chickens at his property and on land in neighboring Miaoli County.

A second suspect, who owns the land in Miaoli, was released on 200 thousand
NT bail and barred from leaving his residence.

Authorities said chickens at the farm began dying in large numbers between
mid- to late-January.

Prosecutors suspect the farm operator violated waste disposal laws and
committed fraud, while the landowner allegedly allowed hazardous waste to be
dumped illegally.

The Taichung City government said the outbreak has been contained, with no
signs of spread after all chickens and related materials at the farm were
destroyed.

(CNA_IG)

In international news,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russia has launched a major
attack on Ukraine with around 450 drones and 70 missiles.

The strikes reported Tuesday came a day before U.S.-brokered talks between
Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy said that Russia targeted the power grid again in five regions of
Ukraine in a bid to deny civilians light, heating and water during a harsh
winter.

At least 10 people were wounded.

Zelenskyy urged allies to send more air defense supplies and increase
pressure on Russia.

Talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been described as constructive.

But a comprehensive settlement remains distant.

Prosecutors have cracked down a major illegal dumping operation linked to the
so-called “Mei-nong Grand Canyon” case in Kaohsiung.

Prosecutors have indicted 12 suspects involved, including a former assistant
to Kaohsiung City Councilor Zhu Xin-qiang (朱信強), on charges of violating
the Waste Disposal Act.



Authorities estimate more than 140-thousand tons of construction waste were
illegally dumped and used to backfill farmland in Mei-nong, generating over
$240-million NT in illicit profits.



Through a cross-agency law enforcement team involving prosecutors, police and
investigators, the organized crime group was found to span waste generation
at construction sites, transportation, falsified paperwork, and illegal
dumping.

Officials said the excavated farmland and state-owned land cover a total area
of more than six hectares, with some of the pits as deep as 20 meters and
there's water in them.

Prosecutors are seeking heavy prison terms, with more than four years
requested for the alleged ringleader.

The Environment Ministry says it's helping local authorities take in
construction waste and speed up its disposal.

(JL)

Uber Taiwan is partnering with the Hondao Senior Citizen's Welfare Foundation
to help elderly residents facing poor nutrition and limited mobility.

The foundation says that a survey of more than one thousand seniors found
that ninety-four percent don't meet recommended nutrition standards.

It also found just over 21 percent go out just up to two times per month.

To address the problem, Hondao is working with Uber and Uber Eats on a
campaign combining donations, food delivery, ride support, and digital
training — to help seniors order balanced meals and travel independently
with dignity.

Uber Eats says it will mobilize delivery partners to bring meals to isolated
seniors, while also donating through qualifying orders.

Organizers hope the effort will help older adults eat better, get out more,
and stay connected to their communities.

(IG)

China has significantly increased its coal power capacity, reviving concerns
about its climate-changing carbon emissions.
A joint report by two research groups shows that more than 50 large coal
units, or boilers combined with turbines, were commissioned in 2025, a sharp
rise from previous years.

Despite this, China also added substantial wind and solar capacity, slightly
reducing its reliance on coal.

The government cites energy security and economic growth as reasons for the
coal expansion.

However, experts warn this could delay the country's transition to cleaner
energy.

The report urges China to retire inefficient coal plants and limit emissions
in its next five-year plan.

Iran’s president says he has instructed the country’s foreign minister to
“pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States. The
comments on Tuesday from reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian represent the
first clear signal from Iran that it may take part in negotiations being
organized by Turkey. Pezeshkian made the comments on X. He said: “I have
instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable
environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations —
to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of
dignity, prudence, and expediency.” The U.S. has yet to acknowledge the
talks will take place.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's president said Tuesday he
instructed the country’s foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable
negotiations” with the United States, the first clear sign from Tehran it
wants to try to negotiate as tensions remain high with Washington after the
Mideast country's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month.

The announcement marked a major turn for reformist President Masoud
Pezeshkian, who broadly had warned Iranians for weeks that the turmoil in his
country had gone beyond his control. It also signals that the president
received support from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for talks
that the 86-year-old cleric previously had dismissed.

Turkey had been working behind the scenes to make the talks happen there
later this week as U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling in the
region.

But whether Iran and the U.S. can reach an agreement remains to be seen,
particularly as President Donald Trump now has included Iran's nuclear
program in a list of demands from Tehran in any talks. Trump ordered the
bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war Israel launched
against Iran in June.

Iran's president signals talks are possible

Writing on X, Pezeshkian said in English and Farsi that the decision came
after “requests from friendly governments in the region to respond to the
proposal by the President of the United States for negotiations.”

“I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable
environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations —
to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of
dignity, prudence, and expediency,” he said.

The U.S. has yet to acknowledge the talks will take place. A semiofficial
news agency in Iran on Monday reported — then later deleted without
explanation — that Pezeshkian had issued such an order to Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi, who held multiple rounds of talks with Witkoff before the
12-day war.

Khamenei adviser speaks on the nuclear issue

Late Monday, the pan-Arab satellite channel Al Mayadeen, which is politically
allied with the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, aired an
interview with Ali Shamkhani, a top Khamenei adviser on security.

Shamkhani, who now sits on the country’s Supreme National Security Council
and who in the 1980s led Iran's navy, wore a naval uniform as he spoke.

He suggested if the talks happened, they would be indirect at the beginning,
then moving to direct talks if a deal appeared to be attainable. Direct talks
with the U.S. long have been a highly charged political issue within Iran's
theocracy, with reformists like Pezeshkian pushing for them and hard-liners
dismissing them.

The talks would solely focus on nuclear issues, he added.

Asked about whether Russia could take Iran's enriched uranium like it did in
Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Shamkhani dismissed the idea,
saying there was “no reason” to do so. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov
on Monday said Russia had “long offered these services as a possible option
that would alleviate certain irritants for a number of countries.”

“Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, will not seek a nuclear weapon and will
never stockpile nuclear weapons, but the other side must pay a price in
return for this," he said.

Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a short, technical step
away from weapons-grade levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency had
said Iran was the only country in the world to enrich to that level that
wasn't armed with the bomb.

Iran has been refusing requests by the IAEA to inspect the sites bombed in
the June war.

“The quantity of enriched uranium remains unknown, because part of the
stockpile is under rubble, and there is no initiative yet to extract it, as
it is extremely dangerous," Shamkhani said.

Witkoff traveling to Israel

Witkoff is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other
Israeli security officials on Tuesday, according to a White House official
who was not authorized to comment publicly about the talks and spoke on
condition of anonymity.

While in Israel, Witkoff will meet with the head of the Mossad intelligence
service and the Israeli military's chief of staff, according to another
official who was not authorized to speak to the media and spoke on condition
of anonymity.

Israel is expected to ask that any agreement with Iran include removing
enriched uranium from the country, stopping the enrichment of uranium,
limiting the creation of ballistic missiles and ending support for Tehran's
proxies.

However, Shakhani in his interview rejected giving up uranium enrichment — a
major obstacle in earlier talks with the U.S. In November, Araghchi said Iran
was doing no enrichment in the country because of the U.S. bombing of the
nuclear sites.

Witkoff later will travel to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab
Emirates, later in the week for Russia-Ukraine talks, the official said.

“We have talks going on with Iran, we’ll see how it all works out,” Trump
told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. Asked what his threshold was for
military action against Iran, he declined to elaborate.

“I’d like to see a deal negotiated,” Trump said. “Right now, we’re
talking to them, we’re talking to Iran, and if we could work something out,
that’d be great. And if we can’t, probably bad things would happen.”

Mike Pompeo, a hard-liner on Iran who served as CIA director and secretary of
state in Trump's first term, said it was “unimaginable that there can be a
deal.”

“I think they may come away with some set of understandings,” Pompeo said
at Dubai's World Governments Summit. "But to think that there’s a long-term
solution that actually provides stability and peace to this region while the
ayatollah is still in power is something I pray for but find unimaginable.”

___

Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Aamer Madhani,
Matthew Lee and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.

The Ministry of National Defense says it plans to procure nearly 1-thousand
vehicles starting in 2028 as part of a five-year force buildup.

A local media report says the plan includes 468 reconnaissance and
surveillance vehicles and 500 Cheetah armored vehicles from 2028 to 2033.

The report says the Armaments Bureau 209th plant produced 4 prototypes in
March 2024 and finished initial operational tests in December 2024.

It says major changes later turned the reconnaissance vehicle into an
electric, unmanned platform with autonomous driving and remotely controlled
weapons.

The report says the vehicle weighs more than 10 metric tons and can reach up
to 100 kilometers per hour.

It says the Cheetah armored vehicle is expected to complete evaluations in
June, with lower height and higher ammunition capacity.

The report says it carries a 105-millimeter main gun, machine guns, and a
12-tube smoke grenade launcher after upgrades by National Chung-Shan
Institute of Science and Technology and the Armaments Bureau.

(PB)

Kinmen has started trial operations for its newly built Kinmen Port Passenger
Service Center for the mini three links.

County magistrate Chen Fu-hai (陳福海) visited the site and welcomed arriving
travelers.

Chen says he hopes the terminal will become a new milestone for cross-strait
ties and support friendlier development.

The county government says the project reflects support from successive
presidents, central ministries, and the local team.

The first ferry from Xiamen arrived at about 9 a.m., and one visitor said the
new building feels cleaner and more convenient.

Another traveler said passenger flow is mostly smooth, but only one X-ray
machine for baggage checks caused congestion.

A Kinmen traveler said the design looks too similar to Xiamen's Wutong
terminal and could show more local character.

(PB)

The Foreign Ministry says 6 Taiwanese have been arrested in South Korea in
fraud-related cases since January.

MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) says more people are using
visa-free entry to places like South Korea and Thailand to join illegal work.

He says some suspects work as fraud couriers, or cross from Thailand into
Myanmar and Cambodia for scam and gambling operations.

Hsiao says some people have been arrested and sentenced, while others were
controlled by scam groups and forced to work.

He says Thailand has tightened entry screening to stop abuse of visa-free
entry.

Hsiao says each country decides who can enter, and travelers must state their
true purpose and follow local laws.

He urges people to distrust ads offering high-paid overseas jobs with free
flights and housing, and says they can call Taiwan's 165 anti-fraud hotline
if unsure.

(PB)

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Pingtung Branch says it will
expand its Payments for Ecosystem Services program in Pingtung County.

The move follows the discovery of the southernmost known nest of Taiwan's
endangered eastern grass owl near the Linbian River.

Assistant professor Hung Hsiao-yu at National Pingtung University of Science
and Technology says his team found the nest in early December.

He says four eggs were seen at first, and two chicks survived to fledge by
the end of January.

The agency says the program will now cover Shinpi Township and Fangliao
Township because farmland and grasslands can be vital habitat.

Farmers who avoid herbicides and rat poison and do not feed stray cats and
dogs can receive up to $20-thousand NT per hectare.

The agency also says it plans to create more eastern grass owl habitat north
of the county.

(PB)

President Lai Ching-te says the Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership
Dialogue focuses on supply chain security, critical minerals, third-country
cooperation and bilateral cooperation.

He spoke at a Presidential Office news conference this morning on the next
steps for Taiwan-US cooperation.

Lai says the sixth round of the talks was held last week in Washington.

He says the dialogue mechanism was created during U.S. President Donald
Trump's first term, and this was the first meeting in Trump's second term.

Lai says the two sides' lead negotiators met in person for the first time
since the first E-P-P-D in 2020.

He says future cooperation will stress "economic security," an "innovative
economy," and a "prosperous future," including work on AI, digital
infrastructure and drone supply chains.

(PB)

The Food and Drug Administration says 2 well-known restaurant brands had food
containers and packaging imported from China flagged in border inspections.

One shipment of meal boxes tested positive for a fluorescent whitening agent,
which is not allowed.

The FDA says checks on that importer and at the border will be tightened from
random sampling to enhanced inspections.

Another shipment of paper bags failed a migration test, with evaporated
residue at 40 parts per million above the 30 p-p-m limit.

The FDA says all of the noncompliant packaging was stopped at the border and
did not reach stores.

In the same release, the FDA says 20-thousand kilograms of Vietnamese black
peppercorns with Sudan Red must be destroyed and cannot be returned.

The agency says Vietnam black peppercorns are under 100-percent testing for
Sudan dyes during its current monitoring period.

(PB)

Taiwan have surged, along with other Asian markets, led by a 5-percent jump
in South Korea's benchmark.

The TaiEx ended up 571 points to end the session at 32-thousand-195...

Turnover reached 794 billion NT.

negotiations

Iran's president says he has instructed the country's foreign minister to
"pursue fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States.

The comments on Tuesday from reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian represent
the first clear signal from Iran that it may take part in negotiations being
organized by Turkey.

Pezeshkian made the comments on X.

He said, quote, "I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided
that a suitable environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable
expectations — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the
principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency.”

The U.S. has yet to acknowledge the talks will take place.

An internal document reveals Vietnam's military is preparing for a possible
American war of aggression, viewing the U.S. as a "belligerent" power.

The document highlights Vietnam's fear of a U.S.-backed uprising similar to
past "color revolutions."

Despite a 2023 strategic partnership with the U.S., Vietnam remains wary of
American influence.

Analysts say the military's concerns reflect deep-seated fears of external
threats to the Communist regime.

The U.S. State Department emphasizes the partnership's benefits, while
experts note Vietnam's balancing act between U.S. and Chinese relations.

The document underscores ongoing tensions within Vietnam's leadership.

European governments are moving away from U.S. tech giants, opting for
domestic or open-source alternatives.

France plans to replace Zoom and Teams with a homegrown video conference
system by 2027.

Austria's military has adopted open-source office software, and a German
state has switched to free software for administrative tasks.

This shift aims for "digital sovereignty" amid concerns over data privacy and
reliance on U.S. companies.

The movement has gained momentum due to geopolitical tensions and fears of
tech companies cutting off access.

European officials emphasize the importance of not being dependent on a
single country or company.

The Health Ministry said it handled 2,900 reports last year involving
websites containing child and youth sexual imagery, and is getting ready to
launch an active monitoring system in August.

The Ministry's Department of Protective Services said that they also received
reports and handled 3,700 websites involving adult sexual images, with a
takedown rate in both categories reaching around 90 percent.

Amendments to the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act
stipulate that the Ministry use surveillance software to track suspected
child pornography websites.

Officials said the active monitoring system is being developed from last year
to this year, and will enter a trial phase starting this August.



They said AI technology will be used to scan for suspected keywords and
identify websites that may contain child sexual imagery, and if the content
found is confirmed to contain child porn, they'll be taken off the shelves.

(JL)

Taipei officials have ordered 12 vendors at the Di-hua Street Lunar New Year
Market to correct violations, including improper price labeling.

The city's Legal Affairs Department said it has joined forces with the
Consumers Protection office, the Health Bureau and the Fire Department to
randomly check hygiene, fire prevention and other issues.

Such checks will go on for the duration of the market.

Officials say violators will be given a deadline to improve, and repeated
offenders will face fines of between 20-thousand and 100-thousand NT based on
consumers protection regulations.

For food makers, if they use unverified ingredients, the fine can go up to 4
million NT.

The Di-hua Street Lunar New Year Market kicked off on Sunday and will last
until February 15th.

(JL)

The Fubon Guardians say foreign hitter Luis Libe-rato and pitcher Shawn
Morimando arrived in Taiwan late Monday.

The club says their arrivals mean all 6 foreign players for the new season
are now in place.

The Guardians are set to hold their spring training opening ceremony tomorrow
in Chiayi.

Liberato is a Dominican outfielder who throws and bats left, and the team
says he can help on both offense and defense.

Morimando returned after starting 23 games for the Guardians last season with
a 2.98 ERA and 111 strikeouts.

The team says it has added four foreign pitchers, one development pitcher,
and one foreign hitter for 2026.

(PB)

In world news...

A new round of U.S.-brokered talks on ending Russia’s war on Ukraine is set
to go ahead this week.

A senior Kremlin official said that negotiations will take place Wednesday
and Thursday in Abu Dhabi.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that he would send a
delegation.

The talks reportedly were postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

The Trump administration has pushed for compromises, but key issues remain
unresolved.

Russia wants to keep occupied Ukrainian territories, while its drones and
missiles continue to bombard civilian areas.

Ukraine is taking steps to prevent Russia from using Starlink satellite
services to steer its drones.

Tourists visiting Rome's Trevi Fountain now pay a $2.35 U.S.-dollar fee for
close access.

This new fee structure, which began Monday, aims to raise funds and manage
crowds at the iconic site.

Tourists seem unfazed by the charge, appreciating the improved access.

The fee is part of a broader initiative, including a nearly $6-dollar fee for
some city museums, to enhance the tourist experience and support maintenance
costs.

Officials expect to generate $7.7 million dollars annually.

The Trevi Fountain fee follows similar measures at other Italian sites, like
the Pantheon and Venice's day-tripper tax.

KMT Deputy Chair Hsiao Hsu-tsen says, his trip to Beijing will serve as a
peacemaking effort.

That's as Hsiao and a delegation of "scholars and experts" are in the Chinese
capital today for what the KMT is calling a "think tank exchange" with the
CCP.

He added that the exchange will focus on advocating for Taiwanese companies
and advancing peace.

The main focus of the 3 day trip trip, scheduled for today, will be a think
tank forum.

Prior to the main event today, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by
China's Taiwan Affairs Office last night.

Tomorrow, they're scheduled to visit Tsinghua University.

Taiwan's manufacturing activity expanded for the fourth consecutive month in
January.

That's after the US said it would cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods.

Data released by the Chung-hua Institution for Economic Research shows that a
gauge of fundamentals in the manufacturing sector rose 1.9 points from a
month earlier, marking a nearly 4 year high.

In the service sector, the non-manufacturing index also rose ,7 points,
marking nearly a year of expansion.

The CIER President called the growth in the business outlook factor better
than expected, indicating the removal of uncertainties caused by US tariff
policies.

Now turning to international news...

The handpicked successor to Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves has won the
presidential election with 48.3% of the vote.

The margin between Laura Fernandez and her closest rival, Alvaro Ramo, was
big enough to surpass a runoff.

Fernandez, a conservative populist, promises deep and irresversible change to
enhance democratic institutions and prosperty.

She previously served as a minister in Chaves' government and was his favored
successor.

Costa Ricans also voted for the National Assembly, with Chaves' party
expected to gain seats, but unlikely to have a supermajority.

The historically peaceful country's crime surge in recent years was a major
issue in the campaign.

Some voters faulted Chaves' presidency for failing to bring those rates down,
but many see a continuation of his style as Costa Rica's best chance to tame
the violence.

In Bolivia, questions about being raised as to the wherabouts of socialist
icon and ex-president Evo Moralies.

Morales hasn't been seen in public in nearly a month.

His disappearance began right after the US' abduction of Venezuelan leader
Nicolas Maduro, a close ally of Morales.

Over the weekend, Morales did not show up for the weekly broadcast of his
political radio show for the fourth straight week; he's hosted the show
without interruption for years.

Yesterday, Morales missed a ceremony that he typically attends to welcome
students back from summer break.

The question of his whereabouts set off speculation, as the US imposes its
will on the region through sanctions, tariffs, electoral endorsements, and
even military action.

Morales' close associates have told supporters that the former president has
been recovering from dengue fever.

The KMT's New Taipei party chief Huang Chih-hsiung (黃志雄) says the party
plans to settle its mayoral nominee by Feb. 15th.

Speaking in an interview, he says the main prospects are Taipei Deputy Mayor
Lee Szu-chuan (李四川) and New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-ran (劉和然).

Huang adds that talks are underway, and the party wants a decision before the
Lunar New Year holiday.

He says the KMT prefers coordination instead of a primary because both men
are serving as deputy mayors...

...and that if talks fail, the party could still hold a primary.

Huang says the party plans to nominate 36 council candidates and aims to win
34 seats.

The New Taipei City Council says the 2026 election will have 68 seats, up
from 66 in 2022, so a majority will be 35.

(PB)

Nvidia's Jensen Huang is confirming that he will return to Taiwan in June to
attend Computex.

He said before departing Taiwan on Monday that the company would plan to make
several new announcements and to deliver a keynote address.

Huang said that the purpose of his latest weekend visit to Taiwan was to
celebrate the Lunar New Year and to thank Nvidia's partners for their
support.

He added that he would try to attend any related ceremonies or large events
for the signing for Nvidia's new Taiwan headquarters later this month.

LINE Pay Money says it has updated its registration system after users
flagged a problem with the nationality field.

The service launched in December, and some users said the sign-up process did
not fit people verifying identity with a residence permit.

Under Taiwan's Nationality Act, some residence permit holders are ROC
nationals without household registration, not foreign nationals.

Users said the system originally offered only foreign nationalities, leaving
those ROC nationals without a valid option to complete sign-up.

One user later found a new choice listed as "Taiwan, Province of China" and
called it inaccurate under Taiwan's legal classifications.

LINE Pay Money told reporters it overlooked the need for a local nationality
option when using residence-permit verification.

The company says it has now added an option shown as "Taiwan, R.O.C." to
address the issue.

(PB)

Qatar says United Nations peacekeepers in Congo will send a first team in the
coming days to monitor a ceasefire with the AFC/M23 rebel group.

Qatar says the team will deploy to Uvira, a strategic city in the east.

AFC/M23 fighters captured Uvira in December, and government forces and allied
militias re-entered it last month after the rebels said they would withdraw.

Qatar says direct talks in Doha produced detailed rules for the ceasefire
monitoring mechanism agreed in October, and renewed commitments under a
broader framework signed in November.

The push comes as fighting continues in eastern Congo.

Congolese authorities say explosive-laden drones targeted the airport serving
Kisangani over the weekend.

Reports say the United States is also hosting separate talks between Congo
and Rwanda, which is accused of backing AFC/M23, an allegation Kigali denies.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States and India
have agreed on a new trade deal.

Trump said U.S. tariffs on Indian goods would drop to 18-percent from
50-percent if India stops buying Russian oil and lowers trade barriers.

A White House official said the U.S. would also remove a separate 25-percent
duty tied to India’s Russian oil purchases.

Trump said the plan includes India buying more U.S. energy and other American
goods, including about $500 billion US dollars in purchases.

Reuters reports key details are still unclear, and the White House had not
yet issued the notices needed to make the changes official.

Indian stocks listed in the U.S. rose after the announcement, while some U.S.
business groups welcomed progress and others criticized higher tariffs.