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.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says an avian influenza outbreak at a Fengyuan
District poultry farm has been effectively contained with no further spread
reported.

City officials say that symptoms of the virus at the Fengkang farm began on
January 10th, resulting in the deaths of over 17 hundred chickens mid- to
late-January.

The site was fully cleared yesterday.

During the containment operation, authorities culled 5 thousand birds and
destroyed 375 kilograms of eggs, along with 66 thousand kilograms of
contaminated feed and bedding.

While the farm continued to sell eggs and operate trucks during the initial
infection period, health officials are now tracking and recalling any
products that reached the market.

The site and surrounding roads have since been fully disinfected by
environmental and agricultural agencies.

(IG)

The Directorate General of Highways says snowmelt and rain could refreeze on
high sections of Provincial Highway 14A in Hehuanshan.

Officials say temperatures were about 1 degree, with cloudy skies and rain,
and much of the snow has melted.

They warn road icing is possible above 3-thousand meters, so the Cuifeng to
Dayuling section will close from 5 PM today to 8 AM tomorrow.

During the closure, vehicles may exit the area but may not enter.

The agency says the Wuling to Songxue Lodge stretch has icy patches and
unmelted snow, and snow chains are required when open.

It also says a nearby part of that Wuling to Songxue Lodge stretch is steep
and winding and will be fully closed to traffic.

(PB)

Taiwan Mobile says it has teamed up exclusively with Amazon to offer a Prime
Video telecom plan in Taiwan.

The company says the deal expands its international OTT lineup and adds Prime
Video to its one-stop subscription channels.

Taiwan Mobile says the plan is open to all users at a discounted price, with
an annual-plan offer at $120 NT per month.

The telecom provider's New Media deputy general manager Prime Video is a
major global streaming platform with popular originals.

Taiwan Mobile says customers can also subscribe to Netflix, Disney , HBO Max,
and its own MyVideo through the same channels.

(PB)

Air quality across Taiwan is deteriorating tonight as a continental cold air
mass brings pollution south from China.

The Ministry of Environment says fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) has built
up along China's eastern coast, from Shanghai to Shandong, and is expected to
temporarily raise pollution levels in Taiwan, especially in the north this
evening.

Much of the island is forecast to reach 'moderate' or 'orange alert' levels
... meaning "unhealthy for sensitive groups".

Conditions are expected to improve by tomorrow afternoon in central and
northern Taiwan as the pollution weakens.

However, forecasters say southern Taiwan may remain under orange alert
through February 6th due to weaker winds and downwind conditions.

(IG)

In related news,

Fire authorities are issuing a stark warning ... as cold weather increases
the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The National Fire Agency reports that eighteen people have already been
hospitalized this year—including a family of four in Taipei's Neihu District
who were rushed to the ER early yesterday morning.

Officials say the family was exposed while showering, likely due to an
improperly installed gas water heater without a forced exhaust system.

Carbon monoxide levels at the scene reached 70 parts per million before
ventilation cleared the gas.

Firefighters warn that winter is the peak season for carbon monoxide
poisoning, as people tend to keep doors and windows shut during cold weather,
which can allow toxic fumes to build up unnoticed.

(IG)

Kaohsiung is strengthening ties with the local Hong Kong community this Lunar
New Year.

From February 18th to 20th, the city will host the 'Hong Kong Lunar New Year
Fair' at Central Park, running daily from 1 PM to 8 PM.

Now in its fourth year, the festival features classic street food like
"sa-yung" donuts and sausage rolls, alongside handmade crafts, art
exhibitions, and live music from groups such as K-pop girl group "APRIL".

There's even going to be a family-friendly football workshop.

Officials say the event helps Hong Kong residents feel at home while giving
locals a deeper look into the culture.

(IG)

Both KMT prospective candidates for Taichung mayor have promised that they'll
sign the nomination deal proposed by the party headquarters.

Deputy legislative speaker Johnny Chiang said he's already signed it, while
his opponent, KMT lawmaker Yang Qiong-ying (楊瓊瓔) said she'll do so as
well.

Local KMT representatives are urging the party to finalize a single candidate
as soon as possible, so that city governance and infrastructure projects in
Taichung can continue without disruption.

The nomination has been dragging on despite that the DPP named its nominee Ho
Xin-chun (何欣純) three months ago.

A recent poll done by My-Formosa e-newspaper showed that in a head-to-head
match-up between Chiang and Ho, 44-percent supported Chiang, compared with
29-percent for Ho.

But if it's Yang vs. Ho, the support rate was nearly the same.

(JL)

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has extended the detention of
3 defendants in the TSMC 2-nanometer leak case.

The court says former TSMC engineer Chen Li-ming (陳力銘) and current
engineers Wu Bing-jun (吳秉駿) and Ge Yi-ping (戈一平) will be held 2 more
months from February 1st.

The extension also keeps a ban on visits and communication, except for
spouses and direct blood relatives.

Prosecutors say Chen left TSMC and later joined Tokyo Electron in marketing,
then sought key TSMC technology and trade secrets.

They allege the information was used to help improve etching equipment and
compete for supply roles in TSMC's 2-nanometer process.

TSMC reported suspected wrongdoing on July 8th last year, and investigators
carried out searches and questioning later that month.

Prosecutors indicted the 3 on last August under trade secrets and national
security laws, and are seeking prison terms of 14 years, 9 years, and 7
years.

(PB)

Pingtung County has opened Hengchun Fire Geological Park, built around a rare
natural underground gas flame.

Officials say the park is about 1 kilometer outside Hengchun Township, and an
opening event was held Sunday evening.

Organizers say about 3-thousand people attended, with performances and a
traditional blessing ceremony.

County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米) says the site is being redesigned as
an ecological park for daytime walks and night stargazing.

The county's tourism office says new walking routes are planned to let
visitors view the area more safely.

Officials say outdoor areas is free to the public starting today.

They say a later trial period will use ticketed entry, with free admission
for residents of Hengchun, Mudan, Checheng, Manzhou, and nearby townships.

(PB)

Germany's foreign minister said in Singapore that Germany is "not in
equidistance" between the United States and China.

Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Johann
Wadephul said the United States remains Europe and Germany's most important
partner for security.

He noted strains with Washington, including criticism under Donald Trump
about European defense spending targets in NATO.

Wadephul warned against "running with open arms" to Xi Jinping as an answer
to those tensions.

He also pointed to U.S. claims about Greenland, saying Europe can defend its
interests if it sets clear red lines.

Wadephul said the European Union network of free trade agreements supports
rules-based trade during rising protectionism.

He said the EU aims to quickly conclude more Asia-Pacific trade deals,
including with Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Australia.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faced a new round of impeachment
complaints today, filed by rights groups and activists.

The complaints accuse her of betraying public trust, corruption, and other
crimes, including alleged misuse of public funds and bribery linked to
contracts.

They also cite alleged threats against Ferdinand Marcos Jr and others, and
accuse her of ignoring congressional inquiries.

Duterte's lawyer says the challenge is not a surprise and will be addressed
through constitutional procedures.

The case adds to a bitter political clash, with Duterte, daughter of Rodrigo
Duterte, widely seen as a contender for the 2028 presidency.

A similar bid last year was struck down by the Supreme Court of the
Philippines for violating constitutional safeguards, and this attempt faces
extra procedures set by that ruling.

A senator says the effort is now even more challenging, and the president's
communications office says the matter is for Congress of the Philippines to
decide.

The Coast Guard Administration is strengthening radar and patrol work to
respond to rising Chinese incursions and gray zone tactics.

The Ocean Affairs Council says it has secured more than $29.5 billion NT for
new systems, according to Nikkei Asia.

Officials say the plan includes new radar and a fleet of 40 new patrol boats.

Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) says intelligence and
surveillance upgrades are expected by next year.

The report says the package also covers drones and unmanned vehicles,
infrared imaging, mid-range coastal radar, and an AI-based image detection
platform.

OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) says the Coast Guard carried out 805
patrol actions in 2025 to expel Chinese intrusions.

Officials say the goal is a 24-hour surveillance network to give early
warning and support rapid military or law enforcement response in the Taiwan
Strait, including areas near Kinmen.

(PB)

The Customs Administration carried out a joint market crackdown in Kinmen
ahead of the Lunar New Year.

They say they found a warehouse storing smuggled goods from China, including
shiitake mushrooms.

Officials seized over 760 kilograms of the mushrooms, valued at more than
$300-thousand NT.

They also seized nearly 2-thousand kilograms of Chinese-made foods that had
not gone through required food inspections.

Items included luosifen rice noodles, canned sauces, shredded squid snacks,
chestnut kernels, and dried betel nut.

Kaohsiung Customs says unquarantined farm products may carry pests, plant
diseases, or pesticide and heavy metal risks.

It says uninspected foods may contain banned preservatives, artificial
colors, illegal sweeteners, or excessive heavy metals.

Authorities say the goods were confiscated and the case has been referred for
investigation under anti-smuggling laws.

(PB)

Israel says it is moving to terminate Medecins Sans Frontieres operations in
Gaza after the group refused to hand over staff lists.

Israel says 37 aid groups must submit documents about local and international
workers, and it has alleged some staff have links to Hamas and Palestinian
Islamic Jihad, which MSF denies.

MSF says it could not get clear assurances that any staff information would
be used only for administrative purposes and would not put colleagues at
risk.

Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism says the
staff lists are a requirement for all humanitarian groups operating there.

Israel previously said the licenses of 37 international NGOs would be revoked
under new registration rules, with operations ordered to end within 60 days.

MSF says it provides at least 20% of hospital beds in Gaza and operates
around 20 health centers, and it warns a ban would disrupt medical care.

(PB)

Pakistan's security forces say they killed 145 militants after a 40-hour
battle following coordinated attacks across Balochistan (buh LOH chih
stahn).

The Chief Minister says the attacks killed 17 law enforcement personnel and
31 civilians.

The Junior Interior Minister says attackers entered hospitals, schools,
banks, and markets dressed as civilians, then opened fire.

The banned separatist group Baloch (buh LOHCH) Liberation Army claimed
responsibility and called it an operation named "Herof," (huh RAHF) or "black
storm."

Pakistan's military blamed Indian-sponsored militants, but India rejected the
claim, with the Foreign Ministry calling it baseless.

(PB)

In Prague, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says his national security
adviser has resigned after new files linked to Jeffrey Epstein showed email
exchanges about young women.

The adviser, Miroslav Lajcak /LA-jak/, issued a statement denying wrongdoing
and condemning Epstein's crimes.

He said the exchange was informal, light-hearted, and without any real
substance.

He said he resigned so the issue would not be used to attack Fico, and so the
prime minister would not face political costs.

Fico said in a video message on Facebook that he accepted the resignation and
praised the adviser as an experienced diplomat.

The United States Department of Justice released millions of Epstein-related
files on Friday, including a 2018 text exchange from when Lajcak was
Slovakia's foreign minister.

(PB)

The Ministry of National Defense has released a controlled procurement list
covering the second half of last year.

The Navy says it will expand domestic shipbuilding with follow-on orders
across 6 types of vessels.

Those plans include building 1 submarine rescue ship between 2027 and 2033.

The ministry puts the cost at about $13.2 billion NT, and says it will not
include a combat system.

It says the rescue ship is planned at 112 meters long, 20 meters wide, with a
draft of about 5.2 meters.

The list also includes follow-on ships for the Yushan-class amphibious
transport dock and the Panshih-class fleet oiler and ammunition ship.

The Navy also plans 10 light frigates, split between air-defense and
anti-submarine versions, plus 2 more rescue ships.

(PB)

Taiwan Railways says it will add a third wave of Lunar New Year services,
with 64 extra trains systemwide.

The agency says this year's Lunar New Year holiday runs from Feb. 14th to
22nd, with a 12-day transport period from Feb. 12th to 23rd.

It says the new additions include 6 reserved-seat trains on the eastern line
and 6 reserved-seat trains on the western line.

TRA expects overall holiday capacity to be about 8-percent higher than on
regular days.

Tickets for these added trains go on sale at 12 a.m. on Thursday through
online booking, the TRA e-Booking app, convenience stores, and phone booking.

TRA also says E-M-U-3000 trains on the western main line will suspend
non-reserved seating during Feb. 12th to 23rd.

Instead, it says 200 limited no-seat tickets will be sold on travel days, and
those ticket holders will not be allowed into Car 6.

(PB)

Taiwan shares fell today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 440 points to
close the session at 31,624.

The turnover was 740.4 billion NT.

In international news,

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says she plans to send humanitarian aid
to Cuba this week, including food.

Her comments come after U.S. President Donald Trump said he asked the Mexican
leader to suspend oil shipments to Cuba.

She said her government seeks to “diplomatically solve everything related to
the oil shipments (to Cuba) for humanitarian reasons.”

After the U.S. removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Mexico became
Cuba's main supplier of crude oil and refined products.

Mexico's state-owned oil company said it shipped nearly 20,000 barrels of oil
per day to Cuba from January through the end of September last year.

After the U.S. Secretary of State visited Mexico in September, an expert says
the figure fell to about 7,000 barrels a day.

(KK)

In Costa Rica, preliminary and partial results put the president’s
handpicked successor well ahead in a crowded field after Sunday’s election.

With votes from 81% of polling places tallied, conservative populist Laura
Fernandez of the Sovereign People’s Party had 48.9% of the vote.

Her closest challenger was economist Alvaro Ramos of the National Liberation
Party with 33%.

Ramos conceded Sunday night and pledged to lead a “constructive
opposition,” but one that would not let those in power get away with
anything.

"In democracy dissent is allowed, criticizing is allowed" he said.

At least 40% of the total vote is required to win the presidential election
in the first round and avoid a runoff.

(KK)

Swiss authorities say an 18-year-old hurt in the New Year bar fire in
Crans-Montana has died, raising the death toll to 41.

The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Valais (VAH leh) says the
Swiss victim died on Saturday in a hospital in Zurich.

Most people killed in the blaze at the "Le Constellation" bar were teenagers,
and some of the injured remain hospitalized with severe burns.

On Saturday, hundreds marched in Lausanne (loh ZAHN), where several of the
victims were from, carrying a banner calling for "truth and justice."

A grieving mother told the crowd the families want answers before they mourn.

The fire has also strained ties with Italy, and Swiss officials say they will
share evidence with the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office.

(PB)

Here's some good news for nearly 13 million workers under the Labor
Insurance System.

The labor funds investment in 2025 made a total profit of $1 trillion and 117
billion NT for the year, that's a record high.


Among them, the Labor Insurance Fund earned nearly $160 billion, providing a
fresh boost to the system’s finances and bringing the fund’s total size to
$1.303 trillion.

The Bureau of Labor Funds has also reported record-high returns for its new
pension fund last year, reaching 747 billion NT, with a return rate of
15.6-percent.

That means every worker covered by the new system can receive some
57-thousand 800 NT on average.

The Bureau reminds workers that actual profit allocations will vary, since
each worker contributes for different periods and in different amounts.

According to the Bureau of Labor Funds, profit distributions under the new
labor pension scheme will be credited in March each year.

Workers can check the amount in their individual accounts, but the funds
cannot be withdrawn until they turn 60.

(JL)

A group from the Taiwanese Designers in Australia association represented
Taiwan at the Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne on Sunday.

The march is the city's largest LGBTQIA parade and a key event of the annual
Midsumma Festival.

The association said the event drew more than 45-thousand spectators and
featured about 10-thousand marchers from 400 groups.

The group said it marched to show support for LGBTQIA people and diverse
communities, alongside politicians and community organizations.

It cited Taiwan's role as the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex
marriage as part of Taiwan's public image.

(PB)

The Ministry of National Defense says it tracked 6 Chinese warships operating
around the Taiwan Strait from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. today.

It says Taiwan's military used mission aircraft and naval vessels to monitor
the situation.

The ministry also says shore-based missile systems were deployed as part of
the response.

Officials say forces maintained close surveillance and were prepared to act
as needed.

(PB)

In world news...

Pakistani police and military forces have killed 145 members of the Baloch
(buh LOHCH) Liberation Army in Balochistan (buh LOH chih stahn), according
to a government official.

The operations began early Saturday after coordinated suicide and gun attacks
killed 33, including five women and three children.

The BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The provincial chief minister accused India and Afghanistan of supporting the
assailants.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have persisted, with Pakistan
accusing Afghan soil of being used for attacks.

The BLA is banned in Pakistan and has carried out numerous attacks in recent
years.

(KK)

Nvidia's Jensen Huang says that TSMC may be able to double its production
capacity over the next 10 years as surging AI demand strains the
semiconductor supply chain.

Huang said that Nvidia alone would need more than twice as many wafers in the
coming years...

while he said that, over the next decade, TSMC will likely increaes its
capacity by well over 100 percent.

He praised the company for doing an "incredible job" as it ramps up
production of Nvidia's latest AI processors.

Huang says, Nvidia has entered volume production of its Blackwell platform
while also manufacturing its next-generation Vera Rubin chips, comprising 6
advanced designs.

A new report from the Ministry of Education shows that Taiwan's education
indicators outperformed global and East Asian averages.

The report says that Taiwan's education completion rates in 2024 stood at
100% for primary education, nearly 99.7% for lower secondary education...

and over 98.8% for upper secondary education.

That's significantly higher than global averages.

In East and Southeast Asia, the average completion rates are higher than
global averages, but still below Taiwan's figures.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education was nearly
95%, compared with the global average of over 43%.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation says, most passengers are now in support
of its "quiet train" policy.

The policy had a rocky start after launching in September.

But THSR says, two surveys conducted online indicate that 95% of passengers
approve of the policy.

They also found that over 90% of people were satisfied with hwo the policy
was being enforced.

The "quiet carriage" policy requires passengers to use headphones when
watching videos or listening to music on the trains.

It also asks passengers to go to the vestibules to make phone calls and to
keep their voices down.

The policy began drawing criticism shortly after its launch, with a social
media post claiming that a mother traveling with 2 kids had been shown a sign
by staff asking her to lower the children's voices.

Afterwards, THSR said it would review implementation mechanisms.

(AH)

Now turning to international news...

Venezuelan human rights activist Javier Tarazona has been released from
prison, after the government promised to free political prisoners in an
amnesty bill.

Rights organizations and family members shared the news over the weekend.

Tarazona, director of the nonprofit FundaRedes, was arrested in 2021 after
reporting harassment by national intelligence officials.

Venezuela's Foro Penal human rights organization says 310 political prisoners
have been released, with 700 more still awaiting freedom.

Tarazona's release coincided with the arrival of a US representative to the
country.

The government had accused Tarazona of terrorism, a common charge against
opposition members.

Amnesty International also reported that Tarazona's health has deteriorated
due to lack of medical attention during his time in prison.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says, she plans to send humanitarian aid
to Cuba this week, which will include food and other supplies.

Her comments come after the US president said he asked her to suspend oil
shipments to Cuba.

Sheinbaum said in a public event in the state of Sonora that she did not
discuss Cuban affairs in an earlier phone call with US President Donald
Trump/

She added that her government seeks to "diplomatically solve everything
related to the oil shipments for humanitarian reasons.

Mexican oil has long acted as a key lifeline for Cuba.

In its most recent report, Mexican oil company Pemex said it shipped nearly
20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba from January through Sept. 30, 2025.

Many parts of the US remain steeped in exta-cold tempertures after a bomb
cyclone brought heavy snow.

There were hundreds of flight cancellations, and thousands are still without
power from last weekend's ice storm in the south.

About 150 million people are under cold weather advisories and extreme cold
warnings in the east.

Wind chills in the south have dropped well below freezing in the south, with
South Florida seeing its coldest air mass since 1989.

The bomb cyclone contributed to nearly 30 centimeters of snow in and around
Charlotte, North Carolina, representing a top-five snow event.

Weather expert Wu Derong says a continental cold air mass strengthens
slightly today as moisture decreases.

He says plains lows are near 12 degrees Celcius, with rain easing from
central Taiwan northward and brief showers still possible in the east.

The Central Weather Administration says the lowest plains temperature earlier
today was 12.5 degrees in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County.

Wu says snow may still fall on mountains above 3-thousand meters, and
tomorrow's plains low may dip to about 11 degrees.

He says Wednesday through Friday will turn drier and cold at night, with big
day-night swings and some plains areas near 10 degrees or lower.

Wu says a front arrives late Friday, bringing rain and cooling in northern
Taiwan, with wet and cold weather on Saturday from central Taiwan northward.

He says another very strong cold surge may arrive in the upcoming weekend,
with plains lows around 8 degrees, but forecasts are still being adjusted.

(PB)

The Executive Yuan had released a new report detailing steps to improve
conscription training for the military.

The report says the 8-week basic program now includes machine guns, drones,
anti-armor rockets, and Stinger missiles.

It says conscripts will get role-based training after unit assignments, plus
larger combat drills and more live-fire exercises.

The Ministry of National Defense plans infantry battalions of one-year
conscripts to train with combined-arms brigades in live-fire drills.

The Cabinet says it is also trying to retain volunteers by easing some
enlistment rules and improving welfare, pay, and benefits.

It says the military is building tools and mechanisms to respond to gray-zone
pressure, cyberattacks, and cognitive warfare linked to China.

(PB)

The Taipei Zoo says its 12-year-old giant panda Yuanzai passed a full medical
exam.

The zoo says the biennial check on Friday was led by its veterinarians with
help from National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital
specialists.

The tests included blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds, a CT scan, and eye and
dental exams.

The zoo says Yuanzai's organ functions and blood values were within ideal
ranges.

Veterinarians found normal tooth wear and no signs of dental disease,
crediting keepers' daily care.

Imaging showed minor spinal bone spurs, described as a common age-related
change, and they will be monitored.

The zoo says Yuanzai recovered smoothly and has returned to her normal
routine in Taipei.

(PB)

Iran warned on Sunday that a U.S. attack could trigger a regional conflict,
as tensions rise with the United States.

In a retaliatory move, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said
Iran will designate European Union armies as "terrorist groups," and may
consider expelling EU military attaches.

The move follows an EU decision last week to list Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps as a terrorist organization.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of intervention, and the
U.S. has increased its naval presence in the Middle East.

Both sides have also signaled possible talks, with Turkiye and other regional
players urging de-escalation.

An Iranian official denied reports of planned live-fire exercises in the
Strait of Hormuz, saying the media reports were wrong.

Ali Khamenei said Iran does not seek conflict, but would respond strongly if
attacked.

The Rafah border crossing is set to reopen on Monday, Israeli officials say,
after being largely shut since May 2024.

Israel's humanitarian coordination unit COGAT says movement will be in both
directions for residents on foot, coordinated with Egypt and the European
Union.

Israeli officials say the crossing will operate under strict security checks
for approved travelers, with priority for sick and wounded people seeking
treatment abroad.

Palestinian health officials say about 20-thousand patients are waiting to
leave Gaza for medical care.

An Israeli defense official says the crossing can handle about 150 to 200
people at a time in both directions.

The Coast Guard says cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration
led to a major drug seizure.

Officials say they boarded a Tanzania-registered freighter near the Dongsha
Islands in June and found 1.3 tonnes of ketamine and methamphetamine.

Authorities estimate the drugs were worth more than $2 billion NT.

Investigators say the crew claimed engine trouble, but were trying to dump
drug bags into the sea to destroy evidence.

The Coast Guard says it used warning flashbang grenades after several failed
boarding attempts.

Prosecutors have charged 2 Taiwanese officers and 9 Myanmar crew members
under anti-drug laws.

Officials say the seizure equals about 10-percent of all drugs seized in
Taiwan last year.

(PB)

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says the black kite population
rose to a record 1-thousand-33 last year.

The agency says surveys show steady growth over the past 13 years, after
decades of low numbers.

Researchers and volunteers carried out a nationwide dusk roost survey,
building Taiwan's largest raptor monitoring network.

The agency says black kites were recorded roosting again in Keelung's Shenao
and Rueibin areas for the first time since 1994.

It says sightings are also increasing along coasts, riversides, and around
Sun Moon Lake and Hushan Reservoir.

Officials link the rebound to better habitats and food sources, plus tighter
controls on toxic pesticides and rat poison.

(PB)

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum says she will seek a diplomatic solution
after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order threatening tariffs on
countries that supply oil to Cuba.

She says cutting shipments could trigger a humanitarian crisis on the island,
affecting transport, hospitals, and access to food.

She says Mexico wants to avoid tariffs, and she has told her foreign minister
to contact the U.S. Department of State to clarify the order.

Reports say the new US move puts Mexico in a tight spot because it is now one
of Cuba's remaining oil suppliers.

Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez has called the tariff threat an
"international emergency."

(PB)

Ride-hailing platform Bolt has been fined $30-thousand NT after a passenger
died in a case involving one of its drivers.

Police say a 46-year-old driver surnamed Lin (?) dropped off a 25-year-old
passenger surnamed Wen (?) on Provincial Highway 64 toward New Taipei's
Banqiao District.

Wen was later hit and killed by passing vehicles, and police say the case is
being investigated.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications says fleet operators must
take management responsibility, and licenses can be revoked in serious cases.

Officials say Lin may also face a separate fine for leaving a passenger on an
expressway.

Transport authorities say Bolt did not properly verify the driver, and that
he was taking orders from multiple platforms against regulations.

Bolt says it has suspended Lin and that further action will depend on the
judicial investigation.

(PB)

Taipei police say the Lunar New Year Market runs from today through Feb. 15th
around Dihua Street.

They say Dihua Street Section 1 will be closed to cars every day from noon to
midnight.

Police say nearby intersections will have temporary one-way controls and turn
restrictions.

They also say Huayin Street and an entrance area near Taipei Main Station
will close to vehicles from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Feb. 15th.

The city health department says smoking will be banned across the market
area, with fines from $2-thousand to $10-thousand NT.

It says a temporary smoking area is set up near Gate No. 5 of Dadaocheng
Wharf.

Transit officials say some buses will skip the Dihua Street stop and service
will increase at busy times.

(CNA-PB)

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez has announced a proposed
amnesty law for hundreds of prisoners.

She says the law would cover cases from 1999 to today, but would exclude
killings, serious human rights abuses, and drug trafficking.

Rodriguez also says the Helicoide detention center in Caracas will be
converted into a sports and social services center.

Rights group Foro Penal says 711 political prisoners remain, and it urges
releases to continue while lawmakers debate the bill.

The government denies holding political prisoners and says those jailed
committed crimes, while it has cited higher release figures without a clear
timeline.

The United Nations has previously alleged abuses at Helicoide, claims the
government has rejected.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says the proposal reflects outside
pressure, as questions continue over who would qualify for amnesty.

(PB)

Scholars say recent leadership purges in China's military could lower
major-war risk in the short term.

China's defense ministry says vice CMC chairman Zhang Youxia and senior
officer Liu Zhenli are under investigation for "serious discipline and law
violations."

Political scientist Kou Chien-wen at National Chengchi University says key
posts still need to be filled, and that may take time.

Defense researcher Chieh Chung says the purge is unlikely to raise the chance
of an invasion in 2027.

He says Beijing still prefers "peaceful unification," but Taiwan should stay
alert if tensions rise.

Professor Ma Chen-kun says the purge adds uncertainty over which generals Xi
Jinping will trust for advice.

(CNA-PB)

Legislature has passed amendments to the Housing Act on social housing access.

The changes require at least 20-percent of social housing units to be
reserved for newlyweds in their first 2 years of marriage and for families
with minor children.

The Ministry of the Interior must create a national registration platform to
track demand and housing types.

The platform must connect with local government systems to support nationwide
planning.

The amendments also require regular collection and publication of rental
market data, including prices per ping.

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) says the changes reflect cross-party
support for helping newlyweds and families with children.

(CNA-PB)

Rohingya survivors of Myanmar's 2017 crackdown say they expect the UN's top
court to rule that genocide was committed.

The case is being heard at the International Court of Justice in The Hague,
also known as the World Court.

Lawyers for Gambia, which brought the case, say Myanmar intended to destroy
the Rohingya as a group.

Myanmar denies genocide and says its 2017 operation was a legitimate
counterterrorism campaign that drove many people into Bangladesh.

A judgment is expected in about 3 to 6 months after three weeks of hearings.

The outcome could also affect South Africa's genocide case against Israel
over the war in Gaza.

(PB)

Polish officials say Russian cyberattacks hit 30 renewable energy facilities
in late December.

They say a manufacturing firm and a heat-and-power plant serving nearly
500-thousand customers were also targeted.

Poland's CERT says the activity likely came from hackers linked to Russia's
Federal Security Service, and calls the attacks "destructive."

Officials note the attacks came during freezing weather, but security
software blocked efforts to permanently destroy data at the heating plant.

Separate analysis from ESET links the malware to Russian military cyber unit
Sandworm, not the FSB.

A Google Threat Intelligence Group analyst says the case could signal an
escalation toward damage, not just spying.

Russia denies links to cyberattacks in Europe, and analysts major events like
the Winter Olympic Games can also face disruption.

(PB)

The Norwegian Nobel Committee says digital espionage likely exposed the 2025
Nobel Peace Prize winner before the official announcement.

The committee secretary says investigators cannot yet confirm what happened
or who was responsible.

Reports says betting on Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado
surged on Oct. 10th, just hours before the name was due in Oslo.

The secretary says the bets quickly grew to about $2.2 million US dollars,
even though she was not seen as a front-runner.

He says one of Norway's intelligence agencies joined an inquiry into whether
there was an internal leak or external spying.

The committee says it is now focused on preventing future breaches.

(PB)

Taiwan People's Party lawmaker Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) says he will resign
from the Legislature tomorrow.

He says he will still lead the party and attend key caucus meetings when his
schedule allows.

Huang says his New Taipei mayor campaign headquarters will open on Sunday.

He says media figure Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康) will attend the launch.

Huang is stepping down under the party's "two-year clause," which rotates
at-large seats to the next people on its list.

A separate issue involves incoming TPP legislator Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀), who
officials say must renounce Chinese nationality within one year, and Huang
says the caucus will follow the law.

(CNA-PB)

Taiwan's statistics agency says GDP grew an estimated 8.63-percent in 2025,
the strongest in 15 years.

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics links the surge
to exports and strong demand for AI applications.

It says fourth-quarter growth reached an estimated 12.68-percent, lifting the
full-year result above earlier forecasts.

Officials say private consumption and investment also helped, backed by a
recovering car market and active stock trading.

The agency says Taiwan?s per-person GDP rose to $39-thousand-477 US dollars,
close to $40-thousand dollars.

It adds that a new 2026 growth forecast will be released on Feb. 13th.

(CNA-PB)

Israel says the Rafah border crossing will reopen on Sunday for travel
between Gaza Strip and Egypt.

Israel's COGAT says only people will be allowed to cross, not aid or goods.

It says returns from Egypt will be limited to Gaza residents who left during
the war and who receive prior Israeli security clearance.

Reports say talks are still under way on how many people can pass each day,
with one source citing about 150 returns daily.

The crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, when Israel seized the
area.

The report says reopening Rafah is tied to a ceasefire plan backed by U.S.
President Donald Trump after Israel recovered the remains of the last Israeli
hostage in Gaza this week.

Aid groups say Gaza still needs vital supplies, and they are calling for
fewer restrictions on items needed to restore basic services.

(PB)

US and European officials are reportedly worried that promised US energy aid
for Ukraine is not being released.

Sources say the money was meant to go through U.S. Agency for International
Development to help buy gas and repair damaged energy systems.

They say the aid stalled after the agency was effectively shut down early in
the Donald Trump administration.

A spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget says available funds were
not specifically set aside for energy.

A former State Department energy official disputes that and says
Congress-backed resources should be used for fast repairs.

A report says power cuts and heating outages are hitting cities like Kyiv as
freezing weather continues.

It also cites Ukrainian officials saying major energy plants have been badly
damaged, with about 675 million euros in unfunded needs.

(PB)

UK's Prime Minister says China will lift restrictions on a group of British
lawmakers, letting them travel there again.

Keir Starmer made the announcement during a four-day visit to China, the
first by a UK leader in 8 years.

Starmer told the BBC he raised the issue with Xi Jinping, who said
"restrictions no longer apply."

China imposed the measures in 2021 on nine Britons after criticism over
alleged abuses in Xinjiang.

Starmer's office says Britain is not lifting sanctions on Chinese individuals
in return.

Some sanctioned lawmakers say they do not want their status used as a
"bargaining chip."

The report notes China lifted sanctions on some European Parliament members
last year.

(PB)