ICRT

Posted on 2026-08-11 19:43:13

Workers in Taiwan's electronics industry put in record amounts of overtime in
June as the global artificial intelligence boom continued to drive demand.

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says employees
in the electronic components industry worked an average of 28-point-7 hours
of overtime in June - the highest for the month since records began in 1980.

Workers in the computer and optoelectronics industry also reached a June
record, averaging 17-point-7 hours of overtime.

The statistics agency says strong global demand for AI-related products has
driven a surge in orders for Taiwanese technology companies, prompting
employers to rely more heavily on overtime.

Across Taiwan's industrial and service sectors, employees worked an average
of 9-point-1 hours of overtime in June, up half an hour from a year earlier.

Employment also continued to grow, with the number of jobs in the industrial
and service sectors reaching 8-point-58 million at the end of June.

The agency says employment remains weaker in some traditional industries,
suggesting those sectors have yet to fully recover.

Posted on 2026-08-11 19:43:16

A Taiwanese lawyer has been indicted for allegedly fabricating business
information to help Chinese nationals enter Taiwan under false pretenses.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office says lawyer Chen Chen-wei and others
submitted fake business plans and itineraries to obtain entry permits for
four Chinese nationals between 2023 and 2024.

Prosecutors say three of them were actually in Taiwan to apply for Belize
passports, and Chen's group received 80-thousand U-S dollars for successfully
helping one applicant obtain a passport.

Three of the four were allowed into Taiwan, while the fourth was denied entry
because he had previously been a member of China's National People's
Congress.

Prosecutors say the scheme undermined Taiwan's border controls and created
potential national security loopholes.

Posted on 2026-08-11 19:43:17

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has killed more than 2,000 people, making
it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded worldwide.

The latest government data shows 4,381 confirmed cases and 2,011 deaths since
the outbreak was declared on May 15.

Health authorities are struggling to reach remote communities because of
rebel violence, poor roads and work stoppages over unpaid wages.

The outbreak likely began months before it was officially declared and is
already the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record, behind the 2014 to 2016
epidemic in West Africa.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved
vaccines or treatments, although clinical trials have begun in Ituri
province.

Aid workers say the virus is spreading faster than containment efforts, with
many healthcare workers still on strike.

Posted on 2026-08-11 19:43:17

A Syrian court has sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad and his younger
brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes
committed during Syria's 14-year conflict.

The war left about half a million people dead.

Assad's maternal cousin, Atef Najib, was also sentenced to death for leading
a crackdown in the southern province of Daraa that helped trigger the
uprising and subsequent civil war.

Najib was present in court Tuesday and stood in a cage wearing a prison
uniform as the sentence was read.

Bashar and Maher Assad fled to Russia after insurgents captured Damascus in
December 2024.

Posted on 2026-08-11 19:43:17

Indonesian firefighters have mostly contained a wildfire that has burned
nearly 900 hectares in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, but crews are
still working to put out remaining hot spots.

Officials say they are also taking steps to prevent the blaze from reigniting
at the popular tourist destination in East Java.

The fire is part of a wider wildfire crisis during Indonesia's dry season,
with nearly 49,000 hectares burned across six provinces.

Authorities have stepped up firefighting efforts, particularly in peatland
areas where fires can continue smoldering underground for weeks.

In West Kalimantan, wildfire smoke has forced schools to close in Pontianak,
while satellite images show smoke drifting into neighboring Malaysia.

Posted on 2026-08-11 18:39:14

Taiwan has reported a seasonal high of 72 new severe COVID-19 cases and 14
deaths last week, even as the outbreak shows signs of slowing.

The Centers for Disease Control says outpatient and emergency visits rose
nearly 28 percent to about 24 thousand 600 - but that's a much smaller
increase than in recent weeks.

The CDC now expects the outbreak to peak in mid-to-late August and has cut
its forecast for peak weekly visits from 51 thousand to about 27 thousand.

Since last October, nearly three-quarters of severe cases have involved
people aged 65 and over ...

... while 84 percent had chronic illnesses and nearly 90 percent had not
received this season's COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC says about 140 thousand vaccine doses remain available and is urging
people who want to be vaccinated to do so soon.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-11 18:39:14

The Criminal Investigation Bureau has busted a ticket scalping syndicate that
allegedly used an SMS verification service to create fake accounts and snap
up more than 2,000 tickets to major concerts.

Police say the tickets included shows by BLACKPINK, BABYMONSTER and Mayday
and were resold for up to three times their original prices, generating about
11 million NT.

Investigators say the group used so-called "ghost accounts" and SMS
verification codes to circumvent ticketing platforms' identity checks.

Seven suspected scalpers were arrested, while police also identified a
41-year-old man who allegedly operated the SMS verification service used in
the scheme.

The suspects have been referred to prosecutors for alleged violations of the
Cultural and Creative Industries Development Act.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-11 17:06:14

The KMT is doubling down on remarks made by chair Cheng Li Wun in which she
said that Taiwan is not and has never been an independent country.

Her deputy chair Hsiao Hsu Tsen says today that those remarks are in
accordance with Taiwan's constitution and are best for the Taiwanese people.

The ROC constitution, however, states that Taiwan is a government and the ROC
is a country.

Following Cheng's interiew, many pointed out that her remarks seem to be at
odds with ones made by former President Ma Ying-Jeou, in which he stated that
"The ROC is our country."

DPP Spokesperson Michelle Lin says today though that Cheng and Hsiao both are
playing word games with logic that is less than sound.

Lin suggested that Cheng made the remarks to remain in Chinese leader Xi
Jinping's good graces.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-11 17:06:14

The Keelung city government is offering up to 30,000 NT in subidies per shop
affected by flooding on Saturday.

Officials say, shops along Renyi仁一 to Rensan仁三 Roads and from Aisi愛四 to
Ailiu愛六 Roads were particularly hard hit by the floods brought on by Typhoon
Dolphin.

To qualify for the subsidies, the business in question must have a brick and
mortar location within the affected areas of Ren'ai District...

with proof of having had products, raw materials, equipment or other iteams
damaged in the floods.

To apply, eligibile business owners can head to the Ren'Ai District Office
before November 7th with an application form, ID, business license, and photo
evidence of the damage.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-11 17:06:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is negotiating with Morocco and Uganda
following recent entry delays for Taiwanese passport holders.

Officials clarified that Morocco’s suspension of visa confirmation letters
applies to multiple countries, though Taiwan has reciprocated by pausing
standard visas for Moroccan nationals.

MOFA says in Uganda, recent entry issues may stem from Taiwan’s June travel
restrictions implemented during an Ebola outbreak.

The Foreign Ministry plans to review those restrictions later this month.

Officials reminds travelers to closely monitor international entry policy
updates before planning travel to the region.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-11 17:06:14

Now turning to international news...

Last year, US President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy that he had "no cards" in the fight against Russia's invasion.

But since that meeting, Ukraine has shown it can take the war to Russia.

In one operation, drones smuggled into the country destroyed or damaged
Russian bombers worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Kyiv has ramped up a campaign of longer-range strikes, increased production
of weapons, targeted Russian air defenses, and hit oil infrastructure.

In June, Ukrainian drone strikes sent thick plumes of smoke billowing over St
Petersburg just before the opening of an international economic forum.

Concern over Ukraine's attacls led to Russian authorities scaling down a
military parade in May...

while strikes on oil refineries have caused a summer fuel crisis.

When Trump and Zelenskyy met again last month, the US president said
Zelenskyy had been "very effective" in battling Russia.

Despite progress, Kyiv still faces major challeneges in defending against
Russian strikes due to shortages of US-made Patriot air defense missiles.

Posted on 2026-08-11 16:16:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Xiu Yan is praising residents for the smooth completion of
yesterday's Urban Resilience Drills in Central Taiwan.

The drills yesterday were the first time that a simulated internet slowdown
has been included.

The mayor says the drills went off without a hitch due to plenty of
preparation and public awareness campaigns.

Lu says, government data indicates that there were more emergency calls to
1999 than usual, with 28 calls recorded during the half hour drill period.

The mayor says she was glad that residents knew that they could still make
emergency calls during the drill period, with calls also reported to 119 and
110.

Urban Resilience Drills continue in nothern Taiwan Thursday, with planned
internet interruptions also on the books from 2:30 to 3pm.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-11 16:16:13

The Transportation Ministry is banning taxi fleet operators from improperly
charging drivers license-related fees starting August 13th.

Violators can face fines of up to 90 thousand NT, partial suspension of
operations and, in serious cases, revocation of their business licenses.

Operators can also be ordered to refund improperly collected fees.

The new rules also prohibit operators from forcing drivers to purchase
vehicles or obtain loans and insurance from designated providers, as well as
other practices that unfairly restrict drivers' rights.

Taiwan has about 100 thousand taxi licenses, with roughly 93 thousand
vehicles currently registered.

The ministry says complaints about improper fees have been particularly
serious in Taichung, where drivers have reportedly been charged as much as
350 thousand NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-11 16:16:13

The Food and Drug Administration has stopped a batch of Pakistani mixed spice
powder at the border after it was found to contain residues of multiple
pesticides.

The FDA said they include a pesticide that is not permitted under Taiwan's
regulations.

As the importer, Mayur Indian Kitchen, had previously been involved in a case
of banned Sudan dye in spices, officials say the company is now under
100-percent batch-by-batch inspection.

The other products on the FDA's latest list of failed border inspections this
week included cup lids from China containing prohibited fluorescent whitening
agents and plastic cutting boards .

All non-compliant products will be returned or destroyed.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-11 16:16:13

In world news...

Congo's Ebola outbreak has recorded at least 2,000 deaths among confirmed
cases, the fastest growing on record.

Government data shows a total of 4,381 confirmed cases, including 2,011
deaths. As of today, 700 patients are in admission and isolation.

The Ebola outbreak declared on May 15th is unlike most previous ones because
the rare Bundi-bugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or
treatments.

The World Health Organization said on Monday that it started in February,
long before authorities detected it in one of Congo’s most remote and
vulnerable areas.

The WHO said current outbreak is the 17th — and largest —that the Central
African nation has faced.

Posted on 2026-08-11 16:16:13

Tropical Storm Dolphin has dumped heavy rain in eastern China, causing
flooding after making landfall as a typhoon.

Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports canceled more than 900 flights today,
and Shanghai suspended some of its metro lines.

Authorities have warned of severe flooding and landslides in some areas.

Dolphin was weakening on Monday after hitting Taizhou in Zhejiang province
Sunday evening.

It had also forced at least 760,000 people to preemptively relocate.

Dolphin passed by the Philippines offshore but intensified seasonal monsoon
rains.

It raised the death toll to 19 from nearly a week of storms in the northern
Luzon region.

Posted on 2026-08-11 14:08:14

The Ministry of Digital Affairs is issuing new cybersecurity rules for
officials traveling abroad on government business.

High-level officials visiting high-risk regions like China, Hong Kong, and
Macau are now banned from bringing their standard work laptops or personal
devices containing government data.

Travelers to high-risk areas must instead use temporary, factory-reset
government devices, create temporary communication accounts, and avoid public
Wi-Fi networks.

MODA says all returned devices must undergo mandatory cybersecurity
inspections and full data wipes before being cleared for future use.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-11 14:08:14

Station

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi is planning to invest over $1 billion NT in a major
renovation of the Taipei Main Station, which will take about two years and 8
months.

The department store says the work will be carried out in phases while the
shopping complex remains open... as 90-percent of the vendors there have
already signed a short-term lease to continue their business.

At a ceremony today, Shin Kong says it will redesign the station's main hall,
including installing new flooring and lighting.

Passenger services will also be upgraded with improved signage, digital
travel information, smart services and exhibition spaces for young artists.

A new elevator will connect the basement directly to the second floor,
making it easier for elderly travelers and those with luggage to move around
the station.

Shin Kong took over the operation of the transportation hub's shopping area
on July 25th, ending Breeze Group's 19-year run.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-11 14:08:14

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 191 points to
close the session at 45120.

The turnover was 869 billionNT

Posted on 2026-08-11 13:10:13

is important

Education Minister Zheng Ying-yao says although more high-school students now
aspire to study science and technology, his ministry will maintain a balance
between those fields and humanities.

According to the Education Ministry data for the 2025-26 academic year,
512-thousand university and college students, or 48 percent, are pursuing
technology-related subjects.

And that ratio has kept increasing in recent years.

Another 354,000, or 33 percent, are in the social sciences such as politics
and economics, while 18 percent are studying humanities subjects like
languages and art.

Zheng says Taiwan obviously needs a lot of talents in the technology sector,
but humanities and social sciences remain a key force for maintaining social
stability.

He notes that even in the field of computer games, for example, designers
need a lot of input from literature.

The Minister encourages young people to pursue their passions rather than
choose a field of study based solely on future job prospects.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-11 13:10:16

The Hualien County government says, it will be stepping up iguana
surveillance after Shou-feng 壽豐 township reported its first sighting of the
reptilian pests.

They're reminding residents to submit photo evidence if they see an iguana so
that the government can dispatch personnel as soon as possible.

Previously, iguanas had been sighted in the county's Ji'an 吉安 and Yuli
townships as far back as 2022...

as well as at a bike path near the Hualien River.

The county government already removed 2 iguanas in Ji'an earlier this year,
and with new sightings reported in Shoufeng, authorities say they will step
up patrols.

Authorities remind the public not to remove iguanas on their own as they can
get hurt. Instead they should report it and let experts do the job.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-11 13:10:16

Winemakers in Italy are harvesting some grapes 10 days earlier than usual due
to climate change.

The grapes for the prized Franciacorta sparkling win were mature earlier than
ever due to high temperatures of 38 degrees celsius.

In recent years, climate change has shortened the window for harvesting wine
grapes, forcing winemakers to make quick decisions when even a few days can
make or break that batch.

It is not just Franciacorta that is starting early.

Sicily began the wine harvest for still wines in late July, while some parts
of Tuscany also started picking, as well as most sparkling wine regions.

Posted on 2026-08-11 08:14:13

And finally,

The government says inflation-adjusted average monthly regular wages in the
industrial and service sectors posted the strongest growth for the first half
of the year in six years.

According to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics,
data shows real average monthly regular wages reached 44,119 N-T in the
January to June period.

That's an increase of 1.16-per cent from last year and the highest rise since
2020.

Before adjusting for inflation, average monthly regular wages for the
six-month period rose 2.88-per cent from a year earlier to stand at 48,981
N-T.

The government says average aggregate earnings, which include regular and
non-regular pay such as overtime pay and bonuses, totaled 411,786 N-T in the
first six months of this year.

That was up by 3.48-per cent from the same period of last year.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:13

An urban resilience air defense exercise was held in Central Taiwan on Monday
in conjunction with the WanAn air raid drill.

Air raid sirens sounded at 2:30PM across Miaoli County, Taichung, Nantou,
Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi - marking the start of the 30-minute exercise.

It also included a slowdown of mobile internet services to simulate
communications disruptions during a wartime or possible civil emergency for
the first time.

The National Communications Commission reduced mobile network bandwidth while
maintaining voice calls, text messaging, emergency calls and
disaster-prevention cell broadcast alerts.

In Taichung, residents evacuated to nearby shelters after the sirens sounded.

Department stores switched off their lights, lowered their shutters and
temporarily suspended business.

In Chiayi, County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang inspected evacuation
arrangements at Minxiong Railway Station, a hardware store and the Minxiong
Township Office, as well as an underground air raid shelter at the township
representatives' council.

The annual urban resilience exercises will continue Tuesday in Kinmen, Matsu
and Penghu before moving to northern Taiwan on Thursday.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:13

The military tested their ability to mobilize transportation resources as
part of the on-going Han Kuang exercise - using commercial flatbed trucks to
transport tanks during a cross-regional reinforcement drills.

Defense officials say the drill was designed to test civilian-military
coordination and accelerate the movement of armored vehicles to reinforce
defenses against a simulated attack.

The scenario assumed that northern Taiwan had come under attack, prompting a
Combined Arms Battalion based in Hualien County to reinforce defenses in
neighboring Yilan County to the northeast.

According the Ministry of National Defense, the main objective was to
transport military vehicles from Hualien to Yilan overnight using civilian
flatbed trailers.

The Han Kuang exercises continue through this Friday.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:13

The Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is scheduled to arrive
Taiwan later today for a visit marking 45 years of diplomatic relations.

Godwin Friday is expected to stay in Taiwan until Saturday.

It will be his first trip Taiwan since taking office.

Friday is scheduled to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te and be
formally received with military honors.

Godwin and his delegation will also participate in events commemorating the
45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines and Taiwan.

Economic issues will be high on the agenda, with the Prime Minister's Office
saying an investor roundtable bringing together the Vincentian delegation and
prospective Taiwanese investors is also among the scheduled events.

Members of Friday's delegation will include Attorney General Louise Mitchell,
Foreign Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, and Ambassador for Finance,
Climate and Investment Kevin Hope.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has opened an investigation into
allegations that President Lai Ching-te's top envoy in Geneva was involved in
workplace bullying and other misconduct.

The ministry says it formed a special task force, composed mainly of
personnel from outside the ministry to conduct the investigation, after
receiving a complaint against Greg Lee.

The petition was from some of his subordinates at the Taiwan representative
office in Switzerland.

The investigation is expected to focus on accusations of workplace bullying,
while other complaints of misbehavior will be handled by the appropriate
government agencies.

The statement comes after media outlets were sent similar petitions against
Lee this past weekend.

The 134-page complaint was signed by "all affected colleagues," and details
seven categories of alleged serious misconduct by Lee including workplace
bullying, incompetent leadership and using public resources for personal
purposes.

Lee has served as director-general of the Taipei Cultural and Economic Office
in Geneva since December of 2024.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:13

A delivery worker alliance and labor union have filed criminal complaints
against Uber Technologies and Uber Eats Taiwan executives, accusing them of
underpaying workers handling multiple deliveries under the new delivery
worker protection law.

The complaints have been filed with the Taipei District Prosecutors. Office.

They target Uber Technologies C-E-O Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber Eats Taiwan
Chairperson Michelle Georgette Parker, the platform's Taiwan general manager
and several local corporate representatives.

The alliance and the National Delivery Industry Union accuse Uber Eats of
knowingly adopting an unlawful payment formula for so-called "stacked orders"
-- in which a courier delivers two or more orders in a single trip.

The groups says company has been underpaying couriers while leading them to
believe they were being compensated in accordance with the Delivery Workers'
Rights Protection and Delivery Platform Management Act.

The Ministry of Labor has determined that Uber Eats' method of calculating
stacked-order pay violated the new law.

The Delivery Workers' Rights Protection and Delivery Platform Management Act
guarantees a minimum payment of 45 N-T per order and requires compensation
based on delivery time at a rate of 245 N-T per hour.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:13

Taiwan Sugar has announced that it'll stop buying raw oil from local
companies and will instead import soybeans from overseas to produce its
finished cooking oil in the second half of this year.

The state-run company says the move has been taken as precautionary measure
due to the recent contaminated cooking oil case involving Central Union Oil
Corporation.

Taiwan Sugar was forced to remove 2,900 metric tons of oil products and
inventory from store shelves after tests found excessive levels of a
carcinogen in Central Union Oil raw oil shipments.

Taiwan Sugar says those products won't be returned to store shelves until
authorities have carried tests to ensure they are safe to eat.

The company is also continuing to deny any wronging amid charges it was aware
of the contaminated cooking oil, but failed to report it to authorities.

Taiwan Sugar says it rejected the contaminated shipments and tests conducted
on its oil products since have all met with regulatory standards.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:14

And,

The Ministry of the Interior says data shows that Taiwan's population
declined for a 31st consecutive month in July.

Taiwan’s population stood at 23,235,002 at the end of last month - which was
a decline of .44 percent from the same period of last year.

The number of newborns last month rose to 7,906, which was up by just over 7
percent from June.

However, the total number of births during the first seven months of this
year showed a decline of 15.7-per cent from the same period of last year.

Keelung had the lowest crude birth rate in July, followed by Tainan and
Chiayi County.

While Taitung registered the highest crude birth rate in July, followed by
Yunlin and Matsu.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:14

A Pentagon official has urged Asian allies to invest more in their defense to
deter regional aggression.

Elbridge Colby, an undersecretary of defense, made the remarks Monday at a
forum in the Philippines.

He said the U.S. remained committed to Asia despite its current focus on the
Middle East.

Colby sought to reassure that America is not disengaging from Asia and
highlighted the importance of a favorable balance of power.

He stayed away from the usual U.S. tirade against China’s growing aggression
in the region, including in the disputed South China Sea, but reiterated the
U.S. obligation to defend the Philippines.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:14

Voters have gone to the polls in the final phase of elections for the
legislative assembly in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Officials said men and women began lining up early at polling stations in
Poonch district in the disputed Himalayan region, where four assembly seats
were being contested.

The voting follows weeks of violent protests and clashes with security forces
that overshadowed campaigning in the disputed Himalayan region. Pakistan’s
ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N has already secured a majority.

The party is expected to form the regional government for the first time in a
decade after winning 24 of the 34 seats decided in the first two phases of
voting.

Posted on 2026-08-11 07:03:14

Indonesia has intensified efforts to combat wildfires that have burned more
than 107,000 264,000 acres across the country during an unusually dry season.

The largest blaze has scorched more than 18 hundred acres in East Java’s
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, forcing authorities to close the popular
tourist destination.

Officials say strengthening El Nino conditions are increasing wildfire risks,
while a lack of rain-bearing clouds has prevented cloud-seeding operations.

Fires have also been reported in Sumatra and Borneo, with haze from peatland
fires raising regional concerns.

More than 43 helicopters and thousands of firefighters have been deployed
nationwide.

Posted on 2026-08-10 20:07:49

Inflation-adjusted regular wages in Taiwan rose at their fastest pace for the
first half of the year in six years.

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says real
average monthly regular wages reached 44-thousand-119 NT in the first six
months of this year - up 1.16 percent from a year earlier.

But the figures also show a wide gap between industries.

Average regular monthly wages were about 74-thousand NT in finance and
insurance and 58-thousand in electronic components, compared with less than
35-thousand in hospitality and food services.

In June, the median regular monthly wage was about 39-thousand-500 NT - up
just over 3 percent from a year earlier.

The D-G-B-A-S warned that renewed inflation could erode future gains in
workers' purchasing power.

Posted on 2026-08-10 19:56:13

Taiwan's top representative in Japan says he boycotted this year's memorial
marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, accusing the
city of treating Taiwan unfairly.

Lee Yi-yang, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office
in Tokyo, said on social media that the seating arrangements at the ceremony
showed Nagasaki was deliberately denying Taiwan's status as a nation and
disregarding its sovereignty and dignity.

Lee instead sent a lower-ranking official after saying Taiwan's designated
seats were not alongside diplomatic missions.

Nagasaki says it invites countries, regions and organizations that have
diplomatic missions in Japan or the United Nations.

Lee has also accused the city of being pro-China and insulting Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-08-10 19:56:16

Taiwan High Speed Rail is reminding passengers to keep power banks within
sight while traveling.

It also warns that deformed or unusually hot power banks should not be used
or brought onto trains.

The reminder comes after a passenger's power bank caught fire aboard a train
this morning, before crew members quickly extinguished the flames.

The incident occurred during a morning service between Changhua and Taichung,
and passengers in the affected carriage were moved to other cars as a
precaution.

No injuries were reported, and the train departed Taichung normally without
disrupting its subsequent schedule.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-10 19:56:17

Taiwan's military has conducted a nuclear, biological and chemical
decontamination drill in eastern Taiwan as part of the live-fire phase of the
annual Han Kuang exercises.

The drill in Hualien simulated a chemical weapons attack by Chinese agents
who had infiltrated Taiwan and released toxic gas around several military
positions.

Under the scenario, the attack was intended to disrupt forces in eastern
Taiwan and delay them from reinforcing troops defending the north.

Military personnel from the Army's Chemical Group were ordered to establish a
temporary decontamination station, which they did within 30 minutes.

Troops wearing protective respirators then tested and disinfected tanks and
armored vehicles, using water and specialized decontamination materials
before checking the vehicles again for traces of contamination.

This year's Han Kuang exercises are running through August 14th.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-10 19:56:17

A former Thai lawmaker has been arrested after a shooting at a government
office outside Bangkok that left one person dead and another injured.

Police say Chalong Riewraeng (CHA-long RIEW-raeng) allegedly shot Thongchai
Yenprasert (TONG-chai YEN-pra-sert), chief executive of the Nonthaburi
(NON-tah-boo-ree) Provincial Administrative Organization today.

Thongchai died from his injuries, while his driver was wounded and remains in
stable condition.

Chalong reportedly told authorities the shooting was linked to a dispute over
money.

The incident comes days after a deadly school shooting in the same province
that left at least eight people dead.

Thailand has seen a series of high-profile shootings in recent years.

Posted on 2026-08-10 19:56:17

France is preparing for its fifth heat wave alert of the season, as another
stretch of extreme temperatures moves across the country.

National weather agency Météo-France says temperatures in southeastern France
could approach 40 degrees Celsius from tomorrow.

The latest heat wave follows months of unusually hot weather across Europe,
which has fueled wildfires, prolonged drought and new temperature records.

The extreme heat is also expected to contribute to thousands of heat-related
deaths across the continent.

Globally, 2026 is currently the third-hottest year on record, behind 2024 and
2025, although climate experts say there is still time for that ranking to
change.

Posted on 2026-08-10 18:14:13

orders

Taiwanese food delivery unions have filed criminal complaints against senior
Uber and Uber Eats executives ...

... accusing the platform of underpaying drivers through its stacked-order
payment system.

The unions say Uber Eats calculates payments for multiple orders based on the
total delivery time, rather than separately accounting for the time spent on
each order, which they say violates Taiwan's new delivery-worker law that
took effect on July 21.

They cited one case in which two deliveries took 25 and 29 minutes, saying
the driver should have received more than 220 NT under the new minimum-pay
rules but was paid about 100 NT less.

They are asking prosecutors to investigate whether company executives
committed aggravated fraud.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-10 18:14:13

TrendForce warns that iPhones are getting more expensive to make, meaning
consumers might have to pay more, even for older iPhones.

The Taiwan-based research firm estimates the bill of materials for Apple's
upcoming iPhone 18 Pro 256GB model could rise about 38 percent from a year
earlier, largely due to soaring memory prices.

It expects Apple to absorb some of the increase through lower profit margins,
but could also raise prices on older models after the new lineup launches.

Memory now accounts for about 34 percent of component costs in recent iPhone
Pro models, up from 10 percent a year ago, and could exceed 40 percent by the
first half of 2027.

TrendForce says Android makers face even greater pressure because of thinner
margins, potentially forcing bigger price increases or cuts to loss-making
products.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-10 17:18:13

A national security source says, China is attemting to sway Taiwanese voters
ahead of November's elections by supporting what they call "patriotic"
partners within Taiwan.

That's one of four strategies regarding Taiwan that the CCP is focused on
pushing this summer according to the source.

The other 3 major directions Beijing is taking include strengthening
substantive governance of Taiwan by cutting off international support;
convincing the Taiwanese public to oppose Taiwanese independence; and
opposing the use of weapons to seek independence.

Those would be on the agenda of CCP's Beidaihe 北戴河 meetings during the first
half of August.

The source also says with Xi Jinping's planned trip to the US next month, the
CCP will take advantage of the Beidaihe period to discuss policy towards
Washington DC and towards Taiwan...

particularly regarding trade.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-10 17:18:13

The KMT is calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a formal
condemnation of the Philippines over its territorial claims to Scarborough
Shoal.

It comes after the Philippines submitted to the United Nations Secretariat an
official nautical chart covering the Shoal, which the Philippines calls Bajo
de Masinloc, and its surrounding waters.

That means the Philippines has explicitly claimed sovereignty over the
disputed atoll, which Taiwan and China also claim.

The KMT says today that the declaration is a big deal for the Republic of
China from a foreign affairs point of view...

adding that the ROC must take stronger actions.

KMT spokesperson Niu Xu Ting said if MOFA fails to actively assert its rights
and the related economic interests, it would further undermine the country's
national interests.

He also accused the Philippines of "once again" impinging upon the ROC's
sovereignty in the South China Sea.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-10 17:18:13

Now turning to international news...

Russian authorities say, Ukrainian attacks on the city of Nizhnekamsk killed
12 people and wounded 39 others.

That's as Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities with long-range drones
almost daily over recent months.

The attacks have caused fuel shortages in Russia and unsettled the Russian
public.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, the campaign is meant to force
Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and end his already
4 year old invasion of Ukraine.

Nizhnekamsk is roughly 1,200 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border.

The city is an important oil refining hub, home to two refineries and a
petrochemical plant.

Posted on 2026-08-10 16:07:14

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has reported record-high revenue of $467
billion NT for July, up 5.6 percent from June and 45 percent from a year
earlier.

Market analysts say strong demand for advanced process technologies,
including 2-nanometer chips, was the main driver behind the record revenue.

TSMC's cumulative revenue for the first seven months of the year was also up
37 percent from the same period last year.

The tech giant expects third-quarter revenue to reach between $479 billion
and $500 billion NT a month, potentially setting new records.

To meet strong customer demand, TSMC plans capital spending of roughly $64
billion U.S. dollars this year.

That should include a joint venture with Sony group to make next-generation
‌microchips used in image sensors, with a combined expenditure of $6.32
billion U.S. dollars... according to Nikkei business daily.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-10 16:07:14

In world news...

Tropical Storm Dolphin is dumping heavy rain in eastern China.

It has caused flooding in places after making landfall as a typhoon
yesterday.

Authorities have warned of risks of severe flooding and landslides in some
areas.

Forecasters say Dolphin has maximum sustained winds of over 60 kilometers an
hour and it'll continue weakening until it dissipates.

Dolphin made landfall as a typhoon Sunday evening in Zhe-jiang province after
bringing heavy rain to northern Taiwan over the weekend.

Before the typhoon hit, more than 300,000 people in the area were
preemptively relocated and Shanghai’s two airports canceled more than 1,300
flights.

Meanwhile Tropical Storm Chan-Hom, located some 950 kilometers over waters
east of Tokyo, is heading to Japan's Pacific coast.

If it continues on its predicted path westward, it's expected to make
landfall in Japan Tuesday evening.

Posted on 2026-08-10 16:07:14

South Korean and U.S. militaries say they will begin their annual large
exercises next week to beef up readiness against North Korean threats.

Their announcement today comes days after North Korea resumed its ballistic
missile testing activities.

South Korea's military says the Ulchi Freedom Shield is to begin next Monday
for a 11-day run and that its scale will be similar to previous years with
about 18,000 South Korean soldiers participating in it.

North Korea has steadfastly described any major U.S.-South Korean military
drills as a practice to invade North Korea and responded with provocative
weapons tests.

Posted on 2026-08-10 16:07:14

The heat waves roiling Western Europe this summer toppled an average
temperature record for the June-July period set in 2022.

It reached 21.6 degrees Celsius.

The extreme heat began in May and has contributed to major wildfires,
prolonged drought and new national temperature records across the region, as
well as thousands of projected heat-related deaths.

Globally, so far this is only the third-hottest year, behind 2024 and 2025,
climate statistics show.

But 2026 still has time to catch up and there’s an increasing chance that by
the end of the year, 2026 could become the hottest year on record.

Posted on 2026-08-10 15:07:13

typhoons, etc.

The Tourism Administration says travel agencies are banned from charging
passengers fees for ticket refunds or changes when flights are canceled due
to typhoons or other circumstances beyond their control.

Agencies that violate the rule could face fines of up to $50,000 NT.

Many travel agencies currently state on their websites that passengers who
purchase airline tickets through them may be charged service fees for
changing or canceling tickets even because of natural disasters.

Such fees generally range from $300 to $500 NT.

To protect consumer rights, the Administration recently sent a notice
reminding travel agencies that they may not charge consumers fees for
involuntary ticket refunds or changes.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-10 15:07:13

The Pingtung County government says negligence is supected in the death of an
infant at a daycare center.

The county's Department of Social Affairs says the incident took place during
nap time at a private daycare center.

They say they conducted a joint assessment after receiving the report, and
the case has been reported to police.

Pingtung officials say they received a report from the daycare center on
Wednesday that a 3 month old infant new to the center was without vital
signs.

After attempts to save the child over three days, it ultimately passed away.

The Pingtung government says, it activated investigative mechanisms as soon
as it received the report.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-10 15:07:13

In international news,

Indonesia is battling a growing number of wildfires during an unusually dry
season, with authorities warning that drought, strong winds and the El Niño
weather pattern have increased fire risks across the country.

The largest blaze reported this week has burned about 435 acres in a popular
national park in East Java, forcing its closure.

Hundreds of firefighters, aided by helicopters and drones, are battling the
fire.

Other wildfires have been reported in Central and West Java, while officials
remain concerned that worsening conditions could fuel more fires and
potentially create cross-border haze problems.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-10 15:07:13

Canada's British Columbia has declared a state of emergency as a fast-moving
wildfire destroyed homes and forced more than 20,000 people to flee from
their communities.

Dozens were rescued by aircraft.

The emergency was announced Saturday as more than 100 wildfires burned,
nearly half of them out of control amid hot, windy weather and prolonged
drought.

An entire community of 12,000 people was ordered evacuated overnight, along
with about 8,000 people nearby.

Thousands jammed roads as officials warned that “explosive” conditions could
threaten more communities.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-10 15:07:13

Ukrainians have gathered in Kyiv to honor Oleksiy Yukov, a volunteer who
spent more than two decades recovering the bodies of civilians and soldiers -
many of them Russian - killed by war.

The 40-year-old died last Wednesday in a land mine explosion during a
recovery mission.

Yukov founded a volunteer organization which recovers bodies, often in mine
fields, forests, and ruins.

Known as a “collector of souls,” he believed every dead person deserved a
burial.

He began as a teenager after encountering the remains of Soviet and Russian
soldiers from World War II.

Yukov suffered leg injuries and lost an eye in a mine blast in 2022, but
still recovering, he returned to the front line.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-10 15:07:13

In Canada, a flight was canceled last week after a young child refused to sit
down and buckle up, forcing the plane back to the terminal and delaying it
past the airport’s runway closure.

The Toronto-based Porter Airlines says that the parent and crew repeatedly
tried to get the child to sit down and buckle up before the crew returned the
plane to the terminal on Thursday.

The airline says removing the parent and child and their baggage delayed the
Toronto-bound flight past Victoria International Airport’s 12:30 a.m. runway
closure, forcing the remaining passengers to disembark.

The airline apologized to the other passengers, who were rebooked on a flight
the following day.

(KK)

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

A reminder for residents in central Taiwan ...

Mobile internet services will be deliberately slowed starting one half hour
from now as part of a civil-defense exercise during this year's Han Kuang
military drills.

The interruptions will last half an hour, ending at 3pm.

Authorities say the interruptions are designed to simulate communications
disruptions during an emergency.

The exercise covers Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi
County, and Chiayi City.

Basic voice calls and text messaging are expected to remain available, but
services requiring high-speed mobile data may be affected.

And authorities emphasize that calls to emergency services will not be
affected.

Residents are advised to plan ahead for any important online transactions or
communications.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an investigation into the
representative to Switzerland.

MOFA says it received petitions from some employees under representative Greg
Lee accusing him of workplace bullying and other misconduct.

The ministry says it has formed a special task force, composed primarily of
non-ministerial personnel, to handle the matter.

The statement comes after several news outlets picked up the story over the
weekend.

The 134-page complaint details seven categories of alleged misconduct by Lee,
including incompetent leadership and using public resources for personal
purposes...

in addition to workplace bullying.

One example that employees cited was when Lee allegedly asked colleagues to
submit false expense claims to cover his own use of 130,000 NT on high-end
chocolates as gifts.

(AH-CNA)

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

Taiwan shares are up today...

with the benchmark tai ex gaining 702 points to close the session at 44928.

The turnover was 847 billion NT

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

Now turning to international news...

Myanmar has rejected ASEAN's call to release former leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

They also dismissed the necessit of ASEAN's special envoy on Myanmar in a
statement.

ASEAN proposed a peace plan in April 2021 to end hostilities, but Burmese
President Min Aung Hlaing has been barred from top-level meetings for
non-compliance.

Last week, the government did allow a Red Cross representative to visit the
former president, marking her first contact with an internaitonal
organization since the military-backed government detained her.

The Philippines, which currently chairs ASEAN, welcomed the meeting as a step
towards dialogue and reconciliation...

while urging greater access to political detainees and reiterating its call
for her release.

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

Nigeria's army has rescued 33 people who were abducted while traveling in
Zamfara state.

A statement says the rescue operation was launched after passengers were
abducted by gunmen while traveling through the area in the northwest over the
weekend.

It's not clear which group was behind the attack.

Zamfara has seen a surge in killings and abductions in recent months...

with more than 30 people killed in separate attacks in June alone.

Apart from the conflict in the northwest and north-central regions of the
West African country, an insurgency in the northeast has killed thousands of
people and displaced millions of others.

Despite repeated promises by the Nigerian president to address the crisis,
security challenges in Africa’s most populous country have continued to
deteriorate.

Posted on 2026-08-10 13:19:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Xiu Yan is reminding the public that calls to emergency
services will still go through despite planned data roaming blackouts and
slowdowns.

Those interruptions are scheduled for 2:30 om today as part of this year's
Urban Resilience Drills in Central Taiwan...

which will include Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Chiayi, and Yunlin.

The slowdowns are scheduled to end at 3pm.

Mayor Lu says, though, that calls to emergency services like 110, 119, or
1999 will still go through during the half hour period.

She also reminds people that public transit services will be interrupted
during the drills as well...

with buses and above-ground MRT trains stopping, and passengers prohibited
from leaving MRT stations.

Central Taiwan will be the first region to see the internet slowdowns today,
followed by northern Taiwan on Thursday during the same half-hour period.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-10 13:19:13

Taiwan Sugar has announced that it will stop buying raw oil from local
companies and instead will import soybeans from abroad to produce all of its
finished oil in the second half of this year.

The state-run company also said it has taken the precautionary measures of
removing from sale and placing under control a total of 2,900 metric tons of
oil products and inventory.

It said the products won't be shelved again until authorities give the green
light.

In its report to the Legislative Yuan, TaiSugar also said it took those
precautionary measures after the Central Union Oil contamination cases
surfaced.

The opposition KMT and TPP have accused the company of failing to report to
authorities after it found excessive levels of a carcinogen in the raw oil
shipment from Formosa Oilseed Processing company.

TaiSugar says it did nothing wrong, noting that it rejected the shipment and
that 20 tests conducted on its oil products since July 8th have all met
regulatory standards.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-10 13:19:13

Now turning to international news...

Pakistan's foreign minister says a new defense agreement his country signed
with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not directed against any country.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed Friday.

It aims to deepen security cooperation amid tensions between the United
States and Iran.

The foreign minister says that the agreement is "purely defensive" and open
to other countries willing to uphold its principles and resolve differences
through peaceful means.

The agreement states that an armed attack on one is an attack on all.

The minister emphasizes it aligns with the United Nations Charter's
self-defense rights and doesn't replace existing agreements.

The three countries bring significant capabilities to the deal.

Pakistan has extensive military experience and is the Muslim world’s only
nuclear-armed country;

Saudi Arabia brings substantial economic resources and regional influence;

and NATO member Turkey has a large military and an increasingly sophisticated
domestic defense industry.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:13

The Central Weather Administration lifted its sea warning for Typhoon Dolphin
at 11:30 last night.

This, after Dolphin weakened into a tropical storm and moved towards China's
Zhejiang Province.

The storm's outer rim had moved away from northern Taiwan proper late
yesterday afternoon, but Matsu continued to experience strong winds and rain
overnight.

The weather administration says cumulative rainfall in mountainous areas of
Taipei and Taichung approached 30-centimeters as the storm's outer rim moved
away from Taiwan island, while around 20-centimeters had been recorded in
mountainous areas of Hsinchu and Miaoli.

The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to northern Taiwan, causing
some scattered damage.

Taipei's disaster response center said it had received 261 incidents of
damage mainly fallen trees, minor damage to structures and damage to power
and traffic infrastructure.

Six people were injured.

New Taipei and Taoyuan also reported scattered incidents, including fallen
trees, flooding and minor structural damage, but no major incidents were
reported.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration reported 79 domestic and 115
international and cross-strait flight cancellations on Sunday.

While the Maritime and Port Bureau has announced that 72 sailings on eight
routes, including the Keelung-Matsu route, will be suspended today.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

President Lai Ching-te inspected troops stationed in northern Taoyuan during
Sunday's Han Kuang series of exercises on the fifth day of the
annual drill.

Lai was accompanied by Defense Minister Wellington Koo and National Security
Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu.

The Presidential Office says they were briefed by the commander of a Taoyuan
drill group about how the military is coordinating to counter a simulated
Chinese invasion.

That also toured a nearby site operated by the Army's 21st Artillery Command,
where the Avenger Air Defense System was deployed.

Lai sent his thanks to all the service personnel taking part in the Han Kuang
series of exercises for performing their duties despite the heavy rain
brought by Typhoon Dolphin via social media.

He also called on all personnel to take good care of themselves and their
fellow service members, saying that the country is safer and more capable of
defending itself with better preparation, as ensured by the Han Kuang
exercises.

The annual live-fire portion of the Han Kuang exercises will continue through
Friday.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

Taiwan's representative to Japan has boycotted Sunday's annual atomic bombing
memorial ceremony in the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

Lee Yi-yang declined to attend the event after Taiwan's delegation was
designated an "international nongovernmental organization."

Lee says the Nagasaki City government placed Taiwan's delegation in the
International N-G-O section rather than the section for foreign embassies and
representative offices.

That arrangement mirrored last year's, when Taiwan was first invited to
attend the annual memorial ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the
atomic bomb being dropped on Nagasaki

Lee said the delegation decided to attend the Nagasaki memorial last year for
the same reason... and it was regrettable that the Nagasaki City government
continued to inappropriately label Taiwan's delegation this year.

Bruce Chen, the head of the Taiwan's representative office's Fukuoka branch
attended the memorial ceremony in Nagasaki in Lee's place.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

afternoon

An Urban Resilience Air Defense Exercise is scheduled for Central Taiwan this
afternoon in conjunction with the annual WanAn air raid drill.

The drill will be taking place in Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou,Chiayi
and Yunlin from between 2:30 and to 3PM.

When the alarm sounds, police officers and other government personnel will
direct people to air defense shelters or other safe indoor locations.

Traffic controls will be implemented across the are during the exercise, and
members of the public are required to follow evacuation instructions.

People who violate the evacuation order face a fine of up 150,000 N-T.

There will also be a 4G and 5G mobile network slowdown simulation for the
first time.

The network slowdown simulation will last for the entire 30-minute drill.

However, standard voice calls, SMS text messages, emergency hotlines and
fixed broadband/Wi-Fi will continue to function.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

The National Development Council is slated to review a revived plan to expand
the Longtan Science Park in Taoyuan.

The move is meant to pave the way for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
to build five new fabs at the science park, where it will produce advanced
chips.

The project cleared Science Park Council review in May before being sent to
the Cabinet in June.

The Cabinet has since passed it on to the National Development Council for
further review.

The government has said the expansion project could produce 310-billion N-T
in annual economic output and create over 6,000 jobs.

It's hoped that construction of the science park expansion project can begin
in 2030.

T-S-M-C originally dropped plans to invest in the expansion project in 2023
and open fabs in Kaohsiung instead due to land acquisition issues in the
Longtan area.

However, the chipmaker is now eyeing the site as a major part of its
expansion plans.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

And,

The Central Weather Administration says Taiwan will see its second annual
period of exceptionally high astronomical tides from tomorrow through
Saturday.

The administration is warning of the increased risk of localized flooding and
seawater inundation in low-lying coastal areas.

Areas expected to be most affected include areas stretching from Keelung and
New Taipei in the north to Yilan and Taitung along the east coast, and along
the coast from Chiayi to Pingtung.

The phenomenon, known as "spring tide," occurs around new and full moons,
when the gravitational pull of the sun, moon and Earth aligns, producing
higher high tides, lower low tides and a greater tidal range.

The year's highest tides are driven by astronomical factors and occur during
these periods.

The weather administration is advising beachgoers, anglers and others people
engaging in coastal activities to check tide schedules in advance and is
warning that rising tides can quickly submerge beaches and rocky shorelines.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrint is calling out unidentified
foreign powers by wanting to subdue Germany politically and socially by
stirring up fear.

His comments come after two drones have been spotted flying over a German
military base, and after a drone carrying explosives was found at a key
cargo airport

Dobrint says his country is not at war, but Germany is the daily target of
hybrid warfare, which includes espionage, sabotage, cyber attacks and covert
operations.

Some German lawmakers are blaming Russia for sending the drone.

The newspaper Bild said the government planned to boost Germany's anti-drone
capacity to meet the threat.

Posted on 2026-08-10 07:01:15

A schoolgirl has died from critical wounds after a student opened fire at a
high school and his home outside Bangkok the day before, raising the death
toll to at least eight.

The 14-year-old shooter opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School before
apparently taking his own life.

He also allegedly killed his grandparents earlier that morning.

The Health Ministry said the 12-year-old girl died after hospitalization.

Fourteen people remain hospitalized, with seven in critical condition. The
gun was legally registered to the boy’s grandfather.

Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, and shootings
have increased in recent years.

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