ICRT

Posted on 2026-07-20 18:18:14

Taiwanese authorities say China is increasing gray-zone maritime operations
around Taiwan ...

... in an effort to create the impression that Beijing has jurisdiction over
waters off the island's eastern coast.

The Coast Guard Administration says the number of detected Chinese government
vessel movements east of the Taiwan Strait median line rose 83 percent in
June compared with May ...

... with coast guard and research ships accounting for most of the increase.

Authorities say some Chinese vessels have radioed commercial ships near
Taiwan to ask about their routes, while research ships have collected
maritime data under the guise of scientific work.

The CGA also noted that Chinese government vessels often switch off their
automatic identification systems when approaching Taiwan ...

But Taiwan uses joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
capabilities to track their movements.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-20 18:18:16

New data show that confidence in Taiwan's economy weakened in July amid
lingering concerns over tensions in the Middle East.

It's from a survey by Cathay Financial Holding which found that consumers
have become less optimistic about both current economic conditions and the
outlook for the next six months.

It also showed that people are becoming more cautious about spending, with
willingness to purchase big-ticket and durable goods both declining from
June.

Despite the weaker sentiment, respondents still expect Taiwan's economy to
grow by an average of 9 percent this year.

Consumers also expect inflation to remain elevated, forecasting average
consumer price growth of 2.3 percent, with more than two-thirds expecting
inflation to exceed the central bank's 2 percent warning level.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-20 17:08:13

safety

President of Academia Sinica and former Vice President Chen Jian Ren is
calling for greater cooperation between central and local governments...

amidst the ongoing Central Union Oils contamination scandal.

Responding to KMT lawmaker Ke Zhi-en's 柯志恩 questions, Chen said that the
issue was considered a systemic one.

Ke said that, during Chen's time as premier, the government would immediately
remove from the shelves any food items that weren't up to snuff.

She questioned if the government response this time around was a bit too
slow.

Chen says, improvements are needed to the communication channels between
central and local governments.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-20 17:08:13

The National Delivery Industry Union and several other labor groups are
calling on the Fair Trade Commission to reject Grab's proposed acquisition of
Foodpanda Taiwan.

The groups argue the deal would effectively create a monopoly in Taiwan's
food delivery market, noting that Uber, which is already the biggest rival of
Foodpanda, is Grab's largest shareholder

They also say the two companies have cooperated in overseas markets.

According to the groups, nearly 90 percent of delivery workers surveyed
oppose the acquisition, warning it could further weaken their bargaining
power and working conditions.

Similar concerns were raised by Taiwan People's Party lawmakers ... who urged
the F-T-C to closely scrutinize the merger.

They pointed to Singapore's experience after Grab acquired Uber, where
consumer prices rose 10 to 15 percent, discounts were reduced and driver
incentives were cut.

The TPP is also asking that the Labor Ministry clearly defines the delivery
platforms' operational costs so that they don't pass the costs onto consumers
after the newly passed Delivery Workers' Rights Protection and Delivery
Platform Management Act goes into effect tomorrow.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-20 16:07:13

Taiwan’s health authorities say domestic food supplies are safe following a
major parasite outbreak linked to imported lettuce in the United States.

The Food and Drug Administration confirms that no lettuce or salad products
processed by Taylor Farms de Mexico have been imported into Taiwan.

Food distributors in the U.S. have begun recalling iceberg lettuce processed
by the company, after American health officials linked the produce to an
outbreak of Cyclospora infections... mainly in Michigan, Ohio, and New York.

The FDA says its records show zero imports of the affected Mexican lettuce
products over the past three years.

Officials say Cyclospora is not classified as a reportable infectious disease
in Taiwan and no travel advisories have been issued.

However, they are advising travelers visiting affected regions in North
America to ensure all fresh produce is thoroughly washed and water is safe to
drink.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-20 16:07:20

In a related news...

Southeast Asia’s top diplomats will express alarm over renewed hostilities in
the Middle East when they gather in the Philippine capital for annual talks.

The envoys at the three-day meeting are to be joined by counterparts from
several governments, including the United States, China, Russia and the
European Union.

The Philippines is this year's chair of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations and is hosting the talks.

ASEAN foreign ministers will first meet among themselves tomorrow to discuss
the fighting between the U.S. and Iran that has spilled into other countries
and threatened shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Posted on 2026-07-20 16:07:20

Two tourists visiting Xiao-liu-qiu have been referred to prosecutors on
suspicion of touching sea turtles.

Coast guard personnel received a report this morning that visitors were
disturbing a sea turtle near the Vase Rock coastal area.

Officers tracked down and detained two Taiwanese men at the scene.

Video footage captured during the incident clearly shows one man using both
hands to touch the turtle's shell, and after the turtle swam away, a second
man reaching out to touch it for several seconds.

The two men were taken in for questioning and the case has been forwarded to
the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office.

The coast guard is reminding the public that when encountering wild animals,
"no contact, no interference, and no feeding", with violations carrying a
maximum penalty of one year in prison or a fine of up to $300-thousand NT.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-20 14:08:13

The Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that the upcoming Urban
Resilience military exercises will focus on Internet disruptions.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says, the drills will aim to test the
military's command, control, and backup capabilities, in a less-than-ideal
scenario.

He adds that the results of the drills will be used to inform future
preparations and may be expanded.

The National Communications Commission has said that, during this year's
Urban Resilience exercises, cell phone service will be artificially
interrupted in a simulation of an attack on communications infrastructure.

The interruptions will take place on the afternoon of Monday, August 10th for
7 central and center-south cities and counties, followed by similar drills in
the north, including Taipei, from 2:30 PM to 3 on Thursday, August 13th.

The drills will simulate mobile network congestion or insufficient bandwidth,
meaning that only SMS texting and calling will still be available.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-20 14:08:13

Parents of children enrolled at a private preschool in Taipei have taken
legal action following allegations of widespread child abuse.

Several parent representatives filed criminal complaints at the Taipei
District Prosecutors Office today, alleging physical assault, coercion, and
interference with child development.

Parents say that after reviewing about 80 percent of the school's security
footage, they identified at least 13 victimized children and 76 separate
incidents of improper discipline.

City officials say they have already issued $506-thousand NT in
administrative fines, and expects to complete its administrative review by
the end of July.

The Department of Education has also handed over all surveillance footage,
records, and victim profiles to prosecutors to assist with the criminal
investigation.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-20 14:08:13

Taiwan shares closed down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 221 points
to close the session at 42449.

The turnover was 938 billion NT

Posted on 2026-07-20 14:08:13

Now turning to internaitonal news and in the UK,

Andy Burnham is set to become the new prime minister today.

Burnham was the only candidate for Labor Party leader to succeed Keir
Starmer.

He will be the seventh prime minister since 2016.

He says he aims to restore stability following years of political turbulence.

Starmer announced his resignation last month following missteps that affected
his standing.

Burnham has pledged to improve living standards and make politics "less
toxic."

He is expected to make changes to Starmer's Cabinet, focusing on key
positions.

Burnham praised Starmer's achievements and said he aims to build on his
predecessor's foundation.

Posted on 2026-07-20 14:08:13

crisis

The Palestinian Monetary Authority is warning that Israel's longtime limit on
accepting cash from Palestinian banks has created a crisis.

Israel has long limited the amount of paper money it takes back from the West
Bank, but Palestinian officials say the cap has not kept pace with growth.

Officials have called the measure a form of "economic warfare."

Palestinian banks in the occupied West Bank have so much Israeli cash that
they are forced to refuse cash deposits from customers.

That means West Bank residents have a harder time spending their money and
businesses cannot put their earnings into acounts.

Palestinian officials and business owners worry that the growing surplus is
pushing the economy towards collapse.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's office has not responded to
requests for comment...

but the minister previously said that he would use "all of the tools" at his
disposal to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, including what he
called “economic strangulation.”

Posted on 2026-07-20 14:08:13

Rescuers in Indonesia have found two more survivors from a boat that sank.

Officials say more than 200 rescuers are searching for 18 more people still
missing.

But the search faces harsh weather conditions, with waves up to 3 meters
high.

Over the weekend, search teams found five survivors clinging to a fish tarp,
while at least one person has died.

The boat was carrying 78 people when it sank Wednesday.

Posted on 2026-07-20 13:09:13

The Central Emergency Operation Center has downgraded the alert level for
Wan-li River's barrier lake in Hua-lian from red to yellow.

The C-E-O-C says the water level of the lake is still rising slowly but
steadily and may still overflow.

But even if water flows over the natural dam, experts believe that it'll stay
within the river channel without triggering a large release of rocks and
sediment.

C-E-O-C commander Ji Lian-cheng (季連成) stresses that the red alert remains in
place for the riverbed area, saying people and machines are strictly banned
from entering.

The lake's water level is now about 123 centimeters above the dam crest
elevation, with 5.63 million tons of water.

On transportation, the Taiwan Railway Corporation says trains on the eastern
line will maintain normal schedules all day today unless there's change in
weather.

Meanwhile Highway Bureau officials say drivers along the number 9 provincial
road should abide by possible traffic restrictions.

The Wan-li River Bridge was partially closed last night as a precaution and
is likely to open during daytime today.

Currently, 213 residents from Feng-lin 鳳林 and Wan-rong 萬榮 townships remain in
emergency shelters and some of them are allowed to go home to feed their
livestock.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-07-20 13:09:13

The KMT will hold its national conference this weekend, under the banner of
"care for people's welfare, love the people, fight for peace, Taiwan wins!"

The party said food safety, inflation, and the cost of living are all issues
that fall under the umbrella of "welfare."

Communications chair Chen Yi Xin 陳以信also stated that, in the face of what he
called the DPP's arrogance, the KMT must double down on caring for the
people.

Chen added that the "fight for peace" portion of the theme of Saturday's
meeting touches on Chair Zheng Li Wen's principle of promoting peaceful
exchange.

Chen noted that, after the conference concludes, the party will call on local
KMT officials and elected officials to take part in a march on Ketagalan
Boulevard against drugs.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-20 13:09:13

France is commemorating a mass arrest of Jewish people by French police
during World War II.

More than 13,000 Jewish people were rounded up over two days in July 1942 and
sent to Nazi death camps.

France honors the victims annually, amidst rising antisemitism.

A plaque in Paris honors a couple that saved a child during the roundup, but
the plaque was vandalized ahead of today's ceremony.

France is home to the biggest group of Jewsih people in Europe, and has seen
a surge in antisemitic acts.

Following the Nazi invasion of France in 1940, the country was ruled by a
government that collaborated with Nazi Germany.

Posted on 2026-07-20 08:16:13

Reports say the Air Force is considering purchasing the latest version of the
domestically developed Teng Yun 2 uncrewed combat aerial vehicle.

Sources are being cited as saying, the move comes after the significant
upgrades improved its performance.

The Teng Yun 2 has been developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of
Science & Technology.

It completed the military's required combat readiness evaluation in May of
2024 before entering mass production.

However, the Air Force did not immediately place an order because its
performance at the time did not fully meet service expectations.

According to the institute, the Teng Yun 2 is capable of autonomous takeoffs
and landings, uses satellite navigation, and can remain airborne for nearly
24-hours.

Posted on 2026-07-20 08:16:13

C-P-C has opted to leave gasoline and diesel prices unchanged at the pump
this week.

The move is part of continuing government efforts to ease local inflationary
pressure, and comes despite a spike in international crude oil prices last
week.

It marks the second consecutive week that C-P-C has maintained its fuel
prices at the same levels.

The move means that the price of 92 octane unleaded remains at 29.8 N-T per
liter, while the price of premium diesel stays at 28.8 N-T a liter.

Since Donald Trump's war against Iran broke out at the end of February, C-P-C
estimates it has absorbed 15.56-billion N-T in losses.

Posted on 2026-07-20 08:16:13

And finally,

The Taiwan All Stars beat Team Taiwan 1-0 on Sunday in the final Chinese
Professional Baseball League All Star weekend game.

Team Taiwan beat the Taiwan All Stars 7-4 in Saturday's game.

The Team All Star squad was a fan-voted team, while Team Taiwan was made up
of players eligible for the Asian Professional Baseball Championship.

Premier Cho Rung-tai and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu attended Saturday's
game, while President Lai Ching-te and Sports Minister Lee Yang attended
Sunday's game.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to release test results on the
cooking oil and downstream samples linked to the Central Union Oil
contamination scandal.

The F-D-A says it collected 224 samples, including raw oil and finished
products, from 52 raw oil samples and 321 product samples... but not all of
the batches could be tested because some companies had not retained reserve
samples.

If tests clear products, they can technically be removed from the list of
non-compliant items and allowed back on the market.

As of Sunday, authorities have recalled 2,769-metric tons of products from
the seven contaminated batches and removed another 5,200-tons from other
batches as a precaution, bringing the total withdrawn amount to 7,970 tons.

Central Union had produced 30 batches of oil products between April and June,
three of which were never shipped and passed government testing.

However, seven batches were found to contain excessive levels of a carcinogen
and recalled.

As of Sunday, authorities have recalled more than 27 hundred-metric tons of
products from the seven contaminated batches and removed another 5,200-tons
from other batches as a precaution, bringing the total withdrawn amount to
7,970 tons.

Premier Zhu Rong-tai has said the Cabinet will also unveil proposed
amendments to the Food Safety and Sanitation Act later today.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

President Lai Ching-te is honoring Air Force pilot Hisin Po yi with a
posthumous presidential citation.

Hsin served with the Air Force's Hualien-based 5th Tactical Composite Wing.

Aside from being awarded the Order of Loyalty and Valor, he was also
posthumously promoted from captain to major.

Hsin's father, Hsin Chin-yu, accepted the citation from Lai at a ceremony.

Lai praised Hsin at the ceremony as an exemplary fighter pilot who had
devoted himself to defending Taiwan's airspace and maintaining peace across
the Taiwan Strait.

He also extended his condolences to Hsin's family and instructed the Ministry
of National Defense to provide them with "the fullest support."

Hsin's F-16V fighter jet disappeared from radar on the evening of January 6
on a routine raining mission shortly after he reported becoming separated
from the lead aircraft while flying through clouds.

The aircraft's flight data recorde was recovered in March and sent to the
manufacturer in the United States for analysis.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo said last week that the analysis is still
ongoing and results are expected soon.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

U-S Senator Tammy Duckworth says China may be more likely to impose an
economic blockade on Taiwan than launch a full-scale military invasion in
2028 -- arguing such a move could be carried out under the guise of maritime
safety.

She believes Beijing will be more likely to pursue an economic blockade, and
seek to block access to the Taiwan Strait by requiring commercial vessels to
report to the Chinese Coast Guard for escort under the pretext of ensuring
maritime safety.

The statement came as Duckworth was speaking at a Center for Strategic and
International Studies event in Washington, D.C.

She was responding to comments by former Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd, who recently suggested Chin's Xi Jinping could seek to exploit
simultaneous U-S and Taiwanese presidential elections in 2028 to attack
Taiwan.

Duckworth serves on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services
committees and most recently visited Taiwan two weeks ago.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

The Ministry of Education says the island's student population fell by about
6.7-per cent, over the past five school years.

Ministry data shows enrollment figures plummeted from about 4.212 million in
2020 to 3.929 million in 2025... with the sharpest declines were seen in
senior high schools and colleges, reflecting the continuing impact of the low
birth rate.

Figures show the number of senior high school students fell by about 12.7-per
cent and college enrollment declined by about 12.2-per cent in 2025.

The education ministry says enrollment declined across all senior high school
programs over the five-year period, but the share of students attending
general high schools increased to 51.7-per cent in 2025.

Data also shows that preschool enrollment fell by about 9-per cent, and
elementary school enrollment declined by about 0.7-per cent in 2025 when
compared with 2020's numbers.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

The Taipei Veterans General Hospital and the Vietnam Medical Association held
their annual event in Hanoi this past weekend to expand bilateral cooperation
in cancer care, smart healthcare and medical technology.

The conference is part of the government's health diplomacy efforts in
Southeast Asia.

The Taipei Veterans General Hospital says the event drew more than 400
medical professionals, government officials, hospital administrators and
industry representatives.

That made it the largest Taiwan-Vietnam medical exchange since the conference
was launched in 2024.

The Taiwan delegation also included representatives from the Kaohsiung
Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Show Chwan Healthcare System,
En Chu Kong Hospital and Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital.

Taiwan's representative to Vietnam, Liu Shih-chung says the participation of
five major hospital systems marked a new milestone in bilateral medical
cooperation built on years of mutual trust.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

Taiwan students have ranked first and third, respectively, in gold medal
tallies, at the International Biology Olympiad and the International
Chemistry Olympiad.

The students won four gold medals at the Biology Olympiad and three golds and
one silver at the Chemistry Olympiad.

Both events took place in Vilnius, Lithuania,

The Ministry of Education says Taiwan sent students from the Taipei Municipal
Chien Kuo High School, the Taipei First Girls High School the Taichung
Municipal Taichung First Senior High School to the event.

Taiwan's four-gold haul topped the medal table among 78 participating
countries and 302 contestants.

Taiwan's representative to Lithuania, Constance Wang attended the awards
ceremony and conveyed congratulations from President Lai Ching-te and Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim to the students.

Taiwan students who win gold, silver, or bronze medals at international
academic Olympiads receive cash awards of 200,000, 100,000 and 50,000 N-T
respectively, from the education ministry.

Posted on 2026-07-20 06:47:13

The Central Weather Administration says rainfall is expected to peak today.

Heavy rain and localized torrential downpours are possible in the north,
northeast and mountainous areas of the center due to the influence of
southwestern winds.

Parts of the south could also see localized showers and thunderstorms today.

But other areas are expected to see mostly cloudy to sunny skies.

The administration's forecast center says southwesterly winds will gradually
weaken from tomorrow through Friday, and most of the island will see partly
cloudy to sunny skies.

However, afternoon thunderstorms can still be expected in western and
mountainous areas.

The weather administration says its also monitoring a tropical disturbance
that developed in waters east of the Philippines toward Guam... there is a
likelihood it could gradually strengthen into a tropical depression in the
latter half of this week.

Posted on 2026-07-18 15:06:17

Police have moved a prominent activist to hospital in New Delhi after his
health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike tied to India's viral
Cockroach Janta Party movement for education reform.

Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike in New Delhi has become a rallying point for
the party.

The 59-year-old engineer and education reformer is demanding that Education
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign after allegations that exam papers were
leaked in advance.

Delhi Police say that Wangchuk was taken to hospital after his health
worsened during the hunger strike, adding that the transfer was carried out
following medical advice and a court directive.

Police said there was a brief commotion when some protesters tried to block
the move.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-18 14:09:13

declaration expires

The United States has let the national emergency declaration over Hong Kong
expire, lifting some sanctions but maintaining an executive order that
revoked Hong Kong's special trading status.

China's Commerce Ministry had said that the US recently confirmed to China
that the President's Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization would end.

That *appeared* to be a sign that the city's preferential privileges could be
restored ... but the State Department said only the *declaration* was ended,
while the order QUOTE "otherwise remains in effect."

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control said that it delisted people who were
sanctioned under the order ... adding that people who remain sanctioned under
the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020 have been added to a different sanction
list.

For example, Hong Kong leader John Lee and his predecessor, Carrie Lam, were
removed from the first list but added to the second one.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-18 14:09:13

Caitlin Clark achieved her first professional 40-point game against the
Seattle Storm overnight. She also notched 10 assists in her 45-point effort,
becoming the first WNBA player in history to achieve a 40-10 game.

Her prolific scoring helped the Indiana Fever to overcome the Storm 110-107.

Clark went 17 of 19 on free throws -- another career high.

It was Clark's fourth game since returning from a back injury incurred in a
game against Phoenix.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-18 12:08:17

The United States has expanded its airstrike campaign against Iran by hitting
more bridges and collapsing a tower at a key Iranian port.

The seventh night in a row of strikes came after President Trump had
threatened to start striking infrastructure to pressure Tehran to ease its
chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran also launched new missile attacks against US-allied nations in the
Middle East.

That includes Qatar, a key mediator in the war, and Kuwait, where one of the
desert nation's water desalination plants was damaged.

The US Central Command said its strikes had hit "surveillance sites, military
logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage and maritime
capabilities."

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-18 12:08:17

A landslide on the outskirts of Chongqing has killed at least eight people
and left 34 missing.

The disaster buried residential buildings and forced more than 1,100 people
to evacuate.

Yesterday's landslide occurred in Pengshui County, where massive amounts of
rocks and soil washed downslope, burying more than 10 buildings.

Ten people were rescued, including two seriously injured.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked authorities to determine the cause.

Over 800 rescuers are working on-site, helped by drones that are surveying
the area.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-17 19:12:13

Taiwan Railway says tains on the Eastern Trunk Line have resumed normal
service after the threat from a barrier lake in Hualien eased.

Local trains between Fenglin and Guangfu stations resumed operations after 5
PM after the expected overflow from the Wanli River barrier lake was delayed.

Taiwan Railway says updated water level assessments showed the expected
overflow had been delayed, allowing services to restart.

The railway operator says it expects to announce train services through noon
Saturday by 9 PM tonight, depending on the latest water conditions.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 19:12:13

The Philippine government has lodged a strong protest over an animated video
by Chinese state-owned media that appears to depict Filipinos as monkeys.

The video, posted by China Daily, criticizes the 2016 international
arbitration ruling on the South China Sea and mocks the Philippines' legal
challenge against China's territorial claims.

Manila has demanded that the video be removed, calling it racist and
demeaning.

China's Foreign Ministry says the video does not represent the government's
official position, but reiterated Beijing's longstanding view that the
arbitration ruling is politically motivated and invalid.

The incident comes amid continuing tensions between the two countries over
disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Posted on 2026-07-17 18:31:13

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih is condemning Central Union Oil over new
revelations in the contaminated cooking oil case.

The Food and Drug Administration says the company failed to report one
production batch made between April and June -- the period currently under
investigation.

Separately, two additional batches have also tested above the legal limit for
the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene -- or BaP -- bringing the total number of
contaminated batches to seven.

Hou says about 230 businesses in New Taipei have been affected and that city
inspectors moved quickly to carry out inspections.

He is also calling on the FDA to release complete information all at once so
local governments can complete inspections more efficiently and reassure the
public.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 18:31:13

In related news,

The opposition KMT has announced plans to hold a mass rally in Taipei on July
25th over the contaminated cooking oil scandal.

That's next week on Saturday.

Participants will begin gathering at 5 PM ... after the party's national
congress ... with the main rally scheduled to start at 6 PM on Ketagalan
Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office,

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) says the government has failed to effectively
manage the food safety crisis and should be held politically accountable.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an earlier today also called on President Lai
Ching-te to apologize and Premier Cho Jung-tai to resign over the scandal.

The KMT says it will invite representatives from opposition parties, experts
and civic groups to join the rally and demand greater transparency and
accountability from the government.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 18:31:13

Taipei prosecutors have indicted KMT Taipei City Councilor Lee Fu Chung-wu
(李傅中武) and six others on corruption and document forgery charges over an
alleged assistant subsidy fraud scheme.

Prosecutors allege that Lee Fu and his wife used relatives and acquaintances
as so-called ghost assistants and inflated reported salaries in order to
fraudulently claim nearly 10 million NT in government-funded subsidies.

The couple are accused of claiming subsidies for assistants who did not
perform any work and overstating salaries paid to office staff.

Prosecutors say Lee Fu and his wife admitted wrongdoing during the
investigation and have returned the full amount of the alleged illegal gains.

They are asking the court to consider reducing their sentences.

Posted on 2026-07-17 18:31:13

Researchers at National Taiwan University Hospital say adding a one-time
stomach bacteria test to Taiwan's colorectal cancer screening program could
reduce stomach cancer deaths ...

... while generating benefits worth more than five times its cost.

The two-in-one screening strategy uses the same stool sample to test for both
colorectal cancer and Helicobacter pylori infection - the leading cause of
stomach cancer.

Taiwan became the first country in the world earlier this year to offer the
combined screening nationwide for eligible adults aged 45 to 74.

Researchers say people infected with H. pylori face about six times the risk
of developing stomach cancer.

The study found that the combined screening program could reduce stomach
cancer mortality by 13.5 percent ...

... while every dollar invested in screening and early treatment could
generate more than five dollars in societal benefits.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 18:31:13

O'Pay has become Taiwan's first electronic payment platform approved to offer
overseas remittance services, including money transfers for migrant workers.

The Financial Supervisory Commission says the service is expected to launch
in the fourth quarter of this year and will initially allow migrant workers
from the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam to send money to their home
countries.

The approval marks the first time an electronic payment company in Taiwan has
been authorized to provide overseas remittance services.

O'Pay has also been approved to launch a separate overseas transfer service
for Taiwanese citizens and foreign nationals with local bank accounts.

That service is expected to begin in the second half of next year.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 17:18:13

President Lai Ching-te has asked government agencies to be on high alert ...

... after a pig carcass found on a beach in offshore Kinmen County earlier
this week tested positive for African Swine Fever.

Lai is urging relevant authorities to implement quarantine, surveillance, and
control measures ... to safeguard the nation's pig farming industry.

County officials immediately disinfected the site, incinerated the carcass
and suspended shipments of pork from Kinmen.

They also assure that pigs in nearby swineries are all confirmed to be in
good health.

The Coast Guard Administration has also stepped up patrols and anti-smuggling
operations.

In April, the World Health Organization officially approved Taiwan's
self-declaration as a African Swine Flu free area.

(JC)

Posted on 2026-07-17 17:18:14

The American Institute in Taiwan has welcomed TSMC's decision to invest an
additional 100 billion U-S dollars in the United States, calling it a sign of
confidence in U-S-Taiwan relations.

AIT Director Raymond Greene says the investment will allow the chipmaker to
work more closely with its largest American customers, respond more quickly
to growing demand for advanced semiconductors and help strengthen global
supply chains.

Greene also rejected concerns that the investment could weaken Taiwan's
position in the semiconductor industry, saying Taiwan will remain the anchor
of global chip manufacturing even as TSMC expands overseas.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 17:18:14

And,

Authorities in Tainan are investigating the death of a one-year-old boy who
died while in the care of an unlicensed babysitter.

The babysitter, surnamed Lee (李), reported that the child had stopped
breathing and no longer had a heartbeat.

The boy was pronounced dead before arriving at hospital.

Police say the cause of death has not yet been determined and have referred
the case to prosecutors for further investigation.

Tainan's Social Affairs Bureau says Lee was not licensed or registered as a
childcare provider and was illegally caring for children outside her
immediate family.

She faces a 60-thousand NT fine for violating child welfare regulations.

Officials say prosecutors will determine whether there is any criminal
liability in connection with the child's death.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-17 17:18:14

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades
has heard closing arguments on how regulatory failures allowed a small fire
to become a major tragedy.

The November blaze spread through seven buildings at the Wang Fuk Court
apartment complex in Tai Po, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of
residents.

Lawyers for the inquiry say companies involved in renovation work at the
complex cut corners and misled regulators.

They also criticized the government's oversight system, arguing that it
relied too heavily on contractors to comply with safety requirements.

The inquiry is now moving toward its conclusion.

Posted on 2026-07-17 17:18:14

India has introduced its first domestically designed and built
hydrogen-powered train as part of efforts to expand the use of clean energy
on its rail network.

The train, named the "NaMo Green Rail" after Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
will begin operating in Haryana state.

Officials say it can carry up to 26-hundred passengers and travel at speeds
of up to 75 kilometers per hour.

The pilot project also includes hydrogen storage and refueling infrastructure.

Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity while emitting only water vapor,
making the technology a cleaner alternative to diesel-powered trains.

Posted on 2026-07-17 14:16:13

The Control Yuan has issued a stern rebuke to the Hsinchu City Government and
the Ministry of Sports over major failures in the Hsinchu Baseball Stadium
project.

The government watchdog announced today that it has passed official
corrections against both government agencies following a thorough
investigation into the stadium's multi-million NT renovation.

It says the city committed major administrative failures by opening the
unfinished stadium for professional games in 2022, which resulted in player
injuries.

Investigators found that the field's soil was filled with debris and lacked
proper drainage.

They also revealed that the city hired an unqualified firm to oversee the
project, violating regulations.

Watchdog members say they will wait for the Hsinchu District Prosecutors
Office to complete its ongoing criminal investigation before deciding on
final administrative punishments for the public servants involved.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-17 14:16:13

A Taoyuan airport MRT train, bound for Taipei, experienced a technical
malfunction at A6 Taishan Guihe Station during the morning rush hour today,
causing service disruptions and frustrating commuters.

The incident occurred at around 7:54 a.m..

The operator said passengers were transferred to another train within 10
minutes, and train dispatching was adjusted to restore normal service.

The company apologized for the disruption and said the affected train will
undergo a detailed inspection after service to determine the cause of the
malfunction.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-17 14:16:14

Taiwan shares have crashed today, in line with steep losses across Asia ...

... as heavy selling in chipmakers and other AI-related stocks have dragged
markets lower.

The benchmark Tai-ex lost 2 thousand 953 points to close at 42 thousand 671.

Turnover for the trading session topped 1.21 trillion NT.

Posted on 2026-07-17 14:16:14

The British government plans to tighten oversight of the MI5 spy agency after
a report revealed it misled courts about a neo-Nazi informant.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced urgent action on Thursday to address
the issue after the Investigatory Powers Tribunal found MI5 gave false
accounts regarding Agent X, an informant accused of attacking his partner.

Earlier this year, MI5 apologized and paid compensation to the woman
involved.

MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum acknowledged the agency's serious failings
and vowed to prevent similar issues.

The report highlights systemic failures and the need for improved integrity
and accountability within MI5.

Posted on 2026-07-17 14:16:14

Japan’s parliament has enacted a historic revision to the 19th-century
Imperial House Law by insisting only paternal-lineage men can become emperor.

The revisions include adoption of distant male relatives to father future
heirs and allowing princesses to keep their royal status after marrying
commoners.

Japan’s male-only succession rule means the line must move to the emperor's
younger brother, then to his 19-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito.

The emporer's 24-year-old daughter Princess Aiko is ineligible, because she
is a woman.

Friday’s revisions have led to protests from Japanese who see the government
efforts as meant to eliminate Aiko from ruling and to justify discrimination
against women and a patriarchal system.

Posted on 2026-07-17 11:08:13

Prosecutors have indicted a Taipei city councilor on corruption charges.

Li Fu Zhong Wu 李傅中武, of the KMT, is accused of taking fraudulent assistant
fees totaling 9,770,000 NT.

Prosecutors also indicted 6 others in the case.

Prosecutors are gunning for a lighter sentence for Li Fu, as he confessed to
the crimes and returned the stolen money to prosecutors.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-17 11:08:13

Classes and work are off in parts of Hualien today, ahead of the expected
overflow of a barrier lake in Wanli.

The county government is cancelling work and classes for those in Wanrong
village, as well as in Fenglin township's Senrong森榮, Chang Qiao長橋, Shan
Xing山興, Feng Xin鳳信, and Darong大榮.

That's after officials issued a red alert flood warning yesterday for the
barrier lake, which is expected to overflow today.

As of yesterday morning, the lake was about 97% full and just one meter below
its overflow warning level.

About 210 people in Wanrong and Fenglin were evacuated earlier this week.

Officials are forecasting a gradual overflow, but, they say, the possibility
of a suddent breach of the barrier lake cannot be ruled out.

Posted on 2026-07-17 11:08:13

Taiwan's freedom and prosperity indicies have risen in an annual
international report.

Taiwan ranked 21st in the freedom index and 19th in the prosperity index out
of 171 countries surveyed.

Both those indices mark improvements from last year.

But around the world, political freedom and the rule of the law declined
overall, while prosperity growth slowed.

The only country to beat out Taiwan for freedom in Asia was Japan at number
14...

but Singapore was the only one to beat Taiwan for prosperity.

The indices from the Atlantic Council were established in 2022 and have been
published annually since.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-07-17 11:08:13

Now turning to international news...

A law set to pass Japan's parliament today may spell trouble for the imperial
family.

The law would dictate that only men can be emperor, and would revise the
rules to allow distant male relatives to father future heirs.

It would also allow princesses to keep their royal status after marrying
commoners.

Emperor Naruhito's 24 year old daughter is very popular, and many Japanese
people want her to succeed him.

But Princess Aiko is ineligible because she is a woman.

Japan's male-only succession rule means that the emperor's teenage nephew,
Prince Hisahito, is likely to be heir instead.

Hisahito is the first such boy to be born in four decades.

Only five of the 16 adults in the imperial family are men.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other conservatives insist that the male
bloodline is "the only source of the emperor’s authority and legitimacy."

There were 8 female monarchs before, the last reigning until 1770.

Critics say, the new measures treat female royals as "childbearing machines"
to produce male offspring.

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