ICRT

Posted on 2026-11-03 20:06:13

The Cabinet's proposed 607.6-billion-NT spending plan for next year has moved
to committee review after Premier Cho Jung-tai answered questions from
lawmakers.

The proposal includes 145.7-billion NT for defense, including coastal attack
and surveillance drones, unmanned boats and a new missile defense system.

It also sets aside 233.8-billion NT for state-run oil supplier CPC, which has
accumulated losses partly because of government efforts to keep fuel and
natural gas prices stable.

Another 11.1-billion NT would fund planned allowance increases for military
personnel, civil servants and local officials.

The additional spending would leave the government facing a budget shortfall
of around 47.6-billion NT next year, with more than 200-billion NT in
government debt also needed to cover spending and debt repayments.

Posted on 2026-11-03 20:06:13

Bank SinoPac is investigating a software glitch that led to 427 unauthorized
transfers totaling more than 40-million NT and affecting 419 customers.

The Financial Supervisory Commission says the transactions were sent to a
single account at another bank, with each transfer involving around
100-thousand NT. The receiving account has been temporarily frozen.

Bank SinoPac says the problem was caused by a software glitch in its new
mobile banking system and that all affected customers have been reimbursed,
including transaction fees.

The bank has taken the new app offline and is directing customers to use its
older version or ATMs while it investigates.

The FSC has ordered the bank to submit an initial report by the end of
Tuesday and a detailed account by November 12th.

It will decide whether to impose penalties after reviewing the findings.

Posted on 2026-11-03 20:06:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the ruling DPP are trading accusations over
who deserves credit for bringing Nvidia's overseas headquarters to the
capital.

Chiang rejects claims that political interference by the city government
delayed an agreement between Nvidia and Shin Kong Life over a site for the
project.

He says the city helped remove obstacles rather than create them, eventually
arranging for the insurance company to return the land so it could be made
available to Nvidia through a special agreement.

Premier Cho Jung-tai, meanwhile, says the Cabinet helped secure the project
by addressing funding and legal issues.

The DPP's legislative caucus also argues that the government's
Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program helped bring Nvidia to
Taiwan in 2021.

The dispute comes as Chiang promotes the headquarters project as a major
achievement of his city government.

Posted on 2026-11-03 19:08:14

Hong Kong internet celebrity Toyz has been deported from Taiwan after being
granted parole while serving a four-year, two-month prison sentence for
selling cannabis vape cartridges.

Toyz, whose real name is Liu Wei-chien (劉偉健), was convicted of drug
trafficking after he and his associates bought 500 cannabis vape cartridges
for 600-thousand NT and sold them through a distribution network in 2020.

The National Immigration Agency says prosecutors ordered his deportation
instead of placing him under parole supervision.

He will also be barred from returning to Taiwan for a specified period.

The agency says any future application to live in Taiwan based on family ties
will be subject to strict review.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-03 19:08:14

The Zhuoshui River -- located in Central Taiwan -- has the highest
concentration of riverbank litter among waterways surveyed by the
environmental group Society of Wilderness.

The group says its first survey of the Zhuoshui River basin found an average
of 361 bags of rubbish per kilometer.

The survey covered 152 kilometers of riverbanks, including the main river and
major drainage channels in Yunlin County.

Plastic bottles and containers accounted for the largest share of rubbish, at
nearly 26 percent, followed by bagged household waste and disposable cups and
tableware.

The group also identified several major dumping hotspots and is urging
authorities to use the findings to prioritize clean-up efforts.

Meanwhile, a follow-up survey of the Tamsui River found that riverbank litter
had dropped by about 65 percent compared with last year.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-03 19:08:14

A man who robbed a bank in New Taipei with a pair of stolen scissors has been
sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

The New Taipei District Court says the 50-year-old man, surnamed Wang, stole
the scissors from a nearby dumpling shop before entering a Taishin Bank
branch in Banqiao in June.

Wang threatened a customer and demanded money from bank staff, who handed
over more than 400-thousand NT in cash.

However, instead of fleeing, he sat down in the bank's waiting area and was
arrested by police shortly afterwards.

The court says Wang confessed to the robbery, telling investigators he was
unable to afford rent or food and wanted to go to prison to receive free
meals.

It also cited his previous theft convictions when handing down the sentence.

The ruling can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-11-03 19:08:14

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi
Arabia by nearly a year ....

.... due to the conflict in the Middle East and recent deadly attacks on the
kingdom by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

That means the tournament will now kick off in December 2027.

The decision followed extensive consultations with Saudi organizers, who
cited logistical difficulties and travel disruptions caused by the regional
situation.

The A-F-C says the move was made in light of the "exceptional circumstances"
affecting the region.

The tournament will bring together national teams from across Asia to compete
for the continent's top football title.

Posted on 2026-11-03 19:08:14

Czech public media workers have staged a one-day strike to oppose a
government plan to move public broadcasting funding from household and
business fees to the state budget.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is backing the proposal, but critics warn it
could undermine media independence and lead to job cuts and reduced
programming.

Czech Television and Czech Radio aired limited programming on Tuesday, while
students and other supporters planned rallies.

Labor unions, international media groups and Czech athletes have also backed
the strike, calling on the government to withdraw the proposal.

Posted on 2026-11-03 18:17:13

The government is seeking more than 335-billion NT in additional funding for
state-run C-P-C Corporation to improve its finances and support future
development.

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin told lawmakers that 233.8-billion NT would
go toward new infrastructure, including natural gas terminals and pipelines
...

... although the C-P-C needs more than twice that amount for these projects.

He says the funding would also help lower the C-P-C's debt ratio, which
currently exceeds 90 percent, making it easier for the company to borrow
money at better interest rates.

While another 101.4-billion NT would help cover losses the C-P-C has absorbed
by keeping domestic fuel and natural gas prices relatively low.

Premier Cho Jung-tai says the funding is aimed at keeping the C-P-C
financially stable while helping households and businesses avoid sharp
increases in energy costs.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-03 18:17:13

Nearly 49-thousand quails have been culled at a farm in Pingtung following an
outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu.

The county's Animal Disease Control Center says the farm in Yanpu (鹽埔)
Township reported unusual bird deaths on October 30th.

Tests confirmed the H-5-N-1 strain on November 1st, and authorities culled
the quails the following day.

Officials have also restricted the movement of birds, disinfected the farm
and surrounding areas, and begun testing poultry at nearby farms.

Inspections are also being carried out within a three-kilometer radius to
check for possible infections.

The center warns that October through March is the peak season for bird flu,
and is urging poultry farmers to step up disease prevention measures and
report unusual deaths immediately.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-03 18:17:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said he's willing to have a second televised
debate with his DPP opponent Puma Shen if the two sides can agree on the
format, timing, and other details.

His first debate on Saturday garnered good reviews from many political
pundits and the general public.

On the final weeks of the election campaign,

Chiang said he will continue
visiting night markets, parks, and other public places to meet residents and
seek their support.

He emphasized that face-to-face communication was essential and that
residents' opinions mattered regardless of whether they supported him.

He also added that although campaigning this year has been tough ... it won't
weaken his determination to serve residents and improve the city.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-11-03 17:09:13

Taiwan's stock market capitalization surged more than 60 percent over the
past year, driven by strong demand for technology stocks amid the artificial
intelligence boom.

Financial Supervisory Commission Chairman Peng Jin-lung says the market was
worth 158-trillion NT at the end of October, up 61 percent from a year
earlier.

The benchmark TAIEX also climbed from around 28,000 points at the end of
October last year to more than 45,000 points a year later.

Peng made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the "Taiwan Weeks 2026"
event ... which he said aims to showcase investment opportunities and connect
local industries with international investors.

He adds that Taiwan is seeking to become a regional capital hub by easing
financial regulations, expanding asset management services and introducing
more private banking products.

This year's Taiwan Weeks runs through November 13th.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-03 17:09:13

Taipei mayoral hopeful Puma Shen's appearance on Face News last night has
garnered over 1 million views in less than 24 hours.

Shen's campaign office says, he is focused on getting out the vote and
getting his message to more constituents while maintaining an optimistic
attitude.

Shen took part in an interview on Face News last night with host Xie Zhen Wu
and 5 panelists, just two weeks after opponent Chiang Wan An appeared on the
same program.

The YouTube video had garnered over 1.3 million views as of 4 pm today.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-03 17:09:13

Now turning to international news...

Supermarkets in several European countries have seen disruptions to their
refrigeration systems in an apparent cyberattack.

The attack raised temperatures inside fridges at grocery stores in Sweden,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Estonia, forcing stores to throw out the
spoiled food.

Similar attacks took place in France last month.

One store in southern Sweden said that its fridges and freezers had been
hacked, with temperatures set at 50 degrees Celsius.

Store owners emphasized that the losses did not widely affect stores, with
only 15 of 700 Belgian Carrefours affected.

Estonian refrigeration tech companies say that attackers had accessed a
computer controlling a client's refrigeration system and raised the
temperature.

Posted on 2026-11-03 17:09:13

2 police officers in Pakistan have been killed in an attack on a polio
vaccination campaign.

Suspected militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province also wounded a third
officer in the attack.

The officers had been traveling to guard vaccintion teams when they came
under fire.

The attackers fled and no group claimed responsibility.

The Pakistani Taliban and other groups often target anti-polio drives,
falsely claiming they are Western conspiracies.

The attack comes as Pakistan has just launched a nationwide campaign to
vaccinate 24 million kids against polio.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where wild poliovirus is
endemic.

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

Chiayi prosecutors are seeking at least 15 years behind bars for a swim coach
accused of sexually assaulting children.

The suspect, surnamed Lin, was employed at an elementary school in Chiayi
County as a swim teacher.

Lin allegedly took advantage of his position to touch the kids
inappropriately or even rape them.

Prosecutors say that Lin also used AI to create pornographic deepfakes using
photos he got from their social media accounts...

or in some cases he blackmailed them into sending nude photos to him.

Prosecutors also allege that Lin disseminated those materials to others as
well.

Lin is charged with violating the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation
Prevention Act and the Criminal Code, and prosecutors are seeking a heavy
sentence against him.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

Keelung prosecutors are questioning a sitting city councilor in a vote buying
probe.

Cai Wang Lian 蔡旺璉 is running for re-election in Keelung's Qidu district.

Cai, of the KMT, is suspected of working with a borough chief to use meals
for vote-buyig.

The investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile in Pingtung,

prosecutors are seeking to detain a candidate for township chief in the
county's Li Gang Township in a vote-buying investigation.

The candidate Lan Wan Qian藍婉茜, an independent, is accused of holding a
banquet for voters back in May, where each table cost 6000 NT.

Prosecutors conduced searches last night and determined that Lan, her father,
and two others were all involved.

Lan previously ran for the same position but was unsuccessful.

Her father-in-law is a former DPP lawmaker, while her husband Su Meng Chun
蘇孟淳 is running for city council in Pingtung's second district.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

A bus driver in Taipei's Wenshan District has been hospitalized after their
windshield was broken by rocks likely falling from a vehicle ahead.

The Capital bus was passing through the Xinyi Tunnel when rocks shattered the
windshield, causing injuries to the driver's face.

Although the driver has been hospitalized, the 30 passengers were unharmed.

The cause of the incident is still being investigated.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

Taiwan shares are sharply down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 1612
points to close the session at 43307.

The turnover was 928 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

Now turning to international news...

At least one person has died following a helicopter collision near the base
camp of Mount Everest.

Two others were injured in the crash.

The two helicopters were transporting hikers to the base camp.

There are no roads on Everest, and helicopters are the only way to transport
trekkers and guides who get sick or are exhausted due to the cold and high
altitude.

One local official said that the deceased was an Indian tourist, while the
two injured were New Zealand and Nepal nationals.

The number of people on the two helicopters was not clear.

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

Authorities say 5 people have been rescued in Kiribati after three months
drifting at sea.

Four others are still missing.

Australian media reports that villagers rescued the group off Kiribati's
Fanning Island after they drifted about 5400 kilometers east from where they
set off in Micronesia.

Guam officials confirmed that the rowboat with 9 people was reported missing
after they failed to return to Micronesia in July.

At that time, a 10 day search covering over 85,000 square kilometers failed
to uncover any sign of the boat or those on board.

It's not yet clear what happened to the other 4 people.

The 5 rescued individuals were all reportedly severely dehydrated and
malnourished, but are now showing improvements.

Posted on 2026-11-03 14:06:14

Thousands of European troops will participate in a military exercise in
Poland later this month.

The exercise aims to support Ukraine in a postwar mission to boost the
country's economy and rebuilt its armed forces.

But experts say, the mission led by the UK and France is unlikely to happen.

That's due to challenges like ongoing fighting, unreliable support from the
US, and the upcoming French elections.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for strong
security guarantees from Western allies to deter future Russian aggression.

The exercise in Poland will test how 2800 troops could support Kyiv in the
event of a ceasefire.

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

Premier Chuo Rong-tai today stressed that the central government has assisted
in bringing Nvidia's corporate headquarters to Taipei on three fronts:
funding, legal matters, and political support.

Chuo noted that his only consideration was keeping one of the world's leading
technology companies in Taiwan, without regard to party politics.

He called on the Taipei City Government to remember "that wonderful period of
cooperation" with the Cabinet.

The Premier said government subsidies in 2021 and 2022 helped Nvidia
establish its first overseas research and development center in Taipei.

In 2025, the Cabinet helped resolve a land-use dispute between Nvidia and
Shin Kong Life Insurance, paving the way for the company's planned
headquarters in Taipei.

Chuo's comments come as Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an touts Nvidia's decision to
establish its headquarters in Taipei as one of the major achievements of his
first term in office.

(JL)

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

Student groups say a campaign to raise funds for young voters to return home
has reached its first fundraising target early.

Organized by the Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy, the campaign reached
its $450-thousand NT goal and is now aiming for $800-thousand.

The program allows young voters to purchase subsidized homebound transit
tickets for $128 NT for the Nov. 28 local elections.

Organizers say the second fundraising phase will expand bus routes nationwide
and provide travel subsidies for voters from offshore islands.

Student leaders noted that affordable travel helps youth engage in local
policymaking, including housing and employment issues.

Crowdfunding will continue through Nov. 21st via online platforms.

(NS)

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

The Tainan District Court has approved prosecutors' request to detain a man
suspected in a fatal hit and run in which he was allegedly drunk driving.

The suspect, surnamed Liao, had already had his license suspended for drunk
driving when he allegedly hit and killed a college student on Sunday night.

The court says, Liao admitted to the allegations during questioning, but they
believe he still posees a flight risk.

After allegedly hitting the student, surnamed Lee, Liao fled the scene.

But, police were able to track him down using surveillance footage and
arrested him within an hour.

His BAC was found to exceed the legal limit.

(AH-CNA)

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

The US conducted what it's calling "defensive" strikes on Iranian targets in
the Strait of Hormuz.

That's according to a US official, who claimed that "Iranians using surface
to air missiles against US assets" were targeted in the strikes.

This comes as the US votes tomorrow in elections that could return the
legislature to the opposition Democrats.

The US President has previously said that the US would not strike Iran before
those elections.

That's as the Iran war and resultant rise in gas prices have pushed Democrats
to be favored to win many races that were once considered toss ups.

Posted on 2026-11-03 08:15:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is urging China to follow established practice
in formally inviting Taiwan to the APEC summit later this month in Shenzhen.

According to Lin, the Lai administration will uphold its right to participate
despite what he's describing as China's "differential treatment."

The call comes after China sent a letter rather than a formal official
invitation to Taiwan to attend the upcoming APEC summit.

Reports have said the letter did not refer to Taiwan by its official name
within APEC, "Chinese Taipei," and downgraded Taiwan's status.

The foreign minister says Taiwan is a full APEC member and has participated
in the forum on an equal footing with all other member economies.

Lin is accusing China of repeatedly subjecting Taiwan to "differential
treatment" while hosting various APEC meetings this year, and it did not
arrange for an official to personally deliver the APEC invitation to Taiwan,
opting instead to send an email.

The foreign minister says the Lai administration will lodge a protest against
any action that violates established practices, but will not forfeit Taiwan's
right to participate.

Posted on 2026-11-03 08:15:13

The Centers for Disease Control has expanded the publicly funded flu and
COVID-19 vaccination program to all adults aged between 50 and 64.

Deputy Health Minister Chuang Jen-hsiang was one of the first to get a shot
when the second phase of the free vaccination program began on Monday.

He rolled up his sleeve and received both a flu and a COVID shot at a
vaccination station in Taipei's Nangang District.

According to the C-D-C, flu activity is expected to fall below the 11-per
cent epidemic threshold this week.

However, health authorities are warning that the risk of severe illness and
death remains even after the outbreak subsides.

The C-D-C is urging seniors, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses
and healthy adults aged 50 and older, to get vaccinated against flu and
COVID-19 as soon as possible to reduce the risk of severe illness and
complications.

The first phase of the publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination program
began on October 1.

C-D-C data shows that a total of 5.85-million doses of flu and COVID-19
vaccines were administered in October.

Posted on 2026-11-03 08:15:13

The Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance says a survey has found that
64.1-per cent of respondents to its latest survey expressed confidence in
using financial products and services.

According to the academy, the survey found that public confidence in
financial products and services rose from 38.9-per cent in 2024 to 64.1-per
cent this year.

The biennial survey also found shows that 86.5-per cent of respondents could
comfortably cover their daily household expenses, while 51.6-per cent had
enough savings to cover at least six months of basic living costs in an
emergency.

Academy chairman Paul Lei says the improvement in public confidence comes
amid growing demand for artificial intelligence, record highs on Taiwan's
stock market and high real G-D-P growth.

The survey has been vonducted every two years since 2020.

Posted on 2026-11-03 08:15:13

Authorities in New Taipei are continuing to search for a 79 year old Japanese
tourist who went missing last week during a visit to Jiufen with a tour
group.

According to the New Taipei Police Department, the man became separated from
his wife on October 29 near the A-Mei Teahouse on Shuqi Road that runs
through the center of Jiufen.

Police surveillance video footage reviewed after he was reported missing,
shows the man heading out of Jiufen toward the nearby Jilong Mountain hiking
trail last Friday.

Fire department personnel searched the mountain that day, but were unable to
find him.

Search efforts are ongoing.

Posted on 2026-11-03 08:15:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted rap artist MC HotDog
for copyright infringement.

According to the prosecutors' office, the rapper used lyrics allegedly
adapted from a comic book by cartoonist Zhu Deyong.

The allegations of plagiarism against MC HotDog date back to 2023.

He issued an apology at that time, but was also ordered to 500,000 N-T in
damages to the cartoonist.

MC HotDog later released another song, in which he changed the lyrics.

However, prosecutors say he has now been charged with violations of the
Copyright Act for adapting Zhu's work without making adequate changes to the
original and making it available online.

Posted on 2026-11-03 08:15:13

And finally,

Organizers of the Taiwan International Travel Fair say they hope this year's
event attracts more than 400,000 visitors.

According to Taiwan Visitors Association Chairwoman Chien Yu-yen, this year's
show is taking place as younger travelers are increasingly seeking
distinctive experiences rather than only bargains.

Chien says previously people came to the travel fair for value-for-money
deals and discounted meal vouchers, but her agency is now finding that
younger travelers are now seeking higher-priced, distinctive trips the can
experience at least once in their lives.

Early-bird ticket sales have risen more than 10-per cent from last year, when
attendance exceeded 360,000.

The fair is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and oirganizers say it
will feature over 550 exhibitors occupying 1,600 booths representing 123
countries and cities.

The Taiwan International Travel Fair will run from November 6 through 9 at
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

Taiwan and Japan are reportedly in talks which could result in a
comprehensive trade agreement between the region's tech powers.

The discussions were reported by Nikkei Asia.

The deal is likely to resemble the Enhanced Trade Partnership signed by
Taiwan and the U-K in 2023... which established a bilateral cooperation
framework for investment, energy and net-zero emissions, as well as digital
trade.

Nikkei Asia said one source credits the UK-Taiwan agreement as a precedent
for Japan to follow and allows flexibility for more area- or sector-specific
deals to be signed in the future.

The draft is said to minimise political sensitivity, and covers five areas of
cooperation - those being economic resilience and innovation, industry
cooperation on disaster risk reduction, digital trade, trade facilitation,
and sustainability.

The report says earliest the deal could be signed is the end of the year.

The Lai administration has declined to comment on the report.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

National Development Council head Yeh Chun-hsien is seeking to calm local
fears generated by a global tech sell-off in tech stocks.

He says the sell off is only expected to have a short-term impact on Taiwan's
equities market... since many local companies continue to receive substantial
orders, and that the current AI boom is expected to continue through the end
of 2027.

Yeh added that there aren't any signs in a drop in export orders, liquidity,
or cash flow.

Global capital markets are seen to be worried about the cash flows of some
cloud service providers... who have invested in AI infrastructure... but
haven't yet generated sufficient revenue in for their investments.

Those concerns have translated into a global tech stock sell off which has
even impacted TSMC-- whose stock has since tumbled nearly six percent.

Most of the heavy losses came in the wake of weaker-than-expected guidance
issued by Intel Corp.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

The Civil Aviation Administration says fuel surcharges on both short-haul and
long-haul international flights operated by Taiwan airlines will go up on
November 8.

The spike is being triggered by an increase in international aviation fuel
prices.

The CAA says fuel surcharges for short-haul routes will increase from 37.5 to
40 U-S dollars, while long-haul surcharges will go up from 97.5 to 104 U-S
dollars.

Short-haul routes cover destinations in Asia, excluding India and the Middle
East... while long-haul routes include India, the Middle East, Europe, the
Americas, Africa, Oceania and Antarctica.

We'll have more on the impact of the higher cost of jet fuel a bit later on
in the program.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

Labor funds posted a combined investment gain of 2.4-trillion N-T in the
first nine months of this year, for a rate of return of 30.73-per cent.

The Bureau of Labor Funds says funds generated 117.8-billion N-T in September
alone, remaining in positive territory despite heightened volatility in
global financial markets.

The bureau's latest report says that as of the end of September, the labor
funds had 9.21-trillion N-T in assets under management and cumulative
investment gains of 2.44-trillion N-T.

The Labor Pension Fund under the new pension system, which is the largest
with 6.06-trillion N-T in assets, posted a 30.43-per cent return.

While the old pension fund, with 1.21-trillion N-T in assets, recorded the
highest return at 44.16-per cent.

The Labor Insurance Fund posted a 27.14-per cent return, while the Employment
Insurance Fund had a return of 2.73-per cent.

The bureau also manages the Occupational Accident Insurance Fund the Wage
Arrears Payment Fund, the National Pension Insurance Fund, and the Farmers'
Pension Fund.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

Law enforcement authorities in the Philippines have arrested a Taiwanese man
on suspicion of unlawfully detaining Filipino nationals and forcing them to
carry out online romance and telecom scams.

The Criminial Investigation Bureau's liaison officer in Manila indentified
the suspect as being from Nantou with multiple prior fraud convictions, and a
frequent traveled to the Philippines and Cambodia.

The man was detained on October 28 after police raided a condominium unit in
Manila's Malate district after complaint from a woman's partner that she had
been unlawfully confined and abused.

The raid resulted in the arrest of the 32-year-old Taiwanese man and a
38-year-old Malaysian man.

Both suspects face charges including human trafficking, illegal detention and
coercion.

Reports say an intial investigation has found the suspects recruited Filipino
nationals for purported "virtual assistant" positions, but after accepting
the jobs, the victims were confined in the condominium and their mobile
phones confiscated.

They were reportedly forced to work 12 hours a day, memorizing scripts for
romance and telecom scams.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

A family of tourists who pitched a tent next to the Alishan Railway tracks
this past weekend faces fines of up to 50 thousand N-T.

The penalty was announced after a driver spotted a tent alongside the tracks
near Erwanping Station on Saturday.

The driver reported the tent to railway staff, who photographed the
violation, asked the family who owned the tent to leave the area, and called
the police.

Chiayi County police says the family had booked a room at the nearby Alishan
Youth Activity Center but arrived before check-in time, and decided to pitch
a tent while he waited to let his children rest.

The Alishan Railway Office says the family is being fined for violating the
Railway Act, which bans pedestrians and vehicles from entering restricted
areas near train tracks.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has hosted an event introducing 16 young
Taiwanese agricultural experts who are heading to the Netherlands to take
part in an annual government-funded agricultural exchange program.

The Young Agricultural Ambassadors program was first launched in 2017... it
was originally designed to promote exchanges between Taiwan and countries
covered by the New Southbound Policy.

This year is the first time the program has sent a delegation to a country
outside the scope of that policy.

The foreign minister says Netherlands was chosen because it's globally
renowned for its floriculture industry and is a pioneer in smart agriculture.

Since the program's inception, more than 150 ambassadors aged between 18 and
45 have traveled to Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia,
India and Thailand.

The ambassadors have specialized in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and
animal husbandry.

The program is co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
Ministry of Agriculture.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed openness to formally
apologizing for Britain's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

This marks a significant shift in the U.K.'s stance on addressing its
historical wrongs.

Ahead of a meeting with Caribbean Commonwealth leaders, Burnham emphasized
the importance of discussing slavery's legacy.
While he rejected reparations, he proposed debt restructuring to aid poorer
Commonwealth countries.

Caricom, a Caribbean trade bloc, welcomed the apology but stressed that it
must be accompanied by reparations.

Burnham's stance contrasts with the opposition Conservative Party, which
opposes an apology.

Posted on 2026-11-03 07:00:13

North Korea is dismissing claims by the US ‌that it was behind the
cryptocurrency heist from the Binance platform as "absurd rhetoric"

KCNA quoted Kim Yo Jong... sister of leader Kim Jong Un, reportedly called
the claims "a grave political provocation against the DPRK."

Kim's comments were picked up and reported by the Reuters News Agency.

The FBI said at the weekend that North Korea ⁠was responsible for the theft
of more than $6 billion in virtual assets from the Binance exchange in what
could be the largest-ever financial heist.

Posted on 2026-11-02 19:56:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says Taiwan will uphold its right to attend
this month's APEC summit in China, despite what he describes as Beijing's
"differential treatment".

Lin says Taiwan is a full member of the forum and has always participated on
an equal footing with other member economies.

He accuses China of departing from established practices by failing to
deliver the invitation in person, instead sending it by email.

Although the email used Taiwan's official APEC designation, "Chinese Taipei",
Lin says Taipei will lodge an immediate protest against any further
violations of established procedures.

He stresses, however, that Taiwan will not give up its right to participate.

The summit is scheduled to take place in the Chinese city of Shenzhen on
November 18th and 19th.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-02 19:56:13

A Taiwanese man has been arrested in the Philippines for allegedly holding
three people captive and forcing them to work in online romance and telephone
scams.

Philippine police say the 32-year-old man, surnamed Peng, and a Malaysian
accomplice were arrested during a raid on a condominium in Manila on October
28th.

The three Filipino victims, two women and a man, were allegedly recruited for
fake virtual assistant jobs before having their phones confiscated and being
forced to work up to 12 hours a day preparing scam scripts.

Police say the suspects face charges including human trafficking, illegal
detention and coercion.

Taiwan's representative office in the Philippines says it will send officials
to visit Peng and monitor the investigation.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-02 19:56:13

Taiwan recorded just over 33-thousand new car registrations in October --
falling around 11 percent short of industry expectations.

The figure was down over 10 percent from September and 3.6 percent from a
year earlier.

Industry representatives say a typhoon disrupted sales late in the month,
despite strong demand and promotional offers from automakers.

However, new vehicle registrations for the first 10 months of the year
reached around 340-thousand, up 3 percent from the same period last year.

Looking ahead, industry representatives expect registrations to rebound to
around 38-thousand in November, up over 4 percent from a year earlier.

They say new models and bigger discounts ahead of the year-end sales season
should help boost demand.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-02 19:56:13

Japan has launched a new national agency to strengthen its preparations for
major natural disasters.

The agency, which began operating Monday, will coordinate disaster
prevention, emergency response and reconstruction.

It will start with 350 staff and be overseen by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
and Reconstruction Minister Goshi Hosono.

The move follows concerns about Japan's readiness for another major disaster
like the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima nuclear
crisis.

Officials say the goal is to strengthen disaster management nationwide,
including improving conditions in evacuation centers.

Posted on 2026-11-02 19:56:13

Greenland has opened a new international airport in the town of Ilulissat,
hoping to attract more visitors and diversify its economy.

The first international flight arrived from Copenhagen on Thursday, carrying
169 passengers, including Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Nielsen called the airport one of the biggest investments in Greenland's
history.

The new facility is part of a wider effort to expand tourism and reduce the
island's reliance on fishing as it pursues greater economic independence from
Denmark.

The strategically located Arctic territory has also attracted attention from
U-S President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed interest in
acquiring Greenland.

Posted on 2026-11-02 18:14:13

Over 64 percent of people said they feel confident using financial products
and services ... in the most recent Taiwan Financial Life Survey ... a 25
percent increase from two years ago.

The Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance, which conducted the survey, says
the improvement comes amid a booming stock market, strong demand for
artificial intelligence and continued economic growth.

It also found that nearly 87 percent of people can comfortably cover their
daily living expenses ... while just over half have enough savings to cover
at least six months of basic needs.

And ... interviews with university students revealed a growing trend of young
people investing in stocks and exchange-traded funds, or E-T-Fs ... treating
them as a way to save money and protect against inflation.

However, researchers warn that young investors may be underestimating the
risks ... while people aged 70 and over continue to face difficulties using
digital financial services.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-02 18:14:13

The Alishan Forest Railway will offer five special steam train tours in
December ....

.... giving passengers a chance to enjoy the mountain area's autumn scenery
aboard historic carriages made from Taiwan cypress.

The tours will run every Tuesday from December 1st to 29th, with each trip
limited to 100 passengers.

The railway says tickets cost 3,250 NT and include meals, a guided tour and
admission to the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.

Passengers will also be able to get off at scenic stops to photograph the
historic steam locomotive against the colorful mountain foliage.

Online bookings for the first tour open at 10 a.m. on November 17th, with
reservations for later trips opening 15 days before departure.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-02 18:14:13

And looking at the weather this week ....

Forecasters say that northeasterly winds will continue to bring cooler
weather to northern Taiwan tomorrow, with daytime highs of around 24 to 26
degrees.

Rain is expected to be more persistent in eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun
Peninsula, with localized heavy rain possible in eastern areas.

Scattered showers are also possible in areas north of Taoyuan, while central
and southern Taiwan will remain mostly cloudy to sunny.

The winds will weaken on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing temperatures in the
north to climb back to around 28 to 30 degrees, with rainfall easing across
the island.

However, another surge of northeasterly winds is expected on Thursday evening
and could affect Taiwan through next Monday, bringing more rain to northern
and eastern areas.

Posted on 2026-11-02 17:08:13

A Tainan man has been arrested after killing a college student in a drunk
driving accident...

when he had already had his license suspended for a previous drunk driving
offense.

The man, surnamed Liao, allegedly hit the student, surnamed Li, last night in
Tainan's Yongkang district in a hit and run.

Police have arrested Liao and handed over to prosecutors.

A mandatory blood alcohol test revealed that Liao's BAC levels were clearly
above the legal limit.

Prosecutors have requested that Liao be detained.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-02 17:08:13

ring

Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je is denying accusations of corruption...

after current Mayor Chiang Wan An has faced criticism for what some referred
to as "kissing the ring of corruption" when he praised Ko during his recent
debate performance.

Ko today says that he is "clearly" not corrupt, yet is deemed so.

That's after media pesonality Chen Hui Wen陳揮文 accused Chiang of attempting to
sway TPP voters by praising Ko despite a court ruling that found him guilty
of corruption.

But Ko downplayed the efficacy of such a tactic, saying that TPP supporters
would not blindly follow anyone that claimed to "wave their flag."

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-02 17:08:13

Taoyuan International Airport will begin annual maintenance of its north
runway tomorrow, with work taking place overnight to avoid disrupting
flights.

The airport company says the work will focus on resurfacing parts of the
runway and taxiways, and should take seven working days to complete.

Construction is scheduled between 1 AM and 6:30 AM on selected weekdays in
November.

The south runway will remain open throughout the maintenance period, and
flights are expected to operate normally.

However, the work may be postponed if weather conditions are poor or air
traffic is particularly heavy.

The airport says the maintenance will help ensure safe operations ahead of
the busy Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year travel seasons.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-02 17:08:13

suppliers

Now turning to international news...

Experts say that the attitudes of US voters towards data centers in the
country may pose risks for Asian suppliers.

In many rural areas of the US that typically vote for US President Donald
Trump's Republican party, developers are building AI data centers that have
incited fierce opposition from local residents.

Nikkei Asia reports that the imposition of data centers in voters' backyards
may mean voting Democrat just to punish politicians they believe to be
courting the industry.

The turn against data centers is part of a nationwide trend that could hit
Asia hard.

Currently, Taiwanese and other Asian companies are reaping big profits from
these data centers...

but experts say there may be a change in the pace of development, as more and
more in the US come out against the projects.

Voters appear concerned both about the environmental impacts of data center
development, as well as the influence on electricity prices.

And grassroots opposition has stopped more than half of new large scale-data
center projects in the US being blocked or delayed in the second half ot his
year.

Posted on 2026-11-02 14:10:13

Fuel surcharges on international flights operated by Taiwanese airlines will
rise again from November 8th due to rising oil prices.

The Civil Aviation Administration says surcharges for short-haul flights will
rise by up to $40 US dollars, that's the equivalent of $1,300 NT.

Those for long-haul flights will rise by up to $104 dollars, which is around
$3,400 NT.

Short-haul routes cover most destinations in Asia, while long-haul routes
include Europe, the Americas, India and the Middle East.

The C-A-A said the increases follow a rise in international aviation fuel
prices, and domestic airlines have been asked to clearly explain the
increases to passengers.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-11-02 14:10:13

Keelung Mayor Xie Guo Liang says, he's confident he will win reelection
despite recent polls indicating a close race against challenger Tong Zi Wei.

Xie says, he believes Keelung residents will be won over by his "12
construction points" plan.

The mayor's comments come after an internal KMT poll showed him with a slight
lead over Tong...

while another showed Tong poised to win.

When asked about if he felt that the "Yangliu" phenomenon had affected
polling over in Keelung, as polls previously indicated...

Xie said that it was akin to asking if Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An's campaign
was affecting Keelung.

He stressed that, if Chiang was performing well, all KMT leaders in the north
would reap the benefits...

adding that he hoped he would perform as well as Chiang had in his debate
when he faces Tong in his own debate slated for November 10th.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-02 14:10:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An's campaign chair says, the debate with his
opponent Puma Shen was conducted in accordance with the two parties' agreed
upon plans.

That's after some wondered if questions from TVBS and SET News were shared
with the candidates ahead of the debate Saturday.

In her capacity as Chiang's campaign chair, Lu Xiu Yan said that both
candidates were invited before the debate to discuss the rules...

adding that both Chiang and Shen were present for those discussions.

Lu says, the debate did proceed in accordance with those rules, confirming
that questions were shared with each candidate ahead of the debate.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-02 14:10:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 291 points to
close the session at 44920.

The turnover was 758.8 billion NT

Posted on 2026-11-02 14:10:13

Now turning to international news...

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnahm says, he's open to formally apologizing for
Britain's role in the slave trade.

That's a big shift in the UK's stance on addressing historical wrongs.

Burnham says that it's important to discuss slavery's legacy, adding that
having honest conversations about the legacies of slavery is "the right thing
to do."

He made the comments before a meeting with Caribbean Commonwealth leaders.

He rejected reparations, but proposed debt restructing to help poorer
Commonwealth countries.

A Caribbean trade bloc welcomed the apology, but said that reparations are
necessary.

Burnham's stance is at odds with the opposition Conservative Party, which
opposes apologizing for historical wrongs.

The Netherlands previously apologized for its role in the slave trade but no
country has paid financial reparations to affected nations or the descendants
of enslaved people.

Posted on 2026-11-02 13:06:13

In an attempt to calm the jittery equity market, National Development Council
chair Ye Jun-xian (葉俊顯) said he believes the the effects of a pull-back in
U.S. tech stocks on Taiwan will be temporary.

He explained that Taiwan's hardware-focused technology companies have strong
orders through the end of next year and sufficient cash flow, and major
companies also have various financial management options available.

Ye added that the recent plunge in U.S. technology shares reflects concerns
about whether massive AI investments will generate sufficient returns,
particularly in the software sector.

He said determining the returns on these investments will take time and will
also depend on the pace of development in physical AI, which brings
artificial intelligence into real-world operations.

He noted that physical AI is primarily reflected in robotics and autonomous
driving, both of which require substantial computing power and a longer
period of time.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-11-02 13:06:13

The Malaysian representative in Taiwan is warning the country's students here
to be vigilant of rising scam cases involving Malaysians.

According to the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Center, the number of
Malaysians in detention in Taiwan has now increased to more than 800 from 33
in 2023, with more than 600 allegedly playing the role as money mules.

Representative Huang Yi-rui (黃奕瑞) also said that Malaysian parents should
educate their children who are either in Taiwan or planning to study there
about the risks of becoming involved in criminal activities.

Meanwhile Malaysian police have recently busted an online scam operation
based in Kuala Lumpur and arrested 18 Taiwanese nationals, including 17 men
and one woman.

Police said those suspects impersonated Hong Kong police officers and
targeted Hong Kong people.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-11-02 13:06:13

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to question last week's
elections appear to be weakening as officials say the vote won't be
undermined by allegations.

On Sunday, a court released suspects in one alleged bribery case around the
vote.

Netanyahu's Likud party claims, without evidence, that Arab-led parties
"stole" the elections, where his bloc lost its majority.

Likud has cited cases like arrests of political activists allegedly bribing
voters.

Netanyahu suggests joining with Arab parties is treasonous.

His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, accuses him of trying to delegitimize the
vote.

Election results are due to be officially certified this week.

After consultations with each party, President Isaac Herzog will choose the
candidate — most likely Netanyahu or Eisenkot — who he believes has the best
chance of forming a coalition government.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:13

APEC

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has lodged a protest China's has
failure to send Taiwan a formal invitation to the upcoming APEC summit in
Shenzhen.

China is said to have sent a letter to Taiwan that omitted any mention of
Chinese Taipei, which is Taiwan's official APEC designation.

The foreign ministry says the omission of title Chinese Taipei deviated from
long established APEC protocol and was an attempt to downgrade Taiwan status.

The ministry is stressing that as a full APEC member, Taiwan should be
invited to events in manners that adhere to established procedures.

China will be hosting the meeting APEC meeting on November 18 and 19.

The government has Taiwan's representative for this year’s summit has been
selected and the Presidential Office will make an announcement concerning it
choice in the coming days.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:13

The Coast Guard Administration is emphasising that Beijing has no
jurisdiction over waters surrounding Taiwan.

This comes as China's Coast Guard claims to be carrying out "routine law
enforcement patrols" around the island.

A Chinese patrol flotilla carried out operations in waters off eastern Taiwan
this past weekend and has stepped up control over the surrounding waters.

The Coast Guard Administration says China is using the pretext of law
enforcement to harass Taiwan and attempting to create the false impression
that Beijing has jurisdiction over waters around the island.

It further reiterated that international law maintains that Taiwan has
exclusive sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its eastern exclusive
economic zone and that China has no corresponding rights in the area.

The Coast Guard Administration also accusing Beijing of spreading false
narratives by referring to Taiwan as "China's Taiwan Island" and describing
its activities as "law enforcement patrols," even as it attempts to harass
vessels through radio communications.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and D-P-P mayoral hopeful Puma Shen were present
at an event hosted by the Federation of Taipei Trade Unions.

In his speech, Chiang pointed to improvements to municipal employees' pay,
leave and working conditions.

He pointed to the Labor Policy Advisory Committee that includes worker
representatives and engages in direct dialogue with labor unions.

For his part, Shen outlined his proposals to support working families.

The D-P-P mayoral candidate told attendees that he will help workers caring
for young children and elderly family members, including enhancing childcare
environments to prevent child abuse and increasing the number of beds in
long-term care facilities.

Shen outlined plans to reduce working hours for parents with young children
and to offer six free psychological counseling sessions for city residents.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:13

The Air Force's annual Tien Lung, or "Sky Dragon," exercises began this
morning.

The drills are aimed at testing pilots' combat skills and ground-based
logistical support.

The Ministry of National Defense says the Tien Lung exercises will be taking
place from today through Friday.

They encompass air-to-air, air-to-sea, and air-to-ground combat skills
training using different fighter jets, with exercises focusing on aerial
interceptions and the use of the aerial gunnery target system.

The Air Force will also be selecting flying aces in different categories,
including aerial combat and precision as it has done in previous years.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:14

Twenty people have been treated for burns to their feet after taking part in
a firewalking ceremony at the Dingfuyen Temple in New Taipei's Linkou
District.

According to the New Taipei City Fire Department, the firewalking ceremony
involves walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers and many participants
suffered "accidental" burns on the soles of their feet while crossing the
burning coals.

Paramedics were called to the scene and helped apply ointment to the feet of
those injured.

However, 20 participants were taken to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
for further treatment.

The Linkou Dingfuyen Temple is mainly dedicated to "Master Xianyang," a Song
Dynasty Buddhist monk who later became a venerated deity in Chinese folk
religion, especially in Taiwan and southeastern China.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:14

And,

Taipei's 11th Nuit Blanche arts festival wrapped up early Sunday morning
after a night of art installations, interactive performances and live music
across the city's Yuanshan area.

The overnight event ran from 2PM Saturday until 2AM Sunday.

It was co-organized by the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs and the
French Office in Taipei, in collaboration with Centquatre-Paris.

According to the city government, this year's festival featured more than 30
art installations and 50 performances and sound art programs.

Event took place across Tatung University, Yuanshan Natural Landscape Park,
the Yuanshan and Xinsheng areas of Taipei Expo Park, and surrounding areas
near Minzu East Road and Qingguang Market.

The festival also featured a street dance block party.

French Office in Taipei director Frédéric Laplanche said the event attracted
half a million participants last year.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:14

Israeli police have released two of three suspects in an alleged voter
bribery case.

The releases on Sunday appear to accusations by Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and his Likud party that Arab-led parties stole last week’s
parliamentary election.

Local media said that the court found no evidence to support the bribery
allegations.

Likud hasn't provided evidence for these accusations.

Netanyahu's bloc lost its majority of parliamentary seats and he appears to
be trying to block any opposition alliance with Arab parties.

The election results are due to be certified on Wednesday.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:14

The U.N.'s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara has ended after 35 years
due to a U.S.-Russia standoff.

The U.N. established the mission in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and plan a
referendum, which never occurred.

The region remains tense, with potential for escalating hostilities... and
its end raises concerns about regional stability.

Morocco claims the mineral-rich territory, while the pro-independence
Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks independence.

Russia vetoed a U.S. resolution supporting Morocco's sovereignty, leading to
the mission's abrupt end.

Morocco welcomed the decision, but the Polisario Front called it
unacceptable.

Posted on 2026-11-02 07:00:14

Buddhist masters have gathered in Gelephu, Bhutan, to witness the
construction of 108 stupas in a single day.

The newly erected sacred structures representing Buddha’s enlightenment
anchor Gelephu Mindfulness City.... and were built by over 40,000 volunteers.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck conceived the city as a major
hub that he hopes will help the nation's ailing economy.

His vision of the city is also rooted in Buddhist principles of
sustainability, peace and compassion.

These stupas are meant to symbolize Buddha’s enlightenment.

Posted on 2026-10-31 16:07:13

The Taipei International Blues Bash returns to Maji Square in Taipei next
Saturday.

The free concert runs from noon to 10pm.

It features and array of musicians from Europe, the Americas and Asia ...
coming together to celebrate the blues.

The headliner this year is Japanese guitarist Shun Kikuta, whose background
is in Chicago blues ... and who has played with legends like BB King and Koko
Taylor.

Japanese solo performer Yoshinobu Ozaki kicks off the proceedings ... other
acts include the pioneering blues band BoPoMoFo as well as David Chen and The
Seventh sons.

Posted on 2026-10-31 14:07:13

Kaohsiung is kicking off "Harbour Beats 2026," celebrating sister port ties
with Hamburg, Germany.

The free weekend event hosted by the Kaohsiung Music Center and the German
Trade Office Taipei features performances by German and Taiwanese artists,
including Sophia Kennedy, BOVIY, and The Chairs.

In addition, Hamburg film collective "A Wall is a Screen" makes its Taiwan
debut, projecting short films onto local waterfront architecture.

Peckish visitors can explore nearly 50 market stalls offering traditional
German sausages, pork knuckles, Bavarian beer and more.

The event starts at 3:00pm today and tomorrow at the Coral Zone, Kaohsiung
Music Center,

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-31 11:07:14

Taiwan shares plunged by just under 2.5 percent yesterday, led by major
AI-related stocks, taking a cue from tech stocks on American markets.

The Taiex fell 2.5 percent to 45,212. The electronics index dropped by 2.9
percent. That's deeper than the Nasdaq's decline of 1.4 percent on Thursday
... and it matches Nasdaq's subsequent decline overnight.

TSMC, which accounts for more than 40 percent of total market value, lost 1.9
percent to close at NT$2,370.

Among other semiconductor stocks, smartphone IC designer MediaTek shed 3.2
percent and IC packaging and testing firm ASE slipped 2.2 percent.

CNA_JvW

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