ICRT

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:14

The legislative caucuses of the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have
unveiled drone procurement bills.

Both bills seek to use the general budget to fund the purchase of locally
made drones, rather than a special budget, as has been proposed by the
Cabinet.

Under the K-M-T's draft bill, the spending cap is set at 240-billion N-T over
six years, with annual spending capped at 40-billion N-T.

Government agencies will be required to brief the Legislature on procurement
plans worth 100-million N-T or more and report on the progress of each
procurement plan to lawmakers annually.

The draft bill also requires suppliers of critical drone components, to pass
information security and supply chain security reviews.

Meanwhile, the T-P-P's domestic drone procurement bill does not set a
spending cap and requires the government to formulate drone development
guidelines every four years and review them every two years.

The Cabinet submitted its special budget bill for drone procurement to the
Legislature for review earlier this month.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Beijing has "no right to comment" on
Taiwan's exchanges with other countries.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement last month praising Honduras for
upholding Beijing's one-China principle and said 'Taiwan independence' forces
and the D-P-P authorities' unjust pursuit have little support and will end up
in failure.

That statement came after Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told
several Honduran news outlets while he was visiting Paraguay that Taiwan is
ready to "welcome back old friends" and rebuild relations with Tegucigalpa.

He also said China is pressuring Honduras to maintain control over its ties.

The Honduran Foreign Ministry responded to those interviews saying Honduras
is not engaged in any official talks or contacts with Taiwan authorities
aimed at "restoring diplomatic relations" ...

.. and the "country's foreign policy is conducted in accordance with its
existing diplomatic commitments."

Honduras' President Nasry Asfura, who took office in January, had pledged
during his election campaign to restore ties with Taipei.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

President Lai Ching-te has addressed to a graduation ceremony at the Fu Hsing
Kang College - telling military college graduates to defend freedom and
‌democracy.

Lai also called on the graduates to be aware of China’s spying activities and
to be able to "establish a clear awareness of friend and foe."

According to Lai, the graduates can best defend Taiwan's sovereignty and
security by resisting China's infiltration, division, sabotage, and
espionage activities targeting the island's armed forces.

He also urged the graduates to oppose communism, guard against infiltration,
firmly uphold democracy and freedom, and insist that the Republic of China
and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each ‌other.

The graduation ceremony was also attended by the ambassadors of Belize,
Guatemala and Paraguay.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

The 2026 Reagan Institute Summer Survey shows that nearly two-thirds of
Americans believe Taiwan's security is important to the United States' own
security and prosperity - with that view shared across party lines.

According to the results of survey conducted by the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Foundation and Institute, 66-per cent of respondents agreed that
Taiwan's security matters to the U-S ... and that total included 72-percent
of Republicans and 62-per cent of Democrats.

The survey found that the bipartisan consensus around China-related issues is
one of the strongest among Americans on foreign policy challenges.

Regarding Taiwan, 74-per cent of respondents said they were concerned that
China could attempt to take the island by force, 75-per cent were concerned
over its military buildup, and 74-per cent were concerned over its human
rights abuses.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

The Centers for Disease Control says it will include the rotavirus vaccine in
its publicly funded children's immunization program starting next year.

According to C-D-C Director-General Philip Lo, two authorized rotavirus
vaccines will be included at public expense.

The vaccines currently cost between 5,500 and 6,000 N-T

Children are prone to rotavirus, which can cause serious diarrhea resulting
in hospitalization and the C-D-C says the highly contagious virus is
responsible for about half of gastroenteritis cases among children under the
age of 5.

Infants born after June this year will be eligible under the new policy.

The C-D-C says some 120,000 children are expected to benefit during the
program's first year.

Infants eligible for the vaccine must be at least six weeks old and not older
than eight months.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

C-P-C has announced that natural gas prices for residential, commercial,
service and industrial users will remain unchanged this month.

The state-refiner says the move is aimed at supporting the government's price
stabilization measures and it will cover the additional costs to mitigate the
financial burden on the public.

According to C-D-C, it has absorbed a cumulative 140-billion N-T in costs for
industrial users since March

Gas prices for utility users will decrease by 4.72-per cent to reflect lower
import costs beginning this month.

C-P-C says although international oil and gas prices have declined following
a cooling of Middle East tensions, the outlook for US-Iran negotiations
remains uncertain.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office says four tourists
caught walking on the tracks of the Alishan Forest Railway in Chiayi are
facing fines of up to 50,000 N-T each for violating the Railway Act.

The four were found during a joint patrol with police near Erwanping Station
earlier this month.

Walking on the tracks is illegal.

However, the railway line operator says it became common for visitors seeking
explore the forest, due to the low frequency of trains running on branch
lines, and the closure of the main line connecting Chiayi and Alishan due to
typhoon damage.

The main line resumed service on in July of 2024 and the Alishan Forest
Railway and Cultural Heritage Office says it has been cracking down on
visitors ignoring safety warnings to walk on the tracks since then.

A total of 33 people have been fined for trespassing on the tracks between
December of 2024 and May of this year.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

And,

The New Taipei M-R-T Sanying Line has officially opened and will be offering
free rides until August 31.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih said the
project's construction was exceptionally challenging, but the team
successfully navigated two national highway crossings, two railway crossings
and four river crossings.

The 14.2-kilometer line connects Tucheng, Sanxia, and Yingge districts and
cuts the commute from Yingge to Taipei by 20-minutes.

The Sanying Line has 12 stations and provides access to popular local
attractions, including the New Taipei City Art Museum in Yingge, Sanxia Old
Street, and the Yingge Ceramics Old Street.

The New Taipei Metro Corporation is describing the line as a vital link
designed to ease congestion in New Taipei's southwestern corridor, stretching
from Yingtao Fude Station to Dingpu Station, where it connects to the Bannan
Line.

The line will be further extending about 4-kilometers westward from Yingtao
Fude Station to Bade District in Taoyuan.

Work on that section of track is scheduled to begin at the end of this year
and be completed by 2034.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

A former general has emerged as a challenger to Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's upcoming election.

Gadi Eisenkot previously quit Netanyahu's war Cabinet over strategy
disagreements and is now gaining attention.

His rise has to potential to shift the spotlight from political insiders like
Netanyahu...

but Eisenkot has broadly supported Israeli military operations in Gaza,
Lebanon, and Iran.

Eisenkot is known for his military background and is seen as more of a
"regular person" than Netanyahu.

His platform includes a pledge to strengthen Israel's national security
through regional cooperation...

but he has said that he supports Jewish settlements that are- in his words-
"in line with Israel's interests" in the West bank.

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

Pakistan is cautioning against the "weaponization of water" as it cautions
India against trying to deprive Pakistan of its share of water under the
Indus Waters Treaty.

The World Bank-brokered treaty governs the sharing of water from the Indus
River system.

The treaty has come under renewed strain since India suspended its
participation in the agreement following the killing of 2 dozen tourists in
Indian-controlled Kashmir, which India blames on Pakistan.

That attack triggered one of the sharpest deteriorations in relations between
the two countries in years.

The Pakistani foreign minister says, the weaponization of water could pose a
serious threat to regional peace and security.

He added that shared waters should be a bridge between nations, guided by
cooperation, dialogue, and respect for international law.

The foreign minister further called India's decision to suspend the treaty
"illegal," adding that Pakistan considered the agreement to remain legally
binding. \

Posted on 2026-07-01 07:00:15

An explosive detonated in an apartment building in Monaco yesterday, wounding
three people.

The country's chief prosecutor says that one of those injured is a Ukrainian
tycoon with ties to Russia.

According to Ukrainian media, Vadym Yermolaiev was targeted by Ukrainian
sanctions in 2023 for his ties to Russia.

A witness said that a woman was also severely injured, having to have her
foot amputated.

He described the scene as "catastrophic."

A search is underway for the suspect, who escaped on foot.

Prosecutors say that a motive is unclear, but Western intelligence officials
have recently said that a campaign of targeted killings against Russia's
enemeies has ramped up since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of
Ukraine in 2022.

Ukraine is also believed to have carried out attacks and targeted killings of
Russian figures in the course of the war, although those attacks have largely
been confined to Ukrainian or Russian territory.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said its embassy in France, which is also
responsible for Monaco, was in touch with local authorities.

Posted on 2026-06-30 19:58:13

Four tourists caught walking on the tracks of the Alishan Forest Railway face
fines of up to 50 thousand NT each.

The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office says the group was
discovered during a joint patrol with police near Erwanping Station earlier
this month.

Officials say walking on the tracks remains a common but prohibited activity,
despite the resumption of regular train services last year.

Authorities say they have stepped up enforcement and warn that anyone caught
trespassing on railway tracks, bridges or tunnels could face fines ranging
from 10 thousand to 50 thousand NT under the law.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 19:58:13

Business confidence in Taiwan's manufacturing sector improved in May,
reaching its highest level since March 2025.

The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research says its manufacturing composite
index rose from 14.03 in April to 15.75 in May.

The institute says the increase was driven by strong global demand for
semiconductors, electronic components and other products linked to artificial
intelligence.

It also says easing tensions in the Middle East and lower oil prices helped
improve business sentiment.

Looking ahead, TIER says uncertainty remains over global trade policies and
geopolitical developments, but continued investment in AI infrastructure is
expected to support Taiwan's manufacturing sector.

Posted on 2026-06-30 19:58:13

Thai police have charged an Australian man with murder and concealing a body
following the death of a 17-year-old girl in Pattaya.

Police say security camera footage shows the teenager entering a condominium
with 38-year-old Simon Peter Carman early Thursday before he was later seen
leaving with a large suitcase.

Authorities arrested Carman at Bangkok's airport on Saturday as he was
preparing to board a flight to Australia.

Police say the girl's body was later found inside the suitcase.

Carman has denied the charges and remains in custody while the investigation
continues.

Posted on 2026-06-30 19:58:13

Animal welfare activists in Montenegro are raising concerns about abandoned
animals as a heatwave grips much of Europe.

Several horses have been seen roaming the outskirts of the capital,
Podgorica, without access to shelter, food or water, as temperatures approach
40 degrees Celsius.

The animals have been spotted near an illegal dumpsite and several informal
settlements.

Activists say the horses are at risk in the extreme heat, though it remains
unclear who owns them or how they came to be abandoned.

Posted on 2026-06-30 19:58:13

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered across parts of South Africa to
protest illegal immigration.

The groups blame undocumented migrants for unemployment, crime and other
social problems, and have called for them to leave the country.

The South African government has not recognized a deadline set by some
protest organizers for migrants to depart.

Police have deployed hundreds of officers in cities including Johannesburg
and Durban amid concerns about possible violence.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged demonstrators to protest peacefully after
meeting with some of the groups' leaders.

Posted on 2026-06-30 18:40:13

The Central Weather Administration says we'll being seeing a return to normal
summer weather over the coming week following last week's heavy rains.

Localized showers and afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for today and
tomorrow in some areas of the north.

However, from Thursday through Saturday, the weather is expected to become
more stable, with afternoon showers largely confined only to mountainous
areas.

The weather administration says it's also monitoring a tropical disturbance
southeast of the Philippines and another southeast of Guam.

The Philippine system is expected to move into the South China Sea tomorrow
and Thursday, but not strengthen significantly or directly affect Taiwan.

But the disturbance southeast of Guam could strengthen into a tropical
depression this coming weekend and may later become Tropical Storm Bavi, the
ninth named storm of this year's Pacific typhoon season.

Posted on 2026-06-30 18:40:16

In related news,

Taiwan recorded its wettest plum rain season since 2012, with Taipei
experiencing its wettest June since weather records began.

The Central Weather Administration says this year's May-to-June rainy season
brought nearly 610 millimeters of rain nationwide, well above the historical
average.

Forecasters say stationary weather fronts, southwesterly winds and the outer
circulation of a tropical storm combined to bring prolonged heavy rain,
particularly to western Taiwan.

Looking ahead, the weather agency expects normal to above-normal temperatures
from July through September and forecasts three to five tropical storms or
typhoons to pass near Taiwan during the second half of the year.

In addition, the CWA plans to introduce new coastal wave warnings tomorrow
... which marks the first day of Taiwan's typhoon season.

Cell broadcast alerts will be issued when waves of 6 meters or higher are
forecast along coastal areas.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 18:40:16

Labor rights groups, youth advocates and lawmakers are reminding students and
employers to be on guard against breaking labor laws ...

... as summer gets underway.

They cite Ministry of Labor figures showing that nearly one in four
workplaces inspected during the summer of 2024 was found to be violating
labor laws.

Labor groups say restaurants and other service industries, where many
students take summer jobs, accounted for many of the violations.

Common problems included delayed or no enrollment in labor insurance, pay
below the minimum wage and employers relying on verbal agreements instead of
written contracts.

The groups are calling on the Ministry of Labor to step up inspections in
industries, strengthen penalties for minimum wage violations and improve
labor rights education for students.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 18:40:16

The Centers for Disease Control has extended its free Ebola screening program
for travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda
through August 30th ..

... after it had been scheduled to end today.

The program applies to people who have visited either country within the
previous 21 days but do not have symptoms when they arrive in Taiwan.

The CDC is urging eligible travelers to report to airport quarantine stations
for free testing and complete 21 days of self-health monitoring after
arrival.

Officials say six travelers have voluntarily taken the test since the program
began earlier this month, and all have tested negative.

The CDC says the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda remain under a Level
Three travel warning and is advising the public to avoid Ebola-affected areas
in both countries.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 18:40:16

Taipei Metro will begin accepting contactless credit cards and mobile
payments at all station gates starting July 1st.

Passengers can tap contactless Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and Diners
Club credit cards, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay linked to
eligible credit cards, to enter and exit the system.

Officials say the new service will save both local commuters and overseas
visitors from having to buy single-ride tickets or top up stored-value cards.

For iPhone users, Apple Pay's Express Transit mode allows passengers to pass
through fare gates without unlocking their phones.

Taipei Metro says the upgrade follows a six-month trial that recorded more
than one million rides.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 18:40:18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expanding its online passport renewal
system beginning tomorrow at 10 AM.

Citizens whose passports have less than one year of validity remaining will
be eligible to renew them online, up from the previous six-month requirement.

To qualify, applicants must be adults with household registration in Taiwan,
have an expired passport or one with less than a year of validity that has
not been lost, and have no changes to their personal information.

Successful applicants can collect their new passport in person after 10
working days.

Also tomorrow .... the ministry is launching a new online document
certification, allowing people to complete applications digitally before
visiting a service office, reducing processing time.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 17:14:13

A new survey shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe Taiwan's
security is important to the United States' own security and prosperity.

The 2026 Reagan Institute Summer Survey also found little difference in those
views across party lines.

The survey indicated that the bipartisan consensus around China-related
issues is one of the strongest among Americans on foreign policy challenges.

Regarding Taiwan, 74 percent of respondents said they were concerned that
China could attempt to take the island by force, while 75 percent were
concerned over its military buildup.

The survey also found that people were more divided over U.S. President
Donald Trump's approach to China.

Following Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May, 44
percent of respondents said the administration's policy was "about right,"
including 59 percent of Republicans and 32 percent Democrats.

Posted on 2026-06-30 17:14:13

The new Taipei MRT San-ying Line is officially open today.

New Taipei Mayor Ho Yo-yi thanked the central government for helping fund the
project at the opening ceremony.

He also announced that passengers can ride the line for free between 10 AM
and 8 PM through August 31st during its trial operation.

The 14.3-kilometer line has 12 stations linking Tu-cheng, San-xia and
Ying-ge, with transfers available to the Taipei Metro Blue Line and Taiwan
Railway.

New Taipei Metro said once official operations begin, daily operating hours
will run from 6:00 AM to midnight, with fares ranging from 20 to 35 NT and a
frequent rider discount program will also be introduced.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-30 17:14:13

Four $10 million NT prizes and three $2 million NT prizes from Taiwan's
January-February uniform invoice lottery remain unclaimed.

The Ministry of Finance said winners have until July 6 to collect their
prizes.

One of the unclaimed $10 million-winning receipts was for a $2 NT plastic bag
purchased at a McDonald's in New Taipei's Tu-cheng District, according to the
MOF.

Prizes can be claimed at several local banks.

Posted on 2026-06-30 17:14:13

Turning to world news...

Britain's future military will focus on self-flying jets, uncrewed submarines
and drones.

The Defense Investment Plan, announced today, aims to prepare the U.K. for
conflicts transformed by technology.

The plan has faced delays due to cost disputes between military leaders and
Treasury officials.

Former Defense Secretary John Healey resigned earlier this month, saying the
government was unwilling to spend enough on the military at a time of rising
threats.

The plan aims to increase military spending to NATO's target of 3.5% of GDP
by 2035.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it will equip servicemen and women with
cutting-edge capabilities. But the opposition Conservatives say it's too
little, too late.

Posted on 2026-06-30 14:07:13

The KMT legislative caucus has unveiled its own draft bill to boost Taiwan's
military drone capabilities.

The proposal would allocate $240 billion NT over six years through the
regular government budget, with $40 billion set aside each year.

Under the proposal, any single procurement project worth more than $100
million NT would require a report to the Legislature, while the government
would also have to submit annual progress reports.

KMT caucus head Lin Pei-xiang (林沛祥) says the funding would be limited to
military drone procurement, production, maintenance, training, testing
facilities, and the development of Taiwan's drone industry.

The draft bill comes after the opposition camp blocked the Executive Yuan's
version of the bill that sought approval for a $210 billion NT special budget
to procure domestically developed military drones.

The KMT and the TPP said national defense should not be listed under a
special budget as it lacks transparency.

Meanwhile the the TPP legislative caucus says its own drone procurement bill
would also fund the program through the regular government budget rather than
a special budget.

In a major difference from the KMT, caucus convener Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍)
says the actual level of funding should be determined by the Executive Yuan,
while complying with the Fiscal Discipline Act.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-06-30 14:07:13

Taipei's Dadaocheng waterfront is hosting its annual summer festival, with a
Spider-Man themed fireworks and drone display .

City officials say this year's Taipei Summer Festival at Dadaocheng Wharf and
Yanping Riverside Park will pair fireworks and drone performances with Sony
Pictures' Spider-Man for the first time, with major shows scheduled for the
opening night on July 25th and the closing night on August 15th, both
starting at 8 p.m.

Each will feature a 20-minute combined drone and fireworks display, with
Spider-Man imagery moving across the night sky over Taipei set to the
original film score.

And the light shows will be paired with live music performances from artists
including Golden Melody Award-winning and highly popular acts such as Wendy
Wander and Sweet John

And officials say local merchants will also offer special promotions during
the festival period.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-30 14:07:13

Taiwan shares were higher today as many other major Asian stock markets
tracking Wall Street gains.

The benchmark Taiex gained 1-thousand 126 points to end the session at 46,125.

The turnover also expanded to 1 trillion 203 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-06-30 14:07:13

Feliks’ journey resembles a Hollywood movie script, with kidnappers,
smugglers and secretive border crossing.

Feliks is actually a young eastern imperial eagle from Serbia, who last year
set off on his first migratory flight.

However, it was caught by poachers in the Middle East, sold illegally and
retrieved in a daring cross-border mission.

While Feliks returned to the Balkan country of Serbia safely last week, his
yearlong ordeal highlighted both the widespread practice of profit-driven,
illegal animal trade and the unfaltering struggle by animal protection groups
to counter it.

Posted on 2026-06-30 14:07:13

The Ocean Conservation Administration is launching a new certification label
for products made with recycled marine debris.

The agency says products containing at least 5 percent recycled material
derived from ocean waste can apply for the Friendly Ocean Label.

The label will be awarded in four tiers, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum,
based on the proportion of recycled marine debris material used in a product.

And each certified product will carry a QR code allowing consumers and
procurement buyers to verify the exact composition and origin of the recycled
material.

Applications open officially on July 1st, and the agency hopes to encourage
manufacturers to develop ocean-friendly products and give consumers a clear
way to identify and choose them.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-30 13:08:13

Cabinet Minister Without Portfolio Jenny Yang has issued another statement
after being suspended over findings that she committed workplace bullying.

She said she's not ruling out taking legal actions against those that she
described as making "fabricated allegations" about her behavior.

The former top negotiator said a supervisor's decision not to adopt
suggestions from colleagues should not, by itself, be considered bullying.

The Cabinet last week released the findings of an external investigation,
concluding that Yang had bullied her deputy Yan Hui-xin (顏慧欣), who died
earlier this year.

Premier Cho Jung-tai has since decided to suspend Yang from her duties
beginning July 1st.

In last night's statement, Yang again argued that the investigation relied on
one-sided accounts and denied her a fair opportunity to respond to the
allegations.

She also claimed the probe was driven by individuals with ulterior motives
who leaked information to the media in an effort to shape public opinion.

Meanwhile Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said Vice Premier Zheng Li-jun
will continue to lead the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Economic Working Group for
future negotiations.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-06-30 13:08:13

The Central Weather Administration says it's closely monitoring two tropical
disturbances, adding that they could strengthen into this year's ninth and
tenth named storms, Typhoon Bavi and Typhoon Maysak.

Forecasters say one system is currently passing through the Philippines south
of Taiwan and is expected to move northwest into the South China Sea, where
it could develop into a tropical depression or typhoon.

The second disturbance is located about 4,000 kilometers southeast of Taiwan
and could also strengthen over the next few days.

Forecasters say it may begin approaching the Ryukyu Islands around the
middle to latter part of next week.

For this week, the CWA says with the influence of a Pacific high-pressure
system, we should see hot and sunny days with high temperatures around 36 or
37 degrees Celsius and afternoon thunderstorms.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-06-30 13:08:13

The United States and Iran have separately announced they are sending
delegations to Qatar this week, though Tehran insists it has not agreed to
meet with the U.S. “at any level.”

The announcements came after weekend attacks in the Persian Gulf challenged
efforts to negotiate an end to the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has tried to preserve a fragile interim deal as
hostilities mounted in recent days in the Strait of Hormuz.

After four days of trading strikes, both sides appeared to pause their
attacks yesterday.

A spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says its delegation traveling to
Qatar plans to discuss terms of the deal without U.S. involvement.

The U.S. and Iran agreed to an interim deal earlier this month that calls for
Tehran to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Posted on 2026-06-30 13:08:13

China says its factory activity picked up pace in June.

The survey released by the National Bureau of Statistics said the
manufacturing purchasing managers index, or PMI, expanded to 50.3 in June
from 50 in May.

That's better than had been expected despite worries over China’s economy
losing steam.

A P-M-I reading above 50 reflects expansion, while below 50 indicates
contraction.

Some economists believe China's economy has been regaining momentum recently
but it still heavily relies on high-tech exports.

China’s consumers remain cautious after a long decline in the property sector
and domestic demand is still sluggish.

Posted on 2026-06-30 11:14:13

The Marshall Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kalani Kaneko
has arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit.

Kaneko is leading a seven-member delegation that includes his wife.

The delegation was greeted on its arrival at Taoyuan International Airport
late last night by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ge Bao-xuan.

Speaking briefly to reporters on his arrival, Kaneko said the Marshall
Islands is hoping to deepen bilateral cooperation and friendship with Taiwan
...

... and will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the
United Nations system and other international organizations

Kaneko also said that this year marks the 28th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the
partnership has flourished, built on a shared commitment to democratic
values, mutual respect, and human rights and the rule of law.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Taiwan has not released any details
concerning the Marshall Islands' delegation itinerary.

Posted on 2026-06-30 11:14:13

A former Tainan fire chief has been sentenced on corruption charges.

The Tainan District Court handed Li Ming Feng a 4 and a half year prison
sentence in the first ruling in the case.

Li is accused of lobbying and encouraging private donations and accepting
bribes of over one and a half million NT from the companies.

The ruling can be appealed.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-30 11:14:13

And,

The Central Weather Administration has issued heat warnings for parts of the
island again today.

"Yellow" heat alerts are in effect for Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu
County, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Yilan -
meaning the daily maximum temperature could reaches 36-degrees.

All of the heat alerts are currently slated to remain in effect through this
afternoon.

Posted on 2026-06-30 11:14:13

Now turning to international news...

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic says, early general elections will be held
in the next few months.

He plans to resign before the vote.

Vucic made the announcement at a rally, suggesting it may be his last address
as president.

Rather than giving up power due to mass protests against government
corruptiom, the move likely signals his intentions to move into the most
powerful position in Serbia: prime minister.

Vucic is in his second presidential term and cannot run again.

Once the populist leader formally resigns, the presidential ballot must be
held within the next 3 months.

Vucic has faced more than a year of mass street protests that first started
in response to a train station tragedy in Serbia's north which killed 16
people.

A youth-led movement demanding accountability for the station canopy collapse
has shaken Vucic's firm grip on power more than ever in the past.

Before he became president in 2017, Vucic had previously already served as
prime minister.

Vucic has also faced European Union criticism over Serbia’s democratic
backsliding, including a media clampdown.

Posted on 2026-06-30 11:14:13

The San Francisco Catholic Archdiocese has agreed to pay 395 million US
dollars to settle over 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church
officials.

The settlement also includes implementing child protection and transparency
reforms, such as creating a list of accused clergy.

The announcemtn comes 3 years after the Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy and
will cover about 530 survivors.

The Archibishop must also write an apology letter to each survivor.

An attorney for the plaintiffs called the settlement unprecedented and
hopeful.

Several archdioceses in California filed for bankruptcy after facing hundreds
of lawsuits brought under a law approved in 2019...

which allowed decades-old claims to be filed by the end of 2022.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:49

Central Election Commission Chairman Michael You is urging lawmakers to limit
the number of referendum initiatives that could be held alongside November's
local elections.

The call comes amid concerns about the election system's administrative
capacity as opposition lawmakers have been discussing plans to advance five
referendum proposals.

Those proposed referendums include restoring nuclear power generation,
opposing the abolition of the death penalty, and introducing absentee voting.

Lawmaker's passed an amendment in November of last year enabling national
referendums to be held on the same day as the local elections.

Speaking to reporters, You called on lawmakers to take the election system's
capacity into account when promoting referendum initiatives ...

.... saying "one referendum would be manageable, two would already be
demanding, and three would be more than election authorities could reasonably
handle."

You also reiterated his opposition to introducing absentee voting in local
elections, arguing that combining absentee voting with the nine-in-one polls
would be - in his words "a disaster."

You said broader public discussion and political consensus will be needed
before absentee voting can be introduced.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

The Ministry of Environment has held a cross-agency tabletop exercise
simulating an extreme heat scenario of 40-degrees.

The exercise focused on compound disaster impacts and support measures for
vulnerable groups.

According to the ministry, it involved 34 central and local agencies and
simulated three consecutive days of 40-degree-heat in Taipei's Neihu
District, New Taipei's Wugu District, and Taoyuan's Luzhu District.

The ministry says the exercise's first stage focused and substation failures,
localized power outages and heat-related medical emergencies among vulnerable
groups.

The second stage escalated to railway speed restrictions due to overheated
tracks and rising heat illness cases among outdoor workers and chronic
patients.

While the final stage focused on response efforts, including garbage fires
and road surface deformation.

The environment ministry says although heat is not classified as a disaster
under the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, it can develop into
systemic risks when combined with heavy electricity demand, infrastructure
strain and vulnerable populations.

The ministry says it will hold a review meeting and incorporate lessons into
future interagency response planning and will publish relevant information
online to help the public understand response measures following heat alerts.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

The Centers for Disease Control says its planning to expand HIV treatment
subsidies to more foreign nationals.

The statement comes after C-D-C Director-General Philip Lo said new HIV
infections have steadily declined among Taiwanese but not among foreign
nationals in Taiwan.

According to Lo, he is hoping a change in policy will improve the trend line
for foreign residents.

The C-D-C says data shows that new cases among Taiwanese have fallen from
over 2,000 a year from 2012 to 2017 to 1,069 by 2022 and around 850 in 2025.

However, cases among foreign nationals have remained steady, averaging 106
per year over the past five years.

Under existing program for those who are diagnosed with HIV, the C-D-C covers
costs for an HIV patient's first two years on medication, after which
expenses are covered by the national health insurance system.

Support during the first two years to cover monthly expense for
antiretroviral therapy only currently extends to three categories of foreign
nationals who are legal residents.

The C-D-C director-general says proposed new eligibility rules could take
effect by the end of this year and will cost the government an additional
1-million to 5.5-million N-T, which can be covered within the existing
budget.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

rollout

Advocacy groups are urging the Ministry of Labor to ensure migrant workers
are not overlooked in the rollout of the new workplace bullying prevention
rules.

The rules are set to take effect tomorrow and are being introduced under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The move means that employers are required to establish workplace bullying
prevention and complaint-handling mechanisms.

The Taiwan Association for Human Rights says while it fully support for the
new rules, the government must also ensure that outreach, training and
complaint channels are accessible to migrant workers.

According to the association, workplace bullying against migrant workers is
widespread, and they are unlikely to report it due to their vulnerable
position and their need to keep their jobs.

The Ministry of Labor released a workplace bullying prevention guidance
manual, FAQs and educational materials,

All of which is currently available only in Chinese.

The labor ministy has since responded to questions as to whether it will be
available in other languages for foreign workers, by saying it will study the
feasibility of providing multilingual versions.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

EVA Airways has annouced plans to to launch direct flights to Delhi at the
end of this year as it seeks to tap into demand for transit between South
Asia and North American markets.

EVA Airways President Sun Chia-ming says the carrier has filed an application
to provide direct flights to Delhi and hopes the new service will start in
early December.

According to Sun, Delhi is positioned well strategically as the city is able
to link North America to South Asia and EVA Airways plans to target Indian
software engineers who work in Silicon Valley with the upcoming new flight
service.

The airline already provides early morning direct services to several major
U-S cities from Taoyuan International Airport.

Sun says he firmly believes that EVA Airways will be able to compete with
Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines in the North America-South Asia
transit market after launching the service to India.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

And,

Taiwan-themed floats participated in the New York City Pride March and the
San Francisco Pride Parade this past weekend.

The New York float featured Taiwan drag performers, and was themed around the
Taiwan "betel nut beauty."

It was curated by Taiwan celebrity drag queen Nymphia Wind and featured other
Taiwanese drag performers.

The Taiwan contingent in the New York procession included Tom Lee, the head
of Taiwan's representative office in the city, his wife, office staff,
overseas Taiwanese, and students.

Taiwan's tourism mascot, Oh Bear was part of the show in San Francisco -
where the float was designed under the banner "Taiwan in SF."

That float was sponsored by the Tourism Administration and the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco.

David Wu, the head of Taiwan's representative office in San Francisco, and he
and his wife joined the parade for the first time since he took up the post.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

Tensions in southern Syria have escalated as Israel occupies a UN-patrolled
buffer zone.

Residents of Abdin in southern Syria were trying to resist a military
incursion...

blocking roads and throwing stones at Israeli troops.

In response, Israeli forces fired warning shots and artillery rounds.

No one was hurt, but many residents fled.

Israel seized the buffer zone in 2024, claiming it was to protect against
militant groups.

The Israeli military presence has led to resistance and clashes.

Syria has condemned the incursions and called for Israel to withdraw.

Residents say the Israeli military regularly enters the village, sometimes
breaking down doors to enter houses.

Israel's presence in Syria is part of a shift to a more aggressive strategy...

with the Israeli military also taking over large portions of Gaza and Lebanon
since a Hamas attack back in 2023.

Posted on 2026-06-30 06:55:50

Police in Nigeria say, gunmen have attacked and kidnapped students taking
exams in Borno state.

A spokesman said it wasn't clear how many students were taken, but 10 people
were rescued hours later.

No group has yet claimed responsibility.

Amnesty International reported that two teacchers and a student were killed.

They emphasized the need for safe schools.

This comes after the army rescued over 300 people abducted by Boko Haram
earlier this month.

Posted on 2026-06-29 19:41:13

Netflix has announced that "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2" will premiere this
fall, nearly four years after the hit anime debuted.

The new 10-episode season will tell a standalone story with an entirely new
cast of characters in Night City.

Studio Trigger returns to produce the series, which is expected to have a
darker tone than the original ... that is, if it's even possible.

A full trailer is set to be released this week after new details were
unveiled at the Annecy International Animation Festival in France.

The first season, released in 2022, became one of Netflix's most successful
video game adaptations and helped revive interest in the video game
"Cyberpunk 2077."

Posted on 2026-06-29 19:41:14

Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce really getting married at Madison Square
Garden?

Speculation about the superstar singer and football player's upcoming wedding
has spiked over the past few days.

Reports are swirling that the two are getting married the first week in July
at this arena, which seats up to 19,500 people

Yet nearly a year after Kelce and Swift announced their engagement with the
caption “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” they
have disclosed little about their plans.

The New York Times reports they are planning a gathering of 100 people at
Madison Square Garden on July 2 and a second event there for about 1,000
guests on July 3.

Public records show the city issued permits for loading and unloading
theatrical materials at the arena during that time period.

A company that does red carpet events also applied for a permit to set up a
canopy outside.

But some believe all this might be a smokescreen to distract from the
couple's real plans.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-29 19:39:13

Taiwanese internet personality Sun An-tso (孫安佐) has been indicted on firearms
and public intimidation charges ...

... over allegations that he made and publicly tested a homemade flamethrower.

Prosecutors also accuse him of illegally possessing an unregistered shotgun,
an air gun capable of causing injury and a prohibited imitation pistol.

The case has now been transferred to the Shilin District Court, which will
decide whether to extend Sun's detention

Sun, the son of television personalities Sun Peng (孫鵬) and Di Ying (狄鶯), has
been in custody since May.

Prosecutors say Sun carried out several flamethrower tests in public areas of
Taipei and New Taipei, creating a danger to passersby.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-06-29 19:39:13

The Mainland Affairs Council says reported offers of free trips for young
Taiwanese to attend a cross-strait forum in China bear what it calls
"obvious" signs of Beijing's united front efforts.

The comments follow media reports that participants aged 16 to 45 were
offered full subsidies for the forum in Guangdong Province, with only airfare
to and from Macau to be paid out of pocket.

Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) says Taiwan supports
healthy cross-strait exchanges conducted on the basis of equality and
dignity.

However, he says heavily subsidized arrangements offered only to Taiwanese
participants raise concerns about political influence efforts by Beijing.

Posted on 2026-06-29 19:39:13

rollout

Rights groups are urging the government to ensure migrant workers are not
left behind when Taiwan's new workplace bullying rules take effect on
Wednesday.

The groups say many migrant workers are reluctant to report workplace
bullying because they fear losing their jobs, and are calling on the Ministry
of Labor to provide multilingual information and complaint channels.

The new rules will require employers to establish workplace bullying
prevention and complaint mechanisms.

The Ministry of Labor says English information is already available, the 1955
migrant worker hotline is ready to provide consultations, and additional
materials in Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai and Tagalog will also be released.

Posted on 2026-06-29 19:39:13

Australian police have arrested a Thai airline employee accused of smuggling
more than one kilogram of heroin into the country.

Authorities say the 26-year-old woman was on duty on an international flight
when she arrived at Melbourne Airport on Thursday.

Police say baggage screening led officers to search her luggage, where they
allegedly found heroin concealed in 12 tote bags.

The drugs have an estimated street value of about 345,000 U.S. dollars.

The woman has been charged with importing and possessing a commercial
quantity of heroin. Thai Airways says it is cooperating with the
investigation.

Posted on 2026-06-29 18:29:13

Agriculture authorities in Taoyuan are considering trapping wild macaques
after a series of attacks on residents in Guishan District neighborhood.

A city councilor says one resident was bitten and scratched after the animal
attacked from behind while the person was tending plants outside his home.

Residents say the macaques have been appearing frequently in the neighborhood
in recent days, leaving some afraid to go outside.

The Department of Agriculture says officials have inspected the area and are
assessing whether the animals should be captured.

The department is also reminding people not to feed or approach wild animals,
and to keep food and kitchen waste out of reach to help prevent conflicts
with wildlife.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-29 18:29:16

The Centers for Disease Control plans to expand government-funded HIV
treatment to cover two additional groups of foreign residents.

CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun says the proposed change would include
permanent foreign residents and foreign minors under the age of 18 who are
legally living in Taiwan.

Currently, only three categories of foreign nationals qualify for government
subsidies, while others must pay between 12 thousand NT and 18 thousand NT a
month for HIV medication.

The CDC says foreign nationals account for about 10 percent of Taiwan's 800
to 900 new HIV cases each year, even as infections among Taiwanese continue
to decline.

The amendments are expected to be released for public comment in August and,
if approved, could take effect by the end of the year.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-29 18:29:21

Nearly 70 percent of international hotel guests in Taiwan stay in Taipei and
New Taipei, prompting calls for more tourism development in other parts of
the island.

The head of the Taiwan Tourist Hotel Association says the figures reflect a
structural imbalance in the country's tourism industry.

Association Chair Lai Cheng-yi (賴正鎰) says many regions have strong tourism
potential but lack the transportation, hotels, attractions and international
marketing needed to encourage visitors to stay longer.

He is proposing five large-scale international resort zones modeled on
Singapore's Sentosa island resort, including possible sites in northern
Taiwan, central mountain areas and the Alishan region.

Lai is also calling for a Cabinet-level task force to coordinate tourism
development and attract international investment.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-29 18:29:21

In international news and in the latest from the Middle East ...

An Israeli airstrike has killed at least three Palestinians, including a
child, in central Gaza.

Palestinian officials say the strike hit a tent sheltering displaced people
in Deir al-Balah on Monday.

Israel's military says it targeted a member of the militant group Islamic
Jihad who was involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Despite a ceasefire reached in October, Israeli forces have continued
carrying out airstrikes in Gaza, while Israel says it is responding to
attacks by militant groups.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 1,045 Palestinians have been
killed since the ceasefire began.

Israel says five of its soldiers have also been killed during that period.

Posted on 2026-06-29 18:29:21

Andy Burnham ... who's widely seen as a leading contender to become Britain's
next prime minister ...

... has unveiled plans to give more powers to local governments as part of a
long-term strategy to spread economic growth across Britain.

In a speech on Monday, Burnham is expected to outline a 10-year vision aimed
at boosting prosperity in communities across the country.

His proposals include moving part of the prime minister's office to
Manchester and giving regional mayors greater control over housing, welfare
and education.

Burnham says the changes would help drive growth beyond London by giving
local leaders more authority over regional development.

Posted on 2026-06-29 17:31:13

Central Election Commission chair Yo Ying-long (游盈隆) has reiterated that
referendums held alongside this year's local elections will be an "inevitable
trend."

Yo said as long as lawmakers pass the referendum proposals in time, the C-E-C
will review them based on the law, approve them and hold the vote together
with the local elections.

He also stressed that the C-E-C is not a rubber stamp and will independently
exercise its authority free from outside interference.

But he's also reminding the opposition of his agency's capacity, saying one
referendum would be "just right," two would be "a bit too many," and three
would be "more than the system can handle."

The opposition KMT is considering proposing three referendums, with the main
one opposing the abolition of the death penalty.

Meanwhile, the TPP could propose two referendums, including one on absentee
voting that would allow voters to cast their ballots at a different polling
place in presidential and legislative elections, as well as nationwide
referendums.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-06-29 17:31:13

Agricultural losses for the month of June have climbed to more than 332
million NT.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Agriculture show that damage from
last week's rainstorms alone made up the bulk of that figure, totaling more
than 200 million NT.

Pingtung County was hit the hardest, accounting for more than 176 million NT
in losses, followed by Kaohsiung at 59 million NT.

Among crops, guavas suffered the greatest losses at over 37 million NT,
followed by papayas, bananas, bitter melons and lemons.

The ministry also reported over 35 million NT in aquaculture losses, with
grouper the hardest hit.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-29 17:31:13

In world news...

Afghan officials say overnight airstrikes by Pakistani forces have killed at
least 36 civilians and injured more than 160.

Pakistan says it targeted militant hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan
border in response to multiple militant attacks across Pakistan.

Afghanistan condemned the strikes as acts of aggression.

The tensions follow a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, with authorities
blaming the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups.

The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat military action.

Hundreds of people have been killed in cross-border fighting since February,
when Afghanistan launched retaliatory strikes after Pakistan carried out
airstrikes inside Afghan territory.

International efforts to broker peace, including talks hosted by China in
April, have proved to be ineffective.

Posted on 2026-06-29 17:31:13

Iran’s president said $6 billion U-S dollars in frozen Iranian assets would
be released by Qatar.

His remarks come as negotiations with the United States were challenged by
attacks at the weekend across the Persian Gulf.

President Masoud Pezeshkian is the highest-ranking official within Iran to
reference the release of the funds held by Qatar, a key mediator in the
negotiations with Pakistan.

So far, U-S officials say no frozen Iranian assets have been released.

Iranian President's remarks, reported by the country's official news agency,
appeared to be aimed at selling the Iranian public on the interim deal.

Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on
Sunday following new U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic Republic, and
threatened a “complete halt” in negotiations to end the war if Washington
continues its attacks.

Posted on 2026-06-29 14:08:13

Taoyuan City is launching subisidies for commercial food waste processing
equipment for restaurants and institutional caterers, ahead of a ban on
kitchen scraps as pig feed.

The city's Department of Enviornmental Protection says from July 1st through
November 30th, food service businesses in the city can apply for subsidies
covering 50 percent of the purchase cost of commercial food waste processors.

The subsidies apply up to a maximum of 200-thousand NT per unit.

Officials say the program is aimed primarily at large-scale restaurant and
institutional catering operators to help them build in-house food waste
handling capacity and reduce dependence on traditional disposal channels.

The city is also calling on businesses to reduce waste through precise
procurement, and is encouraging the public to adopt a food-saving mindset to
reduce kitchen scraps.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-29 14:08:17

The American Institute in Taiwan is reminding US citizens that now is the
time to prepare for November's midterm elections.

All US citizens can vote in federal elections to fill US House and Senate
seats.

And they may be able to vote in local elections in their home states, too.

The first step is for US citizens to register in their home state, and to
request an overseas absentee ballot.

The federal web site www.fvap.gov can help US voters, directing them to their
respective state offices to complete registration and ballot requests.

Voters can return registration applications and ballots via mail ... or they
can drop them off at AIT's Taipei or Kaohsiung offices.

AIT warns that transit times can take up to three weeks, so act early to
ensure your vote is counted.

US midterm elections are on November 3rd this year.

Posted on 2026-06-29 14:08:23

In world news...

In Venezuela, local and international rescue teams raced against the clock to
pull survivors from the rubble four days after two powerful earthquakes
shook the northern state of La Guaira.

The government reported 1,450 dead from the quakes Sunday afternoon as it
faced growing criticism from Venezuelans that its response was inadequate and
overshadowed by civilian-led search-and-rescue efforts.

Thousands have been reported missing.

Even as the likelihood of finding people alive diminished with each passing
hour, rescuers continued to free survivors from mountains of debris, offering
anguished families reason to keep hopes alive.

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Sunday night that even as
the threshold passed, the search for survivors would continue.

More than 2,600 rescue workers from around the world have arrived with
trained search dogs and machinery, the government said.

The U.N. said up to 6.8 million of Venezuela's nearly 30 million residents
may be affected by the earthquakes.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-29 14:08:21

Asian shares are mixed as tech shares fall following a rout on Friday.

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark Taiex gaining 428 points to
close the session at 45,000.

However, the turnover shrank to 998 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-06-29 14:08:25

In international news,

Chinese dissident Dong Guangping (董廣平) has finally reached Canada after a
perilous escape from China.

Dong, 68, was repeatedly imprisoned in China for charges including inciting
subversion of state power.

He faced constant police monitoring and was unable to receive retirement
benefits or renew his passport.

Last month, he set off on his fourth attempt to flee China.

This time he took a dinghy and aimed for Japan.

When his phone battery almost died during the 40-hour journey, he switched
course to South Korea, where he was detained.

Eventually, he was sent to a refugee center and then to Canada.

Dong now plans to continue his activism for China's democratization.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-29 13:07:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Xiu-yan has voiced strong support for the KMT's alternative
drone procurement bill after the opposition blocked the Executive Yuan's
proposal in the legislature on Friday.

Lu says she backs a $240- billion-NT plan to be funded through the regular
budget over six years, rather than through a special budget, adding that the
exact amount can still be adjusted through negotiations.

She argues that Taiwan should strengthen its domestic drone industry as
recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown the growing
importance of drones.

The Executive Yuan's version of the bill has a cap of $210 billion NT in
special funding for domestically developed military drones and unmanned
vessels.

The Yuan said the funding would be used over five years to procure drones
and drone boats after those items were left out of the $780 billion NT
special defense procurement bill passed by the legislature in May.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-06-29 13:07:14

Knives Control Act

Shi-lin prosecutors have indicted youTuber Edward Sun on charges of violating
the Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives Control Act and the Criminal Code.

Prosecutors said Sun, also known as Sun An-zuo (孫安佐), built a homemade
shoulder-mounted flamethrower, publicly tested it multiple times on roads and
parking lots in greater Taipei, and posted the videos online.

According to the prosecutors, Sun and his friends turned the gas valve to its
maximum setting, producing long-range, high-temperature flames, thus creating
a danger to the public.

The indictment said Sun made profits from posting the videos of those
activities.

He was also found in possession of an unregistered shotgun, an air gun
capable of causing injury, and a prohibited replica firearm.

Sun has been under detention without communications since May 17th and the
Shi-lin District Court will decide whether to extend his detention today.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-06-29 13:07:14

Australia plans to double potential fines for social media platforms,
including Facebook and Instagram, who fail to prevent Australian children
from holding accounts.

Critics argue the world-first ban on under-16s was failing.

Australia's communications minister today blamed the platforms’ resistance to
the age restrictions to the laws that came into force on December 10.

The government announced Sunday it would introduce draft legislation into
Parliament this week that would double the maximum fine to the equivalent of
$2.2 billion NT for platforms that fail to prevent children from holding
accounts.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-29 13:07:14

In the U.S., NASA is racing to save its Swift telescope from falling back to
Earth with a daring rescue mission.

The salvage effort, costing the equivalent of 950 million NT, gets underway
as soon as this Tuesday with the planned launch of a three-armed robotic
lifesaver.

NASA is planning to boost Swift to a higher orbit where it can continue
hunting for some of the universe's biggest explosions.

Launched in 2004, Swift has been sinking faster and faster because of recent
intense solar activity.

It needs to get to a higher orbit as soon as possible to survive.

The spacecraft will take about a month to catch Swift, and another couple of
months to raise its orbit.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-29 13:07:18

5th Ld-Writethru

Pakistani officials say security forces have targeted militant hideouts in a
major operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The country's information minister says the operation follows multiple
militant attacks across the country.

Afghanistan said women and children were among the dead and wounded.

On Saturday, militants attacked the paramilitary Rangers' headquarters in
Karachi, killing three soldiers.

Security forces killed three attackers and captured another.

A Pakistani Taliban faction claimed responsibility.

Pakistan's operation targeted two militant hideouts, killing 29 fighters.

The countries have engaged in months of military action despite international
efforts to broker peace.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-29 09:08:13

The Israeli Cabinet has approved a proposal to designate violence against
Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide.

The step still needs Parliament's approval, but it reflects worsening ties
between Israel and Turkey.

Turkey has long lobbied to prevent countries from officially recognizing the
mass deaths of Armenians around 1915 as a genocide, even as Armenians have
pushed for it.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman
Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as
the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been
inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.

Israel's decision marks a shift in its stance, influenced by deteriorating
relations with Turkey over the past two decades.

Turkey criticized the move as politically motivated.

Israel and Turkey were once allies, but tensions have risen, especially
regarding Israel's war on the Gaza Strip.

Posted on 2026-06-29 08:07:13

US-Taiwan ties

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The U-S State Department is crediting parliamentary exchanges as being key
elements aimed at strengthening US-Taiwan ties

According to a state department spokesperson, the robust unofficial
relationship between the U-S and Taiwan is strengthened through regular
interactions between officials and lawmakers from political parties from both
sides.

The statement comes after Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu and members of
a cross-party delegation returned from Washington, D.C. on Saturday.

Han and the delegation met with several senators, more than 30 bipartisan
members of the House of Representatives, and with officials from the White
House and the U-S Department of War during the trip.

The talks focused on US-Taiwan security cooperation, the development of the
drone industry, assisting Taiwan in expanding its international
participation, and improving the ease of investment for Taiwanese businesses
in the U-S.

A State Department official says the "the strong unofficial relationship
between the U-S and Taiwan is boosted through regular interactions."

Posted on 2026-06-29 08:07:13

Former President Tsai Ing-wen has taken to Facebook to says her visit to the
Italian Senate last week showed growing momentum in Taiwan’s exchanges with
Italy.

Tsai traveled to Italy to attend the Global Women Leaders Summit and says she
meet with lawmakers from both governing and opposition parties there.

Tsai also held talks with the deputy speaker of the Italian Senate

Taking to Facebook, Tsai said the visit allowed her to explain the pressures
facing Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and democratic countries.

Tsai also said that European interest in Taiwan has expanded in recent years
and the island is now being increasingly seen for its role in technology,
democratic governance, women’s leadership, and resilient supply chains,
rather than solely as international hotspot.

According to Tsai, more Italian lawmakers across party lines are now paying
attention to Taiwan and supportive of closer ties.

Posted on 2026-06-29 08:07:13

The Kaohsiung City Government has announced a series of relief measures
following days of heavy rains, that have inundated several districts.

According to city officials, it is offering subsidies of up to 35,000 N-T for
residential and commercial premises that were flooded by 50-centimeters of
water or more ..

... and 10,000 N-T in financial assistance for residential and commercial
premises flooded with less than 50-centimeters of water.

City officials say an additional 10,000 N-T will be provided to owners of all
flooded premises for damage to electrical appliances.

The city's relief measures are in addition to the central government's
providing 20,000 N-T subsidies for homes or businesses that were flooded by
50-centimeters of water or more.

The Kaohsiung City Government also says it has implemented a compensation
program for vehicles damaged by flooding.

Posted on 2026-06-29 08:07:13

The Ministry of Transport has announced that a new category of fully
enclosed, three-wheeled scooters will be permitted on public roads from
tomorrow.

According to the ministry, manufacturers and importers must obtain a vehicle
safety type approval certificate under the Vehicle Safety Type Approval
Management Regulations before the vehicles can be sold and registered.

That approval process is expected to take three to six months before the
vehicles can receive license plates and be legally operated on public roads.

The transport ministry says drivers of such vehicles will be required to hold
a standard automobile driver's license.

The vehicles will have the same road rights as passenger cars, but will not
be permitted on freeways, expressways or national highways.

Posted on 2026-06-29 08:07:13

And finally,

C-P-C has cut gasoline and diesel prices for a second consecutive week after
the U-S and Iran last week began negotiations for a ceasefire and an increase
in shipment volumes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The price cuts see gasoline declining by 1 N-T per liter and diesel falling
by 0.8 N-T per liter.

The move means that 92 octane unleaded costs 30.4 N-T per liter, while the
price of premium diesel has dropped to 29.5 N-T a liter at the pump for this
week.

Under C-P-C's floating price mechanism the average international oil price
fell to 69.8 U-S dollars per barrel last week.

That was down from 76.39 U-S dollars the previous week.

The state-refiner says although more ships have been passing through the
Strait of Hormuz, an attack on a container cargo ship owned by Taiwan's
Evergreen Marine last Thursday has renewed safety concerns.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has wrapped-up a trip to Poland and Italy.

Lin was heading a trade delegation to the two countries aimed at
strengthening Taiwan's partnerships with both Warsaw to Rome.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the six-day trip began with Lin
leading a delegation of business representatives to the 2026 Taiwan Expo
Europe in Poland, before visiting the Polish Parliament.

Lin also announced the establishment of Taiwan Language Centers in Europe.

The first centers will be set up in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and
Poland and Lin says that will serve as hubs for Mandarin-language education
and talent exchanges.

Lin's trip to Italy included attending a business forum, as well as an event
organized by the Regional Council of Lombardy on strengthening supply chain
resilience and Taiwan-Italy exchanges.

The event focused on semiconductors, I-C-T, and advanced manufacturing.

The foreign ministry says it was the largest business delegation from Taiwan
to attend an industry event organized by the Regional Council of Lombardy.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:20

The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office says autopsies have confirmed that
four hikers killed in a rockfall died of traumatic shock caused by falling
rocks.

The statement comes after prosecutors and forensic examiners conducted the
autopsies after the victims' bodies were taken to a funeral home in Taichung.

The prosecutors' office has ruled that the four deaths were accidental, and
issued death certificates after the victims' families raised no objections to
the findings.

Prosecutors says they are continuing to investigate whether the accident
involved criminal negligence.

The victims were among a 16-member hiking group organized by the Republic of
China Primitive Life Education Association that traveled from Taipei on
Saturday to hike the Butterfly Valley Waterfall Trail in Taichung's Heping
District.

Authorities says rocks struck five members of the group on the trail, killing
four and leaving one with minor injuries.

Association Chairman Wu Swei-pi says the weather was clear when the group set
out and forecasts had shown no rain was expected in the area Saturday
afternoon and the they were struck by falling rocks while crossing a stream.

Wu says warnings or a temporary trail closure could have alerted hikers to
the danger.

The Taichung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says the
trail remained open because rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Mekkhala
had not met the threshold for closure.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:20

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has installed a water level meter
at the barrier lake on the Wanli River in Hualien.

The agency says it will allow authorities to receive water-level data every
10 minutes to improve monitoring and emergency response times.

The water level meter was installed with assistance from the National
Airborne Service Corps.

According to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, data is now being
transmitted to the Ministry of Agriculture's Forest Disaster Prevention
Response and Barrier Lake Monitoring System.

Installation of the water level meter comes amid concerns of the barrier lake
overflowing.

The risk of the barrier lake bursting has been downgraded from a "red" to a
"yellow" alert, but authorities are still warning that the landslide-dammed
lake still poses a risk of breaching within 10 days.

The Hualien County government has urged the public to stay away from the
Wanli River, Matai'an Creek and surrounding hazardous areas.

Nearly 200 residents of Wanrong and Fenglin townships have been evacuated as
a precaution.

Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei says police patrols and fire
department drones were monitoring the riverbed to prevent people from
entering hazardous areas.

The lake's water level stood at 1,067 meters late Sunday.

The barrier lake has an estimated storage volume of 2.4-million cubic meters
and the overflow elevation is estimated at about 1,080 meters.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:22

A total of 500-kilograms of Taiwan Irwin mangoes has been air-shipped to the
U-K.

According to the Tainan City government, it is the first such shipment of the
popular fruit to the U-K.

The shipment of mangoes headed for the U-K is being transported using cold
packaging, which means they will be refrigerated in low temperatures during
the entire trip.

The city's Agriculture Bureau says th cartons containing eight to 10 mangoes
will be sold at high-end supermarkets, with each mango priced at between 18
and 20 euros.

Cartons containing 10 to 12 mangoes will be sold at retail supermarkets, with
each mango priced at between 15 and 18 euros.

While, cartons containing 10 to 12 mangoes will also be sold as whole cartons
to wholesale supermarkets, and cartons containing 12 to 14 mangoes will be
distributed to fruit and vegetable wholesale markets.

The mangoes have been transported to be Frankfurt Airport in Germany and
beeen transferred to Manchester Airport in northern England.

The total production of Taiwan mangoes in 2025 was 102,578 tons, of which,
836 tons were exported to different markets.

Along with the U-K, Taiwan's Irwin mangoes have been exported to France this
year.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:25

The Taiwan Blood Services Foundation says blood supplies have fallen to five
days, as the recent heavy rain resulted in a decline in the number of people
making donations across the island.

According to the foundation, one week of supply is its minimum safety line
and supplies of type B are the only blood group still above the level -- with
7.1 days available.

The tightest overall supplies are in Taipei and Taichung, where blood centers
have an average of 4.7 days of supplies.

The foundation says the decline in donations was due to the closure of some
donation sites and blood drives because of the heavy rains.

It is urging people to give blood now the rains are weakening and says
hospitals in the center and south could face serious shortages in the coming
days if supplies are not replenished.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:26

Local and international rescue teams are racing to find survivors in
Venezuela, four days after 2 powerful earthquakes.

The government has so far reported a death toll of 1450.

Officials have faced criticism from Venezuelans who believe that the
government's response is inadequate and not as widespread as those of
civilian-led search and rescue efforts.

Thousands are still missing.

More than 2600 rescue workers from around the world had arrived by yesterday,
with support from specially trained dogs.

Authorities say that more than 770 buildings had totally or partially
collapsed in the two earthquakes..

while twice as many were reported destroyed or damaged.

The risk of further damage remains, as aftershocks continue.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:26

Pakistani officials say, security forces launched a major operation along the
border between Pakistan and Afghanistan...

targeting militant hideouts and killing 29 fighters.

Officials say, the operation follows multiple militant attacks across the
country.

Over the weekened, militants attacked the headquarters of a paramilitary
group in Karachi, killing 3.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the
attack.

Officials say that Pakistan's latest operation targets the safe havens of the
Pakistani Taliban.

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:26

Israel has killed at least 4 more people in the Gaza Strip in the latest
round of strikes.

The first strike targeted a group of people in northern Gaza, killing 2 and
wounded another.

Another strike in the south killed a man, while Israeli tank shelling
shrapnel killed a 13 year old child.

This comes as a ceasefire has been in place since October, but Israel
continues strikes in Gaza, with new deaths reported almost daily.

Since the ceasefire went into effect, Israel has killed more than 1040 people
in Gaza alone.

Israel claims that one of the most recent strikes targeted a "Hamas
terrorist."

Posted on 2026-06-29 07:04:26

Ukraine is intensifying its drone attacks on Russia, setting fire to a major
oil refinery and killing at least 2.

Kyiv's long-range strikes aim to disrupt Russian fuel supplies and military
deliveries, pressuring Moscow to the negotiating table.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strike on teh Slavyansk
refinery, and claimed another hit in the Yaroslavl region.

Ukraine's campaign targets Russian military industries and energy facilites
to cut Moscow's revenue and apply pressure.

Zelenskyy has called the strikes "long-range sanctions," saying that each
strike means a hit to Russia's war machine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time over the
weekend that the country was facing a "certain deficit" of fuel.

He vowed to strengthen protection of oil facilites and boost fuel output.

Western officials say that the attacks have stalled Moscow's war effort...

but Russia remains among the world's top exporters of oil and natual gas.

More recently, Ukraine has attemped to cut off fuel deliveries to the
illegally Russian annexed Crimea.

Last weekend, Kremlin-installed officials in Crimea suspended gasoline sales
to civilians, after Kyiv's targeting of supply routes triggered the worst
energy crisis there since the annexation.

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