ICRT

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The New Taipei District Court has sentenced a man who robbed a bank in the
Banqiao District with a pair of stolen scissors to 7 1/2 years in prison.

The incident took place June 17.

According to the court verdict, the 50-year-old man stole the scissors
pan-fried dumpling and pot sticker store before entering a nearby branch of
the Taishin Bank, where he brandished the scissors and shouted for a teller
to "take out the money."

He then grabbed a customer and threatened to kill her if the bank staff did
not comply with his demands.

Bank tellers handed the man 404,200 N-T in cash, which he put in his pockets
and then sat in the waiting area until he was arrested by police.

Along with sentencing the man to 7 1/2 years for armed robbery, the court
also sentenced him to three months in prison for theft, commutable to a fine.

The district court rulings can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a Taipei couple and
their son for allegedly beating, drugging and sexually molesting an
Indonesian caregiver in their home following a dispute in September.

Prosecutors says the female caregiver had been hired to help care for the
husband's elderly mother.

According to the indictment, the couple become unhappy with how the caregiver
was doing her job and attacked her inside their home in early September.

The husband molested the woman at knifepoint and the caregiver was also
forced to drink a beverage spiked with sedative.

Police went to the house three days later after the caregiver's friends
reported her missing and found her unconscious and with cuts and bruises all
over her body.

The son was arrested at the scene, while his parents were summoned for
questioning.

All three were later detained.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Tai-Ex opened up 141-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,449 on turnover of 11.4-billion N-T.

The market recorded its 7th steepest single-session point fall on Tuesday, as
selling was triggered by a plunge among tech stocks on Wall Street overnight
amid lingering concerns over massive A-I spending.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Tai-Ex rebounded from yesterday's decline in early trading as investors
were buoyed by a rise for Nvidia and other U-S big tech stocks on Wall Street
overnight.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which shares a strong correlation with
the Taiwan Stock Exchange - rose 2.6-per cent overnight, which also lent
strong support to the local main board this morning.

The weighted index added 434 point to reach a high of 43,741.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, MediaTek, Delta Electronics, and A-S-E
Technology all made solid gains in early trading - which saw the
overall electronics index rising by more than 1-per cent.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Ministry of National Defense is reporting 22 Chinese air sorties
operating near Taiwan between 6AM Tuesday and 6AM today.

Of those sorties, 14 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait
and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern air defense identification
zones.

The aircraft included fighter jets, bombers, support planes and helicopters.

Seven Chinese Navy vessel and five official maritime patrol ships were also
spotted operating in Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour period.

The number of aircraft is a marked decline from the 49 sorties operating
around Taiwan in the 24 hours leading up to 6AM yesterday.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Ministry of Labor is proposing a new set to policies aimed at reversing
the island's declining birth rate.

The plan includes increasing the maternity leave policy to 12 weeks and
increasing paid pregnancy check-up leave to 10 days.

The government currently offers eight weeks of maternity leave and seven
days of paid pregnancy check-up leave.

Labor Minister Hung Sun-han says his office is currently working to have the
policies take effect by early next year.

The statements come after President Lai Ching-te announced his national
family support strategy in May.

Along with extending maternity leave paid pregnancy check-up leave, that
strategy also proposed extending marriage leave to 14 days and spousal leave
to accompany wives to prenatal exams to 14 days.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Bank SinoPac is still investigating the cause of over 400 unauthorized
transactions yesterday.

The bank says the 427 unauthorized transactions totaling more than 40-million
N-T and affected 419 customers.

According to the Financial Supervisory Commission, it was notified by the
Bank SinoPac that customers had reported unauthorized transfers from their
accounts despite not having logged into the bank's new mobile banking app.

The F-S-C says an initial review by the bank found that all the transfers had
been sent to a single account at another bank.

Each transaction involved about 100,000 N-T.

The commission also says Bank is using its own funds to reimburse affected
customers and has taken its new mobile banking app offline.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Bureau says it received nearly 70
emergency notifications for deposit withdrawals.

The bureau, says Bank SinoPac reported that funds from several individuals'
E.Sun Bank accounts were transferred directly to Fubon Bank accounts and it's
been asked to conduct a full audit to determine whether any criminal activity
occurred.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says we can expect to see sunny skies
across the western half of the island today and tomorrow.

Daytime highs will be around 30-degrees islandwide, but the mercury will drop
overnight and into the early mornings.

According to Wu, weak northeasterly monsoon will begin to affect parts of the
island on Friday and into Saturday.

That weather front is expected to bring localized showers on the windward
side of the island push temperatures down in the north.

A stronger northeasterly monsoon is expected to move south and affect the
island from next Monday through Wednesday - and that will push the mercury
down across the north.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling says a former legislative aide
who jumped bail earlier this month in a corruption case has fled Taiwan.

Chang Chun-chieh was a former aide for independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei.

According to Kuan Chang, is suspected of leaving Taiwan illegally by sea from
Keelung’s Zhengbin Fishing Harbor in late October.

The case is currently being handled the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office
and details of its ongoing investigation remain confidential.

However, the Ocean Affairs Council minister says that her office is also
investigating how Chang was able to leave Taiwan and the Coast Guard
Administration is working closely with police - who have questioned several
people believed to have assisted Chang to flee the island.

The 70-year old disappeared on September 6 after police found his broken
electronic wrist monitor in Taipei's Daan Forest Park.

An arrest warrant and a 1-million N-T reward for information leading to the
arrest were both issued for Chang.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The National Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with
a series of events including concerts and a special exhibition.

The highlights include a concert led by N-S-O Music Director Jun Märkl
alongside a special exhibition on the ground floor of the National Concert
Hall that chronicles the orchestra's major achievements over the past four
decades.

The 40th-anniversary concert - which is part of the "Pinnacle of
Craftsmanship" ommemorative concert series - will be taking place on November
5 at the National Concert Hall.

The orchestra will be presenting Tchaikovsky’s "Violin Concerto in D major,"
Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra" and the world-premiere of Kuo En-fu's
"Orches cha."

The National Symphony Orchestra is considered to be one of the leading
orchestras in Asia and was founded in 1986, the orchestras of National Taiwan
Normal University, Taipei National University of the Arts were combined to
form the United Experimental Orchestra.

It war renamed National Concert Hall Symphony Orchestra in 1994 and rebranded
as the National Symphony Orchestra in 2002.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Coast Guard Administration is questioning a ship captain believed to have
helped a former legislative aide escape the country.

That's after the Ocean Affairs Council said this morning that they believe
Zhang Jun Jie張俊傑 left the country from Keelung at the end of last month.

Zhang is suspected of conspiring with lawmaker Gao Jin Su Mei, who faces
corruption charges for allegedly embezzling assistant fees.

The CGA says, they were able to track down the captain of the ship that is
believed to have helped Zhang escape, although the ship that is believed to
have aided the escape did not turn up any clues as to Zhang's whereabouts.

Zhang jumped bail nearly two months ago and has been on the run ever since.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

A fire at a Panasonic factory in Hsinchu County has left 2 missing and 5
injured.

Three of the injured are Taiwanese nationals, while 2 are Vietnamese.

The two missing are both Taiwanese nationals.

The Hsinchu County government is warning of poor air quality and is advising
residents against outdoor exercise.

Residents are also advised to steer clear of the area where the fire took
place, which is on Hukou Township's Guangfu Road.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Braised pork rice is the food that best represents Taiwan, according to a new
survey by National Taiwan Normal University.

Nearly three in ten respondents picked the dish.

Stinky tofu came in second, followed by bubble tea.

Beef noodle soup drew just under three percent.

The researcher who led the survey says the results show how closely people
identify Taiwanese food with what they eat every day.

He points out that braised pork rice and stinky tofu rarely appear at formal
banquets.

Japanese food was the clear favorite among foreign cuisines, with 44 percent
of respondents choosing it.

Thai food came in second, followed by Western food.

The university surveyed just over a thousand people by phone in August.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Coast Guard has brought in a fishing boat and its captain as authorities
investigate whether a wanted legislative aide fled by sea from Keelung.

Ocean Affairs Council Chair Kuan Bi-ling says the boat went to sea on October
28th.

She says no one was found in the cabin and the captain denies involvement.

Prosecutors are still checking whether the boat is linked to the case.

The aide, Chang Chun-chieh, worked for independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei.

He was charged in a corruption case and is also suspected of involvement in a
Chinese espionage case.

A court issued a warrant after he went on the run while out on bail in
September.

Taipei prosecutors have directed police to review video footage to check
reports that Chang left from Zhengbin Fishing Harbor.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Prosecutors have charged a Taipei borough chief with corruption.

Xia Wan Lang夏萬浪 allegedly used fake receipts to get reimburesement for what
he claimed were borough expenses, but wherein he allegedly took in over
44,000 NT in illegal gains.

Prosecutors charged him under the Anti-Corruption Act.

Xia, chief of Zhongzheng's WangXi allegedly made the claims under the guise
of Mother's Day events from 2016 to 2019.

Prosecutors say that he collected blank receipts from local shops, filled in
items that did not match what those stores actually sold, inflated unit
prices and quantities, thus inflating total expenses.

He then asked a resident who was unaware of the scheme to submit the receipts
for reimbursement.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Starting in late December, drivers aged 75 and older who cause a crash by
breaking traffic rules will have to pay for training before they can renew
their licenses.

The Ministry of Transportation says those drivers must complete hands-on
training at a driving school.

The requirement follows a change in May that lowered the age for routine
license renewal from 75 to 70.

Drivers who turn 70 can renew through age 75 after passing a medical exam and
taking a free safety course.

From age 75, licenses are renewed every three years.

The changes are part of a broader overhaul that also adds questions on
spotting hazards to the written driving tests.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Taipei International Blues Bash returns to Maji Square this Saturday for
a ten-hour live music event.

The festival runs from noon until 10:00 PM, featuring country blues, Chicago
classics, swing, British pub rock and more.

Acclaimed Japanese guitarist Shun Kikuta headlines the main stage at 9:00 PM,
while teh daytime lineup includes sets by BoPoMoFo, Cooky & The Blues Boys,
and David Chen and The Seventh Sons.

Visitors can also join an interactive blues dance performance and taster
class starting at 7:05 PM.

The event is free and open to the public.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Ministry of Agriculture says Taiwan should have enough pig feed through
the end of the year, despite a shutdown at a major soybean oil producer.

The plant remains closed after tests found excessive levels of a
cancer-causing chemical in its oil.

The shutdown has cut supplies of soybean cooking oil and soybean meal, a key
ingredient in pig and chicken feed.

Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) says the ministry has asked other
producers to increase output.

It's also adjusting feed formulas to use less soybean meal and helping
companies import enough to cover any shortfall.

Separately, the ministry is helping pig farmers switch to other types of feed
ahead of a nationwide ban on feeding pigs food waste.

The ban takes effect January first.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Coast Guard Administration says a man attempting to smuggle animals into
Kinmen has been indicted.

Officials say the suspect was stopped after returning to Kinmen by a ferry
from Quanzhou, China earlier this year.

Officers found he had concealed eight black-breasted leaf turtles, each
wrapped inside stockings and taped to one thigh.

And a marmot, a kind of large ground squirrel, was sedated and secured to his
other thigh.

If successfully smuggled into Taiwan, each of the turltes could have sold for
up to $30-thousand NT on the black market., or passed off as a rarer species
and sold for up to $75-thousand NT.

As for marmots, the Coast Guard noted that the species serves as a primary
natural host for the pneumonic plague, creating a risk of the deadly disease
spreading if the animal did not undergo proper quarantine.

Officials add that suspected smuggling and other illegal activities can be
reported via the Coast Guard's 24-hour "118" hotline.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The 7th Taiwan Science Festival kicks off Saturday, showcasing environmental
and renewable energy at the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung

Officials say this year's festival, themed "Sharing science, launching
sustainability", emphasizes climate change awareness and green energy.

Special exhibition highlights include a limited-edition "Geothermal Coffee"
and geothermal exploration documentary screenings on Nov. 14-th.

The museum will also unveil an exhibition on the Zhuoshui River basin
exploring how river ecology shapes human communities.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and the museum, the nine-day
science festival also includes interactive showcases across five national
science museums.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

The Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry
opens Sunday in Tainan, with a space industry expo that offers free public
admission on the first day.

The conference runs through Wednesday at the International Convention Center
in Tainan.

The expo's public day runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and requires advance
registration.

Test equipment maker Keysight Technologies says it will show how it tests
satellites and checks that their communications systems work.

The company also plans to hold a forum on satellite testing and networks that
use satellites to provide coverage beyond ground-based systems.

Keysight says it has joined a Taiwan Space Agency initiative to support local
satellite startups through seminars and technical exchanges.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:13

Officials say, 2 pilots on a T-34 trainer aircraft are safe after a bumpy
landing at Gangshan Air Force Base in Kaohsiung.

The plane itself apparently sustained "minor damage" to its nose during a
training exercise.

Officials confirmed the reports about DPP Lawmaker Luo Mei Ling asked about
the incident during a legislative meeting.

Officials add that the military has ruled out mechanical failure and
determined that the incident was caused by "technical error."

The runway was closed following the incident but was expected to reopen
shortly.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:14

A Keelung city councilor has posted bila in a vote buying investigation after
being questioned

基隆議員蔡旺璉涉送高粱酒賄選 10萬元交保

（中央社記者王朝鈺基隆4日電）國民黨基隆市議員蔡旺璉遭檢舉在重陽餐會贈送高粱酒並拜票賄選，基隆地檢署昨天發動搜索，經移送複訊後，諭令新台幣10萬元交保。

基隆地檢署接獲檢舉，蔡旺璉涉嫌於10月間，在某協會舉辦的重陽餐會，贈送高粱酒給參加餐會的基隆市七堵區選民，並在席間拜票，賄求有投票權的選民投票支持，從事個人競選活動。

檢察官吳季侖指揮法務部調查局基隆市調查站、基隆市警察局第三分局及內政部移民署北區事務大隊基隆市專勤隊組成專案小組，昨天前往蔡旺璉服務處、住處等4處搜索，查扣相關證物，傳喚、通知蔡旺璉及選民等共24人到案說明。

經檢察官複訊後，認蔡旺璉涉違反公職人員選舉罷免法對有投票權人交付賄賂罪嫌，犯罪嫌疑重大，但無羈押的必要，諭令10萬元交保，其餘選民及證人均請回。

蔡旺璉在臉書（Facebook）發文表示，第1，這場餐會不是由他及里長設宴邀請大家，他與里長也是受邀前往，當天在場還有其他民意代表、秘書；第2，餐費由長青協會會員每年繳交的年費支付，這是每年固定舉辦的重陽餐會，不是今年才舉辦。

蔡旺璉說，第3，選舉進入關鍵階段，有心人士利用片段資訊、不實謠言，嚴重傷害民主法治與選舉公正性，他嚴正譴責栽贓抹黑，呼籲回歸正當選舉。（編輯：李亨山）1151104

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:14

（中央社記者陳婕翎台北4日電）「老人福利法」修法逾8成長者免繳健保費，7大醫療團體今天共同聲明，健保非社會福利，勿從地方擴大到中央釀一錯再錯，籲行政與立法部門邀集相關團體審慎再議，切勿倉促定法。

立法院10月16日三讀通過「老人福利法」第22條修正案，規定65歲以上長者，最近1年綜合所得未達所得稅申報標準或適用稅率未達20%者，全民健康保險保險費由中央主管機關全額補助，衛福部預估達83%長輩符合免繳資格，行政院副署與否6日前決定。

台灣醫院協會、台灣私立醫療院所協會、台灣醫務管理學會、台灣醫學中心協會、中華民國區域醫院協會、台灣社區醫院協會、台灣醫療社團法人協會等7大醫療團體今天共同聲明指出，不論過去地方政府競相補助長者健保費，或這次改由中央負擔，只要傷害健保永續，都應檢討。

聲明進一步提到地方政府為討好長者，率先開了補助健保費的破口，引發各縣市跟進，如今僅剩6個縣市未補助；各地待遇不一，成為要求中央統一負擔的理由。若這種「破窗效應」不止，免繳對象可能擴及6歲以下兒童、18歲以下青少年，甚至以生活壓力為由擴及勞動人口。

這份聲明指出，健保是「保險」不是「福利」，不應混為一談，日本、韓國與台灣同為社會保險國家，長者仍須繳納保費，485萬名65歲以上長者中，約400萬人將免繳，自行繳費者減少，政府須以更多稅收支應，壓力將落在勞動人口、尤其薪資所得者身上。

醫界團體嚴正表達反對這次「長者免健保費」修法內容，並提出4大訴求，第1點是行政院及立法院正視各界疑慮審慎再議，邀集醫界、健保會、精算與財政學者、長者及青年團體共同研商，舉行公聽會，就補助對象、財源與配套重新審慎檢討切勿倉促定法。

第2點為不論過去地方政府競相補助長者健保費，或這次立法院修法改由中央負擔，只要傷害健保永續，都應檢討，回歸「福利歸福利、保險歸保險」；第3點是新制定案前，衛福部應優先確保約6.6萬名弱勢長者原有醫療補助不中斷，避免政策漏接。

第4點為擔憂免繳對象可能從65歲以上長者，擴及6歲以下兒童、18歲以下青少年，甚至15歲至64歲勞動人口，也可能以生活壓力大為由要求免繳。健保財務調整必須交由精算專業評估，檢視整體資產而非單看所得稅率，將資源精準集中於經濟真正拮据的長者。（編輯：李亨山）1151104

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:14

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is scheduled to list NT$14.8
billion (US$450 million) in green bonds on Nov. 12, the Taipei Exchange
(TPEx) said Wednesday.

According to the TPEx, which runs local bond listings on the over-the-counter
(OTC) market, since the world's largest contract chipmaker issued its first
batch of green bonds worth NT$12.0 billion in December 2020, its outstanding
green bonds have totaled NT$229.1 billion, making the company the top green
bond issuer in Taiwan.

TSMC is also known as the largest buyer of renewable energy in Taiwan.

In a statement posted Tuesday on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, where its shares
are traded, TSMC said it had completed pricing for the NT$14.8 billion green
bond issue.

TSMC said the green bonds will be made up of two tranches: NT$12.4 billion of
five-year bonds with a coupon rate of 2.30 percent, and NT$2.4 billion of
10-year bonds with a rate of 2.42 percent.

TSMC said Taishin Securities Co. has been hired as the major underwriter of
the upcoming green bond sale, with Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank Co. serving
as the trustee.

It added that the proceeds of the upcoming green bond sales will be used to
finance spending on green architecture and environmental protection projects.

At a board meeting in February, TSMC secured approval to issue up to NT$60
billion worth of unsecured bonds in Taiwan this year to help fund production
expansion and green projects.

The NT$14.8 billion green bond issue is part of the planned NT$60 billion
bond sales for 2026 and the third such sale this year.

Taiwan's capital markets and financial authorities have intensified efforts
to encourage enterprises to issue green bonds to enhance their
environmentally responsible corporate behavior.

According to the TPEx, the value of outstanding green bonds issued in Taiwan
currently stands at NT$604.8 billion after the first batch of such bonds was
listed on the OTC market in May 2017.

In Taiwan, green bonds are listed on the sustainability bond market along
with social bonds, sustainability bonds and sustainability-linked bonds.

Green bonds currently account for over 70 percent of the total outstanding
value of NT$826.0 billion on the sustainability bond market, according to the
TPEx.

Posted on 2026-11-04 14:05:14

針對荒野保護協會公布最新河川廢棄物調查結果，經濟部水利署第四河川分署今天表示，感謝團體及志工關心河川環境，已全面採納調查數據，啟動應對處置機制。

荒野保護協會今年首次進入濁水溪流域，調查平均每公里有361袋廢棄物，累計3萬9213.5袋，遠高於過去調查的頭前溪、北港溪及烏溪等。

第四河川分署發布新聞稿表示，轄管濁水溪主流約186公里及彰化海堤約63公里，近5年平均每年清除河川廢棄物約370公噸、海岸廢棄物約1500公噸。

這次調查所列西螺大橋至自強大橋區段，分署已辦理熱點列管、清理及加強巡查；大義崙大排中段將轉請轄管地方政府辦理清理及源頭管理，並協調追蹤改善情形。

第四河川分署說，轄管河川公地種植許可約1萬件、越堤路178處，已針對垃圾熱點與周邊種植活動、越堤路出入動線，加強公地種植許可使用人管理，並透過多國語言宣導、出入口管制及夜間巡查，減少垃圾流入河川。

此外，第四河川分署在濁水溪支流東埔蚋溪等設置攔污索，攔截漂流垃圾並加強清理，同時建議地方政府在排水出口適當位置設攔污索，落實清理維護。

第四河川分署指出，將持續結合河川駐衛警、護水志工、保全人員及無人機等，加強巡查，如發現違規棄置案件，會立即蒐證移請環保機關查處；涉及疑似犯罪者移送檢警偵辦，呼籲民眾勿隨意丟棄垃圾。

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Financial Supervisory Commission says Bank SinoPac is still investigating
the cause of 427 unauthorized transactions totaling more than 40-million N-T
and affecting 419 customers.

According to the F-S-C's Banking Bureau, it was notified by the SinoPac
shortly before noon that customers had reported unauthorized transfers from
their accounts despite not having logged into the bank's new mobile banking
app.

An initial review by the bank found that all the transfers had been sent to a
single account at another bank.

Each transaction involved about 100,000 N-T.

The F-S-C says the receiving account has been temporarily frozen.

The commission also says Bank SinoPac proactively notified affected customers
and was is its own funds to reimburse them.

The bank has also taken its new mobile banking app offline and is directing
customers to use the older version of the app or ATMs for transactions.

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

The Cabinet's 607.6-billion N-T supplementary budget bill has advanced to
committee review after Premier Cho Jung-tai briefed lawmakers on the plan and
answered questions.

The spending plan was proposed in September as part of the 2026 general
budget.

It will push government expenditure for fiscal year 2026 47.55-billion N-T
above revenue.

Legislative party caucuses have agreed to review and vote on the package
before the of this month.

The largest portion of the supplementary budget includes capital injections
and subsidies for C-P-C and support for Tai-Power due to rising energy costs.

The plan includes defense spending for the procurement of unmanned systems
and a new surface-to-air defense system.

And it also includes funding for cost-of-living stabilization, enhancements
to social welfare programs as well as increased compensation for civil
servants, military personnel, and teachers.

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

Financial Supervisory Commission Chairman Peng Jin-lung says momentum in
Taiwan's capital markets has accelerated over the past year, driven by
soaring tech stocks boosted by the A-I boom.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Taiwan Weeks 2026, Peng said Taiwan's
markets have soared over the past year as listed companies have set new
records for sales and profits.

The value of Taiwan's stock market has surged more than 60-per cent from a
year earlier as of the end of October, with the Tai-Ex climbing from around
28,000 points at the end of October 2025 to above 45,000 points a year later.

Peng told attendees that lifted the market's capitalization to 158-trillion
N-T at the end of October - an increase of about 61-per cent from a year
earlier.

The annual Taiwan Weeks event is aimed at showcasing the development of
Taiwan's financial sector and Peng said it's expected to help investors
around the world better understand investment opportunities in Taiwan.

This year's theme is "From Tech Island to Capital Hub: Where Capital Meets
Technology."

Taiwan Weeks 2026 runs until November 13.

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has now purchased a
property in Sydney to house its new representative office there.

According to the ministry's Department of General Affairs, a deal was signed
to purchase a property in Sydney in April.

Department director-general Chen Jin-ling says ownership of the property was
officially transferred to the government in October and the ministry is
currently seeking a contractor to renovate the property.

Chen says renovation work could take several months, and the office is
expected to move to the new location before the end of 2027.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney is currently located in
rented office space.

The foreign ministry also says it plans to build its own embassy compound in
Belize.

The project was approved by the Cabinet last year.

It was originally estimated to cost 123-million N-T and take 25 months to
complete.

However, Taiwan's embassy in Belize said earlier this month that additional
funding would be needed for the project, citing soaring construction costs
due to conflicts in the Middle East.

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

The Centers for Disease Control says flu activity has been declining, but
could pick up again ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in February.

According to the C-D-C, a total of 95,916 people sought medical treatment for
flu-like illnesses from October 25 through 31 and that was decline of 7.3
percent from the previous week.

The C-D-C says flu activity last week fell below the threshold for an
epidemic and if it remains below that level for a second consecutive week,
Taiwan will have exited the epidemic phase.

However, health officials say based on past trends, flu activity could begin
rising again around the Lunar New Year holidays.

The CDC recorded 151 new severe flu cases and 46 flu-related deaths last
week, most involving people who had not been vaccinated.

The publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination programs have now been
expanded to all adults aged between 50 and 64.

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.

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

The National Immigration Agency is refusing to comment on a case involving a
former Chinese television host who's looking for temporary asylum in Taiwan.

According to the agency, it's working with other government agencies to
handle the case through existing protocols

The statements come after former China Central Television talk show host
Cheng Yuan-jun yesterday took to social media to say he's seeking temporary
asylum on humanitarian grounds as he looks for permanent resettlement in a
third country.

Cheng arrived at Taoyuan International Airport on Monday on a flight from
Thailand.

He claims to have hosted legal affairs programs Chinese state television and
says he was detained in 2019 in Beijing and sentenced to six years in prison
on charges of illegal business operations.

Cheng social media posts say he moved to Thailand following his release, but
was concerned Thai authorities could send him back to China.

Posted on 2026-11-04 08:15:14

And finally,

The Taipei City Government has suspended work at the demolition site of the
Old Beitou Market after four people were injured when scaffolding collapsed.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the contractor will be fined maximum
contractual penalty of 2.5-million N-T.

According to Chiang, the city's Construction Management Office is
investigating the incident to determine responsibility, while structural and
civil engineering experts are inspecting the site and determine the cause of
the collapse

The accident occurred at the three-story demolition site on Xinshi Street in
Beitou District.

A section of scaffolding spanning three stories and measuring about 5 meters
by 18 meters collapsed at the site.

A male construction worker fell from the third floor but remained conscious
despite suffering serious injuries, while three passersby sustained minor
injuries.

All four were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

The government is said to be working to secure formal invitation from China
to attend the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen.

This, according to Premier Zhu Rong-tai who also says the Lai administration
will not rush into a decision on whether to attend the summit.

Lai administration officials say China sent a letter, instead of a formal
invitation, for Taiwan to attend the upcoming APEC summit.

The letter did not refer to Taiwan by its official APEC title of "Chinese
Taipei"... which the government says downgraded Taiwan's status.

Zhu is urging China to follow established APEC practices by sending a special
envoy to personally deliver invitations to member economies.

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting takes place on November 18 and 19.

President Lai China-te has reportedly chosen a representative for this year’s
summit and officials say the Presidential Office will make an announcement
concerning its choice in the coming days.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Nasdaq Executive Vice Chairman Edward Knight says Taiwan stands at the center
of artificial intelligence development.

Knight said Taiwan's A-I exposure stands at 71-per cent, the highest in the
region, while Taiwan's equity market capitalization has become the fourth
highest globally, surpassing the U-K and India because of that A-I exposure.

The Nasdaq Executive Vice Chairman added that equity markets can accelerate
A-I development by directing capital toward productive investments and help
companies fund research, build facilities and hire workers - a process that's
evident in Taiwan.

Knight also expressed his optimism about Taiwan's future and said that Taiwan
shared values of optimism, innovation and leadership with the United States
and Nasdaq.

Knight's comments were made during Taiwan Weeks 2026. which runs until
November 13.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Five opinion polls released since early October have shown different levels
of support for Taichung mayoral candidates Johnny Chiang of the K-M-T and the
D-P-P's Ho Hsin-chun.

Four of the polls put Chiang ahead, while one shows Ho in the lead.

The most recent survey was released on Tuesday by the Taipei Trust in
Democracy Association and conducted by polling expert Tai Li-an.

It shows Ho with 41.1-per cent support, compared with Chiang's 30.4-per cent.

Two of the earlier poll put Chiang leading Ho by between 38.3 and 39.8-per
cent, while the two other polls, showed Chiang ahead of Ho by 1.9 and
6-percentage points.

Ho told reporters that the results reflects a growing public demand for
change and she attributed the sentiment to stalled municipal development and
unresolved problems affecting residents' daily lives.

Meanwhile, Chiang's campaign office said in a written statement that it
respected the findings of various opinion polls and would take them into
consideration.

However, it stressed that the most accurate measure of public opinion would
be the votes cast on election day.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

The Army has removed the commander of the Hsinchu-based 206th Brigade amid an
ongoing investigation into allegations that one of the unit's soldiers took
her own life after being bullied.

The Army Command Headquarters says the brigade's commander and director of
political warfare were removed from their posts... an internal investigation
found them to have been derelict in their duties in connection with the death
of the lieutenant.

Both the brigade's commander and director of political warfare are colonels.

Army Command Headquarters added that civilian prosecutors have also launched
an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the
lieutenant.

The command also says Army will cooperate with prosecutors and take
responsibility for the incident.

The soldier was found dead on September 30 after falling from an on base
building in what was suspected to be a suicide.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts in Taiwan, please call the 1925,
1995, or 1980 hotlines for help.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

The Taipei City Parks and Streetlights Office has released details of a
Songshan Airport transition plan.

The plans were devised after Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced the
proposal last month.

Chiang's plan called for the 300-hectare site to be redeveloped into a
100-hectare AI industry cluster, a 90-hectare residential area and a
110-hectare "Taipei Central Park" that would be more than four times the size
of Daan Forest Park.

Park officials say a feasibility study and preliminary planning would need to
be done before proceeding to the park's basic design due to the scale of the
project.

But the office says based on preliminary plans, the park could feature an
agricultural zone with "hands-on farming experiences" and extensive
tree-planting to create an "urban forest."

The park may also include a central lawn for recreation activities, a wetland
conservation area, a management center and an area commemorating the site's
history.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Most men and women of childbearing age say they would need over 1-million N-T
in savings before considering having children.

That's according to the 2026 Taiwan Childbearing Needs Survey conducted by
the Taipei Fertility Clinic.

About 37-per cent of respondents said they would need at least 1.5-million
N-T in savings that could be used flexibly, excluding funds set aside for
buying a home.

The clinic says another 22.4-per cent of respondents said they would need
between 1-million and 1.5-million N-T in savings before considering having a
child.

The survey also found that nearly 67-per cent of respondents earn around
700,000 N-T a year.

Vivian Chen, an attending physician at T-F-C's reproductive center, says that
highlights the gap between financial circumstances and the conditions most
men and women of childbearing age consider necessary to have children.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

A National Central University student has captured images of rare red sprites
on three occasions... a move that could help scientists understand them
better.

The university says the student, Wang Tung, recorded the phenomena between
May and September using camera equipment set up on a dormitory rooftop.

The university says the three events were linked to thunderstorms near
China's Fuzhou, off the coast of Wenzhou, and north of Shantou, respectively,
all hundreds of kilometers from Taoyuan.

Red sprites are dramatic red streaks of lighting that happen in a cluster 50
to 90-kilometers above thunderstorms.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Greenlandic lawmakers have approved an agreement with Denmark and the United
States to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

This decision follows months of pressure from the Trump Administration, who
sought to control the semiautonomous territory of a NATO ally.

The trilateral deal allows for more U.S. bases in Greenland while easing
tensions over Trump's calls for the island to become part of the United
States.

The agreement aims to bolster the U.S. military presence on Greenland but
keeps the island under Danish control.

Danish lawmakers are set to debate it later this month.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

The death toll from a Russian attack in southern Ukraine has risen to 31,
with dozens still missing.

People had gathered to receive humanitarian aid when the attack occurred
Monday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched 289 attack drones, 17
ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles overnight across nine regions.

He noted the barrage coincided with U.S. midterm elections.

Monday's attack in a village in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region targeted a
former school being used as an aid distribution site and a nearby shelter.

In Kharkiv, a combined missile and drone attack injured at least 62 people.
In the Dnipro area, a Russian attack killed one person and wounded 17.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Spain’s transport minister announced his resignation following a deadly train
collision south of Madrid that killed 69 people.

Óscar Puente made the announcement after addressing lawmakers about the
crash, which was the second such incident this year.
The Oct. 28 crash occurred when a high-speed train collided with another that
had stopped on the tracks.

The communication system had failed, leading to the disaster.

Earlier Tuesday, Puente announced new safety measures, including improvements
in control centers and a faster rollout of the European Rail Traffic
Management System.

The crash has raised concerns about the safety of Spain’s rail network.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Mysterious cyberattacks on European supermarket fridges have officials
scrambling to understand what happened.

Supermarkets in countries like Sweden, Belgium, and Italy reported their
fridges were remotely taken over, leading to spoiled food.

On Monday, supermarket chains in at least six European countries experienced
refrigeration issues.

Even small businesses, like a butcher shop in Greece, were affected.

Experts say outdated technology and weak passwords are to blame. British
officials say AI wasn't involved, as attackers exploited longstanding
vulnerabilities.

Authorities are investigating but haven't identified the culprits or motives
yet.

Posted on 2026-11-04 06:55:13

Indonesian police have detained three senior police generals for allegedly
wiretapping President Prabowo Subianto and other prominent figures.

Asep Safrudin, head of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency,
says the suspects are accused of illegal communication interception and
unauthorized data access.

Police allege the wiretapping occurred between 2025 and 2026. The suspects
face charges under Indonesia’s Criminal Code and Electronic Information and
Transactions Law.

Authorities have not disclosed the motive, and the inquiry is ongoing.

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.

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