ICRT

Posted on 2026-06-13 15:07:25

The Taiwan Railway Administration has suspended service on the Pingxi line
between Jingtong (菁桐) and Shifen (十分) due to a rockfall along that route.

It made the announcement just before 1:30pm. The TRA said it has dispatched
maintenance teams to clear the rockfall, and it has arranged for a bus
shuttle service between Jingtong and Shifen.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 15:07:29

NTU researchers have identified an extinct Ice Age peacock species previously
endemic to Taiwan, filling a long-standing gap in the island's bird fossil
record.

The university said the findings are based on a well-preserved humerus fossil
donated by a fossil collector.

The researchers concluded the fossil belonged to a previously unknown
Taiwan-endemic bird species during the Pleistocene era.

They named it "Pavo miejue."

The species was larger than the Mikado pheasant, Taiwan's largest extant
endemic bird.

The researchers said Pavo miejue is the first extinct Pleistocene bird
species identified in Taiwan. The name means "extinct peacock" ... and it was
chosen to draw public attention to past extinction events.

The discovery extends the known range of the peacock and its relatives into
East Asia.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 14:09:13

The Ministry of Education is rebutting social media posts that claim its
"School Youth Service Mobilization Preparedness Plan" is aimed at
conscripting underage students to go to war.

The ministry reiterated that the program isn't going to send students to
battlefields. Rather, it's intended to give them basic knowledge and skills
in disaster prevention, first aid, self-rescue, and mutual assistance.

Schools will be expected to support operations related to evacuation
guidance, community care and public services.

The ministry highlighted that the plan explicitly excludes military and
policing duties.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 14:09:13

An exhibition featuring gowns worn by Nymphia Wind has opened at San
Francisco's Asian Art Museum, with the Taiwanese drag artist saying he hopes
the event will help to raise the profile of Taiwan and its culture.

Nymphia Wind won the reality competition show RuPaul's Drag Race in 2024.

He attended the exhibition's ribbon-cutting ceremony and took part in a
symposium.

The artist was born in the United States and raised in Taiwan. He said his
interest in Taiwanese culture has deepened over time, adding that he has
recently been learning Indigenous handicrafts.

Nymphia Wind prefers male pronouns when out of drag and female pronouns when
describing his drag persona.

The exhibition features three of the drag artist's signature gowns, including
an iconic banana outfit, an off-white gown adorned with Taiwanese motifs
including a clouded leopard and a Mikado pheasant ... as well as a purple
dress inspired by traditional Taiwanese opera.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 14:09:13

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions Manager Lin Yue-ping (林岳平) says he supports
expanding the CPBL and believes Taiwan could eventually accommodate as many
as eight teams.

Lin's remarks came after TS Financial Holding Chairman Thomas Wu (吳東亮) said
that the company had internally discussed forming a CPBL franchise following
a proposal from a shareholder at the company's annual meeting.

The suggestion that "Lions" be part of the team name is due to name of Shin
Kong Group's founder.

The "shi" in Wu Huo-shi's (吳火獅) name is the character for "lion."

TS Financial Holding was created last July through the merger of Taishin
Financial and Shin Kong Financial.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 14:09:13

The Kennedy Center is running out of options to keep President Donald Trump's
name on its facade.

A judge rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to
remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy
Center's operations.

Scaffolding was erected around a section of the building that includes
Trump's name ... but the Kennedy Center sought one more brief delay because
of thunderstorms that swept through Washington yesterday.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 13:10:13

Overtime hours worked by employees in two of Taiwan's key AI-related
manufacturing sectors reached record highs for April this year.

This underscores the strong demand for semiconductor chips and related
products amid the global AI boom.

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says the
electronic components manufacturing sector recorded an average of 29.6
overtime hours per worker in April, the highest figure for that month since
records began 47 years ago.

Meanwhile, the computer, electronic, and optical products manufacturing
sector recorded an average of 18.1 overtime hours per worker, also the
highest April figure on record for *that* sector.

The figures suggest demand tied to AI development remains strong, continuing
to drive growth in Taiwan's export-oriented technology industries.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 13:10:13

Health authorities are investigating a suspected dengue fever cluster at a
hospital in Kaohsiung ... after five inpatients tested positive for the
mosquito-borne disease.

A Centers for Disease Control spokesperson says the outbreak marks Taiwan's
first dengue cluster reported in a hospital since 2018.

The index case was a 78-year-old woman who was hospitalized from May 29 to
June 10. After being readmitted the following day with fever, dizziness and
nausea, she tested positive for dengue fever serotype 2.

The cluster at Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital has prompted ward
restrictions, disinfection measures and expanded screening.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 13:10:13

directive

AI giant Anthropic says it has taken its latest AI models, known as Fable 5
and Mythos 5, offline.

This is to comply with a directive from the Trump administration to prevent
their use by foreign nationals.

The export controls mark the US government's most significant step to date to
restrict access to the most advanced AI models.

Anthropic released Fable widely this past week.

That model is a limited version of the more advanced Mythos, to which the
company has tightly limited access due to cybersecurity fears.

Anthropic said in a statement that it disagrees with the government's
handling of the matter.

It said the government didn't specify what the national security concerns
were.

Anthropic called it a "misunderstanding" and said it hopes to restore access
to the models "as soon as possible."

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 12:07:13

Former DPP official Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) has been placed in detention over his
failure to pay 170 million NT in damages to a state-owned company in a land
scandal case.

The Taichung District Court said the 78-year-old went in voluntarily after
repeatedly failing to comply with court orders to appear for questioning.

The court ruled in favor of Taiwan Sugar Corp., granting its request for Wu
to be held in a detention facility.

In its rationale for the ruling, the court said enforcement efforts against
Wu's assets were insufficient to satisfy his debt to Taisugar ... and no
property could be found to cover it.

Under the Compulsory Enforcement Act, a court may restrict a debtor's
personal freedom and place them in detention when they fail to meet
debt-enforcement obligations.

According to the court, the initial detention period won't exceed three
months, but it could be extended to a maximum of six months if new grounds
arise.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 12:07:13

In a show of improving relations, the Somaliland Representative Office in
Taiwan has moved to a new location in Tianmu's Diplomatic Quarter.

Somaliland's Representative -- Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal -- says the move will
improve his country's diplomatic operations in Taiwan.

Galaal also praised the progress Taiwan has made on the international stage,
despite limited recognition.

Somaliland has been a self-governing state in East Africa since declaring
independence from Somalia in 1991.

Nevertheless, it's restricted diplomatically, with much of the international
community withholding recognition of its independence.

Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu said the new location
"symbolizes the staunch and cordial ties between the two nations."

TB

Posted on 2026-06-13 12:07:13

Shares of SpaceX soared 19% in their Wall Street debut, making the rocket
maker's founder and CEO Elon Musk the first-ever trillionaire.

The shares debuted at a target price of $135 a share, opened at $150 ... and
finished the day slightly below $161.

That price gives the company a market value of around $2.1 trillion.

Forbes estimates that Musk, who is also a major shareholder in Tesla, is now
worth $1.1 trillion.

Musk says SpaceX is going public because it needs money to fund its ambitions
of putting satellites and data centers in space and eventually establishing a
colony on Mars.

The $75 billion in proceeds from the IPO tops the previous high of $26
billion for Saudi Aramco's IPO in 2019.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 12:07:13

Team USA opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a 4-1 victory over
Paraguay in Inglewood, California.

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the American team's three-goal first half.

The Americans raced to a 3-nil halftime lead .. and Gio Reyna ripped another
goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time ... to give the
Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.

The US scored only three goals combined in Qatar four years ago.

Earlier yesterday, Canada hosted Bosnia Herzegovina in Toronto, with that
game ending in a 1-1 tie.

It was the first World Cup game played on Canadian soil and Canada's
first-ever point in a World Cup tournament.

AP_JvW

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

The US Senate Armed Services Committee has approved a defense authorization
bill for fiscal 2027. It includes a provision that would authorize the
Department of Defense to establish a war reserve stockpile program for
Taiwan.

The National Defense Authorization Act passed by an 18-9 vote ... and will
now move to the Senate floor for consideration.

Among the highlights for the Indo-Pacific region, the bill would rename the
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative as the First Island Chain Security
Cooperation Initiative and allow the Philippines to receive assistance under
the program. The initiative would also be extended through 2032.

In addition, the bill would authorize the defense department to establish the
War Reserve Stockpile program for Taiwan and require a review of delays in US
arms sales to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Last week, the US House Armed Services Committee approved its version of the
fiscal '27 defense authorization bill, which includes up to a billion dollars
to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 11:13:15

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says real
average monthly regular wages in Taiwan rose 1.4 percent on-year from January
to April ... despite inflationary pressures.

The average monthly regular wage in the local industrial and service sectors
in the first four months of this year was just over 44,000 NT. 1.4 percent is
the fastest rate of growth for the first four months since 2020.

Before factoring out inflation, monthly wages in Taiwan were up 2.9 percent
in April, the second-highest growth rate in 27 years.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 11:13:15

Taiwan's National Park Administration is advising hikers to stay out of the
mountains, citing slippery conditions and the potential for sudden landslides
and rockfalls in mountainous areas.

This follows a week of wet conditions and forecasts for continued torrential
rain in central and southern Taiwan until at least Tuesday.

The park administration says, "The mountains will always be there" in
advising against overeagerness among the hiking crowd.

The Central Weather Administration says the weather will start to turn around
on Wednesday.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-13 11:13:15

President Donald Trump says a QUOTE "swift and lethal kinetic" US strike has
killed Hector Guerrero Flores, whom he called "the infamous leader" of the
Tren de Aragua gang.

The gang has been labeled by the United States as a terrorist organization.

In December Guerrero Flores was charged in absentia in a New York federal
court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending
support to terrorists in crimes that stretched back more than a decade.

The US State Department had offered rewards of up to $5 million for
information leading to his arrest.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-06-12 19:25:13

Chinese authorities say they have arrested an American scholar on suspicion
of espionage.

China's Foreign Ministry says Min Zin is suspected of activities that harmed
China's national security.

Min Zin, who writes about Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy, disappeared
earlier this month while attending a conference in China.

It is relatively uncommon for Beijing to publicly accuse a U.S. citizen of
national security offenses.

The arrest comes just a month after U-S President Donald Trump met Chinese
President Xi Jinping as the two countries seek to improve relations.

Posted on 2026-06-12 18:50:13

Blood supplies across Taiwan have fallen to critical levels after days of
heavy rain reduced donations.

The Taiwan Blood Services Foundation says national blood reserves stood at
just 3.7 days as of this afternoon, below the four-day threshold for an
emergency shortage.

The most urgent need is for Type A and Type O blood, with supplies down to
3.3 days and 2.6 days respectively.

Blood centers in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are all reporting critical
shortages.

Foundation officials say hot weather has further reduced donor turnout,
putting additional pressure on blood supplies nationwide.

With World Blood Donor Day coming up on Saturday, the foundation is urging
all those eligible to donate blood.

The foundation says Taiwan requires more than 6 thousand units of blood each
day to maintain adequate supplies.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-12 18:50:13

Business leaders are urging the government to take a broader approach to
forecasting Taiwan's future electricity needs ...

... as artificial intelligence drives rapid growth in demand for computing
power.

The issue was a key topic at the Ministry of Economic Affairs' first economic
and industrial development consultation meeting today.

Participants said future power planning needs to account for rising demand
from AI and other emerging technologies.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin says the government has taken
note of the recommendations and will consider follow-up strategies.

The meeting also focused on ways to help traditional industries benefit from
growth in sectors such as semiconductors, AI, drones, defense and robotics.

In addition, business representatives called for stronger support for small
and medium-sized enterprises ...

... while raising concerns about shortages of research talent and proposed
changes to air pollution regulations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-12 18:50:13

Taoyuan International Airport says its inter-terminal Skytrain service in the
public area will be suspended beginning July 1st.

Passengers traveling between Terminals 1 and 2 will instead need to use the
Taoyuan Airport MRT or a 24-hour shuttle bus service.

Airport officials say the suspension is needed to accommodate construction
work connecting the new Terminal 3 to existing facilities.

The change only affects the Skytrain operating before security.

The Skytrain operating after security will continue running as normal.

The airport says the work is part of preparations for the future opening of
Terminal 3.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-12 18:50:13

Costco Taiwan says its Kaohsiung store will relocate next month after nearly
three decades at its current site.

The retailer says the Zhonghua Fifth Road location, which opened in 1997 as
Costco's first store in Taiwan, will remain open until 6 PM on July 2nd.

... with operations resuming the following day at a new site in Cianjhen (前鎮)
District.

Costco says the new outlet will be its largest store in Taiwan and will offer
expanded parking and shopping space ... and ease in-store crowding during
peak periods.

However, some shoppers have raised concerns about traffic around the new
location ...

... questioning whether nearby roads will be able to handle increased
congestion, particularly on weekends.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-12 17:15:13

The DPP says, further Chinese intrusions on Taiwan's maritime waters are sure
to make Taiwanese people more opposed to China.

That's as 2 Chinese official boats have invaded the waters near Taiping
Island for the first time.

DPP Legislative Caucus Whip Cai Qi Chang says that, not only will these
actions fail to bring Taiwan closer to China...

they will actually make cross-strait relations drift further and further
apart.

The Coast Guard Administration yesterday issued a strong condemnation of the
Chinese boats' activities, saying that it's another form of China's gray-zone
warfare targeting Taiwan.

They added that the actions represent a clear violation of international law.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-12 17:15:13

The DPP is slamming the Taipei mayor over comments he made, in which he
stated that he supported abolishing the Control Yuan.

Chiang stated today that he would suggest that KMT and TPP lawmakers reject
all 2 dozen names put forward by the presidential office to fill spaces in
the Control Yuan...

saying that this would paralyze the government watchdog.

DPP Legislative Caucus Whip Cai Qi Chang says that Chiang's suggestion
clearly demonstrates that he doesn't want to change the Control Yuan through
the law...

and demonstrates that the mayor simply wants to oppose something for the sake
of opposing it.

Cai added that, as the KMT currently holds more seats than any other party in
the legislature, it if wishes to abolish the Control Yuan, it may do so
through proposing amendments to the Constitution.

But he said that the party is talking a big talk, while failing to put into
place legal measures aimed at making those adjustments.

Meanwhile the DPP's pick to replace Chiang, Puma Shen hit out at the mayor
for saying he wants to focus on city issues while making statements on things
that would concern someone running for president.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-12 17:15:13

Now turning to international news...

Thousands of Puetro Ricans are struggling with water shortages so severe that
the governor has activated the National Guard.

Officials have not communicated what is causing the water shortages.

They mostly affect some of the island's most populated cities, including San
Juan.

Residents are forced to buy potable water, go to laundromats, and carry heavy
buckets of water up several flights of stairs to wash dishes, flush toilets,
and take showers.

The elderly and disabled struggle the most.

Advocates accuse the government of "playing with people's health and lives."

Posted on 2026-06-12 17:15:13

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney heads into this week's G7 summit in
France in a very different position than earlier this year.

Back in January, Carney's speech at Davos condemned coercion by great powers
and declared the global rules-based order over, which won him international
recognition by upstaging his US counterpart.

But with a critical review of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade agreement
scheduled for July 1, analysts say Carney is dialing back his criticism of US
President Trump to protect Canada's economic interests.

More than 70% of Canada's exports go to the U.S., and Trump this week
suggested he may not renew the trade deal at all.

Carney will meet French President Macron in Paris ahead of the summit and
will also travel to Ireland this weekend to explore ways to reduce Canada's
dependence on trade with the US.

Posted on 2026-06-12 17:15:13

Japan's troubled H3 rocket is back...

but this time, it stuck the landing.

The H3 lifted off earlier today from the Tanegashima Space Center in
southwestern Japan, successfully reaching its target orbit and deploying six
small satellites.

It's the debut of the rocket's new low-cost "30 configuration".

A triple-engine, booster-free variant, it's designed to make Japan more
competitive in a global launch market dominated by SpaceX.

The success is a major relief for the Japanese Space Agency.

The H3 had failed on its debut in 2023 and again in December, when it
couldn't put a navigation satellite into the correct orbit.

A third failure would have seriously jeopardized Japan's future space
ambitions, including a Mars mission planned for 2028.

The Japanese space agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries say they eventually
hope to launch the H3 six to eight times a year.

Posted on 2026-06-12 14:08:13

Premier Zhuo Rong-tai is reiterating his call for the Ministry of Justice to
review penalties for drug-impaired driving offenses.

He wants those who cause injury to or kill others while driving on drugs to
face heavier sentences, regardless of the drug's classification.

Zhuo said, the same should go for repeat offenders.

That's as yet another drugged-driving case occurred in Taichung last night.

A car crashed into a parked vehicle and roadside trees in Wuqi District,
killing two people and injuring a third.

Police found white powder in the vehicle that tested positive for ketamine,
and a surviving passenger also tested positive in a saliva screening.

Whether the 29-year-old driver was under the influence is still under
investigation.

Surveillance footage also suggests the car may have been street racing before
the crash.

Recent accidents have also killed three in New Taipei and Changhua.

(MW/AH)

Posted on 2026-06-12 14:08:14

Taiwan's food and beverage industry is warning that a planned ban on using
food waste as pig feed could lead to higher operating costs - costs that may
be passed down to consumers.

Industry representatives said that last year over 98 percent of restaurant
food waste went to pig farms ... raising concerns about whether alternative
treatment systems will be ready when the ban takes effect in 2027.

They point out that food disposal costs have risen sharply in recent years,
in some cases doubling or even tripling ...

Operators also warn that costs in northern Taiwan could rise even further ...
because many treatment facilities are located further away...

some in central and southern Taiwan, adding to transportation expenses.

Ministry of Environment officials say that higher costs should be temporary
and will ease once enough treatment capacity is available ...

Though no timeline was given.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-12 14:08:14

Now turning to internaitonalnews...

The European Union is set to implement a new set of rules on dealing with
irregular migration and asylum seekers.

The pact is the culmination of years of grueling negotiations that overhauled
the previous system, which was widely considered a failure and gave far-right
parties an opportunity to win votes.

All EU members were meant to be prepared for the implementation by adapting
laws, training staff, and beefing up border infrastructure.

The European Commission, however, says no member is completely ready.

Human rights advocates warn that the pact could add to the difficulties
asylum seekers face while trying to find safety in the EU.

Posted on 2026-06-12 14:08:18

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in
prison.

Yoon is accused of ordered drone flights over Pyongyang in order to
intentionally heighten tensions with North Korea and justify his martial law
declaration.

Yoon was already sentenced to life in prison for a rebellion conviction over
his short-lived impostition of martial law back in 2024.

North Korea accused Seoul of flying drones over Pyongyang to drop propaganda
leaflets in 2024.

Tensions rose sharply but no clashes occurred.

Yoon's legal team claims he never ordered the alleged drone flights...

and they've argued that a guilty verdict would undermine South Korea's
security interests but did not immediately say whether they would appeal.

Posted on 2026-06-12 13:17:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is coming out in favor of abolishing the Control
Yuan...

saying it's not a question of nominees it's a question of if the Control Yuan
should continue to exist.

Chiang said that the public has not seen the benefits of having the Control
Yuan.

That's after Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim announced the president's nominees
to serve in the Control Yuan before turning over those nomiantions to the
Legislative Yuan for approval.

Chiang claims today that the Control Yuan has become a tool of the Executive
Yuan...

suggesting that opposition lawmakers reject all 29 nominees to the Control
Yuan in order to halt its operations.

He further said that he supports amending the constitution to abolish the
watchdog.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-12 13:17:13

The Hualien Deputy Magistrate has been released from detention following his
detainment over an investigation into a county school lunch program.

But prosecutors say, they're continuing investigations into the issue, and do
not rule out heading higher up the food chain.

Yan Xin Zhang was released on bail of 1 million NT, with restrictions on his
movement and residence.

Hualien prosecutors believe that the bidding process for the county school
lunch program was biased in favor of certain companies.

Searches last month led to the arrest of former officials and company
representatives.

Prosecutors then launched a second round of searches yesterday, summoning Yan
and another official for questioning.

Prosecutors believe that he violated the Anti-Corruption Act.

In 2023, Hualien's Education Department set aside 270 million NT for school
lunches.

7 companies submitted bids to take on the case, with one being disqualified.

The bidding process was then repeated, with the rules changed to allow the
disqualified company to bid.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-12 13:17:13

Also in India,

the viral Cockroach Janta Party has launched a nationwide protest campaign.

Hundreds of students and other young people gathered in Pune.

The rally followed the group's first major street protest in New Delhi last
week.

Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities and paper leaks.

The CJP founder announced plans for protests in other cities too.

The movement emerged in May, following remarks by a Supreme Court judge in
which he called some unemployed young people "cockroaches."

The group has since exanded its message to include concerns over
unemployment, rising cost of living, and government accountability.

The CJP mixes self-deprecating humor with political criticism, calling
themselves unemployed and chronically online, all the while mocking
corruption and political dysfunciton.

Posted on 2026-06-12 08:14:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has announced that former Taiwan Association for
Human Rights president, Chen Yung-hsing will be nominated to head the Control
Yuan.

Chen headed the Taiwan Association for Human Rights in the late 1980s before
entering politics in the 1990s.

He later served as a lawmaker from 1996 to 1999.

He is a longtime advocate of Taiwan independence.

According to Hsiao, incumbent Control Yuan member Wang Jung-chang has been
selected to serve as the government watchdog's vice president.

Hsiao says President Lai Ching-te is also slated to name 27 other nominees
and hopes to establish a people-oriented Control Yuan that ensures broad
expertise across different fields to fully exercise the agency's oversight
capabilities.

The vice president also says Lai hopes the Control Yuan will protect human
rights with compassion, safeguard the interests of vulnerable groups,
strengthen local connections, and listen to the public's needs.

The nominees will have to be approved by the Legislature.

The tenure of the incumbent Control Yuan members will expire on July 31, and
their successors are expected to take office on August 1.

Posted on 2026-06-12 08:14:13

The Cabinet has proposed legal revisions aimed at increasing penalties for
people who drive under the influence of illegal drugs.

The move follows a recent spate of traffic accidents linked to so-called
"zombie vapes," which contain a Category 2 narcotic.

Premier Cho Jung-tai approved the proposals during a Cabinet meeting.

The proposed revisions to the Criminal Code seek to increase the maximum
prison term for people convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the
influence of illegal drugs from three years to five years.

The proposals raise the maximum potential fine to 500,000 N-T.

Drivers under the influence of illegal drugs who cause serious injury would
face prison terms of three to 10 years, as well as potential fines of up to
2-million N-T.

The revisions also seek to impose harsher penalties on repeat offenders.

The proposals must be approved by the Legislative Yuan before they can take
effect.

Posted on 2026-06-12 08:14:13

The Water Resources Agency says public water supplies are expected to remain
stable for the coming three months.

According to agency Director-General Lin Yuan-peng, water-saving measures and
interregional water transfer projects have preserved about 1.1-billion metric
tons of water ..

.. and combined with recent plum rains, the measures are expected to keep
water resources stable through the end of September.

Lin says irrigation water has been supplied for the first crop season in
Kaohsiung and the Chiayi-Tainan area, while irrigation deliveries for central
and northern parts of the island are expected to be completed by the end of
this month.

The Water Resources Agency has said it will continue to manage water
resources flexibly and coordinate closely with suppliers and users to ensure
adequate supplies for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.

There have been concerns about water supplies, as Taiwan recorded its lowest
winter rainfall on record.

The government is forecasting that the recent plum rains are expected to
bring about 390-million metric tons of water, helping ease supply concerns in
the south.

Posted on 2026-06-12 08:14:13

A-S-E Technology Holdings Chairman Jason Chang and company Vice Chair Richard
Chang top Forbes' list of Taiwan's 50 richest tycoons for the first time.

According to Forbes, they jumped six places to reach the top spot after
adding 459.5-billion N-T from last year, to push their combined wealth to
709.9-billion N-T.

Yageo Electronics founder Pierre Chen was in second place in the top 50 list,
with a net worth of 576.8-billion N-T.

Fubon Financial Holdings' Daniel Tsai and Richard Tsai were third, with a
combined wealth of 529.2-billion N-T.

The Tsai brother's topped last year's list.

Meanwhile, Hon Hai founder Terry Gou ranked fourth with 491.2-billion N-T ..

.... while Cathay Financial Holdings' brothers Tsai Hong-tu and Tsai
Cheng-ta, along with their half-brother Tsai Cheng-Chiu were fifth, with a
net wealth of 473-billion N-T.

Posted on 2026-06-12 08:14:13

And finally,

Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards point guard Gao Jin-wei has won the 2025-2026
Taiwan Professional Basketball League regular season MVP award.

Gao played all 36 regular-season games and averaged 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds
and 4.9 assists per game.

The point guard was also the league's most prolific three-point shooter,
making 103 three-pointers while shooting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc.

According to a T-P-B-L press release, Gao received 118 of 130 media points
and 14,826 fan votes, earning 47.7-per cent of the combined vote.

The 2025-2026 T-P-B-L season concluded this past Saturday when the Formosa
Dreamers beat the New Taipei Kings 90-78 in Taichung to win the Finals series
4-3.

It was the Dreamers first professional championship title.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:14

Two Chinese official vessels briefly entered restricted waters near Taiping
Island in the South China Sea... triggering action by the Coast Guard
Administration.

It was the first time the Chinese vessels have been reported in the area.

The Coast Guard said it issued its "strongest condemnation" of China after a
patrol vessel and a supply ship were detected entering restricted waters
around Taiping Island twice on Thursday morning.

The administration says both vessels made two abrupt, sharp turns that could
have jeopardized the safety of its patrol boats, which tracked and monitored
the Chinese vessels while ordering them to leave the area.

The two Chinese vessels were later forced out of the area, which extends
4,000 to 6,000 meters from the coast.

The latest incident follows a series of similar incursions by Chinese coast
guard vessels into waters east of Taiwan and around Dongsha Island in recent
weeks.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:18

The U-S House Appropriations Committee has released its fiscal year 2027
defense appropriations bill, which includes 2-billion U-S dollars earmarked
to boost Taiwan's defense.

1-billion U-S dollars will be allocated to the Taiwan Security Cooperation
Initiative, with the funds remaining available through September 30, 2028.

The bill also earmarks another 1-billion U-S dollars for the replacement and
reimbursement of defense articles and services provided to Taiwan.

Under the bill, the secretary of defense, with the concurrence of the
secretary of state, would be authorized to draw on the Taiwan Security
Cooperation Initiative, funds to provide assistance to Taiwan.

The assistance includes the procurement of defense articles and services, as
well as military education and training.

The proposed funding follows action earlier this month by the House Armed
Services Committee.

That committee approved its version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense
Authorization Act, which authorized up to 1-billion U-S dollars for the
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative to help Taiwan bolster its
self-defense capabilities.

Both the appropriations bill and the National Defense Authorization Act,
within which it is included, must pass the House and Senate before being sent
to the president for signature.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:23

Taiwan ranks 42nd in terms of peacefulness in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

Taiwan fell from 37th place in last year's report.

The overall score measures a country's level of peacefulness, using 23
quantitative and qualitative indicators across three domains: ongoing
domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security, and
militarization.

Although Taiwan ranks 42nd worldwide, it's listed in 9th place among the 19
Asian-Pacific countries in the report.

Iceland remained the most peaceful country in the world for the 19th
consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, and
Ireland.

The report is published by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and
Peace and covers 163 countries.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:23

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has held talks with several U-S senators and
representatives in Washington.

Cheng is said to have met with Republican Senator Steve Daines, Republican
Representatives John Rose and Chuck Fleischmann, and Democratic
Representative Thomas Suozzi.

The K-M-T says they discussed Taiwan's defense budget, arms purchases and
energy policy, among other issues.

Cheng said one reason for her visit to the U-S was to explain the K-M-T's
position on Taiwan's defense budget and arms purchases to lawmakers there, as
they have expressed concerns about those issues.

Cheng has insisted that K-M-T is not opposed to purchasing arms from the
United States, but the party wants defense spending to follow due process,
maintain fiscal discipline, and avoid potential corruption.

The K-M-T has also said during her visit to the U-S, that lawmakers have
raised questions about Taiwan's energy policy and nuclear power, with some of
them expressing "frustration" over the D-P-P's anti-nuclear stance and
"welcoming" the K-M-T's support for nuclear energy.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:28

The Ministry of Agriculture says Taiwan has now resumed pork exports after
regaining self-certification as free of three major swine diseases.

The first shipment of processed pork products is bound for Singapore later
this month.

Processed meat producer Taiwan Farm Industry held a container-sealing
ceremony in PingtungThursday to mark the occasion.

The shipment consists of 500 cartons, or 10,000 packs, of the company's
original-flavor Taiwanese pork sausages, which are scheduled to arrive in
Singapore on June 25.

Chairman Chang Hua-hsin says the company will initially focus on exporting
sausages before expanding to products such as braised pork belly and pork
meatballs, with fresh pork exports remaining a longer-term goal.

The resumption of pork shipments to Singapore comes after Taiwan regained
self-certification in April as free of foot-and-mouth disease, African swine
fever and classical swine fever, following authorities' containment of an
A-S-F outbreak reported last October.

Agriculture officials say the achievement is rare globally, as both Singapore
and the Philippines accepted Taiwan's export applications without dispatching
inspection teams, a sign of confidence in Taiwan's disease-control and food
safety systems.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:32

The New Taipei Transportation Department has launched four new bus routes
that cross that Danjiang Bridge.

The new routes provide 80 daily services between Banqiao and Tamsui, Tamsui
and Taoyuan International Airport, and Tamsui and Bali.

The new routes are designated 988, 989, 990 and 115.

Route 988 connects Banqiao Bus Station and Danhai New Town with 20 services
each way on weekdays and 18 each way on weekends.

Airport routes 989 and 990, provide limited daily services between Taoyuan
Airport and Danhai New Town, and Tamsui Metro Station.

The city's transport department says those airport routes take about 60
minutes, cost 120 N-T each trip and are covered by the TPass commuter
initiative and participating senior citizen cards.

The 115 route will operate as a commuter service between Tamsui and Bali on
weekdays and as a tourism-focused route on weekends and public holidays.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:32

And,

South Korean boy band Bigbang says it is bringing its 20th anniversary world
tour to Taiwan.

Bigbang is scheduled to perform at Taipei Dome on October 10-11, while
additional Taiwan shows are planned for February 27 and 28 next year at the
Kaohsiung National Stadium.

Ticket prices and sales information have not yet been announced.

Bigbang now join a growing lineup of South Korean entertainers set to visit
Taiwan over the coming months.

Jaehyun of N-C-T is scheduled to perform at the Taipei Music Center on July
4-5.

Actor Byeon Woo-seok will be performing at the National Taiwan University
Sports Center on September 25.

While K-Pop boyband, B-T-S will be performing at the Kaohsiung National
Stadium on November 19, 20 and 21.

Posted on 2026-06-12 06:54:33

to Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russian
President Vladimir Putin on Russia’s ‌National Day, voicing full support for
Moscow’s domestic and foreign policies.

Pyongyang state media quoted Kim as saying ties between North Korea and
Russia were strengthening into an alliance based on a comprehensive
strategic partnership treaty.

Kim also pledged to stand by Russia.

Ties between the two countries have been deepening amid North Korea’s
deployment of thousands of troops ‌to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Posted on 2026-06-11 19:38:13

Taiwan says its relationship with Israel has grown stronger through shared
challenges in recent years.

Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) made the comments at a reception
marking Israel's 78th Independence Day.

Wu said the two sides have faced challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic
and rising regional security tensions.

He said those tests have strengthened the resilience of both sides.

Wu also said Taiwan's semiconductor strengths can work with Israel's
innovation sector to create more cooperation.

Outgoing Israeli Representative Maya Yaron thanked Taiwan for its support
during her three years in Taipei.

She said Israeli visits to Taiwan grew from about 400 three years ago to more
than 10-thousand last year.

Yaron said she will continue supporting Taiwan-Israel ties after leaving the
post.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 19:38:17

President Lai Ching-te has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on becoming India's longest-serving elected prime minister.

Lai posted the message in English on X today.

He said the milestone shows the Indian people's strong trust in Modi's
leadership.

Lai also said Taiwan will continue to deepen its partnership with India.

Modi first took office in May 2014.

He has now passed the previous record held by Jawaharlal Nehru.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 19:38:18

A reactor at Japan's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant has resumed
operations as the country seeks to increase electricity generation.

The restart marks another step in Japan's effort to expand nuclear power amid
rising energy demand and higher fuel costs.

The facility is operated by the same company that ran the Fukushima Daiichi
plant, where three reactors melted down following the 2011 earthquake and
tsunami disaster.

The restart has renewed debate over nuclear safety and a longstanding
challenge facing Japan's nuclear industry.

Experts say the country is running out of space to store spent nuclear fuel
and has yet to establish a permanent solution for disposing of radioactive
waste.

Posted on 2026-06-11 17:09:13

Construction has officially begun on Nantou County's first large-scale indoor
sports complex.

The Nantou Lohas Sports Pavilion is being built on the site of the county's
former council building in Nantou City ... and is expected to open by the end
of 2028.

The facility will include a fitness center, multi-purpose sports areas,
indoor courts for basketball, volleyball and badminton, table tennis
facilities, a climbing wall and a dance studio.

County officials say the project has a total budget of 500 million NT — 20
percent of which is being funded by the Ministry of Sports.

The complex is designed to provide year-round recreational facilities for
residents of all ages and to support school athletics programs.

Officials also hope it will encourage greater participation in sports among
seniors and disadvantaged groups.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-11 17:09:15

The Ministry of Education says, it will launch inter-agency discussions in an
attempt to better protect teachers.

That's following several recent incidents in which teachers were attacked by
students.

The Elementary and Junior High School Principal Association is calling for
legislation to strengthen protections for educators.

The Deputy Minister of Education says that the ministry will work with the
Ministry of Civil Service to evaluate support measures for teachers.

MOE officials note that employers are currently required to assist when staff
face violence in the workplace.

They emphasize that the ministry has repeatedly urged local governments and
schools to support affected teachers with medical and psychological care.

(MW)

Posted on 2026-06-11 17:09:15

Korean group BIGBANG will perform at the Taipei Dome on October 10 and 11.

The group will also perform at Kaohsiung National Stadium on February 27 and
28 next year.

BIGBANG is marking its 20th anniversary this year.

Its tour is scheduled to begin in Seoul on August 21.

Ticket prices and sale times for the Taiwan shows have not yet been announced.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 17:09:15

Now turning to international news...

The death toll from Monday's powerful earthquake in the southern Philippines
has risen to at least 47, with 31 people still missing and more than 45,000
displaced.

Three days later, the crisis is far from over.

The mayor of one of the hardest-hit towns is requesting that air force
helicopters deliver food to villages cut off by landslides...

as ten communities remain inaccessible, and with power still yet to be
restored, phone service is still spotty.

Officials told media that people in those areas are going hungry.

The 7.8 magnitude quake, the largest to hit the Philippines in half a
century, damaged more than 12,600 homes across farming towns and cities.

Many residents remain too traumatized by aftershocks to return home.

(MW)

Posted on 2026-06-11 17:09:15

French and Swiss authorities have put in place tighter border restrictions
and regional security in preparation for the G7 summit on Monday.

The G7, headed by leaders from the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy,
and Japan, will meet in Evian, a town near the French and Swiss border.

Organizers of the summit predict potentially violent unrest in the region as
activists plan protests against the event, which has been common in the past.

Protesters are especially outraged with the policies of US President Donald
Trump regarding tariffs, the Iran War, and climate change.

Activists further called for organized "resistance against fascism and
imperialism".

The Swiss army plans to deploy some 4,000 personnel in support of local
police, along with France's 13,000 police and gendarmerie officers to ensure
security along the border region.

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:52:13

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has returned to Taiwan after a five-day visit to
Palau, calling the diplomatic mission assigned by President Lai Ching-te a
success.

Hsiao's trip, her first to a diplomatic ally since taking office last year,
highlighted the results of Taiwan-Palau cooperation.

The vice president says, those highlights include surveying Taiwan-funded
infrastructure projects, Palau's national hospital, and several bilateral
cooperation projects.

During the visit, Taiwan also announced it would station Investigation Bureau
personnel in Palau to help combat cross-border crime and donate drones to the
Palauan government.

Hsiao further noted that Palau is Taiwan's closest diplomatic ally
geographically.

She encouraged Taiwanese tourists to visit, citing a shared Austronesian
heritage connecting the two peoples across the Pacific.

(AT/MW)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:52:13

Operations at part of Keelung Port were suspended today after toxic gas
leaked from a container.

The leak happened early this morning at the West 20 Pier dangerous goods
container area.

Officials say the container was carrying chlorosulfonic acid, a corrosive
chemical.

No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Authorities sealed off the area and restricted the movement of people and
vehicles.

Workers downwind from the leak were evacuated as a safety measure.

Firefighters and chemical response teams are monitoring the scene with
detection equipment.

Officials say the cause of the leak is still under investigation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:52:13

Taipei officials are urging people not to chase or crowd around wild muntjacs
found in the city.

The city's Animal Protection Office says muntjacs are easily frightened and
can die from shock.

It has received reports involving 24 muntjacs so far this year.

Most of the cases were in Shilin and Neihu, where low mountain areas are
close to the city.

Officials say eight of the reported muntjacs died after being frightened.

They say people should call the 1959 animal rescue hotline instead of trying
to catch the animals.

Officials say strong light, loud noise and too much touching can also be
dangerous.

Two young muntjacs rescued in May are now being cared for before being
released back into the wild.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:52:13

Bill Gates has told U.S. lawmakers he did not fully understand the extent of
Jeffrey Epstein's crimes when he met with him.

Gates testified privately before a House committee investigating the Justice
Department's handling of the Epstein case.

He said his meetings with Epstein were related to raising money for his
foundation.

Gates also said he never witnessed criminal conduct by Epstein.

But he accused Epstein of trying to pressure him by using information about
his extramarital affairs.

Documents released this year showed Gates and Epstein had repeated contact
after Epstein's 2008 prison term.

The Gates Foundation says it has started an outside review of its past
engagement with Epstein.

Gates has said it was a mistake to meet with him.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:52:13

Pope Leo is heading to the Canary Islands for the final leg of his visit to
Spain.

He is expected to meet about 1-thousand migrants there on Friday.

The pope has been urging governments to treat migrants more humanely.

He is also set to meet groups that help newly arrived migrants.

Leo will lay flowers at a memorial for people who died trying to reach the
islands by sea.

An NGO says more than 3-thousand people died last year trying to reach the
Canary Islands.

The pope told Spain's parliament this week that failing to help migrants
challenges the world's ethical foundation.

Spain has taken a more open approach, but its migrant residency program has
faced criticism and delays.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:12:13

A U.S. House committee has released a defense spending bill that includes
2-billion US dollars to support Taiwan's defense.

The bill comes as China's military threat against Taiwan continues to grow.

The House Appropriations Committee says 1-billion US dollars would go to the
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.

That money could be used for defense equipment, services, and military
training for Taiwan.

The bill also sets aside another 1-billion US dollars to replace defense
materials provided to Taiwan.

The committee says its defense subcommittee will review the bill behind
closed doors.

The measure is part of the U.S.' 2027 fiscal year defense spending bill.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:12:14

In Taipei, the staffing shortage of the city government is proving to be a
contentious issue in the capital city's mayoral election.

That's as the mayor and the DPP's pick to succeed him are sparring over
parental leave policies for city employees...

making it the second day in a row that the staffing issue has come up.

The DPP's Puma Shen yesterday hit out at Mayor Chiang Wan An's childcare
reduction work hours plan.

He says that the city government has failed to provide a comprehensive set of
policies, saying the approach taken by the city government more resembles a
"band-aid approach" to governance.

But Mayor Chiang says today that his government's policy is the first of its
kind across the country, with even the central government later adapting the
model.

This comes as the Taipei city government is reportedly facing a serious
employee turnover problem, with a shortage of roughly 8000 people, an issue
that city councilors on all sides have raised concerns about.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:12:14

The KMT chair is continuing her trip to the US, meeting with several
lawmakers in Washington DC yesterday.

Cheng Li Wen reportedly touched on issues of defense and energy with senators
and representatives on both sides of the aisle.

Cheng had previously stated that one purpose of the visit would be to explain
to US lawmakers the KMT's position on Taiwan's defense budget and arms
purchases...

as some of them had expressed concerns about those issues.

Cheng said that the KMT is not opposed to purchasing arms from the US, adding
that that was why KMT lawmakers left funds for arms purchases intact in a
special defense budget.

However, she added that the KMT wants defense spending to follow what she
called "due process."

She also said that US lawmakers raised questions about Taiwan's energy policy
and nuclear power, adding that she hoped Taiwan and the US could deepen
cooperation on nuclear energy technology.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:12:14

Now turning to international news...

In northwest England, 75,000 voters will be going to the polls in a highly
consequential vote.

The election in question may choose the UK's next prime minister...

or it could elect another lawmaker of the hard-right Reform UK.

If Andy Burnham of the Labor Party wins, he could replace Prime Minister Keir
Starmer.

But Reform is hoping to prove that the longtime Labor stronghold in
Makerfield is receptive to their anti-immigrant platform.

The special election next week has drawn attention from around the world and
is taking place amidst heightened tensions over immigration.

Some voters claim that heightened immigration is putting pressure on social
systems, but annual net migration reached 900,000 under the previous
government...

and fell to 171,000 under Labor last year.

Posted on 2026-06-11 15:12:14

China is hosting an international conference in Xinjiang aimed at promoting
economic development there.

Xinjiang is where China has imprisoned one million or more Uyghur Muslims and
those of other ethnic minority groups since 2017.

China claims it has shut down "most" of the denteion center, but at least
some of the camps were converted into prisons.

The government claims that the imprisonments are in response to attacks by a
small number of extremists.

China is now hosting the International Conference for Trans-Altai Subregional
Cooperation in the western province...

with officials from several central Asian countries in attendance.

China hopes to develop coal, oil, cotton, and other industries in Xinjiang,
which is on average much poorer than the industrial east coast.

Posted on 2026-06-11 14:17:13

The Presidential Office has put forward its nominees to lead the Control
Yuan.

For the position of Control Yuan President, they're nominating Chen
Yongxing陳永興.

Chen is the former president of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights.

They're also naming Wang Rong Zhang 王榮璋, who currently serves as committee
member, to take over as vice president.

In a press conference this morning, Vice President Hsiao Bikhim said, the
nominations aimed to work towards a Control Yuan "of the people."

Hsiao says, President Lai Ching-te's main considerations in putting together
the roster included range of expertise, human rights record, and local
connections.

She also announced the names of 27 others who've been tapped to serve as
committee members, with 6 year terms.

6 of the nominees currently serve as committee members.

The remarks come as longtime Control Yuan President Chen Chu announced that
she would retire, and the term limits of others approach next month.

The nominations now head to the legislature.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-11 14:17:13

Taiwan's university application results show medical departments have their
highest number of vacancies in five years.

Eleven medical departments offered 597 places this year, but only 460
students were placed.

That left 137 vacancies.

The admissions committee says duplicate admissions may be one reason.

Some students may have been accepted by several medical departments, or
through another recommendation track.

Dental departments also saw vacancies this year.

The overall university application track placed 44-thousand-82 students, with
an admission rate of 56.31 percent.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 14:17:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 120 points to
close the session at 43105.

The turnover was 1.19 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-06-11 14:17:13

Now turning to international news...

Police in Northern Ireland have deployed water cannons for a second
consecutive night as anti-immigrant riots continued in Belfast following a
stabbing.

The suspect is a 30-year-old Sudanese national named Hadi Alodid.

Alodid was charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a man and
leaving him blind in one eye.

Video of the attack spread quickly on social media, particularly by far-right
activists.

Masked men have set fire to homes believed to house immigrants, torched a
bus, and hurled bricks at riot police.

Firefighters rescued several people from fires than left more than two dozen
homeless.

Politicians on all sides of the aisle have condemned the riots.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes "shocking and completely
unacceptable", while the victim's own family appealed for calm, saying
migrants make a "deeply valuable contribution" to the country.

(MW)

Posted on 2026-06-11 14:17:13

Pope Leo continues to inspire faith during his visit to Spain, drawing a
crowd of 120,000 worshippers while leading a Mass at the La Sagrada Familia
Basilica.

Following the Mass, the Pope inaugurated the basilica's final Tower of Jesus
Christ, officially making the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world
at 173 meters.

Pope Leo has also highlighted Catalonia's Catholic traditions with his visit
to the ancient Benedictine monastery in Montserrat, while speaking in both
Catalan and Spanish.

The service marked the highlight of Leo’s weeklong visit to Spain, the first
by a pope in 15 years to the once staunchly Catholic European country that,
like many others, has experienced secularizing trends.

Posted on 2026-06-11 12:59:13

Heavy rain has helped raise reservoir levels in southern Taiwan and ease
pressure on local water supplies.

Deputy Economics Minister Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信) says key reservoirs are rising
by about 2 centimeters per hour.

He says water levels are increasing at Wushantou, Tsengwen and Nanhua
reservoirs.

The Water Resources Agency says recent rain could bring 370-million metric
tons of water into reservoirs across Taiwan.

About 200-million metric tons has already flowed in.

Officials say the rain will help stabilize water supplies in Tainan and
Kaohsiung.

Lai says Kaohsiung's water supply is stable, though officials are still
watching water turbidity.

He says more rain is expected, and the ministry will continue responding
carefully

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 12:59:13

Taichung police say they uncovered 108 drugged driving cases in the first
nine days of June.

Police say the figure shows enforcement against drugged driving is increasing
across the city.

From May 1 to June 9, officers found 291 suspected drugged driving cases.

Police say drugged driving can be harder to spot than drunk driving.

They say some drug use does not always show clear signs at the scene.

The city police department has distributed 2-thousand saliva rapid test kits
to front-line units.

A civic group and a biotech company have also donated 500 more kits.

Police say the kits will help officers screen drivers faster and collect
evidence more efficiently.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 12:59:13

A traditional Dawu tatala, or plank boat, will leave Lanyu on Monday for the
Batanes Islands in the Philippines.

The Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation says the voyage will recreate a
sea route used 300 years ago.

The boat is called "Ovayan - Golden Friendship."

It was built by master craftspeople from six villages on Lanyu, and at 12
meters long, Ovayan is the largest traditional plank boat built in the modern
era.

Organizers say 60 people will take turns rowing during the trip.

The boat is expected to travel from Lanyu to Batanes in two days and one
night.

Seven escort vessels will provide support and safety assistance along the way.

Organizers say the voyage is meant to highlight Taiwan's Austronesian culture
and Indigenous navigation wisdom.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 12:59:13

The United States and Iran have exchanged new attacks, raising fears of a
wider war in the Middle East.

The U.S. military says it struck military surveillance, communication and air
defense sites across Iran.

It says the strikes were a response to Iran's continued aggression.

Iran says it launched counter-attacks on U.S. military targets in Kuwait and
Bahrain.

Bahrain sounded missile alert sirens and urged the public to take shelter.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. will launch more attacks unless
Iran reaches a deal.

Iran has also warned it could fire on ships trying to pass through the Strait
of Hormuz.

Qatar is still trying to mediate between Washington and Tehran.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 12:59:13

The U.N. refugee agency says global displacement fell last year for the first
time in a decade.

But it says the long-term refugee crisis remains severe.

The agency estimates 41.6-million people are refugees, or in refugee-like
situations.

It says 14.7-million refugees and displaced people returned home last year.

But many returned to places with damaged infrastructure and continued
insecurity.

The U.N. aims to cut long-term displacement in half by 2035.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 12:59:13

Canada has introduced a digital safety bill that would ban children under 16
from using social media.

The bill includes exemptions for platforms that meet certain safety standards.

It would also create a digital regulator to set safety rules for A.I.
chatbots.

Companies that fail to comply could face fines of 3 percent of global
revenue, or up to 10-million Canadian dollars.

Canadian officials say social media and A.I. chatbots can harm young people's
mental health and development.

The bill comes after Australia passed the world's first social media ban for
children under 16.

Officials say Canada's bill could take a year to pass.

They say the new digital regulator could take another 18 months to set up.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:42:13

The Tai-Ex opened down 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,172 on turnover of 11.9-billion N-T.

The market tumbled on Wednesday after heavy selling in major tech stocks
triggered a decline that sent the benchmark index back to below its monthly
moving average and erased all of the previous session's gains.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:42:13

Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens early Thursday morning after Iran
threatened to retaliate over a new round of U.S. airstrikes targeting the
Islamic Republic.

Bahrain's urged the public to seek shelter.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard had threatened to strike Bahrain over
the attacks.

The second day of American strikes comes hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and
Jordan — all of which host U.S. troops — came under Iranian fire.

Iran has said it will close the Strait of Hormuz in response.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:42:13

Congo's Ebola outbreak has spread to another health zone in the country's
northeastern province of Ituri.

Health officials say the outbreak has now affected 26 health zones nationwide.

That includes 18 in Ituri where most of the confirmed cases have been
reported.

Officials reported 37 new confirmed cases and 12 deaths in the past 24 hours.

The outbreak has now recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths across three
eastern provinces.

It is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

Officials say there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for that
strain.

Treatment activities are now underway at Ebola centers in two affected areas.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:42:13

Pope Leo has blessed the newest tower of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, making
it the tallest church in the world.

The 172-meter Tower of Jesus Christ is topped with a large ceramic cross
visible across the city.

Leo called the basilica an "architectural masterpiece" during a Mass attended
by Spain's king, queen and prime minister.

The ceremony came 100 years after the death of architect Antoni Gaudi.

The pope also used his sermon to say Christians "cannot believe in Jesus and
promote war."

Earlier in the day, Leo became the first pope to visit a Spanish prison.

He urged inmates at Brians 1 prison to make amends and choose better lives.

The Sagrada Familia was meant to be completed this year, but construction is
now expected to continue until 2035.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:06:13

In international news,

The U-S has launched airstrikes against Iran, and President Donald Trump says
more are coming.

Bahrain has sounded its missile alert sirens after Iran threatened to
retaliate over the new round of U-S airstrikeds.

Bahrain has urged the public to seek shelter.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard had threatened to strike Bahrain over the attacks.

The U-S Central Command said in a social media post that the military was
striking targets in Iran "in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued
aggression."

The second day of American strikes comes hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and
Jordan came under Iranian fire.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:06:13

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Albania's capital of Tirana
in the largest protest yet against the development of a luxury resort
planned by U-S President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The project is ‌expected to cost around 5-billion euros.

It has provoked outrage in the country because of its location near a
protected wetland home to flamingoes, seals and sea turtle nesting sites, but
also for a perceived lack of transparency surrounding the plans designed by
foreign investors.

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of the protest.

He has been in power since 2013 and many people blame him for not
eradicating widespread corruption or doing enough to improve basic services
like healthcare.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:06:13

Social tensions are rising in Mexico as Mexico City is set to welcome the
world with the opening ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday.

A protest camp threatens to shut down the event's main fan festival on
opening day and critics say the government has focused too much on
international visitors at the expense of residents.

Teachers have also blocked roads and toppled World Cup statues.

The Mexican Soccer Federation has said the competition is expected to bring
in 3-billion U-S dollars for hotels, restaurants and sports venues.

Thursday's inauguration and opening match between Mexico and South Africa,
are expected to draw more viewers than much of the competition.

Posted on 2026-06-11 09:06:13

And finally,

Glenn Close will be getting an honorary Oscar - as will director Ridley Scott
and animator Floyd Norman in mid-November.

The A-P's Jennifer King reports.

Posted on 2026-06-11 08:15:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim arrived back in Taiwan last night after wrapping
up her five-day, four-night trip to Palau.

The visit was dubbed the "Palau Prosperity Project" by the Presidential
Office.

Speaking to reporters Taoyuan International Airport ...

.... Hsiao said President Lai Ching-te's mission for her was successfully
completed and she was deeply impressed by the warm reception she received
from Palau's President Surangel Whipps.

Hsiao described the friendship between Taiwan and Palau as being a bond
between families across the ocean, due to the shared cultural connection
across languages among the Austronesian peoples ..

.. which she says gave her a sense of familiarity and reassurance.

She also reiterated calls for Taiwanese to visit Palau - telling reporters
that there are four regular flights per week from Taiwan, making it easily
accessible.

Data shows that Taiwanese visitor numbers to Palau totaled 13,367 in 2025.

That was up by about 18-per cent from the previous year, but still far from
the peak of 40,605 visitors in 2012.

Posted on 2026-06-11 08:15:15

Two leading U-S House Republicans have said they plan to meet with K-M-T
Chairman Cheng Li-wun in Washington,

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and Young Kim, leads a
subcommittee overseeing East Asia policy have both said they're planning to
sit down with Cheng.

Mast has admitted he doesn't have specific expectations for the meeting, but
went on to say that as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee - he'll
intelligence from anywhere he can get it.

A spokesperson for Kim, says the lawmaker plans to encourage Cheng and the
K-M-T to support more defense spending because it would be an "important
demonstration of Taiwan's commitment to self-defense and deterrence."

Kim's office also says wants to discuss Cheng's April meeting with China's Xi
Jinping and "seek greater clarity on the substance of those discussions."

Cheng told the Financial Times in an interview conducted in New York prior to
he trip to Washington that she's calling on both Washington and Beijing to
cease treating Taiwan as a pawn.

The K-M-T chairwoman told the newspaper that "Taiwan can never become or be
reduced to a pawn traded away at a negotiating table by great powers."

Posted on 2026-06-11 08:15:15

to leave China

A Chinese national with residency in Taiwan was reportedly been released from
prison in May after serving a three-year sentence on secessionism charges.

However, Fu Cha is reportedly still banned from leaving China.

Fu Cha, who goes by the pen name of Li Yanhe, is the editor-in-chief of
Taiwan-based Gusa Publishing.

Fu Cha was detained by national security authorities in Shanghai on March 21,
2023, after returning to China to visit family and handle residency-related
matters.

He was sentenced by the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court to three
years in prison for "inciting to split the country" in February of 2025.

Fu Cha was born in Liaoning and is married to a Taiwanese woman.

He held residency in Taiwan since 2013.

Fu Cha founded Gusa in Taipei in 2009 and the company has published numerous
books that are often critical of the Chinese Communist Party.

Posted on 2026-06-11 08:15:15

The Yunlin District Prosecutors' Office has indicted four people on charges
of recruiting foreign nationals here in Taiwan on visitor visas, or who had
overstayed their visas to work on farms.

Those charged include one Thai national, who had overstayed her visa.

According to the prosecutors' office, they also charged the illegal workers
excessive brokerage fees.

Prosecutors says the group arranged for 19 Thai nationals who had overstayed
their visas to work on farms and in wholesale markets in Yunlin and Changhua
for an hourly wage of between 60 and 150 N-T since December 2023.

Prosecutors have not specified how many foreign nationals were recruited to
work illegally, but have said the group made more than 1-million N-T in
illegal profits.

The victims were charged between 6,000 and 65,000 N-T in brokerage fees and
2,000 N-T a month for accommodation and utilities.

Posted on 2026-06-11 08:15:15

And finally,

Greenpeace Taiwan says research shows that smaller fish are making up an
increasing share of Taiwan's inshore and offshore catches, a trend the group
says indicates larger fish are becoming rarer due to overfishing.

According to the study, the proportion of fish caught before reaching "Lm50"
-- or the length at which 50 percent of a species reaches sexual maturity --
rose from 77.7-per cent in 2022 to 93.3-per cent in 2025.

Greenpeace says Lm50 is an important indicator of fish population health and
a key reference point for fisheries management.

It says the survey was conducted primarily through sampling at seafood
auction markets, supplemented by data collected from fish vendors.
The study covered fishing harbors in Kaohsiung, Yilan County, Pingtung County
and Penghu County.

Ho Hsuan-ching, of the National Kaohsiung University of Science and
Technology, says the survey points to severe overfishing and shows that
without effective management measures, fish populations could face bottleneck
effects that result in progressively smaller fish.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is slamming Beijing's claims of sovereignty
over waters east of Taiwan - saying China is using its own interpretation of
law enforcement as ‌a pretext to pursue expansion.

Lin said Beijing has no right to intervene in matters concerning the waters
east of Taiwan, whether they involve Taiwan's sovereignty or jurisdiction...
China's actions are clear evidence that it is a "problem-maker" that is
damaging the status quo.

Cabinet Secretary-General Xavier Chang also condemned Beijing's sovereignty
claims over waters east of Taiwan - adding the actions not only endanger
Taiwan's sovereignty, but also violate international laws and international
conventions.

Chinese coast guard vessels have been carying out what Beijing calls a
"special maritime law enforcement operation" in the area since this past
weekend.

They've demanded that commercial shipping provide information concerning
their point of origin and destination and informing ships that it has
jurisdiction over the area.

China's state media has reported the operation was in response to Japan and
the Philippines announcing maritime boundary delimitation negotiations -
which it said "seriously violates China's territorial sovereignty and
maritime rights and interests."

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:13

The National Communications Commission has issued guidelines regarding
AI-generated content.

The commission says all AI-generated content in news reporting should be
clearly and consistently disclosed, as part of its guidance on the use of
artificial intelligence in broadcast media.

The N-C-C says its guidlines are in line with the Artificial Intelligence Act.

That Act came into effect on January 14, and requires regulators to assist
industries with developing guidance based on AI risk management needs.

The N-C-C says the rules were developed with input from experts and industry
stakeholders... they are positioned as "administrative guidance" intended to
serve as a reference for self-regulation by broadcast media.

News programs that adopt AI-generated content should prominently disclose its
use throughout the production... and if third-party AI-generated audio-visual
materials are used, the source of the content should be properly attributed.

The guidelines further call for compliance with laws and regulations,
protection of human rights, fairness, and the establishment of content
verification mechanisms in the use of A-I.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:13

The military's two-day drill in the Taichung area has included the
live-firing of US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.

It was the first time that rocket systems had been fired during a drill on
the west coast.

The Army received its first batch of these systems in late 2024, while
another 18 systems are due to be delivered by the end of this year.

The exercise involved the Army's 10th Corps and also included other heavy
artillery systems.

Defense officials say the drill simulated cross-regional precision strikes
from the Dajia River estuary to demonstrate rapid deployment and battlefield
reinforcement capabilities.

The 58th Artillery Command deployed three High Mobility Artillery Rocket
Systems on each side of the river.

A total of 36 rockets were fired over three waves during the exercise - and
they hit simulated targets located in waters some 9-kilometers offshore.

Eighty-two more of the rocket systems were approved for sale to Taiwan by the
U-S in December of last year, as part an 11-billion U-S dollar arms package
to the island.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is in Berlin - where she held talks with German
lawmakers.

Lu visited the German national assembly and met with members of the
German-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group .

After the meeting, Lu said the lawmakers are very concerned about the
cross-strait situation and she told them she firmly believes in safeguarding
Taiwan's national security and ensuring peace and stability in the
Indo-Pacific region.

Lu also signed a memorandum of understanding with the East German city of
Gorlitz while in Berlin.

The M-O-U establishes exchange mechanisms covering areas including energy,
technology, culture, education and disaster prevention, with the aim of
expanding practical cooperation.

Gorlitz District Administrator Stephan Meyer says his city was well
positioned to serve as a bridge for Taiwanese supply chains entering Central
Europe, adding that Taichung could act as Gorlitz's gateway to Asia.

Lu's delegation is on a city diplomacy trip to Europe this week, which along
with visiting Germany, also include trips to the Czech Republic and Austria.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:18

Fata from the Ministry of the Interior shows a total of 6,832 births were
recorded in May.

That's the second-lowest monthly total on record after February's all-time
low... it also extends a 29-month streak of year-on-year declines in births.

Keelung recorded the lowest birth rate of 1.9 per 1,000 people, followed by
Miaoli and Chiayi County.

At the same time, May

There were 15,158 deaths in May.

That was down by 224 from the same period last year and by 836 from April.

Annual household registration statistics, Taiwan's population stood at just
over 23.25 million at the end of May.

Taiwan became a super-aged society last year, meaning that 20 percent of its
population is aged 65 or older.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:18

The Taiwan Space Agency has released 15 photographic images sent from the
Formosat-8A satellite.

The high-resolution images show Taiwan's changing landscape, from its newest
landmarks to sites that bear the marks of natural disasters and include
images of several ports, where wharves, cargo ships and container yards can
be seen in detail.

The satellite photographed a number of landmarks including the Danjiang
Bridge in New Taipei, Taichung Mitsui Outlet Park, and the Great Harbor
Bridge in Kaohsiung.

It also focused on Penghu, Xiao Lanyu and Guishan Island.

The Formosat-8A satellite is the first in Taiwan's Formosat-8 constellation
and was launched in November of last year using a SpaceX rocket, from a
launch site in California.

It was designed to capture images that surpass the imaging capabilities of
its predecessor, Formosat-5.

It began taking images in January this year.

The eight satellites are expected to be in place by 2031.

The space agency has said it will strengthen Taiwan's ability to monitor
natural disasters and security threats.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:20

At the same time...

The U.N. atomic watchdog board demands Iran fully cooperate with the agency
and provide complete information about its nuclear material.

The resolution, passed Wednesday, stressed the urgency of granting inspectors
access to Iranian nuclear sites.
Twenty-one countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board voted
for the resolution, while Russia, China, and Niger opposed it.

The resolution, backed by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United
States, aims to maintain diplomatic pressure on Iran.

It comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Iran insists its
nuclear program is peaceful.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:20

Aftershocks are rocking the southern Philippines days after a powerful
earthquake that left at least 45 people dead and 17 others missing.

Some are causing further damage and putting rescuers in danger as they search
for survivors.

The coastal city of General Santos was one of the areas that was devastated
by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that left a trail of destruction across
southern Mindanao, the country’s second-most populous region.

The earthquake has been followed by more than 2,100 aftershocks including a
few that ranged up to 6.4 magnitude, which is strong enough to cause more
casualties and damage.

More than 25,000 people remain displaced, many of them staying in 45
government-run emergency shelters and still too traumatized to return home,

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:20

Thousands took to the streets of Albania's capital Tirana in the largest
demonstration yet against the development of a luxury resort planned by U.S.
President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The project, ‌expected to cost around 5 billion euros, has provoked outrage
in the Balkan country because of its location near a protected wetland home
to flamingoes, seals and sea turtle nesting sites.

Its also dogged by a perceived lack of transparency surrounding the plans
designed by foreign investors.

Protesters held signs that said "Albania is not for sale" and chanted "New
Albania" outside Prime Minister Edi Rama's office as the crowd stretched half
a mile down one of the city's main boulevards.

The protests are the latest test for Rama, who has been in power since 2013
and who many now blame for not eradicating widespread corruption or doing
enough to improve basic services like healthcare.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:20

Federal authorities has announced the seizure of 13 ‌internet domains tied to
what the U.S. Justice Department called fake consulting firms designed to
recruit current or former U.S. government and military employees to provide
information to suspected Chinese agents.

These fake firms target people via job listings for consulting or analyst
roles, and then pressure applicants for exclusive or insider information.

The announcement of the domain seizures came a week after the United States,
Britain and the other Five Eyes intelligence alliance countries warned of
China aggressively and increasingly using job platforms to target people for
information.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said that "the
allegation of so-called 'Chinese espionage threat' ‌is ⁠entirely fabricated
and constitutes malicious slander.

Posted on 2026-06-11 06:56:20

Laurence Olivier, has been honored with a plaque at his childhood home in
London.

A plaque for the man seen as Britain's greatest stage actor was unveiled by
Ian McKellen and marks where Olivier began acting as a child.

Olivier lived at the home from ages 6 to 11, creating a makeshift stage for
performances.

Known for his Shakespearean roles, he won an Academy Award for playing Hamlet
in 1949.

He also helped establish the National Theatre.

McKellen called Olivier's influence on the profession is unforgettable.

Posted on 2026-06-10 17:08:13

The Army conducted its first live-fire verification of the HIMARS multiple
launch rocket system on the island's west coast today.

Military officials say launchers were deployed on both banks of the Dajia
River, simulating cross-area fire support against high-value targets in a
northern Taiwan combat scenario.

Of a planned 36 rockets, 32 were successfully fired.

Four rockets failed to ignite, and the Army says the cause is under
investigation.

The 58th Artillery Command says the exercise demonstrated HIMARS capabilities
in rapid deployment, precision strikes, and cross-area reinforcement,
contributing to the deterrence of potential ground force incursions.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-10 17:08:13

The DPP is raising concerns over KMT-proposed changes to the Nationality Act.

Lawmaker Wang Ding Yu took to social media to say that changes pushed for by
the opposition risk allowing Chinese nationals to run for president.

KMT caucus Secretary-General Lin Pei Xiang is calling the claim
"misinformation," stating that the Elections and Recall act says that Chinese
nationals cannot run for president or vice president.

This comes as KMT Caucus Whip Fu Kun Chi has proposed to amend the
Nationality Act to allow Chinese nationals who have acquired Taiwanese
citizenship but not given up their foreign nationality to run for public
office.

If the amendment were to pass, it would negate Article 20 of the Nationality
Act, which states that those with dual nationality must give up the foreign
one within one year of taking office.

Lin Pei Xiang adds that the amendment aims to address controversy that
erupted earlier this year over former lawmaker Li Zhen Xiu...

who holds Chinese citizenship.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-10 17:08:13

The Executive Yuan says, the Tsai and Lai administrations have been clear
that their cross-strait policy rests on maintaining the status quo...

noting that these policies are in line with the overall consensus of the
Taiwanese people.

That's following comments made by KMT chair Zheng Li Wen, in which she said
that it would be difficult to get a referendum passed on what she called
"peaceful unification..."

but she emphasized that many Taiwanese people support cross-strait exchange.

Zheng made the comments on her ongoing trip to the US.

Executive Yuan Secretary-General Zhang Dun Han remarked on a quote by former
US President John F. Kennedy, that "In the course of world history, only a
few generations have been fortunate enough to shoulder the mission of
defending freedom in critical moments of crisis.。。"

adding that he believed every Taiwanese person should take on that
responsibility.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-10 17:08:13

Now turning to international news...

Hong Kong authorities have charged seven people and two companies in
connection with the city's deadliest fire in decades.

The blaze in November ravaged seven apartment buildings, killing 168 people.

Suspects were charged with manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money
laundering, tax evasion, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The 7 individuals were involved in a renovation project at the complex.

Police previously detained 38 related to the case.

A lawyer for an independent inquiry into the fire has said that almost all
fire safety systems failed on the day of the blaze, due to human error.

(MW)

Posted on 2026-06-10 17:08:13

Civil unrest has erupted in the UK, after protesters set a bus on fire in
east Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Cars and trash cans across the city were also set ablaze.

The uproar was fueled by the recent stabbing and attempted murder of a man,
allegedly by a 30-year old Sudanese national.

This unrest comes as part of a larger anti-immigration movement in which
activists have argued for the deportation of migrants and more restrictions
on entry into the UK.

Some Northern Irish politicians have urged authorities to curb what they call
“uncontrolled immigration.”

Posted on 2026-06-10 17:08:13

New data from the US shows a difference in two generations when it comes to
students' academic recovery after the pandemic.

Nine-year-olds have bounced back to pre-pandemic reading levels, showing
improvements in math.

But 13-year-olds' scores are sitting at the same level as when the test first
launched back in 1971.

Experts warn this isn't just a pandemic problem.

Scores were already falling before COVID hit, peaking in 2012 and declining
alongside the rise of social media.

Today, only 14% of teenagers say they read for fun every day, which is down
from 37% in the early 90s.

With those 13-year-olds now heading into high school, officials say serious
action must be taken to combat this decline.

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:11:13

The DPP is nominating Zhubei Mayor Zheng Chao Fang to run for Hsinchu
Magistrate.

That's after the DPP's election committee convened this morning.

If he is confirmed by the DPP's Central Committee, Zheng will face the KMT's
Hsu Hsin Ing in November.

Zheng previously ran for the post back in 2018.

As for who the DPP will run to take over for Zheng in Zhubei, committee
member Chen Pei Yu says, the Hsinchu County party offices are working on that
nomination.

Chen also said that the party was still working on nominees for the remaining
Kinmen, Lienchiang, and Hualien counties, as well as Penghu, where the
incumbent magistrate remains hospitalized.

The announcement comes after there have been media reports indicating that
the DPP was attempting to convince Zheng to run, but that he was not
interested.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:11:17

The Taipei mayor and the candidate seeking to succeed him are trading fire
over an ongoing staffing crisis in the Taipei City government.

The DPP's pick to take over leadership of the capital city, Puma Shen has
been calling for the city government to do more to truly reduce the stress of
city employees.

He said that he would carry out a comprehensive review of friendly workplace
policies if elected...

offering more flexible working hours, increased incentives for city
government projects, and a comprehensive upgrade of employee support
programs.

But Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An says, these are measures that the city
government has already taken...

adding that he would continue working to create a friendlier working
environment.

The city government says, there are dedicated breastfeeding rooms for
employees, childcare facilities, and gender-neutral restrooms available...

with plans to expand employee medical services and an employee sports center
in the works.

The debate comes as there are about 8000 vacancies in the Taipei city
government, which city councilors on both sides of the aisle have raised
concern about.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:11:18

Asian shares are mostly down today following renewed US strikes on Iran,
which have led to qustions regarding a permnant end to the attacks.

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 43227
after losing 1477 points.

The turnover was 1.247 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:11:20

Now turning to international news...

Activists in annxed east Jerusalem are warning of increased discriminatory
policies against Palestinians in the territory.

They say, that's because Israel is no longer constrained by US pressure,
while global attention has shifted to Gaza and other war zones.

One rights groups says that over 260 homes and other structures were
demolished by settlers last year.

That's a 70% increase from three years prior.

Some neighborhoods have seen the most evictions in decades.

Israel has long worked to expand the Israeli presence in annexed east
Jerusalem, using discriminatory policies and archaeological claims to evict
Palestinians from their homes.

Israel captured east Jerusalem, along with the West Bank and Gaza, in the
1967 Mideast War, and much of the international community considers them to
be illegally occupied.

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:09:48

The Coast Guard says Chinese ships are harassing commercial traffic in waters
east of Taiwan while claiming jurisdiction over the area.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) says China is using so-called law
enforcement as a cover for expansion.

He says China has no right to interfere in the area, whether the issue
involves Taiwan's sovereignty or jurisdiction.

The comments came after Chinese coast guard vessels used planned
Japan-Philippines maritime talks as a pretext for activity near Taiwan.

Cabinet Secretary-General Chang Tun-han (張惇涵) says China also has no right to
disrupt freedom of navigation in Taiwan's economic waters.

Chang says Taiwan will not give up any part of its "blue maritime territory."

He says Taiwan's navy and Coast Guard are closely monitoring the situation to
protect public safety.

Lin says Japan and the Philippines have both told Taiwan the talks do not
involve any third party.

He says Taiwan's sovereignty, fishing rights, maritime interests, and
fishermen's operating rights will be protected.

Chang also called on lawmakers to support the defense and Coast Guard budgets
now under review.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:09:48

A National Tsing Hua University team has developed the world's brightest
room-temperature single-photon source.

The device can emit more than 2.3-billion photons per second.

The team says that sets a new world record.

The research was led by materials science professor Lin Hao-wu (林皓武).

Lin says the device could be used in quantum encrypted communications within
five years.

He says it may also become a key part of quantum computers within five to 10
years.

The team used perovskite quantum dots and tiny silver cubes to boost light
emission.

Researchers say the technology works at room temperature, which could lower
equipment costs and make future applications easier.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:09:48

Ukraine has signed a new drone cooperation deal with Latvia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the agreement during a summit with
Nordic and Baltic leaders in Tallinn.

Latvia says Ukrainian anti-drone experts will arrive immediately to share
battlefield experience and training.

The deal is also expected to support joint production between the two
countries' defense industries.

Zelenskiy says Ukraine wants every region of Europe to have enough protection
against Russian threats.

The Baltic states have reported several drones entering their airspace in
recent weeks.

The Kremlin says Europe is still not ready to mediate peace talks with
Ukraine.

Nordic and Baltic leaders say cooperation with Ukraine will focus on drones,
training, data sharing, and defense technology.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:09:48

The U.S. House has passed a 70-billion US dollar bill to fund immigration
enforcement.

The measure would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol
through the rest of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.

It now goes to Trump for his signature.

Republicans say the funding is needed to support Trump's immigration
crackdown.

Democrats opposed the bill after earlier talks on reforms for immigration
agents failed.

The dispute had led to a 76-day partial shutdown of the Department of
Homeland Security earlier this year.

The Republican-led Senate passed the same bill late last week using a
fast-track process.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 14:09:49

Pope Leo has spoken in Catalan during a visit to Barcelona, in a nod to the
region's identity.

He greeted crowds at the city's 14th-century cathedral as part of a week-long
tour of Spain.

The pope used Catalan at the start of his homily, after regional officials
had hoped he would speak the language.

Catalan is widely used in local schools, churches, and politics.

The visit comes as Leo warns that global conflicts have pushed the world into
a deep crisis.

He is also calling for stronger protection for migrants and vulnerable people.

The pope will visit Montserrat and the Sagrada Familia on Wednesday.

His Spain tour ends Friday in the Canary Islands, where he is set to meet
about 1-thousand migrants.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 12:40:13

The central bank is not planning more housing credit controls for now.

Central bank Governor Yang Chin-long (楊金龍) gave the signal ahead of a board
meeting on June 18.

Yang says "selective credit controls will stop here."

The meeting will also review interest rates, as inflation pressure rises and
Taiwan's stock market stays hot.

Yang says the central bank is still watching the latest data before making a
decision.

He says Taiwan's prices remain relatively stable compared with major
economies.

Yang says the bank can use interest rates, open market operations, and
reserve requirements to manage market liquidity.

He also says the US dollar will likely remain the world's most important
currency for the foreseeable future.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 12:40:13

Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) says domestic travel subsidies
could begin in September, if the Legislature approves the budget in July.

He says the program could start moving forward one month after funding is
approved.

Tourism Administration head Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) says birthday hotel vouchers
could be drawn first in August.

But she says people would not be able to use those vouchers until September.

The plan includes weekday hotel discounts of up to 2-thousand NT.

It also includes birthday hotel vouchers worth 1-thousand-200 NT, amusement
park discounts, company travel rewards, and Taiwan PASS discounts.

The subsidies are part of a tourism plan with a total budget of about
3.46-billion NT.

Officials say the final launch date will depend on when lawmakers approve the
funding.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 12:40:13

The United States has launched new strikes on Iran after Washington says
Tehran shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command says it targeted Iranian air defense, ground control,
and surveillance radar sites.

U.S. President Donald Trump called the strikes a strong and powerful response.

The U.S. military says two crew members were rescued by a Navy surface drone
after the helicopter went down near Oman's coast.

Trump says the pilots were not injured.

Iranian state media says Qeshm island and the port city of Sirik were
attacked.

Iran's foreign minister says Tehran will not leave any attack or threat
unanswered.

The escalation is adding pressure to efforts to keep a fragile ceasefire
alive and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 12:40:13

Police in Belfast have declared a critical incident after anti-immigrant
protests broke out across the city.

The protests followed a knife attack that left a man in his 40s with serious
injuries.

Police say a 30-year-old Sudanese national has been charged with attempted
murder.

He is due in court on Wednesday.

Masked youths set vehicles on fire, including a bus in east Belfast.

Police deployed armored vehicles as crowds gathered in several parts of the
city.

Police say the knife attack is not currently being treated as terrorism.

Northern Ireland's main political leaders have condemned the attack and
called for calm.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 12:40:13

Sydney's new international airport will welcome its first passengers on
October 25.

Western Sydney International Airport is about 60 kilometers west of the city
center.

It will operate 24 hours a day, unlike Sydney's current airport, which has a
night curfew.

Officials say that will give airlines more room to schedule late-night and
early-morning flights.

Jetstar will operate the first passenger flight to the Gold Coast.

Air New Zealand will begin Auckland service the next day.

Singapore Airlines will launch daily flights in November, including a
departure just before midnight.

The airport cost about 3.6-billion US dollars and is expected to serve up to
10-million passengers a year at first.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-10 08:08:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Coast Guard Administration says Chinese coast guard vessels have been
"harassing" commercial shipping operating in waters east of Taiwan.

According to the administration, the Chinese coast guard has been demanding
commercial vessels provide information concerning their point of origin and
destination and claiming jurisdiction over the area.

The administration says Chinese ships have broadcast messages to three
commercial vessels asking since Sunday requesting that information.

None of the commercial ships were baorded or inspected or approached by the
Chinese vessels.

Coast Guard Administration officials say they've been broadcasting their own
messages in response, telling commercial vessels that China has no
jurisdiction in Taiwan waters and they are not oblidged to respond to any of
the questions.

The administration also says it's vessels have been broadcasting messages
telling the Chinese vessels to ease harassing shipping in the area.

The incidents have been taking place after China this past weekend announced
it had launched what it called a "special maritime law enforcement operation"
and sent coast guard vessels into waters east of Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-06-10 08:08:14

Immigrants Committee.

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office says it's seeking a 21 prison
sentence and fines totaling 23-million N-T for the former head of the Taiwan
People’s Party's New Immigrants Committee.

The statement comes as the New Taipei District Court wrapped up a case
against Xu Chun-ying.

Xu was indicted in March on charges of violating the Anti-Infiltration Act
and of financial crimes.

Prosecutors have argued that after moving to Taiwan from China in 1998, Xu
became chair of the Taiwan New Immigrants Development Association and
frequently traveled to China under the pretext of providing services for
Chinese spouses.

According to prosecutors, Xu met with Chinese officials during those trips
and acted under the instructions of Chinese infiltration sources to back for
former Taipei mayoral candidate Vivian Huang and former T-P-P presidential
candidate Ko Wen-je.

Prosecutors also alleged that Xu "expressed her loyalty" to the Chinese
Communist Party on numerous occasions.

Xu was released by the court on bail of 2-million N-T and banned from leaving
Taiwan after Tuesday's final hearing.

However, prosecutors say they are considering filing an appeal against the
court's decision to grant her bail.

Posted on 2026-06-10 08:08:14

The Centers for Disease Control says the number of COVID-19 cases is
continuing to increase - with outpatient and emergency room visits reaching
1,000 last week.

According to the C-D-C, the number of people seeking treatment for COVID-19
like symptoms during the week of May 31 to June 6, was up by 4.1-per cent
from the previous week.

C-D-C spokeswoman Tseng Shu-hui says latest figures mark the third
consecutive weekly increase since the current wave reached a low point.

Tseng also says although weekly growth has remained modest at around 3 or
4-per cent, the upward trend warrants continued monitoring.

Health officials have reported five new domestic cases of severe COVID-19
complications during the week of June 2 to 8 - most of which involved people
aged 65 or older.

None had received this season's COVID-19 vaccine.

However, no COVID-19-related deaths were recorded over the same period.

Posted on 2026-06-10 08:08:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it's expanding eligibility for its
online passport renewal service to people whose passports will expire within
one year.

According to the ministry, from July, citizens aged 18 or older will be able
to renew their passports online using a citizen digital certificate, provided
the passport is not lost or damaged and no changes are required to the
information page.

The online service was launched in 2025 to make passport renewals easier and
eliminate the need to visit a Bureau of Consular Affairs.

However, it was previously only available to those whose passports had
already expired or had less than six months of validity remaining and the
bureau says only around 110,000 people have used the service since it was
launched 18 months ago.

The bureau initially estimated that the service could benefit 200,000 to
300,000 passport renewal applicants each year.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs said last year that the requirement to possess
a government-issued citizen digital certificate to apply was one of the
barriers limiting the initiative's popularity.

Only around 4-million of Taiwan's roughly 23 million citizens currently have
the certificate, which is used in Taiwan as an official form of online
identification.

Posted on 2026-06-10 08:08:14

The Central Weather Administration says heavy rain is expected to continue
across central and southern parts of the island today as the plum front
gradually moves south.

The center, south and east are all likely to see heavy rain and localized
torrential downpours.

The rain is forecast to ease gradually from this evening.

However, another frontal system is forecast to move over Taiwan on Friday and
Saturday, bringing a renewed increase in rainfall to the island.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is slamming moves by Beijing to claim
ownership of waters east of Taiwan - its also accusing China of undermining
regional peace and stability.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei says China has no law enforcement
authority and no right claim jurisdiction over those waters... it also has no
right to use the talks between Tokyo and Manila to expand its claims to areas
near Taiwan.

Hsaio said Beijing is using the talks as pretext to normalize coast guard
patrols and law enforcement in the waters east of Taiwan - actions that
"challenge the international order."

The statement comes after China this past weekend announced it had launched
what it called a "special maritime law enforcement operation" and sent coast
guard vessels into those waters.

At the time, China's state media reported the operation was in response to
Japan and the Philippines announcing maritime boundary delimitation
negotiations in the waters east of Taiwan - which it claimed "seriously
violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

The Army's 10th Corps has conducted heavy artillery drills around the
northern and southern banks of the Dajia River estuary in Taichung... the
move said to simulate a scenario where Chinese amphibious forces attempt to
invade central Taiwan.

Troops carried out live-fire drills in an operational area with the
Thunderbolt-2000 multiple launch rocket system for the first time in seven
years, followed by exercises involving M-109-A-2 self-propelled howitzers.

The 10th Corps says the live-fire drills aimed to verify joint firepower
capabilities and the effectiveness of the kill chain while simulating efforts
to delay and weaken invading forces landing on Dajia Beach.

The Thunderbolt-2000 systems launched 180 training rockets with each vehicle
fired 60 rockets in about 30 seconds.

The first two launchers successfully fired their full loads.

However, the seventh rocket fired by the third launcher fell a short distance
from its launch location.

Defense officials say the rocket ignited properly and exited the launcher,
but the second-stage propellant ignition may have malfunctioned and National
Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology is now analyzing the issue.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan and Japan face identical security
challenges along the First Island Chain.

In a pre-recorded address at the inaugural Shinzo Abe and Modern Japan
International Research Forum in Tokyo, Lai said the late Prime Minister's
declaration that "a Taiwan contingency is a Japanese contingency" highlights
the importance of continued peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The president also used the opportunity to thank Japan's Prime Minister Sanae
Takaichi for continuing Abe’s legacy.

The forum was cohosted by the National Chengchi University's Shinzo Abe
Research Center and the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals think
tank... it brought together experts from Taiwan, Japan and the U-S to discuss
Abe's legacy and strategy.

Taiwan's representative in Tokyo, Lee Yi-yang also addressed attendees,
saying Taiwan’s defense is not just a matter of regional security, but an
important part of the global supply chain.

Lee also said that Taiwan, Japan, the U-S and other like-minded countries
must seek to boost collaboration to jointly defend a free and open
Indo-Pacific region.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

Fire investigators and police are investigation the cause of an explosion
that left two people dead and two other in injured in Hsinchu City on
Tuesday.

The predawn gas explosion ripped through a lunchbox store on Gaocui Road in
the city's East District.

The blast collapsed a wall onto a neighboring bakery - where the two elderly
victims were sleeping.

Firefighters found the couple trapped under debris in their second-floor
bedroom when the wall between the two buildings collapsed.

Both were later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Two people sustained minor injuries.

Firefighters believe gas may have accumulated overnight inside the lunchbox
store after it closed.

The shop contained four liquefied petroleum gas cylinders and was also
connected to a natural gas pipeline, and if only one cylinder had leaked, the
explosion would not have been powerful enough to cause such damage.

The blast was strong enough to blow up a car parked across the street.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

The Food and Drug Administration has seized two shipments of Japanese mitten
crabs after test found they contained excessive levels of dioxins.

It's the first border inspection violation involving the product in three
years.

Officials say the shipments weighed a combined 10-kilograms and were found to
contain dioxin levels of 4.5-picograms and 8.0-picograms per gram,
respectively.

The second shipment also recording a combined level of dioxins and
dioxin-like P-C-Bs of 10.1 picograms per gram.

The regulatory limit is 3.5 picograms per gram for dioxins and 6.5 picograms
per gram for the combined concentration of dioxins and dioxin-like P-C-Bs.

The F-D-A says future Japanese mitten crab imports will be subject to
batch-by-batch inspections through June of next year.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

The owner of Taipei's Causeway Bay Books says he's temporarily closing the
store due to health concerns.

Lam Wing-kee can't say when the bookstore might reopen, or whether it will
resumes operations at all - as both will depend on his health.

The 70-year old relocated to Taiwan in 2019 after being detained by
authorities in Hong Kong in 2015 over allegations that his bookstore sold
books critical of the Chinese Communist Party.

The bookstore was closed in 2016.

Lam reopened Causeway Bay Books in Taipei's Zhongshan District before
relocating to Zhongzheng District in 2024.

Lam has not disclosed what his health problems are.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

And,

The Taipei City Government Department of Labor has announced that a second
round of free health check-ups for migrant workers will be held at Taipei
Main Station this coming Sunday.

The department says the check-ups will run from 12:30 to 3PM in the station's
main hall... these will include general health screenings as well as
consultations in dentistry, ear, nose and throat issues, internal medicine,
gynecology, and traditional Chinese medicine.

City health officials say information on healthcare resources will also be
available at the venue.

The first 20 migrant workers to complete the check-up will receive a voucher
for a 15-minute massage.

The department is reminding migrant workers to bring their Alien Resident
Certificate and National Health Insurance card.

The city is partnering with the Tzu Chi International Medical Association...
its the second of four free health check-up sessions planned for this year.

The remaining two sessions are scheduled for August 16 and October 4.

Posted on 2026-06-10 06:57:13

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
reached an "important consensus" and agreed to safeguard regional and global
‌peace.

Pyongyang's state media said the comments came in a message of thanks sent
after Xi's two day trip to North Korea.

Xi said the two sides had “exchanged in-depth views on issues of common
concern... they are both said to have reached a series of important joint
consensus,” reflecting their determination to further deepen ties.

Xi said he was willing to work with Kim “based on fundamental and long-term
interests” to “steadily safeguard, consolidate and develop” bilateral ties
and contribute more to regional and global peace and development.

He also said the visit had been “successfully concluded” and that relations
had entered “a new historical stage,” while expressing hope ‌to meet Kim
again.

Xi visited Pyongyang from Monday to Tuesday in his first trip to North Korea
in seven years

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