ICRT

Posted on 2026-04-29 08:14:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of Agriculture says it's ready to assist local peanut farmers
tariff-free American peanuts enter the local market.

According to Deputy Agriculture Minister Hu Chung-yi, data show that U-S
shelled peanuts cost approximately 47 N-T per kilogram, while domestically
produced shelled peanuts cost between 150 to 160 N-T per kilogram.

.. and if lawmakers agree to the terms of the US-Taiwan Agreement on
Reciprocal Trade, and it's fully implemented, then looking solely at the
price, it could impact about 30-per cent of domestic peanut farmers.

However, Hu says Taiwan's peanut farmers are highly competitive, and the
government has made preparations to ensure the farmers are not affected if
U-S peanuts enter the local market ..

.. and the Ministry of Agriculture will support farmers and the industry.

Over 1,000 hectares of peanuts were planted last year in Yunlin County -
accounting for nearly 90-per cent of Taiwan's total production.

Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan says local farmers have been
devastated by the news that the government has granted zero tariffs for U-S
peanut imports.

Taiwan's peanut imports currently come mostly from India, Brazil, and
Argentina.

Posted on 2026-04-29 08:14:14

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun says the Cabinet's proposed 1.25-trillion N-T
special defense budget should only be approved only after Taiwan receives a
formal Letter of Offer and Acceptance from the United States.

Speaking in an interview with online news outlet C-NEWS, Cheng criticized the
Cabinet's proposal as a "blank check" - arguing it lacks sufficient detail
on how most of the funds will be spent.

According to Cheng, the K-M-T supports passing an initial 380-billion N-T
defense budget, which would be sufficient to cover the 11.1-billion U-S
dollars in arms packages approved for sale to Taiwan by Washington in
December of last year.

Cheng says an additional 400-billion N-T could then be considered if a second
round of Letter of Offer and Acceptance is issued - but without that
documentation, there's concerns any extra funding could be misused by the Lai
administration.

Lawmakers failed to reach a consensus once again on the Cabinet's special
defense budget bill on Monday of this week during the latest round of
cross-party negotiations.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has scheduled another round negotiations on
the bill for May 6.

Posted on 2026-04-29 08:14:14

The Taiwan Railway Corporation has chosen the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
Department Store as the preferred bidder for the operating rights of the
Taipei Main Station Shopping Mall.

The bidding process was announced in mid-January and the deadline for
applications was March 20.

The railway corporation says Shin Kong Mitsukoshi was the first-choice
applicant and negotiations aimed at finalizing a contract will begin soon.

The shopping mall is currently operatored by Breeze Development, under the
name Breeze Taipei Station, but that contract set to expire on July 24.

Breeze Development is questioning the fairness and transparency of the
evaluation process.

The company says it has already filed a formal objection to the results and
is threatening to further take legal action against the railway corporation.

According to Breeze Development, the evaluation results had allegedly been
circulated in the market before the official announcement, which it says
could compromise procedural fairness.

The company is also questioning whether committee members met qualification
requirements and properly observed conflict-of-interest rules.

Posted on 2026-04-29 08:14:14

The High Speed Rail Corporation has announced plans to install platform
screen doors at all of its stations.

According to the company, construction is underway at its Hsinchu and Banqiao
stations - where the new screen doors are expected to be operational in the
fourth quarter of this year.

The high speed rail operator says Hsinchu Station was prioritized due to its
frequent exposure to strong winds, while Banqiao Station was selected because
its curved platform design presents additional safety and operational
challenges.

Screen doors will be next installed at Taichung, Taoyuan, Miaoli, Changhua,
Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan stations.

The platform doors at Taipei Station have already been upgraded to support
mixed train operations.

Full installation of platform screen doors across the network is scheduled
for completion in the first quarter of 2028

The project is costing the corporation about 2-billion N-T.

Posted on 2026-04-29 08:14:14

plum rain season

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says we're likely to see near-normal to
slightly below-average rainfall and more more intense short-duration heavy
downpours during this year's May to June plum rain season.

According to the administration's forecast center, the heaviest rainfall is
expected in mountainous areas in the center and south -- where total
accumulated rainfall could exceed that seen during typhoons, as seasonal
southwesterly winds strengthen.

Center director Huang Chun-xi is warning of unstable weather, including heavy
rain, thunderstorms and strong gusts, and says members of the public is
affected areas remain alert to flooding and mudslides.

The weather administration also say that average temperatures readings in May
and June are expected to be near normal to slightly above average.

Data showed that the February to April period was the third warmest since
1951, with an average temperature of 21.9-degrees -- that's 1.1 degrees
higher than the long-term average.

Posted on 2026-04-28 19:50:13

New Taipei City held its annual flood prevention drill this morning,
incorporating artificial intelligence and extended reality technology.

The exercise took place at the "Ta-Liao-Keng Pumping Station" flood plain in
Xinzhuang District, centering on upgrades to the city's smart flood
prevention platform.

The system integrates weather radar, sewer water level sensors, and AI image
recognition, and can push real-time alerts to all 29 district offices across
the city.

And extended reality technology, or XR, now allows an operator to remotely
controlled pumping units from a distance, reducing the need for on-site
personnel during flood events.

Officials say all 84 pumping stations across the city are now linked into the
integrated information system, allowing the city to begin emergency response
over two hours earlier than was previously possible.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-28 19:50:14

opening May 8th

Forty-five century-old indigenous artifacts from the Academia Sinica
collection are returning to Tsou territory in Chiayi for a public exhibition
opening May 8th.

The pieces were collected by Academia Sinica researchers during fieldwork in
the Alishan area five to six decades ago and have been held in the
institute's museum since.

They will go on display at the Tsou Culture Exhibition Hall through November
8th, covering Tsou clothing, accessories, and everyday implements, alongside
items loaned by a local community elder.

Academia Sinica supports returning artifacts to source communities but
requires adequate preservation facilities first, so the pieces will return to
the institute after the exhibition closes.

Chiayi County allocated 1-million-200-thousand NT for the project, including
curation, a public forum, and guided visits for local schools.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 19:50:14

Ukraine’s defense minister says the country's armed forces shot down more
than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March.

That's a record monthly figure since Moscow launched its all-out invasion
more than four years ago.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range attack drones struck
a Russian oil refinery and terminal on the Black Sea for the third time in
less than two weeks.

Russian authorities ordered the evacuation of local people.

Posted on 2026-04-28 17:23:13

The Centres for Disease Control has raised its travel advisory for Japan to a
level one 'watch' alert ...

... following the first imported measles case from the country in seven years.

Health officials say the case is a man in his 30s from central Taiwan who was
infected after traveling to Nagoya earlier this month.

After returning to Taiwan, he started developing symptoms around mid-April
... and was later confirmed to have measles.

Authorities have identified more than 274 contacts and are continuing to
monitor them through mid-May.

Officials say Japan's measles cases this year are higher than in previous
years and continue to rise ...

... but current cases remain small and localized, with no large-scale
community spread.

They recommend that people born in 1966 or later check with a doctor before
traveling to see if they need a measles shot.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-28 17:23:13

The Ministry of Agriculture says the government will help domestic peanut
farmers adapt if American peanuts enter the local market tariff-free.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Hu Chung-yi said today that if the Taiwan-US
reciprocal trade agreement gains legislative approval and is implemented ...

... he estimates the agreement would affect between 20 and 30 percent of
domestically produced peanuts.

But Hu noted that about 70 percent of domestic peanuts go to food processors,
who generally prefer fresh unshelled peanuts for their flavor and texture.

The deputy minister points out that Taiwan has developed improved peanut
varieties, and has been building consolidated production zones.

Hu also says the ministry is building automated drying centers to reduce the
burden on farmers who currently dry their harvests outdoors.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-28 17:23:13

Taipei Zoo is marking Save the Frogs Day today by announcing it has bred at
least 2-thousand critically endangered species of music frog.

The juvenile "Nidi-rana shyh-huang-i" is only found only in two wetland sites
in Nantou County ... those are Lianhuachi (蓮華池) and Sun Moon Lake in Yuchi
(魚池) Township.

It has an estimated wild population of just 300 to 700 adults.

Taipei Zoo says it began its breeding program in 2022 in partnership with the
Ministry of Agriculture, developing techniques to replicate the species'
unique mud-nest building behavior in captivity.

The species was formally recognized as distinct from the Yaeyama Music Frog
in February 2025 ... and named after the professor who first identified it in
1984: Chen Shyh-huang (陳世煌).

(PB/IG)

Posted on 2026-04-28 17:23:13

In international news,

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing new pressure over the decision to
appoint Peter Mandelson as U-K ambassador to the United States.

Lawmakers are set to vote later today on whether Starmer should be
investigated by a parliamentary standards watchdog.

Starmer's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney will testify to legislators
about how Mandelson got the job despite failing security checks.

Starmer fired Mandelson in September after new details emerged about his
friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Critics argue Starmer's decision shows poor judgment.

The vote comes just days before local and regional elections on May which
could add pressure on Starmer’s leadership.

Posted on 2026-04-28 17:23:13

Over in Austria ...

A trial has begun against a man accused of plotting to attack one of Taylor
Swift's concerts in Vienna nearly two years ago.

Prosecutors say the defendant pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group
and planned an attack on the Vienna shows.

Authorities say the plot was thwarted, but they still canceled Swift's three
planned performances in August 2024 as a precaution.

The defendant faces multiple charges, including terrorist offenses and
membership in a terrorist organization.

His defense attorney says he plans to plead guilty to most of them.

Posted on 2026-04-28 15:36:14

Premier Cho Jung-tai has pushed back against a proposal to link Kinmen's
power supply to China's grid, saying current law does not allow it and that
existing supply to the outlying islands is sufficient.

The proposal came from K-M-T legislator Chen Yu-chen (陳玉珍) during
legislative questioning today, who argued the move could save up to 3-billion
NT per year.

Cho warned that this is not a question of cost savings, and that a single
lapse in energy security could have serious consequences.

The exchange touched on broader cross-strait connectivity proposals for
Kinmen, including water, electricity, a bridge, and natural gas, following
ten Taiwan-related measures announced by Beijing earlier this month.

Cho noted the water connection is already in operation but said remaining
proposals require local consultation and must prioritize national security.

He asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs to study expanding renewable energy
options on Kinmen to reduce dependence on fuel-based generation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 15:36:14

renovation visit

A ruling-party lawmaker is pushing for ATMs at two remote island airports in
Taitung County, saying they are the only outlying island airports in Taiwan
without them.

The call comes after D-P-P legislator Chen Ying (陳瑩) visited Orchid Island
(蘭嶼) yesterday to inspect ongoing renovation works at the local airport.

She noted that the nearest ATM to the airport is about 2.6 kilometers away,
creating hardship for travelers and residents needing cash.

Chen said the Civil Aeronautics Administration and Chunghwa Post have both
agreed to install ATMs in the new terminals.

The Orchid Island temporary terminal is nearing completion at a cost of
299-million NT, with Green Island's terminal due in June at 285-million NT.

Both permanent terminals are scheduled for completion in December 2027.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 15:36:14

FamilyMart is expanding its logistics services, introducing T-Cat shipping at
more than 4-thousand-400 stores nationwide effective today.

The move adds ambient, refrigerated, and frozen parcel shipping to FamilyMart
locations, which previously offered shipping only through Pelican Express.

FamilyMart says the expansion is aimed at building out its parcel ecosystem
and deepening consumer reliance on its stores.

The announcement follows FamilyMart's partnership with PX Mart's e-commerce
platform, revealed on Sunday, which allows shoppers to pick up online orders
at FamilyMart stores for the first time.

Industry analysts say FamilyMart is repositioning itself from a retail outlet
into an integrated pickup and shipping hub to stand out in Taiwan's highly
saturated convenience store market.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 15:36:14

U-S President Donald Trump is dissatisfied with Iran's latest proposal to end
the two-month war between the two countries, according to a U-S official.

Iran wants to delay discussion of its nuclear program until after a ceasefire
and Gulf shipping disputes are resolved, but the U-S has insisted nuclear
issues must be addressed from the start.

Peace efforts have stalled further after Trump cancelled a planned visit to
Islamabad by his envoy Steve Witkoff, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araqchi had been shuttling for talks.

Araqchi has since visited Oman and Russia, where he met President Vladimir
Putin.

Oil prices have resumed rising as the conflict continues to choke the Strait
of Hormuz, with only seven vessels transiting the strait in the past day
compared to between 125 and 140 before the war.

At least six tankers carrying Iranian oil have been turned back by a U-S
naval blockade in recent days.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 15:36:14

at UN meeting

China has lashed out at Japan and the European Union at a United Nations
Security Council meeting on maritime security, accusing Tokyo of provocative
behavior and military expansionism.

Japan's vice foreign minister told the Council that Tokyo opposes any attempt
to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas.

The E-U delegation echoed those concerns, saying South China Sea tensions are
hindering a critical global shipping route.

Neither named China directly.

China's deputy U-N ambassador Sun Lei called Japan's remarks unwarranted and
accused Tokyo of sending vessels into the Taiwan Strait to deliberately
provoke tensions.

Sun warned that right-wing forces are steering Japan toward an offensive
military posture, saying a new militarism is resurging 80 years after World
War Two.

Japan's destroyer JS Ikazuchi transited the Taiwan Strait earlier this month.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 14:39:14

Chinese dried chili

The Food and Drug Administration has flagged six food imports for failing
border inspections, including sea urchin roe from Canada and dried chili
peppers from China.

Chilled sea urchin roe imported by conveyor belt sushi chain Sushi Express
tested positive for cadmium at 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, above the legal
limit of 0.3.

The 26 kilogram batch has been ordered returned or destroyed, and the FDA has
raised its sampling rate for the company to between 20 and 50 percent.

Separately, one metric ton of dried chili peppers from China tested positive
for Sudan Red No. 3, a prohibited substance, and must be destroyed.

The FDA has extended mandatory 100-percent Sudan dye testing on Chinese dried
chili imports through April 22nd of next year.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 14:39:15

holiday

The Highway Bureau is warning drivers to expect heavy traffic on provincial
highways and near popular scenic spots during the three-day Labor Day holiday
from May 1st to 3rd.

Tourism travel is expected to peak on May 1st and 2nd, with return traffic
building from May 2nd afternoon through May 3rd.

Key congestion points include sections of Provincial Highways 61, 1, 64, 65,
and 74, as well as routes near Sun Moon Lake, Danshui, Wulai, and the
northeast coast.

Drivers on Provincial Highway 61 should expect delays near the Xuanbao and
Zhongzhang Bridge sections, where reconstruction work is ongoing, and are
advised to follow variable message signs and detour routes.

The bureau is encouraging the public to use public transport, with intercity
bus passengers using T-Pass 2.0 eligible for up to a 40-percent discount.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 14:39:15

In Colombia, a series of attacks against civilians and military bases in the
southwest has raised security concerns before the May presidential election.

Rebel groups have staged 26 attacks since Friday.

The death toll in a Saturday blast on a highway rose to 21 people on Monday.

Authorities blame a group known as the FARC-EMC for the violence.

Colombia's government has attempted peace talks with rebel groups.

But analysts say the strategy has failed.

The attacks have sparked debate among presidential candidates.

Some have advocated for continued peace talks and others favor a tougher
stance on crime.

Voters will choose from 14 candidates on May 31.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-28 14:39:15

King Charles III is set to address the U.S. Congress, becoming the first
British monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

Tuesday's speech is expected to highlight the strong bond between the United
Kingdom and the United States, focusing on shared history and democratic
values.

It will likely mark the most extensive public remarks Charles will deliver
during his four-day visit.

The visit marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, will meet President Donald Trump at
the White House.

Despite recent tensions between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir
Starmer, the meeting is expected to be cordial.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-28 14:39:15

In China, heavy flooding from torrential rain submerged vehicles and forced
the evacuation of more than 200 residents in a southern city.

Xinhua, the official news agency, reported today that rescue crews deployed
inflatable boats to help relocate some residents trapped in their homes in
Qinzhou City in Guangxi region.

Video footage from Xinhua showed rescuers wading through chest-high water and
firefighters carrying elderly residents in their arms.

According to a news outlet operated by the Chinese emergency management
authorities, schools across the city resumed classes on Tuesday morning, with
most traffic returning to normal.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-28 13:15:14

funds

A former Taoyuan City councilmember has been found guilty of defrauding more
than 14-million NT in publicly funded assistant subsidies over two decades.

Wu Tsung-hsien (吳宗憲), a former D-P-P councilmember, was convicted on three
counts of fraud by exploiting a position of public office.

The Taoyuan District Court sentenced him to three years in prison and four
years of civil rights deprivation.

The court found Wu ineligible for probation and ordered the confiscation of
over 14-million-500-thousand NT in seized criminal proceeds.

Prosecutors say Wu, together with a co-conspirator filed false documents
listing ghost assistants to claim subsidies from the Taoyuan City Council
from 2002 to 2022.

The money was reportedly used to buy stocks, pay child support, and cover
personal and office expenses.

Seven co-defendants, including the ghost assistants themselves, were also
convicted but received suspended sentences.

The ruling may be appealed.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-04-28 13:15:17

TSMC says it will ramp five 2-nanometer chip fabs simultaneously this year,
marking a major push in advanced semiconductor production.

Two of the fabs are located in Hsinchu, with three more in Kaohsiung.

The company's 2-nanometer process entered mass production in the fourth
quarter of last year.

Speaking at a recent North America Technology Symposium, Senior Vice
President Cliff Hou said first-year output from the 2-nanometer node will be
45-percent higher than what the 3-nanometer node delivered in its first year.

Hou projected compound annual capacity growth of 70-percent for the
2-nanometer node from 2026 to 2028.

TSMC also said its advanced packaging lines are expanding rapidly, with CoWoS
and S-o-I-C capacity both on track for compound annual growth of over 80 and
90 percent respectively through 2027.

Overseas, the company's first Arizona fab is expected to grow output by
80-percent next year, while its first Kumamoto plant in Japan is set to more
than double production.

(PB)

CoWoS /Co-wos as in "go boss"/

Posted on 2026-04-28 13:15:17

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ruled out a conflict with the United
States over an incident involving two CIA agents who died in Chihuahua —
agents who, according to Mexico, were not authorized to operate in the
country.

Sheinbaum expressed her willingness to move past the controversy, hoping it
remains an isolated case.

She said Mexico's federal government expects the U.S. to respect Mexico's
constitution and national security laws moving forward.

Mexico's Ministry of Security said one agent entered as a visitor, while the
other used a diplomatic passport.

It further reiterated that it was unaware that foreign agents were operating
within its territory.

The CIA has declined to comment.

On Monday, Sheinbaum urged authorities to clarify the operation's details.

The governor of Chihuahua has been called to testify in Mexico City on
Tuesday.

The presence of U.S. agencies in Mexico has long been controversial.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The newly appointed chair of the Central Election Commission has been
sworn-in.

Speaking at a handover ceremony, Michael You thanked President Lai Ching-te
and Premier Cho Jung-tai for their support and he pledged to lead the
commission as a neutral, fair, objective and professional body.

You also outlined the agency's key priorities - those being upcoming
elections, referendum procedures, absentee voting and the political rights of
naturalized Chinese spouses.

According to You, as the local elections are just seven months away,
preparations will need to proceed at an accelerated pace, while he believes
the commission must act cautiously when handling referendum proposals from
the Legislative Yuan.

You told reporters he believes as Taiwan's elections are increasingly
complex, implementing absentee voting in major elections will be challenging
and should first be tested in referendums.

And he went on to say the recent case of China-born Li Chen-hsiu, who lost
her legislative seat after being expelled from the Taiwan People's Party,
exposed gaps in existing laws.

You was a member of the D-P-P before leaving the party in 2019 and previously
served as the chairman of the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

defense budget bill

Legislative party caucuses have once again failed to reach a consensus on the
Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget bill.

Monday's talks centered on the procurement items listed in the draft bill.

The talks took place after lawmakers last Thursday also failed to reach any
agreements on specific procurement items and a ceiling for the budget.

Lawmakers last week reached agreements on two basic administrative provisions.

They included that the Ministry of National Defense would be required to
submit a special report to the legislature on the progress and performance of
projects that are included in the special defense act.

And that the special defense budget be in effect from the date of its
promulgation until December 31 of 2033.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has scheduled another round negotiations the
special defense budget bill for May 6.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun says she plans to visit the United States in
June to meet with political figures, think tanks and overseas Taiwanese in
order to promote her ideas for cross-strait peace.

Speaking in a radio interview, Cheng said she will discuss her recent meeting
with Xi Jinping during her time in the U-S and will also present a new
direction for cross-strait relations that aligns with US interests.

Cheng went on to stress that she believes Taiwan should not have to choose
between Beijing and Washington.

The K-M-T chairwoman did say when the trip will be taking place, but that it
is expected to last about 10 days - and see her visiting several cities with
large overseas Taiwan populations.

Cheng also did not name any of the U-S officials she's hoping to meet with -
saying only that she has been in discussions with the U-S side to arrange an
itinerary, but it's not yet convenient disclose details of that plan.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

The final batch of M-1-A-2-T Abrams main battle tanks purchased from the U-S
has been delivered to the Army's Armored Training Command in Hukou Township,
Hsinchu County.

The 28 tanks were transported to the base on civilian flatbed trailers. after
arriving at the Taipei Port.

The first two deliveries of 80 tanks in total were made in December 2024 and
July 2025.

The tanks will be deployed with the Army's Sixth Corps to strengthen defenses
in northern Taiwan.

The final 28 tanks will undergo testing, including readiness training and
evaluation, before the Army deploys them to full operational service.

They will then reportedly be allocated to the 584th Combined Arms Brigade -
which is responsible for defending Linkou's Baodao Beach and the Taipei Port

The militar allocated 1.28-billion U-S dollars over an eight-year period to
procure 108 Abrams M-1-A-2-T main battle tanks from the U-S.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

The Pingtung District Prosecutors' Office says a man filmed holding a sea
turtle while visiting Xiaoliuqiu is facing a fine of up to 300,000 N-T.

The statement comes after the man was reported by a member of the public on
Sunday afternoon after he was seen touching a sea turtle near Vase Rock.

According to the Coast Guard Administration, the person who reported the
incident also provided video footage of the encounter and
officers later identified him based on his clothing in the video.

He was found by Coast Guard personnel near the shoreline and taken in for
questioning.

Coast Guard officials say the man, in his 50s, is a Chinese national who is
visiting relatives in Taiwan and defended his actions by claiming the turtle
had been washed toward him by waves and was trying to move it away.

However, video footage shows the man holding the turtle by both sides of its
body, and briefly lifting it out of the water before letting it go after he
was hit by a wave from behind.

Authorities are dismissing the man's story - saying contact with the sea
turtle constituted a violation of the Act on Wildlife Conservation.

Posted on 2026-04-28 08:13:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Bureau says we can expect to see a frontal system pass
through Taiwan from tomorrow - which will bring rain and push temperatures
down.

According to the bureau's forecast center, localized showers or thunderstorms
are forecast across the island from tomorrow and into Thursday.

The mercury is forecast to drop to a low of around 19-degrees in the north as
well as in Yilan and Hualien.

The frontal system is forecast to weaken on Friday, resulting in temperatures
rising and mostly sunny skies islandwide through Sunday.

However, another approaching front on Sunday will see the increased
likelihood of localized afternoon thunderstorms in the south.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has sentenced a former Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing engineer to 10 years in prison for his role in
leaking trade secrets.

The court said it found Chen Li-ming guilty of violating the National
Security Act and of other offenses related to the unauthorized acquisition
and use of Taiwan's "national core key technologies."

The leaked information involved the company's advanced 2-nanometer process...
the case is the first involving a corporate entity under the National
Security Act, which is related to national core key technologies.

Prosecutors say the information included trade secrets related to etching
equipment used in 2-nanometer production and was photographed and reproduced
to allow Tokyo Electron to evaluate and improve its equipment performance.

Two other T-S-M-C engineers were sentenced to three and two years in prison,
respectively, another employee received a six-year sentence.

While a fourth defendant, who is an employee of Tokyo Electron Taiwan,
received a 10-month suspended sentence and fined 1-million N-T

The rulings can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has slammed Beijing's moves to pressure three
African countries into revoking their overflight permits for President Lai
Ching-te's planned charter flight to Eswatini.

Lin said regardless of what political power China uses to interfere with
international civil aviation operations or to weaponize flight information...
Taiwan will not bow its head, and Beijing's actions will it stop the island's
progress.

Lin arrived in Eswatini on Saturday as a special envoy for Lai to attend
events celebrating King Mswati III reign and his 58th birthday.

Lin has also held talks in the Southern African country over the construction
of a Strategic Fuel Reserve Facility and a 330-million U-S dollar Taiwan
Industrial and Innovation Park there.

The foreign minister said ongoing construction of the oil reserve facility
and the establishment of the industrial park in Eswatini will help enhance
the African nation's energy resilience and spur economic growth.

Lin says some 60 Taiwan investors have visited Eswatini to explore investment
opportunities in the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park since it was conceived
last year during a meeting between with King Mswati III.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene has repeated his call
for lawmakers to approve a "comprehensive" defense budget.

Greene made the comments in an interview with the China Times... it was
published before the latest round of party caucuses negotiations on the
Cabinet's 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget bill once again failed to
reach a consensus.

Greene reiterated it is "vital for Taiwan to pass a comprehensive budget
package" - as the bill is a critical signal to the international community
and essential to ensuring Taiwan acquiring the full range of defense
capabilities it has requested.

Greene said the Ministry of National Defense is seeking funding for
integrated air and missile defense systems, as well as unmanned vehicles and
drones.

The AIT director said such systems are not only critically important but are
also in extremely high demand worldwide, as evidenced on the battlefields of
the Middle East and Ukraine.

Greene added that passing the budget swiftly would create a "positive
atmosphere" ahead of a planned Washington visit by opposition K-M-T
Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

Wireless technology company RapidTek says the successful connection between
the 8-U CubeSat Black Kite-2 and ground stations marks "a key step" toward
multi-satellite system verification.

The statement comes nearly a month after the satellite was launched into
orbit from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The company said its satellite received a beacon signal within 20-minutes of
entering orbit, which is significantly faster than its predecessor and
indicates improved mission preparation and operational procedures.

The Black Kite-2 is the second of four 8-U CubeSats commissioned by the
Taiwan Space Agency.

RapidTek Chairman Arthur Wang says while initial missions are focusing on
verifying the functionality of a single satellite, the long-term goal of low
Earth orbit development is aimed at accumulating orbital data to enable
coordinated operations among multiple satellites.

The Black Kite satellites are part of the space agency's program to establish
a domestic CubeSat industry to develop constellation missions with commercial
application value.

The Black Kite-2 is operating at an altitude of 590-kilometers.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

care access

A senior hospital official is lauding the use of interpretation services and
planned AI-assisted tools - aimed at making healthcare more accessible to
patient groups including foreign nationals.

The deputy superintendent of the Taipei Hospital said caring providing
language support, is "a capability modern hospitals must have" that is
essential to realizing "health care equity.

Wu Chien-hsien said interpretation services on the messaging app LINE enables
patients who speak Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese to make appointments online
and receive medical consultations.

Wu says hospital can also arrange interpreters to accompany foreign patients
during medical visits, with support available not only in the three Southeast
Asian languages, but also in English.

Wu also says an on-site interpretation service, launched three years ago, has
received a "good" response from foreign patients because "when they speak
directly with doctors on their own, some information is often difficult to
fully convey."

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

The Railway Police Bureau says a man who took a shower in the bathroom on a
Taiwan Railway's commuter train has been identified and will be fined.

The incident occured on Sunday on a local train traveling from Hukou in
Hsinchu County to Ruifang in New Taipei.

Railway police say they responded to complaints about the incident and
boarded the train at Taipei Station, but the man had already left.

Police later used to surveillance video footage to identified the individual
as a man in his 50s, who is known to hang around Taipei Station, approaching
travelers with fabricated stories and asking to borrow money.

Police say the man has previously been charged with fraud and larceny in
connection with those activities.

His is now facing a fine of up to 7,500 N-T for violating Article 71 of the
Railway Act - which covers various types of misbehavior on trains.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

And,

A professor emerita at the National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate
Institute of Science Education has received a top research award from the
US-based National Association for Research in Science Teaching.

Chiu Mei-hung was honored with the 2026 Distinguished Contribution Through
Research Award.

The university says the award recognizes scholars with sustained
contributions and far-reaching academic and societal impact.

Chiu is the first scholar of Chinese descent to receive the organization's
highest honor since its founding in 1928.

Chiu earned her master's and doctoral degrees at Harvard University before
returning to teach at her alma mater.

She retired in 2023.

The university said the recognition highlights both Chiu's achievements and
growing international standing in science education research.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

Japan’s prime minister has inaugurated a panel tasked with reviewing her
country’s security and defense policies as tensions with China, North Korea
and Russia escalate in the region.

It's part of a push by Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, to
accelerate Japan's military buildup as a deterrence against regional threats.

She argues that Japan needs to prioritize its defense strategy to further
strengthen its military capability to better protect itself and survive
prolonged, new forms of warfare.

Takaichi told a meeting Monday at her office that the “international
situation has completely changed.”
The revisions will likely increase further Japan’s defense spending to give
its military more offensive capability.

Posted on 2026-04-28 07:02:13

A lack of financing is emerging as a major barrier to moving away from fossil
fuels.

Officials and experts at a global conference in Colombia say high borrowing
costs, debt and limited access to capital make it easier for many countries
to invest in oil and gas than in renewable energy.

Some governments are using fossil fuel revenues to fund the transition, but
experts warn this approach is limited.

But there is good news... efforts outside U.N. talks are gaining momentum,
with small island nation Tuvalu announcing it will host the next conference.

Posted on 2026-04-27 18:13:13

The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board says that 'advanced driving
assistance' may have been a contributing factor in a fatal crash on National
Freeway 1 last year.

The board says that the system likely failed to detect lane markings before
shutting off, causing the vehicle to veer off course.

Investigators say the driver, who may have been relying on the system, did
not react in time to correct the steering or apply the brakes.

The crash, which occurred at the Yangmei Rest Area, left four people dead and
four others injured after the vehicle hit a divider caught fire.

Officials are now calling on the Ministry of Transportation and
Communications to accelerate the introduction of road safety inspection
mechanisms and expand ADAS safety education, particularly for rental car
users.

The board also recommends that rental car companies better inform drivers
about how to safely use these systems and understand their limitations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-27 18:13:13

A man who took a shower on a Taiwan Railway local train, flooding part of a
carriage, has been identified and will face a fine.

Railway police say the incident happened Sunday morning on a train traveling
from Hsinchu to New Taipei.

Passengers reported water leaking from a bathroom and spreading across the
carriage floor.

By the time officers boarded the train, the man had already left.

Police later identified him using surveillance footage as a man in his 50s.

Authorities say he used a hose in a multi-functional bathroom, typically
intended for cleaning, to shower.

The man is known to frequent Taipei Main Station and has previously faced
fraud-related charges.

The Railway Act mandates fines of up to $7,500 NT for various types of
inappropriate behavior on trains.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has sentenced Chen Li-ming, a
former TSMC engineer to 10 years of imprisonment for leaking classified
information about the company's core technology.

The other three Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing employees received a jail
term ranging from 2 to 6 years for their involvement in leaking the
information to Tokyo Electron.

Prosecutors indicted the three in August last year after TSMC suspected that
the secrets of its advanced 2-nanometer process has been compromised and
reported the case to authorities.

In the indictment, prosecutors accused the three of violating the National
Security Act, stealing classified business information and the nation's core
technology.

The Court today also imposed a fine of 150 million NT on Tokyo Electron.

The case can still be appealed.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

The Ministry of Digital Affairs has launched a competition challenging
developers and civic tech communities to build tools for disaster response.

The competition uses a real-world scenario, the Mataian Barrier Lake disaster
as the design context, asking competitors to develop digital tools that can
be reused and recombined across different emergency situations

The ministry says the concept draws on the idea that disaster response
functions, such as reporting, data aggregation, and visualization, can be
broken down into reusable components.

When emergencies occur, these components can be quickly assembled into
operational systems, reducing setup time and improving response efficiency.

MODA says the goal is to build a growing library of open-source disaster
prevention components that can serve as shared digital infrastructure for
future use.

Submissions are open through June 1st.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

The Ministry of Education has announced an 83 million NT subsidy for its
'Foreign English Teaching Assistant Program' for the upcoming academic year.

As the name implies, the program aims to bring English native speaking
assistants into 611 elementary and junior high schools ...

... allowing students to practice English through interaction and cultural
exchange, rather than just traditional classroom learning.

The MOE adds that since the launch the program in the 2021–2022 academic
year, foreign teaching assistants have worked with local teachers to create
real-life English learning environments.

Examples include ordering food in English, outdoor learning activities, and
even bilingual sports and technology camps.

Education officials say these experiences help students build confidence and
connect with the world.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-04-27 17:23:13

Energy shocks linked to the Iran war are pushing households across Africa and
South Asia back to charcoal and firewood as cleaner cooking methods become
more expensive and unreliable.

This reversal is worsening deforestation and adding to pressure on wildlife
habitats.

Governments had promoted cleaner fuels like LPG for health and conservation
reasons, but rising costs are undermining those gains.

Experts warn the ripple effects from disruptions to fuel supply chains are
also hitting conservation systems, with more wood cutting, higher risks of
poaching, and falling tourism revenue that helps fund parks and anti-poaching
efforts.

Posted on 2026-04-27 16:09:13

Invited scholars at the Legislative Yuan's hearing on impeaching President
Lai Ching-te said the opposition-party's move is legitimate, legally
grounded, a last resort, and constitutional.

The DPP caucus has refused to attend the hearing, while both the KMT and TPP
caucuses submitted lists of invitees and designated their lawmakers to
conduct questioning.

The KMT caucus' guests include Dong-hai law professor Lin Teng-yao (林騰鷂),
while the TPP caucus invited Yang Chia-fa (楊家法), founder of the Climate
Vanguard Alliance.

Lin Teng-yao said President Lai has violated his constitutional duty of
loyalty, betrayed the people, and deviated from core constitutional
principles.

Yang said flawed energy policy is more dangerous than corruption, and the
president’s electricity policy has been inconsistent and can't meet the
demand.

After Premier Cho Jung-tai announced on December 15 last year that he would
not countersign the revised Allocation of Government Revenues and
Expenditures Act, the opposition lawmakers decided to impeach President Lai.

However, the chances of it passing the Legislative Yuan are low.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 16:09:14

The Kaohsiung City Government is working on converting an underused shopping
area into a spot with outdoor seating for restaurants and bars.

... I-C-R-T's Southern Taiwan reporter, Michael Smith, has more on plans for
the Central Park Shopping District.

Posted on 2026-04-27 16:09:14

Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has abandoned his bid to
serve the remainder of his sentence at home, according to local media reports
citing court documents.

Najib withdrew his appeal against a December court ruling that denied his
request for home detention.

He has been serving a six-year sentence since August 2022 after being
convicted of graft and money laundering linked to the multibillion-dollar
1MDB scandal, invovling the alleged theft of billions of dollars from a state
investment fund he helped establish in 2009.

The withdrawal marks another setback for Najib, who in December was handed an
additional 15-year sentence and fined for abuse of power and money laundering
in the largest 1MDB-related trial to date.

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

Newly appointed Central Election Commission chair Yo Yi-long officially took
office today, six weeks after his nomination was approved by the Legislative
Yuan.

Yo, with this year's local elections and the 2028 general elections ahead of
him, has pledged to safeguard Taiwan's democratic elections, and to uphold
the Commission's fairness, neutrality, transparency and professionalism.

As the local polls are only 7 months away, Yo said there's no time to waste.

The new chair has also laid out the major challenges that the CEC is facing,
including the issues of restoring referendums alongside elections and
absentee balloting.

The Legislative Yuan has amended the law to restore holding referendums
together with elections, and Yo said he wants to make sure that they won't
interfere with election operations.

He has also expressed support for absentee voting, saying that it's a
progressive concept.

With Yo and three others taking office today, the Commission now has eight
members, meeting the minimum five-member requirement for decision-making.

Meanwhile the Executive Yuan has nominated 3 more candidates for the CEC, and
they're now pending in the Legislative Yuan.

Premier Chuo Rong-tai had said he's hoping to bring the total number of CEC
members to 11.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

The government says 250-thousand people still have not claimed their
$10-thousand NT universal cash handout, with just four days left to do so.

The Ministry of Finance says nearly 99-percent of those eligible have claimed
the one-off payment.

Officials say among those who have not yet collected, nearly 30-thousand had
attempted to register for direct bank deposit but failed, and have not tried
any other collection method since.

People collecting at post office counters should note that the service ends
at 5 p.m. on April 30th.

The ministry also warns that the government will never send unsolicited text
messages, emails, or phone calls asking people to transfer money or enter
personal details at an ATM or online banking platform in connection with the
cash handout.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

Shares are mixed in Asia and Tokyo has hit a fresh record after U.S. stocks
ended last week with new highs.

The benchmark Taiex gained 684 points to end the session at 39,616.

The turnover remained robust at 1 trillion 184.4 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-04-27 14:07:14

North Korea has opened a memorial museum for its soldiers killed while
fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with top leaders of North Korea and
Russia pledging a push for greater cooperation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and visiting Russian officials attended a
museum ceremony Sunday.

During the ceremony, Kim threw dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and
laid flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary.

Kim also met with the Russian defense minister and said North Korea will
fully support the Russian policy of defending its sovereignty.

North Korea's state media report Monday also said Russian President Vladmir
Putin sent a letter to Kim saying he was convinced the two countries would
continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Recent tests on peanuts and nuts on the market have found two samples of
peanut powder exceeding limits for aflatoxins.

The affected batch has already been pulled from shelves.

The Consumer Protection Committee, which conducted the tests, said 16
samples were collected from stores in greater Taipei, Hsin-chu, Taichung and
Tai-nan, while another 16 were purchased online.

The Committee said the 2 problematic peanut powder products were sold in
physical stores in New Taipei and Tai-nan.

As for labeling, the Committee said all physical stores were in compliance,
but 8 online products failed to meet requirements.

Issues included inconsistencies between net weight and nutrition labeling
units, missing ingredient lists, missing expiration dates, and absence of
Chinese labeling.

Local health authorities have ordered food businesses to make corrections
within a specified time frame or to recall and relabel products.

Officials also remind people that with Taiwan's hot and humid weather,
there's a risk of mold growth if peanuts and nuts are not properly stored,
which can lead to toxin contamination.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Taiwan's Lee Hao-yu hit his first Major League Baseball home run today,
coming off the bench to deliver a go-ahead two-run shot that helped the
Detroit Tigers beat the Cincinnati Reds 8 to 3.

The 23-year-old became the fifth Taiwanese player to hit a home run in the
majors, and the youngest Taiwanese player ever to do so.

The blast came in his 19th MLB plate appearance.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Lee says he made an adjustment to his
back foot during his swing yesterday, and felt the results today.

The athlete also says he plans to keep the home run ball, and in his words,
"treasure it like a baby".

(NS)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Chernobyl Disaster

In international news,

Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, and Russia have killed at
least 16 people.

The attacks on Sunday coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl
disaster, prompting warnings about risks near the plant during Russia's more
than four-year invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia, sparking fires.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian attacks risk
repeating history.

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency stresses the
need for immediate repairs to Chernobyl's protective shell.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates that the
repairs will require at least 500 million euros, or about $18.4 billion NT.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-27 13:08:14

Mali's defense minister has been killed in a sweeping attack by jihadi and
rebel forces who seized several towns and military bases.

The death was confirmed by a spokesman and broadcast on state-run television
on Sunday.

Separatist fighters joined Islamic militants in one of the biggest
coordinated attacks on the Malian army on Saturday, leaving at least 16
wounded.

The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state
in northern Mali.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:13

President Lai Ching-te is thanking Eswatini for its support for Taiwan in a
pre-recorded video address broadcast at a gala dinner for international
dignitaries in Eswatini's administrative capital of Mbabane.

In it, the president said he had hoped to attend celebrations for its King
Mswati III, but his planned visit was disrupted by reported Chinese
interference.

Lai also congratulated King Mswati III on the 40th anniversary of his reign,
the king's 58th birthday, the 58th anniversary of Eswatini's independence,
and 58 years of diplomatic ties between the Taiwan and Eswatini.

The president praised Eswatini's achievements in infrastructure, social
welfare, health care and regional stability - noting that electricity access
in the country has surpassed 85-per cent, among the highest in sub-Saharan
Africa.

He further noted that Taiwan is a sovereign country that has right to engage
with the international community and the greater the external pressure Taiwan
faces, the more courage and resolve its people have.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

President Lai Ching-te has taken to social media to condemn political
violence following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents'
Gala in Washington DC.

Lai said he was "shocked and gravely concerned to hear about the gunshots
fired at the event" and was "relieved to hear" that President Donald Trump
and "other attendees remain safe from physical harm."

Lai went on to says his administration "strongly condemns any form of
political violence."

We'll have the latest on the incident a bit later on in the program.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

defenses

Former Japanese vice defense minister and sitting lawmaker Nakayama Yasuhide
is calling on Tokyo, Washington and Taipei to develop joint defenses, to
prevent China from taking military action.

Nakayama said Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is seeking defense reform and
re-evaluating of Japan's security strategy as part of efforts to assist in
collectively protecting its allies - which include Taiwan.

Former American Institute in Taiwan director William Stanton also spoke at
the event.

He said the U-S and Taiwan share values, such as independence, freedom, rule
of law and human rights, as well as shared interests.

The symposium was co-organized by the World Taiwanese Congress and the Taiwan
Nation Alliance in Taipei.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

A village chief in Yilan has been recalled after his handling of a mining
project in an Indigenous traditional territory triggered controversy.

The recall vote against Lunpi Village chief Wu Ping-tsung in Datong Township
passed with 214 in favor of the recall, 120 against, and four invalid
ballots.

The Yilan County Election Commission votes in favor of the motion exceeded
both the legal threshold and the number of opposing votes.

Initiators of the recall had argued that Wu ignored local opposition to the
mining project and instead supported the developer under the guise of
administrative neutrality.

They also says the recall was aimed at protecting future generations from
potential environmental harm.

Wu claimed in March that the project proceeded in accordance with the
Indigenous Peoples Basic Law and he denied accusations that he supported the
company that won the bid.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

The Taipei District Court has ordered the detention of man in his 40s for
allegedly attacking a 3-year-old Filipino girl at the Taipei Main Station
this past weekend.

Prosecutors said the man should be detained because could re-offend or try to
flee.

The man was arrested on Saturday afternoon outside the train station after
being identified by several witnesses of the attack.

Police say the man told them he went after the girl because she was making a
noise.

Surveillance footage shows the man kicking the 3-year-old girl in the
abdomen in the station's main hall.

She suffered injuries to her face and limbs and was taken to the nearby
National Taiwan University Hospital for treatment.

The suspect was referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office and
police his is being investigated for attempted murder.

Railway police say they have stepped up security measures at the station.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

The Highway Bureau says a rock slide affected traffic in the Daqingshui
open-cut tunnel on Provincial Highway No. 9 in Hualien.

The rock slide struck the tunnel's rock shed, damaging its steel roof
structure.

The tunnel is part of Taiwan's Suhua Highway.

The tunnel was initially closed to traffic after the rockslide occurred
around midnight at the road's 159.4-kilometer marker... roads were later
reopened with alternating one-lane traffic in both directions following
emergency repairs.

The repair work is ongoing and traffic will continue to be limited to a
single lane.

The agency's Eastern Region Branch is warning motorists of possible hazards
as a weather front has brought intermittent showers and localized heavy rain
to parts of the area in recent days.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

Two Israeli political heavyweights say they will join forces in upcoming
elections in an effort by their parties to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are former partners who both served as prime
minister in a rotation agreement in a coalition government in 2021-22.

Bennett said the new government on its first day would establish a state
commission of inquiry into the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks if elected..
that's an issue that has dogged Netanyahu.

Bennett and Lapid have ideological differences but enjoyed a close working
relationship during their short-lived coalition.

Posted on 2026-04-27 07:01:14

Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, and Russia have killed at
least 16 people.

The attacks coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster,
prompting warnings about risks near the plant.

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia, sparking fires.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns that Russian attacks risk
repeating history.

Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency stresses the need for
immediate repairs to Chernobyl's protective shell.

Pope Leo has described those who wage wars and appropriate the earth's
resources as thieves who rob the world of a peaceful future.

He also issued a warning about the use of nuclear power on the anniversary of
the Chornobyl reactor accident.

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