ICRT

Posted on 2026-07-07 20:00:14

Taiwan has widened its recall of products linked to contaminated cooking oil
produced by Central Union Oil, with all processed foods made using the
affected oil now ordered off store shelves by midnight tonight.

Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang made the announcement ...
replacing an earlier order covering only products containing more than 20
percent of the affected oil.

Health officials say all affected secondary products must now be removed as a
precaution and can only return to shelves after manufacturers provide test
results confirming they are safe.

The expanded recall follows the discovery of excessive levels of the
carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene in soybean salad oil produced by Central Union Oil.

The government says it is also reviewing edible oil safety regulations and
expanding inspections throughout the production process to help prevent
similar incidents.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 19:00:13

Coordination

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is assuring the public that Keelung's revised
guidelines for school and work cancellations in a typhoon will not affect
coordinated decisions across the Greater Taipei Area.

Keelung's revised guidelines allow work and class suspensions to be
considered by district if 24-hour accumulated rainfall is forecast to reach
200 millimeters...

regardless of whether the area is mountainous or urban.

However, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an（蔣萬安）says Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and
Taoyuan will continue coordinating decisions on typhoon days off.

Chiang also said Taipei will continue following existing regulations while
consulting with the other three cities...

emphasizing that the four form a shared living and commuting region, making
coordinated decisions important for residents.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-07 19:00:13

U.S. foreign policy expert Bonnie Glaser says democracies cannot rely on
military strength alone to deter China.

Glaser told a summit in Taipei today that Beijing competes across economic,
technological, political and information domains, and is often strongest
outside the military sphere.

She says democracies need to respond by strengthening supply chains,
protecting independent media and improving cyber defenses.

Glaser also described Taiwan as a "living laboratory for democratic
resilience," saying the island provides an important example of how open
societies can respond to growing pressure from China.

(JC_CNA)

Posted on 2026-07-07 19:00:13

The National Palace Museum will display its famous portrait of Genghis Khan
for the first time in 13 years when a new exhibition is sceduled to open this
Friday.

Museum Director Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌) says the portrait is one of the most
iconic images of the founder of the Mongol Empire and an important symbol of
Mongolia's history and culture.

The exhibition will also feature the painting "Khubilai Khan Hunting",
depicting the first emperor of the Yuan dynasty leading a hunting expedition.

The exhibition will run from Friday through September 16.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 19:00:13

NATO leaders are showcasing billions of dollars' worth of military projects
as they seek to demonstrate to U-S President Donald Trump that allies are
increasing defense spending.

Trump is currently en route to Ankara for the NATO summit, having signalled
he's bringing a "gift" for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan widely
understood to relate to lifting the ban on F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey.

The two-day gathering has opened with what is being described as the
alliance's most comprehensive defence industry forum to date.

William Denselow reports from Ankara.

Thatwas William Denselow.

The summit is featuring new multinational plans to purchase aircraft and
drones ...

... while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has announced that
automobile manufacturer Saab will supply additional surveillance aircraft for
the alliance.

The summit is focusing on a stronger Europe for a stronger NATO, amid
concerns about Russia and calls for Europe to take more responsibility for
its defense.

Posted on 2026-07-07 19:00:13

Explosions have rocked Damascus as French President Emmanuel Macron meets
with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Syria's Interior Ministry says at least 18 people were injured in the blasts,
which occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel where Macron is reportedly
staying.

French officials say Macron is safe and his meeting with al-Sharaa continued
as planned.

Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came
to power. The visit is aimed at strengthening economic ties as Syria seeks
foreign investment after years of war.

Authorities are investigating the explosions, and no group has immediately
claimed responsibility.

Posted on 2026-07-07 19:00:13

A copyright dispute between French luxury brand Louis Vuitton and Chinese tea
chain Molly Tea has sparked debate in China over the use of traditional
Chinese symbols.

A Chinese court ruled that Molly Tea's logo infringed Louis Vuitton's
signature four-petal flower monogram and ordered the company to pay 10.3
million yuan, or about 1.5 million U-S dollars, in damages.

The ruling has prompted discussion on Chinese social media and in state media
over whether the design can be traced back to ancient Chinese decorative
patterns, with some critics accusing Louis Vuitton of monopolizing a
traditional motif.

Posted on 2026-07-07 18:37:13

Taichung health officials say they've carried out 677 city-wide inspections
as the investigation into carcinogen-contaminated cooking oil continues.

The city says no additional affected products or batches have been identified.

Officials say contaminated cooking oil has already been removed from store
shelves, while more than 100 businesses voluntarily withdrew similar products
as a precaution.

Schools, daycare centers and meal providers have also completed inspections,
with all affected cooking oil removed from use.

Earlier in the day, the city fined three companies -- namely Central Union
Oil, Fwusow 福壽 Industry, and Formosa 福懋 Oilseed Processing -- up to three
million NT each for failing to promptly report the food safety risk.

All the companies are registered in Taichung.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 18:37:13

New Taipei's recently opened Sanying Metro Line is stepping up preparations
ahead of Super Typhoon Bavi.

Mayor Hou Yu-ih says the line is facing its first major typhoon test, and
engineering crews have been instructed to review storm readiness measures
along the line, with particular attention to backup power systems.

The city is also deploying sandbags and water pumps at stations to reduce the
risk of flooding.

Hou also warns that the line may suspend operations if strong winds or heavy
rain make service unsafe.

He is also urging residents to secure loose outdoor objects, stay away from
coastal areas and monitor the latest weather updates.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 18:37:13

Also in transport news,

Taoyuan Airport MRT is giving commuters something new to listen to.

Seven stations on the line now play unique arrival melodies inspired by
Hakka, Indigenous and classic Taiwanese music ... up from just the two
stations before: Airport Terminal 1 and 2.

The expanded program builds on a partnership between the Taoyuan City
government and the Long Tan Philharmonic Orchestra, with support from the
Ministry of Culture.

Local composer Chang Yen-che (張雁喆) arranged seven 30-second themes, giving
each station its own musical identity.

The melodies reflect local culture and history, from Hakka traditions and
Atayal music to baseball and classic Taiwanese songs.

The new arrival music replaces the previous jazzy jingle at the two airport
terminal stations ... and has also been added at five other stops along the
Airport MRT line.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 18:37:13

Taoyuan International Airport handled a record 25.78 million passengers
during the first half of the year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Airport officials say passenger traffic was up 9 percent from a year earlier,
and up 6 percent from 2019, driven by strong demand for overseas travel,
expanded fleets and new routes by Taiwanese airlines ...

... as well as favorable exchange rates for destinations such as Japan and
South Korea.

The airport expects another busy summer, forecasting more than 46 thousand
takeoffs and landings during July and August, or more than 750 aircraft
movements a day.

Travelers are being advised to arrive at least three hours before departure,
check passport validity and entry requirements before leaving home ...

... and use online check-in, self-service baggage drop and automated
immigration gates where available.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 18:37:13

The Chinese Professional Baseball League has announced its entertainment
lineup for this year's All-Star Game at Taipei Dome.

The events on July 18th and 19th feature six acts spanning pop, R&B, rock,
and Taiwanese-language music.

Opening night on July 18th will feature singer-songwriter Weibird Wei,
vocalist Nicky Lee and veteran Hong Kong Cantopop group Grasshopper.

The second night on July 19th brings singer-songwriter Penny Tai,
Taiwanese-language singer Ricky Hsiao, and Japanese rock legend Show Wesugi,
the lead voice behind "Until the World Ends", the iconic theme song for the
anime "Slam Dunk".

This will be his first appearance at a CPBL All-Star Game.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-07 17:22:14

Authorities are warning that the barrier lake at Hualien's Wanli river may
overflow as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches.

The Hualien branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says, it's
keeping a close eye on water levels in the barrier lake...

but adds that, as of this morning, the barrier lake was just under 65% full.

Officials note that the water level has been steadily rising, but aerial
images currently show no seepage.

Super Typhoon Bavi is expected to pass closest to Taiwan on Friday and
Saturday, with rain expected across the whole country, and especially in the
western half of the country, in addition to Yilan and Hualien.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-07 17:22:17

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen 盧秀燕 says the city will impose the maximum $3
million NT fine on each of the three companies linked to the contaminated
soybean oil mass recall incident.

The penalties target Chung Lien 中聯 Oils, Fwusow 福壽 Industry, and Formosa
Oilseed Processing, all registered in Taichung.

Authorities say about 1,300 metric tons of oil containing excessive levels of
the carcinogen BaP, entered the supply chain.

Lu also criticized the central government's recall policy, saying authorities
delayed public disclosure by approximately one week, and products containing
less than 20 percent contaminated oil should also be removed from shelves.

She said Taichung will continue enforcing stricter food safety standards to
protect public health.

Officials say the affected oil has reached hundreds of downstream businesses.

Taichung has ordered all related products removed from shelves, regardless of
the percentage of contaminated oil they contain.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-07 17:22:17

Male employees have outpaced women in applying for Taiwan's new flexible
parental leave program for the second month in a row.

The program allows parents to take parental leave in single-day increments
instead of longer continuous periods.

According to the Ministry of Labor, demand has continued to grow, with more
than 14 thousand 800 parents submitting over 31 thousand 500 single-day leave
applications by the end of June.

While women still account for a slight majority of total applicants overall,
fathers made up 50.7 percent of those applying for the single-day leave
option in June, up from 50.3 percent in May.

Officials say the trend suggests more fathers are taking a greater role in
childcare, helped by the added flexibility of the new system.

To encourage participation, the government also provides eligible small
businesses with a subsidy of 1 thousand NT per day for each employee who
takes flexible parental leave.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-07 17:22:17

Now turning to international news...

Explosions have hit the Syran capital just as French President Emmanuel
Macron met with his Syrian counterpart.

Two explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, where Macron
is reportedly staying.

But Macron's office reported that he was safe and that his visit to Syria
would continue.

It's not yet clear how many people, if any, were killed or injured in the
blasts.

Footage widely circulated on social media showed a vehicle on fire and blood
stains on the street.

The incident comes days after an explosive device was detonated in a cafe
near the Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people.

Posted on 2026-07-07 17:22:17

Critics are slamming a new South Korean law that aims to punish
misinformation.

The new law allows steep fines against news outlets and social media
influencers for spreading false information.

It would allow courts to award damages of up to 5 times the proven losses
against news organizations and large social media channels that circulate
illegal, false, or manipulated information to cause harm or generate profit.

But journalists say, it has the potential to chill public discourse and
invite censorship.

Critics believe the vaguely worded law fails to clearly define what
information it prohibits and lacks adequate safeguards for the media, warning
it could potentially discourage critical reporting about government
officials, politicians and large businesses.

The law was backed by President Lee Jae Myung’s liberal Democratic Party and
passed by the National Assembly in December

Posted on 2026-07-07 17:22:17

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong is scheduled to be sentenced in September in a
case brought under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

Wong was arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with
foreign forces.

This marks the second time Wong faces charges under the national security law
introduced in 2020.

The judiciary's website shows a hearing for “plea and sentence" is planned
for Sept. 2.

In 2024, Wong pleaded guilty in a separate case linked to an unofficial
primary election and was sentenced to over four years in jail.

Posted on 2026-07-07 15:45:13

President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan aims to become "Asia's Nasdaq" by turning
its technology strength into fundraising power.

Speaking at a venture capital and private equity conference today, Lai said
Taiwan must build on its semiconductor, AI and emerging tech industries to
create a stronger innovation capital market.

He said the goal is to transform Taiwan from a technology manufacturing
center into a technology fundraising center.

Lai pointed to the Financial Supervisory Commission's Asian Innovation
Fundraising Platform, launched last October.

The platform focuses on sectors including AI, semiconductors, smart
manufacturing, biotech and defense aerospace.

Lai said the government will ease rules for foreign companies listing in
Taiwan, expand fundraising tools and help innovative companies secure capital
at different stages of growth.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-07 15:45:17

National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu is criticizing China
for test-firing a submarine-launched ballistic missile into the Pacific.

Wu wrote on X that the launch was provocative and undermined stability in the
Indo-Pacific region.

He said China had again shown itself to be a regional bully.

Chinese state media says a People's Liberation Army Navy strategic nuclear
submarine launched a missile carrying a training dummy warhead yesterday.

Beijing says the missile landed in designated waters and that relevant
countries were notified in advance.

Wu says the missile was a JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile and flew
over the Philippines.

A map released by Wu shows the missile being launched from the South China
Sea and landing between Nauru and Tonga.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-07 15:45:17

Kaohsiung health officials are urging high-risk groups to get vaccinated as
COVID-19 activity rises.

The city's Department of Health says COVID-related outpatient and emergency
visits reached 237 last week, up nearly 46 percent from the week before.

The city has reported nine severe COVID-19 cases with complications so far
this year.

Most involved people aged 65 or older with chronic health conditions.

Officials say seven of the severe cases, including two deaths, had not
received this season's COVID vaccine.

The health department says only about a quarter of Kaohsiung residents aged
65 and older have been vaccinated this season.

It is urging eligible residents to get vaccinated, wear masks, and seek
medical care quickly if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough, sore
throat, fatigue or body aches.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-07 15:45:18

Russian missile and drone strikes have killed at least 28 people in Kyiv and
the surrounding region.

Ukrainian officials say 18 people were killed in the capital, while 10 others
died in the wider Kyiv region.

The attack badly damaged residential buildings, and rescue crews spent hours
searching through rubble.

Ukraine's air force says it failed to shoot down any of the 23 ballistic
missiles fired by Russia, highlighting a growing shortage of air-defense
interceptors.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is again urging allies to provide more Patriot
missiles, saying Russia is encouraged as long as those weapons remain in
allied stockpiles.

The attack comes ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey, where U.S. President
Donald Trump is expected to meet Zelenskiy this week.

Posted on 2026-07-07 15:45:18

Indonesia is set to buy BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra
air-to-air missiles from India.

An Indian government official says the deal comes as Prime Minister Narendra
Modi begins a two-day visit to Jakarta.

Indian sources say the agreement is worth around 630-million U.S. dollars.

Indonesia would become the third country to sign a deal for the BrahMos
system, after Vietnam and the Philippines.

The missiles are jointly developed by India and Russia, and are among the
world's fastest cruise missiles.

The deal would mark a major expansion of India's defense exports and deepen
its strategic ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Modi is expected to discuss maritime security, defense cooperation and
Indo-Pacific strategy with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Posted on 2026-07-07 14:22:14

The DPP is slamming an assault on a Japanese commentator that took place last
night...

raising concerns that the attack may have been orchestrated by China.

A Hong Kong national was arrested at the airport after allegedly punching
Akio Yaita, a Taiwan-based political commentator who heads the Indo-Pacific
Strategic Thinktank.

DPP Spokesperson Lin Chu Yin condemned the attack, and called for the KMT and
TPP to stand together with the DPP in condemning the assault.

She added that it represemts the first instance of cross-border repression
since China's new "ethnic unity" law went into effect last week.

Meanwhile, Taipei DPP Mayoral Candidate Puma Shen has said the attack
represents a means of China's trying to use violence to silence Taiwanese
people.

The Mainland Affairs Council has said that the case bore "strong
similarities" to two earlier paint attacks on Taiwan-based Hong Kong activist
Tong Wai-hung's Muay Thai studio in Taipei.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-07 14:22:17

As Super Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan, Taipei City is stepping up flood
prevention preparations.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an 蔣萬安, accompanied by the commander of the Taipei
Reserve Command, inspected key flood-control sites, including Wuxing 吳興
Street, Dahu 大湖 Park, and the Zhoumei 洲美 Pumping Station.

Officials checked drainage systems, pumping equipment, and emergency
flood-control facilities to ensure they are fully operational before the
storm arrives.

The Reserve Command said it will maintain close coordination with the Taipei
City Government and stand ready to support disaster response efforts if
needed.

Super Typhoon Bavi is expected to pass north of Taiwan this Friday and
Saturday, with particularly intense conditions expected on Friday.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-07 14:22:26

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Syria, making him the first
major Western leader to visit since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

He's set to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, hold economic talks, and
sign investment agreements.

Macron said on social media that he's come to support, in his words, "a
sovereign Syria, united in its diversity."

France has backed Syria's new leadership from early on.

Macron previously hosted al-Sharaa in Paris and pushed to lift Western
sanctions...

even when others were wary of the new president's militant past.

Syria has stayed out of the region's recent conflicts.

But thirteen years of war left much of the country in ruins and rebuilding
will cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

(JC)

Posted on 2026-07-07 14:22:21

A tourist was rescued after nearly drowning at Longfeng龍鳳 Fishing Harbor in
Miaoli.

The coast guard responded to reports yesterday that a man was struggling in
the water near Lover’s Bridge.

They deployed a remote-controlled powered lifebuoy, which successfully guided
the man back to shallow water.

Officers then entered the water and brought him safely ashore.

The man remained conscious and was taken to the hospital for observation.

Authorities urge the public to be mindful of high and low tides when walking
on the beach so as to avoid being swept out to shore.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-07 14:22:26

Taiwan shares are sharply down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 1077
points to close the session at 45479.

The turnover was 1.169 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-07-07 14:22:26

China's test-firing of a long-range ballistic missile yesterday drew protests
from neighbors.

The missile carried a dummy warhead and was launched from a nuclear-powered
submarine in the South Pacific.

Beijing claimed the launch was part of routine annual training that broke no
rules.

But New Zealand says, the area was declared nuclear-free in a 1986 treaty
that China signed.

Australia and Japan joined New Zealand in criticizing the launch...

with Australia calling it destabilizing.

The timing of the missile test may be significant...

as it came the very same day Australia and Fiji signed a new defense treaty
aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Pacific.

(JC)

Posted on 2026-07-07 12:02:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed a Criminal Code amendment giving sexual
assault victims more time to pursue criminal cases.

Under the change, the period from the date of the crime until the victim
turns 20 will not count toward the statute of limitations for prosecution.

The Executive Yuan and Judicial Yuan say sexual assault cases are often
hidden, and victims may be unable to seek help right away because of trauma,
lack of legal knowledge, or a power imbalance with the offender.

Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties supported the change,
saying it protects victims' rights.

The Legislature also approved related enforcement rules.

Cases where the statute of limitations has already started but has not yet
expired will also fall under the amended law.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-07 12:02:13

The second Taipei Theatre Awards have honored leading performers and
productions from Taiwan's theater scene.

Lin Zi-heng (林子恆) and Hsu Yen-ling (徐堰鈴) won best actor and best actress in
the drama category.

Kung Neng-an (宮能安) and Chang Ya-han (張雅涵) took home the top acting awards for
musicals.

The ceremony was held at the Taipei Performing Arts Center.

The best drama award went to "The Queen with No Name," by Shakespeare's Wild
Sisters Group.

The best musical award went to "Tales of Success: the Return of a Prodigal
Son," by HaoxHsiaoTroupe.

Wu Jing-ji (吳靜吉) received the Outstanding Contribution Award, and encouraged
younger theater workers to keep finding mentors and building resilience.

Jury chair Liu Ruo-yu (劉若瑀) says many categories were highly competitive this
year, reflecting the strength of Taiwan's theater community.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-07 12:02:13

Authorities in Venezuela say the death toll from last month's twin
earthquakes has risen to more than 3,500.

Officials say nearly 17-thousand people were injured, and almost 18-thousand
remain without housing after the June 24th quakes.

The earthquakes struck Caracas and nearby coastal areas, with La Guaira among
the hardest-hit places.

Venezuela's social vice presidency says at least 12-thousand-800 people are
now staying in shelters.

A Pan American Health Organization adviser is warning of rising health risks
in crowded temporary shelters, including unsafe water, poor sanitation,
respiratory infections and disease outbreaks.

The United Nations says it is expanding aid operations with the Venezuelan
government, while search and rescue teams, engineers and medical workers
continue arriving in affected areas.

Posted on 2026-07-07 12:02:13

At least eight people have been killed after powerful thunderstorms hit
central China's Hubei province.

State media says strong winds battered several cities on Monday evening.

China's National Meteorological Centre is warning of more heavy rain across
parts of the country, including Guangxi, Jiangsu and Shandong.

Some areas could see up to 260 millimeters of rain over the next 24 hours,
raising the risk of landslides.

The heavy rain is also raising concerns over damage to corn, peanuts and
vegetable crops in key agricultural provinces.

China is also watching Super Typhoon Bavi, which is moving across the Pacific
toward Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-07-07 12:02:13

U.S. President Donald Trump says a resolution to the war in Ukraine may be
closer than many people think.

Trump made the comments after speaking over the weekend with both Russian
President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

He gave no specific reason for saying a solution could be in sight.

Russia, meanwhile, launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and the
surrounding region, killing at least 28 people.

Trump is expected to meet Zelenskiy Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO
summit in Ankara.

A U.S. official says the meeting is aimed at making a renewed push to end the
war.

The Kremlin says it believes Washington's position on the conflict has not
changed.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen says Chinese naval
activity in the western Pacific has increased, as Beijing enters its peak
annual exercise season.

Tsai said July to September is typically the busiest time of the year for
Chinese military exercises... and comes as China test fired a missile from a
nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific.

Officials have identified four Chinese naval formations operating in the
western Pacific, one in the South Pacific, two south of Japan's Amami Oshima,
and one off Santa Ana on the Philippines' coast.

Tsai said these mobilisations represent an increase from the same period of
last year... and reflect an upward trend in the mobilization of Chinese naval
forces.

At the same time, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said
China's expanding maritime deployments reflected broader strategic ambitions.

Wu said via social media that there's "a clear sign of its expansionism," as
China had deployed more than 110 Navy and coastguard vessels along the First
Island Chain.

We'll have more on this a little bit later on in the program.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

Guatemalan Congress President Luis Alberto Contreras Colindres has reaffirmed
his country's long-standing diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Contreras, who is here for a five day visit, said his trip is being made to
underscore his country's friendship, and to build mutual support and
cooperation between the two countries.

The Guatemalan delegation include representatives from eight political
parties in Congress, and reflects broad cross-party consensus on the
importance of maintaining bilateral ties with Taiwan.

The Guatemalan president is here for five days in an official capacity...

His delegation is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Foreign
Minister Lin Chia-lung, and other senior government officials to discuss
issues of mutual concern and bilateral cooperation projects.

The delegaiton is also slated to visit the Legislative Yuan, the Mainland
Affairs Council, and the Ministry of Health.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

The Mainland Affairs Council says China could have been involved in an attack
on a Taiwan-based political comentator.

Akio Yaita, who is executive director of the Indo-Pacific Strategic
Thinktank, had been invited to speak in Taichung on Monday.

Yaita says he was hit by a man after he delivered his address.

A Hong Kong man was arrested in connection with the incident... he was picked
up shortly before he boarded a flight to South Korea.

MAC said the case bore "strong similarities" to two cases of vandalism on
Taiwan-based Hong Kong activist Tong Wai-hung's (湯偉雄) Muay Thai studio in
Taipei... as the perpetrators fled Taiwan shortly after the incidents.

MAC described the attack on Yaita as the "first case of transnational
repression" in Taiwan since China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law
took effect on July 1.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

The Taichung District Prosecutors Office is trying to determine what caused
the contamination of 1,300 tonnes of cooking oil supplied by Central Union
Oil and whether the company should be held criminally liable.

Investigators have linked the presence of a carcinogenic element to
contaminated raw materials or the manufacturing process.

They've so far inspected the company's facilities and seized records related
to production, quality control, testing, inventory, shipments and reporting.

Those documents will be cross-checked with third-party data to determine the
scope of the problem and prosecutors say they will then determine whether any
laws have been broken.

The Food and Drug Administration says 360 companies and 18 products have been
impacted by the incident.

The F-D-A is ordering manufacturers to complete precautionary recalls by
midnight Monday of all raw oils, blended oils and processed foods that
contained at least 20-per cent of the problem oil.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

The Keelung City Government is continuing its investigation into child abuse
allegations at a quasi-public preschool later today... with the school's
license expected to be revoked as early as tomorrow.

The announcement comes after the city government disclosed the identities of
two educators found responsible for child abuse.

Lin Chia-ching and Liu Ke-chieh's names were released in accordance with the
Preschool Educators' Act.

City education authorities also ordered that the two educators to be
suspended from their posts and fined the person in charge of the preschool
30,000 N-T for failing to promptly report the incident.

Keelung city officials announced the results of the first stage of its
investigation last Friday... which found that both educators had violated
the Preschool Educators' Act.

Several children were found with bruises allegedly caused by abuse at the
preschool, which is located in Keelung's Qidu District.

The teachers were fined 400,000 N-T and permanently banned from working in
early childhood education.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

A mud volcano has erupted without warning near a temple in Pingtung.

The eruption is the second this year, and occurred near Huang Yuan temple in
Wannei Village.

Village chief Chen Yu-yi said the mud spurted from two vents about 50-meters
apart and left some nearby farmland covered in mud, but there was no crop
damage, as the fields are currently lying fallow.

An excavator was used to divert the mud flow and prevent it from spreading
further over the farmlands.

The Pingtung County Government says mud volcano eruptions are a rare
geological phenomena that occur when underground high-pressure gases such as
methane push groundwater through dissolved mudstone, forcing mud to the
surface through cracks.

The volcanoes can range in size from a few meters to several kilometers, with
eruptions reaching heights of several hundred meters.

The mud volcanoes in Wannei Village have erupted at least once a year since
1988.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

The French government survived a vote of no-confidence in parliament on
‌Monday over its handling of a severe heatwave in late June.

Backers of the motion said the government failed to do enough to blunt the
effects of last month's heatwave in a country where more than two thousand
deaths have been recorded so far.

French health authorities warned the number would likely rise.

Meanwhile, Greece has faced 96 wildfires in 48 hours, with the most
significant near Athens.

In Spain and Portugal, a heatwave is causing temperatures to soar, with highs
expected to reach up to 42 C.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

British right wing politican

Nigel Farage is facing mounting scrutiny over undeclared financial gifts
including a 5 million pound donation from a Thailand-based cryptocurrency
billionaire.

The leader of anti-immigration party Reform UK denies wrongdoing but is under
investigation by Parliament’s standards watchdog.

An opposition politician on Sunday requested another probe into donations
from a convicted fraudster.
Farage denies wrongdoing and claims he is the target of an “establishment hit
job.”

Reform UK consistently leads opinion polls despite having only eight
lawmakers and some see Farage as a future prime minister.

Posted on 2026-07-07 06:57:13

Hamas says it has dissolved its government in Gaza and is preparing to
transfer power to a U.N.-backed technical committee.

The decision, which was announced on Monday, is part of a U.S.-brokered
ceasefire deal.

Hamas did not clarify if it would disarm or hand over security to an
international force.

Israel dismissed the announcement as a ploy by Hamas to avoid disarmament.

Israeli troops control more than 60% of Gaza, patrolling what Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu describes as a buffer zone to deter Hamas attacks.

Netanyahu says Israel will not withdraw from the territory.

Posted on 2026-07-06 20:14:13

Impact

Taiwan is bracing for its biggest weather threat of the year as Super Typhoon
Bavi has tied this year's record as the strongest typhoon.

The Central Weather Administration says Bavi reached peak sustained winds of
216 kilometers per hour, matching Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April as this
year's most powerful storm.

Forecasters say the storm is most likely to pass northeast of Taiwan, rather
than making landfall, but its massive radius is still expected to affect much
of the island.

The agency says sea warnings could be issued on Wednesday, with land warnings
possible Wednesday night or Thursday, depending on the storm's track.

Bavi is expected to pass closest to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, bringing
rain across the island.

Heavy to torrential rain is forecast across western Taiwan, Yilan and
Hualien, with northern mountain areas facing the highest risk of extremely
heavy rainfall.

Officials are also warning of dangerous swells beginning Tuesday along the
north coast, eastern coastline, Green Island, Orchid Island and the Hengchun
Peninsula.

Posted on 2026-07-06 20:14:13

Taipei Transit Police have tracked down a 70-year-old man after he
accidentally discharged a canister of pepper spray at Taipei Main Station,
briefly causing commuters to cough.

Police say the man found the canister near the station's M8 exit and
mistakenly thought it was a cooling spray before using it.

After experiencing irritation himself, he threw the canister into a nearby
trash bin.

Although several people reported coughing, there were no injuries, no panic
and no disruption to metro services.

Police identified the man through surveillance footage and found him in
Taichung by mid-afternoon.

He is being investigated for violating the Social Order Maintenance Act ...

... while Taipei Metro will determine whether additional penalties are
warranted.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-06 19:00:13

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih is ordering city agencies to step up preparations
as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan.

Hou says the storm is expected to have its greatest impact on the city from
Friday night through Saturday and has instructed departments to prepare for
heavy rain and strong winds.

City officials say Bavi remains a powerful typhoon with an exceptionally
large wind field, meaning its outer circulation could bring severe weather to
northern Taiwan even if the center does not make landfall.

Hou is also urging residents to stock up on emergency supplies and closely
monitor the latest weather forecasts.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-06 19:00:13

Lawmakers across party lines are calling for a long-term health monitoring
program after contaminated soybean oil was found to have been used in school
lunches at 50 schools in New Taipei City.

Following a citywide inspection, the contaminated oil has been removed from
use, taken off shelves, and placed under seal.

The KMT caucus in the New Taipei City Council praised the city government's
quick response in tracing the products and publishing a list of affected
schools.

However, lawmakers still emphasized that identifying the schools is only the
first step.

They urged authorities to establish a comprehensive system covering
prevention, traceability, emergency response, and follow-up care.

DPP councilors called for greater transparency, saying parents still do not
know how long the contaminated oil had been used, which products were
involved, or what health risks their children may face.

They requested that the city government provide regular updates, health
consultations, and long-term medical monitoring for affected students to help
ease parental concerns.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-06 19:00:13

In related news,

Changhua health officials say Tai-sun Enterprise has completed the removal of
all salad and blended cooking oils in the county ...

... after a batch of soybean salad oil supplied to the company was found to
be contaminated with a cancer-causing substance.

The Changhua County Public Health Bureau confirmed today that the recalled
products were pulled from the market on Thursday (July 2nd) ...

... bringing the total amount secured to nearly 11 metric tons.

The bureau said the recall follows the Food and Drug Administration requiring
manufacturers to remove affected salad oils and blended oils until their
safety can be confirmed.

Officials added that 150 kilograms of affected products from the other two
companies supplied with the contaminated oil — Fwusow Industry and Formosa
Oilseed Processing — have also been recalled in Changhua County.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-06 17:12:13

The Interior Ministry is raising concerns about potential amendments to the
Stalking and Harassment Prevention Act.

That's after DPP Lawmaker Lin Yue Qin and KMT Lawmaker Wang Yu Min王育敏
proposed to amend the law to get rid of language defining stalking as being
related to a the victim's sex or gender.

Interior Minister Liu Shi Fang says today that she's concerned the law may
have negative impacts upon how police officers operate in cases of harassment
or stalking.

The minister stated that some lawmakers believe police may be unable to
determine whether or not the crime is related to the victim's gender or is of
a sexual nature...

which may lead to missed cases.

But she added that the MOI has already implemented training programs
requiring officers to prioritize victim protection.

She emphasized that broadening the language of the law may accidentally
include instances of bullying or workplace disputes.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-06 17:12:13

Police have located a man who discharged pepper spray at a Taipei MRT exit
today, causing discomfort for nearby commuters.

Metro police received a report earlier this afternoon that a man had sprayed
an unknown substance near Exit M8 of Taipei Main Station, causing commuters
at the scene to cough and cover their faces.

Surveillance footage showed the man apparently picking up a pepper spray
canister near the exit, then accidentally sprayed it on himself, causing the
surrounding crowd to react to the irritant.

The man then discarded the canister in a trash can and left the scene.

Police confirmed no one required medical attention, and metro operations were
not affected.

Officers were able to identify the man with surveillance footage, and sya
that he was located about 2 and a half hours after the fact in Taichung.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-06 17:12:13

Now turning to international news...

The UN says, over 300 kids have been killed or injured in Sudan in the first
half of the year.

That's as Sudan has been in conflict between the military and the Rapid
Support Forces since 2023.

Drone warfare has been responsible for the majority of casualties in the way.

The UN has warned of potential atrocities as the military and paramilitary
forces battle for control of certain cities.

Drone strikes and shelling have targeted civilian infrastructure, putting
over 500,000 people at risk.

The U.N. urges protection for civilians and infrastructure.

The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and
pushed many parts of Sudan into famine.

More than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Posted on 2026-07-06 17:12:13

Australia and Fiji have signed their first-ever mutual defense treaty.

It marks the latest move in Canberra's push against Chinese influence in the
Pacific.

Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Sitiveni Rabuka signed the Ocean of
Peace Alliance in Suva today, which committed each country to come to the
other's aid.

They also ratified an economic deal worth around seven-hundred-million US
dollars in Australian investment over a decade.

It's Fiji's first defense alliance ever, and Australia's fourth.

Just last week, Canberra signed a treaty with Vanuatu that blocks China from
building a military base there.

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

The Taipei and New Taipei city governments have tracked down where tainted
oil from Zhonglian went, saying that nearly 100 schools' lunch box providers
used the products.

Taipei city officials said they include 3 kindergartens, 8 elementary schools
and 24 junior high schools.

The city's health officials said although it's now summer vacation, schools
have still been asked to explain to parents how they're handling the issue.

Fifty schools in New Taipei are affected by the contaminated oil products as
well, including 30 elementary schools.

Officials say all of the oil has since been taken out of use, sealed, and
removed from shelves.

Meanwhile, in Taichung, 39 school are also believed to have been affected by
the problematic oil.

The moves came after soy bean salad oil and blended oils under the brand
names of Yi-kang (益康) and Tai-shan (泰山), among others, were found to contain
excessive levels of a carcinogen.

(JL)

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

The National Security Bureau has confirmed increased military activity over
the next couple months.

This comes just as the National Security Council said on Saturday that China
had dispatched a record 110 ships in the latest round of military drills
around the liminal island chain.

NSB Chair Tsai Ming-yen says today that China has historically upped the
military ante annually from July to September.

He noted that the PLA has currently dispatched 4 naval formations in the
western Pacific, marking a clear increase in what has become usual for the
Chinese military.

The NSB chair added that the different formations are located in the south
Pacific, south of Japan's Kagoshima prefecture, and east of the Philippines.

Tsai emphasizes that the NSB will be paying close attention to any new
strategies that the PLA tests in this round of drills and through the rest of
the summer.

(AH)

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

Portugal, Greece, and Spain are battling wildfires.

A massive blaze in Portugal has burned over 12,000 hectares since Thursday,
defying the efforts of over 1,200 firefighters backed up by nearly 400
vehicles and 15 aircraft.

In Greece, residents in parts of Thessaloniki have been warned about toxic
smoke from a wildfire that engulfed a recycling plant.

Another major wildfire broke out Sunday west of Athens; 210 firefighters,
backed up by 29 aircraft, including water-dropping planes and helicopters,
were deployed.

In northeastern Spain, a wildfire burning since Friday has burned nearly
2,200 hectares.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

President Lai Ching-te says he's requested that the 257 companies affected by
the latest tainted oil scandal voluntarily release their names and effected
products to ensure the public is aware of food quality.

The statement comes after the Food and Drug Administration expanded its
recall order over soybean salad oil produced by Taichung-based Central Union
Oil.

The oil was found to contain excessive levels of a carcinogen late last week.

The expanded recall covers unprocessed oil sold in its original form, such as
soybean salad oil and blended oils; and processed foods containing 20-per
cent or more of the affected oil.

The contaminated batch totals about 1,300 metric tons and was supplied to
Taisun Enterprise, Fwusow Industry and Formosa Oilseed Processing before
entering the downstream food supply chain.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says authorities are now prioritizing the
disclosure of affected products and all businesses using the tainted oil,
must disclose the relevant products or face penalties under the Act Governing
Food Safety and Sanitation.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

The President of Guatemala's Congress has arrived in Taiwan for a five day
visit.

Luis Alberto Colindres arrived at Taoyuan International Airport about 6
o'clock this morning and was greeted by Deputy Foreign Minister Chen
Ming-chi.

Speaking briefly to reporters, Colindres said Guatemala cherishes its
friendship with Taiwan, will continue to support bilateral relations and he
also hopes to deepen cooperation through exchanges to benefit the people of
both countries.

Colindres also said that he's leading a parliamentary delegation comprised of
representatives from eight political parties ..

... and that fully reflects the unified consensus within the Guatemalan
National Congress regarding the importance of bilateral relations between
Taiwan and Guatemala.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Colindres is scheduled to meet with
President Lai Ching-te for talks on bilateral cooperation and issues of
common concern and will also be visiting the Legislative Yuan, the Mainland
Affairs Council, and the Ministry of Health.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

Hon Hai is reporting a 39.8-per cent year-on-year rise in second-quarterly
revenue.

That figure beat analyst's expectations and came on continuing solid demand
for A-I products.

According to Hon Hai, revenuer stood at 2.513-trillion N-T in the April to
June period and its cloud and networking products division saw robust
revenue growth, while its smart consumer electronics posted "significant"
growth.

Hon Hai's revenue for June alone rose 52.1-per cent year-on-year to
821.8-billion N-T.

That was a new record for the month of June.

Hon Hai says operations are expected to grow both quarter-on-quarter and
year-on-year in the third quarter, with A-I racks maintaining a growth
trend.

Hon Hai's share price has gained only 4.3-per cent so far this year, as it is
underperforming the 61.5-per cent overall rise seen on the Tai-Ex.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

The Central Weather Administration says Typhoon Bavi is expected to be
closest to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday and there's a high chance that a sea
warning will be issued.

However,its direction could still change and whether a land warning is issued
will depend on how sharply the typhoon turns in the coming days.

The storm is currently located some 2,800-kilometers east-southeast of
Eluanbi at Taiwan's southernmost tip, and moving west-northwesterly direction
at 21-kilometers-an-hour.

Bavi has a radius of 320-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds of
208-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 262-kilometers-an-hour.

Based on the weather administration's latest tracking, Bavi is expected to
veer in a northwesterly direction on Thursday and pass waters east to
northeast of Taiwan before entering the East China Sea and heading toward
China.

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says the latest European model simulation
shows that Typhoon Bavi has the highest chance of passing through waters
north of Taiwan on Saturday.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

In sports news now,

Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei and China's Wang Xin-yu have advanced to the women's
doubles third round at Wimbledon.

They beat Belgium's Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai of China 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Hsieh and Wang next play Japan's Shuko Ao-yama and Taiwan's Liang En-Shuo.

Hsieh won the women's doubles at the All England Club in 2013 with China's
Peng Shuai and again in 2021 with Belgium's Elise Mertens.

Hsieh and her mixed doubles partner Jan Zielinski of Poland were eliminated
in the first round.

Hsieh is competing at the 2026 Wimbledon tournament as the World No. 9 in the
W-T-A Doubles Rankings.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

And finally in Sunday's Chinese Professional Baseball League.

The Wei Chuan Dragons beat the Fubon Guardians 5-3 at the Tienmu Stadium in
Taipei.

The T-S-G Hawks beat the Uni-President Lions 4-1 at the Cheng-Ching Lake
Stadium in Kaohsiung,

And the Rakuten Monkeys beat the C-T-B-C Brothers 4-2 at the Intercontinental
Stadium in Taichung.

Looking at the standings following the opening weekend of the
second-half-season ...

The Wei Chuan Dragons, the Rakuten Monkeys and the T-S-G Hawks are all tied
at the top of the table - with two wins and one lose.

While the C-T-B-C Brothers, the Uni-President Lions and the Fubon Guardians
are all on one win and two loses.

There are no games today.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

Iran has begun a procession through its capital, Tehran, for the funeral of
the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin, and those of his family killed Feb. 28 in an
airstrike at the start of the war launched by Israel and the United States,
will be carried on board a truck today.

They will be taken through the streets of Tehran on their way to Mehrabad
International Airport.

Iran’s theocracy plans to see large crowds attend the ceremony across the
city to show popular support.

Iranian state television reported the procession had started.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

Russia has launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's capital,
killing at least seven people.

The attack began overnight and was still underway this morning.

It caused a residential building in a Kyiv district to partially collapse.

Several multistory buildings in another district were also damaged, with
people believed to be trapped under the rubble.

The attack involved ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones.

Explosions echoed across the city as residents sought shelter in metro
stations.

This comes hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of
another large-scale Russian attack.

He renewed calls for Western partners to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.

Posted on 2026-07-06 12:34:13

The Philippine Senate is starting the impeachment trial of Vice President
Sara Duterte.

Thousands of police officers were deployed to secure the Senate.

Duterte or her lawyers could appear at the start of the trial Monday.

She's accused of amassing unexplained wealth and publicly threatening to have
Marcos assassinated.

She denies that.

If convicted, Duterte may be permanently disqualified from holding public
office.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

The Ministry of National Defense says the military has resumed
"anti-communist" patriotic classes for its graduates.

The "anti-communist patriotic education" classes were scrapped in 2002 and
renamed 'patriotic education" classes.

The defense ministry has released a statement saying the classes for
graduates from military academies had been restored due to an increasing
military and infiltration danger from China.

The Lai administration is seen to believe it is necessary for graduates to
better understand national security threats and the aim is to establish a
clear awareness of friend and foe.

The defense ministry says graduates will attend lectures by the Mainland
Affairs Council, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Justice and
Academia Sinica.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the decision to order a precautionary
recall of processed foods containing at least 20-per cent carcinogen-tainted
cooking oil is based on food safety guidelines established in 2017.

The statement comes after the Food and Drug Administration expanded its
recall order over soybean salad oil produced by Taichung-based Central Union
Oil.

The expanded recall covers two categories of products - unprocessed oil sold
in its original form, such as soybean salad oil and blended oils; and
processed foods containing 20-per cent or more of the affected oil.

Products with smaller amounts are exempt from recall but must be disclosed.

The health minister, the 20-per cent threshold follows the 2017 principles
governing the recall, withdrawal and destruction of food products that
violate safety standards and was reaffirmed at an expert meeting this past
weekend.

The contaminated batch totals about 1,300 metric tons and was supplied to
Taisun Enterprise, Fwusow Industry and Formosa Oilseed Processing before
entering the downstream food supply chain.

The tainted oil was reported last week.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

The Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau is warning that the rapid
spread of etomidate abuse, particularly through e-cigarettes, is a growing
public safety concern for its role in drug-impaired driving.

National Police Agency data shows there were 8,659 cases of drug-impaired
driving in 2025, a sharp increase from the just over 2,600 cases in 2024.

Authorities had already recorded 6,730 such cases between January and May of
this year.

Of those cases, about 20-per cent involved drivers who tested positive for
etomidate.

Some drivers tested positive for multiple drugs.

Etomidate first appeared in Taiwan in 2023 and spread rapidly along with the
growing popularity of vaping.

As of April this year, authorities had seized nearly 850-kilograms of
etomidate, or about 8.5 million etomidate-laced vape cartridges.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

The National Immigration Agency is urging travelers not to bring pork or
other meat products from African swine fever -affected areas into Taiwan
during the summer travel season.

542 travelers were fined 200,000 N-T each last year for bringing pork
products from ASF-affected areas into Taiwan.

Many were Taiwan nationals, while 144 foreign travelers were denied entry
after failing to pay the penalties.

Customs statistics show most violations involve travelers carrying prohibited
pork products in their luggage, followed by international courier parcels.

The immigration agency says travelers should exercise caution when buying
overseas souvenirs - as illegally bringing pork products into Taiwan could
jeopardize the country's disease-free status and result in hefty fines.

Taiwan regained its ASF-free status on April 6 after receiving official
recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health, becoming the only
country in Asia free of ASF, classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth
disease, the agency said.

The designation followed the successful containment of an ASF outbreak
detected in Taichung last October.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

The Criminal Investigation Bureau says it has received more than 1,500
reports of fake winning invoice lottery emails in the latest two Uniform
Invoice Lottery redemption periods.

Scammers have reportedly sought to exploit people's desire to win the lottery
as the number of people using digital carriers to store cloud-based receipts
has grown in recent years.

The "Ministry of Finance Electronic Invoice Integration Service Platform"
sends emails to verified addresses registered by users, notifying them of
prize information and automatic remittance options for winning invoices.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau says criminals are impersonating the
Ministry of Finance, or major online retailers and sending winning
notification emails to trick recipients into logging into a fake "electronic
invoice service platform" ....

.... where they are asked to bind credit card information to receive
automatic prize deposits.

The bureau says more than 1,500 scam reports were filed during the March and
May draw periods this year, with total losses exceeding 60-million N-T.

Victims lost amounts ranging from a few thousand to several hundred thousand
New Taiwan dollars.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

The Central Weather Administration says Taiwan is likely to experience a
warmer-than-normal winter this year due to strong El Nino effects.

The administration says extreme heat likely to extend into the spring and
summer of next year.

The weather administration's forecast center says, El Nino events typically
peak in autumn and winter, increasing the likelihood of a warm winter in
Taiwan ...

Based on historical patterns, the warming effect often persists into the
following spring and summer, raising the probability of prolonged heat next
year.

Data shows Taiwan experienced its most severe heat between 2020 and 2021,
driven by the combination of an unusually strong subtropical high-pressure
system, La Nina conditions and regional sea surface temperature changes.

Taipei recorded 100 days with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in 2020,
the highest annual total since records began.

The Ministry of Environment has said it's developing a tiered national heat
response framework that will activate protective measures at different
temperature thresholds for different groups.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

And,

The Ocean Conservation Administration says a live dwarf sperm whale stranded
on a beach in Miaoli has been transferred to a marine mammal rehabilitation
center for treatment and observation.

The whale was reported stranded by the Coast Guard Administration near Zhunan
Township.

Ocean Conservation Administration personnel and coast guard officials rushed
to the scene and provided emergency care, including keeping the whale upright
and hydrated.

A veterinarian from the Taiwan Cetacean Society later identified the animal
as a dwarf sperm whale.

The rescue team transferred the whale to the Ba-dou-zi Cetacean Rescue
Station in Keelung.

The Ocean Conservation Administration says the cause of the stranding has yet
to be determined and will be investigated through continued monitoring and
veterinary examinations.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

A cargo ship has come under attack off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the attack off
Yemen on Sunday. The UKMTO says the ship reported being “under attack by
unknown armed assailants.”

The UKMTO says authorities are investigating.

No group immediately claimed the attack.

While Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have threatened to begin attacking
ships again, though they have not been carrying out attacks.

Somali pirates also have been active further away in the Gulf of Aden
recently.

Posted on 2026-07-06 06:56:14

Hundreds of firefighters are battling wildfires in Portugal, Spain and
Greece.

Spain and Italy have sent reinforcements to Portugal, where a massive blaze
has been burning for more than three days.

In central Portugal, over 1,200 firefighters are fighting a fire that has
burned 30,000 acres since Thursday.

Meanwhile, in Greece, authorities have warned residents in parts of the
country's second largest city of Thessaloniki about toxic smoke from a
wildfire that engulfed a recycling plant.

A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze.

Posted on 2026-07-04 15:08:14

The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani left last night's game against the San Diego
Padres with a right biceps issue.

The two-way superstar was hitless in three at-bats during a 4-3 victory.

On the mound, he allowed three runs in six innings and threw a season-high
110 pitches.

He says he felt the biceps issue during his final at-bat in the sixth.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani will rest and receive treatment
today. Ohtani has been dealing with left-knee soreness and a blister on his
right hand.

Roberts says it's unlikely that Ohtani will pitch in the All-Star Game on
July 14 in Philadelphia.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-04 14:07:15

Mexico is doubling security and limiting capacity at the "Angel of
Independence" monument and at a fan festival in Mexico City for the
Mexico-England World Cup match on Sunday, local time.

This follows four deaths during celebrations after Mexico's win over Ecuador
two days ago.

The city will allow free entry to the monument and the Zócalo but with
limited capacity. Security will include 6,000 officers along Paseo de la
Reforma and 7,500 around Estadio Azteca.

Alcohol sales will be restricted in the city center, and fans are being urged
to avoid risky celebratory games.

Team Mexico has advanced further in the World Cup than the national team has
in the past four decades.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-04 14:07:19

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married.

Swift's publicist confirmed the ceremony took place yesterday evening.

The star-studded event at Madison Square Garden didn't include bridesmaids or
groomsmen.

Instead, Swift's brother was her man of honor, and Kelce's brother Jason was
his best man.

Fans gathered in the heat to witness the occasion, though it was mostly
hidden.

Many details of the event were kept under wraps, as were the identities of
VIPs ... as reported by the AP's Sahar Akbarzai, who was watching from the
outside:
That's Sahar Akbarzai, outside Madison Square Garden.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-04 13:10:20

Iran has begun a dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, months after an airstrike killed him when Israel and the US started
a war with the Islamic republic.

The ayatollah's casket, ensconced in a glass case, was unveiled at the Grand
Mosalla in Tehran about an hour ago.

Iran's government expects to see millions flood the streets of the capital in
scenes reminiscent of the burial of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.

That could provide a boost for the government, particularly as it tries to
leverage its hold on the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations with the United
States over a permanent end to the war.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-04 12:07:13

Three people were shot and two of them died after a fight between two groups
of young people at a shopping mall in the city of Dearborn, Michigan.

One of the victims died inside Fairlane Town Center mall and the other died
at a nearby hospital.

Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin said the people involved knew each other.
People from the two groups were being questioned, but no one was immediately
taken into custody.

He said members of both groups had handguns.

Dearborn is a suburb that's about 9 miles west of Detroit.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-04 12:07:13

In World Cup action,

Colombian midfielder Jhon Arias scored the only goal against Ghana in the
final game of the Round of 32.

Colombia will play Switzerland next week.

Meanwhile Argentina will play Egypt, after team Messi overcame Cape Verde in
overtime and the Pharoahs got past Australia on penalty kicks.

The Round of 16 kicks off early tomorrow, with Canada up against Morocco.
Paraguay will then play France, with the winners of those two games to face
each other in the quarterfinals.

Posted on 2026-07-04 11:08:22

Defending champion Argentina needed 120 minutes to get past Cape Verde to
reach the round of 16.

Messi netted his 20th career World Cup goal to open the scoring, but it was
goalkeeper Vozinha who was the story of the game, as he and Cape Verde's back
line showed remarkable fortitude in the face of Argentina's striker.

The final score was 3-2 in extra time.

Vozinha's performance included four elite saves against Messi.

Cape Verde began the tournament with a scoreless draw against Spain.

Despite their loss, the Blue Sharks gained recognition and $11 million from
FIFA.

Argentina will play Egypt next week, after the Pharoahs got past Australia on
penalty kicks.***

AP_JvW

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