ICRT

Posted on 2026-03-20 19:24:13

The Ministry of Agriculture is warning of impersonation scams involving
agricultural products on social media platforms.

According to the ministry, fraudsters have been impersonating the institute
and its branch offices, offering so-called "trial product discounts", among
others, on fruits like mangosteen and honey jujube.

The MOA stresses it does not sell products, run group orders, or conduct
commercial transactions online.

Officials say these scams often use phrases like "limited-time offer" to lure
buyers, and may even contact users directly to request payments or orders.

The MOA says all legitimate announcements about research results or crop
trials are only published on official websites or verified social media
accounts.

Authorities warn that legal action will be taken against those involved in
impersonation scams.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-20 19:24:13

The Taichung city government said today that it had decided not to designate
the remains of the Huguoshan temple as a historical site.

This comes after a cultural heritage review said that it was insufficiently
representative of its era and thus failed to meet the standards to be
designated as a cultural heritage site.

The Huguoshan temple, which dates back to 1902 during the era of Japanese
colonisation, was unexpectedly discovered last year during the demolition of
a tin-roofed house in Taichung's Central District.

Cultural workers and DPP opposition city councillors announced yesterday that
they had discovered that the site had already been demolished.

But the city's Cultural Affairs Bureau said that that the temple's main hall
was already demolished by 1982, and that the structure that remains was just
a later addition used to store the remains of ancestors.

It said that the most important components of the temple, such as the
entrance hall, were already lost.

(JM)

Posted on 2026-03-20 19:24:13

Threatening Flyers; Suspect Arrested in Taitung

It was announced today that a 21-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday in
Taitung for intimidating a high school student.

The 17-year-old student was suspected of owing $388 000 NT in gambling debts.

He denied any such debts and any online gambling.

The man was accused of posting threatening "missing person" flyers around the
student's school gate featuring the student's photo.

The man has denied operating an underground gambling ring, saying that he was
just a henchman in the operation.

The police say they are tracing the gambling ring.

Posted on 2026-03-20 19:24:13

Former Shaolin Monastery abbot Shi Yongxin (formerly Liu Yingcheng) was
indicted today for alleged embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and
bribery in China's Henan province.

This is according to reports by Chinese state media.

Shi is known as the "CEO abbot" because of his highly commercialised
management of Shaolin Monastery, having built a vast business empire through
international promotion of Shaolin Kung Fu.

But he has also been accused of violating Buddhist principles, including
maintaining improper relationships with multiple women and fathering
illegitimate children.

Born in 1965, Shi joined the temple in 1981 and was promoted to abbot in 1999.

Last year, the administration of Shaolin Temple acknowledged that he was
under investigation for criminal offences.

Posted on 2026-03-20 19:24:13

Umberto Bossi, the founder of Italy's populist Northern League (Lega Nord)
and one of the most influential and polarising figures of Italian politics,
has died.

He was 84.

Born in Cassano Magnago, a small manufacturing town in the industrial
heartland of northern Italy, Bossi rose from modest origins to become the
architect of a political movement that reshaped Italy's post-war landscape.

From the 1980s onward, he gave voice to the growing frustrations of northern
taxpayers, channelling regional grievances into a populist project centred on
autonomy and, sometimes, outright secession from the poorer southern part of
the country.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged his "fundamental
contribution" to the formation of Italy's first modern centre-right
coalition.

His populist slogan, "Roma ladrona", or "Thieving Rome", crystallised his
critique of the central, corrupted state and became a rallying cry for a
generation of disenchanted voters.

Posted on 2026-03-20 19:24:13

And finally, a summary of the latest developments in the war in the Middle
East:

Today, Kuwait said that Iranian drones struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery and
sparked a fire.

Dubai reported heavy explosions as air defences intercepted incoming fire.

Bahrain said shrapnel from an intercepted projectile set a warehouse ablaze.

Israel says it started new strikes on Iran, and people in Israel heard sirens.

And residents of Tehran reported explosions during Nowruz, the Persian New
Year.

Oil prices surged, and Iran tightened pressure on shipping through the Strait
of Hormuz.

Today also marks Eid al-Fitr, the festival of the end of Ramadan and the
breaking of the fast in Islam.

Posted on 2026-03-20 17:36:13

Government monitors are demanding a major overhaul of the national social
worker complaint system.

The Control Yuan says that the Ministry of Health and Welfare failed to meet
its own 60-day deadline for more than half of the cases filed last year.

Investigators found that 17 out of 27 complaints were delayed, and some cases
took about a year, or even up to a year and nine months to process.

The Control Yuan blamed the delays on slow responses from local governments
in Chiayi County and Taitung County, as well as slow internal procedures at
the health ministry.

The report also warns that the system is not linked to the government’s
subsidy or contract selection process, meaning that groups that break labor
laws or fail to pay full salaries can still receive public funding.

The Yuan is calling on the ministry to fix these administrative gaps.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-20 17:36:13

Employees at Taiwan's state-run postal service could receive bonuses of up to
4.4 months' worth of salary.

Chunghwa Post reported net profits of more than 10 billion NT last year,
exceeding its performance target by around 6 billion NT.

Chair Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) says that the company is currently looking for a
top performance rating, which would unlock the maximum bonus payout.

Under government rules, top-rated state enterprises can issue up to two
months of evaluation bonuses, on top of performance-based incentives.

Despite global financial uncertainty, Chunghwa Post met its goals and is now
looking to boost capital levels to between 100 and 120 billion NT in the
coming years.

Officials also say there are no immediate plans to raise postal rates,
focusing instead on growing parcel and express delivery services.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-20 17:36:13

The teenaged daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has driven a tank
during army training supervised by her father.

It was their latest joint public appearance amidst speculation that the girl,
reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and aged about 13, is being groomed as Kim's heir.

The official Korean Central News Agency reported today that Kim, the father,
oversaw a drill involving tank units and infantry troops a day earlier.

Video released by state media show his daughter sticking her head out of the
driver's hatch of a moving tank, whilst her father sits on top of the
vehicle.

Observers say the girl's position clearly showed that she was driving the
armoured vehicle.

But they also note that modern tanks are not technically complicated to
pilot, and that all she did was drive straight at low speed.

Posted on 2026-03-20 17:36:13

Severe flooding today is expected in Australia's northeastern state of
Queensland as Tropical Cyclone Narelle makes landfall.

Authorities at first said that it might be "amongst the worst in living
memory".

But it has turned out to be weaker than many predicted, having dropped from a
category four storm to a category three storm, according to the weather
bureau.

Still, 500 millimetres of rain and winds of 140 kilometres per hour are
expected in parts of the far north of Queensland.

Thousands of homes have lost power.

And Port Douglas, a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, has seen its beach
washed out, even though it is 400 kilometres south of where Narelle touched
land.

Narelle is expected to reach the Northern Territory, west of Queensland, on
Saturday.

Posted on 2026-03-20 16:07:13

The TPP legislative caucus has proposed a censure against Interior Minister
Liu Shi-fang (劉世芳), who refused to answer TPP lawmaker Li Zhen-xiu's
(李貞秀) questions at the Legislative Internal Affairs Committee on Monday.

The TPP accuses Liu of deliberately violating checks and balances between the
executive and legislative branches and showing little respect for lawmakers.

It says Liu's "arrogant behaviors" not only undermined democratic rule of
law, but reduced vulnerable groups to tools in political conflict.

Li is a so-called "Mainland spouse," and was repeatedly pushed by the DPP
government to prove that she has given up her Chinese nationality.

But it can't be done as China does not issue such documents.

The TPP's proposal also includes DPP lawmaker and the committee chair Li
Bo-yi, who said he respected both "Madam Li's" right to speak and the Cabinet
member’s right not to respond.

The TPP said Li interfered with proceedings based on personal and party
positions and should be referred to the Disciplinary Committee.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-20 16:07:13

Taiwan's top cybersecurity agency is cooperating with a criminal
investigation after a staff member allegedly used an internal loophole to
access and download sensitive data.

The National Institute of Cyber Security says it recently discovered an
employee’s work computer was used to access internal files in violation of
agency rules.

The institute says it has reported the matter to the Investigation Bureau,
and investigators are now working to determine if any laws were broken or if
sensitive information was leaked.

The government-funded body, which plans national cyber defenses and help
government agencies respond to major security threats, says it will fully
cooperate with authorities to resolve the case.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-20 16:07:13

Costco Taiwan has announced price cuts on imported juices, citing lower costs
... as market effects from recent U-S tariff developments begin to emerge.

According to the wholesaler, three juice products will be reduced by between
4 and 10 percent, effective immediately.

The company says the adjustments reflect lower costs and are part of ongoing
efforts to offer competitive pricing to members.

Executives also noted that if tariff refunds are received, further price
reductions could follow.

The U-S Supreme Court struck down Trump's sweeping tariffs in late February,
prompting plans for tariff refunds.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-20 16:07:13

Turning to world news...

A video taken by tiny drones sent into one of three damaged reactors at the
Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant shows a gaping hole in the
thick-walled steel container of the core,

There are also lumps of likely fuel debris hanging from it, in a first
sighting of a pressure vessel bottom since the meltdown 15 years ago.

The rare footage, released yesterday, was taken by micro-drones to collect
visual, radiation and other data from inside of the Unit 3 reactor.

The three reactors contain at least 880 tons of dangerously radioactive
melted fuel debris whose details are still little known.

Tokyo Electric Power Company plans more remote-controlled probes and sampling
to analyze melted fuel and to develop robots for future fuel debris removal

Posted on 2026-03-20 14:06:14

Kaohsiung's Qiao-tou (橋頭) District Court has put former CPC Refinery
division CEO Xu Han (徐漢) on the most wanted list and confiscated his
5-million-NT bail bond.

The Court issued a warrant for Xu's arrest this morning while Kaohsiung and
Ping-tung police are looking for him.

Xu was indicted in 2022 on corruption charges after police found 27 million
NT cash in his office, and prosecutors determined that some 17 million of
that sum was bribe money.

He had been under technological surveillance since May, but at around 2 PM
yesterday, the Monitoring Center notified the court that Xu’s ankle bracelet
had been removed.

Police later found that he took a train to Ping-tung's Chao-zhou and then to
Wan-luan by taxi last night.

The Kaohsiung Prosecutors Office has asked Ping-tung authorities, the Coast
Guard Administration, and the National Immigration Agency to aid in the
search.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-20 14:06:14

The Defense Minister has declined to set a date for the delivery of Taiwan's
first indigenous submarine, the Hai-kun.

The original plan was for it to be delivered to the Navy in June.

Wellington Koo said today that his Ministry will proceed step by step, and
will only move forward with delivery after all testing has been fully
completed under safe conditions.

His comments come after President Lai Ching-te boarded the vessel for the
first time yesterday and inspected its interior.

The Hai-kun successfully conducted its 6th sea trial dive on the 12th.

Koo stressed that that all test items for the submarine prototype, whether
shallow-water or deep-water dives, must be fully completed and verified under
safe conditions.

He said only after all testing is complete will the submarine be delivered,
and no specific delivery date will be set in advance.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-20 14:06:14

Taiwan shares are down today, with the bench mark Tai ex losing 145 points to
close the session at 33543.

The turnover was 966.1 billion NT

Posted on 2026-03-20 14:06:14

Now turning to international news...

Kuwait says, Iranian drones have again attacked an oil refinery, causing a
fire.

The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was already hit the day before.

Kuwait says firefighters are trying to control the blazes, and they say there
are no immediate injuries from the attack.

The attack came as Kuwait marked Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end
of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Iran has increasingly been targeting energy sites in Gulf Arab states after
Israel bombed Iran's offshore natural gas field.

Posted on 2026-03-20 14:06:14

In related news...

Israel has pounded Tehran with airstrikes as Iranians mark the Persian New
Year.

This comes just one day after Israel pledged to refrain from more strikes on
a key Iranian gas field.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that, at the request of the
US, his country will pause further attacks on the South Pars gas field.

Meanwhile heavy explosions shook Dubai as air defenses intercepted incoming
fire over the city.

The United Nations Security Council held an urgent closed door meeting during
which Gulf countries stressed the need for Iran to halt attacks on them.

But Iran has shown no signs of backing down as Saudi Arabia reported attacks.

Posted on 2026-03-20 13:06:14

Officials say, Taiwan should not be lulled into a false sense of security
after a US report claimed that China does not plan to invade Taiwan in 2027.

Mainland Affairs Council Chair Chiu Chui Cheng(邱垂正) says, he's aiming for
continued defensive preparation in the face of Chinese threats.

Chiu notes that the Taiwanese government will consider both domestic and
international analyses in evaluating risks...

emphasizing that one report alone does not change the need for planning and
preparation.

The U.S. Intelligence report downplays the immediate risk of a Chinese
invasion of Taiwan...noting that although Beijing continues to undertake
military buildup, it does not yet have a concrete plan to take Taiwan.

The MAC chair said that China’s threats toward Taiwan are ongoing, and that
the CCP is internally focused on preparations for reunification.

Chiu says, Taiwan must prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-03-20 13:06:14

Health officials have shut down an elementary school kitchen in Pingtung
County after dozens of students fell ill following a school event.

The Pingtung County Public Health Bureau says 44 students from Wandan
Elementary School sought medical treatment on Wednesday.

Two of those students remain in the hospital.

Health inspectors visited the school yesterday to collect environmental
samples, but school officials note that the kitchen also provides meals to
two other schools where no illnesses were reported.

The kitchen must undergo deep cleaning and pass a government inspection
before it can reopen.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-20 13:06:14

Now turning to international news...

Macao has unanimously passed a law that would allow court proceedings to take
place behind closed doors...

in cases where authorities believe the hearings to be a risk to national
security.

This marks the latest step lawmakers in Macau have taken to centralize a
national security committee's powers in the city.

Going forward, if the committee and judges agree about the risk to national
security, proceedings may take place behind closed doors.

The committee's duties include studying how to implement security policies of
the Chinese government.

Some of its members include security officials, police chiefs, and the city
leader.

The new legislation would also add more diverse officials to the committee
like the heads of cultural affairs and education and youth development
departments.

Some have raised concerns about the changes...

especially given Macau police's move last year to detain a former
pro-democracy lawmaker on suspicion of colluding with outside forces in
breach of the national security law.

Posted on 2026-03-20 13:06:14

Extreme heat in the US is continuing to set records on the last day of
winter.

In Arizona, some areas hit 43.3 degrees celsius, breaking the record for the
highest March temperature recorded in the country.

The previous record of 42.2 degrees was set in Texas in 1954.

Blistering heat this week set records in dozens of locations, including
Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.

Wednesday also marked the earliest day of triple-digit fahrenheit
temperatures in Phoenix.

The last time Phoenix temperatures climbed above 100 degrees fahrenheit or 38
degrees celsius during March was almost 40 years ago.

Posted on 2026-03-20 08:12:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Premier Cho Jung-tai has approved an expansion of eligibility to hire migrant
domestic helpers.

Under the expansion, employers will required to pay monthly fees of between
2,000 and 10,000 N-T in a "employment stabilization" fee

The fee is in addition to the domestic helper's salary and goes towards
funding Ministry of Labor measures aimed at mitigating potential impacts on
the local workforce.

The move will allow families with at least one child under the age of 12 to
apply to hire a foreign domestic helper.

Previously, families were required to have three or more children aged 6 or
under to be eligible to hire domestic helpers.

According to the labor ministry's Workforce Development Agency, foreign
employers with household registration in Taiwan are also eligible to hire
migrant domestic helpers.

They will be required to pay 10,000 N-T per month in employment stabilization
fees.

The agency says the fee for foreign families with special care needs is still
being determined and will be before April 13 - when the new policy takes
effect.

More than 1.4-million households could qualify under the expanded rules and
disadvantaged or special-needs households will receive priority review of
their applications.

Labor Minister Hung Sun-han says his office will work with the Ministry of
Health to offer job-matching services to Taiwanese babysitters and domestic
helpers affected by the new rules.

Posted on 2026-03-20 08:12:13

The Central Bank has opted to leave its key interest rates unchanged
following its quarterly policymaking meeting.

It was the eighth consecutive quarter that the central bank has maintained
its monetary policy.

The latest decision had been widely anticipated by the market, in particular
after the U-S Federal Reserve left interest rates intact overnight.

It means the discount rate will stay at 2-per cent, which is still the
highest level in 15 years.

The rate on accommodations with collateral remains at 2.375 percent, while
the rate on accommodations without collateral stays at 4.25-per cent.

According to economists, the central bank needs more time to observe the
situation as tensions in the Middle East have sent international crude oil
prices higher.

They also say the strong economic performance due to strong exports due the
current A-I boom is allowing little room for the central bank to cut interest
rates for the time being.

Posted on 2026-03-20 08:12:13

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai has visited several major American techn
companies, including Google and AT&T during a trip to Silicon Valley.

The visits are part of Chen's ongoing U-S trip.

The Kaohsiung City Government says Chen and his delegation also visited M-S-S
U-S-A, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based semiconductor material analysis provider
M-S-S, as well as the Hoover Institution ...

... in a bid to strengthen ties in A-I and semiconductor development.

Chen exchanged views with representatives from the organizations on
geopolitics and energy security, with a focus on ensuring Kaohsiung's
industrial development to adapt to a rapidly changing global environment.

According to the city government, the visit to Silicon Valley was aimed not
only to seek collaboration opportunities with U-S companies but also to boost
Kaohsiung's international visibility.

Chen has been bust promoting Smart Kaohsiung AI Lighthouse Project while in
the U-S.

That project was established by the city government as part of efforts to
develop its own sovereign AI system.

Posted on 2026-03-20 08:12:13

Taiwan has been named the happiest place in East Asia in 2025and ranks 26th
globall in the United Nations-backed World Happiness Report 2026.

Taiwan scored 6.714 out of 10 in the report.

That was ahead of Singapore, which ranked 36th, Japan at 61st, China at 65th,
South Korea at 67th and Hong Kong at 90th.

The rankings are based on the three-year average of individuals'
self-reported well-being from 2023 to 2025.

Among 147 countries and regions ranked by the index, Finland remained at the
top for the ninth consecutive year with a score of 7.764.

The report is published by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research
Centre in partnership with Gallup, the U-N Sustainable Development Solutions
Network and its editorial board.

The report debuted in 2012 and is issued each year around March 20 to align
with the International Day of Happiness.

Posted on 2026-03-20 08:12:13

A former head of C-P-C's refinery division has gone missing, just days before
he was due to be sentenced for corruption.

Law enforcement authorities say Hsu Han removed his ankle monitor and was
reported missing in Pingtung.

According to the Kaohsiung Ciaotou District Court, it activated a response
plan after receiving a notification Hsu Han removed the monitor.

News reports say police recovered the broken device in Pingtung's Wanluan
Township.

Hsu was indicted in May of 2022 along with 20 other suspects from three
companies for violating the Anti-Corruption Act and other crimes.

Prosecutors said Hsu used his procurement authority limit of 200-million N-T
to steer eight purchasing contracts worth almost 1-billion N-T to select
companies, which in turn paid him 16-million N-T in bribes.

He was released on bail of 5-million in June 2023 and banned from leaving the
country.

The district court says it will revoke his bail and an arrest warrant will be
issued if he remains missing.

Posted on 2026-03-20 08:12:13

And finally,

Olympic gold medal winning boxer Lin Yu-ting has been approved to compete in
the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Championships.

The championships are scheduled to begin on March 28 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

World Boxing's medical committee confirmed Lin's eligibility for the Asian
Championships on Thursday after more than six months of appeals.

Lin became entangled in a gender controversy at 2024 Paris Olympics, despite
the International Olympic Committee confirming her eligibility to compete as
a female boxer.

World Boxing mandated a new regulation in August of 2025, that required all
athletes to undergo a P-C-R genetic test to determine their sex at birth and
their eligibility.

Lin has missed several international competitions held by World Boxing since
the introduction of the new test and appealed the ruling with assistance from
the Ministry of Sports.

The ministry formed medical team to help Lin in compiling supporting medical
data to support her appeal.

Posted on 2026-03-20 07:13:13

National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan has announced
that five air raid drills and other exercises have been planned nationwide as
part of this year's Urban Resilience Exercises.

This, after a meeting of President Lai Ching-te's Whole-of-Society Defense
Resilience Committee.

A drill simulating the launch of a Central Joint Emergency Operations Center
will be held over six days during the computer-aided phase of the annual Han
Kuang military exercises from April 10 through 24.

While military-civilian joint air raid drills are scheduled for August 7
through 13 in the north, south, center, east and offshore islands.

Lin says the government plans to issue cell broadcast messages and sound
sirens to inform the public of the start of the drills ..

The exercises will be focused on government buildings, shopping areas and
public transportation stations.

Lin says the goal of the drills is to validate key tasks aimed at
facilitating civilian-military cooperation, training and deploying civilian
forces, managing hospitals and shelters, as well as bolstering transportation
and communications networks.

Posted on 2026-03-20 07:13:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the government is waiting for South
Korea's response to the latest move in a dispute between the two countries
over the way the countries' names are listed in travel documents.

Taipei says South Korea mislabelled "Taiwan" in its e-arrival card system,
which was introduced on February 24 of last year to replace paper arrival
card.

In response, the foreign ministry earlier this week changed the designation
of South Korean nationals in government-issued A-R-Cs.

It also says if Seoul continues to ignore the request to alter its e-arrival
card system by March 31, it will also change South Korea's designation on its
arrival cards from "Republic of Korea" to "South Korea."

Lin says he believes the countermeasures will generate a positive response
and the South Korean government should listen to the opinions of the majority
of people in Taiwan.

The foreign ministry has said it has repeatedly asked Seoul to correct the
"wrongful" listing which downgraded Taiwan's sovereignty status, but has not
received a positive response.

Posted on 2026-03-20 07:13:13

Canada's top representative to Taiwan is pledging closer bilateral exchanges
in the decades to come.

At a reception to mark the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Trade Office in
Taipei, Marie-Louise Hannan touted the office's growth over the past four
decades - from a staff of three to 50 ...

She added the office has worked hand in hand with partners across Taiwan to
achieve remarkable milestones - including the tuned mass damper in the Taipei
101 skyscraper and major transportation projects like the Taipei Metro line
in Neihu District.

Hannan also noted that offshore wind projects developed by Canada's Northland
Power also stand as "powerful examples of how our two economies can advance a
more sustainable future together."

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-qi attended the anniversary reception on
behalf of the government - and he said Taiwan and Canada share a strong
commitment to democracy, diversity and the rule of law.

Chen also said the Lai administration looks forward to deepening
collaboration in emerging and critical areas, including green energy,
artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

Posted on 2026-03-20 07:13:13

Taiwan maintained its status as a "free" country and the second freest in
Asia in the latest annual report released by the US-based democracy watchdog,
Freedom House.

Taiwan has an overall score of 93 out of 100.

That was down one point from last year.

Taiwan also ranked second in Asia behind Japan, which scored 96.

The "Freedom in the World 2026: The Growing Shadow of Autocracy" report
assessed access to political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and
13 territories from January 1 to December 31 last year.

Taiwan scored 38 out of 40 in political rights and 55 out of 60 in civil
liberties.

Freedom House says Taiwan's vibrant and competitive democratic system has
enabled regular, peaceful transfers of power since 2000, while protections
for civil liberties remain generally strong.

However, it also flagged concerns, including insufficient protections for
migrant workers and efforts by the China to influence policymaking, media,
and democratic institutions.

Finland topped the global rankings with a perfect score of 100.

Posted on 2026-03-20 07:13:13

The National Development Council says the New Taipei Metro's Sanyin Line and
the eastern extension of the Taipei Metro's Tamsui-Xinyi Line are scheduled
to begin operations in June.

The Red Line, which currently terminates at Xiangshan, will be connected by
the 1.4-kilometer extension to the Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station.

Whilke the Sanyin Line will link New Taipei's Tucheng and Yingge districts
via the Sanxia District.

The announcement of the pending opening of the two metro lines came as the
N-D-C gave the updates on several public construction projects.

It said the Danjiang Bridge is scheduled to open in May.

And the northern section of the Taoyuan Metro Green Line and the first phase
of the Tainan Railway Underground Project are set to begin operations by the
end of this year.

Posted on 2026-03-20 07:13:13

And,

Starlux Airlines has been named the world's fifth best airline by Airline
Ratings.

That's the highest-ever placing by a Taiwan carrier.

Airline Ratings says its 2026 World's Best Airline rankings considered
in-flight products and passenger experience based on measurable onboard
criteria rather than public opinion or voting.

The criteria included catering options, seat comfort, product values and
overall service quality.

Starlux Airlines also won the "World's Best In Flight Catering" award.

Posted on 2026-03-19 18:58:13

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications says it has received 34
consumer disputes linked to tour groups since the start of the month ... and
these are now being mediated.

The cases involve departures, contract fulfillment, and refund issues, as
ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupts travel plans.

Officials say that as yesterday, overseas offices in the region have
proactively contacted or assisted over 6 thousand 700 people, received almost
500 requests for help, and helped almost 2 thousand 400 citizens return to
Taiwan.

Travelers facing disputes are encouraged to seek assistance through official
channels.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised travel alerts for several
countries in the region—including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and
Lebanon—to the highest "red" level, urging citizens to leave as soon as
possible.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-19 18:58:14

Forestry officials are warning of a high risk of wildfires across six central
and southern counties due to a lack of spring rain.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says parts of Taichung, Nantou,
Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung have reached "warning" to "dangerous"
levels.

Data shows that nearly half of all wildfires in Taiwan happen during March
and April, and officials say more than 90-percent of these fires are caused
by human activity.

Common causes include burning trash or agricultural waste, burning paper
money, and dropping lit cigarettes.

The agency warns that lighting fires in forest areas without a permit can
lead to a fine of up to $600-thousand NT.

And those who intentionally start a forest fire could face up to 10 years in
prison.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-19 18:58:14

Health experts in Taiwan are urging greater awareness of depression following
recent research.

A study cited by the John Tung Foundation found that patients who recognize
their symptoms as depression are 57 percent more likely to seek treatment.

The research, published last year, tracked adults with moderate symptoms who
had not previously sought help.

It found that patients were more likely to seek care if they recognized the
impact of their symptoms, trusted treatment, and identified their condition
as depression.

Despite more than one billion people worldwide living with mental health
conditions, only about 9 percent of depression patients receive treatment.

Doctors say early recognition and timely support are critical to reducing
long-term impact.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:34:13

The Cabinet has approved a plan to let families with one child under 12 apply
to hire migrant domestic helpers from April 13.

Officials say the move is meant to ease caregiving pressure and help more
women stay in the workforce.

Under current rules, only families with three children under 6 can apply, a
threshold the Labor Ministry says is too strict.

Under the new rules, eligible households must pay a monthly 20-thousand NT
salary and a 5-thousand NT employment security fee.

Special-needs families will pay a lower 2-thousand NT monthly fee and will
get priority review.

That includes single-parent families, families with a disabled parent, or
households with children who have rare diseases, disabilities, or
developmental delays.

Labor Minister Hung Shen-han (洪申翰) says the government will also set up a
matching platform to help local nannies and domestic workers find more jobs.

He says more training will also be offered as officials try to protect the
work opportunities of about 21-thousand local childcare and domestic service
workers.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:34:13

The Cabinet has approved a 2-year plan to expand services for elderly people
living alone as the island enters a super-aged society.

The government will invest 6-point-25 billion NT this year and next year.

Officials say the plan will expand in-person visits, with priority this year
for people aged 75 and older who live alone.

It will also widen subsidies for emergency alert systems to cover 70-thousand
seniors, including those in general households.

New meal delivery services will also be added, with workers checking on
seniors in person as they deliver food.

Officials say support services could grow from 70-thousand people to
350-thousand.

The plan will also add more home visits, phone check-ins, daily living help,
and medical escort services.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:34:13

Doctors say people with heart and cerebrovascular disease face a 40 percent
higher risk of shingles.

A new survey found more than 70 percent of those patients believe their
immunity is strong and do not worry about the disease.

But doctors say chronic inflammation, aging, and some treatments can weaken
the immune system.

They warn shingles can cause long-term nerve pain, blindness, hearing damage,
and in rare cases facial paralysis.

Doctors also say patients who have had a heart attack, stroke, or heart
failure face a higher risk of hospitalization if shingles develops.

Taiwan research shows stroke patients face a much higher shingles risk,
especially in the first year after a stroke.

Doctors are urging high-risk patients to ask about prevention, including
vaccination, and to keep healthy daily habits.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:34:13

Senegal is tightening its crackdown on gay people, and activists say fear is
spreading.

The country's Prime Minister has sought tougher prison penalties for
“unnatural acts," with a maximum of 10 years behind bars.

The president is expected to approve them.

Human Rights Watch says anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has intensified in recent years.

One nonprofit that helps gay people says it closed a safe house last year due
to concerns about security.

Senegal is the latest country in Africa, where homosexuality is widely
illegal, to pursue harsher penalties for it.

Gay people say they are scared and some are in hiding.

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:34:13

The latest World Happiness Report 2026 says that heavy social media use has
contributed to a stark decline in well-being among young people, with the
effects particularly worrying in teenage girls in English-speaking countries
and Western Europe.

The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the
University of Oxford, also found that Finland is the happiest land in the
world for the ninth year in a row.

Other Nordic countries such as Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway ranked
among the top 10 countries.

But it highlighted how life evaluations among under 25-year-olds in the
United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have dropped over the past
decade.

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:19:13

Japan has rejected a US intelligence assessment that its position on a
possible Chinese attack on Taiwan marks a major policy shift.

The comment follows remarks last year by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that a
Taiwan crisis could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Beijing reacted angrily to those comments, as it claims Taiwan as its own
territory.

Japan's top government spokesperson says Tokyo's position is unchanged and
remains in line with past policy.

The issue comes just before a summit between Takaichi and US President Donald
Trump in Washington.

The meeting is already under pressure from wider regional tensions, including
the war involving Iran and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

A new US report says China is likely to keep up pressure on Japan through
2026 over Taiwan-related statements.

But the report also says China is not currently planning to invade Taiwan in
2027 and still wants control of the island without using force.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:19:13

Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) is questioning a
proposed meeting between KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) and Chinese leader
Xi Jinping.

Chiu says Beijing has long linked peace across the Taiwan Strait to
unification.

He says that raises doubts about Cheng's call for a cross-strait peace
framework.

Chiu says Taiwan sees growing pressure from China, including military,
diplomatic, economic, and legal tactics.

He also cites official polling that shows about 70 percent of people in
Taiwan see China as hostile.

Chiu warns that Beijing's version of the 1992 Consensus leaves no room for
the Republic of China.

He says any party exchange with China must follow the law and must not help
Beijing's united front efforts against Taiwan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:19:13

Hon Hai says it will invest another 25-million euros, or about 918-million
NT, in ZF Foxconn Chassis Modules.

The investment will be made through a subsidiary and will give Hon Hai Class
A convertible preferred shares.

The company says the move is a long-term strategic investment.

Hon Hai had already invested 30-point-1 million euros in the same venture in
December 2024.

Earlier, in July 2023, Hon Hai announced a broader partnership with Germany's
ZF Group on passenger vehicle chassis systems.

Industry sources say the company spun off from ZF's axle assembly business
and supplies Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Stellantis.

The deal gives Hon Hai a way into the supply chain of major traditional
European carmakers.

Japanese media also report Hon Hai is in talks to buy a 50 percent stake in
Mitsubishi Electric's auto parts unit, though the company has not commented.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:19:13

European leaders are rejecting direct involvement in the US-Israeli war
against Iran, despite pressure from US President Donald Trump.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Iran must not threaten its neighbors,
but he doubts the logic behind the military campaign.

He says Washington did not consult Europe and gave no clear plan for how the
operation would succeed.

Germany says it will not join military efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
while the war continues.

France and Britain have also stopped short of joining the fighting, saying
they are not parties to the conflict.

European leaders appear worried about entering a war with no clear end,
especially as public opinion in several countries is against it.

Instead, some governments are looking at separate efforts to protect shipping
once the security situation improves.

The split adds to growing strain in trans-Atlantic ties, already under
pressure over Ukraine, trade, and European security.

Posted on 2026-03-19 15:19:13

Authorities in Karachi say heavy rains and strong winds overnight have killed
at least 15 people and injured several others.

Walls and roofs collapsed at multiple locations in Pakistan’s largest city.

The storm began Wednesday and continued into the night in Karachi, the
capital of southern Sindh province.

Authorities on Thursday advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Police say at least 15 bodies were brought to the city's main hospital.

More than two dozen people were injured and treated at hospitals.

Seven injured people were receiving treatment after weather-related
incidents.

Officials say the storm uprooted roadside trees in many areas and disrupted
traffic.

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:54:13

A Chinese coast guard ship entered restricted waters near Dongsha Island on
Wednesday, and Taiwan sent a patrol vessel to drive it away.

The Coast Guard Administration says the Chinese ship, numbered 3-1-0-2, was
first detected outside the area at about 9:15 yesterday morning.

Officials say the ship moved into restricted waters at about 9:40, and a
coast guard vessel stayed close and issued warnings in both Chinese and
English, telling the ship to turn away.

The vessel left the restricted waters at about 10:55 today.

The coast guard says this is the fourth such incursion involving three
Chinese ships in Dongsha waters this year.

It says China may be using gray-zone tactics to test Taiwan's surveillance
and response capabilities in the area.

It also urges Beijing to stop what it calls intrusive actions and says Taiwan
will defend its sovereignty and maritime security.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:54:13

Taiwan says nearly 2-thousand-400 people have returned safely from the Middle
East as regional tensions stay high.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) told lawmakers some tour groups still
plan to leave for Dubai in the coming days.

He said officials have warned people, but some travelers are still going
ahead with their trips.

Lin also said the government will not block people from leaving on any
airline, including Chinese carriers, if they need to get out.

He said many of Taiwan's overseas offices do not have full diplomatic
privileges, but staff are still working hard to help.

The ministry says its offices in the region have made over 6-thousand-700
welfare check contacts and handled close to 500 requests for help.

Officials now say there are no known cases of Taiwanese in the Middle East
seeking urgent evacuation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:54:13

Starlux Airline said it has been ranked 5th in the world’s best airlines for
2026, marking the highest ranking ever achieved by a Taiwanese carrier.

It has also won the award for World's Best In-Flight Catering.

The rankings were done by a global aviation rating organization, Airline
Ratings, which focuses on the actual passenger experience, including food and
beverage options, seat comfort, value, and overall service quality.

Starlux stressed that it is entering a peak aircraft delivery period this
year, with its fleet expected to grow to 43 aircraft by the end of the year,
significantly boosting capacity.

Its network has already expanded to 31 cities across 37 routes, and is
planning to launch its first European destination, Prague, as well as its
first South Korean destination, Busan.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:54:13

Thailand's parliament has reelected A-nu-tin Charn-vi-ra-kul as prime
minister, giving him a new mandate after last month's election.

Anutin, leader of the Bhum-jai-thai Party, beat the People's Party leader in
Thursday's vote.

He is the first Thai prime minister in 20 years to win another term through a
parliamentary vote.

His coalition held together and gave him well over the 251 votes needed for
victory.

Anutin says he will move quickly to form a cabinet and deal with the
country's problems.

His party gained momentum after benefiting from a rise in nationalism linked
to border conflict with Cambodia last year.

Analysts say the result could bring a rare period of political stability to
Thailand after years of turmoil.

They say Anutin's strong parliamentary backing and a divided opposition could
help his government last.

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:54:13

The United States has hosted officials from Congo and Rwanda for talks on the
stalled peace process in eastern Congo.

The meetings in Washington were the first since the US Treasury sanctioned
Rwanda's army and four senior officers in the beginning of March.

Washington says Rwanda has backed the M23 rebel group, which made rapid gains
in eastern Congo in January 2025 and still holds large areas.

Rwanda denies supporting M23.

A joint statement says Congo and Rwanda agreed to coordinated steps to lower
tensions and make progress on the ground.

Those steps include support for each other's sovereignty, a planned pullback
of Rwandan forces from defined areas, and stronger efforts by Congo to
neutralize the FDLR.

The statement also says all civilians must be protected.

The talks come after a peace deal signed in Washington in December, but
fighting later escalated again near Congo's border with Burundi.

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:19:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has welcomed St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock and his delegation in Taipei.

The visit comes as Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines mark 45 years of
diplomatic relations.

Lin says the trip is the first high-level visit from the Caribbean ally since
its new government took office.

He says Taiwan plans to expand cooperation under its comprehensive diplomacy
policy in agriculture, tourism, the blue economy, and the new economy.

Leacock also brought greetings from Governor-General Stanley John and Prime
Minister Godwin Friday.

He says people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are grateful for the results
of cooperation with Taiwan over the past 45 years.

Officials and business representatives at the luncheon also exchanged views
on smart healthcare, smart agriculture, youth empowerment, and bilateral
technical cooperation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:19:13

The CTBC Brothers have signed Venezuelan right-hander Angel Macuare to
complete a six-man foreign pitching staff for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old pitcher has eight years of experience in the U.S. Minor
Leagues as both starting pitcher and long reliever.

Over his career, Macuare has recorded 372 strikeouts in 363 innings.

The Brothers say Macuare has already arrived in Taiwan to join spring
training, and its group of pitchers will provide the depth needed for a long
season.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:19:13

Taiwan shares fell today with the benchmark Taiex losing 659 points to close
the session at 33,690.

Turnover was $846-billion NT.

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:19:13

Tens of thousands of Moldovans have been left without water after a Russian
strike on a hydroelectric plant in neighboring Ukraine resulted in oil
polluting a major river that flows through both countries.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has blamed Russia for the pollution on the
Dniester River following a March 7 attack on Ukraine’s Novodnistrovsk
hydropower plant, which supplies water to about 80% of Moldova’s population
of about 2.5 million.

The pollution has forced the authorities to cut the water supply to several
districts, including Moldova’s second-largest city of Balti.

Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, such as
dams and river ports, since it fully invaded the country in 2022.

Posted on 2026-03-19 14:19:13

Kpop supergroup BTS will stage its long-awaited comeback concert on Saturday
night at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square.

Some 20-thousand fans are expected to pack the square, and about 240-thousand
others are expected to fill nearby areas to watch the concert on temporary
screens.

The K-pop juggernaut’s seven members, all South Koreans, will perform songs
from their first album in nearly four years.

The hourlong concert will be livestreamed on Netflix globally.

Officials are planning extensive safety steps to prevent crowd-related
incidents, including blocking roads, and having subway trains bypass nearby
stations.

Posted on 2026-03-19 09:05:13

In international news,

The White House says China has agreed to postpone President Donald Trump's
visit to Beijing - which was originally scheduled to take place in just two
weeks time.

According to spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, the White House is working to
secure a new date for the visit as soon as possible.

Trump cited the demands of the Iran war on Tuesday - saying he would take the
trip to Asia in "about five or six weeks."

However, he did not specify a date.

Posted on 2026-03-19 09:05:14

Pakistan and Afghanistan have announced that their pausing military
operations against each other for the Islamic festival of Eid.

The move comes two days after a drug rehab centre in Kabul was hit in the
deadliest strike in months.

The Afghan government has said that more than 400 people were killed and 265
wounded in the airstrike that took place on Monday night.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on
Wednesday that 143 people were killed and 119 wounded in the attack.

Pakistan has rejected the Taliban's statements about the strike, saying it
had "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support
infrastructure."

Posted on 2026-03-19 09:05:14

The British government is rolling out meningitis vaccines to students at a
university in southeast England after an outbreak of the disease killed two
people.

The number of new cases has now jumped to 20.

The U-K Health Security Agency says all those affected were young people.

A 21-year-old student at the University of Kent and a teenage student at a
school in the town of Faversham have died.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is describing the outbreak as "unprecedented
in its spread."

Britain has offered a MenB vaccine to infants since 2015, meaning most
current university students are unlikely to have received it.

Posted on 2026-03-19 09:05:14

And finally,

The Oscars draw fewer television viewers this year in America -- even as the
show stays a major live event.

Disney says 17.9-million people watched Sunday's ceremony which was broadcast
live on ABC and streamed on Hulu.

That is a 9-per cent decline from last year's 19.7-million viewers.

The show featured a faceoff between two Warner Bros. films, "One Battle After
Another" and "Sinners."

"One Battle After Another" won best picture and director.

Disney says the Oscars still rank as the top primetime entertainment telecast
this season.

Posted on 2026-03-19 08:15:14

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have approved a cooperation agreement
for November's local elections.

The agreement was separately passed by the K-M-T Central Standing Committee
and the T-P-P's Central Committee and means that two party's will jointly
field candidates.

Under the pact's "nominate first, coordinate later" model, the two parties
will prioritize incumbent mayors or county magistrates seeking re-election.

The two parties will jointly nominate candidates only in cities and counties
where both sides have negotiated and agreed to cooperate, while candidates
will be selected through opinion polls in selected jurisdictions.

The agreement stipulates that unweighted samples must reflect distributions
of gender, age, education level and geographic area, and pass a
representativeness test showing no significant difference from the overall
population.

Each party will assign three representatives to facilitate communication in
future negotiations between the party headquarters and a joint KMT-TPP
campaign group will be established to support candidates nationwide.

Posted on 2026-03-19 08:15:14

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says C-P-C has absorbed about 3.3-billion
N-T in fuel costs over the past two weeks to help stabilize domestic prices
due to the US-Isreal war with Iran.

According to Vice Economics Minister, Lai Jien-hsin, the government has been
prioritizing price stability as global energy supplies face disruptions from
the conflict.

Under a price-stabilization mechanism, C-P-C absorbs at least 60-per cent of
cost increases while keeping domestic fuel prices among the lowest in
neighboring markets.

The government has also expanded fuel tax cuts to 50-per cent, lowering
gasoline tax to 3.415 N-T per liter and cutting diesel tax 1.995 N-T per
liter.

The vice economics minister says his agency will continue to monitor
developments and assist C-P-C with financing arrangements if needed, as
global oil prices remain volatile.

Posted on 2026-03-19 08:15:14

The central bank is expected to leave leave its key interest rates unchanged
for the ninth consecutive quarter due to the ongoing US-Israel war against
Iran following today's policymaking meeting.

According to economists, global energy prices have been on the rise due to
the Middle East conflict, which has raised concerns over inflation and the
global economy ..

.... both of which are factors that impact the central bank's monetary
policies

The central bank kept the local discount rate at a 15-year high of 2-per cent
following its last policymaking meeting in December.

It also left the rate on accommodations with collateral at 2.375-per cent,
and the rate on accommodations without collateral at 4.25-per cent.

Analysts say the central back could choose to focus on ways to respond to the
volatile global situation during today's policymaking meeting ..

.. as sustained increase in energy prices will push up shipping costs, which
in turn will result in higher imported and domestic product prices.

Posted on 2026-03-19 08:15:14

Nuclear Safety Commission chief Chen Ming-zhen says restarting nuclear power
generation will have to follow established procedures, with the exception of
an emergency order by the president.

The statement comes amid questions as to whether the government is
considering bringing the the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung back
on-line due to potential supply shortages from the Middle East.

Speaking during a legislative hearing, Chen told lawmakers restaring a
nuclear power plant will have to follow the legally mandated process,
beginning with a formal request by Tai-Power and then an inspection by the
Nuclear Safety Commission.

According to Chen, the only exception would be if President Lai Ching-te
issued an emergency order, but even then, there would still need to be a
formal request and safety inspection.

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin last week told lawmakers the Maanshan plant
could begin generating electricity as early as 2028.

The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant was decommissioned on May 17 of last year.

Posted on 2026-03-19 08:15:14

Labor groups are urging the Ministry of Labor to place all migrant workers
under the newer pension system, as it will allow them greater acces to the
state pension program.

The call as labor groups were rallying outside the labor ministry building in
Taipei.

The rally was organized by the Taiwan International Workers' Association.

Protesters criticized the planned measure set to take effect on April 1,
under which employers will be required to place all blue-collar migrant
workers who have worked for them for 10 years or more under the older pension
system.

According to the labor ministry, employers will be required to enroll
eligible migrant workers in the older pension system ...

.... under which they must contribute 2 to 15-per cent of each worker's
monthly salary to a pooled labor retirement reserve fund rather than an
individual account.

The planned measure expands the application of the older pension system to
migrant workers.

However, labor groups argue the eligibility criteria means that pension
benefits will still be largely out of reach for most migrant workers.

Posted on 2026-03-19 08:15:14

And finally,

Police in New Taipei's Tamsui District have broken up an illegal mahjong
gambling venue patronized by retirees.

According to the New Taipei City Police Department's Tamsui Precinct, the
underground casino was located in a private residence on Zhongshan North
Road, Section 1 and came to its attention due to the frequency with which
people came and left.

Police raided the residence and seized gambling paraphernalia and over
100,000 N-T.

The underground casino's operators were also arrested during the raid, along
with nine patrons aged between 50 to 70.

The patrons were mostly of retirees and local housewives.

Police say the patrons claimed they thought playing mahjong in a private home
was just a way to pass the time, and that they did not know they were doing
anything illegal.

The two underground casino operators have been referred to the Shilin
District Prosecutors Office for further investigating.

While the nine patrons are facing a fine of 9,000 N-T each for violating the
Social Order Maintenance Act.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has changed the designation of South Korean
nationals in government-issued alien resident certificates in response to
Seoul's mislabeling of Taiwan in its e-arrival card system.

MOFA says A-R-C holders from South Korea will now be identified as being from
"South Korea" rather than the "Republic of Korea."

The foreign ministry says if the South Korean government continues to ignore
the request to alter its e-arrival card system by March 31, it will also
change South Korea's designation on its arrival cards from "Republic of
Korea" to "South Korea."

The the designation change will only affect first-time applicants and those
renewing their A-R-Cs.

The foreign ministry says it decided to change how it refers to South Korea
in its A-R-C system in accordance with "the principle of reciprocity" after
receiving multiple complaints from Taiwan travelers.

Seoul rolled-out its online entry system on February 24 of last year to
replace paper arrival card.

Taiwan is listed as "China (Taiwan)" in dropdown menus for both "place of
departure" and "next destination."

The ministry says it has repeatedly asked Seoul to correct the "wrongful"
listing which idowngraded Taiwan's sovereignty status, but has not received a
positive response.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:14

The government is set to allow families with at least one child under the age
of 12 to apply to hire migrant domestic helpers from April 13.

The move is part of a new national policy aimed at easing the burden of
childcare.

Current regulations only allow families with three children under the age of
6 to hire migrant domestic helpers.

Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung has said that standard has been
widely seen as being too strict.

As a result, only 2,003 of the more than 870,000 migrant workers were
employed as domestic helpers as of late January.

Under the new rules, households with one child under the age of 12 can apply
to hire migrant domestic helpers, provided they pay a monthly salary of at
least 20,000 N-T, plus a 5,000 N-T employment security fee per worker.

The Workforce Development Agency says more than 1.4- million households could
qualify under the expanded rules and disadvantaged or special-needs
households will receive priority review of their applications.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:14

The Army's Kinmen Defense Command is carrying out its "Taiwu Exercise"
live-fire drills on the outlying island.

The first drill saw armored and artillery units firing live ammunition toward
waters off Donggang on Lieyu Island.

Lieyu Island is located some 5-kilometers from the Chinese city of Xiamen.

Defense officials says troops from the Lieyu Garrison Battalion deployed
standard-issue weapons to perform drills covering drone response, live-fire
defense, near-shore defense and beach combat, as well as final protective
fire.

The live-fire drill simulated combat scenarios in which real equipment and
live troops were deployed in an environment where situations evolved
continuously from gray zone threats to enemy landings.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:14

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says raised the issues of tariffs and military
preparedness during her ongoing trip to the U-S.

Lu also said she has conveyed Taiwan's "needs and views" even as she
expressed Taiwan's sincerity in strengthening cooperation with the U-S.

The Taichung mayor says she firmly believes that cooperation with regional
partners is critical, and the U-S has long been a key partner of Taiwan and
plays a crucial role in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and the
broader Pacific region.

The mayor has described her meetings during the trip as exceeding
expectations, with in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues.

Lu met with with Ingrid Larson, the managing director of the American
Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) Washington office, earlier this week.

Lu has been in the US since March 11, her trip is scheduled to wrap up on
March 21.

Her itinerary has included visits to Boston, New York and Washington D.C.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:14

The Ministry of Health denies reports that the government's free lung cancer
screening program has led to overdiagnosis.

The ministry's Health Promotion Administration has been offering free
low-dose computed tomography screening for heavy smokers and those with a
family history of lung cancer, since 2022.

That made Taiwan the first country in the world to do so.

However, in an op-ed published by a local media outlet, a professor at Taipei
Medical University's College of Public Health argued that the widespread use
of free L-D-C-T screening has led to lung cancer overdiagnosis.

The academic pointed out that he use of L-D-C-T screenings over the last 10
years has also subjected many patients to "unnecessary" lung surgery.

The National Health Insurance Administration says data shows the number of
patients undergoing lung-related resection surgery rose slightly in 2025.

The health ministry says it will now compare data with the Health Promotion
Administration to better track the subsequent treatment of patients who test
positive in L-D-C-T screening.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:14

The Ocean Conservation Administration says a leatherback turtle that died
following surgery earlier this week had nine meters of fishing net in its
digestive tract.

Veterinary surgeons found signs of a possible intestinal obstruction, as well
as significant kidney abnormalities during the autopsy.

The surgeons extracted a nine-meter-long wad of fishing net from the turtle's
stomach as they searched for the cause of death.

That was in addition to a 1.6-meter section of net pulled from the turtle's
digestive tract during earlier surgery.

The adult turtle was discovered by a fisherman on Saturday and sent to
Keelung for treatment, but later died despite efforts to treat its injuries

Leatherback turtles are the world's largest sea turtles and are listed as an
endangered species here in Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:15

And,

A visually impaired Taiwanese perfumer has created a sun cake-inspired
fragrance.

Liu is the world's first visually impaired perfumer and trained at the Grasse
Institute of Perfumery in France.

She led the team at the Chinxiang Academy to develop the fragrance - which
has been named "Bite of the Sun."

Liu says she inspiration from the sun cake, which has long been seen as a
symbol of central Taiwan's warmth and sunshine.

The perfume is set to debut at Scent Taipei 2026 - Taiwan's first
professional fragrance trade show.

Scent Taipei 2026 takes place at the Taipei World Trade Center from tomorrow
through Sunday.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:15

Meanwhile... the UN's shipping agency is calls for a safe maritime corridor
to free some 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf by war in Iran.

Hundreds more vessels have dropped anchor since Tehran threatened to attack
ships attempting to leave the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposal submitted by Bahrain, Japan, Panama, Singapore and the United
Arab Emirates calls for "a framework such as a safe maritime corridor".

At least seven merchant sailors have been killed due to the conflict.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:15

Iceland's Foreign Minister has told Reuters she is optimistic her country
could join the European Union as early as 2028, adding she expects fisheries
and agriculture to be the toughest points of negotiation.

The Icelandic government is proposing a referendum on August 29 on resuming
EU membership negotiations...

Iceland has disagreed with the EU in the past over fishing quotas that impact
one of the main drivers of its economy.

Reykjavik first froze negotiations in 2013 when a more Eurosceptic government
took power.

Posted on 2026-03-19 07:04:15

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is planning to visit Hungary in the coming days
in a show of support for the country's long-time nationalist prime minister
Viktor Orban.

The trip would come after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to
Budapest in February to publicly back Orban ahead of his toughest re-election
fight since taking power in 2010.

The exact timing of Vance's visit was not immediately clear and sources have
told the Reuters news agency that his plans could change.

Orban is one of Trump's closest allies in Europe... opinion polls show him
trailing in the final month before the April 12 vote.

Posted on 2026-03-18 18:07:13

And starting off with a major political development...

Taiwan's main opposition parties are joining forces ahead of the 2026
Nine-in-One local elections.

The KMT and the Taiwan People's Party have signed a formal pact ... aimed at
integrating opposition support and avoid splitting the vote,

Under the agreement, the two parties will first nominate their own
candidates, then use public opinion polls to select a single unified
candidate in key battlegrounds, starting with New Taipei and Chiayi cities as
well as Yilan County.

The winner of those polls will receive the full backing of both parties.

Beyond the ballot box, the deal also lays the groundwork for "joint
governance".

If their unified candidates win, both parties have committed to sharing
administrative responsibilities to ensure stable local leadership.

Both parties say the strategy could maximize their chances in the 2026
elections.

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun said the agreement is about upholding fairness and
democratic principles ... while seeking the greatest chance of victory for
the opposition.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-18 18:07:13

A concert by Super Junior at the Taipei Dome last November helped drive
tourism and consumer spending in Taipei.

According to the National Credit Card Center, international visitor spending
on accommodation and dining rose by nearly 20 percent during the concert
period.

Data shows foreign tourists increased their hotel spending by about 19
percent and dining expenses by more than 21 percent compared to the same
period in 2024 when no concert was held.

Domestic visitors also contributed, with dining spending rising by nearly 12
percent.

Analysts say the findings highlight how large-scale concerts can attract
overseas fans, encourage multi-day stays, and generate broader economic
benefits for the tourism industry.

The report also notes that Taipei Dome is beginning to show growing appeal in
the international concert market, helping draw visitors from both within
Taiwan and abroad.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-18 18:07:13

Mandopop superstar Jay Chou (周杰倫) has officially announced his new
13-track album, Children of the Sun.

The title was inspired by a nickname from fellow icon Jacky Cheung ...

... who sent Chou mangoes printed with the words "Children of the Sun" and a
handwritten card during a rainy concert in Hong Kong.

Chou says the gesture made him feel like "the sun was in his heart",
prompting him to embrace the name for his first album release since 2022.

One hundred lucky fans will also get to catch a global MV premiere at MUVIE
CINEMAS in Taipei's Xinyi District on March 24th.

The album hits digital platforms on March 25th, with physical copies arriving
in stores on April 10th.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:13

A fire at a hotel in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area last night,
affected over 150 visitors, but caused no injuries.

The Chiayi County Fire Bureau says the blaze occurred at around 11 p.m. at
the Kaofeng Hotel in Alishan Township.

Nine fire brigades, various firefighting vehicles and a special
search-and-rescue unit were dispatched to the scene to deal with the fire
that started on the third floor of the four-story hotel.

Thick smoke affected the adjacent Guesthouse but did not spread indoors as
the blaze was extinguished at 2:30 a.m. this morning.

A total of 159 visitors -- all hotel and guesthouse guests -- were affected
by the fire, including five from Malaysia, three from Poland, and three from
Thailand.

Officials say all have been properly accommodated.

(CNA - NS)

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:17

The Nuclear Safety Commission says it has yet to receive Taiwan Power's plan
of reactivating the third nuclear power plant.

N-S-C chair Chen Ming-zhen (陳明真) says once the plan is submitted, the
commission will review it, but the timing of the restart remains uncertain
because inspections and verification procedures take time.

Taiwan Power chair Zeng Wen-sheng (曾文生) recently said the restart plan for
the number 3 nuclear power plant had been largely completed and would be sent
to the commission by the end of March.

He also noted that manufacturer Westinghouse's technical personnel had begun
independent safety inspections and equipment analysis at the plant.

The power plant's first generator was decommissioned in July 2024, and the
second in May 2025.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:18

Kaohsiung is launching Taiwan's first subscription service for public
transportation to make commuting easier and more automatic.

The city's Transportation Bureau announced today that the $399-NT QR monthly
pass now includes a subscription option.

Passengers can link a credit card to the MeNGo platform to have their passes
renew automatically every month.

This removes the need for commuters to buy a new pass manually every 30 days.

Officials say now the entire process can be done on a smartphone, and the new
system is part of a plan to make travel in the city fully digital.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:20

Asia shares are mostly higher today with benchmarks in Japan and South Korea
increasing sharply.

Taiwan shares have also gained ground. The Taiex rose 512 points to end the
session at 34,349.

The turnover was 897 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:20

In international news,

Venezuela has won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding
from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 on a
tiebreaking double in the ninth.

Despite a heralded roster of stars, the U.S. lost its second straight final
of baseball's premier international event.

Ahead of the Miami matchup with political overtones, players and coaches
avoided discussing the government turmoil between the nations, heightened
when the U.S. military captured Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro in
January.

The sellout crowd of over 36-thousand was heavily pro-Venezuela, with some
booing American players during the introductions.

Venezuela became the second Latin American nation to win the WBC, after the
Dominican Republic in 2013.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:20

US President Donald Trump says he is postponing his trip to Beijing to meet
Chinese President Xi Jinping by up to six weeks while he deals with the war
in the Middle East.

It comes as the war delays an effort to ease tensions between the world's two
biggest economies.

Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

Posted on 2026-03-18 14:07:20

Iran's judiciary says a man has been executed in the country for allegedly
spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

The judiciary's news agency on Wednesday alleged he“provided images and
information on sensitive locations” to the Mossad.

Iran, one of the world's top executioners, has long put people to death after
convicting them of spying charges in closed-door hearings where they cannot
fully contest the cases against them.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-18 13:06:13

Health Minister Shi Chong-liang has promised to continue monitoring whether
the use of low-dose CT scans leads to an increase in unnecessary surgeries.

Local news media recently reported medical experts' criticisms against the
scans, saying that they often led to over treatment, which actually caused
more harm than benefits.

Taipei Medical University Professor Gao Zhi-wen said in some cases, patients
underwent unnecessary lobectomy surgeries.

Taiwan's National Health Promotion Administration in 2022 started sponsoring
LDCT scans for high-risk people with a family history of lung cancer or heavy
smokers.

The Minister today defended the policy, saying lung cancer has been the
leading cause of cancer deaths in Taiwan for years, and as early-stage lung
cancer often shows no symptoms, it is difficult to detect.

He said the LDCT program targeting high-risk groups has had a positive
detection rate of about 1.2 percent.

As to whether the scan would lead to excessive treatment, he said the Health
Ministry will continue monitoring differences among hospitals and physicians
and provided the analysis to hospitals with the aim of improving surgical
decisions

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-18 13:06:13

Agriculture Minister Chen Jun-ji (陳駿季) says fertilizer raw material
inventories held by the state-run Taiwan Fertilizer Company are currently
enough to meet demand for up to eight months.

According to the media, much of the world's fertiliser is made in the Middle
East, with one-third of global trade in it passing through the Strait of
Hormuz.

Addressing concerns about fertilizer imports, Chen said today that Taiwan
sources fertilizer raw materials not only from the Middle East but from
Southeast Asia and Australia as well.

He noted that when factoring in existing stockpiles and shipments already on
the way to Taiwan, supplies of fertilizer raw materials should be enough to
last about six to eight months.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-18 13:06:13

Complete

Turning to world news...

Paraguay has ratified the Mercosur and European Union free trade deal to
complete South America's approval of a huge new trade zone.

Paraguayan lawmakers backed the pact on Tuesday.

The approval came days after the Senate signed off on it.

Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil have already ratified it.

Newer Mercosur member Bolivia didn't take part in the talks but it can join
the pact later.

The European Commission has said it would provisionally ratify the deal soon.

This means the agreement could take effect even as a legal challenge by
European lawmakers winds its way through the European Court of Justice.

Some EU countries, including France, still oppose it.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-18 13:06:13

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and his party pushed through a
constitutional reform that will permit life sentences in a country that has
imprisoned more than 1% of its population in its war on gangs.

The measure is slated to be ratified next week.

It comes as Bukele has pushed forward rounds of constitutional reforms, which
have been sharply criticized for chipping away at checks and balances as well
as undermining the country's delicate democracy.

The reform builds upon other measures Bukele has taken in his war against El
Salvador's gangs.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-03-18 08:14:13

The Air Force Command Headquarters says it has found and retrieved the flight
data recorder of the F-16V fighter jet that disappeared off the east coast in
January.

According to defense officials, the flight data recorder will now be sent it
to its manufacturer in the U-S to decode the data to determine the cause of
the plane's disappearance.

The Air Force Command Headquarters has not released any information
concerning the exact location where the black box was found by the salvage
company responsible for the mission.

The single-seat F-16V went missing on January 6 after taking off from Hualien
Air Base on a routine nighttime training mission.

The pilot, Captain Hsin Po-yi reported that the aircraft was losing altitude
shortly before he was about to eject from the aircraft.

The fighter jet's signal disappeared from radar eight seconds later off the
coast of Fengbin in Hualien.

Posted on 2026-03-18 08:14:13

The K-M-T legislative caucus is urging the government to conduct a
comprehensive review of its New Southbound Talent Policy in order to better
safeguard the rights of overseas and international students in Taiwan.

The program was established by the Tsai administration in 2016 with the aim
of attracting some 200,000 applicants from Southeast Asia, Australia, and New
Zealand to Taiwan.

According to the K-M-T legislative caucus, it has since cost taxpayers
4.2-billion N-T and the retention rate stands at only 30-per cent.

Caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang says many private schools chose to
recruited students from Southeast Asian countries under the program which was
geared towards students studying and leaning Mandarin ...

.. but many of those students actually ended up working at restaurants,
factories and hotels as the schools formed a "profit chain" involving lower
and mid-tier private universities, and businesses.

Lin says that has resulted in the promise of studying in Taiwan becoming one
of working in Taiwan and filling labor shortages with "disguised migrant
labor."

The K-M-T is calling on the Ministry of Education to fully review the current
system, including recruitment mechanisms, broker oversight, industry-academia
cooperation programs and student working hours.

Posted on 2026-03-18 08:14:13

The Taipei District Court has rejected a request by former Taipei Mayor Ko
Wen-je for a short exemption from his travel ban to attend his son's
graduation ceremony in Japan.

The ruled the trip to be unnecessary - saying Ko's presence is not essential
for the graduation to take place and that his absence would not prevent his
son from successfully obtaining his degree.

Ko filed a request with the court to allow him to visit Japan from March
23-25 to attend his son's doctoral graduation ceremony at the University of
Tokyo last week.

The request was opposed by the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office - which
argued Ko had not presented a concrete plan to ensure he would not flee or
collude with co-defendants.

The Taipei District Court stated that Ko failed to provide sufficient
rationale for the court to lift the travel restrictions imposed when he was
released on bail of 70-million N-T in September of last year.

Ko had been in custody for a year prior to that on corruption-related
charges linked to the Core Pacific City project and political donations.

The district court's decision can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-03-18 08:14:13

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih has visited the Asia-Pacific headquarters of
global architecture firm, Populous - which is known for stadium design as
part of his ongoing trip to Australia.

According to the New Taipei City Government, Hou and his delegation met with
Populous' Global Director Paul Henry inBrisbane, and heard a presentation on
several Major League Baseball stadium design projects from one of the
company's senior architects.

City officials say Populous also introduced their projects in Japan, South
Korea and Australia to illustrate their experience in large-scale public
construction in different cultural and market environments.

The visit to Populous comes after New Taipei announced plans last year for a
50,000-seat multipurpose domed stadium.

That stadium will be built in either in the Shulin District or at the Danhai
New Town Phase 2 site in Tamsui District.

The final location for the stadium is expected to be confirmed in the middle
of this year, following feasibility studies.

Hou is leading a delegation of local government officials and city councilors
on a 10-day visit to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Posted on 2026-03-18 08:14:13

And finally,

The Taiwan Smart City Summit & Expo is underway in Taipei - showcasing the
island's strengths in digital governance and smart public services.

The event is organized by the Taipei Computer Association and the National
Development Council.

Organizers say this year's expo highlights Taiwan's technological "soft
power" and features more than 2,250 booths and over 70 professional forums
through Friday in Taipei ...

.. before it moves to Kaohsiung from Friday through Sunday.

According to the organizers, this year's event includes representatives from
174 cities across 53 countries and is expected to attract more than 3,000
international visitors and over 250 startup teams.

Tokyo and Poland are participating with dedicated pavilions for the first
time.

This year's exhibition is being held under the theme of "Digital and Green
Transformation" and feature the world's first A-I City Pavilion ...

.... which combines A-I computing infrastructure, operating platforms, and
integrated smart city applications for international city leaders and system
integrators.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:13

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says he believes a U-S internal review
process for the sale of a second package of arms to the island is proceeding
on schedule.

The statement comes amid concerns the package could be delayed due to the
ongoing U-S Israeli war against Iran.

Koo said the government is coordinating closely with the U-S and he is
unaware of any related information indicating delays.

The 14-billion U-S dollar arms package includes advanced interceptor missiles

A defense official earlier this week denied reports that that delivery of the
first two MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the U-S was delayed due to the war in
the Middle East.

Local media outlets had reported of the first two drones is set to take place
in the second half of this year in accordance with the original schedule.

Taiwan has ordered four MQ-9B surveillance drones from the U-S and delivery
timeline has been set for 2026 and 2027 in two batches of two each.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology will be
live-firing its newly developed air-launched variant of the Hsiung Feng III
supersonic anti-ship missile later this month.

The live-fire exercises take place on March 26 and 27 in waters near the
military's Jiupeng Base in Pingtung against a target ship.

An Air Force I-D-F completed the first test launch of an air-launched variant
of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile in December.

The air-launched Hsiung Feng III has a smaller airframe than the
ship-launched and land-based versions and is designed to be carried under the
wings of the fighter jets.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

bias

The Ministry of Labor has launched a free video legal consultation service
for workers facing suspected pregnancy or gender-based workplace
discrimination.

The ministry hopes to provide a consultation channel that is professional,
private and convenient and believes it will make workers less likely to feel
intimidated about seeking help than other channels ...

.... such as filing complaints directly with local governments.

The free video legal consultation service is being carried out in partnership
with the Legal Aid Foundation.

Workers who suspect they faced pregnancy or gender-based discrimination will
get the chance to hold
one-on-one video consultations with lawyers beginning April 1.

Migrant workers and foreign nationals who do not speak Mandarin are also
eligible for the service - the Legal Aid Foundation says interpretation
assistance will be provided if needed.

The labor ministry says the video consultation service is expected to handle
more than 600 cases a year and has been allocated a budget of 2-million N-T.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai is pushing the Smart Kaohsiung AI Lighthouse
Project on the sidelines of this year's Nvidia G-T-C conference in San Jose.

Chen said the project is aimed at applying a "sovereign AI" approach to city
governance as demand for computing power surges amid a shift toward
generative A-I inference and "AI factory" development.

The Kaohsiung city mayor said his administration plans to work with Nvidia
and Hon Hai to establish centers using compute unified device architecture.

The system was created by Nvidia to support demand for computing power and
for software development.

When fully developed, the system is expected to utilize the A-I platform for
large-scale event planning, traffic flow analysis, disaster prevention, and
industrial safety monitoring.

The Kaohsiung mayor also net with representatives from Amazon Web Services
and AT&T at the Nvidia G-T-C conference to explore ways to integrate telecom
services with Nvidia's vision-language model training results to address
urban challenges ..

.... such as traffic, flood prevention and environmental monitoring.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

The Centers for Disease Control says a man in his 70s from northern Taiwan
has been discharged from hospital after being diagnosed with a viral illness
tied to tick bites.

The patient sought emergency treatment in late February after developing
weakness and a fever, and was later admitted to hospital.

He was was released from isolation and discharged after more than two weeks.

It was was the third ever domestic case of the disease known as
"thrombo-cytopenia" ... it is primarily caused by tick bites but the C-D-C
says it can also spread between humans.

The source of infection remains under investigation.

The C-D-C and local health authorities have conducted an environmental
investigation at the patient's residence, and no ticks were found inside the
residence or on pets.

Although total of 16 ticks were collected outside the residence, none tested
positive for the virus.

Nine contacts have been identified and none have so far shown symptoms

They will continue to be monitored until March 26.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

The Taiwan Cetacean Society says a 280-kilogram leatherback turtle rescued
this past weekend has died despite efforts to treat its injuries.

It had undergone surgery meant to remove a 160-centimeter long net that it
had eaten... and which had become entangled in its mouth and gastrointestinal
tract.

The society says it will conduct an autopsy to assess the damage caused by
the net.

The turtle was estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old.

It was found in a set-net fishing ground near Gengfang Fishing Harbor in
Yilan County.

The animal was then sent to Keelung for treatment.

Leatherback turtles are the world's largest sea turtles and are listed as an
endangered species here in Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

And,

The Freeway Bureau will be offering a 30-percent discount on long-distance
highway tolls on the two weekends leading up to the April 3 through 6
Tomb-Sweeping holiday.

The move is aimed ease traffic congestion over the holiday weekend.

The discounted toll rate is set at 0.63 N-T per kilometer, which translated
into savings of about 130 N-T for a trip from Yuanshan in Taipei to
Kaohsiung.

But tolls will increase for travel of under 42-kilometers per day during
those weekends.

The Freeway Bureau is advising motorists making shorter trips to use city or
alternative roads to avoid higher fees and potential highway congestion.

Data shows that that traffic volume increases by about 10-per cent on
weekends when the discount is being implemented.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

President Donald Trump and his team are increasing the pressure on
journalists to cover the war in the Middle East the way the administration
wants.

The Republican president has complained on social media about stories he
doesn't like and berated a reporter on Air Force One over the weekend.

The government's top media regulator warned broadcasters risk losing their
licenses to operate if they don't stay away from “fake news.”

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have questioned the patriotism of
some news outlets because of their reports.

Posted on 2026-03-18 07:01:14

Peru’s prime minister has resigned from her post.

The resignation of Denisse Miralles comes ahead of a mandatory vote in the
nation’s Congress where she needed a majority of legislators to confirm her
recent appointment.

Miralles was appointed as prime minister in late February, after Interim
President Jose Jeri was removed from his post following corruption
allegations and replaced by congressman Jose Maria Balcazar.

Peru has seen eight presidents in the past decade, with several heads of
state removed by Congress amid corruption allegations.

Posted on 2026-03-17 18:22:13

Major Taiwanese shipping companies say their operations remain normal amid
reports that Chinese ports are increasing inspections of Panama-flagged
vessels.

News outlets had reported that Chinese authorities detained 28
Panama-registered ships between March 8th and 12th, a level far higher than
usual.

Some analysts suggestng the move may be retaliation, after the Panama
government revoked operating rights for two ports held by a Hong Kong-based
group.

Taiwan's three major container lines — Evergreen, Yang Ming, and Wan Hai —
report no major disruptions.

Experts say while the inspections might cause short-term delays, the overall
impact on global routes should be limited.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-17 18:22:13

Victims of workplace discrimination regarding gender equality will soon have
a more private way to seek help.

The Ministry of Labor says a new video consultation service will launch on
April first, allowing workers to speak one-on-one with legal experts about
gender or pregnancy discrimination.

Officials say the service is designed to protect privacy, as many workers
fear their identities could be leaked through traditional complaint channels.

Government surveys from last year show that over 50 percent of women reported
workplace pregnancy discrimination, and nearly 28 percent have experienced it
directly.

Over 40 percent of affected workers were willing to file complaints, but many
hesitated due to concerns over confidentiality and lengthy procedures.

The ministry says the service will be run in partnership with the Legal Aid
Foundation and is expected to handle more than 600 consultations each year.

It also reminds employers that they face fines of up to $1.5 million NT if
they're found to have violated the Gender Equality in Employment Act.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-17 18:22:13

New Taipei mayoral hopeful Huang Kuo-chang of the Taiwan People's Party has
unveiled a multi-million dollar plan aimed at making the city more friendly
towards older people.

Huang says the proposal focuses on expanding welfare, healthcare, and housing
support.

His plan includes a 2 thousand NT montly allowance for grandparents who help
care for their grandchildren, as well as expanding the senior welfare card to
cover pharmacies, farmers' association convenience stores, and increasing
taxi subsidies.

He also pledged to improve access to health services, including subsidized
check-ups and free taxi transportation for older people in rural areas to
attend those check-ups.

On housing, Huang is proposing major subsidies for aging buildings, promising
up to 10-million NT per building for elevator installations and accessibility
upgrades.

Huang says the goal is to address the city's aging population and aging
housing.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-03-17 18:22:13

Taiwan's Freeway Bureau will offer a 30-percent discount on long-distance
highway tolls on the two weekends leading up to the Tomb-Sweeping holiday.

The measure is meant to ease traffic congestion over the April 3-6 holiday.

The discounted toll rate on the weekends of March 21-22 and March 28-29 means
savings of about $130 NT for a trip from Yuan-shan in Taipei to Kaohsiung.

However, tolls will increase for travel of under 42 kilometers per day during
those weekends to encourage those making shorter trips to switch to
alternative roads to avoid higher fees.

Freeway officials said traffic volume increases by about 10 percent on
weekends when the discount is implemented.

People can find more information on the bureau's website.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 17:06:13

The Air Force announced today that the company commissioned to locate the
so-called black box of the missing F-16V fighter jet has found and recovered
the flight data recorder.

The aircraft, flown by Captain Xin Bo-yi, went down on January 6th during a
nightime training session off of Hualian.

After over two months of search, the company has finally found the black box
and a large amount of aircraft debris.

However, no remains of the pilot have been found, and the search is ongoing.

The Air Force said it'll send the recorder to the American manufacturer for
analysis to determine the cause of the crash.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 17:06:15

The government is investigating reports of fraud involving a national rental
subsidy program.

The Ministry of the Interior says it is investigating reports of people using
fake rental contracts and false identities to claim funds from the $30
billion NT program intended to help people with the high cost of housing.

Officials say so far, people have been convicted in 34 cases, and another 140
cases are currently under investigation.

The ministry says anyone caught breaking the law will be forced to pay back
the subsidies they received.

The government is asking the public to report any suspicious activity to
local authorities.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-17 17:06:15

A leatherback turtle has died from injuries, a day after being rescued in
Yilan County.

The Taiwan Cetacean Society says the 280-kilogram turtle died Monday after
undergoing surgery to remove a 160-centimeter net it had ingested that had
become entangled in its mouth and gastro-intestinal tract,

The NGO said it will conduct an autopsy later today to determine the cause of
death and assess the damage caused by the net.

The female turtle was estimated to be 25 to 30 years old.

Leatherback turtles are the world's largest sea turtles and are listed as an
endangered species in Taiwan.

(CNA - NS)

Posted on 2026-03-17 17:06:15

In world news...

Gulf Arab nations came under renewed fire from Iran, which has been targeting
regional oil infrastructure and vowed again not to relinquish its
stranglehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, briefly shut its
airspace today as the military said it was “responding to incoming missile
and drone threats” around the city.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones Tuesday
morning over the country’s vast Eastern Province, home to oil
infrastructure.

In Qatar, the sounds of explosions boomed over the capital early in the day
as defenses worked to intercept incoming fire.

Meanwhile, Israel launched new strikes on Tehran and against Iran-backed
Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

The Israel military also faced new salvos of incoming missiles from Iran.

Fears of a global energy crisis continue as the war rages on.

Posted on 2026-03-17 14:07:13

The Defense Minister says Taiwan has not received any notice from the United
States about possible delays in weapon deliveries.

Wellington Koo told lawmakers today that the National Defense Ministry has
kept close contact with Washington D.C. and according to his understanding,
internal U.S. review procedures are continuing as scheduled.

The comment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he's asked
Beijing to postpone a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jin-ping.

The Reuters News Agency reported last week that a major U.S. arms package for
Taiwan, including advanced interceptor missiles, could be signed by Trump
after his visit to China in late March.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 14:07:16

The Maritime Port Bureau's data shows that the number of yacht operator
licenses has increased by 57 percent over the past five years, with over
31-thousand people applying for yacht licenses last year.

The number of registered yachts has also risen by 35 percent, to 1-thousand
600 in 2025.

M-P-B officials said they are actively promoting yacht activities and
expanding yacht berthing facilities islandwide in an effort to boost the
so-called "blue economy."

The Bureau is also planning “tourism routes for yachts,” which aim to link
destinations around Taiwan and its offshore islands and allow fishing ports
and the yacht industry to thrive together.

Officials say they hope marine leisure activities will become a more popular
way for people in Taiwan to connect with the ocean.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 14:07:16

Shares are mixed in Asian trading after a drop in oil prices helped send the
U.S. stock market to its best day since the war in Iran began.

The Taiex gained .494..points to end the session at 33-thousand 836.

The turnover was robust, at $818.8 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-03-17 14:07:20

The beginning of 2026 ranks as the deadliest start to any year for people
trying to cross the Mediterranean.

an unprecedented 682 confirmed missing as of March 16 according to the United
Nations’ International Organization for Migration.

But the true count may be even higher.

Human rights groups are increasingly struggling to verify tolls as Italy,
Malta and Tunisia have gradually restricted information on migrant rescues
and shipwrecks.

The news barely makes headlines, in part because the lack of transparency
prevents journalists from confirming reports. After Cyclone Harry, activists
report more than 1,000 missing, but officials have not confirmed details.

Migrants families have pleaded for help identifying bodies washing ashore.

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:13

Premier Zhuo Rong-tai has promised to soon nominate another three people for
the Central Election Commission after the opposition-majority Legislative
Yuan rejected the Cabinet's previous nominations.

The Legislature last week approved the nominations of Yo Ying-long for CEC
chairperson, along with three other nominees for commissioner, two of whom
were recommended by the KMT, while another was recommended by the TPP.

The other three proposed by the ruling DPP failed to secure more than half of
the votes.

Zhuo today called on opposition lawmakers to "uphold their integrity" as they
had promised to cooperate with the ruling DPP in the nominations of CEC
commissioners.

In response, KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-xiang said his party has
only one standard when reviewing nominees, professionalism and impartiality,
so the CEC can truly function as an independent body.

according to the law., The CEC should have 9 commissioners and it needs to
have at least 5 for making decisions .

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

Wild bird conservationists are urging the general public not to disturb a
pair of endangered Oriental storks in Yun-lin.

The storks, white with sharply contrasting black flight feathers and red
legs, built a nest late last year on a high-voltage power tower along the
Yun-lin section of the Zhuo-shui (濁水) River.

Yesterday bird watchers reportedly spotted someone using a drone to film the
nest.

The parent birds were suspected to have been frightened by the drone’s
presence and the sound of its propellers, as one of them did not return to
the nest.

The Formosa Wild Bird Conservation Association is calling on people to keep
their distance and avoid disturbing the birds while they are raising their
young.

Fewer than 3,000 Oriental storks remain worldwide, and in Taiwan, it's
classified as a Category I endangered species.

The Association tried to find the person operating the drone but has so far
been unsuccessful.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

turning to world news...

The escalating Iran war is pushing parts of the world into energy
conservation.

Governments are deciding where to cut demand or absorb higher costs, while
prioritizing dwindling supplies.

In places like Bangkok and Vietnam, people are being urged to work from home,
take the stairs and keep air-conditioning above 24°C, while some businesses
are preparing for disruptions.

The conflict is disrupting critical oil and natural gas shipments from the
Middle East, sending prices soaring and threatening global growth — with
Asia facing the greatest risk from the shock.

During trading in Asian markets today, Brent crude was priced at around 103
U.S. dollars a barrel.

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

Officials in Cuba report an islandwide blackout in the country of some 11
million people as its energy and economic crises deepen.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines notes a “complete disconnection” of the
country’s electrical system and says it is investigating.

It was the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

Cuban President on Friday warned that the island had not received oil
shipments in more than three months and that it was operating on solar power,
natural gas and thermo-electric plants.

Cuba has blamed its woes on a U.S. energy blockade.

President Donald Trump warned in January of tariffs on any country that would
sell or provide oil to the island.

Posted on 2026-03-17 13:07:14

The Rakuten Monkeys have signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Motoki
Sakakibara to a developmental contract to strengthen the team's pitching
rotation.

The 25-year-old pitcher joins the Chinese Professional Baseball League team
after two standout seasons with the Gunma Diamond Pegasus in Japan's
independent BC League.

Last year, Sakakibara recorded 10 wins, a 2.18 ERA, and 73 strikeouts,
leading his division.

The Monkeys say Sakakibara has a wide variety of pitches and excellent
control, and the team plans to use its training system to help the young
pitcher reach his full potential and add depth to its pitching team.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

The Tai-Ex rebounded in early trading today after international crude oil
prices declined and Nvidia announced solid sales forecasts for its AI chips
overnight.

The main board added 500-point this morning to reach 33,871.

The bump was led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which saw its share
price rise by 35 N-T to hit 1,875 N-T after it announced its 2025 third
quarter dividend for common shares.

T-S-M-C's Q3 2025 cash dividend per share is 6 N-T, totals 155.5-billion N-T
and is expect to be paid out on April 9.

Delta Electronics, MediaTek, Winbond and Nanya Technology also all rose
sharply on the Tai-Ex on the back of Nvidia's announcement.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

The Ministry of National Defense is reporting two Chinese Air Force sorties
operating near Taiwan between 6AM Monday and 6AM today.

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

Eight Chinese Navy vessels and one maritime patrol vessel were also spotted
operating in Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour period.

The defense ministry this past weekend said that 26 Chinese military aircraft
sorties were spotted on Sunday.

No Chinese aircraft were reported between February 27 and March 6.

The defense ministry says the sudden increase in air activity came as Beijing
was carrying out a "joint combat readiness patrol."

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

And,

Retired seven-time N-B-A All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge is slated to visit Taiwan
for the first time in early April to promote an N-B-A event

According to N-B-A Taiwan, Aldridge will meet fans at Banqiao Gymnasium in
New Taipei on April 4 and 5 during the Rising Stars Invitational Taiwan
Regional Qualifiers.

Tickets are available on FamiTicket.

Aldridge is best known for his time with the Portland Trail Blazers and the
San Antonio Spurs, where he played power forward and center.

He retired in 2022 after a 16-season N-B-A career.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

In international news,

The White House says U-S President Donald Trump's anticipated meeting with
China's Xi Jin-ping could be postponed as he remains focused on the Iran war.

Trump is scheduled to travel to China from March 31 to April 2.

Trump has recently called on numerous nations, including China, to help ships
safely transit the key Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's request for assistance so far has largely been rebuffed.

China, which imported around 12 million barrels of oil daily in the first two
months of 2026, has not directly responded to Trump's request.

Trump told the Financial Times that he might postpone the meeting if China
did not help to unblock the Gulf waterway.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

Afghanistan is accusing Pakistan of targeting a hospital for drug users in
the Afghan capital with an airstrike.

Afghanistan's deputy government spokesman says the strike has killed 400
people, while about 250 more have been wounded.

The strike marks a dramatic escalation of a conflict that began late last
month and has seen repeated cross-border clashes as well as airstrikes inside
Afghanistan.

Pakistan has dismissed the accusation, saying strikes which were also
conducted in eastern Afghanistan did not hit any civilian sites.

The strikes came hours after Afghan officials said the two sides exchanged
fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

Officials in Cuba are reporting an island-wide blackout.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, there's been a "complete
disconnection" of the country's electrical system and it is investigating.

The ministry also says there were no failures in the units that were
operating when the grid collapsed.

It's the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned last Friday that the island had not
received oil shipments in more than three months and that it was operating on
solar power, natural gas and thermoelectric plants.

Cuba has blamed the issues on a U-S energy blockade.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

Ecuadorian officials say they have deployed 75,000 soldiers to four
crime-ridden provinces, where the government is implementing a nightly curfew
under which people are banned from leaving their homes.

Officials says 253 people have been arrested for violating the curfew, which
started Sunday night and is expected to last for two weeks.

Areas that are popular with tourists such as the Galapagos Islands and the
capital city of Quito have been spared.

Ecuador has been struggling to control drug violence, as cartels fight over
ports along its coast that are used to ship cocaine to the United States.

Posted on 2026-03-17 11:06:13

And finally,

Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang has elaborated on his vision for keeping his
company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom

Sporting his signature black leather jacket, Huang spent two hours sauntering
across a stage at the G-P-U Tech Conference in a packed arena in San Jose,
California, explaining how Nvidia's processors have became indispensable AI
components ...

.... and highlighting the products that he believes will keep the company in
the catbird's seat.

To hammer home his point, Huang said Nvidia will be grappling with a
1-trillion U-S dollar backlog in A-I chip orders, doubling his estimate from
a year ago.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology is planning to
develop low-cost munitions to counter China's potential use of such weapons
that could deplete Taiwan's stock of air defense missiles.

According to institute president Li Shih-qiang, test flights of such low-cost
munitions are expected to to take next year.

Defense officials say other sources are also being considered and the defense
ministry hopes to acquire munitions through multiple channels, for Taiwan's
"T-Dome," high-altitude coverage and for protection against long-range
rockets.

The statements come after the defense ministry presented a report to
lawmakers reviewing Taiwan's air and missile defense capabilities.

The report included explanations of low-cost interception methods and
counter-drone measures and said the development of affordable air defense
munitions capable of intercepting long-range rockets is being considered.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien says the government's
birth rate projections that appeared in a 2024 report were "too optimistic."

The statement come after data shows that births last year fell to an all-time
low - while there was all-time monthly low of 6,523 births last month.

According to Yeh, the previous estimates resulted in a relatively large
discrepancy with the actual birth figures, and his agency has now
revised its population projections for 2024 to 2070 - and the new data will
be released in August.

The N-D-C has now revised the hypothetical scenarios and statistical model to
assume the worst-case scenario for population conditions.

Yeh says there is a "serious" trend of people not marrying or having
children, stemming from factors including anti-natal workplace policies,
economic pressure, and changing values among young people ...

.. and he's citing Academia Sinica's research on the issue - saying stipends
and subsidies alone will have only a "limited" impact on the birth rate.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

Economists are forecasting that the central bank will opt to leave its key
interest rates unchanged for the ninth consecutive quarter due to the ongoing
US-Israel war against Iran following its upcoming policymaking meeting.

The meeting is slated for Thursday.

According to economists, global energy prices have been on the rise due to
the Middle East conflict, which has raised concerns over inflation and the
global economy - both of which are factors that impact the central bank's
monetary policies

The central bank kept the local discount rate at a 15-year high of 2-per cent
following its last policymaking meeting in December.

It also left the rate on accommodations with collateral at 2.375-per cent,
and the rate on accommodations without collateral at 4.25-per cent.

Some analysts say the central back could choose to focus on ways to respond
to the volatile global situation during the policymaking meeting ..

.. as sustained increase in energy prices will push up shipping costs, which
in turn will result in higher imported and domestic product prices.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

The government says real regular wages recorded their fastest growth for the
month of January in 11 years as steady pay raises outpaced inflation.

According to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics,
the average monthly regular wage among employees in the industrial and
service sectors reached 48,819 N-T in January.

That was an increase of 2.9-per cent from a year earlier and the largest
increase for the month in 16 years.

The government says after adjusting for inflation, average real regular wages
rose 2.18-per cent year-over-year in January, the fastest growth for the
month since 2016.

The median regular wage stood at 39,136 N-T.

However, data shows that real average monthly earnings, which includes both
regular wages and non-regular income such as overtime pay and bonuses, stood
at 76,495 in January ..

.. and that was a decline of 31.38-per cent from a year earlier.

The government is attributing that decline due to the timing of the Lunar New
Year holiday.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

One person is dead and three others have been injured following a fire broke
at the Zhuyuan Extra High Voltage Substation in Hsinchu City.

The fire at the Tai-Power facility in the city's East District broke out at
yesterday afternoon.

The Hsinchu City Fire Bureau said firefighters received a report at 3:27PM of
a suspected explosion at the facility and arrived six minutes later to begin
extinguishing the blaze.

Three people were sent to the hospital for treatment, including one who was
later pronounced dead.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

According to Tai-Power, the fire occurred while voltage stabilization
equipment at the substation was undergoing testing and the incident caused a
brief voltage drop affecting some power users in the Hsinchu Science Park.

However, Tai-Power says the blaze did not cause a power outage or disrupt the
park's electricity supply.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

The Chunghwa Post says international ePackets will replace registered small
packets as the primary means of sending parcels of up to 2-kilograms overseas
from April 1.

According to the post office, the launch of international ePacket services is
in response to new Universal Postal Union standards and the rapid growth of
cross-border e-commerce.

The post office says the move will offer customers lower-cost services, but
no compensation for lost or damaged packages.

Beginning April 1, international ePacket services will be expanded from the
current 24 countries and regions to any location where international airmail
can be sent or received.

Service for international registered small packets will be halted on April 1.

Chunghwa Post says certain features of international registered small packet
mail made it less efficient and increased labor costs.

Posted on 2026-03-17 08:13:13

And finally,

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says QR code single-journey tickets will
be launched on the Taipei Metro network starting March 18.

According to the company, the QR code single-journey tickets will be
available from ticket vending machines at all Taipei Metro stations beginning
that day.

Passengers will be able to enter and exit stations by aligning the QR code on
the ticket with the scanning camera on the fare gate.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

President Lai Ching-te is calling for closer cooperation to strengthen supply
chain and economic resilience.

Lai told participants at the Yushan Forum in Taipei that his administration
wants to work with like-minded countries to form "international teams" that
would present opportunities for regional and global cooperation.

The president said his government is looking to form national teams in
specific fields to keep making Taiwan stronger, and by building these
international teams to keep leveraging the power of solidarity with other
nations.

Lai said these groups will leverage the combined advantages presented by
politics, economies and technologies, to ensure the building of more
resilient supply chains and economies.

The two-day Yushan Forum runs through today.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says an initiative announced in January by
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an to limit smoking in public places in the city this
year is legally feasible.

Under Chiang's "smoke-free city" plan, smoking would be banned in public
spaces except for smoking areas or rooms set up by the city.

The scheme would be launched under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which
authorizes competent authorities to designate certain outdoor locations as
smoke-free areas while setting aside spaces where smoking is allowed.

Shih says law does not require the installation of smoking rooms in outdoor
areas, but does not prohibit such facilities either, and designated smoking
areas may still be provided in outdoor areas where smoking is already
prohibited.

The Taipei mayor earlier announced his administration is evaluating the
installation of negative-pressure smoking rooms in the Zhongshan shopping
district and Ximending areas as the next step of its "smoke-free city"
initiative.

Chiang says smoke-free outdoor zones implemented at the Taipei Lunar New Year
Market in Datong District and the Taipei Lantern Festival proved that such
measures can be carried out successfully.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The number of workers placed on formal unpaid leave programs in the first
half of March stood at around 3,800.

The Ministry of Labor says more than 70-per cent of those workers were by
affected by U-S tariffs on Taiwanese exports.

The ministry said just over 38 hundred workers at 240 companies were on
furlough as of Monday.

Most newly reported furlough cases in March were tied to changes in domestic
or export orders, and companies have not indicated they were already being
affected by the Section 301 investigation.

The labor ministry also says that companies in Taiwan have not reported
furloughs linked to oil price fluctuations caused by the US-Israel was in the
Middle East.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The Yunlin County Animal and Plant Disease Control Center says about 900
geese at a poultry farm in Shuilin Township have been culled following
confirmation of an outbreak of the H-5-N-1 bird flu.

According to local authorities, a total of 15 poultry farms within a
one-kilometer radius of the outbreak are now being monitored.

The geese were culled after the Shuilin Township farm began reporting
unusually high death rates last Friday.

The farm is located within a kilometer of a chicken farm that saw an outbreak
of bird flu in earlier this month.

However, officials say the two cases are not thought to to related.

County Magistrate Chang Li-shan is urging poulty farmers to remain alert -
saying bird flu is a higher risk at this time of year due to sharp day-night
temperature fluctuations that can weaken livestock immunity.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih is in Australia this week to hold discussions with
local governments there on urban development, medical and public health
issues, and water resource management.

Hou leads a delegation of local government officials, including City Council
Speaker Chiang Ken-huang and several other city councilors, who are already
in Australia.

They are scheduled to visit Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne during the 10-day
trip.

Hou says the talks will include the planned construction of a multipurpose
stadium in New Taipei, water management, long-term care, and the management
of public celebrations that feature aspects such as large-scale fireworks
displays.

Hou says the aim of the trip is to tap into Australia's "abundant experience"
in those areas, as New Taipei prepares to build a "world-class" dome and hold
major riverside events that include fireworks.

Along with meeting local government officials, Hou and the delegation will
also be meeting with Taiwanese expatriate communities in the three cities.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Beitun District

Tai-Power says electricity has been restored to over 400 households and
business affected by a power outage last night in Taichung's Beitun
District.

The affected business included the Costco north Taichung Warehouse.

Tai-Power says electricity was restored to all households and businesses by
10PM after emergency repairs were carried out and cause of the outage is
under investigation.

Tai-Power says an initial investigation has found that a fuse box failure in
the underground substation of a residential building was likely the cause of
the power outage.

The faulty equipment is being disassembled for inspection.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

And,

Comic artists Wu Shi-san and Rice Dumpling are set to showcase Taiwan's comic
scene during Manga-Comic-Con 2026 later this week in Germany.

The event is one of Europe's major cosplay and comic culture events and takes
place at the Leipzig Exhibition Center as part of the Leipzig Book Fair form
March 19 to 22.

The Ministry of Culture says Taiwan plans to showcase the diversity of the
island's comic scene through exhibitions, talks and autograph sessions.

The cultural division of Taiwan's representative office in Germany, in
collaboration with the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, will present 15 selected
Taiwan comic titles at the event.

Most of the selected works have won or were shortlisted for the 16th Golden
Comic Awards' Comic of the Year.

According the culture ministry, the program also includes cosplay activities
that will allow visitors to dress up as characters from Taiwan comics and
learn more about the island's comic creations.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The Reuters News Agency is reporting that U.S. leader Donald Trump now
looking to delay a highly anticipated trip to China in early April by about a
month because of the Iran war.

China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.

Trump's requested delay in his scheduled March 31-April 2 trip to meet
Chinese President Xi Jinping underscores how the Iran war has upended his
foreign policy agenda.

The delay could also magnify tensions between Washington and Beijing, as the
Mideast crisis also become one in a spectrum of issues separating the world's
two biggest economies.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

The Philippines is rejecting Beijing's assertion of sovereignty over the
entire South China Sea.

Its disputing a claim by China's embassy that a Filipino diplomat had once
conceded the disputed Scarborough Shoal was not part of Philippine territory.

Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva said the
Philippines had "indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty"
over Scarborough Shoal and the islands Manila holds in the Spratly
archipelago.

The remarks are the latest in a war of words between Philippine officials and
the Chinese embassy in Manila over disputes in the South China Sea.

China's embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Spain’s King Felipe says Spain’s conquest of the Americas involved abuse
and ethical controversy, as Spain and Mexico remain at odds over calls for an
apology.

On Monday, Felipe made the remarks during a visit to a museum exhibition in
Madrid.

He told Mexico’s ambassador to Spain that parts of the conquest do not make
Spain proud by today’s values. He also said people should study the past in
context and avoid “moral presentism.”

Mexico has demanded a formal apology for years, which Spain has refused to
do.

Mexico’s president said she needed to review Felipe's comments but
acknowledged similar conciliatory remarks made last year by Spain's foreign
minister.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:13

Cuba's national electric grid collapsed on Monday leaving around 10 million
people without power.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines notes a “complete disconnection” of the
country’s electrical system and says it is investigating.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Friday warned that the island had not received
oil shipments in more than three months and that it was operating on solar
power, natural gas and thermoelectric plants.

Cuba has blamed its woes on a U.S. energy blockade.

Posted on 2026-03-17 06:53:15

The BBBC has asked a U.S. judge to throw out President Donald Trump’s $10
billion lawsuit over an edited documentary clip.

The broadcaster filed a motion on Monday saying a federal court in Florida
has no jurisdiction over it, and that it never aired the documentary in
Florida or anywhere in the U.S.

It also says Trump cannot show it meant to mislead viewers, and warned that
the case could have a “chilling effect” on robust reporting on public
figures and events.

Trump sued in December and claims defamation and unfair trade practices.

The BBC has apologized for the edit, but denies defaming the president.

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