ICRT

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

postpartum rest period

Candidates for Taitung magistrate are both working to put forward
family-friendly policies...

with the KMT's Wu Xiu Hua hoping to expand public childcare coverage, while
the DPP's Chen Ying is touting subsidies for mothers who sit the month.

Wu yesterday put forward her 6 major proposals for mothers and kids,
including improvements to policies for mothers who take a month off following
the birth of their children as well as the wholesale expansion of public
childcare facilities.

With the expansion of such facilities, Wu says she aims to make childcare
more flexible for working families with unpredictable schedules.

Meanwhile Chen Ying, like Wu, also hopes to ensure that each town and
township has its own public childcare facility...

while also aiming to increase subsidies for mothers who take time off to rest
after giving birth.

(AH)

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

The prison sentence for an anesthesiologist accused of assaulting a patient
while she was unable to move has now been finalized.

The Taiwan Supreme Court rejected Lin Chao Shun's appeal today, upholding his
1 year 2 month prison sentence.

Lin allegedly had been conducting a endoscopy on the patient back in 2022,
before assaulting her as she was lying unable to move due to anesthesia in
the recovery room afterwards.

Lin was sentenced to one year and two months by the Taipei District Court, a
ruling that both the Taiwan High and Supreme Courts have now upheld.

Aside from his prison sentence, Lin has also been ordered to pay the patient
a total of 1,182,000 NT for psychological counseling and emotional distress.

(AH)

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

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 583 points to
close the session at 43675.

The turnover was 916.2 billion NT

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

Now turning to international news...

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is working to achieve reelection after a
train accident killed almost 70 people in the country's second deadly rail
collision this year.

Sanchez called snap elections back in October, hoping to leverage widespread
discontent over unaffordable housing.

But now the leftist PM is struggling to keep the train disaster from
derailing his message to voters.

He has described his administration as one willing to assume responsibility
for errors on its watch, and gone so far as to incorporate the disaster into
his campaign's message...

that a right-wing government would be worse for Spaniards.

But it's not clear if the strategy will be a winning one or not; after all,
there had never been a fatal crash on Spain’s dedicated high-speed lines
before this year, so they won't be easy to get past.

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

Pope Leo the fourteenth has called out machismo and violence against women in
Peru, demanding that women be protected and respected.

On his trip to the country, he also met with survivors of clergy sexual
abuse.

Leo called on the influential Catholic hierarchy in the country to model
unity and communion and encouraged Peruvian bishops to respond to victims of
sexual abuse in the Catholic church with truth and justice.

The pope's trip to South America has demonstrated his health despite having
just undergone lung surgery last month.

Posted on 2026-11-13 13:07:13

DPP Caucus Secretary General Zhuang Rui Xiong has apologized for comments he
made directed at Taoyuan Mayor Zhang Shan Zheng.

He made the comments Wednesday while accompanying the DPP's nominee to
replace Zhang, Huang Shi Jie, on a campaign motorcade.

Social media users pointed out that, on a livestream of the event, Zhuang can
be heard asking rhetorically if Zhang would suffer a stroke halfway into his
second term if reelected.

After the issue came to light yesterday, Zhuang apologized and then
apologized again 5 times this morning...

saying that his words in the private conversation with Huang were
inappropriate.

He added that a person's health should never be the butt of a joke,
regardless of the circumstances.

Posted on 2026-11-13 13:07:13

A candidate for village chief in Yunlin's Yuan Chang has been detained
incommunicado in a vote buying investigation.

Prosecutors say that the candidate, surnamed Wu, handed out cash payments of
two to three thousands NT to village residents that he was certain had voting
rights in order to secure election.

Prosecutors believe Wu guilty of violating the Public Officials Election and
Recall Act.

They carried out searches last night and confiscated a batch of red envelopes
as well as voting registrars.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-13 13:07:13

Taichung is launching a promotion offering free hot spring vouchers to
visitors at the Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival.

City officials say from Nov. 16th through 20th, visitors who download the
"Fun in Taichung" mobile app and complete designated tasks can claim one
voucher at the service desk.

They say 100 hot spring vouchers will be distributed each morning starting at
9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

The city says the campaign aims to connect daytime flower viewing with hot
spring relaxation, encouraging visitors to extend their stays and boost
weekday local tourism.

Officials are reminding voucher recipients to review participating venues and
expiration dates carefully.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-11-13 13:07:13

Now turning to international news...

Israel has attacked Nasser Hospital in Gaza, with the World Health
Organization documenting a total of more than 1050 attacks on health
facilities in Gaza since 2023.

Israel killed 6 people in that strike, including a surgeon a 13 year old.

This comes as Israel continues to carry out strikes in Gaza almost every day
despite a ceasefire with Hamas.

As a result, Gaza's healthcare system is decimated and struggling to recover.

Only 55% of hospitals functioning in Gaza in 2023 remain functional now, but
none of those are fully operational.

Israel has repeatedly besieged multiple hospitals around Gaza since October
7th 2023, often surrounding them for weeks and battering them with strikes
and gunfire while trapping people inside.

Posted on 2026-11-13 08:12:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning ....

The Mainland Affairs Council is urging Beijing to recognize the continued
existence of the Republic of China and respect Taiwan's democracy.

The call comes after Xi Jinping reiterated that unification with Taiwan was
inevitable.

Xi made the remarks at a ceremony in Beijing marking what China calls the
160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen.

In his speech, Xi portrayed the Chinese Communist Party as the most faithful
successor to Sun's revolutionary cause, arguing that the late leader's
commitment to national unity supported Beijing's goal of unification with
Taiwan.

Xi described achieving China's "complete reunification" as a historical
mission of the C-C-P and reiterated Beijing's commitment to "peaceful
reunification" under its "one country, two systems" framework ...

.... saying China was willing to hold talks on cross-strait relations and
unification while insisting that there would be no room for Taiwan
independence.

The Mainland Affairs Council is responding to Xi's comments by accusing
Beijing of distorting historical narratives and using Sun's legacy to promote
unification with Taiwan.

It's also rejected "one country, two systems," saying Taiwan's future should
be decided by its 23-million people under the R-O-C's democratic
constitutional system.

Posted on 2026-11-13 08:12:13

President Lai Ching-te is calling on Acer Group founder and honorary chairman
Stan Shih to convey Taiwan's commitment to collaborating with international
partners on artificial intelligence when he attends the APEC Leaders' Meeting
in China.

Shih was chosen by Lai to be Taiwan's representative to November 18 and 19
meeting in Shenzhen.

Speaking at a news conference at the Presidential Office, Lai asked Shih to
convey three messages at the meeting.

Those message are that Taiwan has always actively participated in APEC
affairs and made contributions ...

.... that Taiwan plays a pivotal role in the global semiconductor supply
chain and is an "indispensable partner" in efforts to promote global
innovation in AI and digital transformation ..

.. and that Taiwan will continue to advance global technological
partnerships, facilitate innovation exchanges and actively build a resilient
and reliable A-I supply chain under the APEC framework.

Describing Shih as an influential business leader with extensive industry
experience, Lai went on to say he's confident the Acer Group founder and
honorary chairman will make substantive contributions at this year's APEC
Leaders' Meeting.

Posted on 2026-11-13 08:12:13

The official 15-day campaign period for the mayoral candidates for the
island's six special municipalities officially begins today.

The campaign period for city and county councilors and other local government
heads begins next Wednesday, while the official campaign period for village
and borough chief candidates begins on November 23.

Central Election Commission Chairman Michael You says the publication of,
reporting of, as well as commentary or citation of any election-related
opinion polls will be prohibited starting at midnight on November 18 until
voting ends in November 28.

Central Election Commission Chairman Michael You is also warning against
AI-generated deepfake videos or messages aimed at misleading voters.

According to You, candidates who believe that videos or recordings of
themselves have been manipulated or manufactured can ask the Criminal
Investigation Bureau to investigate the cases.

If such videos or recordings are found to have been manipulated or
manufactured the Ministry of Digital Affairs will order their removal from
the internet as well a from social media platforms.

The Central Election Commission says 19.58-million people are eligible to
vote in the local elections, while 20.01-million are eligible to cast ballots
for the national referendum on Taiwan's nuclear energy policy.

Citizens aged 18 and over can vote in referendums, but only citizens aged 20
or over can vote in elections.

Posted on 2026-11-13 08:12:13

The Taipei District Court has sentenced four people connected to a restaurant
chain the sold Malaysian food to prison terms for negligent homicide in a
2024 food poisoning outbreak.

Six people died after the mass food poisoning outbreak at the restaurant's
Far Eastern Department Store Xinyi A13 branch in March of 2024.

Restaurant owner Li Fang-hsuan was sentenced to one year and 10 months in
prison, while acting chef Hu Ching-fu, a Vietnamese national, received eight
months.

Head chef Chou Ri-hao received a six-month sentence, while a Vietnamese
intern was sentenced to four months.

Both of those sentences may be commuted to fines calculated at 1,000 N-T per
day.

The court acquitted Xinyi branch manager Wang Shun-te, finding insufficient
evidence that he had authority over or knowledge of the kitchen's food
storage and handling practices.

It also dismissed the negligent injury charge against him because the legal
deadline for filing a complaint had passed.

Thirty-three diners tested positive for bong-krekic acid after eating flat
rice noodle dishes at the restaurant.

Six died of multiple organ failure, while 27 others were injured.

Family members of the victims are voicing outrage over the light sentences
handed down by the court.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office says it will decide whether to appeal
after reviewing the written judgment.

Posted on 2026-11-13 08:12:13

And finally,

Billionaire Taiwan businessman Jeffrey Koo Jr. has been re-elected president
of the Baseball Federation of Asia.

He was re-elected without objection at the federation's congress in Taipei.

The Chinese Taipei Baseball Association says representatives from 20 member
associations attended the congress.

The federation has 29 member associations.

Koo's re-election keeps Taiwan in a leadership role in the regional governing
body, which organizes international competitions and helps its members
develop the sport through training, exchanges and support for facilities.

Under Koo's leadership the B-F-A has established a baseball development and
training center in Thailand and a women's baseball training base in China.

It also helped member associations host Asian tournaments and advised them on
building or upgrading ballparks to meet international standards.

Koo says he plans to train more players, coaches and umpires, introduce
certification for coaches and umpires in stages, and expand exchanges for
student players during his second term.

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

The Lai administration has vowed to continue taking steps to strengthen
Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and resilience.

This comes after G-7 foreign ministers emphasized the importance of peace and
stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said the Lai administration firmly
believes that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the
Indo-Pacific are vital to global security and prosperity....

She thanked G-7 members for continuing to monitor cross-strait developments
and supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international
organizations.

Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee also stressed the government welcomes the G7
statement - which was issued after foreign ministers and the European Union's
high representative for foreign affairs and security policy met in Paris.

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

The Mainland Affairs Council says it has received no information concerning
reports that the U-S recommended agencies monitor a suspected Chinese spy
linked to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

However, council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh says his office is unable to
confirm whether other agencies here in Taiwan were alerted.

The statement comes after the New York Times reported that Washington advised
Taiwan authorities in 2024 to monitor visits to the island by Alice Huang.

Huang is linked to Singapore-based cloud-computing company Megaspeed.

She has come under scrutiny following reports that U-S intelligence officials
suspected her of spying for China and that she had a romantic relationship
with the Nvidia founder.

Mainland Affairs Council head Chiu Chui-cheng says Huang entered Taiwan three
times in 2024 and five times in 2025 and did so as a Hong Kong resident for
business purposes.

Chiu says she wasn't specially flagged during those visits.

The National Immigration Agency says it worked with national security
authorities to monitor Huang's visits to Taiwan and her entry permit has
since been revoked, and she has now been placed under entry restrictions.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs linked China to Papua New Guinea's sudden
decision to expel Taiwanese diplomats and demand the closure of the Taiwan's
representative office in Port Moresby.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi says he believes Papua New Guinea's
about-turn was driven by pressure from China.

Chen says a high-level delegation visited China just last week, while Papua
New Guinea's prime minister is scheduled to travel to China next week to
attend the APEC summit.

The ministry's Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs said Papua New
Guinea's foreign minister first made the demand for the closure of the Taiwan
representative office on July 16 citing his country's adherence to the
"one-China" policy.

The department says both sides subsequently engaged in talks and it was
agreed that Papua New Guinea would give Taiwan one year's written notice to
close the representative office.

However, Papua New Guinea raised the issue again on November 6 - when it
demanded that all Taiwanese diplomats there leave the country within seven
days.

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

The Bureau of Consular Affairs says issued passports remain valid despite a
data breach involving more than 70,000 photos.

The agency said it discovered the breach on November 4 and immediately formed
a task force to isolate the affected servers, investigate the incident,
preserve evidence and report the breach to authorities.

The bureau has apologized for the personal data breach and the public concern
it's caused, but has stressed that passport holders do not need to apply for
replacements.

It adds it has made contingency plans to ensure its services will not be
disrupted again and the affected websites have been restored, passed security
tests and resumed operations.

An investigation identified several categories of information accessed by
hackers.

They included 72,702 headshots uploaded to its website by people or travel
agencies applying for or renewing passports online between September 3 and
November 2.

Applications processed domestically or through other overseas offices were
unaffected.

The compromised data also included 26,072 scanned letters of authorization
verified by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York between
October 26, 2021 and November 6, 2026.

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

And,

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted man for fraud after
he allegedly planted a cockroach leg in ice cream at a hot pot restaurant in
June and pretended to fall ill to avoid paying his bill.

Prosecutors say the man visited a well-known hot pot restaurant in
Kaohsiung's Lingya District on the evening of June 17

He allegedly took a cockroach leg he had brought with him and placed it into
the dessert and deliberately called it to the attention of other customers
and restaurant staff.

Prosecutors says the man then claimed he felt unwell and needed to go to a
hospital.

He also demanded compensation from the restaurant manager, who agreed to
waive the man's 4,052 N-T restaurant bill.

He even accompanied the man to the hospital and paid 551 N-T for his medical
treatment.

However, a review of the restaurant's surveillance footage found evidence
that the man had placed the cockroach leg in the ice cream himself.

The restaurant manager reported the case to the police after efforts to
recover the cost of the meal and medical treatment failed.

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

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten concedes that his struggling three-party
minority coalition needs a “serious fresh start.”

This comes after a tax plan deal that angered a coalition partner narrowly
passed a vote in parliament.

Jetten's government was in crisis Thursday less than nine months into its
term.

Lawmakers from Jetten’s party and the Christian Democrats reached a deal with
two opposition parties to pass the tax package.
However, the VVD party criticized it as a breach of the coalition agreement
and voted against the package.

Jetten skipped an EU summit to address the issue in parliament. If
unresolved, the crisis could lead to fresh elections next year.

Posted on 2026-11-12 19:13:14

A man in Kaohsiung has been indicted for fraud after allegedly planting a
cockroach leg in his ice cream at a hot pot restaurant and pretending to feel
sick to avoid paying his bill.

In a news release today, the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office says the
man, surnamed Wu, placed the insect part in his dessert in June before
demanding compensation and claiming he needed hospital treatment.

The restaurant manager agreed to waive Wu's bill of more than 4-thousand NT
and accompanied him to hospital, where he also paid for his treatment.

However, the manager later reviewed surveillance footage and discovered that
Wu had brought the cockroach leg with him and planted it in the ice cream.

Prosecutors say Wu used the deception to avoid paying for his meal and obtain
payment for medical expenses.

He was indicted on fraud charges on November 6th.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-12 19:13:14

Megaspeed, the Singapore-based technology company at the center of the
controversy involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, has pledged to cooperate with
a U-S investigation into potential national security risks.

In its first public statement since Huang acknowledged an affair with a
Chinese woman who formerly worked for the company, Megaspeed said it takes
compliance with U-S export control laws "extremely seriously".

The company also pledged to work transparently with the U-S government.

Meanwhile, Nvidia's board of directors is reportedly meeting to discuss
Huang's situation, although no outcome from those discussions has been
announced yet.

Posted on 2026-11-12 19:13:14

The United Kingdom has appointed a special envoy to address security threats
linked to climate change, as small island nations call for urgent action at
the U-N climate summit in Antalya.

Seychelles representative Alix Sebastien Pillay says climate change is a
matter of national security and even survival for vulnerable island countries
facing rising sea levels.

The summit comes as a new report warns that global warming has not slowed and
current efforts remain insufficient to meet international climate targets.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also stressed that climate change
must be treated as a national security issue.

Posted on 2026-11-12 18:38:13

Hon Hai Precision Industry has reported record third-quarter net profit of
77.52 billion NT, up 34 percent from a year earlier, driven by strong demand
for AI-related products.

Revenue for the July-to-September period also hit a record 3.02 trillion NT,
jumping 46 percent year-on-year.

Chairman Young Liu says the company's business outlook is clearer than it was
in August, prompting Hon Hai to raise its full-year forecasts across all four
major product categories.

The company expects strong growth in the fourth quarter, with shipments of AI
server racks projected to increase by a high double-digit percentage from the
previous quarter.

Liu is also cautiously optimistic about 2027, forecasting continued strong
growth in AI server-rack shipments as the company expands its AI business.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-12 18:38:13

Global index provider MSCI has raised Taiwan's weighting in three major
indexes for the third consecutive quarter, reflecting the strong performance
of the local stock market.

MSCI says Taiwan's weighting in its Emerging Markets Index has increased from
28.86 to 29.01 percent.

Its share of the All-Country World Index and the Asia ex-Japan Index has also
edged higher.

Analysts attribute the changes to strong demand for Taiwanese technology
stocks amid the global artificial intelligence boom.

The benchmark TAIEX has risen more than 50 percent since the start of this
year.

MSCI has also added three Taiwanese companies - Kinsus Interconnect
Technology, Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board and Taiwan Union Technology - to its
Global Standard Indexes.

The latest changes will take effect after the market closes on November 30th.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-12 18:10:13

TSMC says there is no evidence its internal systems were hacked after
information belonging to some current and former employees appeared on an
external website without authorization.

The company says the exposed information matches data held by a cloud service
provider and does not include manufacturing or information related to
customers.

The statement follows media reports that a hacker was offering employee
information for sale on an underground forum, claiming to have obtained
46-thousand records totaling 6.9 gigabytes.

The seller reportedly demanded three Bitcoin and threatened to release all
the information if no buyer came forward within a week.

TSMC says it's notifying affected employees and working with the cloud
service provider, investigators and cybersecurity specialists to determine
what happened.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-12 18:10:13

And in more cybersecurity news ...

Taiwan has condemned bomb threats sent to more than six-thousand Italian
schools using a hacked university email account.

The account belonged to a Dayeh University alumnus, and Taiwan's
representative office in Italy says local agencies are willing to help
Italian authorities investigate.

The university in Changhua County says an initial investigation found that
the account had sent a large number of emails. It has since suspended the
account and is investigating who was responsible.

The messages claimed that bombs had been planted at schools, prompting
several to evacuate students and call parents to collect their children.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says police found no explosives and
confirmed there was no concrete danger.

Italian media report that investigators suspect hackers either hijacked
university servers in Taiwan or disguised the true origin of the emails.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-12 18:10:13

The Ministry of Education is considering allowing students to take up to two
days of menstrual leave each month, doubling the current allowance at most
schools.

Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) told lawmakers today that the
ministry discussed the proposal with relevant groups on Monday (Nov. 9) and
is now studying the change.

Students have been allowed to take menstrual leave since 2014, but most
schools currently limit it to one day per month.

Student groups say the existing restrictions do not reflect students' actual
needs.

DPP legislator Chen Hsiu-pao (陳秀寳) says some students experience menstrual
discomfort for several consecutive days, while some schools require medical
certificates or count menstrual leave against regular sick leave.

She's urging the ministry to introduce a more flexible system that better
meets students' needs and promotes menstrual equity.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-11-12 10:46:13

The Tai-Ex opened down 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,180 on turnover of $20-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed sharply higher Wednesday, up over 1,500 points, led
by TSMC's almost 5 percent gain after the contract chipmaker announced higher
quarterly cash dividend payout and strong October sales.

Buying spread to other semiconductor stocks including ASIC designer AIchip
Technologies, MediaTek Inc., and United Microelectronics.

Analysts say after the National Financial Stabilization Fund announced market
intervention Friday, market sentiment improved, and the financial sector also
attracted strong buying.

Posted on 2026-11-12 10:46:13

In related news....

Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun has voiced support for a proposal to double
the National Financial Stabilization Fund, saying a larger fund would give
the government greater flexibility to intervene (介入、干預) in the stock market
amid growing political and economic volatility.

Chuang told lawmakers the market capitalization of the local stock market
stood at around 9.2 trillion NT when the fund was established in 2000 but had
since increased more than 17-fold.

Foreign institutional investors now account for 46.78 percent of total market
capitalization, compared with just 8.44 percent in 2000.

He said that the fund's current size could face growing challenges in
conducting market interventions.

Lawmakers have proposed amending the Statute for the Establishment and
Administration of the National Financial Stabilization Fund to double its
size to NT$1 trillion.

The current law allows the fund to borrow from financial institutions, backed
by shares held by the National Treasury in public and private enterprises...
and from the postal deposit system, the Postal Life Insurance Fund, the Labor
Insurance Fund, the Labor Pension Fund and the Civil Servant Pension Fund.

Posted on 2026-11-12 09:08:14

The Air Force has grounded all 65 of its Brave Eage advanced jet trainers for
inspections after one plane overshot the runway at Gangshan Air Force Base
due to a brake malfunciton.

Neither the student officer nor the instructor on the plane at that time were
injured.

An investigation found that the incident was caused by a mechanical failure.

Officials say nine brake-related incidents invoving Brave Eagle Aircraft have
been recorded over the past three years.

Of those nine, only this week's incident involved a serious brake failure.

In the other eight, safety mechanisms were effective and allowed the plane to
stop on the runway.

The planes will resume training once inspections rule out technical problems.

Posted on 2026-11-12 09:08:14

Taipei City Councilor Chen Yi Jun says, parents of students at Chengyuan High
School have again reported issues with their food...

after 87 students from the school previously got food poisoning from school
lunches in September.

According to Chen, parents reported that kids said the free school lunches
were not filling enough, so they purchased teppanyaki meals from the school
cafeteria.

But, upon eating them, they discovered that some of the noodles were green.

The Taipei Education Department said that the issue was caused by leaked dye,
adding that they've already fined the operator responsible.

This comes as the Taipei City Health Department says, an investigation into
the September food poisoning at Chengyun revealed five hygiene deficiencies,
which the city government ordered rectified.

The business owner was also ordered to cease operations.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-11-12 09:08:14

The Legislative Yuan has used AI to read proposed legislation aloud for the
first time ever.

Lawmakers on the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee agreed to
use AI to read 15 version of proposed amendments to the Dementia Basic Act
ahead of reviewing the bill.

The AI initially read at 1.5 times the normal speed for 10 minutes before
increasing to twice the normal speed after lawmakers said there was no
difficultly keeping up.

They were able to complete the reading in 70 minutes.

KMT lawmaker Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽)said that legislative staff would have
normally needed about an hour more than that.

She hoped the first use of AI would pave the way for its wider adoption in
the legislature.

The idea came after Chen once lost her voice and used an AI-generated version
of her voice to question Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) during a plenary session
in 2024.

Chen said Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) has since encouraged the
Legislature to explore AI use and established a task force to study its
applications.

Posted on 2026-11-12 09:08:14

Now turning to international news

Millions of Spanish workers have shut down businesses and disrupted
transportation in a protest over housing costs.

The strike is the first general strike in Spain in 14 years.

The strike culminated in huge marches of tens of thousands of workers and
average citizens marching in downtown Barcelona and Madrid...

in addition to gatherings in other cities.

Unions reported significant work stoppages across key sectors.

The protest highlights Spain's housing crisis, as activists demand government
action.

The strike comes just ahead of national elections later this month.

The action aims to lead to more regulations to protect tenants and crack down
on real estate speculation.

Spanish government officials estimated 120,000 people turned out in Madrid
despite pouring rain.

Posted on 2026-11-12 09:08:14

And in the US, Democrat Scott Colom has won election to the Senate
representing the state of Mississippi.

Colom's victory is a major win for Democrats, as he flipped the seat in what
has long been considered a Republican stronghold.

His win is also significant as he will become Mississippi's first Black
senator since the 1800s, despite Black people making up over one third of the
population of the state.

Colom defeated incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith after days of vote-couting due to
an election-night gap of only 43 votes.

His win gives Democrats a majority of at least 55 seats in the Senate, with
one race still yet to be called with Democrat Mary Peltola leading by over 1
percentage point.

Posted on 2026-11-11 19:07:13

The Legislative Yuan has used artificial intelligence to read proposed
legislation aloud for the first time, completing a task in 70 minutes that
would normally take staff more than two hours.

The Legislature's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee used AI
to read 15 versions of proposed amendments to the Dementia Basic Act before
beginning its review on Wednesday.

Committee chair Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽) says the AI initially read at
one-and-a-half times normal speed before increasing to double speed after
lawmakers found it easy to follow.

Chen hopes the trial will pave the way for wider use of AI in the Legislature.

The idea followed an incident in 2024, when Chen lost her voice and used an
AI-generated version of it to question Premier Cho Jung-tai during a plenary
session.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has since encouraged lawmakers to explore
further applications of the technology.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-11 19:07:13

New Taipei's annual Christmasland festival will open this Friday, featuring
festive light displays, holiday markets and special performances.

The city government says this year's attractions include a giant Christmas
tree outside City Hall in Banqiao, along with a tunnel of lights and
artificial roses connecting City Hall to the Mega City department store.

Laser shows will also illuminate the City Hall facade, while a giant
inflatable display featuring characters by Japanese illustrator Kanahei has
already been drawing visitors.

Christmas markets selling food and souvenirs will operate daily at New Taipei
City Plaza and Banqiao Station Plaza, with an additional market at Fuzhong
Plaza on weekends.

Special events include a children's circus carnival this weekend, a
snowball-fighting competition on November 22nd, a German Christmas market in
early December and celebrity performances on December 12th and 13th.

The festival will run through December 27th.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-11-11 19:07:13

Portugal has closed all schools nationwide for the first time due to a storm
forecast.

The government has also shut non-essential public services and urged
residents to stay home as Storm Charles threatens the mainland with wind
gusts of up to 140 kilometers per hour and rough seas.

Some streets in Lisbon have already flooded, while a major supermarket chain
has closed its stores.

An international technology conference in the capital has also canceled
events ahead of the storm, which is expected to reach Portugal's Atlantic
coast on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Posted on 2026-11-11 19:07:13

Russian and Ukrainian delegations are holding a second day of U-S-brokered
talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war, which began with Russia's
full-scale invasion nearly five years ago.

The discussions, mediated by U-S envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff,
began on Tuesday and are focusing on humanitarian issues, including prisoner
exchanges and the return of Ukrainian civilians and children.

U-S Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the first day's discussions as
"very productive," but cautioned that reaching a breakthrough would take
time.

Meanwhile, fighting continues, with both sides carrying out missile and drone
attacks.

Posted on 2026-11-11 19:07:13

Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient, starting a 42-day countdown to
being declared free of the disease.

The country recorded nine cases in October after an infected traveler arrived
from neighboring Uganda, having traveled from the outbreak's epicenter in
Congo.

Two people died, while seven recovered.

Kenya's health minister says the countdown is expected to end on December 23,
although prevention measures will remain in place.

The wider regional outbreak has recorded more than 11,000 cases since May,
with Congo bearing the brunt.

The crisis has prompted tighter border controls and travel restrictions,
including Saudi Arabia's suspension of visas for Kenyan workers.

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

The ROC Air Force says mechanical brake failure caused an Brave Eagle jet
trainer to overrun a Gangshan runway.

Officials say both the flight instructor and student officer aboard the jet
escaped without injuries during Tuesday's training incident.

The incident marked the first severe mechanical failure that led to an
aircraft skidding past runway limits, although the Air Force says nine
brake-related events occurred on the aircraft over three years.

Defense officials promised comprehensive maintenance reviews to resolve
recurring aircraft brake safety concerns.

(NS)

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

Taiwan's National Immigration Agency has responded to an online controversy
over a Chinese tourist's entry permit application ...

... which was reportedly returned because a hotel booking listed the
destination as "China, Taiwan".

The applicant, a Chinese national living overseas, also claimed authorities
demanded a handwritten statement recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign,
independent country, with neither side subordinate to the other.

The agency says it reviews applications under Taiwan's cross-strait
regulations and can reject those involving deliberate attempts to undermine
Taiwan's dignity.

It says the applicant was asked to correct documents in accordance with
existing regulations.

Officials say they will improve their wording to avoid unnecessary
misunderstandings.

(IG)

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

U.S. federal employees will be able to train and work in Taiwan under a new
program aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The American Institute in Taiwan says an agreement to implement the Taiwan
Fellowship Program was signed Tuesday in the United States.

Participants will receive up to one year of intensive Mandarin training and
regional studies.

They are then expected to spend up to another year working in Taiwan's
legislative offices, ministries, other government agencies or organizations
outside government.

AIT says the program will deepen U.S. officials' understanding of Taiwan and
cross-strait issues, while building lasting professional relationships.

The announcement did not specify how many people would participate each year.

Congress authorized the program through legislation enacted in 2022.

(PB)

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

Premier Cho Jung-tai says only about 20 percent of universities have
completed dormitory renovations under a government program, and many more
schools are waiting for improvements.

Cho says the government will continue helping universities upgrade their
facilities, making dormitories more than just places to sleep.

Some now have gyms and shared kitchens where students from different
countries can cook together and learn about each other's cultures.

Cho says better living conditions can also help students do better in school,
especially those living away from home for the first time.

(IG)

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

Congo's Ebola outbreak has become the country's deadliest on record ...

... with over 11-thousand infections and almost 4 thousand 400 deaths
reported as of Wednesday.

The outbreak began in mid-May, but authorities are struggling to contain the
disease amid armed conflict, poor roads, a strained health system and attacks
on medical workers.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or
specific treatment, and has spread across eight provinces.

Health experts are calling for stronger containment efforts as cases have
also been reported in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.

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

The African Union's top envoy to South Sudan has urged the United Nations to
help ensure a peaceful election scheduled for December 22nd, warning that a
poorly managed vote could trigger a wider crisis.

The envoy appealed for security reforms and greater political dialogue.

South Sudan has repeatedly delayed elections since gaining independence in
2011.

Despite a 2018 peace agreement, violence and displacement continue, raising
concerns about whether the country is ready to hold a credible and inclusive
vote next month.

The U-N and other international observers have also questioned the election's
timing and preparations.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with millions of people
in need of assistance.

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

Spain is facing its first general strike in 14 years, with widespread
disruption expected across the country ahead of a national election on
November 29th.

The Wednesday walkout is expected to affect public transport and slow or shut
down businesses, factories and shops across the eurozone's fourth-largest
economy.

Workers, activists and political groups are taking part, but they have
different priorities and demands, highlighting divisions over the country's
future as the election approaches.

Posted on 2026-11-11 15:21:13

Taiwan hopes to secure U.S. Senate approval of double-taxation relief
legislation before December twentieth.

Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun (莊翠雲) says Taiwan's representative office in
Washington is pushing for passage before Congress wraps up its year-end work.

The House passed the legislation in January last year, but Chuang says Senate
approval remains pending.

Another option is to attach the measure to a more urgent bill that could pass
both chambers.

The legislation would reduce double taxation affecting businesses and workers
operating across Taiwan and the United States.

Chuang says officials on both sides have continued discussing the details of
a future tax agreement and have broadly reached consensus.

But the December target remains a goal, with no vote announced in her remarks.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-11 15:21:13

The Central Election Commission is urging people to check suspicious audio
and video ahead of Taiwan's November 28th vote.

It warns that AI-generated fakes are becoming increasingly realistic and
could influence the elections.

The commission has released four online videos covering misinformation,
voting procedures and the referendum being held alongside local elections.

It recommends using fact-checking services to verify questionable content,
and its own website for official election information.

Polling stations will open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The minimum voting age is 20 for local elections and 18 for the referendum,
with other eligibility requirements also applying.

The referendum asks whether the government should use nuclear power to boost
the economy and end its nuclear-free homeland policy.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-11 15:21:13

The DPP legislative caucus says evidence is needed to determine whether
espionage allegations linked to Nvidia chief Jensen Huang involve breaches of
Taiwan's technology controls.

Caucus secretary-general Chuang Jui-hsiung says investigators must establish
whom Huang Le met in Taiwan and whether she obtained trade secrets.

Huang Le, also known as Alice Huang, is the woman reportedly involved in
Jensen Huang's acknowledged extramarital affair.

Premier Cho Jung-tai says authorities have entry and exit records and will
use them to cross-check investigators' findings.

Chuang says expressions of confidence from U.S. President Donald Trump cannot
replace evidence.

Nvidia says it has no reason to believe company secrets or U.S. national
security were compromised, but has launched an independent investigation.

China denies the espionage allegations.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-11 15:21:13

The U.S. House has blocked an immediate vote to impeach Defense Secretary
Pete Hegseth.

Lawmakers voted 211 to 204 to send eight impeachment articles to the
Republican-led Judiciary Committee, effectively sidelining the effort.

Republican Thomas Massie brought the measure, accusing Hegseth of unlawfully
ordering military operations, including the war in Iran.

Hegseth rejects the allegations and says his orders were lawful.

President Donald Trump welcomed the result and defended his Pentagon chief.

But the issue could return when Democrats take control of Congress in January.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries says he will discuss a possible new
impeachment effort with colleagues.

Tuesday's vote was a procedural decision, not a ruling clearing Hegseth of
wrongdoing.

Posted on 2026-11-11 15:21:13

Iran has designated Argentina's navy and air force as terrorist organizations.

Its Foreign Ministry says the move responds to Argentina's designation of
Iran's Revolutionary Guard earlier this year.

The ministry says Argentina will bear responsibility for any consequences,
but did not explain what those might be.

Its statement made no mention of Argentina's army.

Argentina cited the Revolutionary Guard's support for Hezbollah when
announcing its decision.

Buenos Aires blames Hezbollah for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish
community center, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds.

The Revolutionary Guard is an elite military force that protects Iran's
clerical leadership and controls large parts of its economy.

Posted on 2026-11-11 15:21:13

Turkey is pushing for a global electricity target at COP31, as world leaders
prepare to address the climate summit today.

The proposal would raise electricity's share of global energy use to 35
percent by 2035, up from just over a fifth.

But it does not require the additional power to come from clean sources,
raising questions about its climate benefits.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries are meeting in Antalya, with talks also
seeking progress on moving away from fossil fuels.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for clear timelines for
that transition.

Leaders' speeches continue through Thursday, with implementation of existing
climate commitments a central focus.

The United States is not sending an official delegation for the second
consecutive year.

Posted on 2026-11-11 14:57:13

The Civil Aviation Administration says it will keep the current fuel
surcharge system despite calls to ease rising travel costs.

Surcharges on Taiwanese airlines' international flights have increased for
four consecutive months.

The latest rise took effect Sunday, bringing charges to 40 U.S. dollars for
short-haul routes and 104 dollars for long-haul routes.

The charges apply per flight segment.

Short-haul routes cover most of Asia, while India and the Middle East fall
under the long-haul category.

DPP lawmaker Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) is urging the administration to consider
absorbing some costs to slow further increases.

But administration chief Ho Shu-ping (何淑萍) says fuel is a major airline
expense, and surcharges adjust as oil prices rise or fall.

She says the existing system will remain in place.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-11 14:57:13

Taiwan's financial regulator says it will require financial institutions to
strengthen cybersecurity following unauthorized transfers from Bank SinoPac
accounts.

The November third incident affected 418 customers, involving nearly
42-million N.T. in transfers.

The bank says hackers exploited a weakness in a system supplier's security
settings.

It says all affected funds have been returned.

Financial Supervisory Commission Vice Chairman Chen Yen-liang (陳彥良) says the
attack involved the middle layer of the bank's systems.

He says banks have heavily protected customer-facing services and core
transaction systems, but need comprehensive protection across all layers.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating whether responsibility
lies with the bank or its supplier.

Lawmakers also questioned whether existing security requirements and
accountability measures are effective.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-11 14:57:13

Taiwan is preparing to transfer consular services to a nearby overseas
mission as it closes its office in Papua New Guinea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the mission taking over those duties has
yet to be selected.

Nearly 100 members of Taiwan's expatriate community live in the country.

The ministry says assistance will continue through nearby missions and local
community networks.

Office staff are being reassigned, while some remain temporarily to complete
withdrawal arrangements.

Taiwan's technical mission will also withdraw.

Taiwan announced the closure last Friday, along with an end to technical
cooperation and aid programs.

That followed renewed demands from Papua New Guinea for Taiwanese personnel
to leave.

The ministry blames Chinese pressure for the move.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-11-11 14:57:13

Year

In international news,

Regional diplomats say China and Southeast Asian countries have made progress
on a South China Sea pact but won’t be able to conclude negotiations this
year as agreed.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations began negotiating the
so-called "code of conduct" in 2005...

...to prevent occasional confrontations in the disputed waters from turning
into a major conflict that could threaten Asia's economies.

The accord mainly calls for self-restraint and discourages aggressive acts
that could spark clashes in the key global trade route.

The diplomats said today that negotiators have provisionally agreed on about
80% of the paragraphs in the agreement.

They said the remaining issues are geographical scope, sensitive definitions,
and whether the agreement should be legally binding.

China and four ASEAN member states — Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and
Vietnam — along with Taiwan have been locked in decades-long territorial
standoffs in the busy waterway,...

...which is also believed to be sitting atop undersea deposits of oil and gas.

The contested territory has also become a sensitive front in the U.S.-China
rivalry in the region.

(KK)

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

Taipower says a fire at the Third Nuclear Power Plant has no impact on
operational safety.

The fire broke out this morning at a recycling facility inside the plant in
Pingtung County.

Emergency crews brought the fire under control within 45 minutes with no
injuries reported on the scene.

Taipower emphasizes that the recycling station is located far from the
reactor core, and posed no safety risk.

Authorities confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to determine
the exact cause of the industrial fire.

(NS)

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

The Food and Drug Administration is launching a safety re-evaluation
Wednesday for GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes medications.

The review follows updated U.S. FDA alerts requiring product labels to warn
of rare optic neuropathy and sudden vision loss.

Taiwan currently approves three prescription GLP-1 ingredients for medical
weight management, and health authorities have recorded 63 adverse GLP-1
reaction reports this year, including severe gastrointestinal issues and
acute low blood sugar.

The FDA is reminding the public that weight-loss injections require formal
medical evaluation and cannot be legally purchased online.

Authorities are also pledging to block illegal online sellers and intercept
unauthorized drug shipments.

(NS)

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

Asian shares are mostly higher Wednesday, following a retreat on Wall Street
as U.S. inflation rose higher than expected in October.

The benchmark Taiex rose 1,545 points to end the session at 44,257.

The turnover was 849 billion NT.

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

Spain’s general strike today brings clashing social and political desires to
the fore ahead of a national election on November 29 that could catapult the
far right to power.

The strike by millions of workers is expected to cause delays to the
widely-used public transport system and lead to the slowdown or shuttering of
businesses, factories, and shops across the country.

Workers and activists, galvanized by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman
from her longtime home and her subsequent death, want more government action
on housing,...

...including the elimination of tourist apartments, a crackdown on real
estate speculation, and protection for renters in the form of automatic
renewals of leases.

They are joined by Spain's two main unions, which also want a new minimum
wage agreement.

The two main parties on the right are against any government intervention in
the housing market other than incentivizing the construction of new homes.

(KK)

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

In South Korea, fire officials say a commuter bus struck more than 30
vehicles stopped at a traffic light during the morning rush hour today.

The crash in Seongnam (suhng-nahm), just south of Seoul, injured dozens of
people.

According to the fire department, at least 57 people were being treated for
injuries, including nine who were seriously hurt, although none were in
life-threatening condition.

The bus collided with 32 vehicles before slamming into a median strip.

The bus driver tested negative in a breathalyzer test and told investigators
that the brakes had failed.

(KK)

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

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported consolidated sales for
October up nearly 60 percent from a year earlier.

The contract chipmaker posted consolidated sales of nearly NT$587 billion
(US$17.81 billion), up just under 60 percent from a year earlier and 14.7
percent from September.

The October figure surpassed the previous monthly record of NT$514.81 billion
set in August.

Analysts attributed the growth to strong global demand for artificial
intelligence (AI) applications.

In the first 10 months of 2026, TSMC's consolidated sales rose 43.3 percent
from a year earlier to NT$4.49 trillion.

TSMC has since raised its full-year sales growth forecast to about 44 percent
in U.S. dollar terms, up from its July projection of slightly more than 40
percent growth.

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

The Civil Aviation Administration says, it will ban the use of heated tobacco
products on flights starting next month.

Penalties will include up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 150,000 NT.

The CAA says, the change was intended to comply with the Tobacco Hazards
Prevention Act and address potential safety risks associated with newer
tobacco and nicotine produts.

The CAA says, using vapes and other such products could create fire and smoke
hazards and increase aircraft maintenance costs.

The changes will go into effect on December 1st.

Passengers will be prohibited from using heated tobacco products at any point
during a flight.

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

Now turning to international news...

US authorities have charged three man with plotting a string of anti-semitic
attacks in Europe and the US.

The three suspects are also believed to have planned an attack on a British
airbase used by the US Air Force.

That's after a group of men were detained on suspected explosives and
terrorism offenses after three suspicious vans were spotted traveling towards
a British air base where US bombers were stationed in September.

One of the suspects allegedly made the plans from a prison in New York, using
coded language in phone calls to family to pass messages encouraging
associates to carry out the air base bombing.

The indictment accuses Iran-backed operatives of planning nearly 20 terror
strikes on Jewish communities in Europe and the US.

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

Lebanese officials say, a former Iraqi lawmaker has been found dead in an
apartment in Lebanon.

Ahmed Al-Alwani had just arrived from Iraq last week.

He had been staying in a hotel but later moved to an apartment.

Police found him dead Monday night local time, having been hit on the head
and strangled.

Authorities are questioning the taxi driver who picked him up from the
airport and are searching for those who rented the apartment.

Al-Alwani was jailed in Iraq for over a decade on terrorism charges and was
released last year.

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

KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ke Zhi-en (柯志恩) has proposed giving city
residents priority access to concert tickets, a suggestion Mayor Chen Qi-mai
(陳其邁) today dismissed as a "whimsical idea."

Ke said she's given the proposal much thought, and consulted leaders in the
entertainment sector, including pop star A-mei's manager Chen Zhen-chuan
(陳鎮川).

Drawing on their practical experience, she proposed the "Concert Economy 2.0"
initiative, which includes offering venue rental discounts to encourage
real-name ticketing systems and establishing a mechanism to monitor hotel
accommodation prices.

Ke stressed that while major concerts attract fans from outside Kaohsiung and
generate substantial economic benefits, local residents also bear the costs
of traffic congestion, environmental pressures, and disruptions to daily
life.

She said the city government should consider how to protect residents'
opportunities to attend concerts while continuing to expand tourism-related
economic benefits.

Mayor Chen, on the other hand, said candidates should better understand the
complexities of the concert industry before putting forward policy proposals.

(JL)

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

New Taipei City's Labor Inspection Office is warning logistics and freight
companies against overworking delivery drivers as the November 11th Singles'
Day shopping festival triggers a surge in online orders.

The office says drivers face heavy workloads from loading and unloading large
volumes of packages and navigating complicated delivery routes.

It is reminding employers that drivers must not work more than 12 hours a
day and must be given at least one regular day off every seven days.

Companies must also ensure sufficient rest between shifts and pay overtime at
legally required rates if drivers work additional hours.

Companies found violating the Labor Standards Act could face fines of up to
$1 million NT, and the names of offenders may also be made public.

(JL)

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

The United States is to become the first country to skip a regular review of
its human rights record at the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.

The Trump administration withdrew from the council last year, accusing it of
bias against the U.S. and Israel.

The council reviews all 193 U.N. member states' rights records every three to
four years.

The United States, under Trump, already skipped its appointment for its
review a year ago.

The scheduled November 2025 review was pushed back until Tuesday in hopes
that the U.S. government might change its mind. It didn't.

Critics warn this could encourage other countries to ignore scrutiny.

The American Civil Liberties Union urges the U.N. to hold the U.S.
accountable for its human rights record.

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

British author John Harrison has won the 2026 Booker Prize for his novel,
"The End of Everything."

It's a dystopian satire that the prize says probes the limits of ‌human
understanding, becoming the oldest winner in the literary award's history at
age 81.

Harrison's 13th novel follows a man and his elderly aunt on England's south
coast years after social order has broken down.

The Booker judges unanimously selected the book, saying it "turns you upside
down, raises a wry smile and, surprisingly, given the subject matter, leaves
you with a twinge of optimism."

The victory was the first Booker Prize for Harrison, whose career as a
novelist spans six decades and includes acclaimed science fiction and
fantasy works.

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

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has reiterated its plan to increase supplies
of cooking oil, saying it has reduced tariffs on imported oil and will import
an additional 5-thousand metric tons by the end of the year.

The move comes after a shortage of cooking oil surfaced across the island,
with many restaurateurs, vendors and food processing businesses reporting
difficulties in getting enough supplies.

The shortage stems from the shutdown in July of Central Union Oil, one of
Taiwan's biggest soybean oil suppliers,
after its products were found to contain traces of a carcinogen.

The M-O-E-A said it has already asked three domestic manufacturers to
increase their combined production by 4,400 metric tons per month.

It's also working with Taiwan Sugar to accelerate crude oil procurement and
expand its refining capacity, potentially adding another 700 metric tons to
monthly supplies starting in December.

Economics Minister Gong Ming-xin urged businesses facing cooking oil
shortages to contact his Ministry' Small and Medium Enterprise
Administration. through its hotline. at 0800-280-280.

(JL)

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

The Hua-lian County government is touting its tourist attractions, saying it
ranks first nationwide in the amount of domestic travel subsidies applied for
under the central government's program.

The County also ranks first in total funding allocated to support the tourism
industry, with total room sales exceeding $400 million NT.

To boost tourism recovery, Hualien County has combined central government
domestic travel subsidies with its own additional subsidy program to attract
more visitors.

Officials say the policy has proven to be successful, as over 150-thousand
individual travelers have applied for the subsidies since the program started
on September 1st.

They also express thanks to the businesses that have been most proactive and
successful in helping travelers apply for subsidies, including Lakeshore
Hotel Hualian, Hualien Hoya Resort and Parkview Hotel.

The County government is reminding travelers that its additional subsidy
program will continue until funding runs out, with an announcement expected
two weeks before the program ends.

(JL)

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

China says its trade surplus exceeded $1 trillion US dollars for a 2nd
straight year.

Customs figures released today showed exports in October surged 35% from a
year earlier, driven by strong demand for high-tech goods like computer chips
and autos.

Imports also rose year-on-year. Between January and October, China logged a
$1 trillion-dollar trade surplus.

Experts say Chinese exports are expected to remain strong, but growth may
slow next year.

The surge in exports has led some countries to raise tariffs or impose other
protective measures.

Strong exports have helped to offset weak consumer demand in China’s own huge
market.

Posted on 2026-11-10 11:18:13

Employers that pay workers below Taiwan's minimum wage will face cumulative
fines for repeat violations beginning Jan. 1, 2027, with fines for listed
companies, medical centers and other specified entities set at a minimum of
NT$50,000 (US$1,522).

The Ministry of Labor announced the move after criticism from labor groups
over inconsistent penalty standards among local governments, which they said
could undermine minimum wage protections.

The fine structure was unveiled after the MOL revised the guidelines for
imposing fines under the Labor Standards Act and the Minimum Wage Act to
ensure more consistent enforcement nationwide.

Workers who discover employers violating labor laws or paying wages below the
statutory minimum wage can file complaints with local labor authorities or
call the 1955 labor hotline.

Posted on 2026-11-10 11:18:13

17 year old Chen Pin An has become Taiwan's first male archer to secure a
podium finish at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

Chen won a silver medal in the men's recurve event but went on to lose 4-6
against a French opponent in the gold medal match.

Chen said he was regretful that he couldn't secure gold, but emphasized his
improvements compared to where he was before.

Chen has been training in archery since elementary school.

He said he was delighted to win an individual medal at the Youth Olympics and
hoped to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Chen thus becomes the first Taiwanese male archer to win a Youth Olympic
medal and the second Taiwanese competitor to achieve that feat, following Tan
Ya-ting's 譚雅婷silver in the women's recurve in 2010.

Posted on 2026-11-10 11:18:13

Visitors to the Taipei Zoo will have the chance to watch African penguins
leave their enclosure and waddle along a designated visitor pathway next
week.

The zoo says that African penguins in captivity are at risk of developing
bumblefoot, a common condition among penguins...

due to factors like insufficient exercise and excessive weight, which can put
sustained pressure on their feet.

As a result, the zoo has scheduled a 15 minute walk starting at 9:30am on
November 19th...

as long as temperatures stay below 24 degrees Celsius.

Posted on 2026-11-10 11:18:13

Now turning to international news,

The recent cancellation of planned trade talks between Malaysia and Taiwan
has highlighted strains in bilateral ties following the Malaysian Prime
Minister's "One China" remarks.

Industry leaders are warning of potential repercussions for semicondcutor
investment.

Nikkei Asia reports that the talks on expanding bilateral trade were
scheduled for late last month but Malaysian officials say that Taipei shelved
them,

That's as diplomatic tensions with Malaysia have risen in recent months...

as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in August said that he sees Taiwan, quote,
"as part of China, period."

He went on to compare the situation between Taiwan and China to a Malaysian
state attempting to secede.

Following those remarks, the Taiwanese foreign ministry warned that support
for China may impact Taiwanese businesses' plans to invest in Malaysia.

Anwar then backtracked, emphasizing the importance of a "peaceful resolution."

Despite that, officials here in Taipei say that Kuala Lumpur had made little
to no effort to address their concerns.

The cancellation of the talks highlights Malaysia's challenge in balancing
closer relations with China and deeper economic ties to Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-11-10 11:18:13

A Honduran court has postponed a verdict in a sex-trafficking case which has
highlighted issues of impunity and corruption in Honduras.

Four men are on trial in the case linked to the 2022 disappearance of Angie
Pena.

A verdict in the case has been delayed to November 20th.

The case has exposed a criminal network that facilitates widespread gender
violence in the country.

Critics says that postponing the verdict "fuels the perception of impunity,
increases public distrust in state security institutions, and prolongs the
suffering and vulnerability of affected families.

Lawyers for Penas family have questioned the lack of transparency of the
investigation and trial.

Peña disappeared in 2022, after taking a Jet Ski ride while on vacation with
her family.

Initially, authorities investigated her disappearance as a possible accident,
but the case expanded into a trafficking investigation after the Jet Ski she
used was found in Belize.

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