ICRT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The tainted oil was reported last week.

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

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

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

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

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

Some drivers tested positive for multiple drugs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The UKMTO says authorities are investigating.

No group immediately claimed the attack.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AP_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

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

AP_JvW

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

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married.

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

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

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

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

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

AP_JvW

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

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

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

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

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

AP_JvW

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

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

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

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

He said members of both groups had handguns.

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

AP_JvW

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

In World Cup action,

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

Colombia will play Switzerland next week.

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

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

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

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

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

The final score was 3-2 in extra time.

Vozinha's performance included four elite saves against Messi.

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

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

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

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:13

The Food and Drug Administration says it will not order a blanket recall of
processed foods made with contaminated soybean oil, saying the health risk is
low.

Officials say more than 17 metric tons of the tainted oil have already been
removed from the market in a nationwide recall .... after excessive levels
of the cancer-causing substance benzo[a]pyrene were detected in soybean salad
oil supplied by Taichung-based Central Union Oil.

The agency says the contamination affects 18 products across 30 batches, but
it will not release the names of hundreds of downstream businesses because
the contaminant is expected to be significantly diluted during food
processing.

Authorities have ordered all affected soybean oil products off the market and
warn businesses that continue selling them could face fines of up to three
million NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:18

Lam Wing-kee, the former Hong Kong bookseller who became a symbol of
resistance to Beijing's crackdown on free speech, has died in Taiwan at the
age of 70.

The Central News Agency says Lam died Thursday evening after a recurrence of
cancer and was admitted to a hospital in Taipei earlier this week.

Lam was one of five people linked to Causeway Bay Books who disappeared in
2015 before later describing his detention by Chinese authorities.

He moved to Taiwan in 2019 amid fears of prosecution and reopened his
bookstore in Taipei the following year.

President Lai Ching-te expressed his condolences, praising Lam's courage and
commitment to freedom.

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:23

Skies are mostlly cloudy in the north, centre and in the south down to Tainan
...

... but skies are clearer in Kaohisung.

While in the east ... skies are clear to partly cloudy.

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:23

Taiwan will open a representative office in Phoenix, Arizona, to strengthen
cooperation with the United States in trade, technology, education and supply
chains.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Phoenix has become an increasingly
important technology hub as Taiwanese semiconductor investment in the city
continues to grow.

The expansion has been driven in part by tsmc, whose Arizona operations have
attracted more Taiwanese suppliers to the area.

The ministry has not said when the new office will open.

Once established, it will become Taiwan's 14th representative office in the
United States.

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:23

This evening,

Forecasters are warning that strong afternoon thunderstorms could bring
intense, short-duration downpours to parts of northern, central and southern
Taiwan

Extremely heavy rain advisories cover southern parts of New Taipei and the
whole of Taoyuan City in the north ...

... as well as mountaineous areas of Nantou and Yunlin counties in the centre
... and all of Chiayi County further south.

Meanwhile, localized heavy rain is possible in other parts of New Taipei,
Chiayi City, and mountainous areas stretching from Hsinchu to Taichung, as
well as parts of Tainan, Kaohsiung and Yilan.

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:23

Heading into the weekend,

Forecasters say we can expect mostly sunny skies across the island ...

Though Kinmen may see cloudier skies with occasional afternoon showers on
Saturday.

Posted on 2026-07-03 20:09:23

Current temperatures...

Taipei - 30

Taichung - 30

Kaohsiung - 31

Hualien - 29

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:33:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it has increased its
funding for developing relationships with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.

The maximum total subsidy over seven years has gone up from 20 million NT to
60 million NT.

The subsidies can now be used to cover the salaries of local employees;
factory and equipment costs; and the rent of land and buildings.

Airfare subsidies for visits to diplomatic partners has also gone up to 100
000 NT.

The “Rongbang Plan” is intended to encourage Taiwanese companies to invest
and establish operations in Taiwan’s diplomatic partners.

The new revisions took effect on July 1st.

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:33:13

Ten students from Yilan County set off today for Japan’s Okinawa island chain.

The students, from Yue-Ming Elementary and Junior High School, will undertake
a roughly 1500-kilometre round trip boat excursion, visiting Ishigaki,
Miyakojima, and Okinawa City.

The students, from Yue-Ming Elementary and Junior High School, embark on a
1500-kilometre round trip from Suao Port to Okinawa.

The school said that their “Sailing the East China Sea: Exploring the Ocean”
programme combines sailing, marine science research, and exchanges with
Japanese students.

Premier Cho Jung-tai and Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun attended the departure
ceremony and presented the students with sunglasses.

This also marks the thirtieth anniversary of a sister-city relationship
between Suao and Ishigaki.

They should land in Ishigaki tomorrow, and the students will take part in a
friendly sailing race with local Okinawan students whilst there.

The boat will remain safety docked on shore if typhoons should develop along
their route.

Yue Ming has organized such expeditions since 2018.

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:33:13

Ukrainian

Interpol has announced an arrest warrant for Anastasiia Berezovska, a
39-year-old woman from Ukraine, who is suspected for targetting a Ukrainian
tycoon in a bombing in the city-state of Monaco on Monday.

She is believed to have fled into neighbouring France immediately after the
attempt.

A parcel was left at the entrance to an apartment building.

It exploded shortly afterwards and injured three people.

Officials have not confirmed who they are, but local reports say that it
targetted Ukrainian tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and his 13-year-old
son.

The woman's condition is still life-or-death, but the man's condition has
stabilised and the child suffered only minor injuries.

Forbes listed Yermolaiev, a 58-year-old real estate developer, as the
39th-richest Ukrainian in 2020, saying he was then worth $230 million or 7.3
billion NT.

But he has been sanctioned by the Ukrainian government because of his wine
and alcohol interests in the Crimean peninsula, which is internationally
recognised as being part of Ukraine but which has been annexed by Russia.

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:33:13

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now spread from
the northeasternmost part of the country to Kisangani, a major city of 1.5
million people 600 kilometres away from the outbreak's epicentre.

Since the outbreak was declared on May 15th, Ebola has killed 438 people,
making for a fatality rate of 31 per cent.

There is no vaccine or treatment against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola that
has caused this current outbreak.

But the World Health Organisation has just announced that it has started a
clinical trial of two potential medicines against this strain of Ebola.

The trial is being run by the University of Oxford along with a university in
Belgium and one in the DR Congo.

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:33:14

Canadian singer Bryan Adams has released "51st State", a protest song
addressing American president Donald Trump's digs against his country's
northern neighbour.

It includes lyrics like, "Go'n load us up with tariffs, but we'll never be
the 51st state," but also talks about the two countries' long history as
allies and friends, singing, "Maybe you've forgotten, maybe you don't care /
But we've always stood beside you for that liberty we share."

The song, at just 2 minutes and 16 seconds, was released on Canada Day --
July 1st -- and right in advance of the United States' 250th birthday this
weekend.

It has already been viewed more than 230,000 times on YouTube.

The 66-year-old is known for hits in the '80s and '90s like "Summer of '69"
and "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" and "Summer of '69."

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:01:13

Taishin Bank says it hopes to expand its smart transit payment business to
metro systems in central and southern Taiwan ...

... after a six-month trial of Taipei Metro's contactless payment system
recorded more than one million trips.

The bank says it will bid for similar payment contracts if opportunities
arise.

According to Taishin, 80 percent of users during the trial were under the age
of 35, while 90 percent chose to tap with their phones rather than physical
cards.

Taipei Metro now accepts contactless credit cards and mobile wallets,
including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, allowing both commuters and
international visitors to ride without buying single-ride tickets or transit
cards.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:01:14

Nikkei Asia reports that Vietnam's economy grew 8.39 percent in the second
quarter, accelerating from 7.94 percent in the first three months of the
year.

The country's statistics office says the increase was driven by
manufacturing, construction and public investment in major infrastructure and
real estate projects.

Economic growth reached 8.18 percent during the first half of the year.

However, officials say Vietnam will need even faster growth in the second
half to achieve its full-year target of at least 10 percent.

Posted on 2026-07-03 19:01:14

Posted on 2026-07-03 17:08:13

The KMT and TPP have blocked all 3 of the Cabinet's latest round of nominees
to sit on the Central Election Commission.

This comes after the Cabinet in April nominated 3 more people to sit on the
CEC, after the legislature in March confirmed only 4 out of 7 nominees put
forward by the Executive Yuan.

A nominee must receive support from at least half of all lawmakers.

The vote count today shows that 50 DPP lawmakers voted in favor of all 3
nominees while opposition lawmakers all voted against them.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-03 17:08:13

Hsinchu County councilors are calling on the municipal government to improve
flood prevention and drainage systems.

That's following heavy rainfall that led to flooding in Zhubei last week.

KMT councilor Tsai Chih-huan蔡志環 said many residents reported flooded homes,
waterlogged roads, and poor drainage after last Friday's downpour.

He urged the county government to prevent the same areas from flooding
repeatedly and speed up post-disaster recovery work.

In response, the Hsinchu County government said it has inspected storm
drains, roads, bridges, and underpasses, while stepping up dredging efforts
in flood-prone areas.

Authorities have also launched emergency repairs to damaged embankments and
are considering additional funding to improve drainage infrastructure and
reduce future flood risks.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-03 17:08:14

In related news...

The central government has agreed in principle to provide Tainan with an
additional 2 billion NT for flood control projects after torrential rainfall
caused widespead flooding last week.

According to the Tainan City Government, heavy rain brought by Typhoon
Mekkhala's outler circulation and seasonal southwest monsoon far exceeded the
city's drainage capacity...

causing rivers to overflow, flooding several districts.

The funding will be used to strengthen river embankments, improve drainage
systems, expand pumping capacity, and build more flood detention facilities
...

... as the city works to better prepare for increasingly frequent extreme
weather events.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-03 17:08:14

Now turning to international news...

Russian President Vladimir Putin is downplaying Ukrainian attacks on Russia's
oil infrastructure.

Ukrainian strikes have knocked out an estimated one third of Russia's oil
refining capacity and have triggered fuel rationing in many regions, plus
long waits for gas.

The Russian president has called the shortages "not critical," and rejected
ceasefire proposals.

He says, he will continue the war until his goals are met.

Putin's remarks come as Russia hit Kyiv with one of the deadliest attacks
since the start of its full-scale invasion.

An eleven-hour barrage on the Ukrainian capital yesterday killed at least
twenty-one people.

It struck residential areas, even as Moscow claimed to be targeting military
sites.

More than four years in, a United Nations tally puts Ukrainian civilian
deaths above sixteen-thousand.

Posted on 2026-07-03 17:08:14

Indonesian villagers are taking on one of the world's biggest cement
companies in court.

The plaintiffs and rights groups have filed a case against Heidelberg
Materials over plans for a limestone mine and cement factory in Central Java.

They say the project threatens a rare karst ecosystem, which is a major
carbon sink and underground water reservoir...

and thus influences the livelihoods of Indigenous communities there.

It's Indonesia's first complaint under Germany's supply chain law, which
requires big companies to respect human rights wherever they operate.

Heidelberg says affected communities were consulted and that no final
decision on the project has been made.

Legal experts say cases like this are multiplying across Asia and could
change how European companies do business in the region, allowing affected
environments around the world to counter corporate activity.

Posted on 2026-07-03 17:08:14

A German far right party is meeting to elect leaders this weekend.

The meeting will aim to show the unity of the Alternative for Germany party,
and to capitalize on the unpopularity of the current government under
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's national coalition government.

Merz took office with pledges to reform and turn around Germany’s economy.

The AfD currently has a chance at winning an absolute majority in a state
election later this year.

Leading a state administration would provide AfD with extensive powers, like
running the education system and overseeing security matters.

Opponents worry about the prospect of AfD replacing large numbers of civil
servants if it governs Saxony-Anhalt, and about the possibility of
confidential information ending up in far-right circles or even Russia.

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

A proposal to hold a referendum on caning has advanced past the first reading
thanks to the KMT's legislative majority.

The proposal was put forward by KMT lawmaker Hung Mong-kai. 洪孟楷

Eight TPP lawmakers were present for the vote but abstained.

The proposal seeks to hold a referendum that would ask voters about using
caning for serious crimes like scams and child abuse.

The vote today appears to contradict statements made by the KMT last week, in
which they said that they would not pursue a referendum on caning until there
was greater public consensus on the issue.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-03 16:07:15

Mandarin Airlines has introduced its first A321neo aircraft on domestic
outlying island routes to meet increased summer travel demand.

The inaugural flight departed Taichung for Penghu this morning.

The airline says the 235-seater aircraft will primarily serve the busy Penghu
and Kinmen routes during the summer vacation period, increasing capacity and
easing pressure on existing services.

The A321neo features eight premium economy seats, 227 economy seats and an
accessible restroom.

Mandarin Airlines says it plans to add two more A321neo aircraft in the
second half of 2027 for regional routes across Southeast and Northeast Asia.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-03 16:07:15

Award-winning Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi has been featured in Finland's
largest newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, following her International Booker
Prize win.

The paper published both an in-depth interview with Yang and a review of her
novel, "Taiwan Travelogue".

In the interview, Yang said that she hopes her writing will help people
around the world better understand Taiwan and its stories.

She also emphasised that Taiwan's democratic development inspired her to
write historcal fiction.

The newspaper prasied "Taiwan Travelogue" for its portrayal of Taiwan under
Japanese colonial rule and its exploration of how history can be shaped by
those who tell it.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-03 16:07:15

An overcrowded passenger bus in southwestern Pakistan has plunged from a
highway into a rocky ravine, killing 40 people and injuring eight others.

An official said that the bus went out of control earlier today in Dana Sar,
a remote area near the border between the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that the bus was carrying its own passengers and those from another
bus that had broken down.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan because of poor road conditions,
inadequate enforcement of traffic laws, and unsafe driving practices,
particularly in mountainous areas.

Posted on 2026-07-03 16:07:15

Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s West Papua region say that they have shot
dead an American pilot and set fire to his plane.

The West Papua National Liberation Army said that they killed the pilot,
Nicholas Gosselin, after he landed there yesterday.

West Papua’s indigenous people have been engaged in a years-long conflict
with the Indonesian government over independence.

West Papua, or Western New Guinea, is the western half of the island of New
Guinea.

It is the easternmost part of the country of Indonesia, and borders the
independent country of Papua New Guinea on the other half of the island.

The rebels believe that civilian pilots carry in Indonesian troops to the
region and say that the pilot’s death was “a message”.

They say that they have banned civilian flights across the region.

There has been no confirmation of the fate of the seven other passengers on
the plane.

Posted on 2026-07-03 16:07:15

A mayor in Japan has taken maternity leave for the first time.

Shoko Kawata, 35, is the mayor of Yawata, a town south of Kyoto in western
Japan that is known for its shrines and its cherry trees.

Kawata is not officially taking maternity leave, because there are no
provisions for elected officials to take time off after having babies.

Instead, she has assigned one of her deputies – an older man – to temporarily
take over her role.

And while Kawata says that everyone at work was supportive, that has not been
the universal case amongst the general public in Japan.

Some say that she is setting a good example for other young women who want to
enter politics.

Others say that she is irresponsible for neglecting her duties, and that she
should have had babies before taking office.

Only 4 per cent of Japan’s mayors are women, and it is ranked 118th out of
146 countries for gender equality by the World Economic Forum.

Kawata’s deputy says that his son-in-law is also taking six months off work
take care of his newborn baby.

He said that “Seeing that makes me happy … It’s great to see them working
together like that.”

Posted on 2026-07-03 15:13:13

Local governments are intensifying inspections nationwide after some soybean
salad oil produced by Chung Lien Oils Corporation 中聯 was found to contain
excessive levels of BaP, a Group 1 carcinogen.

The affected oil was distributed to major food manufacturers, prompting a
nationwide recall of 15 products.

Some local governments have stepped up enforcement efforts.

New Taipei City inspected more than 70 retailers, schools, and meal
providers, confirming that no affected products remained in stock.

Mayor Hou Yu-ih also reminded residents that they can check information
regarding recalls and exchange information on the city government webite.

Miaoli County inspected eight businesses and removed more than 200 recalled
products, whilst Changhua County checked more than 150 businesses and oversaw
the removal of more than 1,130 kilograms of affected cooking oil from store
shelves.

Authorities continue to monitor the recall process to ensure that all
affected products have been removed from the market and that food safety
regulations are fully enforced.

They remind vendors that they will punish the failure to remove recalled
products.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-03 15:13:15

Swedish fashion retailer H&M says that it will close its flagship store in
Taipei's Ximending shopping district at the end of the year.

The company says the closure is due to the expiration of the store's lease
following discussions with the landlord.

H&M says it remains committed to the Taiwan market and will continue
optimising its store network whilst looking for new locations.

The Ximending outlet opened as H&M's flagship store in Taiwan and was once
the brand's largest flagship store in Asia.

After the closure, H&M will continue operating 13 stores across Taiwan.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-03 15:13:15

Temperatures along the U.S. East Coast are expected to reach 38 degrees for
several days, including during this weekend’s Fourth of July holiday.

After considering humidity, the National Weather Service said that it could
feel as hot as 46 degrees.

This is as America marks its 250th birthday with a celebration hosted by
Donald Trump.

And one World Cup game will take place outdoors in the northeast U.S. every
night from tonight till next Monday.

A heat wave that had previously hit the Midwest has now moved towards the
Northeast and mid-Atlantic, and extreme heat warnings were issued yesterday
for the entire region.

New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, suggested that New Yorkers should take
a page out of the book of anyone potentially marrying inside Madison Square
Gardens this weekend – an allusion to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – and
stay indoors.

But Donald Trump said that despite the 43-degree weather expected at
tomorrow’s outdoor Fourth of July celebration in Washington, “I'm gonna make
a really long speech just to show that I can do anything.”

Posted on 2026-07-03 15:13:15

An international police operation has identified 156 new suspects and victims
in cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault.

The victims were almost all women.

This is the latest operation in Project Medusa, a German- and British-led
operation to dismantle online networks that encourage misogyny and especially
drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Europol, the law enforcement agency of the European Union, said that since
April, 57 suspected perpetrators have been arrested and 158 victims have been
safeguarded.

Europol said that perpetrators often use encrypted messaging services and
closed chat groups to illegally trade narcotics and co-ordinate criminal
acts.

Drug-facilitated sexual assault is typically initiated by someone the victim
knows and trusts and often takes place over extended periods, sometimes even
years.

Some 274 new investigative leads have also been identified.

Posted on 2026-07-03 15:13:15

Switzerland has won an elimination game at the World Cup for the first time
since 1938.

That was the year of the second-ever World Cup.

Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 at BC Place in Vancouver.

Breel Embolo scored for the Swiss just ten minutes in, and Dan Ndoye [en-DOY]
doubled their lead less than a minute after the half-time break.

But it was Johan [zho-AN] Manzambi who was most impressive.

He set up Embolo’s goal, and now has three goals and two assists at the
tournament.

This makes the 20-year-old Manzambi the youngest ever player to be involved
in five World Cup goals – for any nation – since 1966.

Today was also the first time that Switzerland has scored more than one goal
in a World Cup elimination game since 1954, when they were beaten 7-5 by
Austria.

Algeria has never won a game at the World Cup knockout stages.

Switzerland will stay in Vancouver and next play the winner of the
Colombia-versus-Ghana match in the round of 16.

Posted on 2026-07-03 14:11:13

The Legislative Yuan has sent competing versions of drone procurement
proposals for committee review.

Three committees will examine the DPP's 210 million NT special budget for
drone acquisition...

as well as the KMT's version that sets out 240 million NT in spending in the
general government budget, plus the TPP version.

The Economics, Foreign Affairs & National Defense, and Finance Committees
will examine the 3 proposals.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-03 14:11:14

Pingtung is cracking down on drug-impaired driving, making 17 arrests in
about one month and a half.

Officials say, one of those detained is a 49 year old repeat offedner
surnamed Su.

Prosecutors filed charges against him and are seeking a prison sentence of
one year in accordance with recidivism regulations.

Pingtung prosecutors noted that some cases involved the increasingly
prevalent drug etomidate.

Prosecutors note that etomidate has been reclassified as a Schedule I
controlled substance, and enforcement will be intensified to swiftly and
severely prosecute drug-driving offenses.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-03 14:11:14

The Central Weather Administration says, Typhoon Bavi is showing signs of
strengthening, but its impact on Taiwan is not yet clear.

The typhoon is currently moving westward over waters east of the Philippines,
located nearly 4000 kilometers east-southeast of Taiwan southernmost point as
of this morning.

The CWA says, the storm slowed from 16 kilometers per hour to 13.

They add that they expect the storm to continue strengthening over the coming
days.

Forecasters believe the typhoon will reach waters near the Ryukyu Islands
early Wednesday.

They believe it will then turn northwest as it approaches waters off Taiwan's
east.

However, it remains to be seen what sort of impact Bavi will have on Taiwan.

In other weather news, the CWA says that the highest temperature recorded
nationwide today as of noon was in Pingtung's Zhutian, at 38.4 degrees
celsius.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-07-03 14:11:14

Taiwan shares are slightly up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at
46780 after gaining 36 points.

The turnover was 1.015 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-07-03 14:11:14

Now turning to international news...

Venezuela's acting president is defending her government's response to last
week's devastating earthquakes as the death toll climbs past 2200.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez pushed back against accusations that
authorities were too slow.

She insisted that the government- in her words- "activated immediately."

However, residents in the hardest-hit areas say otherwise.

They state that in the first days, they were digging for neighbors with their
bare hands.

More than eleven-thousand people are injured, and thousands remain missing.

Critics also suggest the real death toll is far higher than official numbers.

There was one bright spot: a forty-three-year-old security guard was pulled
out alive after nearly eight days under the rubble.

The disaster is the biggest test yet for Rodríguez, who took power with US
backing after the US abducted former president Nicolas Maduro earlier this
year.

(JC)

Posted on 2026-07-03 14:11:14

In the US,

a man with a Tibetan flag set himself on fire in front of the United Nations
headquarters in New York.

Officials say he died after suffering severe burns.

Law enforcement are investigating what happened, and had no comment as to the
man's motives for self immolating.

A UN spokesperson said the incident took place after scheduled meetings for
the day had ended. 0

The case is currently under investigation, and the man's identity is
currently not known to the public.

According to the International Campaign for Tibet, there have been more than
150 self-immolations by Tibetans between 2009 and 2022.

Posted on 2026-07-03 13:10:13

The Legislative Yuan is set to vote on the Cabinet's nominations to serve on
the Central Election Commission today.

It is understood that opposition lawmakers may vote to reject the 3 nominees.

But the DPP's Legislative Caucus Secretary General, Zhuang Rui Xiong, says
today that he hopes the candidates will not be completely blocked for
political reasons.

The Executive Yuan put forward 3 more nominees after the Legislature in March
approved 4 nominees, 3 of whom were recommended by KMT or TPP...

while lawmakers voted against the three nominees chosen by the DPP.

In April, the Executive Yuan put forward three more picks to sit on the
Commission.

The vote is expected to take place later today.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-03 13:10:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An says, he hopes the legislature will work together
to invest in and develop the domestic drone industry.

He says, it's important to maintaining national security and international
cooperation.

Chiang made the comments as competing versions of proposed additional drone
funding have now been sent for committee review.

The Cabinet proposed a special budget aimed at drone acquisition with an
upper budget limit of 210 billion NT, while the KMT proposed its own version
that is incorporated into the general budget and sets a budget ceiling of 240
billion NT.

The Taipei mayor thus joins his Taichung counterpart Lu Xiu yan in voicing
support for more funding for the domestic drone industry.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-03 13:10:18

Now turning to international news...

Anti-government protests in Albania have turned violent, with a Trump family
connection at the center of the controversy.

Police in the capital Tirana fired tear gas and pepper spray yesterday at
demonstrators throwing rocks and eggs outside parliament.

Twelve officers were injured, and eighteen protesters detained.

The protests, known as the “flamingo protests”, started more than a month ago
over a luxury resort planned for Albania's Adriatic coast.

The developer of the luxury resort just so happens to be Jared Kushner, the
son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Environmentalists say the project threatens protected flamingo habitats and
the cardboard flamingos in the crowds.

But the movement has grown into something bigger, with thousands now
demanding the prime minister resign.

The government says the resort will boost tourism and help Albania's bid to
join the European Union.

Posted on 2026-07-03 13:10:13

The Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival returns for
its 31st edition from July 4th to August 16th at the Dongshan River Water
Park.

The theme for this year, “Into the Forest,” transforms the venue into an
immersive woodland filled with water attractions, interactive art
installations, and family-friendly activities.

More than 20 international performing groups will also take the stage,
bringing music and cultural performances from around the world.

Organizers hope families of all ages can reconnect through play and create
lasting summer memories.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-03 13:10:20

A powerful Iranian general has been spotted attending a meeting about the
funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after not being
seen in public for nearly 5 months.

General Ahmad Vahidi was seen sitting alongside Khamenei’s casket as Iran’s
religious leadership held a smaller service for him yesterday near the
supreme leader’s former home.

Experts say Vahidi has become a foundational member in negotiating a possible
permanent end to the war with the United States.

He is said to be one of the very few who are in direct contact with Iran’s
new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has also been in hiding
after the February 28th strikes killed his father.

Iran will hold a dayslong funeral for Khamenei commencing tomorrow and his
body will be transported to cities in both Iran and neighboring Iraq.

Posted on 2026-07-03 11:08:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has approved a 20-billion U-S dollar capital
injection by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing into its wholly owned U-S
subsidiary, T-S-M-C Arizona.

It marks the sixth time the department has approved T-S-M-C investments in
the United States.

And brings the total amount cleared for the company's U-S operations to
44-billion U-S dollars.

The latest funding will be used to build a 12-inch wafer fab and an advanced
packaging plant in Arizona.

Posted on 2026-07-03 11:08:14

The number of accounts created to trade on the local stock market rose to a
new high at the end of June, as the Tai-Ex soared almost 60-per cent in the
first half of the year.

Data show there were about 14.49-million trading accounts in the Tai-Ex as of
the end of June.

That's up by 155,000 from the end of May and marks an increase of 720,156
from the end of 2025.

Market analysts are attributing the Taiex's strong performance to an
increasing number of investors joining trading out of "fear of missing out."

Posted on 2026-07-03 11:08:14

Now turning to international news...

Canada has moved to advance a Pacific Coast pipeline from Alberta as Prime
Minister Mark Carney seeks to diversify oil exports beyond the US...

while trying to calm tensions in the province over secession.

Carney has set a goal for Canada to double its non-U.S. exports in the next
decade and has said a pipeline can reduce the price discount on current oil
sales to U.S. markets.

Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith unveiled a proposed route through
southern British Columbia...

saying the project would open more Canadian oil to Asian markets while
preserving a ban on oil tankers off northern British Columbia.

Smith had been critical of Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, saying he
muzzled the province's energy industry and fueled secessionism.

Posted on 2026-07-03 11:08:14

Also in Canada,

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
to Canada.

Its the first visit by a Philippine leader in more than a decade as the two
countries deepen economic and security ties.

Carney says Filipino-Canadians are “at the very heart” of Canada, and both
countries can benefit in energy security and critical minerals through a
strategic partnership.

The two leaders pledged to pursue a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement,
deepen defense and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and strengthen
economic ties supported by Canada’s one million-strong Filipino community.

Posted on 2026-07-03 08:12:13

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says the United States is unlikely to match
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's production capacity in Taiwan despite
the chipmaker's expansion in Arizona.

The statement comes after U-S President Donald Trump earlier this week said
Taiwan is doubling the size of the chip plants under construction in Arizona
and that Taiwanese chipmakers such as T-S-M-C are increasing their
investments in America.

And according to Trump, America could have 50-per cent of the chip market by
the time he leaves office in 2029.

Speaking to reporters, Kung said T-S-M-C has already announced plans for a
total of 16 fabs and advanced Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate packaging facilities
here in Taiwan and regardless of how many fabs the U-S builds in the future,
it won't be that many.

The economics minister also said that T-S-M-C's previously announced plans
are evidence that Taiwan will remain central to its manufacturing operations.

Posted on 2026-07-03 08:12:13

U-S server maker Supermicro is denying reports that its Taiwan office was
raided by authorities as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged
illegal sale of A-I servers equipped with advanced Nvidia chips to China.

According to Supermicro, authorties have confirmed that the company "is not a
target" of the investigation and has been providing information to, and
cooperating with investigators for several months.

The statement comes after four Supermicro Taiwan employees were detained for
questioning earlier this week in connection with an investigation into
Supermicro's sale of products to a Taiwan technology company.

Supermicro says it coordinated with authorities by providing access to the
employees' desks and electronic devices.

Two of those employees remain in detention pending further legal proceedings,
while the other two have been released on bail.

Supermicro also says all four employees have been placed on administrative
leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, and the company has "zero
tolerance" for violations of the law or its internal policies.

The Keelung District Prosecutors Office investigation is focusing on the
alleged illegal resale of A-I servers equipped with export-controlled Nvidia
chips to China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Posted on 2026-07-03 08:12:13

The Food and Drug Administration has recalled around 1,300 tonnes of cooking
oil products after they were found to contain excessive levels of a
carcinogenic compound.

The F-D-A says the affected soy-based cooking oil was produced by
Taichung-based Central Union Oil and supplied to three major local food oil
companies.

According to the F-D-A, the affected oil was sold to the three companies
between April 8 and April 10 and those companies immediately recalled the
products after being notified by Central Union of the issue.

F-D-A officials and members of the Taichung City Government's food safety
office inspected Central Union's premises on Wednesday.

Central Union has now been ordered to suspend production while authorities
review its manufacturing processes to determine the cause of the problem.

Posted on 2026-07-03 08:12:13

Residents of Hsinchu City's Guanxin ward posted Taiwan's highest average
annual household income in 2024 at 4.592-million N-T to reclaim the title of
the country's wealthiest ward.

Guanxin also topped the nation in median household income at 3.434-million
N-T, making it not only the highest-earning but also one of Taiwan's most
evenly affluent neighborhoods.

According to the Ministry of Finance's preliminary 2024 individual income tax
statistics, the top five highest-income villages were all in northern Taiwan.

Guanxin is fueled by high-income professionals working in the nearby Hsinchu
Science Park and returned to No. 1 after being overtaken in 2023 by Zhonghua
ward in Taipei's Songshan District.

Yongfu ward in Taipei's Shilin District ranked second with average household
income of 3.548-million N-T, followed by Taipei's Zhonghua ward
with average household income of 3.489-million N-T.

Posted on 2026-07-03 08:12:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says a tropical storm that formed in
waters near Guam yesterday has now developed into a typhoon.

Typhoon Bavi is located some 1,000 kilometers east of Guam, or some
4,000-kilometers southeast of Eluanbi at Taiwan's southernmost tip, and is
moving in a westerly direction at 24-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm has a radius of 180-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds
of 133-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 154-kilometers-an-hour.

According to the weather administration's forecast center, based on its
current tracking, Bavi is expected to pass near Guam between Monday and
Tuesday of next week, before heading toward Japan's Ryukyu Islands, where it
is likely to begin turning north.

However, the center says the exact angle of the storm's northward turn and
its track remain highly uncertain and its potential impact on Taiwan will
depend on its position in the latter half of next week.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Maysak is expected to make landfall in China's
Hainan province later today after it moved through the South China Sea and
its posed no threat to Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

The Cabinet is proposing an average 4-percent pay rise for active-duty
military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers.

Premier Zh Rong-tai says the pay raises take into account Taiwan's strong
economic performance in recent years and the consumer price index -- which is
expected to record a cumulative increase of more than 3-per cent since 2024.

The government is said to believe the benefits of economic growth should also
be shared with public-sector employees, as average private-sector wages and
the minimum wage have also risen.

The 4-per cent increase will be funded through the fiscal 2027 general budget.

The Cabinet is also proposing a monthly allowance of 2,000 N-T for managerial
positions and posts requiring specialized skills, as part of efforts to
encourage civil servants to take on management roles.

Zhu said that allowance increases will be funded through a supplementary
budget to be submitted after the Legislative Yuan completes its review of the
fiscal 2026 general budget.

The increases would be applied retroactively to July 1, 2026.

Cho says the central government is now working to earmark funding for the pay
raises... its urging lawmakers to approve the proposal to support the
government's efforts to recruit and retain talent.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene says Washington is ready
to deepen cooperation with Taipei on uncrewed systems.

He categorised the move as a new business and "game-changing opportunity"
which could boost security in Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Greene told participants at a drone industry business forum in Taichung that
Ukraine has shown that "a military with robust drone production capacity and
a culture of technological innovation can punch far above its weight" ..

.. and that's "good news for Taiwan, with its world-beating technology and
production capabilities."

The A-I-T director believes Taiwan's drone industry is a sector where the
island's unique combination of talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem creates
a durable, world-leading competitive advantage and the U-S is eager to be
part of that journey.

Greene said closer US-Taiwan cooperation will help "anchor democratic drone
production, reduce vulnerability to supply chain disruption, and strengthen
the collective deterrence posture of the free world."

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the government will consider a limited
relaxation of controls on access to the morning-after pill and will be taking
Japan as a reference for any such moves.

Shih says a policy plan will be finalized in the second half of this year and
and include comprehensive support measures, as the morning-after pill still
has side effects.

The policy shift comes amid backlash over recently proposed contraception
sales restrictions.

The Food and Drug Administration last week indicated it would add three
prescription drugs, including two oral emergency contraceptives, to its drug
traceability system by amending the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.

The drugs currently require a doctor's prescription.

However, they are also available at some pharmacies and there's concern that
might be stopped if they're included in the traceability system.

The F-D-A says its proposal is intended to ensure pharmaceutical companies'
report compliance and allow regulators to track drug distribution.

The draft policy is open for public comment for 60 days.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

reports

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has received no reports of Taiwan
citizens being denied entry into Kenya.

The statement comes after recent comments by a Kenyan official suggested that
holders of Taiwan passports will not be allowed entry into the country.

The country's principal secretary for foreign affairs was quoted by the Kenya
Times as saying travelers holding Taiwan passports would "ordinarily be
denied entry at Kenya's borders for lacking proper travel documentation."

The newspaper went to cite the official as saying "any person purporting to
hold a Taiwan passport would ordinarily not be allowed" entry.

The official also reaffirmed Kenya's adherence to the "one China" policy.

But the foreign ministry here in Taipei says Taiwan passport holders can
still enter Kenya, provided that the passport is valid for at least six
months and they obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization, in accordance with
Kenya's current regulations.

The foreign ministry says it will continue to monitor any changes to Kenya's
entry policies to safeguard the rights and interests of Taiwanese citizens
traveling there for business or tourism.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

The Tainan District Court has sentenced D-P-P lawmaker Lin I-chin to seven
years in prison for defrauding more than 14-million N-T in assistant
subsidies.

The court found Lin guilty of on six counts of violating the Anti-Corruption
Act for abusing her position to misappropriate assistant subsidies, which
were diverted for personal and constituency office expenses.

Prosecutors say she falsified assistant salary and overtime records and used
proxy employees during her tenure as a Tainan city councilor and legislator
from 2009 to August 2024.

Along with sentencing Lin to seven years in prison, the court has also and
ordered the confiscation of 14-million N-T in illicit gains.

An assistant who worked for Lin was also convicted of exploiting her
position, although the court noted that she did not personally gain from the
actions and sentenced to two years in prison suspended for five years.

Both rulings can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

A shipment of Irwin mangoes from Tainan and black-leaf lychees from Taichung
have arrived in the U-K and cleared customs.

It marks Taiwan's first official export of the two types of fruit to the U-K
this year.

The shipment departed from Taoyuan International Airport, transited through
Frankfurt, Germany, and arrived at Manchester Airport.

The shipment was imported by Cherrain Global, a wholesale importer based in
northwest England, and Taiwan's Sunray International coordinated production,
logistics and export procedures.

Cherrain Global C-E-O Kris Tang says every stage of the shipment was closely
monitored, from harvesting to quarantine inspection and packaging, to ensure
British consumers receive the freshest possible Taiwan fruit.

Tang says the company hopes to establish a sustainable and replicable model
for exporting Taiwanese fruit to the U-K, while testing consumer demand
across different market segments.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

And,

One of the newborn orangutan twins born at Taipei Zoo has died, while its
sibling remained in critical condition in intensive care.

Despite emergency treatment, the baby orangutan died on Wednesday due to
complications from premature birth and underdevelopment.

Its sibling is suffering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome because
its underdeveloped lungs are not yet able to support normal breathing.

The zoo says veterinarians and other medical staff are monitoring the newborn
orangutan around the clock.

The twins were delivered Monday by cesarean section, as their mother Ke Yi
had been deemed to have a high-risk pregnancy.

Orangutans are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for
Conservation of Nature Red List.

Females in the wild typically give birth only once every six to eight years,
with nearly all pregnancies resulting in a single offspring and the zoo says
twin births are considered extremely rare even in captivity.

Posted on 2026-07-03 06:52:13

Iran's ruling clerics are preparing days of mass funeral rites for Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei as a show of public devotion to the Islamic Republic.

Funeral events will begin over the weekend in Tehran, with mass processions
planned next week.

Leaders hope to mobilise millions of supporters to flood Iran's cities,
laying on transport, accommodation and food, to proclaim the might of their
theocratic state after it survived what they saw as an existential war.

Khamenei was killed by U.S. and Israeli strikes in their first attack of the
war...

His son Mojtaba is Iran's third supreme leader.

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