ICRT

Posted on 2026-08-17 20:12:13

President Lai Ching-te has announced a universal 10 thousand NT cash payment
... as part of the proposed central government budget for next year ...

The handouts will cost the government over $235 billion NT ...

... but Lai says stronger-than-expected economic growth -- driven largely by
booming demand for AI, semiconductors and high-performance computing -- will
allow the government to fund them ...

... while keeping the budget balanced and effectively avoiding new borrowing.

He says the aim is to let everyone share in what he calls an "AI dividend",
with people free to spend the money on things such as education, elder care
or household expenses.

The government's economic growth forecast for this year has been raised to
11.05 percent, which would be Taiwan's strongest growth in 39 years.

Beyond the cash payment, the 2027 budget will prioritize family support,
defense, technology, infrastructure and greater funding for local
governments.

Defense spending, including special budgets, is expected to exceed $1
trillion NT for the first time.

Posted on 2026-08-17 20:12:13

Hualien could lose all of its regular domestic air services if airlines are
allowed to suspend the county's remaining routes.

Uni Air has applied to suspend its Taipei-Hualien service, while Mandarin
Airlines wants to drop its Kaohsiung-Hualien and Taichung-Hualien routes.

The Civil Aviation Administration is reviewing the applications.

Airlines say demand is too weak, with Uni Air's Taipei-Hualien service
averaging just a 24 percent load factor in the first half of this year ..
compared to 80 percent for most routes to Taiwan's outlying islands.

But Hualien officials say air services are essential because the county lacks
high-speed rail and freeway connections.

They are urging the government to subsidize unprofitable routes as tourism
recovers from the 2024 earthquake.

Visitor numbers at Hualien attractions in the first half of this year were
still 27 percent below the same period in 2023.

Posted on 2026-08-17 18:53:13

Taiwan's excess savings are forecast to exceed 11-trillion N-T next year as
strong AI demand continues to drive exports.

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says the excess
savings rate is expected to reach a record 29.49-percent.

Officials say this does not necessarily have negative implications ...
addressing concerns over the accumulation of idle funds in the country.

Gross domestic investment is also forecast to hit a record 9.2-trillion N-T
in 2027.

The agency says AI demand has been stronger than expected, boosting both
exports and business investment.

Taiwan's 2026 economic growth forecast was recently raised to 11.05-percent,
the highest in 39 years.

Growth is still expected to reach 6.04-percent next year despite the high
comparison base.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 18:53:16

Meta is facing one of its most consequential child safety lawsuits this week,
as four U-S states accuse the company of contributing to the youth mental
health crisis through the design of Facebook and Instagram.

The trial begins Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, with
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey serving as plaintiffs.

The states allege Meta knowingly designed features to make its platforms
addictive and are seeking potentially massive financial damages.

The lawsuits brought by states could ultimately seek as much as 1.4 trillion
U-S dollars, along with changes to how Meta operates its social media
platforms.

Posted on 2026-08-17 18:51:13

President Lai Ching-te says the government is planning a universal 10
thousand NT cash payment next year, so people can share in the benefits of
Taiwan's economic growth.

Lai made the announcement while reviewing the Cabinet's proposed central
government budget for 2027.

He says Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors, information and communications
technology, and manufacturing supply chains have helped drive the economy,
with this year's growth rate now expected to hit a 39-year high.

Lai says the government will also focus next year on family support, national
defense, smart technology, public infrastructure, and greater support for
local governments.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-17 18:51:13

Kaohsiung is bringing together more than 150 local brands this weekend for
its annual celebration of coffee, food and local products.

Organisers say this year's Kaohsiung Coffee Festival -- taking place this
Saturday and Sunday at Aozidi Forest Park -- will have a special focus on
iced coffee.

Seventy participating brands will showcase everything from city cafes and
coffee grown in local indigenous regions to specialty desserts, while the
adjoining Shennong Market will offer local produce and handmade goods.

The festival will also feature coffee workshops, where visitors can learn
about bean selection, roasting, brewing and tasting.

The event runs from 3 PM to 9 PM both days.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-17 18:51:13

The National Human Rights Museum is launching a series of children's
activities using Taiwanese-language picture books to introduce young
audiences to human rights themes.

The museum says the program combines storytelling, folk rhymes, games,
drawing, and hands-on crafts.

It's designed for two age groups, with younger children focusing on
self-awareness and understanding their surroundings, while older children
explore empathy and respect for others.

The museum says all three sessions, on September 20th, October 4th, and
November 1st, are free and require advance registration.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:48:14

Taiwan and New Zealand have agreed on six areas for closer cooperation over
the next three years under their economic cooperation agreement.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the priorities include small and
medium-sized businesses, e-commerce, supply chains, food safety and
quarantine, environment and trade, and Indigenous cooperation.

The agreement came during the 13th ANZTEC Joint Committee meeting.

Officials also reviewed progress over the past year in areas including
digital trade, intellectual property and technical trade rules.

The ministry says New Zealand this year also opened its market to Taiwanese
phalaenopsis orchids and cut anthurium flowers.

Taiwanese mangoes, lychees, pineapples and Oncidium cut flowers already have
access to the New Zealand market.

ANZTEC has been in effect since 2013.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:48:14

The National Immigration Agency is stepping up multilingual anti-fraud
education for migrant workers in Taipei.

The agency recently joined a migrant worker health screening event at Taipei
Main Station, where staff and interpreters explained common scam tactics in
several languages.

Officials say language barriers can make it difficult for migrant workers to
identify suspicious calls or messages.

One Indonesian worker said she once received a call from someone pretending
to be from a bank and nearly followed the caller's instructions before a
friend stopped her.

The agency says face-to-face outreach in workers' native languages can help
them verify suspicious information and better protect themselves from fraud.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:48:14

Tainan is expanding multilingual services at traditional markets and night
markets to make them easier for foreign tourists to visit.

The city government has chosen Ximen Market and Garden Night Market as
demonstration sites.

Both will add signs and maps in Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean to help
visitors navigate the areas.

Vendor signs will also include translations, while businesses will receive
help creating illustrated multilingual menus.

The city is also promoting payment services with multilingual support.

Officials say the program is aimed at reducing language barriers and
improving the overall experience for international visitors at some of
Tainan's most popular local attractions.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:48:14

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce
joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the drills are too costly
and send a hostile signal to North Korea.

The order came just hours before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises
were due to begin.

South Korea's military says the drills started as scheduled today and are set
to run through August 27, involving about 18-thousand South Korean troops.

Trump also criticized Seoul for declining to join U.S. military action
related to Iran.

South Korea's presidential office says it is reviewing Trump's comments and
will continue coordinating with Washington on their joint defense posture.

North Korea has repeatedly condemned the exercises and has fired two
ballistic missiles since August 6.

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:48:14

In Europe, firefighters are battling Belgium's largest wildfire on record as
the blaze moves toward the German border.

Authorities say the fire has burned about 3-thousand hectares in the High
Fens nature reserve since Friday.

Crews from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg are working alongside the military
and farmers, while Dutch helicopters are helping from the air.

Residents evacuated from nearby villages have been told not to return yet.

Officials in the German border have also advised some residents to leave
because of heavy smoke, although the fire itself is not expected to cross
into Germany.

The European Union has deployed additional firefighting aircraft.

The blaze comes as heatwaves and drought continue to fuel severe wildfires
across parts of Europe.

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:48:14

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has launched his reelection
campaign, returning to the industrial city where his political career began
as a labor leader.

His Workers Party is pushing for stronger protections for app-based workers,
including rules on pay, benefits and working conditions.

Brazil's presidential election is scheduled for October.

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:07:13

Police have referred a teenager to court after the teen was seen playing with
a plastic folding knife on the Taipei MRT.

The incident happened late Sunday on a Tamsui-Xinyi Line train heading toward
Xiangshan.

Police say another passenger saw the teenager handling what appeared to be a
knife and reported it.

MRT staff escorted the teen off the train at Mingde Station before police
arrived.

Officers later determined the folding knife was made of plastic.

Police say no one was injured or threatened.

The teenager was taken to a police station for questioning and later referred
to the Shilin District Court under the Social Order Maintenance Act.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:07:13

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che says Tainan Station is on track for an official
unveiling in early September, as part of the city's long-running railway
underground project.

Huang inspected the underground station's sunken plaza, concourse level,
platform level, fare gates, and ticketing facilities today, thanking the
Railway Bureau and Taiwan Railways for their work on the project.

The underground section runs just over 8 kilometers from south of Yongkang
Bridge Station through Tainan Station to about 0.6 kilometers south of the
Dalin Road level crossing, passing through North, East, and Rende districts.

Two new commuter stations, Linsen and South Tainan, are planned for
completion in September 2029 and September 2030 respectively.

The mayor says once complete, the underground railway will eliminate the
overpasses, level crossings, and underpasses that have long divided the city
east and west, reversing decades of urban fragmentation.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:07:13

The head of Myanmar’s military-backed government embarked on an official
visit to Russia to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin.

The visit by President Min Aung Hlaing beginning today is aimed at
strengthening bilateral ties and strategic cooperation.

The trip is the latest in a series to foreign countries and his seventh to
Russia since the army seized power in February 2021.

He also plans to meet with top Russian officials and attend a business forum.

Russia and China are major supporters and arms suppliers to Myanmar.

Min Aung Hlaing previously met with Putin on the sidelines of Moscow’s World
Atomic Week Forum in September.

Putin has never visited Myanmar.

Posted on 2026-08-17 16:07:13

Japan’s economy grew an annualized rate of 1.1% in the April-June quarter,
even as private consumption stayed flat and the growth of exports declined.

The Cabinet Office said Monday that Japan’s real GDP, or gross domestic
product, the sum value of nation’s goods and services, grew at a seasonally
adjusted 0.3% in the second quarter of this year from the first quarter.

The annual, or annualized, rate shows what that rate would have been if it
had continued for a whole year.

That rate in the January-March period was 2.1%.

Private spending dipped 1.2% in April-June compared to January-March, while
exports grew 0.5%.

Posted on 2026-08-17 14:26:13

The Ministry of the Interior is pushing back against media reports that the
government plans to cut its rent subsidy program nearly in half, insisting
the overall goal of supporting one million renting households remains
unchanged.

The ministry says today that the government intends to use three
complementary tools, social housing construction, government-brokered rental
schemes, and direct rent subsidies, in combination, with the mix adjusting
over time as more physical housing units become available.

Officials say as social housing and brokered rental units gradually approach
targets of 250,000 units each, some demand now met through subsidies will be
absorbed by those programs.

Premier Cho Jung-tai also confirmed that next year's rent subsidy funding
will continue to be covered by the central government.

According to government data, rent subsidies are being received by over
900-thousand households nationwide.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-17 14:26:14

China Airlines has been named one of Asia's best employers for a fourth
consecutive year.

The airline says it received especially high marks for organizational
teamwork in the 2026 awards.

A total of 330 companies in Taiwan took part in this year's evaluation.

China Airlines says the result reflects employee satisfaction with teamwork,
workplace cohesion and the overall working environment.

The airline says it offers competitive salaries and benefits including
discounted tickets and an employee stock ownership program.

It has also expanded work-life balance programs, including employee family
events, health activities and professional training.

Other Taiwan-based companies recognized this year include ADATA Technology,
Asia Cement, Cathay Financial Holdings and CTBC.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 14:26:14

Immigration officers at Taoyuan International Airport have stopped a Sri
Lankan man from traveling to Canada using a forged Canadian passport.

The National Immigration Agency says E-V-A Air ground staff noticed problems
with the man's documents and travel itinerary while he was transferring at
the airport last Thursday.

The man was also unable to answer basic questions about Canada and later
admitted he was Sri Lankan, producing his genuine passport from his luggage.

He told authorities he had paid a human smuggling group 10-thousand U.S.
dollars for the fake passport, travel route and airline tickets.

Officials say he had hoped to reach Canada for work.

He was returned to Singapore, his previous point of departure.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 14:26:14

In India, seven devotees were killed and more than a dozen injured in a
stampede at a Hindu temple in Bihar state after a snapped electric wire
reportedly triggered panic among worshippers.

The incident as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers on Monday.

A civil official said a section of barricades collapsed under the weight of
the surging crowd, leading to a crush in which people fell over one another.

He said more than a dozen people had been taken to hospitals and that the
cause of the stampede was still being probed.

Crowd crushes are relatively common in India during religious festivals, as
large crowds, sometimes in the millions, gather in confined areas with few
safety or crowd control measures.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-17 12:41:13

Kaohsiung's Nibun Chorus has won two gold medals at the World Choir Games in
Sweden, after organizers stopped a Swedish supporter from displaying the
Republic of China flag.

The supporter was cheering for the choir as it warmed up for its final event
in Helsingborg.

CNA says organizers also warned its reporter that the reporter could lose
their press credential if the flag appeared during an interview.

Organizers say the competition follows the "Olympic model," under which teams
from Taiwan compete as "Chinese Taipei" and the ROC flag cannot be displayed
at venues.

Nibun later won gold in both the Contemporary Music and Mixed Choirs
categories.

The choir performed barefoot and wore traditional Bunun and Taivoan clothing.

Taiwanese teams won a total of eight gold medals and one silver at this
year's competition.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 12:41:13

New Taipei's Sanying MRT Line has completed its first weekday of expanded
full-day service, with officials reporting smooth transfers during the
morning rush hour.

The line began operating from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sunday as part of its
free trial period.

New Taipei Metro says trains departed on time Monday, while staff were
deployed at Dingpu Station to manage passengers transferring to the Bannan
Line.

Officials say most commuters from the Sanying area previously took buses to
Dingpu or Yongning before transferring to the Bannan Line.

The new service has increased overall ridership by only about 1-thousand-500
passenger trips.

Taipei Metro says the Bannan Line was busy but operating smoothly, with six
additional trains scheduled to help handle peak-hour demand.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-08-17 12:41:13

In international news,

In Israel, an extremist official in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
cabinet has advocated for killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza each night.

Comments by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir surfaced Sunday and
were quickly condemned internationally.

He made the remarks on a podcast while discussing Israel's recovery from a
recent Hamas attack.

Ben-Gvir criticized Israel's recent drawdown of strikes in Gaza, saying
targeted assassinations should be carried out.

He holds significant influence over Israel’s security apparatus, including
running prisons where thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank
are incarcerated.

But he cannot order military strikes.

In the past, similar statements by Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials were
widely condemned.

Many have been presented to the U.N.’s world court as evidence of genocidal
intent.

Israel denies it has committed genocide in Gaza.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-17 12:41:15

In Zimbabwe, the search for bodies continues after an overloaded ferry
capsized last week, killing more than 80 people.

The ferry overturned in strong waves on a lake on Tuesday.

Police said Sunday the death toll has risen to 84.

77 were reported to be rescued.

The number of passengers was initially estimated to be as high as 153, but
the latest official figures suggest it could be higher.

The ferry's capacity is 90.

Among the dead are 18 children, with the youngest just 1 year old.

The aging ferry was traveling to rural communities where roads are damaged
and public transportation is scarce.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:13

Taiwan artists and curators have issued a joint statement protesting what
they claim to be "political censorship" by organizers of South Korea's
Gwangju Biennale.

This, after the the word "Taiwan" was removed from promotional material and
replaced it with the abbreviation for the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
at the event.

The statement was signed by 10 Taiwan artists and curators who had been
invited to take part in the art exposition... they also said the foundation
ignored repeated protests from the museum.

They further argued that the removal of the word "Taiwan" was not an isolated
incident, but represents a threat to freedom of expression and the global art
community.

The Ministry of Culture says it had asked its overseas representative office
to continue expressing strong protests to the organizers

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

The National Human Rights Commission is criticizing a referendum proposal on
judicial caning.

The proposal was initiated by the K-M-T and asks votes if they agree that
caning should be imposed by courts for sexual assault, child abuse,
high-value fraud and aggravated fraud involving multiple forms of fraud, in
order to deter crime?"

The commission says judicial caning violates international human rights
standards enshrined in Taiwan's legal system.

It further adds that while it understands public concerns over serious crimes
and the need to strengthen crime prevention, criminal policy should be based
on constitutional and human rights principles as well as scientific evidence.

The commission also says caning constitutes corporal punishment involving
elements of humiliation and degradation, making it incompatible with
protections under the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights.

The referendum proposal is one of three that have been approved by the
Legislative Yuan.

The other two referendum proposals to have been pased concern the use of
traffic fines and the abolition of the non-nuclear energy policy.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

13 lawmakers is slated to travel to to Japan later this month to attend the
Asian Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union 54th General Assembly and 88th Council
Meeting.

The delegation will be led by Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang.

The event this year will held under the themes of inter-parliamentary
cooperation to maintain a free and open economic order and strengthen
regional supply chain resilience.

Taiwan hosted the Asian Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union General Assembly
last year.

Eight resolutions were adopted during that event, including three proposals
put forward by members of Taiwan's delegation.

They included a proposal that union member states participate in the
Indo-Pacific Marine Debris Cooperation Platform to promote regional
sustainability and security.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

The Tzu Chi International Medical Association says more than 200 migrant
workers attended a free health check event staffed by medical personnel and
volunteers at Taipei Main Station on Sunday.

The event offered preliminary health checks, including ultrasound and dental
examinations, as well as consultations in specialties such as orthopedics and
gynecology.

The free health check event was jointly organized with the Taipei City
government.

The city government says it began cooperating with Tzu Chi in 2004, primarily
because many of Taipei's roughly 50,000 migrant workers are live-in family
caregivers with only one day off a month, making it difficult to seek medical
treatment.

More than 20,000 visits have recorded since the program began, which each
event this year drawing more than 200 participants.

Sunday's event was the third of four planned for this year.

The final one is set for October 4, also at Taipei Main Station.

The service is open to migrant workers legally residing in Taiwan, including
those employed outside Taipei.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

The Industrial Technology Research Institute has developed a noninvasive
in-ear vagus nerve stimulator which it calls Taiwan's first digital
therapeutic technology for generalized anxiety disorder.

The institute says the wearable device stimulates the vagus nerve via the ear
to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is associated with
relaxation.

The device also monitors physiological signals like heart rate variabililty
and uses this data to adjust stimulation parameters.

The technology is intended to provide an alternative treatment option for
people with anxiety... it aims to bring it into practical use within three to
five years.

The Ministry of Health says one in four people here in Taiwan experience
psychological distress.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

A Starlux Airbus A350-1000 featuring livery by renowned Japanese artist
Hajime Sorayama has arrived at Taoyuan International Airport.

The aircraft, named "Airsorayama Gold," is at the airport ahead of its
commercial debut flight on the carrier's Taipei-Tokyo route later this week.

Starlux says it is the second plane in the airline's "Starlux Airsorayama"
art project, which showcases Sorayama's signature metallic aesthetic.

The new aircraft features a gold-themed livery and the airline says it
complements its first Sorayama-designed jet, the "Airsorayama Silver."

The aircraft is scheduled to enter commercial service on Starlux's
Taipei-Narita route starting Thursday.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

And,

A four-member team from Taiwan has won one gold medal, two silver medals and
an honorable mention at the International Olympiad in Informatics.

The annual programming competition for school students was held in Tashkent,
Uzbekistan.

The four students received their awards at the closing ceremony - standing
out among 375 students from 92 countries and regions.

Students who win gold, silver, or bronze medals at international academic
Olympiads receive cash rewards and are also eligible for direct admission to
relevant university departments or recommendation-based admission to any
academic program.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia have recovered six more bodies after a
magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck the day before, bringing the death toll to
53.

Thousands have been displaced. The U.S. Geological Survey said the powerful
quake hit the Flores region at a depth of 6 miles on Saturday.

Residents fled in panic as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted.

At least 995 aftershocks followed, authorities said. Rescuers are digging
through debris on Sunday, focusing on three regencies that were inaccessible
after the quake.

More than 900 homes were destroyed, forcing about 5,000 people into temporary
shelters.

Relief workers are distributing aid, but restoring electricity and
communications remains challenging.

Posted on 2026-08-17 07:05:16

Moroccan security forces have arrested hundreds of migrants trying to reach
the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea.

Moroccan state television reported Sunday that 294 migrants from sub-Saharan
Africa were arrested Saturday.
Authorities also arrested 61 Moroccans accused of facilitating the migration
attempts.

The crossings followed a surge in social media posts urging migrants to head
to Ceuta.

Moroccan authorities have increased security along the border to prevent more
crossings.

This comes two weeks after a deadly migration crisis in the region.

Posted on 2026-08-15 16:07:14

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia just before 6am
local time today, damaging buildings and killing at least 20 people.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of eastern Indonesia,
prompting residents to flee coastal areas ... but the alert was later lifted
after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Strong shaking caused panic across Flores Island, with witnesses reporting
collapsed buildings.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 15:08:18

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi prayed at the Yasukuni shrine
early today, angering neighboring countries.

Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine, which commemorates soldiers who
died in the country's service -- including World War II criminals.

Shrine visitors have been criticized by China and South Korea. They see it as
showing Japan's lack of remorse over its wartime atrocities.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stayed away from the controversial
shrine as the country marks the 81st anniversary of its World War II
surrender.

Nevertheless, she didn't mention her country's wartime past in Asia or
remorse over it in an address today.

As many as 30,000 Taiwanese have been enshrined at Yasukuni. In 2007, former
president Lee Teng-hui made a pilgrimage to pay respects to his brother, who
died while fighting for the Japanese during World War II.

He too was criticized, but he defended his visit as being personal.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

President Trump is downplaying concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln's
extended deployment in the Middle East.

Trump denied reports of mental health and supply issues and noted that the
Lincoln would soon be relieved:
Asked if the vessel was deployed for too long, Trump was unconcerned:
The Lincoln supports the US war against Iran, and Democratic lawmakers are
pressing the Pentagon for accountability over conditions aboard the carrier.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that the conditions are
"completely misrepresented."

The Navy says it hasn't observed an increase in suicidal ideation, as some
reports have it.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 14:10:13

Ash spewing from Mount Etna has forced the closure of Sicily's largest
airport for the fifth consecutive day.

Hundreds of summer holiday travelers are stranded during the biggest travel
week of the year.

Catania's airport will remain closed until this afternoon, coinciding with
the Ferragosto holiday.

This is the longest emergency since 2002.

Volcanic ash poses a significant risk to aircraft, potentially stalling
engines.

The closure has led to rerouted flights while increasing taxi fares and car
rental prices. Trenitalia has added trains to ease travel pressure.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 13:07:14

Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund is launching a book marking
30 years of Taiwan's international development and foreign assistance.

Speaking at the book lunch, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Taiwan
has transformed from an aid recipient into an aid provider.

He said Taiwan is now using its technology in areas including smart
healthcare and AI.

Saint Lucia's Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis says TaiwanICDF assistance has
had a positive effect in nearly every business sector in his country.

TaiwanICDF says it will build on these partnerships by connecting Taiwan's
technology, know-how and talent with countries around the world.

TB

Posted on 2026-08-15 13:07:14

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia just before 6am
local time today, damaging buildings and killing at least five people.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of eastern Indonesia,
prompting residents to flee coastal areas ... but the alert was later lifted
after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Strong shaking caused panic across Flores Island, with witnesses reporting
collapsed buildings.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-15 12:07:13

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics has raised its
economic growth forecast for this year to 11.05 percent - the highest level
in 39 years.

The stats agency says stronger-than-expected demand for AI is driving robust
exports and investment, while rising stock market wealth is also boosting
consumer spending.

The new forecast is 1.41 percentage point higher than an estimate in May.

The agency has also raised its inflation forecast from 1.93 to 2.07 percent,
citing the impact of continued conflict in the Middle East.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-15 12:07:13

The International Community Choir is looking for new voices.

The choir is seeking additional singers, especially tenors and basses, for
its next semester, which begins on September 2.

Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays from 10am to noon at the Taipei American
Club.

The choir will be holding its annual Christmas Charity Concert on December 13.

All proceeds are going to support St. Anne's Home, which provides a safe,
stable place for people with disabilities who require long-term,
round-the-clock care.

The International Community Choir was founded in 2003 as a women's choir and
gradually added male voices, now boasting a full range of soprano, alto,
tenor, and bass voices.

The choir's repertoire includes classical choral works, traditional carols,
folk and world music, jazz and swing, gospel, and Broadway-musical songs.

For more information, go to the choir's website at ICC-Taipei.org.

Posted on 2026-08-15 11:07:14

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia just before 6am
local time today, damaging buildings and killing at least two people.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of eastern Indonesia,
prompting residents to flee coastal areas ... but the alert was later lifted
after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Strong shaking caused panic across Flores Island, with witnesses reporting
collapsed buildings.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:13

Local media reports that Kaohsiung International Airport has temporarily
suspended ground operations due to thunderstorms around Xiaogang District.

The airport's departure board shows a number of inbound and outbound flights
listed as delayed, with weather conditions given as the reason.

Some other flights have been cancelled.

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:18

Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund is launching a new book
marking 30 years of Taiwan's international development and foreign
assistance.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said at the book launch that Taiwan has
transformed from an aid recipient into a provider of solutions.

He says Taiwan is now using its technology in areas including smart
healthcare and artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile.. Saint Lucia's Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis says TaiwanICDF
assistance has had positive an impact across nearly every business sector in
his country.

That was Saint Lucia's Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis.

TaiwanICDF says it will build on these partnerships by connecting Taiwan's
technology, know-how and talent with countries around the world.

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:18

Ash from Sicily's Mount Etna has forced the closure of the island's largest
airport for a fifth consecutive day, disrupting travel during one of Italy's
busiest holiday periods.

Catania airport is expected to remain closed until early Saturday, coinciding
with the Ferragosto holiday.

Volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines and pose a serious safety risk,
forcing airlines to reroute flights.

The closure has left hundreds of travelers stranded and driven up taxi and
car rental prices, while Trenitalia has added trains to help ease the
pressure on other transport services..

Posted on 2026-08-14 19:12:18

The National Development Council says a new program making it easier for
overseas Chinese and international graduates to stay and work in Taiwan is
showing strong results.

Since the program took effect in January, more than 3 thosuand 200 valid
residency extensions had been issued by the end of July, compared with just
281 applications under the previous system throughout last year.

The program allows graduates with associate degrees or higher to extend their
residency for up to two years and work during that period without obtaining a
separate work permit.

The N-D-C says this gives graduates more time to find suitable jobs and makes
it easier for employers to hire them.

During the extension period, they are also exempt from restrictions on
professional job categories, employer qualifications and minimum salary
requirements, as long as their employment complies with labor laws.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Rescue teams are trying to reach three hikers in Kenting National Park after
they were attacked by Asian giant hornets, with two men in cardiac arrest and
a woman injured.

The three, all tour guides, were scouting a route in Pingtung County
yesterday when they were attacked.

The injured woman managed to retreat to a nearby trail and contacted rescuers
by phone Friday morning.

A 13-member rescue team entered the area and is trying to reach her first
before moving on to the two men.

Heavy rain was hampering the operation this afternoon.

The three were scouting the route for a 42-person hiking trip scheduled for
August 16th.

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Taiwan's top envoy in Geneva has been ordered to return home on Monday next
week to answer allegations of workplace bullying, misuse of public funds and
other misconduct.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the Foreign Ministry launched a formal
investigation after receiving a signed complaint from employees at the Geneva
office in late July.

Lin says the allegations cover multiple issues and require the envoy, Greg
Lee, to provide a detailed explanation in person.

The ministry has formed a special investigative task force that includes
outside legal experts, and Lin says the investigation must be free from
interference.

Media reports say a 134-page complaint accused Lee of poor leadership,
mistreating staff and using public funds for personal expenses ...

... including expensive bedding for his residence worth around 3 thousand U-S
dollars ...

... and high-end chocolates worth around 4 thousand U-S dollars reportedly
for Taiwanese guests attending events.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Payments

Credit card payments for individual income tax in Taiwan hit a record 270
billion NT this year - up nearly 24 percent from a year earlier.

The National Credit Card Center says the biggest one percent of payments
accounted for more than half of the total.

The threshold for that group was 2.5 million NT, while the single largest
payment exceeded 2.5 billion.

The average credit card tax payment was about 177 thousand NT - but the
median was just 15 thousand 100 - highlighting the outsized impact of
high-value payments.

Hsinchu City recorded the highest average payment per transaction nationwide
- at about 422 thousand NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 18:23:13

Regent Taipei has received government approval to hire 37 Indonesian workers
...

... becoming the first hotel in Taiwan to recruit foreign
intermediate-skilled workers under a new program aimed at easing labor
shortages.

According to the Ministry of Labor, the workers previously trained at the
hotel through a government internship program and already have experience in
hospitality services.

The ministry says they will be able to begin work quickly and are already
familiar with Taiwan's workplace environment.

More than 50 hospitality businesses have applied under the program so far,
seeking to fill more than 500 positions.

The government has established recruitment channels with Indonesia and
Thailand, and is also working with Vietnam and the Philippines to expand the
program.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

The KMT has opted to support the DPP's proposals for drone funding over its
own proposal.

The KMT legislative caucus said today that it would "fully support" not only
the Executive Yuan's 19.2 billion NT special budget for drone funding...

but also a 44.2 billion NT 6 year proposal in the Ministry of Economic
Affairs' 2026 budget to fund development of the domestic drone industry.

Those two items were thus excluded from a 1.5% overall cut in the budget.

The KMT says, the caucus made the call after Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu
convened a meeting where it was confirmed that there were no duplicate budget
items.

The KMT says they support building up Taiwan's drone industry and making it a
center of drone manufacturing.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

The Tourism Administration says Taiwanese tour groups remain safe and
unaffected following record-breaking torrential rains in Chiba, Japan.

The extreme rainfall disrupted ground transit to Narita Airport, stranding
about 7,000 travelers inside the terminal, as Chiba City received triple its
average monthly August rainfall in just 12 hours.

The administration says no local travel agencies have reported impacted tour
groups.

Travel authorities added that they are working closely with Taiwan’s
representative office in Japan, and will continue monitoring transportation
conditions around Narita.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

Taiwan's Lin Yun-ju (林昀儒) and Cheng I-ching (鄭怡靜) have reached the semifinals
of the WTT Europe Smash in Sweden after upsetting the world's top-ranked
mixed doubles pair.

The Taiwanese table tennis duo, ranked 11th, beat South Korea's Lim Jong-hoon
and Shin Yu-bin four games to one in the quarterfinals in Malmö.

It was their first win over the Korean pair after two previous defeats.

The victory is also the Taiwanese pair's best mixed doubles result at a WTT
Grand Smash event.

Lin and Cheng are scheduled to face world No. 5 and third-seeded Chinese pair
Lin Shidong (林詩棟) and Kuai Man (蒯曼) at 6pm for a place in the final.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

And in international news...

Fears of a civil war in Yemen are coming to the forefront, as government
forces clashed with Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Some fear that the war could reignite and open another warfront in the Middle
East.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked government-held areas across the country
in recent days.

The Yemeni military says dozens of government troops have been killed.

The Houthis also said they launched another drone attack on an Aramco oil
refinery in Saudi Arabia.

Last month, the Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi shipping, threatening
another key trade route in the region.

Posted on 2026-08-14 16:07:13

Firefighters in the UK are tackling multiple fires in central England as the
UK recorded its hottest day of the year at 38.1 degrees celsius...

as an intense stretch of hot water continues to grip Europe.

The fire burned several houses to the ground in one of the most significant
such instances the region's fire services have ever dealt with.

A child and three firefighters were taken to the hospital following the
wildfire.

The cause of the fires still has yet to be determined, and they may take days
to put out.

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

The Constitutional Court is set to issue a ruling in one hour on extending
the statute of limitations for sexual abuse of minors.

The Ministry of Justice says, the court will announce its ruling at 3pm
tpday.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

The DPP is hitting out at opposition lawmakers over their proposals to put 4
referendum measures on the ballot this November.

DPP caucus secretary general Zhuang Rui Xiong says, all of those proposals
are things that the TPP and KMT have opted to hand over to the people...

reflecting their laziness in actually passing new legislation into law.

The 4 proposals handled today deal with caning as capital punishment;
assisted suicide; abolishing the "nuclear-free homeland" policy; and
dedicated use of traffic fines.

Zhuang notes that the DPP is inclined to cooperate with the opposition on
passing the dedicated use of traffic fines...

but said that the TPP and KMT instead opted to proceed directly to a
referendum vote on the matter.

Meanwhile, DPP caucus leader Fan Yun also lambasted the opposition for
passing changes that dictate that referendums be held at the same time as
elections...

saying the change is inconsistent with international democratic norms.

The 2026 central government budget is expected to be handled after those 4
referendum proposals.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

McDonald's Taiwan says customers who bought its recently recalled shrimp
burgers can now apply for a full refund through September 30th.

The "Sea Flavor Shrimp Cutlet Burger" and "Sea Flavor Double-Layered Shrimp
Cutlet Burger" were pulled from the menu just one day after their launch this
week ...

... after residue from banned antibiotics was detected in the shrimp cutlets.

Customers who bought the burgers on August 12th or 13th can receive a cash
refund at the restaurant where they made the purchase.

Customers should bring their receipt or proof of purchase.

Those who ordered through delivery platforms should first request a refund
through the platform, or contact the original restaurant if the platform's
refund period has expired.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

Taiwan shares are down today,

with the benchmark tai ex closing at 45811 after losing 210 points.

the turnover was 1.064 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-08-14 14:06:13

In India,

officials say a tunnel has collapsed at a hydropower project, killing at
least 7 people.

A rescue operation was launched overnight after a sudden rush of water and
debris entered the under-construction tunnel.

Officials say that 12 people were recovered alive, as search and rescue
efforts are underway to locate the missing workers.

A total of 22 people had been working in the tunnel at the time of the
collapse.

In the Himalayan region, fragile mountains, seismic activity and
unpredictable underground conditions make tunnel projects especially risky.

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is calling on the Mainland Affairs Council to
apologize after it said that it will not punish the Taitung magistrate for
her prerecorded appearance at China's Straits Forum.

The council previously said that Rao Qing ling had violated the Cross-Strait
Act and would face a fine of half a million NT.

But they changed their tune yesterday, saying that she did not violate the
act, as the video mainly contained niceties and did not touch on political
affairs.

Chiang says today that the MAC owes Rao and agricultural groups that
participated an apology...

and that it's not enough just to not punish her.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

Taitung officials say, several fires broke out last night at the city's
Forest Park before being extinguished this morning.

Firefighters say, they aren't ruling out the possibility that the fires were
caused by fireworks.

The Taitung environmental protection department says, fireworks should only
be set off in the area after careful consideration.

Events were held at the park last night, including a fireworks show.

After the event, multiple fires broke out near the beach in the adjacent
Taitung Forest Park.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fires around 1am today.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

Now turning to international news...

Israeli settlers are besieging three homes in the occupied West Bank.

The settlers have surrounded three Palestinian homes on the outskirts of a
town for 5 nights, preventing the families from safely leaving as food and
water supplies dwindled.

The settlers also cut water and electricity supply to the homes, forcing them
to drink well water.

The standoff is the latest instance in a wave of violence by Israelis
directed at Palestinian residents.

Meanwhile, the US ambassador to Israel referred to the settlers as
"terrorists."

That's a rare rebuke from the US Trump administration, which usually reserves
such language for Palestinian militants.

Mounting criticism of Israel from the US may pose a challenge for Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...

who hopes to stay in Washington's good graces, as Israel's biggest backer,
ahead of elections.

Posted on 2026-08-14 13:09:14

A passenger train has derailed in southern England, injuring 11.

Footage shows emergency responders attending to passengers in a field next to
the train with several ambulances and helicopters on standby.

The train was traveling from Victoria station in London to Eastbourne when it
derailed.

One passenger said the train had been rocking and jumping upward before
stopping.

Then, he said, he could see the car behind had flipped onto its side and slid
down a hill.

Transit officials expressed concern and gratitude to emergency services.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

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

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of Digital Affairs has confirmed that overseas hackers used
artificial intelligence agents to target government agencies in a July
cyberattack.

The statement comes after the Financial Times published a report about the
incident.

According to the ministry, the Administration for Cyber Security's monitoring
unit detected the attacks in July and the National Institute for Cyber
Security began issuing alerts on July 20.

The digital ministry says as investigation was launched immediately, and the
source, methods and scope of the attacks have been determined, while affected
agencies have completed their responses.

However, the ministry has not disclosed where the attacks originated.

The Financial Times said researchers at Israeli A-I company Dream were the
first to detect the intrusion and the attackers allegedly used open-source
A-I agents to build an autonomous hacking tool.

The report also cited a source as saying the tool compromised at least 85
government user accounts and extracted more than 2,500 personnel records
before the attackers expanded their operations to Taiwan's nuclear safety
agency and at least seven energy companies.

Dream did not attribute the attack to a specific group, but researchers noted
that internal communications linked to the operation were in simplified
Chinese, suggesting the operators were likely connected to China.

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

The Yunlin District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 14 people for allegedly
operating a cross-border heroin trafficking network.

They include a 70-year old former Winter Olympian, who prosecutors say
directed the group's operations by cellphone while bedridden with a serious
illness.

All 14 suspects have been charged with violating the Organized Crime
Prevention Act and the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.

Prosecutors are seeking sentences ranging from at least five years to life
imprisonment.

According to the prosecutors' office, the former Olympian, who represented
Taiwan at the 1984 Winter Games, began operating the heroin trafficking and
sales network in 2025.

He has been bedridden after undergoing a tracheostomy and prosecutors say
they believe he turned to drug trafficking to cover his medical expenses.

Investigators say the 70-year old man arranged for heroin to be transported
into Taiwan four times, totaling more than 2.3 kilograms.

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

And finally,

Star guard, Benson Lin has announced that he's signed a multiyear contract
with the Taiwan Professional Basketball League's Taipei Taishin Mars.

Although details of the contract have not been released, reports say Lin
could earn 60-million N-T annually.

Lin has spent the past six seasons with the Tianjin Pioneers in the Chinese
Basketball Association.

According to Lin, he's very excited and happy to be returning to Taiwan,
hopes to contribute to the T-P-B-L and his only goal with the Mars is to win
a championship title.

The 26 year old has long been regarded as one of the top guards on Taiwan's
national team.

Lin is join a Mars team that went 11 and 25 in the 2025-2026 T-P-B-L regular
season, finishing sixth in the seven-team league.

The franchise has yet to win a title since it was established in 2023.

Its best result came in its inaugural 2023-2024 season in the now defunct T-1
League, when it reached the finals but finished runner-up.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

drills

The last day of nationwide civil defense exercises saw medical capacity
reduction drills at the Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital in New
Taipei.

Officials say the drill simulated sustaining medical care when critical
infrastructure is damaged, and supplies of water, electricity or oxygen are
disrupted.

Staff also also set up an underground ward area to simulate wartime
operations, as underground spaces are considered safer than the ground
surface during war.

The hospital's third basement level was turned into a restricted area,
wartime storage facilities, a blood donation station and core medical areas,
such as general wards, an emergency dialysis area and an intensive care unit.

President Lai Ching-te inspected the drill, while American Institute in
Taiwan Director Raymond Greene and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih were also in
attendance.

Medical personnel say the drill showed that shortages of painkillers and
sedatives could become a major challenge during wartime, but doctors could
use ultrasound-guided pain management techniques to maintain adequate pain
control in the underground facility.

The drills was part of the nationwide Urban Resilience Exercises, that were
held in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Yilan yesterday.

Mobile internet services slowed in those areas as part of the drills for the
first time.

The drill marked the second and final day of Taiwan's first exercise
simulating a major slowdown in mobile internet speeds, following a similar
operation in central Taiwan on Monday.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

Meanwhile,

The military conducted an exercise in Yilan to simulate the blocking of
Hsuehshan Tunnel and prevent Chinese forces from using it to advance on
Taipei.

Defense officials say the exercise brought together officials from central
and local government agencies to set up three barriers under a simulated
scenario in which enemy forces attempted to advance through the tunnel.

The exercise was not physically held inside the tunnel due to heavy traffic
during the summer vacation period, but instead in an open area near the
bureau's Toucheng branch office.

The office says it worked with the military to block an enemy attack, repair
potholes before the bureau hand control of the highway over to the military,
Lin said.

The drill was designed to test how well the highway system could respond in
an emergency.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The Cabinet has passed draft amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act,
aimed at strengthening oversight of cryptocurrency-related activities and
stablecoins and preventing them from being used for money laundering.

If passed, providing virtual asset services or third-party payment services
without registration, as well as issuing stablecoins without authorization,
would be designated as "specified unlawful activities" for the purposes of
money laundering offenses.

The draft incorporates international standards by establishing a legal
definition of a beneficial owner as a person who ultimately owns or controls
a client or a transaction, or a natural person who exercises ultimate
effective control over a legal entity or legal arrangement.

And it also authorizes the central competent authorities overseeing relevant
industries to establish inspection and identification measures for beneficial
owners in consultation with other government agencies.

The draft amendments will now to sent to the Legislature for review.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Ugandan immigration officers have
withheld the passports of three Taiwan travelers and demanded that they
produce Chinese passports, citing the country's "One China principle."

The three encountered the officers on arriving at Entebbe International
Airport on Wednesday.

They were eventually allowed to enter Uganda.

However, the foreign ministry says immigration officers refused to return
their Taiwan passports unless they produced passports issued by China in
which entry stamps could be placed.

Taiwan's representative office in Somaliland, which is responsible for
affairs involving Uganda, and the Taiwanese business association in the
country immediately provided assistance to the travelers.

The incident follows two earlier cases in which Taiwan nationals had their
passports withheld at Entebbe International Airport.

One of them was subsequently denied entry and repatriated.

The foreign ministry is advising Taiwan nationals to carefully assess the
necessity and potential risks of traveling to Uganda and to postpone planned
visits for the time being.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The Mainland Affairs Council says Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling
will not penalized over her prerecorded appearance at China's Straits Forum.

The council said she did not violate the Cross-Strait Act.

The statement comes a week after council minister Chiu Chui-cheng told
reporters that the National Immigration Agency said the magistrate had
violated the Act and would be fined 500,000 N-T.

However, council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh says Yao's participation via a
prerecorded video was "not entirely consistent" with the government's policy
banning central and local government officials from taking part in the forum
or related activities "in any form."

Liang also says a review of Yao's remarks in the video found they were
limited to "courtesy greetings and the promotion of Taitung agricultural
products" and did not touch on political issues.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a former senior
engineer at Nanya Technology for secretly filming confidential company
information in an alleged effort to secure a high-paying job in China.

Prosecutors says the man has been charged with violating the Trade Secrets
Act and breach of trust.

The man is said to have contacted Chinese headhunters on WeChat between 2025
and 2026 to inquire about high-paying positions without his employer's
knowledge.

After he resigned February, he allegedly entered restricted areas of Nanya's
offices three times between March and April and downloaded documents related
to core manufacturing processes and filmed the documents with a camera.

The case came to light after Nanya's information security specialists
detected anomalies by comparing the locations of wireless equipment with
employee access-control records and activity logs from company-issued
computers.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

And,

McDonald's Taiwan suspended the sale of its newly launched "Sea Flavor Shrimp
Cutlet Burger" and "Sea Flavor Double-Layered Shrimp Cutlet Burger" after
residue from banned antibiotics was detected in the shrimp cutlets.

The products were pulled from the menu only one day after they were launched.

McDonald's says it received a report from the importer that self-testing had
detected 0.7 parts per billion of nitrofurans and their metabolites, in
samples of the cutlets, despite suppliers having provided certified documents
for the seafood ingredients.

McDonald's says it has stopped using the cutlets and suspended sales of the
two burgers.

It will also refund customers who purchased the products on Wednesday or
Thursday morning.

The company has apologized and says it will conduct additional testing and
clarify the results with its suppliers and testing laboratories.

Nitrofurans are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are banned in many
countries including Taiwan because of their potential carcinogenic effects.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The United States on Thursday threatened to maintain a naval blockade of Iran
indefinitely, ratcheting up economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire talks
have floundered, global oil supply is dropping and regional tensions are
rising.

Iran has sought to control the Strait of Hormuz and has attacked some
vessels trying to transit the strategic waterway,

Two vessels from the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked
transiting the strait... the UAE government said it was an Iranian attack...

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to eight vessels on
Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of about 12 vessels, and 130 to 140
ships before the war.

The U-S continues to claim it has total control over the strait.

Posted on 2026-08-14 06:56:13

The U.K. has recorded its hottest day of the year, with temperatures hitting
38.1 degrees Celsius in west London.

This surpasses the previous high of 38 degrees recorded in June.

Britain and France are experiencing their fifth heat wave of the year.

Drought conditions are spreading, affecting crops and water resources.

Authorities remain on high alert for wildfires, with firefighters in action
in both countries.

In italy... The remains of an ancient bridge have emerged in Rome’s Tiber
River, near St. Peter’s Basilica, as weeks with virtually no rain caused
water levels to plunge.

The bridge — known as Nero’s Bridge, named for the former Roman emperor —
once connected Rome’s city center with the Tiber’s right bank.

The Tiber’s flow has fallen below 80 cubic meters (2,825 cubic feet) per
second or about half the historic average for the month of July,

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