ICRT

Posted on 2026-06-04 19:09:14

Taipei prosecutors say they have recovered more than 195 million Taiwan
dollars in criminal proceeds linked to a corruption case involving former
National Security Bureau official Liu Kuan-chun.

The Shilin District Prosecutors Office says Liu Kuan-chun (劉冠軍), a former
military colonel, was accused of embezzling funds earmarked for national
security projects between 1994 and 2000.

Prosecutors say the case was closed after the statute of limitations expired
last year, meaning criminal charges could no longer be pursued.

However, authorities were still able to confiscate assets after a court
approved a separate forfeiture request in 2022.

Prosecutors say the recovered assets include cash, stock-related proceeds and
real estate, with the total amount reaching more than 195 million NT.

They add that Liu remains wanted on espionage charges and is believed to have
fled to China.

Posted on 2026-06-04 19:09:14

Taiwanese technology companies say investment in artificial intelligence
continues to accelerate and is expected to fuel strong industry growth.

The comments came during a Taiwan Stock Exchange briefing held at Computex
Taipei 2026.

Executives from chip, memory and semiconductor supply-chain companies said
demand for AI-related products remains strong, particularly in areas such as
memory chips, custom AI processors and advanced packaging.

They also warned that new challenges are emerging as the industry expands.

MSSCORPS says advanced semiconductor materials analysis is becoming
increasingly important as manufacturers move to next-generation chip
technologies.

Meanwhile, Unimicron Technology says AI-related business is expected to
account for more than 60 percent of its revenue this year, while Alchip
Technologies says AI projects already generate about 80 percent of its sales.

The Taiwan Stock Exchange says roughly 40 percent of this year's expected IPO
applicants are AI-related companies.

Posted on 2026-06-04 19:09:14

China has banned four New Zealand lawmakers from entering the country for one
year and demanded an apology over their visit to Taiwan.

According to reports, the message was delivered by the Chinese Embassy and
marks the first time New Zealand parliamentarians have faced such sanctions
from Beijing.

Two of the lawmakers have rejected the demand for an apology.

The New Zealand government says it plans to raise its concerns with China.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory, routinely opposes visits by
foreign politicians to the island and views such trips as a challenge to its
sovereignty claims.

The dispute comes despite generally stable relations between China and New
Zealand, with China remaining New Zealand's largest trading partner.

Posted on 2026-06-04 19:09:14

Chinese authorities are stepping up efforts to suppress public remembrance of
the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown ahead of its 37th anniversary.

Reports say police have instructed families of victims to cancel an annual
tribute at a cemetery in Beijing.

Hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people were killed when Chinese troops
moved to crush pro-democracy demonstrations centered around 1989 Tiananmen
Square protests and massacre.

The event is widely seen as a turning point in modern Chinese history, paving
the way for economic reforms while political controls remained firmly in
place.

In Hong Kong, authorities have increased security measures to prevent public
commemorations.

The Tiananmen Mothers continues to call for justice and accountability, while
Amnesty International has condemned efforts to suppress remembrance of the
crackdown.

Posted on 2026-06-04 18:22:14

Manufacturing, selling or transporting the drug commonly used in "zombie
vapes" could soon carry the death penalty under a government plan to curb
drugged-driving.

Under one of the 14 proposed measures, 'etomidate' would be re-classified as
a Category One narcotic, placing it in Taiwan's most serious drug category.

Premier Cho Jung-tai announced the proposals after a Cabinet meeting on drug
prevention efforts.

The government is also proposing criminal penalties for making, importing,
selling or supplying e-cigarettes ... as well as fines for those found in
possession of them.

The package would also tighten online advertising restrictions for the
products.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-04 18:22:15

New dats shows that artificial intelligence has become the second most common
source of emotional support for young job seekers in Taiwan, surpassing
parents and other family elders.

The survey, conducted by 104 Job Bank this year in April , found that more
than one-third of respondents turn to AI chatbots when feeling stressed or
emotionally down.

Only friends and romantic partners ranked higher as a source of support.

The report also found that more than half of young job seekers consider
themselves under high levels of stress.

Job hunting was cited as the leading source of pressure, followed by
financial concerns and worries about future career prospects.

Nearly half of respondents said they had avoided applying for jobs they were
interested in because they felt they were not good enough.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-04 18:22:15

Taiwan is launching a new initiative across six major financial institutions
to make banking easier for international professionals.

The National Development Council designated six banks today to serve as
official models for the "one-stop" financial service initiative.

Under the initiative, these banks must offer flexible financial verification,
accepting foreign proof of income or tax documents for credit card
applications.

The banks must also offer an online booking system for international
applicants, and provide a dedicated service desk staffed by personnel
specifically trained to handle international accounts.

Talent Taiwan Managing Director Jonathan Liao tells us more.

That was Talent Taiwan's Jonathan Liao.

(TB/NS)

Posted on 2026-06-04 18:22:15

Two red pandas from the Shanghai Zoo are scheduled to arrive in Taiwan this
week, as part of city-to-city exchanges between Taipei and Shanghai.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced today that the animals will undergo a
one-month quarantine before making their public debut.

The arrival is part of a cooperation agreement signed at the 2024
Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum, where Taipei agreed to exchange African
penguins for the Shanghai Zoo's red pandas to boost genetic diversity and
promote conservation education.

City councilors have suggested holding a public vote to name the newcomers,
with proposals including "Ping Ping" (平平) and "An An" (安安) to symbolize peace
and safety.

Chiang said the city remains open to all naming options and will likely
encourage creative ideas through public participation.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-04 17:09:14

The KMT is denying claims that their chair has her sights set on the nation's
highest office.

That's after Zheng Li Wen said in remarks in San Francisco that she would
begin preparations for the 2028 presidential election at the end of this
year.

The KMT is sternly refuting the rumors that Zheng is preparing for a
presidential bid, saying that her remarks were in reference to partisan
preparations to take back the presidency in 2028...

not a reference to the chair's personal plans.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-04 17:09:21

Now turning to international news...

New Zealand says, it plans to express concern to Beijing, after 4 lawmakers
were banned from visiting China for a year.

That's after they visited Taiwan last month, in a trip that's been made for
decades.

This is the first time such bans have been imposed on New Zealand lawmakers.

China has previously hit lawmakers from other countries with similar
sanctions over Taiwan, but this is the first time such an action has been
taken against New Zealand partliamentarians.

Beijing also demanded that they apologize.

Two of the lawmakers rejected calls to do so, saying it was "insulting" and
that New Zealand values the right to engage with partners abroad.

One of them added that, if the cost of engaging with international partners
is to be banned from China for a year, he would "pay that price."

Posted on 2026-06-04 17:09:17

The DPP is marking the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

In remarks online, President Lai Ching-te called on the Chinese government to
"confront the wounds of its history."

His party, meanwhile, slammed China for both distorting history, and for
continuing to repress the free speech and human rights of the Chinese people.

They also called on the public to continue to protect Taiwan free and
democratic way of life.

At the same time, premier Zhuo Rong Tai remarked that marking the anniversary
of Tiananmen is not just a remembrance of history.

Rather, he said it's a means of protecting human rights and the shared duty
to uphold democracy and liberty.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-04 17:09:26

Health workers in the Congo are warning that women face a greater risk of
contracting ebola.

They say, that's because women are often the first caregivers when family
members get sick.

Women are historically disproportionately affected in Ebola outbreaks.

Experts say, when a loved one falls ill, women are the ones bathing them,
feeding them, and washing dirty clothes.

This puts them at a higher risk of contracting Ebola, which spreads through
contact with bodily fluids.

Women are also often tasked with preparing bodies for burial.

In the first recorded Ebola outbreak in the 70s, women accounted for 56% of
deaths...

while in the 2018-2020 outbreak, women and girls made up about 2/3rds of
reported cases.

Posted on 2026-06-04 15:37:13

The Executive Yuan says maritime boundary talks between Japan and the
Philippines must not harm Taiwan's rights.

Japan and the Philippines plan to discuss boundaries for their exclusive
economic zones and continental shelves.

The talks have drawn attention because the waters overlap heavily with
Taiwan's own economic zone.

Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) says Taiwan will keep communicating
with both countries.

She says Taiwan has asked Japan and the Philippines not to harm Taiwan's
interests in any agreement.

China says the talks infringe on Chinese maritime rights, citing its
one-China position.

Lee says China should not use the issue to turn waters east of Taiwan into
its internal sea through military force.

The Foreign Ministry says it supports peaceful maritime dialogue based on
international law.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 15:37:18

Meanwhile,

The Executive Yuan has approved a new plan to crack down on drugs and drugged
driving.

The plan includes tougher penalties, stronger testing and tighter controls on
e-cigarettes.

Officials say manufacturing, transporting or selling etomidate could carry a
maximum death penalty.

Etomidate is the drug often linked to so-called "zombie vape cartridges."

The Cabinet also wants fines of up to 100-thousand NT for possessing
e-cigarettes.

Drugged drivers who cause serious injury or death could lose their licenses
for life.

Repeat drugged drivers could also face extra fines with no upper limit.

The first wave of legal amendments is expected to be sent to the Legislature
this month.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 15:37:18

U.S. President Donald Trump says he did call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu "crazy" during a tense phone call over fighting in Lebanon.

Trump confirmed the comment in a podcast interview broadcast Wednesday.

He said he was upset by Netanyahu's continued fighting with Lebanon while
Washington was trying to end hostilities with Iran.

Netanyahu downplayed the reported rift, saying the two leaders still have
common goals.

He described the dispute as a tactical disagreement.

The comments come as Israel and Hezbollah continue trading attacks, despite a
U.S.-mediated deal announced Monday.

Trump also defended his Iran policy, saying he acted to stop Tehran from
getting a nuclear weapon.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 14:26:13

Military experts say, the Haikun domestically-built submarine is making
progress, following a tenth submerged test today.

The sub went out to sea from Kaohsiung today in the rain, as onlookers
chanted words of encouragement.

Military scholar Ji Dong Yun noted that the movements of the sub were quite
quick today, indicating that military members are quite proficient in
operating the sub.

He added that, although the delivery date of the sub is not public, it is
likely imminent, with tests at greater depths expected in the near future.

Ji emphasized that a higher frequecy of tests is a good sign.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-04 14:26:13

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is emphasizing that a proposed arms sale to
Taiwan is "under review," not "paused."

Speaking at a hearing in the U.S. Senate, Rubio said the arms package is
still being processed within the administration.

He said that the packag "continues to be under review as it's being
processed."

That's after a top miltiary official siad that they were "pausing" the
paclage.

But Rubio said that the package is significant in scale and consequence and
this requires careful review.

He again emphasized that US policy toward Taiwan has not changed, despite
comments made by the US president following a meeting between him and his
Chinese counterpart.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-06-04 14:26:13

Two whale sharks have been successfully released back into the ocean, thanks
to efforts by local fishermen.

Witnesses say the adult whale sharks, one around 10 meters long, the other
around 6 meters long, swam into a fixed fishing net off Taitung County's
Taimali coast on Tuesday

The fishermen opened the net to guide the whale sharks out, and due to their
considerable size, the process to over an hour.

The fishermen also notified nauthorities including the county government, the
Ocean Conservation Administration, the Coast Guard, and academic
institutions, then following their instructions on tagging and release.

The fishermen's representatives note that whale shark encounters are becoming
more frequent, and efforts to help the animals are labor-intensive and
disrupts the catch.

They are urging the government to provide incentive or recognition for
fishermen who assist in releasing protected marine animals.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-04 14:26:13

South Korea's ruling party has won a majority of local races today but lost
the critical Seoul mayorship.

It's a setback for President Lee Jae Myung as he seeks a stronger political
mandate.

The Democratic Party won 12 of 16 mayoral and provincial gubernatorial
positions up for grabs...

while the opposition People Power Party won four, including the Seoul race.

The PPP has been disheveled since former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed
from office and sentenced to life in prison over his martial law declaration.

Experts say that the Democratic Party should have won the Seoul race, given
the favorable political landscape.

Today marks one year in office for Lee, with his approval ratings above 60%.

He's been credited with what he calls "pragmatic diplomacy," which is Lee's
way of balancing ties with the US and Japan as his party also seeks to
develop warmer ties with its northern neighbor.

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:18:13

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation says, 66 thousand people are eligible for
ticket refunds due to mass delays and cancellations last week.

Those refunds will cost the company 35.2 million NT.

The disruption last Monday was caused by a signal abnormality which forced
the THSR to operate limited trains.

The company says more than 200,000 people were affected by the issue.

According to THSR policy, those whose arrival time at the destination was
delayed by 30 minutes to an hour are eligibile for a 50% refund off the
ticket price...

while those delayed by more than an hour can get all their money back.

The company adds that refund requests can be submitted up to one year after
the incident, without any handling fees.

THSR said today that the issue was caused by a switch control unit power
module.

According to the company, the affected modules were removed in emergency
repairs and are being kept under lock and key so that an investigation may
determine the root cause of the incident.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:18:13

In sports news now .. and beginning with last night's Chinese Professional
Baseball League.

The league leading Wei Chuan Dragons beat the Rakuten Monkeys 7-3 at the
Rakuten Stadium in Taoyuan.

The Uni-President Lions beat the bottom of the table C-T-B-C Brothers 2-0 at
the Taipei Dome.

While the T-S-G Hawks moved into second place in the standings after routing
the Fubon Guardians 13-2 at the ChengChing Lake Stadium in Kaohsiung.

In this evening's only game.

The T-S-G Hawks and the Fubon Guardians meet again at the ChengChing Lake
Stadium in Kaohsiung.

That game begin at 6:30.

-

And finally,

The New Taipei Kings and the Formosa Dreamers meet this evening in Game 6 of
the Taiwan Professional Basketball League finals at the Xinzhuang Stadium in
New Taipei.

The game begins at 7PM.

The Kings are leading the best-of-seven series 3-2.

If the Formosa Dreamers win this evening's game and tie the best-of-seven
series at three games apiece, the deciding Game 7 will be at the Taichung
Arena on Saturday.

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:18:13

North Korea is announcing plans to grow the country's nuclear forces "at an
exponential rate."

State media says that leader Kim Jong Un visited a new facility to produce
nuclear materials.

They added that the facility uses "more sophisticated technology" but did not
provide further details.

The announcement comes as Kim has repeatedly vowed to expand his nuclear
weapons program to cope with what it views as threats from the US military.

The North Korean leader also stated that North Korea's weapons-grade nuclear
materials production capacity has increased more than twice over compared
with 5 years ago.

The facility's revelation came less than two years after North Korea unveiled
another covert uranium-enrichment plant in September 2024.

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:18:13

Four men have been sentenced to death in Nigeria for an attack on a church in
2022 that killed 50 people.

The attack began as Mass was ending at a Catholic church, with the attackers
killing children and woundeding many others.

The men were convicted of terrorism, while a fifth man was acquitted due to a
lack of evidence.

Prosecutors believe that they're part of the al-Shabab militant group.

Nigeria previously convicted more than 300 terrorism suspects in a mass
trial.

Nigeria faces a complex security crisis, particularly in the north.

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:18:13

In Hong Kong,

a performance artist has been stopped by police after he attempted to display
a red thread to commemorate the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Sanmu Chen tried to tie the thread to a signpost in a busy shopping district
before police quickly stopped him and searched his bag.

Chen said the thread was about 6.4 meters long, making an apparent reference
to the date of the massacre.

Hong Kong used to hold large-scale public commemorations of the crackdown.

But annual candlelight vigils were banned in 2020.

Since then, Hong Kong authorities have increasingly silenced dissent since
the national security law was imposed in 2020.

Chen was briefly detained in 2024 after appearing to write the characters for
8 9 6 4 in the air as a reference to the date of the massacre...

while he was also detained the year before after chanting "Hong Kongers, do
not be afraid. Don't forget, tomorrow is June 4th."

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:18:13

Turning to tennis and the latest news from the French Open.

Flavio Cobolli beat Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach his first Grand Slam
semifinal.

The result means an Italian finalist is guaranteed in the men's singles event
- even after the shock second-round exit of overwhelming favourite Jannik
Sinner.

Cobolli next faces fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the semifinals.

Second-seeded Alexander Zverev and No. 26 Jakub Mensik will meet in the other
men's singles semifinal.

In the women's draw ...

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka wasted a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6,
7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals.

Qualifier Maja Chwalinska also reached the semifinals by beating No.
22-seeded Anna Kalinskaya 7-6, 6-3.

--------------

In Major League Baseball...

Michael Massey hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning, Vinnie
Pasquantino and Nick Loftin homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the
Cincinnati Reds 5-2 to win the three-game series.

Logan Webb carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Victor Bericoto hit
his first career homer and the San Francisco Giants edged the Milwaukee
Brewers 1-0.

José Ramírez launched one of Cleveland’s three home runs off Gerrit Cole and
finished with three hits for the second consecutive game as the Guardians
beat the New York Yankees 5-4.

---------------

And finally,

The Mexican soccer federation has lost its latest appeal against FIFA
punishments for fans chanting an anti-gay slur at opponents's players before
the beginning of the World Cup.

Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:00:13

TSMC Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei says he is confident about the chipmaker's
growth in the coming years.

Wei made the comments today at TSMC's annual shareholders meeting in Hsinchu.

He said TSMC had a strong year, with revenue and earnings per share both
hitting record highs.

Wei said TSMC's share price rose from 950 NT last June to 2-thousand-425 NT
on Wednesday.

That means the stock rose more than one-and-a-half times in 365 days.

He said cash dividends also rose more than 30 percent, from 18 NT to at least
24 NT.

Wei said AI will expand from data centers to computers, smartphones, cars and
Internet of Things devices.

He said TSMC will keep investing in technology and capacity to support
customer growth.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:00:13

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum is drawing new attention
because it shares a designer with Nvidia's planned Taiwan headquarters.

Chiayi County officials say both projects are linked to architect Kris Yao.

The museum opened in 2015 and is one of Taiwan's major cultural landmarks.

Its flowing shape appears to float above water at the museum site in Chiayi.

National Palace Museum Deputy Director Huang Yung-tai (黃永泰) says the design
was inspired by Chinese calligraphy.

He says the building uses ideas from dark ink, dry brush and ink wash.

The museum is also building a second hall for national treasure restoration
and exhibitions.

That building is scheduled to be completed in 2027, with opening targeted for
2028.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:00:13

The Central Weather Administration says a geomagnetic disturbance is expected
to strengthen late tonight.

The agency says the disturbance could reach a moderate geomagnetic storm
level starting at 11 p.m.

It is expected to affect near-Earth space for about 21 hours.

The CWA says the storm follows two M-class solar flares and one X-class solar
flare on Wednesday.

It says the flares were linked to major coronal mass ejections from the sun.

The agency says satellite navigation and some radio communications may see
brief interruptions.

It also says some satellite equipment may face charge buildup, and low-orbit
satellites may need adjustments.

Auroras may be visible as far south as parts of the U.S., the U.K., Germany,
China and Japan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:00:13

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is calling for a major expansion of the
country's nuclear arsenal.

State media says Kim made the call during a visit to a newly operating
nuclear material production plant.

KCNA says Kim claimed North Korea's weapons-grade nuclear material production
capacity has more than doubled in five years.

He also ordered officials to increase output to meet long-term strategic
goals.

South Korea's military says the facility shown by North Korea appears to be a
uranium enrichment site.

Analysts say the visit may be aimed at strengthening Pyongyang's position
before possible diplomatic talks.

One expert says it could be linked to a possible visit by Chinese President
Xi Jinping to Pyongyang.

International estimates say North Korea has about 50 nuclear warheads, though
Pyongyang has not confirmed that number.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 12:00:13

South Korea and China have agreed to expand weekly flight rights for the
first time in seven years.

Seoul's transport ministry says the deal adds 56 weekly passenger flights,
bringing the total to 664.

It also adds 14 weekly cargo flights, bringing the total to 68.

Officials say the agreement will help add flights on busy routes, including
Incheon to Shanghai and Incheon to Guangzhou.

It will also expand service from regional South Korean airports to Chinese
cities including Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Xian.

Passenger traffic between the two countries has already passed pre-pandemic
levels.

South Korea says the new rights will be assigned to Korean airlines in the
second half of the year.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 11:05:13

President Lai Ching-te is urging China to face the truth of the Tiananmen
crackdown, 37 years after the incident.

Lai made the call Thursday in posts on Facebook and X.

He said the military crackdown crushed not only young democracy activists,
but a generation's hope for freedom.

Lai called on China to acknowledge the truth, heal the pain, and open
reconciliation and dialogue.

He said a great country should allow different voices and protect people's
right to pursue their dreams.

Lai said Taiwan will stand with all people who pursue freedom and democracy.

He also linked democracy to support for young people, saying their voices
should be heard.

He said Taiwan will continue working until the truth is seen and the pain is
healed.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 11:05:13

Taiwan stocks may face short-term swings after hitting four straight closing
highs, despite strong long-term support from AI.

The Taiex rose more than 900 points Wednesday, closing at 46-thousand-459.

The rally was driven by COMPUTEX and strong interest in AI-related shares.

But institutional investors say the market has already risen sharply.

They say tension in the Middle East and higher oil prices have also raised
inflation concerns.

U.S. stocks pulled back from record highs Wednesday, while the Philadelphia
Semiconductor Index hit another new high.

Nomura Asset Management Taiwan's Lou Ke-wang (樓克望) says AI is becoming a
long-term trend driven by company fundamentals.

TSMC's shareholders meeting today is expected to be another major focus for
the market.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 11:05:13

Taiwan is set to enter an active plum rain period Friday, with forecasters
warning of severe weather and heavy rain.

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says the pattern could last at least
until June 13.

He says a plum rain front will work with the southwest monsoon, making the
atmosphere very unstable.

Wu says all areas should watch for lightning, strong winds, sudden heavy rain
and disaster-causing rainfall.

The Central Weather Administration also issued high-temperature alerts today
for five counties and cities.

Taipei, New Taipei, Tainan and Hualien are under orange alerts for possible
36-degree heat.

Changhua is under a yellow alert for temperatures above 36 degrees.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 11:05:13

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire, raising hopes for a
wider deal on Iran.

The Trump administration says the agreement is meant to end hostilities
between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deal requires Hezbollah to stop firing and leave the South Litani Sector.

The announcement came after Iranian attacks hit Kuwait, damaging its airport
and injuring more than 60 people.

Kuwaiti authorities say one person was killed.

The U.S. says it intercepted Iranian missiles and carried out defensive
strikes in southern Iran and on Qeshm Island.

Oil prices rose nearly 2 percent, with the Strait of Hormuz still largely
closed.

U.S. President Donald Trump says talks with Iran are continuing and could see
progress as soon as this weekend.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 11:05:13

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party has won most local election races, but
appears likely to lose Seoul.

Early counts show President Lee Jae Myung's party leading in 12 of 16 mayoral
and provincial contests.

The party also won Busan, a traditional conservative stronghold.

But opposition Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is projected to narrowly keep his post.

That would be a symbolic setback for Lee, despite strong results across the
country.

Voting in parts of Seoul was disrupted after ballot papers ran out at several
polling stations.

Some voters waited for hours, while others left without voting.

The National Election Commission apologized and promised an investigation,
but said there were no grounds for a rerun.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 11:05:13

Five countries have won two-year seats on the U.N. Security Council, while
Germany missed out.

The U.N. General Assembly elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and
Tobago, and Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Their terms begin January 1st, 2027.

Germany had campaigned hard for a seat, but finished third in the Western
European and Others Group.

Portugal won 134 votes, Austria won 131, and Germany received 104.

Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines after four rounds of voting.

It will be Kyrgyzstan's first time serving on the Security Council.

The council can impose sanctions and authorize the use of force.

The five new members will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and
Somalia.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-04 09:06:13

The Office of the U-S Trade Representative has included Taiwan in among that
60 economies it has determined to have failed to impose or enforce a ban on
the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Washington is proposing imposing an additional 10-per cent tariff on Taiwan
and many of the other countries on the list.

The ruling was determined under Section 301 of the Trade Act.

The Cabinet has responded to the the threat of tariffs - saying the
recommended rate on Taiwan will not take immediate effect and will not be
stacked upon existing tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

According to the the Cabinet, it remains confident Taiwan will receive
relatively favorable treatment among countries running trade surpluses with
the U-S.

Posted on 2026-06-04 09:06:13

North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has visited a new facility to produce
nuclear materials and announced plans to bolster the country’s nuclear forces
"at an exponential rate."

According to the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim visited the
facility to learn about its operations.

K-C-N-A didn't say where the site is located and when it began operation.

However, state media photos on the place show that it is likely a plant to
produce weapons-grade uranium.

Its disclosure is in line with Kim's repeated vows to expand his nuclear
weapons program to cope with what he called U-S military threats.

Posted on 2026-06-04 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The government-sponsored Metal Industries Research & Development Center has
signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based defense technology
developer Anduril Industries for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The agreement was signed by Center Chairperson Liu Chia-ru and Anduril
founder Palmer Luckey in Taipei.

According to the Industrial Development Administration, cooperation will
focus on the development of A-I autonomous systems and key drone components
and the two parties will integrate the supply chains, promote localized
production and expand technology exchanges.

The administration says the deal will also allow Taiwan and the U-S to cement
their technology cooperation and speed up the pace of drone development to
meet growing global demand, and eventually strengthen Taiwan's standing in
the global supply chain.

The government has said the partnership is expected to strengthen the
China-free supply chain, broaden international cooperation and help Taiwan
achieve the standards of global drone development.

Posted on 2026-06-04 08:13:13

The Ministry of Transport is proposing to revoke the driver's licenses of
people found to have used marijuana overseas if evidence of use is detected
after they return to Taiwan .....

.... even if the drug was consumed legally abroad.

The measure is part of a broader crackdown on drug-impaired driving following
a series of drug-related traffic incidents.

Under the planned revisions to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act,
authorities will also be allowed to revoke the licenses of people found to
have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not caught
driving.

While users of Category 3 or Category 4 substances could face license
suspension.

Marijuana is classified as a Category 2 narcotic under the Narcotics Hazard
Prevention Act.

The amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act are expected to
be submitted to the Cabinet later this month before being sent to the
Legislature.

The transport ministry has said it hopes the measures can take effect by the
end of this year.

Posted on 2026-06-04 08:13:13

Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says Taiwan's greenhouse gas emissions in
2025 are estimated to have been about 9-per cent below 2005 levels, narrowly
missing the government's 10-per cent reduction target.

According to Peng, the official goal remains to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 28-per cent, plus or minus 2 percentage points, by 2030 compared
with 2005 levels.

However, Peng is admitting that several uncertainties could affect the final
emissions figure for 2025, with one key factor being economic growth.

Peng says robust growth can encourage investment in carbon reduction and
increase energy demand and as a result of that, the net impact on emissions
remains uncertain.

Speaking to reporters, the environment minister said in order to meet the
2030 target, the government will need to reduce emissions by nearly 20-per
cent over the next five years.

Peng described that possibilty as being challenging, despite emissions here
in Taiwan being on a steady downward trend.

Posted on 2026-06-04 08:13:13

And finally,

The Taipei City Government and the Czech Economic and Cultural Office have
unveiled Taiwan's first "Havel's Bench" in the capital.

Speaking at a ceremony in Ta'an Park, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an described it
as a symbol of close ties between the city and the Czech Republic.

According to Chiang, the public art installation represents the idea that
people with different views can better understand one another and work
together through democratic dialogue .. and that's a concept that should
apply to the different political parties in Taiwan.

The art installation consists of two chairs and a round table, with a tree
growing through the center of the table and was jointly established by the
city government and the Czech Economic and Cultural Office.

Named in honor of the human rights advocate Vaclav Havel, the bench is part
of a global public art project.

The first Havel's Bench was unveiled in Washington, D.C. in 2013.

Taipei is the third Asian city to install one after Hiroshima and Seoul, and
the 61st worldwide.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

The Ministry of Environment says it collected 4.97-billion N-T in Taiwan's
first carbon fee collection cycle.

According to the ministry, a total of 461 factories operated by 240 companies
paid carbon fees.

The ministry says of those factories, 123 semiconductor manufacturing
facilities contributed about 2.2-billion N-T and that including 33 sites
operated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

The electricity supply sector contributed 635-million N-T through 19
facilities, while 29 steel plants paid 400-million N-T and nine concrete
plants contributed 130-million N-T to the carbon fee collection cycle.

The environment ministry initially estimated carbon fee revenue at around
4.5-billion N-T.

The ministry says final amount was higher because some factories that applied
for preferential rates through voluntary emissions reduction plans later
withdrew those applications or had them rejected ..

.. meaning they were subject to the standard rate of 300 N-T per metric ton
of carbon emissions.

Most of the rejections were due to proposed emissions reduction measures
failing to meet regulatory standards.

The Regulations Governing the Collection of Carbon Fees took effect on
January 1 of last year and emissions generated in 2025 were subject to the
first round of carbon fee calculations.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

The Air Force says its fleet of T-34 trainer aircraft has not yet reached
retirement age, but that it is "proactively" seeking replacements.

The statement come after a T-34C crashed at Gangshan Air Base during a
simulated engine-failure exercise earlier this week killing the two pilots.

The incident has sparked discussion over whether the age of the T-34 fleet
could have contributed to the accident -- as production of the model ended in
1990.

According to the Air Force, contractor Aerospace Industrial Development
Corporation has conducted regular maintenance on the aircraft in accordance
with its contract and ensured they remain in normal operating condition ...

.. and replacement parts and components for the aircraft remain available and
in sufficient supply.

However, the Air Force is admitting that it has set a preliminary retirement
timeline for the fleet based on accumulated flight hours and is gathering
information from domestic and foreign companies in preparation for procuring
a new trainer model.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says airports are now screening travelers
who recently visited the Congo or Uganda for Ebola in order to prevent the
disease from spreading.

The minister made the statement following an inspection of the disease
control measures put in place at Taoyuan International Airport.

According to Shih Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport,
Taichung International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport are now
conducting the tests on a voluntary basis and they will continue through June
30.

Shih says the disease control measures will be adjusted based on the
continued monitoring of the Ebola epidemic.

Speaking to reporters, the health minister said staff at all of the airports
have established protocols to rapidly quarantine and hospitalize passengers
with recent history of travel in countries affected by the Ebola outbreak who
are showing symptoms.

The health minister's inspection of disease control measures at Taoyuan
International Airport comes as the Centers for Disease Contol has reported
that two Taiwan travelers who returned from Congo and two who returned from
Uganda are being monitored.

The C-D-C says all four are undergoing 21 days of mandatory health
self-management.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

The Ministry of Labor says the share of men applying for daily parental leave
exceeded that of women for the first time in May.

According to the ministry, nearly 12,000 people applied for daily parental
leave in May, filing more than 24,000 leave applications in total and male
applicants accounted for 50.3-per cent of all applicants in May.

Employees with children under the age of three are entitled to up to two
years of parental leave.

During the leave period, workers receive 80-per cent of their insured salary.

A new "daily parental leave" system took effect on Janaury 1 of this year,
allowing employees to take up to 30 days of parental leave as single-day
leave during their two-year entitlement period.

The labor ministry says since that policy took effect, data shows men have
accounted for 48.4-per cent of cumulative applicants, compared with 51.6-per
cent for women.

The ministry says that reflects a growing trend of shared childcare
responsibilities between parents.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

And,

A wildlife livestream documenting the first days of a newly hatched crested
serpent eagle chick in Pingtung has ended after the bird died during the
broadcast earlier this week.

The YouTube channel "Soaring for You" began livestreaming the crested serpent
eagle nest on May 13 - showing a pair of adult eagles and their chick.

The channel is jointly run by the Bird Ecology Lab of National Pingtung
University of Science and Technology and Xin-chang Ecological Research.

The livestream offered a glimpse into the breeding and parenting behavior of
the crested serpent eagle and often attracted more than 100 viewers at a
time.

According to the channel's owners, the chick - which had been named "JoStar"
by the channel host and its subscribers - was 43 days old and could have been
be poisoned by pesticides or rodenticide.

They says JoStar showed no signs of illness until Sunday, suggesting the food
it consumed may have been a key factor in its death.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

The Israeli military has carried out fresh strikes in Lebanon as Hezbollah
said it's fired rockets into northern Israel.

Lebanon's health ministry says the dead included two paramedics whose
ambulance was hit in a strike in the south of the country, while a
car was also struck in a strike just south of Beirut.

Israel's military said it intercepted a drone and two projectiles that
crossed the border.

The strikes and rocket launches come despite a partial ceasefire agreed on
Monday - which Lebanon said would see Israel refrain from bombing Beirut, in
exchange for Hezbollah not attacking Israel.

Israeli and Lebanese diplomats have held a second day of talks in Washington
to discuss ways to shore up the deal.

U-S Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that he hopes those talks
will produce "an action plan for security in Lebanon, independent from
Hezbollah."

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

airport

Kuwait says Iranian drones have heavily damaged a passenger terminal at its
main airport - killing one person, wounding dozens more and briefly closing
the airfield.

The reported strike is the latest in back-and-forth attacks by Iran and the
U-S that are testing a fragile ceasefire.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard is denying responsibility for the airport
strike - saying the damage was caused by an error from a U-S missile
interceptor.

The U-S military says Iran also fired other missiles at Kuwait, but they fell
apart en route and it downed drones targeting American forces in the region.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

Portugal and Austria have defeated Germany for seats on the powerful but
deeply divided United Nations Security Council in a hotly contested race
after intense campaigning.

The 10 rotating seats on the 15-member Security Council are earmarked for
different regions of the world.

The assembly elects five countries by secret ballot every year to serve
two-year terms alongside the council's five permanent veto-wielding members -
the U-S, Russia, China, Britain and France.

In the other contested race in the General Assembly, Kyrgyzstan defeated the
Philippines.

Zimbabwe, the African candidate, and Caribbean candidate Trinidad and Tobago
had no opponents and were also both elected with more than 180 votes.

Posted on 2026-06-04 07:30:13

The World Health Organization says Congo's Ebola outbreak had a head start,
but testing is improving, even as violence plagues the region.

Since mid-May, 344 cases and 60 deaths have been confirmed in three eastern
provinces.

The number of suspected cases has dropped significantly.

Uganda has 15 confirmed cases, including one death.

The outbreak involves a rare Ebola type with no approved medicine or vaccine.

Limited testing and access issues make assessing the outbreak's extent
difficult.

The W-H-O says only 45-per cent of contacts have been traced, with insecurity
and displacement complicating efforts.

Posted on 2026-06-03 19:16:13

The Ministry of Health and Welfare says free voluntary testing will be
offered at airports to travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Uganda, as authorities step up measures to prevent Ebola from
entering the country.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says from today through June 30th,
asymptomatic travelers and returning Taiwanese nationals with travel history
to the DRC or Uganda will be offered free blood testing at Taipei Songshan,
Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports upon arrival, in addition to
receiving a self-health management notice.

The Centers for Disease Control announced last week that from midnight on
June 2nd, residents of the DRC and Uganda would be temporarily barred from
entering Taiwan for 90 days, with limited exceptions for urgent humanitarian
cases and three other categories.

This marks the first entry restriction Taiwan has imposed since lifting
COVID-19 border controls.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-03 19:16:13

Taiwan may fall short of its original 2025 carbon reduction target, despite
steady cuts in emissions.

Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says emissions may be down about 9 percent
from 2005 levels this year.

That would be close to the original 10 percent target, but still short of it.

The Ministry of Environment says Taiwan's 2024 net greenhouse gas emissions
were about 251-million metric tons.

That was down 6.59 percent from 2005, and down 1.92 percent from 2023.

The ministry says energy sector emissions fell below the 2005 level for the
first time.

Peng says strong economic growth could still raise electricity use as
companies expand production.

He says Taiwan must cut nearly 20 percent more over the next five years to
meet its 2030 goal.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 18:28:14

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun says lasting peace across the Taiwan Strait cannot be
achieved by focusing only on relations between Taiwan and China ...

... and that cooperation between Beijing and Washington is also important.

The main opposition leader made the comments in San Francisco yesterday ...
during a visit to the United States.

Cheng went on to say that she hopes to see reconciliation and cooperation
between the U-S and China, calling that the most important message she wanted
to bring on the trip.

At a separate event with tech leaders, Cheng said Taiwan's high-tech sector
needs stable power, arguing the island must continue developing nuclear
energy.

Cheng added that if the KMT returns to power in 2028, it would correct what
she called "flawed energy policy" from Taiwan's ruling D-P-P.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-03 18:28:14

Meanwhile,

The DPP caucus in the Taichung City Council is calling for a thorough
investigation after the Taichung MRT suffered its fourth major disruption in
less than six months.

Service on the Green Line was delayed by about 21 minutes this morning after
a signaling system malfunction caused a power trip across the entire line.

Taichung MRT says the problem was traced to a faulty signaling control
component at the Beitun depot.

The operator adds that each of the four breakdowns since December involved
different technical issues, and that repairs and equipment replacements have
been completed.

It also says it has reviewed the causes of the failures and updated response
procedures to help prevent similar incidents.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-03 18:28:14

New government data shows that it's getting more expensive to book hotels in
Taiwan.

According to the Tourism Administration, average room rates reached over 3
thousand 100 NT per night in the first quarter of 2026 — a 1.5 percent
year-on-year increase.

The agency says rising costs for electricity, labor, and food are driving the
price bump.

However, officials note that around 80 percent of hotel rooms are actually
priced below that overall average, meaning there are still plenty of diverse
options available.

They also pointed out that the hotel sector is seeing steady growth.

Occupancy rates topped 53 percent this quarter — marking a steady climb from
last year, and a nearly four-point jump from two years ago.

The market remains heavily supported by domestic travel, with local tourists
making up over 70 percent of the more than 18 million total guests.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:42:14

The Transportation Ministry plans to revoke licenses for some drug users,
even if they have not driven.

The proposal comes as officials move to crack down on drugged driving.

Marijuana is a Category 2 narcotic in Taiwan.

Officials say actions that are legal overseas may still violate Taiwan law
after a person enters Taiwan.

They say license penalties could apply if police in Taiwan confirm drug use
and report the case.

The ministry also plans to raise drugged driving fines for cars to
120-thousand NT.

Motorcycle fines would rise to 90-thousand NT.

Officials say the amendments could be sent to the Cabinet this month, with a
goal of taking effect by the end of the year.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:42:14

Taiwan has completed its first-ever carbon fee collection, bringing in 4.97
billion NT from 461 industrial facilities.

The Ministry of Environment says 240 companies paid up by the end of May,
covering last year's emissions.

Semiconductor manufacturers led all sectors, contributing more than 40
percent of the total, or roughly 2.2 billion NT.

T-S-M-C alone accounted for 33 of the 123 semiconductor facilities that paid.

The standard rate was 300 NT per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Climate Change Administration Director Tsai Ling-yi (蔡玲儀) says all companies
paid in full, with none opting for installment or deferred payment.

About 2 billion NT from the fund is earmarked to help businesses and local
governments cut emissions, with another 500-million NT set aside as loan
subsidies for companies investing in cleaner production.

Minister Peng Chi-ming says carbon fee rates will rise over time, and an
emissions trading platform is expected to begin testing before year's end.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:42:14

Four people have been indicted over a Pingtung hospital fire that killed nine
people last year.

The case involves Antai Tian-Sheng Memorial Hospital in Donggang.

Those indicted include hospital founder and Kuomintang Legislator Su
Ching-chuan (蘇清泉).

Pingtung prosecutors had granted deferred prosecution to Su and three others
last August.

But higher prosecutors later revoked that decision, saying it was
inappropriate for a major public safety case.

Prosecutors now say illegal building additions caused required fire
separation space to fail.

They also say a faulty extension cord used with a pump caused sparks that
started the fire.

Su says he respects the investigation and will face the judicial process
bravely and humbly.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:42:14

Russian forces launched a massive aerial attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian
cities, killing 22 civilians and injuring 138.

The assault with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles began overnight
and continued during the day.

In the central city of Dnipro, officials said rescue crews searching the
rubble recovered the bodies of a 3-year-old child as well as those of a woman
and her 8-year-old son.

Kyiv residents have been on edge after Russia warned last week of a massive
attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified Moscow’s campaign,
exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of air defense systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for more support from the
U.S. and Europe.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:42:14

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has completed his
obligations related to a prison sentence.

A royal pardon ended his four-month probation early.

Thaksin was released from a Bangkok prison last month.

There has been speculation about whether he will increase influence over the
Pheu Thai Party, though his family suggests he may step back from politics.

The pardon from the Thailand's king was published Tuesday and became
effective today.

Thaksin was originally sentenced to eight years for corruption-related
charges, later reduced to one year.

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:29:14

The government is set to extend paid maternity leave and for the first time
require that wages be covered for employees who miscarry in early pregnancy.

The Ministry of Labor confirmed today that under a broader population
strategy announced by the Presidential Office last week, maternity leave will
be extended from eight weeks to twelve weeks for childbirth, with the
additional wage costs covered entirely by the government rather than
employers.

The government will also begin paying wages for maternity leave taken after
miscarriages occurring before twelve weeks of pregnancy

Current regulations entitle women in such situations to time off, but does
not require employers to provide pay.

Officials say the changes reflect recognition that early pregnancy loss is a
significant physical and emotional experience deserving of formal workplace
protection, and that removing the wage burden from employers removes a
potential source of resistance to granting the leave.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:29:14

Taipei's top statistical office says fewer people are registering marriages
in the capital, while late marriage is becoming increasingly common.

The city's Department of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says that about 22
thousand people registered marriages in Taipei last year, down over 17
percent from a year ealier.

The decline has continued into this year, with marriage registrations from
January through April standing at under 6 thousand 400 - which is 11 percent
lower compared to the same period a year earlier.

Officials also revealed that nearly 40 percent of first-time marriages
involved people between the ages of 30 and 34, while the share of those
marrying after age 35 has increased significantly over the past decade.

The city says high housing costs, people marrying and having children later
in life, and fewer women of prime childbearing age are all contributing to
broader demographic challenges.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:29:14

China

In international news,

The Solomon Islands' new prime minister, Matthew Wale, says the country will
review its secretive security treaty with China.

The pact, struck in 2022 with the Solomons’ then-leader, created fears in the
region that it would allow the Chinese navy to build a base in the South
Pacific.

Wale and his Australian counterpart announced their governments would
negotiate a comprehensive strategic treaty.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia should be the
Solomons’ primary security partner, rather than China.

China has provided police instructors to the Solomons as part of their
bilateral deal.

The Solomons doesn’t have a military, so police there have a larger security
role than in countries with defense forces.

In 2019, the Solomons' previous government switched official recognition to
Beijing from Taiwan.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-03 15:29:14

Canada is calling on the United States and Mexico to renew the free trade
agreement between the countries for another 16 years as U.S. President Donald
Trump revives talk of making Canada the 51st state.

Canada’s minister for U.S. trade sent a letter to the U.S. trade
representative and Mexico’s secretary of economy on Tuesday to convey
Canada’s recommendation.

The letter comes ahead of the scheduled July review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada
Agreement, the latest version of free trade agreements that have intertwined
the three economies since the early 1990s.

Trump posted “51st State!” on social media late Monday.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-03 12:49:41

costs

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang says it is reasonable for local governments
to help fund Taiwan's rent subsidies.

Liu says local governments received about 266.7-billion NT in housing-related
tax revenue last year.

She says the central government is asking them to share about 8-billion NT in
rent subsidy costs.

Liu says local governments also received about 400-billion NT more after
changes to government revenue allocation rules.

She says housing justice should be a shared responsibility between the
central and local governments.

Some local leaders have opposed the plan, and Liu says the ministry will
review their concerns.

She says rent subsidies, rental management, and public housing construction
remain key parts of Taiwan's housing policy.

Liu says the central and local governments should work together to support
disadvantaged groups and young families.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 12:49:44

A retrospective exhibition on the Taitung Fringe Festival will open June 26
as a warm-up for the 2026 Taitung Expo.

The exhibition will run through August 20 at the Taitung Art and Culture
Center.

The Taitung Expo itself is set to open on July 3.

Taitung County official Lin Wen-yi says the exhibition will look back at
years of Fringe Festival performances.

She says the festival has brought performances into mountains, coastal areas,
neighborhoods, historic buildings, and everyday spaces.

The exhibition will use photos, text, and visual design to show how theater
moved beyond the black box.

Lin says the show also reflects the expo's themes of slow living, culture,
nature, and local sustainability.

She says it invites visitors to see Taitung again as a special place for
artistic creation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 12:49:44

Nantou residents helped stop a jewelry shop robbery by pinning the suspect to
the ground before police arrived.

Police say the 33-year-old man, surnamed Hsu, entered the shop on Minzu Road
around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

They say he wore a wig, a baseball cap, and a mask to hide his identity.

Police say he also carried a fruit knife, a hammer, a replica gun, gloves,
and a flashlight.

The shop owner screamed, resisted, and escaped to call for help.

Nearby residents heard her cries and held the suspect down outside the shop.

The owner suffered cuts and bruises, but hospital checks found no serious
injuries.

Police say Hsu may have acted because of debts and will be referred to
prosecutors on suspicion of robbery.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 12:49:44

Severe tropical storm Jangmi has battered Japan with strong winds and heavy
rain.

Officials say the storm has knocked out power to nearly 60-thousand homes.

Japan's Meteorological Agency says some Pacific coastal areas face a rising
risk of life-threatening disasters.

Evacuation advisories have been issued for hundreds of thousands of people in
eight prefectures.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled nearly 900 flights this
morning.

Some bullet train services were delayed, and rail lines in the Tokyo area
were also disrupted.

Toyota and Suzuki suspended operations at several domestic plants because of
the storm.

A government spokesperson urged people to take early action to protect their
lives.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 12:49:44

South Koreans are voting in local elections seen as a test of President Lee
Jae Myung's first year in office.

Voters are choosing mayors and governors in 16 cities and provinces.

Lee's Democratic Party is expected to strengthen its hold on power.

Analysts say races in Seoul and Busan will show how big the party's victory
may be.

The vote is also a test for the conservative People Power Party.

The party is still divided after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed
martial law bid in 2024.

Fourteen parliamentary by-elections are also being held.

Exit polls are expected Wednesday evening, with official results likely early
Thursday.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-03 09:06:13

Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar has announced plans to meet ‌with
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy next week.

The meeting will open a new chapter in relations after Magyar ousted his
Moscow-friendly predecessor Viktor Orban in an election.

Speaking during a visit to Berlin, Magyar said he's ready to meet Zelenskiy
if technical negotiations on the rights of the Hungarian minority in
neighbouring Ukraine were finished this week ...

... and he's optimistic that issue could be solved.

Warmer relations between Hungary and Ukraine are pivotal for the European
Union's backing for Kyiv in Russia's war in Ukraine.

Orban opposed the flow of billions of euros in aid to Ukraine and its E-U
membership.

Posted on 2026-06-03 09:06:13

Police in Britain are facing a national backlash over the case of an
‌18-year-old student who was handcuffed as he lay dying from stab wounds
after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack.

Henry Nowak died after the knife attack in the southern England city of
Southampton last December.

His killer, a 23-year-old Sikh man, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.

He lied to police at the time that Nowak had assaulted him.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says there are "serious questions" to answer,
including how "allegations of racism informed or fed into the decision-making
in the case."

Posted on 2026-06-03 09:06:13

And finally,

An artist has filed a federal lawsuit against FIFA over the destruction of
his giant mural of swimming whales on a building in Dallas as it prepares to
host World Cup matches.

The civil suit was filed by the artist Wyland and says soccer's global
governing body and the building's owner and management company violated a
1990 federal law that protects artists from destruction of their public
works.

The artist is seeking 25-million dollars in damages.

World Cup organizers in the Dallas area have said the downtown mural was
painted over to make room for new art.

While FIFA says it had no involvement.

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:13

The Air Force has grounded all of its T-34C trainers pending safety checks
following a crash at the Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung that left two pilots
dead.

The two-seater aircraft crashed while conducting a routine simulated
engine-failure training exercise.

Both Lt. Col. Lu Chi-yu and Lt. Col. Kuo Chun-nan were pronounced dead at the
scene.

The pilots had logged over 2,000 flying hours in T-34Cs.

According to Air Force Chief Inspector Major General Chiang Yi-cheng, the
pilots reported no anomalies or malfunctions during the flight test and
weather conditions, including visibility, were suitable for flying.

The aircraft passed a round of safety checks on April 9.

The Air Force has formed a special task force to investigate the cause of the
crash.

The Air Force purchased about 50 T-34Cs in 1985 as basic trainer aircraft.

Around 30 remain in service.

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:15

Meanwhile,

President Lai Ching-te is expressing his condolences over the deaths the two
Air Force lieutenant colonels killed in Tuesday's crash a the Gangshan Air
Base.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Lai said he was deeply saddened by this
sudden tragedy ...

... and on behalf of the country, I would like to thank the two pilots for
their sacrifices and contributions and extend my deepest condolences to their
families."

Lai said he has instructed the Ministry of National Defense to establish a
task force to determine the cause of the accident as soon as possible and
prevent similar incidents from recurring.

According to Lai, he has also directed the defense ministry to assist the
bereaved families with funeral arrangements to ensure the pilots receive a
proper farewell.

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:15

talks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging the Philippines and Japan not to
infringe on Taiwan's rights in its surrounding waters.

The call comes after Manila and Tokyo announced last week they were starting
talks on maritime delimitation in their overlapping exclusive economic zones.

Those zone also partly overlap with Taiwan's E-E-Z.

According to foreign ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei, the Lai
administration will protect the rights and interests of Taiwan's fishermen
and continue to consult with the Philippines and Japan on maritime issues
based existing agreements.

Hsiao says no details concerning the proposed E-E-Z boundaries have been
released so far and the the foreign ministry had instructed its
representative offices in Tokyo and Manila to gather more information on the
issue.

The spokesman also says the government is asking both countries to engage in
dialogue with Taipei regarding the maritime boundary issue to ensure Taiwan's
rights are fully protected.

The statements come after the foreign ministry this past weekend lauded the
Tokyo-Manila talks, which it described as way to "resolve maritime
differences through peaceful dialogue and based on respect for international
law."

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:15

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has unveiled
three military-specific robot dog prototypes designed for surveillance,
reconnaissance, and combat support missions.

The models are based on the Vision 60 quadruped robot developed by US-based
Ghost Robotics and integrated with systems developed by the institute that
provide intelligence-gathering, patrol, and monitoring capabilities.

According to the institute, the robot dog variants are equipped with Light
Detection and Ranging, thermal imaging systems, and a remote-controlled
weapon station.

The robot dogs can currently be used for security patrols, facility
surveillance and nighttime monitoring.

However, the institute says the system could eventually be integrated with
unmanned ground vehicles and drones to form a three-dimensional battlefield
network.

The platform can carry payloads of up to 10-kilograms, move at speeds of up
to 9-kilometers-an-hour and have an operating time of between eight to 10
hours.

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:15

Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih has overseen a send-off ceremony for the
first large-scale export of Taiwan-grown summer fruits to Europe.

The 6 metric tons of mangoes, lychees and dragon fruit left Pingtung County
after meeting European Union import and quarantine requirements.

Speaking at the ceremony Chen said Taiwan's fresh fruit exports to Europe had
previously been limited, but this latest shipment mark the start of a more
systematic push into the European market.

Chen also said the breakthrough required close cooperation from growers to
meet production and quarantine standards and the government has established
an international cold-chain logistics center in Pingtung to help expand
exports to more overseas markets.

The fruit has all been exported by Nature House.

And according to the exporter, the shipment is destined for Rungis, France's
largest wholesale fresh produce market, which serves as a key sourcing hub
for Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels and major retailers.

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:15

Funds managed by the Ministry of Labor's Bureau of Labor Funds reported a new
high in returns in April due to a rally in the financial markets at home and
abroad.

According to the bureau, labor funds recorded about 1.1-trillion N-T in
gains, smashing the previous high of 418-billion N-T recorded in February.

It comes after the funds suffered a historic loss of 378-billion N-T in
March, which officials say reflected global market volatility after the
US-Israel war against Iran broke out at the end of February.

The bureau says global stock markets staged a significant rebound in April.

Data shows the accumulated gains of the labor funds totaled 1.15-trillion N-T
during the first four months of this year and the gains during the January to
April period translated into a 20.21-per cent rate of return

The bureau says 56-per cent of its investments were made overseas from
January to April, while the remainder were invested in the local market.

Posted on 2026-06-03 08:15:15

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says we can expected to see significant
rain effecting the island from Friday and the unstable condition will likely
to persist through next week due to a stationary front and southwesterly
winds.

According to the administration's forecast center, isolated afternoon
thunderstorms are possible in the north and mountainous areas tomorrow, but
rainfall is forecast to increase on Friday as a low-pressure system
approaches Taiwan.

Western and southeastern areas could see localized heavy rain on Friday.

The rain is expected to ease on Saturday, but unstable weather will continue
on Sunday under the influence of the low-pressure system, with scattered
showers and thunderstorms forecast for the center and south.

Rainy conditions are likely to persist throughout next week and the heaviest
rain can be expected from next Tuesday.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

President Lai Ching-te is describing Taiwan has being indispensable to global
A-I development.

Speaking at the opening of Computex Taipei, Lai said the arrival in Taiwan of
some of the world's leading tech giants for this year's Computex,
demonstrates their confidence in Taiwan's technological capabilities,
industrial efficiency and democratic system.

According to Lai, the government welcomes investment from around the world by
offering tax incentives, improving the investment environment and promoting a
chip-based innovation program aimed at driving next-generation technological
advances.

Lai addressed concerns about electricity shortages, saying Taiwan's power
supply will remain sufficient through 2032 despite rising demand from A-I
development.

And he went on to say that the "more the world needs AI, the more it needs a
stable, trustworthy and responsible Taiwan" and "when AI development enters
its next stage, it will require collaboration among like-minded and reliable
partners around the world."

Computex runs through Friday at the Nangang Exhibition Center.

This year's show is being held under the theme of "AI Together," and features
a record-breaking 6,000-plus booths from 1,500 exhibitors representing 33
countries.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai says tougher penalties proposed or
drug-impaired driving could take effect by the end of this year at the
earliest.

The proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act will
increase the current penalty of a one- to two-year driver's license
suspension for drug-impaired driving to license revocation ...

... along with a three-year ban on reapplying for a license.

Under the proposal, individuals who use Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics
would have their driver's licenses revoked even if they are not caught
driving or do not own a vehicle, to prevent them from driving.

Users of Category 3 or Category 4 narcotics would face license suspension.

Fines for first-time offenders will be increased to 120,000 N-T for
motorists, and to 90,000 N-T for motorcyclists, while repeat offenses within
a 10-year period will face progressively higher administrative fines,

The transport minister says his office plans to submit the proposed
amendments to the Cabinet by the end of this month, after which they will be
forwarded to the Legislature for review.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

President Lai Ching-te has conferred the Order of Propitious Clouds on
visiting Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil.

According to the Presidential Office, Vystrcil was honored in recognition of
his longstanding support for Taiwan, contributions to Taiwan-Czech ties and
efforts to defend democratic values.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lai praised Vystrcil's decision to visit Taiwan in
2020 despite pressure from China and for saying "I am Taiwanese" during a
speech at Legislature - describing his actions as a demonstration of
"democratic courage."

Lai also said the decoration also symbolizes the Taiwan people's highest
respect and gratitude toward Vystrcil and stands as a testament to the
friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.

Vystrcil said he was deeply honored to receive the medal and viewed it as
recognition of the Czech Senate as a whole.

The Czech Senate President arrived in Taiwan on Monday heading a delegation
of around 40 people for a four-day visit at the invitation of Legislative
Speaker Han Kuo-yu.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

The Ministry of Health has revoked the medical license of a prominent doctor
illegally brokering organ transplant procedures for Taiwan patients in China.

Accordinh to Health Minister Shih Chung-liang, Chen Yao-li was found to have
repeatedly arranged for Taiwanese patients to undergo organ transplant
procedures overseas, conduct that seriously violated medical ethics and the
Human Organ Transplant Act.

It marks the first time that a physician in Taiwan has had his license
revoked for illegally brokering organ transplants.

Chen was former deputy superintendent at Chung Shan Medical University
Hospital in Taichung.

He was convicted on nine counts of illegally brokering organ transplants in
violation of the Human Organ Transplant Act and sentenced to two years in
prison, suspended for five years by the Changhua District Court.

Court records showed Chen began referring patients to hospitals in China for
liver and kidney transplants in 2008 and received 14-million N-T in illegal
gains from the arrangements.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed another measles case.

According to the C-D-C, the latest case involves a man in his 20s who lives
in northern Taiwan, who developed symptoms last week.

The man had contact with a previously confirmed imported case involving a
foreign national who traveled to Taiwan from Thailand last month.

Officials say 491 contacts have been instructed to self-monitor until June 16.

The C-D-C has confirmed 11 measles cases here in Taiwan so far this year -
eight of which were imported, and three were domestic cases linked to
clusters.

Health authorirties have issued international travel alerts - of both Level 1
and Level 2 - for several destinations where ongoing measles outbreaks have
been reported.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

And,

The Ministry of Finance says a 21 N-T oolong milk tea purchase at a
FamilyMart in Taichung's Daya District was the lowest amount spent to win the
10-million N-T special prize in the March-April uniform invoice lottery.

According to the ministry, a total of 20 receipts matched the winning
numberfor the 10-million N-T special prize

Of those receipts, seven involved purchases of less than 100 N-T.

Other low-value winning receipts included a 39 N-T purchase at a FamilyMart
in Taichung's Nantun District, a 40 N-T drink at a Hi-Life in Taichung's Wuqi
District, and a 45 N-T beverage at a 7-Eleven in Taoyuan's Dayuan District.

A 65 N-T beef and egg burger sold at a MOS Burger in New Taipei's Tamsui
District also won the 10-million N-T prize.

Winners can claim their prizes from June 6 to September 7.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

The European Union's Electoral Observation Mission in Colombia is confirming
the legitimacy of the weekend's presidential election...

following claims by the incumbent president regarding fraud in the polls.

They say that the election was carried out in a "transparent, orderly, and
fluid" way.

Officials note that no candidate in the race presented claims of
irregularities to the office.

That's as the vote will be headed to a runoff later this month, between
conservative Abelardo de la Espriella and senator IvAn Cepeda.

Cepeda previously refused to acknowledge a preliminary count of election
results in which he placed second...

saying he would wait for a more complete count.

Just before that statement, current President Gustavo Petro claimed on social
media that hundreds of thousands of voters had been illegally added to the
rolls.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

Italian police say that they have arrested two people suspected of killing
four migrant farmworkers.

The two allegedly burned the four people alive in a car torching attack.

The attack in Calabria was captured on security cameras while the car was
parked at a gas station.

A fifth man escaped from the car and is receiving medical treatment.

Officials say that the dead were Afghan and Pakistani nationals, while the
two suspects in the attack are both Pakistani.

Posted on 2026-06-03 06:47:49

The United Nations is calling on Nicaragua to investigate the death of
Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera.

According to the Nicaraguan government, he died from a bacterial infection
after contracting COVID while he was imprisoned.

Rivera was known for opposing the Sandinista government and had been detained
without charges since 2023.

The UN believes that Rivera was abritrarily detained and that his case was
one of "forced disappearance."

They criticized Nicaragua for alleged torture and poor detention conditions.

There are at least 47 more people imprisoned in the country for political
reasons.

The UN is calling for the release of all such political detainees.

Posted on 2026-06-02 17:20:13

The Centers for Disease Control says four Taiwanese nationals are under
health monitoring after returning from Ebola outbreak areas.

Two entered Taiwan from Uganda, and two entered from the Democratic Republic
of the Congo.

CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun says one had a mild fever the day after
arrival.

But the person tested negative for Ebola and was discharged today.

Since May 27, travelers from the two countries must complete 21 days of
self-health management.

Starting today, Taiwan has also suspended entry for residents of the two
countries for 90 days.

Officials say the DRC has reported 321 confirmed Ebola cases and 48 deaths.

The CDC says the four Taiwanese nationals must report symptoms daily and take
their temperature twice a day.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 17:20:13

Taiwan is calling on Japan and the Philippines to protect Taiwan's rights as
they discuss overlapping maritime claims.

The Foreign Ministry says the talks involve exclusive economic zones east of
Taiwan.

Spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei says Taiwan will keep consulting Tokyo and Manila
on maritime issues.

He says that will be done under existing fisheries agreements with both
countries.

Hsiao says Japan and the Philippines have not yet released details of the
proposed boundaries.

But he says Taiwan will ask both countries to hold talks with Taipei and
protect Taiwanese fishermen.

The ministry also criticized China for sending coast guard ships to waters
east of Taiwan.

It says Beijing should not use the case to push its claims over Taiwan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 17:20:13

President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan is expected to become one of the world's
top 20 economies next year.

Lai made the comment today at the opening of COMPUTEX 2026 in Taipei.

He said Taiwan's stock market value reached 4.95 trillion US dollars in May.

That made it the world's fifth-largest stock market.

He also said Taiwan's full-year growth forecast has been raised to 9.64
percent.

Lai said Taiwan has become an essential part of global AI development.

He said stable power supply will not be a problem before 2032.

He also pledged support for talent, water, electricity and land as AI demand
continues to grow.

Lai said the government will help Taiwan become a trusted and sustainable
base for the AI industry.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 17:20:13

KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has arrived in San Francisco at the start of a
U.S. visit focused on cross-strait peace.

Cheng says the trip is aimed at telling U.S. and international contacts that
Taiwanese people hope for peace.

Before leaving Taiwan, she said she also wants to help keep Washington out of
what she called an "avoidable war."

Cheng said the KMT is a loyal and responsible force for maintaining peace
across the Taiwan Strait.

She also said she would be willing to meet U.S. President Donald Trump if the
opportunity arose.

But Cheng noted she does not hold public office and is chair of an opposition
party.

The KMT says Cheng will visit San Francisco, Boston, New York, Washington and
Los Angeles during the 15-day trip.

The party says she will meet members of Congress, U.S. officials, think tanks
and overseas Taiwanese communities.

It has not disclosed the names or ranks of the U.S. officials, citing past
practice and U.S. protocols.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 17:20:13

Chunghwa Post is releasing its second series of Taiwan Railway stamps later
this week, featuring hand-drawn designs of six famous sightseeing and
historical trains.

The set of six stamps will go on sale June 5, with each stamp carrying a face
value of $8 NT.

The new series includes the “Mountain Mist Express”, which boasts green
velvet seats, floor-to-ceiling windows and unique lighting systems, as well
as the nostalgic "Breezy Blue", offering coastal views on the island's oldest
operating train

To accompany the release, Chunghwa Post will begin selling related
collectibles on June 3rd, including first-day covers, stamp cards, and
postcards.

The collection follows a popular first series released last year and
celebrates the island's unique rail culture.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-02 16:53:14

The Centers for Disease Control says an imported measles case from Thailand
has led to a domestic infection in northern Taiwan.

The new patient is a man in his 20s who lived with the imported case.

Health officials say the cluster now has two confirmed cases.

They have listed 491 contacts for monitoring until June 16.

Taiwan has recorded 11 measles cases so far this year.

Eight were imported, and three were domestic cases linked to clusters.

The CDC says measles outbreaks are continuing in Japan, Bangladesh and parts
of Southeast Asia.

It says vaccination is the most effective protection, and Taiwan has enough
public-funded MMR vaccines.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 16:53:15

Taiwan's labor funds posted record gains in April, helped by a strong rebound
in local and global markets.

The Bureau of Labor Funds says the funds recorded about 1.1 trillion NT in
gains.

That broke the previous record of 418.4 billion NT set in February.

The rebound came after the funds lost 378.7 billion NT in March.

Officials linked April's gains to stronger investor confidence, AI enthusiasm
and hopes for a U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

The funds had total gains of 1.15 trillion NT in the first four months of the
year.

That equals a return of just over 20 percent.

The bureau says more gains may be possible in May, after Taiwan shares rose
about 10 percent.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 16:53:15

New Taipei police say they have cracked down on more than 2-thousand
drug-driving cases this year.

The city police department says 2-thousand-465 cases were recorded from
January to May.

That was up more than 600 percent from the same period last year.

Police today released the names and photos of 11 repeat drunk-driving and
drug-driving offenders.

They say the move is meant to deter repeat offenses and protect road safety.

Police say drug use can slow reaction time, reduce attention and damage
judgment.

Drivers who test positive, refuse checks, or appear unable to drive safely
can be arrested.

Police are asking the public to report suspected drug driving by calling 110.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 16:53:15

Mette Frederiksen is set to begin a third term as Denmark’s prime minister,
leading a center-left coaliton of four parties.

The Danish Royal House on Monday announced the coalition includes the Social
Democrats, the centrist Moderate party, the Green Left and the Danish Social
Liberal Party.

Frederiksen called an early election in February, hoping her stance against
U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland would boost her party.

Neither bloc won a majority in March. Frederiksen is known for supporting
Ukraine and a restrictive migration approach.

The government’s priorities will be presented Tuesday with the names of new
ministers announced Wednesday. .

Posted on 2026-06-02 16:53:15

Kenya’s president defended the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility
by the U.S., a move that led to protests.

President William Ruto on Monday night said the U.S. had a longstanding
partnership with Kenya on health matters and that the quarantine facility at
Laikipia Air Base was one of 24 facilities that had been established in the
event of an Ebola outbreak in the country.

Kenyans have opposed the Laikipia facility after the U.S. last week said no
Ebola patient would be allowed to return to the U.S. and that patients would
instead be quarantined at the facility in Kenya.

A Kenyan court has blocked the move for now.

Posted on 2026-06-02 14:20:14

The legislature has passed an amendment adding a third deputy
director-general position to the Coast Guard Administration.

The Legislative Yuan passed the amendment without objection, changing the
number of deputy director-general positions from two to three.

The Ocean Affairs Council said in written submissions to the legislature that
the security situation in Taiwan's surrounding waters has grown significantly
more complex in recent years.

The council says additional leadership is now needed as coast gaurd duties
now include monitoring Chinese government vessels and maritime militia
activity, as well as participating in joint exercises and command and control
drills with the Army and Navy.

Official say the new deputy director-general role will help the agency
develop an integrated sea and air enforcement capabilities built on
technology and professional expertise.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-02 14:20:14

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology today unveiled
three military-grade robot dogs for reconnaissance, patrols and high-risk
missions.

The robot dogs are based on the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 platform from the
U.S.

Officials say the systems could reduce the risk of soldiers being exposed on
the battlefield.

One model carries electro-optical sensors for target search, recognition and
tracking.

Another combines LiDAR and thermal imaging for autonomous patrols, obstacle
avoidance and night security.

A third model carries a remote-controlled turret, shown today with a riot gun.

NCSIST says the systems could later be linked with drones and unmanned
vehicles for wider battlefield operations.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-06-02 14:20:14

Asian shares are mostly lower as renewed fighting threatens the U.S.-Iran
ceasefire, but Nvidia's share price surged 6.3% after its CEO Jensen Huang
announced several product updates.

Here in Taiwan, the benchmark Taiex regained lost ground to climb 219 points,
closing the session at 45,447.

Turnover was $1.6-trillion NT.

Posted on 2026-06-02 14:20:14

India says, it will continue engaging with Myanmar's military-backed
government.

That's after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Burmese
counterpart Min Aung Hlaing, discussing trade, defense, and security
cooperation.

The Indian foreign secretary said that they also talked about ways to expand
economic and technological ties.

Western countries have imposed sanctions on Myanmar since a military coup in
2021...

and critics have argued that the visit to India risks lending legitimacy to
the military-backed government.

But Indian officials have said that their policy is not intended to be a
commentary on internal political arrangements in Myanmar.

Posted on 2026-06-02 14:20:14

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has broken a record for episodes of lava fountaining
in one eruption for the volcano.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says that yesterday marked fountaining
episode 48 since the latest on-and-off eruption began in December 2024.

Fountaining episodes are marked by vigorous blasts of lava, with episodes
separated by periods during which little to no lava erupts.

The previous record was made in the 1980s, when Kilauea fountained 47 times
over about 3 and a half years.

Experts say that the current eruption boasts several notable aspects,
including its accessibility for viewing by residents and tourists.

They also say that this eruption is reshaping topography at the summit.

Kilauea, located on Hawaii’s Big Island, is one of the world’s most active
volcanoes.

Posted on 2026-06-02 13:25:14

The military's Fourth Combat Zone conducted its largest artillery and weapons
exercise of the year today, firing simultaneously from three separate
training sites on the Hengchun Peninsula for the first time.

The exercise involved two army units along with several other artillery and
infantry formations.

Weapons tested include multiple launch rocket systems, self-propelled
howitzers, missile systems, and more.

The Fourth Combat Zone said conducting simultaneous live fire at multiple
separate locations enhances realistic combat training, helping to improve
coordination, command and control, and battlefield responsiveness across
units.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-02 13:25:14

The Central Weather Administration has expanded its heat advisory this
afternoon to cover nine counties and cities.

The CWA updated its high temperature alert at midday, placing Tainan under an
orange alert for extreme heat with readings potentially hitting 38 degrees.

Seven additional areas, that's Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi County,
Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien, and Taitung, are under yellow alerts, with
temperatures expected to exceed 36 degrees.

Before noon, Yuching District in Tainan had already recorded 38.8 degrees,
making it the hottest location in the country.

Nanhua District in Tainan followed at 37 degrees.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-02 13:25:14

A crowd-funded independent inquiry into Australia's landmark AUKUS submarine
deal will be led by the country's former environment minister Peter Garrett.

The review will examine the $263-billion US dollar agreement, Australia's
biggest ever defense project, through public hearings, with a report due in
October.

The inquiry will look at whether the nuclear-powered attack submarines will
make Australia safer, where nuclear waste will be stored, whether Australia
will actually receive the vessels it is paying for, and how the deal affects
the country's sovereignty and its relationship with China — its largest
trading partner.

Earlier this week, Australia announced changes to the agreement, with the
country now set to buy three second-hand U-S submarines instead of receiving
at least one new vessel under the original terms.

From 2027, the U-S and U-K will also be allowed to base a small number of
nuclear submarines in Perth.

Posted on 2026-06-02 13:25:14

The US is moving to reclassify two Brazilian gangs as terrorist
organizations...

in a decision that experts call political, with the intention of supporting
presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of elections later this year.

They think it aims to position Bolsonaro as "touhg-on-crime."

The US had already extended the designation to a handful of other gangs in
Latin America, but the latest additions do not operate in the US.

The son of former president Jair Bolsonaro visited the US last week, asking
Trump officials to designate the two gangs as terrorist organizations.

The younger Bolsonaro aims to unseat incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva, whose popularity peaked last year when Trump began imposing 50%
tariffs on Brazilian products.

Posted on 2026-06-02 09:09:13

Computex 2026 opens at 9:30 this morning in Taipei.

The four-day tech industry event will feature speakers from many of the
world's most important chip companies.

Executives from Intel, Qualcomm, Marvell, and Microsoft will be outlining the
ongoing revolution in Personal A-I Devices, edge computing, and Sovereign A-I
in a series of forums and keynote speeches.

The theme of this year's event is "A-I Together" and it will be focusing
heavily on A-I, robotics, mobility and other next-gen tech.

Computex 2026 runs through Friday at both the Nangang Exhibition Center and
at the Taipei World Trade Center.

Posted on 2026-06-02 09:09:13

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Canada is failing Jewish
Canadians and that the Jewish community is being targeted by hate.

Carney says, across Canada, antisemitism has surged to levels unprecedented
in the post-world war II era.

He added that last year, more than 2/3rds of all religion-motivated hate
crimes were directed at Jewish Canadians- who make up only 1% of the
population.

He noted that other Western countries also struggle with antisemitism, but
pointed out that Canada has specific and complex issues with anti-Jewish
sentiment.

Carney said antisemites in Canada have fired bullets at Jewish schools and
thrown firebombs at synagogues and attacked community centers.

He said they have targeted Jewish-owned businesses and drove Jewish students
from common spaces on university campuses.

The PM added that his government has introduced legislation to combat
antisemitism, with 54 million US dollars in funding for security for
faith-based institutions like synagogues.

Posted on 2026-06-02 09:09:13

In Peru,

shamans are gathering for a blessing ritual of the two candidates in the
country's presidential runoff.

The ceremony aims to ensure that the best candidate wins.

Conservative Keiko Fujimori and nationalist Roberto Sanchez are neck and neck
in the polls.

The shamans are using flower petals, coca leaves, and drums in the ritual.

Peruvian elections have in the past faced logisitcal issues that delayed the
finalization of contenders.

The winner of the runoff next weekend will be Peru's ninth president in 10
years and will be sworn in at the end of July.

Posted on 2026-06-02 08:08:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun says her 15-day trip to the United States is
aimed at helping keep Washington out of an "avoidable war.

Speaking to reporters prior to boarding her flight last night, Cheng also
said she would "very willing" to meet with U-S President Donald Trump if the
opportunity arose.

Although admitting she does not hold public office, is chair of an opposition
party and that such a meeting would be unprecedented since Washington severed
diplomatic ties with Taipei ...

.... Cheng went on to say she's not "ruling out any possibility."

According to Cheng, one goal of the trip is to help "our American friends"
understand that the K-M-T has been the most loyal and responsible force
capable of maintaining cross-strait peace ..

.. and such a role could "help prevent the U-S from being drawn into an
avoidable war that would seriously harm its national interests."

Cheng's trip to the U-S will include stops in San Francisco, Boston, New
York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

The K-M-T has said Cheng will be meeting with members of Congress and U-S
government officials, think tanks and members of overseas Taiwanese
communities.

However, the party has not disclose the names or ranks of the U-S officials
she could meet with, citing past practices and U-S protocols.

Posted on 2026-06-02 08:08:15

The Military News Agency is reporting that the Navy's first domestically
built submarine prototype is now carrying out its latest round of sea trials
that includes dive tests.

The Narwhal departed from the Port of Kaohsiung on Monday morning.

According to the news agency, the trial marks the submarine's 15th sea trial
overall and ninth submerged-navigation test and it taking place after a sea
trial scheduled for May 29 was postponed due to unfavorable weather
conditions.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo us reiterating that testing would proceed
according to established procedures, with safety and quality taking
precedence and with the aim of meeting defense capability requirements.

Defense analysts say testing requires the collection of key performance
parameters, and the tests will include the highly anticipated seaworthiness
and deep-diving trials, including overnight evaluations.

Analysts also says if the submarine successfully completes the remaining
tests, the Narwhal could be delivered to Navy anytime between July and
September.

Shipbuilder C-S-B-C has been accumulating fines since missing a November 2025
deadline due to "testing delays," but indicated in February that it hopes to
deliver the submarine to the Navy in June.

Posted on 2026-06-02 08:08:16

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the former head of
Taiwan's representative office in Guam for allegedly claiming personal
expenses as official expenditures, misappropriating public property, and
fraudulently obtaining housing subsidies.

According to the prosecutors' office, Paul Chen knowingly filed false rental
subsidy applications during a previous posting in Los Angeles between January
2011 and August of 2016 after purchasing a personal residence there in
January 2011 ..

.... despite regulations requiring him to declare the property and limiting
his housing subsidy entitlement to 671 U-S dollars a month.

Prosecutors say Chen claimed monthly subsidies and received excess payments
totaling just over 104,000 U-S dollars during the period.

Prosecutors also say Chen submitted personal receipts disguised as official
procurement documents while serving as the first director-general of the
reopened Guam office, misappropriated government-purchased items from the
Guam office ...

.. and fabricated records of guests attending diplomatic, overseas community
and consular affairs functions to fraudulently claim further reimbursements.

Chen has been charged with violating the Anti-Corruption Act and the Criminal
Code.

Posted on 2026-06-02 08:08:16

The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research says the island's
manufacturing sector reached its highest level of activity in nearly five
years in May - as A-I demand continued to drive supply chain activity and
fuel strong exports.

According to the institute, the seasonally adjusted purchasing managers'
index rose 1.1 points from a month earlier to stand at 61.4 in May, marking
the eighth consecutive month of expansion and the highest P-M-I reading since
September of 2021.

That index gauges the manufacturing sector's climate and a P-M-I reading
above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 signals contraction.

The institute is attributed the increase mainly to continued momentum in the
electronics and optical industry, as well as the electrical and machinery
equipment industry, both key parts of the A-I supply chain.

Posted on 2026-06-02 08:08:16

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says his administration is working with Nvidia on
several "smart city" projects.

According to Chiang those projects including modernizing the Taipei Metro's
Wenhu Line - where AI-powered simulation and analysis will be conducted
across all 24 stations beginning next year.

Chiang says several major M-R-T transfer stations will also employ Nvidia
Omniverse technology to create advanced 3-D digital models for crowd-flow
simulation and operational planning.

Speaking to reporter, Chiang said that upgrades to the M-R-T lines will be
made by 2036 and will include improvements to rolling stock and signaling
systems.

The Taipei mayor aslo said the city plans to utilize Nvidia's technologies to
conduct passenger-flow simulations, focusing on platform evacuation during
peak hours, the impact of service disruptions, and ridership-capacity
management.

And Chiang went on to say that his administration also plans to apply A-I
more broadly to enhance public services and administrative efficiency.

Posted on 2026-06-02 08:08:16

And finally,

The Chinese Professional Baseball League has opted to move up its deadline
for teams to negotiate contracts with their foreign players before they
become free agents.

According to the league, the move is aimed at preventing breaches of its
anti-tampering rules.

Previously, under Article 96 of the C-P-B-L's rules and regulations, each
team retained exclusive negotiating rights to its foreign players until the
end of February of the following year.

The deadline was commonly referred to by many as the "228 clause."

The decision to make the change follows several cases in which teams
reportedly failed to adhere to the rule, including an apparent tampering
incident earlier this year during spring training involving the T-S-G Hawks
and Fubon Guardians.

League commissioner Tsai Chi-chang says the change effectively shortens the
period during which clubs hold exclusive negotiating rights to their foreign
players.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:13

The Presidential Office has announced that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim will
travel to Palau on Saturday for visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic
relations with the Pacific ally.

Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo says, Hsiao will be representing
President Lai Ching-te on the trip, following an invitation from Palau's
President Surangel Whipps for the two Taiwan leaders to visit.

According to Kuo, Hsiao is slated to meet with Whipps and other government
officials during the five-day trip, and will visit sustainable tourism sites
and join Whipps in promoting the Pacific island country's tourism.

Kuo says Hsiao will also review the impact of bilateral projects in the
fields of healthcare, agriculture, and public infrastructure in Palau, as
part of an objective to strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two sides.

The vice president's delegation will include Deputy Health Minister Lin
Ching-yi and Deputy Foreign Minister Ger Bao-shuan.

The trip will be Hsiao's first visit to a diplomatic ally since taking office
as vice president.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:13

Visiting Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil says China cannot tell the
Czech Republic whom to befriend.

The statement came shortly after Vystrcil arrived in Taiwan on Monday heading
a delegation of around 40 people for a four-day visit at the invitation of
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu.

Speaking alongside Han at a press event at the Legislative Yuan, Vystrcil
told reporters that both Taiwan and the Czech Republic are "free and
democratic countries and do not take orders from other countries" ...

.. and "we will decide who to befriend and who not to befriend."

Those comments are in response to a statement issued China's embassy in
Prague, which accused Vystrcil of "interfering in China's internal affairs,"
as Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

According to Vystrcil, the Czech Republic follows its own one-China policy
rather than China's one-China principle and there is nothing wrong with
parliamentary exchanges.

Along with meeting with representatives from the K-M-T and the D-P-P,
Vystrcil is also slated to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te and other
senior government officials this week.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

The Ministry of Transport says it is seeking harsher penalties for drivers
caught under the influence of narcotics.

The statement comes amid a recent spate of serious traffic accidents
involving drug-impaired drivers.

According to the transport ministry, it held inter-agency meetings last month
with the Judicial Yuan, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and
the National Police Agency to discuss related legal amendments.

Under the proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act,
the current one- to two-year license suspension for drug-impaired driving
will be raised to revocation, with a three-year ban on reapplying for a new
license.

The licenses of individuals who use Category 1 and Category 2 narcotics will
also be revoked, even if they are not driving or have a vehicle, while
possession of Category 3 and Category 4 narcotics would result in license
suspension.

The transport ministry says it will also establish a driving eligibility
management system for drug-impaired drivers and drug users.

Data shows 4,725 drug-related driving under the influence cases were referred
to prosecutors from January to April this year -- three times the number
recorded during the same period last year.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

long-term care services

The Ministry of Health says foreign professionals and their dependents will
soon be eligible for long-term care services.

According to the ministry, the move means foreign professionals with
permanent residency status along with their spouses, children under the age
of 18 will have access to the services beginning June 30.

Foreign professionals with permanent residency, dependants aged 65 or over or
with disabilities will also be eligible.

The services include transportation assistance, assistive devices for
individuals with disabilities or age-related limitations, home accessibility
modifications and respite care services.

However, eligibilty only applies to those who have legally lived in Taiwan
for 10 cumulative years and spent at least 183 days per year here.

The health ministry says the move is expected to benefit between 100 to 200
people.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

The Civil Aviation Administration says fuel surcharges on international
flights operated by Taiwan carriers will be reduced starting June 7 due to a
decline in aviation fuel prices.

The surcharge will be reduced to 35 U-S dollars for short-haul flights and 91
U-S dollars for long-haul routes.

The announcement comes after C-P-C said that international aviation fuel
prices have fallen from 208.78 U-S dollars per barrel in May to 160.1 U-S
dollars for this month.

The fuel surcharge soared to 45 U-S dollars for short-haul routes and 117 U-S
dollars for long-haul routes on April 7 after aviation fuel prices surged
amid tensions in the Middle East and remained at those levels.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration, it has airlines to disclose
information such as the percentage of their overall operating costs devoted
to fuel so that passengers can better understand the surcharge mechanism.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

Nvidia founder and C-E-O Jensen Huang has delivered a Keynote speech at
Nvidia G-T-C Taipei - in which he said that A-I has become a driver of
profits and G-D-P growth.

According to Huang, artificial intelligence is no longer just an experimental
technology lacking a revenue stream, but has now become a profit generator
and growing demand for A-I services is fueling investment in computing
infrastructure worldwide.

Huang told attendees that as A-I becomes more useful,, the units generated by
A-I models, have become "profitable units of revenues," encouraging companies
to generate more tokens, build more A-I factories and expand computing
capacity.

Huang also insisted that A-I technology will increase demand for people
rather than cause job losses, despite recent layoffs by major companies such
as Meta and Amazon as they prepare to compete on A-I and seek leaner
organizations ...

.. and AI-assisted coding has significantly increased productivity while
driving demand for more software engineers rather than replacing them.

Huang also highlighted what he said was Taiwan's role in the AI boom - and
described it as home to "the richest ecosystem" and "the world's best supply
chain ecosystem."

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

And finally,

A pygmy sperm whale that was stranded on a shore in Penghu's Xiyu Township
has been successfully released back into the wild.

Coast Guard Administration personnel discovered the live whale stranded
during a routine patrol.

Conservation personnel assessed the whale on site and found no significant
external injuries, with vital signs remaining relatively stable.

Officials coordinated with a leisure fishing vessel to transport the whale
out to sea, and the release was completed successfully before midday.

The Coast Guard is reminding the public that anyone who spots a stranded,
trapped, or distressed cetacean should not attempt to handle it
independently, and should call the coast guard emergency hotline at 118 or
contact conservation authorities immediately.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

In Israel,

tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish people have protested against
mandatory military service in the country.

They blocked roads and trains, set fires, and attacked a soldier as police
struggled to contain the crowds with water cannons and horses.

The protest disrupted transit in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Military service is compulsory for most Jewish people regardless of gender in
Israel, with men typically having to serve 3 years in the military.

However, ultra-Orthdox parties have historically been able to get exemptions
for their constituents to study in a seminary rather than entering the
military.

Many Israelis are tired of the system that has allowed ultra-Orthodox men to
skip military service at a time when the military is stretched thin while
Israel wages multiple wars across the region.

Those exemptions may now be under threat, possibly forcing elections to come
a few weeks early as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is on the
verge of collapse.

Protesters remarked on the importance of their religious identities, saying
"we would rather die as Jews than live as Zionists."

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is confirming at least 282 Ebola cases
in its growing outbreak.

That's out of more than 1000 suspected cases.

The majority of cases are located in the eastern Ituri province.

The rare Ebola virus has no approved medicine or vaccine...

and has killed 42 people in the Congo and one in neighboring Uganda.

The World Health Organization has touted new supplies to under-resourced
health centers...

while other groups have committed millions of dollars to develop experimental
vaccines.

Officials say the main challenges in containing the outbreak include early
detection and rapid isolation of cases, contact tracing, safe burials, and
strengthening infection prevention and control in health facilities.

The WHO has also remarked on the recovery of some nurses as a sign of hope.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

The president of the European Council says, a meeting between the European
Union with candidate nations will show that the opportunity to grow is real.

Antonio Costa says that bringing in new members is in Europe's best inrerest
and would be an invement in the continent's stability due to global
uncertainties.

The summit will gather leaders from Albania, Bosnia, North Maceonia, Serbia,
Kosovo, and Montenegro...

with Albania and Montenegro seen as frontrunners to join the EU.

Each of the six countries are at a different stage of the process, as the EU
has recently sought to encourage reofrm in candidate nations, fearing
influence from Russia and China.

Prospective countries must bring their laws into line in 35 policy areas
before getting agreement from EU member states.

Posted on 2026-06-02 06:47:14

And in the US,

the state of Wyoming is close to designating a migration corridor for
pronghorn, a mammal indigenous to the Americas.

Pronghorn seasonally make a journey of about 240 kilometers from Interstate
80 to Grand Teton National Park.

Conservationists have sought to urge land and wildlife authorities to take
steps to ensure that pronghorn could continue moving across the fradmented
landscape in the midst of a natural gas boom.

They have been pleased to see Wyoming make progress to protect the so-called
Path of the Pronghorn...

with the governor-appointed working group completing a review of the
migration corridor and recommendations headed for the governor's desk.

Pronghorns are the fastest land mammals in North America, with about 320,000
of the animals in Wyoming.

Posted on 2026-06-01 19:08:13

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications says it's considering
tougher penalties for drug-impaired driving following a recent rise in
serious traffic accidents involving narcotics.

The ministry says drivers caught under the influence of drugs could face
license revocation instead of the current suspension, along with a three-year
ban on applying for a new license.

Officials are also considering higher fines and new penalties for adult
passengers who knowingly ride with drug-impaired drivers.

In addition, people found using certain categories of illegal drugs could
lose their driving privileges even if they are not caught behind the wheel.

The proposals are part of a broader effort to strengthen deterrence and
improve road safety.

Government data show more than 4,700 drug-related impaired driving cases were
referred to prosecutors in the first four months of this year, roughly three
times the number recorded a year earlier.

Posted on 2026-06-01 19:08:13

The Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection says applications are
now being accepted for the latest round of airport noise control subsidies
...

The program covers residents living in designated noise-affected areas near
Taoyuan International Airport ... covering about 55 thousand households
across both Taoyuan and New Taipei.

Eligible areas include all of Dayuan District, as well as parts of Guanyin,
Luzhu, Zhongli and Xinwu in Taoyuan, and one neighborhood in New Taipei's
Linkou District.

Depending on the level of noise exposure, households can receive between 10
thousand and 60 thousand NT.

Applications will be accepted through the end of 2027.

Officials are encouraging residents to apply online for faster processing.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-01 19:08:13

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing renewed political pressure
ahead of the release of files related to former U.K. ambassador to Washington
Peter Mandelson.

The documents, expected to be published later today, reportedly include
emails and text messages and could total more than 1,000 pages.

Mandelson was removed from the diplomatic post after nine months.

Critics say his appointment reflected poor judgment by Starmer because of
Mandelson's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The controversy comes as Starmer faces declining poll numbers and growing
challenges within the ruling Labour Party.

A senior minister has already resigned to mount a leadership challenge, while
another potential rival is positioning for a future bid.

Posted on 2026-06-01 19:00:13

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun announced details of a U.S. visit as she prepared to
depart for the United States today.

She said the delegation plans to meet federal officials in Washington,
including those from Taiwan-related offices, the State Department and the
Defense Department.

Cheng said the delegation will begin in California with discussions at
Stanford University's Hoover Institution before traveling to Boston for
visits and exchanges at Harvard University and MIT.

The group will then travel to New York for discussions with leading think
tanks before heading to Washington for meetings with lawmakers,
administration officials and policy institutes.

Cheng also said she would welcome a meeting with U-S President Donald Trump
...

However, She acknowledged that there is no precedent for such a meeting since
Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-01 19:00:13

Visiting Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil says China cannot tell the
Czech Republic whom to befriend.

He defended his visit to Taiwan and announced he has invited Legislative
Speaker Han Kuo-yu to visit Prague.

Vystrčil made the remarks earlier today during a meeting with Han at the
Legislative Yuan.

His comments came after China's embassy in Prague criticized the visit and
urged the Czech government to address what it called the adverse consequences
of the trip.

Vystrčil said the Czech Republic follows its own one-China policy, not
Beijing's one-China principle, and that parliamentary exchanges with Taiwan
are a legitimate part of Czech foreign policy.

Posted on 2026-06-01 19:00:13

Health officials are encouraging eligible students to get vaccinated early
and build protection against HPV-related cancers.

The call comes as Taiwan's free HPV vaccination program for junior high
school boys approaches its first anniversary.

The Health Promotion Administration says more than 81 percent of eligible
boys have received their first dose since the program was expanded last
September.

Meanwhile, vaccination coverage among junior high school girls has reached
more than 92 percent, surpassing the World Health Organization's target for
eliminating cervical cancer.

Officials say HPV can cause several types of cancer in both men and women,
and that adolescence is the ideal time for vaccination because it provides
the strongest and longest-lasting protection.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-01 18:58:13

In related news,

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says artificial intelligence is now generating
profits and driving economic growth, as demand for AI services fuels
investment in computing infrastructure around the world.

Huang made the remarks Monday at Nvidia's GTC Taipei event, where he argued
AI has moved beyond the experimental stage and become a major source of
revenue.

He also pushed back against concerns that AI will eliminate jobs, saying the
technology is boosting productivity and increasing demand for software
engineers rather than replacing them.

Nvidia also unveiled a new AI-PC processor developed with MediaTek Inc. and
manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. using its advanced
3-nanometer process.

The chip will power a new generation of AI-enabled laptops expected to launch
this fall.

Huang also praised Taiwan's role in the industry, describing the country as
home to the world's best supply chain ecosystem.

Posted on 2026-06-01 17:08:13

President Lai Ching-te said the government will support the CPC as it works
to strengthen Taiwan's energy resilience.

He made the remark today ... at the state-run utility's 80th anniversary
celebration.

Lai went on to say that the CPC has played a key role in stabilizing oil and
natural gas supplies, helping to keep fuel prices and daily life relatively
stable ... despite fluctuations in global energy markets.

The president said the CPC must continue upholding the principle that "energy
security is national security" by strengthening oil and gas infrastructure,
diversifying import sources, and improving real-time dispatching and backup
capabilities.

Lai also urged the CPC to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies to
optimize processes, for equipment maintenance ... and for workplace safety
management.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-01 17:08:13

Taiwan's first domestically built submarine, the Hai Kun, resumed sea trials
this morning ... after testing was briefly delayed by poor weather late last
week ...

... drawing military enthusiasts to Kaohsiung's waterfront to watch.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo said no delivery timetable has been set,
stressing that the submarine must meet safety and performance requirements
before delivery.

Military analysts say the prototype still faces several key evaluations,
including endurance and deep-diving tests, some of which will require
overnight operations.

If those trials are completed successfully, analysts say the Hai Kun could be
delivered to the Navy sometime between July and September.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-01 17:08:13

A pygmy sperm whale that was stranded on a shore in Penghu County's Xiyu
Township this morning has been successfully released back into the ocean

Coast Guard Administration personnel discovered the live whale stranded
during a routine patrol this morning.

Conservation personnel assessed the whale on site and found no significant
external injuries, with vital signs remaining relatively stable.

Officials coordinated with a leisure fishing vessel to transport the whale
out to sea, and the release was completed successfully before midday.

The Coast Guard is reminding the public that anyone who spots a stranded,
trapped, or distressed cetacean should not attempt to handle it
independently, and should call the coast guard emergency hotline at 118 or
contact conservation authorities immediately.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-01 17:08:13

The French Navy, with support from the United Kingdom, has intercepted
another Russia-linked oil tanker accused of violating international
sanctions.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the tanker, known as the
Tagor, was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend.

Macron said enforcing sanctions remains important to limiting Russia's
ability to finance its war in Ukraine.

Oil exports are a key source of revenue for Russia, and European governments
have stepped up efforts to target what they describe as a "shadow fleet" used
to bypass sanctions.

French authorities say they have intercepted several other Russia-linked
tankers in recent years as part of those enforcement efforts.

Posted on 2026-06-01 17:08:13

A Philippine senator briefly surrendered to authorities after a court ordered
his arrest on a charge of plunder.

The Sandiganbayan issued a warrant last Friday for the arrest of Senator
Jinggoy Estrada in connection with a corruption case.

Because the charge is bailable, Estrada surrendered and was later released on
bail.

The 63-year-old lawmaker has strongly denied allegations that he received
more than 570 million pesos, or about 9-point-3 million U-S dollars, in
kickbacks linked to flood control projects.

The accusations were made by a former government public works engineer, but
Estrada continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Posted on 2026-06-01 16:09:13

Health authorities are pushing to tighten laws on e-cigarettes, saying the
devices are becoming a delivery vehicle for etomidate

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced today that it is drafting
amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act that would for the first
time make simply possessing e-cigarettes and their components a punishable
offense.

Officials say the amendments also propose requiring internet platforms to
establish risk management and self-regulatory systems to take down illegal
listings.

So-called zombie vape cartridges containing etomidate oil are primarily
consumed through e-cigarette devices.

The ministry says cutting off access to the delivery mechanism is central to
reducing related offenses such as drug-impaired driving.

The draft has been submitted to the Executive Yuan for review.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-01 16:09:16

The 37th Golden Melody Awards has revealed its lineup of performers for the
June 27th ceremony at Taipei Arena.

The night will feature a mix of veteran Mandopop stars, a Taiwanese folk
queen, and a Japanese band that has become one of Asia's most talked-about
acts.

Karen Mok will perform alongside The Masters, and Hebe Tien will be returning
to the Golden Melody stage for the first time in six years.

Taiwanese singer May Sun will make her Golden Melody stage debut, and says
she plans to condense three decades of music into a highlights performance.

And Japanese band Hitsuji-bun-gaku, whose song "More Than Words" from the hit
anime series "Jujutsu Kaisen" has accumulated nearly 100 million music video
views, will also perform.

The ceremony will be broadcast starting at 5 p.m. for the red carpet and 7
p.m. for the awards show.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-01 16:09:20

In Japan, eight crested ibises have been released into the wild in a
north-central city, decades since the birds went extinct in the country.

The ceremony took place Sunday in the city where the birds were last seen in
the wild.

Residents cheered as the white birds soared into the sky after the crown
prince, crown princess, and other officials cut a ribbon around the birds'
wooden cage.

The birds went extinct on Honshu in the 1970s due to overhunting and
environmental degradation.

Their population has been recovering since an artificially bred pair was
donated by China in 1999.

Ten more birds are waiting to be released.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-01 16:09:16

Nutritionists in Taiwan are reminding that traditional zongzi may be
difficult to digest, especially when eaten in large quantities during the
Dragon Boat Festival holiday period.

They say the glutinous rice used in zongzi can be harder for the digestive
system to break down, potentially causing bloating and discomfort.

They also note that it can cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly, leaving
some people feeling tired after eating.

Nutritionists recommend mixing glutinous rice with whole grains such as
purple rice, black rice or red quinoa to to boost health benefits while
maintaining the dumplings' chewy texture.

They also suggest choosing fillings such as fish, chicken and beans as
healthier alternatives to the traditional ones that tend to be higher in fat.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim will be heading to Palau this Saturday.

That's according to Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo, who says the
Vice President and her delegation will stay in Palau through Wednesday of
next week.

She says, the trip is expected to be focused on strengthening the
relationship between the two countries and promoting tourism.

This trip will mark Hsiao's first to a diplomatic ally since taking office 2
years ago.

Kuo added that the presidential office was honored to again receive an
invitation from the Palauan president to visit the country.

Kuo also downplayed the risk of a sudden cancellation of the trip- like what
happened in April to the President's trip to Eswatini...

adding that this trip would not make any additional stops.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

The National Archives is launching its first ever summer festival program,
with a lineup of lectures, music performances, family theater, and
interactive exhibitions.

The Archives Bureau says the festival kicks off on Saturday in New Taipei's
Linkou district... with a talk by Taiwan Space Agency Director-General Wu
Jong-Shinn (吳宗信)... on the stories behind Taiwan's space industry and rocket
program.

Later this summer, on August 29th, the National Archives will extend opening
hours until 9 p.m. for the first time.

That evening, the festival will feature several musical acts, alongside
themed guided tours, a karaoke session featuring songs that were once banned
under martial law-era censorship, and an interactive walking experience
through the archive building.

All the festival events are free to attend with some requiring advanced
registration.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

Looking at business news

Asian shares mostly advanced, with stock markets in Japan and South Korea
hitting fresh record intraday highs.... on enthusiasm over the artificial
intelligence boom.

Here in Taiwan, shares are up today, with the benchmark Taiex gaining 604
points to close the session at 45,337.

Turnover topped $1.47 trillion NT.

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

In international news,

The U.S. military says it bombed Iranian radar and drone control sites in
Iran... after Tehran shot down an American MQ-1 Predator drone this weekend.

Kuwait meanwhile said early today its air defenses had opened fire early this
morning to intercept incoming drone and missile fire... as Iran acknowledged
launching a retaliatory strike.

The dueling attacks reflect the fragility of a weeks-long ceasefire in the
Iran war, which has seen repeated attacks... even as American and Iranian
officials try to negotiate a deal to extend it.

The U.S. military’s Central Command says it carried out the strikes in Iran
on Saturday and Sunday.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

An explosion and fire occurred at a defense company in South Korea today...
killing five people and injuring two others

The deadly incident happened at a worksite run by Hanwha Aerospace in the
South Korean city of Daejeon.

Other details, including the cause of the explosion, are not immediately
available.

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

In Ethiopia, polls opened today in an election that is widely expected to be
won by the ruling party.

A heavy military presence was observed in the capital, Addis Ababa, as
observers called for a peaceful election in Africa's second-most populous
country and host of the headquarters of the African Union.

Long queues began forming before the 6 a.m. opening time, with voters eager
to cast their ballots.

Ethiopians are choosing more than 500 members of the House of
Representatives, who will subsequently vote to select the prime minister.

Prime Minister Abiy (AH bee) Ahmed’s Prosperity Party is expected to secure a
majority of seats, paving the way for him to retain office for another term.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-01 14:18:14

Palestinian Health Ministry says... Israeli forces have shot and killed a
Palestinian man at a barrier separating the West Bank from Jerusalem.

The 26 year-old man, was shot in the thigh on Sunday and later died in
hospital.

He was attempting to cross into Israel for work due to the economic crisis in
the West Bank.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians formerly held Israeli work permits, but
access was sharply restricted after the attack by Hamas-led militants on
southern Israel on October 7, 2023... sparking the war in Gaza.

Many Palestinians from the West Bank have tried to enter Israel illegally for
jobs.

As unemployment has surged, around 50 workers have been killed by Israeli
fire, with over 38-thousand arrested, though many were later released.

(KK)

Posted on 2026-06-01 11:06:13

The Tai-Ex surged nearly 700-points in early trading to surpass the 45,000
point mark.

The main board opened at 44,872 and added 683-points to reach 45,53 and hit
yet another all time record high.

Tech heavyweights led the rise.

With Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing adding 5 N-T to reach 2,370 N-T, Hon
Hai 5-per cent to 304.5 N-T, Delta Electronics rose over 5-per cent to 2,470
N-T ...

... while MediaTek saw its share price surge by over 8-per cent and Quanta,
Wistron, and Compal all hit their 10--per cent daily limit.

The rises come as C-E-O's from some of the world's leading tech companies are
in Taiwan for Computex this week - where they're expected to gove solid
guidance for A-I at a series of forums and keynote speeches.

Posted on 2026-06-01 11:06:13

Intel C-E-O Tan Lip-Bu has arrived in Taiwan ahead of Computex 2026 - which
begins tomorrow.

Tan will be delivering a keynote address at Computex.

He's expected to showcase his vision for the next generation of computing and
how it related to Taiwan's position in the global tech supply chain.

Tan has previously said that if Intel wants to become a top player globally,
it must deepen its cooperation with the Taiwan supply chain.

Reports say Intel's main focus at this week's Computex will be to showcase
its Edge AI, next-generation Xeon data centers, and dedicated gaming handheld
processors rather than standalone consumer desktop C-P-Us.

Posted on 2026-06-01 11:06:14

The Central Weather Administration says typhoon Jangmi's outer rim will be
bringing showers to north and northeast today, as it move towards
Okinawa.

The weather in other parts of the island is forecast to mostly clear skies -
with highs of between 32 and 35-degrees.

The storm is currently located some 600-kilometers east of Hualien and moving
in a northerly direction at 20-kilometers-an-hour.

Jangmi has a radius of 250-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds of
126-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 162-kilometers-an-hour.

Posted on 2026-06-01 11:06:14

In international news,

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered troops to move
further into Lebanon in the battle against Hezbollah -- that, despite a
ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.

In the latest advance, Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle
and a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon.

The fighting in Lebanon has displaced more than 1.2-million Lebanese through
Israeli strikes and evacuation orders since March 2, when Hezbollah began
firing rockets and drones into Israel to back its ally Iran.

According to the Lebanese government, the incursion has so far killed more
than 3,370 people.

While tens of thousands of Israelis in the country's north have also been
displaced by Hezbollah rockets and drones.

Posted on 2026-06-01 11:06:14

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says 263 confirmed
Ebola cases have now been reported in Congo and Uganda.

According to the center, more than 1,100 suspected cases are being
investigated and 43 people are confirmed to have died as a result of the
rare strain of Ebola effecting the areas.

The Ebola outbreak is the 17th in Congo and the third-largest since the
virus was discovered half a century ago.

Health officials and aid workers say they lack basic supplies such as masks
after the outbreak spread was undetected for weeks

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak in Congo and Uganda
a public health emergency of international concern

Posted on 2026-06-01 11:06:14

accounts.

And finally,

Malaysia has begun enforcing its ban on children under 16 having social media
accounts.

It's part of a global push to enhance online safety for young users.

Starting today, platforms like Facebook and TikTok must implement
age-verification systems or face fines.

The rules set expectations for service providers to ensure age-appropriate
safeguards.

Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have similar bans.

Malaysia's government aims to protect children from harmful content and
excessive use.

However, concerns about data privacy and the effectiveness of age-based
restrictions remain.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:13

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun will leave for a two-week trip to the U-S later
today.

Cheng will heading a 14 member members delegation.

The delegation includes K-M-T International Affairs Department head Tung
Chia-yu, former Taiwan representative to the U-S Jason Yuan, KMT Central
Standing Committee members Lee De-wei and Vivi Chin as well as K-M-T overseas
affairs head Wu Liang-i.

According to the K-M-T, Cheng and her delegation will begin their visit on
the West Coast with a stop in San Francisco before traveling to the East
Coast, where they will visit New York, Washington, D.C., and Boston.

Cheng is expected to arrive in the U-S capital on the evening of June 9 and
remain there through June 12.

The K-M-T says Cheng is expected to meet with members of Congress, visit the
headquarters of the American Institute in Taiwan and and participate in
closed-door discussions at three major think tanks while in Washington D.C.

The K-M-T says those talks center on peace and stability in the Taiwan
Strait, regional security, and the future of Taiwan-US relations.

The trip will end with a stop in Los Angeles, where Cheng and the delegation
will meet with with members of the overseas Taiwanese community.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil is visiting Taiwan this week.

Vystrcil will be heading a delegation of around 40 people to Taiwan from
today through Thursday.

It will be his second trip to Taiwan country since he first visited in August
of 2020.

Vystrcil has said the primary goal of the trip is to demonstrate mutual
support between the two sides and help further strengthen mutual
understanding and cooperation on both the political and people-to-people
levels.

He's scheduled to meet with senior government officials and attend a series
of events.

Those events include a symposium on former Czech President Vaclav Havel at
the National Chengchi University, the unveiling of a "Havel's Bench"
installation at Taipei's Daan Park, and a screening of the documentary, which
chronicles his 2020 trip to Taiwan.

According to Vystrcil, the events also carry important symbolic significance,
as they not only commemorate Havel's legacy, but also reflect the shared
values of the Czech Republic and Taiwan as democratic societies.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has refused to provide a government
aircraft for the trip, saying he did not want it to be seen as an official
endorsement that could harm Czech business interests in China.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

NT$446

Tai-Power's summer electricity rates for residential customers kick-in today.

It means that the average household can be expected to pay about 446 N-T more
per month through the end of September.

According to Tai-Power, the seasonal rates will apply to about 15-million
residential and small commercial users from today through September 30.

Around 26,000 high-voltage and extra-high-voltage users are subject to summer
rates from May 16 to October 15.

The state-generator says electricity demand rises sharply during the summer
months, mainly because of increased air conditioner use ..

.. and that means more expensive power-generating units have to be brought
online to meet peak demand, pushing up overall generation costs.

Based on data from last year, the average monthly household electricity bill
rose to 1,084 N-T during the summer, nearly 70-per cent higher than in
non-summer months.

Average household electricity use also increased from 308-kilowatt-hours per
month in non-summer months to 418-kilowatt-hours per month
during the summer, up about 40-per cent.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

interview

The Presidential Office is condemning China after it expelled a New York
Times correspondent from Beijing, following the newspaper's publication of an
interview of President Lai Ching-te.

According to Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo, he Lai
administration has noted a series of recent incidents in which Beijing had
used similar tactics to "threaten and pressure international media and
journalists ..

.. and the move highlighted Beijing's suppression of press freedom and its
threat to international media outlets.

Kuo says such actions concerns not only press freedom and freedom of
expression, but also the safety of journalists, and Taiwan and relevant
partners are paying close attention to the situation.

The statement came after the New York Times confirmed that China expelled
Vivian Wang in February of this year.

She had been based in Beijing since 2022.

An Associated Press report published this past weekend, said that Wang was
expelled after The New York Times hosted President Lai Ching-te in a recorded
interview for its DealBook Summit 2025, which aired in December of last year.

Wang had no role in the interview.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

The Taipei Department of Health's smoking ban in Ximending takes effect
today.

Smoking is now banned in the shopping district, except in designated smoking
areas.

People caught violating the ban face fines of between 2,000 and 10,000 N-T
under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

The smoke-free zone was originally planned to cover the area bounded by
Section 1 of Zhonghua Road, Xining South Road, Chengdu Road, and Section 2 of
Hankou Street.

However, the Taipei Department of Health has since expanded it to include the
area around Exit 4 of Ximen M-R-T Station, Yanping South Road, Xiushan
Street, and Hengyang Road.

People who wish to smoke in the Ximending shopping area in Wanhua District
are advised to use negative-pressure smoking rooms and other designated
smoking areas.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

The Taipei Zoo has marked World Parrot Day with a special educational event
featuring a sulphur-crested cockatoo.

The zoo used the occasion to urge the public not to abandon pet parrots and
to reject the illegal wildlife trade.

According to the zoo, parrots are popular companion animals because of their
colorful plumage, ability to mimic sounds and strong learning skills ..

.. but demand from the pet market has also fueled illegal capture and trade,
threatening wild populations.

To raise public awareness, the zoo held a pop-up educational session in the
Children's area, with a sulphur-crested cockatoo serving as a "teaching
assistant" to help visitors learn about parrot behavior and social habits.

The zoo also cited data from the International Union for Conservation of
Nature showing that about one-third of all parrot species face threats to
their survival in the wild.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

Ukraine has launches strikes on Russian enery sites...

with Russian authorities saying that drone debris set fire to a fuel storage
facility in the Rostov region, while civilian infrastructure was damaged in
Saratov province.

Ukraine has ramped up attacks on Russian's oil and gas facilites, saying they
fund Moscow's invasion.

Meanwhile, Kyiv denied Russian claims that a Ukrainian drone struck the
Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Russian authorities accused Ukraine of a deliberate attack... but Ukrainian
officials said they did not target or strike the plant, describing Russia's
claims as propagandistic.

The plant has repeatedly come under fire since Russia launched its full-scale
invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:15

Polls have closed in Colombia's presidential election, with a runoff
confirmed for June.

Pro-Trump Abelardo de la Espriella and the incumbent's favorite for the
presidency, IvAn Cepeda, will face off later this month.

This weekend's vote came 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace pact
with guerillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in a deal that
many hoped would end decades of armed conflict in the country.

Since then, the violence has resurged.

Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes, armed attacks have
plagued the race and last June, the politician and presidential hopeful
Miguel Uribe Turbay was fatally shot at a political rally.

De la Espriella has sought to portray himself as "tough on crime..." while
Cepeda favors dialogue with the armed groups, in a similar manner to current
president Gustavo Petro.

The outcome of the election is expected to act as a bellweather for the rest
of the continent at a time when voters are increasingly ditching leaders that
pitched progressive policies and turning instead to more populist rhetoric.

Posted on 2026-06-01 07:02:16

An explosion in Myanmar has killed several dozen people as media reports that
the building where the blast took place was storing explosives.

On top of 46 dead, about 70 more people were injured.

The area where the explosion took place is near the Chinese border and is
controlled by a rebel ethnic armed group.

Rescue workers say they were able to recover 46 bodies by last night, while
they say the injured were taken to a local hospital.

100 houses near the site were damaged in the blast.

Rescue operations are ongoing.

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