ICRT

Posted on 2026-05-06 08:15:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affair says a visit to Taiwan later this week by
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena is evidence of the solid ties between the
two sides that will not be undermined by Chinese coercion.

According to ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei, Pena will be leading a
delegation of business representatives to Taiwan for a four day visit and
will meet with President Lai Ching-te and other senior government officials.

Hsiao says the talks will be focusing on investments, international
cooperation in industries and other policy measures aimed at strengthen
bilateral ties.

Pena's trip to Taiwan follows reports that Beijing is pressuring Paraguay to
sever ties with Taiwan in favor of China.

A New York Times report has claimed that China has been targeting Paraguay
with cyberattacks and bribing politicians to switch diplomatic recognition.

Posted on 2026-05-06 08:15:13

Lawmakers have voted down President Lai Ching-te's nomination of Hsu
Hsi-hsiang as prosecutor-general.

The rejection means the Ministry of Justice will now have to submit a
recommendation through the Cabinet for the president to appoint an acting
prosecutor-general once incumbent Hsing Tai-chao completes his four-year term
tomorrow.

The acting prosecutor-general is likely to be selected from among the
office's two head prosecutors, including Hsu and will then serve until a new
nominee is announced and receives legislative confirmation.

Taiwan People's Party lawmaker Wang An-hsiang says Hsu's nomination was
rejected lacked "core experience" and previously held political roles, such
as deputy justice minister, raising questions about his differentiating of
political and judicial spheres.

Hsu was nominated by Lai on March 13 and was advanced to a floor vote
following cross-party negotiations in the Legislature on April 17.

According to the Presidential Office, Hsu has more than 30 years of
prosecutorial experience and has served as head prosecutor at district
prosecutors offices in Kinmen, Hsinchu, Changhua and New Taipei.

Posted on 2026-05-06 08:15:13

Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun is protested Taiwan's designation at the
Asian Development Bank and calling for the country's equal treatment in the
organization.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Chuang issued a statement at the
A-D-B's 59th annual meeting being held in Uzbekistan this week, in which she
lodged a formal protest against that "Taipei,China" designation.

The finance ministry says Chuang also conveyed her opposition to Taiwan's
designation when she met with A-D-B President Masato Kanda.

It's the third time that Chuang had protested Taiwan's designation since she
assumed the post at the end of January 2023.

The Republic of China was one of the founding members of the A-D-B in 1966.

Its designation was changed to "Taipei,China" in 1986, after the People's
Republic of China joined the bank.

Posted on 2026-05-06 08:15:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says his administration will launch a second round
of citywide sanitation measures and introduce so-called "rodent control
specialists" to help residents address rat problems.

The statement comes amid widespread concerns about growing rat populations in
parts of the city following social media posts reporting more rat sightings.

Acccording to Chiang, households will be able to apply to have rodent control
specialists visit their homes to assess infestations and provide tailored
prevention and control advice.

Chiang says the city will take a coordinated, cross-agency approach to
strengthen prevention, inspection and sanitation and he's also urging
residents to remain calm.

Officials said the specialists will focus on identifying infestation sources,
improving environmental conditions and supporting effective household pest
control.

The city government says it will also tighten sanitation at markets,
including installing mesh in drains, sealing building gaps and improving
waste handling.

Posted on 2026-05-06 08:15:13

Formosa Petrochemical says a Liberian-flagged supertanker carrying 2-million
barrels of crude oil will dock at Mailiao Port today - giving its underused
refineries a timely boost.

According to Formosa Petrochemical Corporation President Lin Keh-yen, the
F-P-M-C-C Lord is operated by Formosa Plastics Marine and carrying crude oil
from Saudi Arabia.

Lin says the arrivial of the crude oil will help ease the company's tight raw
material supplies.

Supply disruptions due to blocking of the Strait of Hormuz have resulted in
Formosa Petrochemical's overall refinery utilization rate dropping to about
43-per cent in April, as several scheduled crude shipments failed to arrive.

The rate for its naphtha cracking facilities alone was about 33-per cent in
April.

The corporation president says refinery operations are expected to gradually
recover with the arrival of the shipment - which transited the Strait of
Hormuz in mid-April after Iran temporarily reopened the waterway.

Posted on 2026-05-06 08:15:13

And finally,

The Taipei Zoo has announced the death of a leopard cat named Xiao Mu.

According to the zoo, Xiao Mu died on May 1 at the age of 19 - making her the
oldest leopard cat the zoo has ever housed.

The zoo says she had been suffering from spinal degeneration, bone spurs, and
degenerative arthritis - and had been housed in a rear enclosure since 2024.

Xiao Mu came to the zoo in 2018.

Prior to that she served as a leopard cat conservation ambassador for the
Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
program.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

right'

President Lai Ching-te says bilateral visits between heads of state are a
"basic right" and should not be seen as "breakthroughs."

Lai made the statement at Taoyuan International Airport after he arrived
Taiwan from Eswatini ...

.. and after alleged Chinese interference that blocked his originally plans
to fly there on April 22.

Lai said while his trip was blocked at one point, his trip to Eswatini this
past weekend is evidence of "Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world."

Lai also thanked Eswatini's deputy prime minister, who escorted him on his
return flight to Taiwan on a private Airbus A340-313 owned by the country's
king.

During his trip, the king said he saw evidence of comprehensive bilateral
exchanges spanning energy security, agriculture, smart healthcare, women's
empowerment, culture and education during his visit ..

Those cooperation initiatives not only underscored the friendship between the
two countries spanning more than half a century, but also highlighted
Taiwan's concrete actions with an international partner to bring about
security, prosperity and development.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affair says it will be holding a medical tech
exhibition in Geneva later this month to coincide with the World Health
Assembly.

The ministry's Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs
said the expo will showcase Taiwan's smart healthcare innovations and its
ongoing overseas medical aid programs.

The Taiwan Smart Medical & HealthTech Expo will take place in Geneva from May
17 to 19.

It expects to feature 30 Taiwanese companies specializing in smart and
innovative healthcare, as well as some of Taiwan's top medical centers.

It will also include a special section highlighting Taiwan's achievements in
providing humanitarian assistance and healthcare to its allies.

The government has said it has yet to receive an invitation to attend the
79th W-H-A.

The World Health Assembly is scheduled to take place in Geneva from May 18 to
23.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

The Taiwan Sugar Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with
the U-S Grains & Bioproducts Council to deepen cooperation on bioethanol
production and expand its use in transportation fuels.

The agreement was signed in Taipei.

Under the deal, Taiwan Sugar will complete an initial assessment of potential
feedstock sources by the second quarter of 2027, laying the groundwork for
future development.

Taiwan Sugar Chairman Wu Ming-chang says the government accelerating efforts
to develop sustainable aviation fuel and achieve at least 5-per cent S-A-F
blending in international flights by 2030.

Wu says the partnership will focus on advancing production technologies,
expand applications and strengthening exchanges on policy and market
information, as Taiwan builds capacity in alternative fuels and low-carbon
transportation.

Company officials says the initial phase will prioritize identifying viable
raw materials beyond sugarcane and assessing how different technologies can
be integrated into production.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

Taiwan's major carriers have announced that they will be keeping fuel
surcharges on international passenger flights unchanged for this month.

The move means that rates for short-haul routes will remain at 45 U-S
dollars, while rates for long-haul routes stay at 117 U-S dollars.

EVA Airways and Starlux Airlines have said that surcharges implemented on
April 7 for flights departing from Taiwan will remain in effect.

China Airlines also says it would keep surcharge levels unchanged in May in
accordance with the Civil Aviation Administration's pricing mechanism.

However, China Airlines also says it will continue to monitor global crude
oil price trends.

The decision to freeze the surcharges came despite what the airlines have
been arguing is a significant gap between market fuel prices and the
industry's baseline.

Data from C-P-C shows that average aviation fuel prices reached 208.78 U-S
dollars per barrel in May, far exceeding the 40 U-S dollar benchmark on which
the fuel surcharges are based.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

Activist groups are calling for a multipronged approach to curb what some
claim to be Taipei's fast growing rat population, even as they warn the
overuse of rat poison could breed resistant rats while killing their natural
predators.

The Taiwan Walk for Wildlife, the Reptile Conservation Association of Taiwan
and the Raptor Research Group say the Taipei City government needs to disrupt
environments that sustain rodents, rather than relying solely on chemicals.

The groups say chemical killers could contaminate the food chain, killing
raptors and snakes.

The resulting declines in those natural predators, combined with rodents'
rapid reproduction, could lead to a surge in the rat population.

The Taipei Environmental Protection Bureau defended its use of rat poison,
saying the chemical is approved by the central government and follows the
Ministry of Environment's guidelines for deployment.

The bureau says rat bait is placed in areas where rodents are active or may
enter buildings, such as warehouse corners, cluttered storage areas, wall
crevices, and around burrows ...

.. and it "does not engage in indiscriminate application."

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

The Chiayi District Prosecutors' Office is indicting three people for
stealing over 4.5-kilometers of cable from a Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Advanced Packaging Plant construction site in Chiayi.

The suspects include a downstream contractor for the site and two employees
of the same company.

Prosecutors say the accused then sold the cable for nearly 5-million N-T.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 10 years for two of the suspects
and nine years for the other.

The robberies went unnoticed until March 2, when the three suspects attempted
to steal 600 meters of cable from the site.

Security guards altered authorities after seeing a large amount of cable
being loaded onto a truck, but the suspects managed to flee the scene after
crashing the vehicle through a security-gate.

The suspects were arrested by police after they tried to sell the cable to a
recycling center in Pingtung.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

And,

Four pygmy killer whales found stranded beneath New Taipei's Danjiang Bridge
have been rescued.

The Coast Guard Administration says a 30-member rescue team involving the
Ocean Conservation Administration, New Taipei City Animal Protection Office,
and the Taiwan Cetacean Society was dispatched to scene.

Rescuers identified the animals as four pygmy killer whales, each measuring
about 2.2-meters in length.

Rescue workers righted the whales, kept them cool and moist, while
continuously poured seawater over their bodies to prevent dehydration and
overheating.

The whales were later transported to Badouzi in Keelung for further
observation and care.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

The United States and its Gulf allies have proposed a U.N. resolution
threatening Iran with sanctions or other measures if it doesn’t halt attacks
on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, stop imposing “illegal tolls” and
disclose the placement of all mines to allow freedom of navigation.

It also demands that Iran “immediately participate in and enable” United
Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the strait to enable
the delivery of vital aid, fertilizer and other goods.

The Trump administration is working to restore freedom of navigation in the
strait, which carried about 20% of the world’s crude oil before the war.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

Ukrainian authorities say Russian drone and missile strikes during the night
and into daylight hours have killed at least 22 people and wounded more than
80 others.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday criticized Moscow for launching the
attacks after Russia announced a temporary unilateral ceasefire for later
this week.

Russia’s Defense Ministry declared a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday...
but it warned of retaliation if Kyiv disrupts Victory Day festivities.

Ukrainian forces have also continued their attacks on Russian areas by
targeting oil facilities.

Russia said that it destroyed 289 Ukrainian drones overnight across 18
regions.

Posted on 2026-05-06 06:55:14

The Venice Biennale has begun previewing its 61st edition, just days after
the contemporary art show's jury resigned over the participation of Israel
and Russia.

Ukrainian artists brought a statue from the front line, Russian participants
danced to house music and Palestinians marched in protest.

Curator Marie Helene Pereira said the tensions put in question the relevance
of national representation in a globalized art world.

The jury had refused to award prizes to countries under investigation by the
International Court of Justice.
Without a jury, visitors get to decide and vote for the winners.

Posted on 2026-05-05 18:18:13

Pingtung officials say that a quail farm in Yanpu (鹽埔) Township has been
cleared following a confirmed outbreak of H5N1 bird flu — the second in the
county this year (so far).

Local authorities say over 78 thousand quails were culled yesterday, after
the infection was confirmed a day earlier.

The farm first reported unusual deaths at the end of April, triggering
testing and containment measures.

In response, authorities have launched inspections and sampling at poultry
farms within a one-kilometer radius, along with wider monitoring in
surrounding areas.

Agriculture officials are urging farmers to remain vigilant, noting that bird
flu cases are more common between March and October.

They also warn that failure to report suspected infections could result in
fines and loss of compensation for culled livestock.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-05 18:18:18

Taiwan is holding its first-ever smart medical technology expo on the
sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva this month.

The 79th World Health Assembly opens in Geneva on May 18th.

Taiwan remains excluded, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is
organizing parallel activities to showcase Taiwan's healthcare capabilities
and diplomatic aid work.

MOFA says the inaugural "Taiwan Smart Medical and Health Tech Expo" will
feature 30 Taiwanese medical and health technology companies and
pharmaceutical manufacturers across three zones covering innovative medical
institutions, smart healthcare, and resilient medicine.

And public health forums co-organized by the Minsitry of Health and Welfare
are also scheduled for May 18th and 19th at the expo venue.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-05 18:18:18

Taiwan Lottery Corporation has introduced two new scratch-off games with
total prize money reaching almost 2 billion NT.

According to the company, the first of these ... the "Mahjong Big Bingo"
scratch cards will be priced at 300 NT ... and features bingo tables with a
mahjong-themed designs.

It includes three "FREE" symbols intended to increase the chances of forming
winning lines.

Payouts rise with the number of completed lines.

The game offers six top prizes of $3 million nt and minimum prizes of $300 NT
and has an overall winning rate of 36 percent.

The other scratch card game, "Gold Diamond 999," will be priced at 200 NT ...
and features prizes of the same amount or more.

It offers three top prizes of $2 million NT and has an overall winning rate
of over 27 percent.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-05-05 18:18:22

Looking ahead...

Weather conditions are expected to improve slightly tomorrow .... with
slightly higher temperatures across the island.

Most of Taiwan should see partly cloudy to sunny skies ...
... Though in the north around Keelung and in the east, skies might be a bit
cloudier with occasional showers.

A weather front is expected to arrive this Friday, bringing brief showers to
central, northern, and eastern Taiwan, along with a chance of afternoon
thunderstorms in the north and south.

Those showers and thunderstorms may continue into Saturday.

Current temperatures...

Taipei - 21

Taichung - 22

Kaohsiung - 26

Hualien - 22

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

Scholars are praising President Lai Ching-te's recent surprise visit to
Eswatini.

Defense and policy experts say, the successful trip utilized the
"announcement upon arrival" strategy to get around pressure from Beijing.

The trip was made after earlier plans were cancelled.

Lai ended up taking the Eswatinian king's private jet to the southern African
country.

On the return flight, the president's plane diverted south, testing the
limits of the A340, covering about 13000 kilometers without refueling.

Scholars say, the "announcement upon arrival" strategy and the chartering of
private jets will be a crucial tool to continue to combat Chinese pressure.

However, other scholars note that these methods significantly increase the
cost of Taiwan's participation in international politics and should not
become the new normal.

Despite the trip being described as a "breakthrough," the president himself
said that such bilateral visits are a basic right.

(AH)

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

A supertanker carrying two million barrels of crude oil is set to arrive in
Taiwan, helping ease supply pressures caused by war in the Middle East.

Formosa Petrochemical Corporation says the vessel will dock at Mailiao Port
tomorrow, bringing crude oil from Saudi Arabia.

The shipment comes after disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz pushed
refinery utilization rates down sharply in April.

At one point, overall operations fell to just over 40 percent, with some
facilities running even lower.

Company officials say the new delivery, along with alternative sourcing
strategies, should help production gradually recover.

Refinery utilization is expected to rise above 60 percent in May and reach
around 80 percent in June.

However, challenges remain, with high costs and weak demand continuing to
weigh on petrochemical operations.

The company also warns that the global crude oil market could face prolonged
supply shortages if the conflict continues.

(CNA_IG)

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

The KMT's pick to lead Kaohsiung is breaking with party chair Zheng Li Wen on
defense spending.

Zheng said that most KMT lawmakers were in support of the proposed 380
billion " N" bill, but Ke Zhi En says today that the chair's understanding
differs from that of lawmakers.

Her comments come as some lawmakers appear to be hoping to have the budget
proposal coming in at about 800 billion NT, to include two rounds of arms
purchases from the US.

KMT Legislative Caucus Whip Fu Kun Chi notes that each version is still under
discussion.

This comes ahead of cross-partisan caucus discussions on the issue, set for
tomorrow.

(AH)

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

Now turning to international news...

The Japanese Defense Minister is in the Philippines to witness an
international combat drill and conduct talks with President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr.

Shinjiro Koizumi aims to broaden defense ties between the two countries, and
may talk with Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr about a
possible transfer of used Japanese destroyers to the Philippines.

Koizimi will be among representatives from 16 countries expected to witness a
key military exercise in which Philippines, US, Japanese, and Canadian
firepower will be used in a mock attack on a ship.

The Philippines and Japan signed a pact in 2024 allowing their forces to
stage large-scale combat drills.

Those drills see other allied forces brace for security contingencies and
deter Chinese aggressions.

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

The US says, it has fired on and sunk six boats targeting civilian ships.

That's as the United Arab Emirates, a US ally, said it had come under attack
by Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold last month.

The US military added that two US-flagged ships had successfully transited
the Strait of Hormuz as part of a new initiative.

US officials have advised ships aiming to transit the strait to cross in
Oman's waters, saying they've set up an "enhanced security area."

Iranian officials have warned that ships passing through the strait must
coordinate with them.

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

Armenia is hosting the first European Union summit in Yerevan this week,
marking a deepening of ties that have been years in the making.

The summit underscores Armenia's disillusionment with Russia after Moscow
failed to intervene during Azerbaijan's 2023 offensive that ended decades of
ethnic Armenian control over the Karabakh region.

Armenia accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to stop the onslaught.

Since then, the governemnt has moved to pursue closer ties with the west...

passing a law last year formally declaring the country's intention to seek EU
membership, though prospects remain distant.

Posted on 2026-05-05 16:07:13

The opposition KMT and TPP legislative caucuses are reiterating their
wariness of the Executive Yuan's version of a special defense bill.

That's ahead of a scheduled cross-partisan caucus meeting tomorrow to discuss
the issue.

TPP caucus leaders say today that the party supports the purchasing of arms
but does not support signing off on a blank check to fund unclear spending.

The TPP is reportedly putting forward two versions of a bill, the first of
which would only contain one batch of arms sales valued at 400 billion NT,
and another including the second batch at 800 billion total.

Meanwhile, a KMT proposal includes 380 billion NT N, although some in the
party are hoping for closer to double that figure.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-05 16:07:13

The Ministry of Labor is reporting a decrease in casualties related to
occupational hazards.

New figures show 50 workplace deaths in the first quarter of this year —
down about 15 percent from the same period last year.

Despite the overall decline, risks remain high in certain sectors.

Construction accounted for more than half of all fatalities, with falls the
leading cause.

By location, New Taipei City and Taoyuan recorded the highest number of
deaths, with seven each, followed by Tainan with six.

The ministry says some local governments’ safety measures have shown
results, including Taichung's use of 'large firms supporting smaller
contractors' and targeted inspections of fall risks.

Officials add that new policies introduced this year aim to further cut
workplace risks, including revised work suspension and resumption rules,
among others.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-05 16:07:13

Tainan City is offering free RSV vaccines to some, in a new program aimed at
protecting newborns.

Mayor Huang Wei-cher says the program covers pregnant women between 28 and 36
weeks of gestation who are registered residents of Tainan and hold low-income
or lower-middle-income household status.

The city's Public Health Bureau says RSV is one of the leading causes of
lower respiratory tract infections in infants, with most hospitalizations
concentrated among babies under six months old and the highest risk among
those under three months.

Vaccinating during pregnancy allows maternal antibodies to pass to the fetus,
giving newborns a degree of protection from birth.

Eligible women can make appointments at any of the city's 37 district health
centers starting today.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-05 16:07:13

Now turning to international news...

The Indian ruling party has taken control of the opposition stronghold of
West Bengal in a key state election.

Partial results show the Bharatiya Janata Party potentially winning up to 70%
of seats in the local assembly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has tried for years to dislodge West
Bengal's opposition government led by one of his most prominent critics.

But opposition parties in the state have sharply criticized the polls, after
millions of voters were removed from electoral rolls.

Modi's Hindu-nationalist BJP has never governed West Bengal, and the results
mark a major win for the 3 term PM.

Posted on 2026-05-05 16:07:13

Separatists in the Canadian province of Alberta have submitted over 300,000
signatures to trigger a referendum on leaving Canada.

They needed just 178,000 to force the province to consider the vote.

The province premier says that, if the petition is verified, there will be a
referendum, though she has said she personally does not support the movement.

A "yes" vote would not trigger independence automatically, as negotiations
with the federal government would have to take place and experts say the
movement may face opposition from First Nations groups.

The issue could be put to a vote as early as October.

Posted on 2026-05-05 16:07:13

In the US,

Indigenous groups are marking Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples day,
gathering to honor loved ones who have gone missing or been killed.

They're also calling for reforms to make their communities safer.

Indigenous peoples in the US face disproportionate rates of violence, a
crisis that activists say is rooted in the systematic removal of Native
people from their lands and the federal government's efforts to forcibly
assimilate them into mainstream society.

Data shows that Indigenous individuals are twice as likely to be victims of a
violent crime, while women are twice as likely to be victims of murder.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples day is observed across the country on
May 5th.

Posted on 2026-05-05 14:25:13

The opposition KMT and TPP have rejected a nominee for the
Prosecutor-General's position.

Xu Xi Xiang 徐錫祥 currently serves as Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme
Prosecutor's Office.

The presidential office announced in March that the current
Prosecutor-General's term would end this month...

leading President Lai Ching Te to nominate Xu　as according to law.

DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary General Zhuang Rui Xiong said this morning
that all caucus members would vote in support of Xu's nomination and called
on the KMT and TPP to follow suit.

But TPP caucus leaders said they believed Xu's qualifications to be
inadequate and said that his expertise appeared to be better suited to other
positions, thus meriting a vote against him.

Ultimately, Xu received 50 votes in his favor and 61 against along party
lines.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-05 14:25:13

The Hualien County Environmental Protection Department says that a new
program designed to collect hard evidence of littering has been extremely
successful in punishing perpetrators.

Littering in the county currently incurs a fine of up to 6000 NT with the
help of new technology.

Officials explain that a new mobile surveillance system helps to provide
concrete evidence of littering to authorities and will attempt to curb the
habit.

Environmental officials note that some instances of littering take place in
very rural areas where there may be no witnesses.

But now, the new tech has been introduced to monitor areas known to be
littering hotspots, making investigations into littering significantly more
efficient.

Officials say they plan to continue to expand the program and they encourage
the public to report instances to authorities while including video evidence.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-05 14:25:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 64 points to
close the session at 40769.

The turnover was 997.6 billion NT

Posted on 2026-05-05 14:25:13

Now turning to international news...

The US has killed 2 more people in the latest attack on what they claim to be
drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.

The campaign began in September, and the US has now killed at least 188
people in the attacks.

The series of strikes have ramped up in recent weeks, showing that the
administration's aggressive measures to stop what it calls "narcoterrorism"
aren't letting up.

The US military has failed to provide evidence that any of the vessels are
actually carrying drugs.

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes.

Posted on 2026-05-05 14:25:13

German authorities say, 2 people are dead following an incident in which a
driver plowed into people in a busy shopping area.

Officials say another 3 people were seriously injured in the attack in
Leipzig, which authorities believe to be deliberate.

The driver was detained in the car and is under investigation on suspicion of
murder and attempted murder.

A motive was not immediately clear, but officials said they believe the man
acted alone and noted that rage and "psychological instability" are often
factors in such cases.

Photos from the scene showed a car with a battered front and a shattered
windshield after the incident.

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

High prosecutors are calling for continued investigation into a former
McDonald's manager who was not prosecuted following the death of an employee.

The high-profile case allegedly began when the manager assaulted a student
employee, whose mother posted about the incident online following her
daughter's suicide.

The mother said that her daughter's manager took advantage of his position
over the employee, and said that, even after resigning, her daughter still
took her own life.

The employee went to the police and filed a complaint with McDonalds, but her
mother says it was quickly dismissed and swept under the rug.

Shilin prosecutors ultimately did not prosecute the manager for lack of
evidence.

However, the High Prosecutors Office today has remanded the case to Shilin
prosecutors, citing an incomplete investigation.

(AH)

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

Taipei Zoo is mourning the loss of a leopard cat named Xiao Mu, who passed
away earlier this month.

Keepers say Xiao Mu died on May1st at the age of 19 — making her the oldest
leopard cat the zoo had ever housed.

The zoo says she had long been managing spinal degeneration, bone spurs, and
degenerative arthritis, and had been living in a quieter rear enclosure since
2024.

Xiao Mu came to the zoo in 2018 through the Forestry and Nature Conservation
Agency's wildlife rescue and rehabilitation program, where she served as a
leopard cat conservation ambassador.

(NS)

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

Now turning to international news...

European leaders are looking to become more self-reliant on security issues
following a decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw troops from
Germany.

The US announced previously that 5000 troops would leave, but the US
president said the actual number would be higher while also failing to
provide any reasoning for the move.

The choice came as a surprise to many, and followed closely on the heels of
rising tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the
US/Israeli war on Iran.

British and Norweigian leaders sought to downplay the impact of the decision,
saying it provides a good reminder to the continent to step up its role in
the transatlantic political and military alliance NATO.

Tensions within NATO have mounted since the Trump administration came into
office last year warning that European allies would have to defend themselves
and Ukraine in the future.

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

Argentine President Javier Milei is restoring press access to his government
headquarters...

more than one week after his decision to block credentialed reporters from
the building.

The decision triggered backlash from lawmakers and press freedom advocates.

Journalists say now, though, that they can again enter the Casa Rosada for
the first time since mid last month.

The ban marked the latest development in a list of attacks and reprisals
against news organizations by Milei...

whose approach to the press has long been compared to that of his US
counterpart.

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

A branch of the Catholic church is expressing its concerns over Israeli
actions in Lebanon.

The council of greek bishops urged the Lebanese government and the UN to take
action to protect properties that Israel is reportedly targeting...

including civilian and religious buildings in the south of the country.

This comes after officials said that Israeli troops destroyed a convent in
the village of Yaroun.

The bishops called the destruction of buildings a "deep wound in the national
and human conscience."

Israel took control of border areas in southern Lebanon in its latest war
against Hezbollah ahead of a ceasefire on April 17 and has said it aims to
root out the militants and their infrastructure in the area.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

President Lai Ching-te is scheduled to arrive back in Taiwan in the coming
hour following his state visit to Eswatini.

Lai left Eswatini at around 6:30 yesterday evening Taiwan time.

Neither the Presidential Office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released
details of Lai's return flight.

However, reports say he's making the trip on board a private Airbus A340-313
owned by the country's King Mswati.

That's the same aircraft he flew to the Southern African kingdom on late last
week.

The government has also not said what route Lai is taking.

But data from flight-tracking websites that has appeared online shows his
aircraft flying south from Eswatini in order to avoid airspace around the
Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

Those three countries allegedly revoked overflight permits for the
president's chartered plane to Eswatini due to pressure from China two weeks
ago.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

Premier Cho Jung-tai has instructed government agencies to coordinate
assistance for Taiwan shipping company whose vessels are stranded due to the
blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Cabinet, the directive was issues after the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs released data showing of the about 1,600 vessels from various
countries currently stranded, eight are operated by Taiwan firms.

The Cabinet says Cho has asked the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with
the foreign ministry in contacting foreign governments and Taiwan shipping
firms, to offer assistance measures to enable the vessels to resume normal
operations as soon as possible.

However, the Cabinet has not released any details concerning how such
measures could be adopted.

The government is also seeking to allay concerns over shortages of key
commodities due to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

With the Cabinet saying the government is helping manufacturers secure raw
materials for plastic bags, corn for animal feed remains stable, and fuel
costs for intercity buses, domestic shipping and domestic flights will be
frozen for three months.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

Taiwan's delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland has once
again topped the list of all participating countries.

Economic's Minister Kung Ming-hsin is leading the delegation to the May 3
through 6 event.

According to Kung, 207 representatives from 113 Taiwan companies are
participating this year, setting a new record, and that demonstrates the very
high willingness of Taiwan companies to invest in the U-S.

National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien, who is accompanying the
Taiwan delegation, says the government's Development Fund will provide
financing guarantees for Taiwan companies intending to invest in the U-S.

The government has set funding for the first phase of that financing
guarantee program for Taiwan firms investing in the U-S at approximately
50-billion U-S dollars.

The program is slated to begin later this month.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

The government says labor funds rose in the first quarter of this year by
more than 400-billion N-T, despite record monthly losses seen in March due to
global financial volatility.

According to the Bureau of Labor Funds, the funds lost 378.7-billion N-T in
March due what it's describing as "headwinds in the global financial markets
after war broke out in the Middle East."

That's the largest monthly decline on record.

The previous record loss occured in March of 2020 due to the COVID outbreak.

The Bureau of Labor Funds says funds still managed to record 434.4-billion
N-T in gains in the first quarter and March's losses were offset by the
massive gains seen in the first two months of the year.

Data show the gains in the January to March period translated into a 5.76-per
cent rate of return.

The bureau says 57-per cent of its first-quarter investments were made
overseas, while the remaining 43-per cent were in the domestic market.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

The K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have released the results of a joint
poll that shows K-M-T Legislator Wu Tsung-hsien is the leading candidate for
Yilan County magistrate in November's local elections.

The results of the poll were released at a news conference attended by K-M-T
Vice Chair and Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung and T-P-P Secretary-General
Chou Yu-shiu.

The survey asked respondents who they would support in two scenarios against
the D-P-P's candidate Lin Kuo-chang.

In a head-to-head with Lin, Wu received 27.6-per cent support, compared with
28.9-percent for Lin, while the T-P-P's Chen Wan-hui received 21.1-per cent,
compared with 27.5-per cent for Lin.

Although the poll showed Lin leading in both results, Wu says he will work
harder to win over voters in Yilan and is calling on supporters of the
opposition alliance and centrist voters to unite and bring change to the
county.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih says the Sanying M-R-T Line could become
operational in the coming couple of months.

According to Hou, an application for a final inspection by the Ministry of
Transport will be submitted later this month.

If approved, trains could start running on the 14-kilometer line from Dingpu
Station in New Taipei City's Tucheng District to Yingge via Sanxia District
in June at the earliest.

The city government has said five suggestions for improvement identified
during initial inspections have all been corrected after being submitted to
the New Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems.

The Sanying Line will have 12 stations.

The New Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems says it is expected
to cut commute times from Sanxia and Yingge to Taipei by nearly 20-minutes.

Posted on 2026-05-05 08:12:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says rain will continue today in the north
and center - as the island continues to be affected by the first rainfall of
this year's plum rain season.

The first of the two weather fronts forecast for this week began affecting
the island on Monday.

Along with rain, the first front has also pushed temperatures down

The northeasterly winds and rain are expected to weaken tomorrow and
Thursday, giving way to sunny to partly cloudy skies across much of the
island, but mountainous areas may still see brief afternoon showers.

Temperatures are also expected to rebound.

However, another front is forecast to arrive on Friday, accompanied by
slightly stronger northeasterly winds, bringing brief showers to central,
northern, and eastern parts of the island and possible afternoon
thunderstorms to the south.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:17

Meanwhile,

The U-S State Department is describing President Lai Ching-te's visit to
Eswatini as a routine trip and is stressing that that its should not be
politicized.

The State Department called Taiwan a trusted and capable partner of the U-S
and many other countries and Taiwan's relationships with countries around the
world bring significant benefits to their citizens, including those of
Eswatini.

A State Department spokesperson also pointed out that every democratically
elected Taiwan president has visited countries with which Taiwan has
diplomatic relations ... and "Lai's predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen visited
Eswatini in 2023 and 2018."

The statements came after the U-S State Department was asked whether
Washington helped make Lai's trip possible.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:13

investment

President Lai Ching-te used the last day of his visit to Eswatini to visit
the Strategic Fuel Reserve Facility and Taiwan Industrial and Innovation Park
.

Lai said the two cooperative projects are seen to be the largest and most
strategically significant since the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the two sides...

he said they mark a crucial milestone in the next stage of Taiwan-Eswatini
cooperation.

The president said Taiwan remains a reliable and resilient partner for
Eswatini and is a major gateway for Taiwanese businesses seeking to expand
into the African continent... and he called on more private Taiwan companies
to invest in Eswatini and cultivate talent there as part of his
administration's efforts to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The Presidential Office says Lai was briefed on the projects by officials
from the Overseas Investment & Development Corporation and Shih-Hsi
Engineering Consultants.

The president is expected to land at Taoyuan International Airport in about
an hour.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:17

The K-M-T's legislative caucus is slated to meet tomorrow to discuss the
Cabinet's special defense budget bill.

The meeting takes place before a new round of cross-party negotiations on the
issue.

Legislative party caucuses failed to reach a consensus on the Cabinet's
1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget bill last Monday.

Those talks centered on the procurement items listed in the draft bill.

Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to reach any agreements on specific
procurement items and a ceiling for the budget.

Agreements have only been reached on two basic administrative provisions so
far...

They included that the Ministry of National Defense would be required to
submit a special report to the legislature on the progress and performance of
projects that are included in the special defense act ..

.. and that the special defense budget be in effect from the date of its
promulgation until December 31 of 2033.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:17

Two second-generation satellites developed by Hon Hai has been launched
successfully into orbit from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The low-Earth orbit satellites PEARL-1A and PEARL-2B have entered their
intended orbits for expected on-orbit mission durations of between one to
three years.

Hon Hai says the PEARL project demonstrates its positioning in the space
industry... its project team accumulated extensive experience from orbital
operations of the first generation mission through receiving stations in
Taiwan and Europe.

The satellites have been primarily designed for payload technology
verification in communication and space science.

The second-generation satellites are equipped with Ka-band inter-satellite
link payloads that enable broadband communication with ground stations, as
well as peer-to-peer link verification between the two satellites.

Hon Hai co-developed the satellites with the National Central University.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:22

The International Table Tennis Federation is raising concern after a player
from Taiwan was allegedly inappropriately touched by security personnel at
the World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London.

According to the federation, World Table Tennis and the local organizing
committee were also "deeply troubled by the account of a female athlete who
reported experiencing inappropriate physical contact during an entry security
check."

The three organizations have issued a joint statement saying they have "been
in contact with the athlete's team to provide assistance and opened a
"comprehensive fact-finding and safeguarding investigation" into the
incident.

The statement was issued after Taiwan team coach Zheng Jia-qi took to social
media to say one of the team's players had been sexually harassed and blocked
from entering the tournament venue before the team's 3-1 victory over South
Korea on Saturday.

Zheng says the team reported the incident and asked that tournament
organizers "give a clear response" and provide updates on the investigation's
findings.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:24

The Tainan District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a man for allegedly
slapping a part-time Chinese Professional Baseball League worker during a
game in Tainan in March.

Prosecutors say the man has been charged with assault and publicly insulting
another person using violence.

The incident occurred at the Asia-Pacific International Baseball Stadium in
Tainan on March 27.

The man slapped a part-time C-P-B-L staff member on the left cheek after
being asked to return to his seat to keep the stadium's aisle clear.

The C-P-B-L staff member sustained minor injuries in the assault, which was
witnessed by multiple people at the scene.

Prosecutors say the assault was captured on surveillance footage and recorded
by witnesses, and the man admitted to the assault during police questioning.

The C-P-B-L issued a statement condemning the assault and banned the man from
attending future games.

The man was also fired for his behavior by his employer.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:28

The Ministry of Finance is reporting a sharp increase in the number of people
opting to use mobile phone apps to file their individual income tax returns.

Yesterday marked the first day of this year's tax filing season.

More than 1.08-million returns were completed by Monday afternoon and about
65-per cent of that total were filed via mobile devices.

That marks a significant increase from last year's average of 43-per cent.

Officials say the figure reflect efforts to promote mobile filing, allowing
people to avoid long lines and complete the process from home.

The government is offering a nationwide lottery - with a top prize of 50,000
N-T for those who file their taxes via mobile phone apps before the June 1
deadline.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:30

And,

A local movie production company has released a trailer for an English
language sci-fi horror film.

"Mr. Monster" was produced by Killing Angel Film.

The official trailer for the movie has been released on the YouTube channel
of local production company Vie Vision Pictures.

The fully trailer features Chinese subtitles and teases a plot surrounding a
game that determines the survival of its participants.

The movie stars Taiwanese American actor Andrew Chau and French Taiwanese
actress Camille Chalons.

"Mr. Monster" is directed by Taiwanese Canadian filmmaker Simon Hung and
based on his short film entry to the 65th Cannes Film Festival in 2012.

It is slated for released in Taiwan May 22.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:31

Russia’s Defense Ministry declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine the
coming weekend.

Moscow says it is marking the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany
in World War II, but it threatened to strike back at Kyiv if it tries to
disrupt the Victory Day festivities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in response said his country would
observe a truce beginning at 12 a.m. on Wednesday... he also said Ukraine
would respond in kind to Russia’s actions from that moment on.

He did not put an end date on the truce.

Russia prepares to celebrate its most important secular holiday with a
traditional military parade on Moscow’s Red Square pared down due to what
officials say are concerns over possible Ukrainian attacks.

Ukraine has been launching drone attacks deep inside Russia to counter its
more than 4-year-old invasion.

Posted on 2026-05-05 07:03:32

Philippine officials say nearly 200,000 people in 124 villages in the
northeastern Philippines were evacuated after Mayon volcano spewed plumes of
ash... and after huge lava deposits cascaded down.

No deaths or injuries were reported... but many were caught by surprise after
massive plumes of ash billowed from Mayon volcano.

Huge deposits of lava on its southwestern slope suddenly cascaded down in a
pyroclastic flow in an avalanche of hot rocks, ash and gas.

Officials were told to ensure evacuation centers were adequately ventilated
given the sweltering summer heat.

Posted on 2026-05-04 19:05:13

An 83-year-old man arrested after an arson and axe attack in Tainan... has
been formally detained ...

... after the Tainan District Court approved the prosecutors' request ...
citing concerns he may flee or commit further acts of violence.

The court says the suspect admitted to some of the offenses ...

... and that evidence seized point to possible charges ...

... including attempted murder and arson, and armed obstruction of official
duties.

Police say the incident followed a family dispute, when the man allegedly set
fire to his wife's younger sister's home in Tainan's South District.

When emergency crews arrived, he allegedly attacked the woman and responders
with an axe, injuring three people ... though none are in serious condition.

He then fled in a stolen ambulance... and was later arrested in Yongkang
District... after a police pursuit.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-04 19:05:13

A man has been indicted after slapping a part-time stadium worker at a pro
baseball game in Tainan in late March.

The Tainan District Prosecutors Office says the suspect was attending a
Chinese Professional Baseball League game at the Asia-Pacific Baseball
Stadium on March 29th when a dispute arose over crowd management as
spectators exited the venue.

The prosecutors say the suspect has been indicted on charges of assault and
public humiliation through force, as the worker suffered verbal abuse and
sustained injuries in full view of bystanders.

Prosecutors are asking the court to apply the heavier assault charge in
sentencing.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-04 19:05:13

Britain's Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, announced that
they are expecting their third child.

Buckingham Palace says Eugenie, the younger daughter of the former Prince
Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, is set to give birth this summer.

The couple’s two sons August, 5, and Ernest, 2, are “very excited’’ to
welcome a new sibling to the family, and Britain's King Charles III is
“delighted’’ with the news, the palace said.

Charles is the older brother of the former prince, now known as Andrew
Mountbatten-Windsor, and Eugenie’s uncle.

Posted on 2026-05-04 18:22:13

The Ministry of Finance is reporting a sharp rise in the number of people
using mobile phones to file their individual income tax returns.

According to the ministry, more than 1.08 million returns had been completed
by this afternoon, on the first day of filing season — and about 65 percent
were filed via mobile devices.

That marks a significant jump from last year's average of 43 percent.

Officials say the figures reflect efforts to promote mobile filing, allowing
people to avoid long lines and complete the process from home.

The ministry also announced several changes this year, including a higher
basic living expense allowance, increased long-term care deductions, and
expanded eligibility to claim assisted reproduction expenses.

To encourage phone-based filing, the government is offering a nationwide
lottery, with a top prize of 50 thousand NT for those who file before the
June first deadline.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-04 18:22:13

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih says the Sanying MRT Line could begin service
as early as mid-year.

Hou said the line will be submitted for final inspection by the Ministry of
Transportation and Communications later this month.

If approved, trains could start running soon after.

Once operational, the line is expected to cut commute times from Sanxia and
Yingge to Taipei by nearly 20 minutes.

City officials say the project includes seven joint development sites along
the route, five of which have already been awarded.

Three are under construction, with two others applying for building permits.

The developments are expected to bring in around 14 thousand new residents.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-04 18:22:13

More Taiwanese traveled to Hong Kong in the first quarter compared with a
year earlier.

Figures from the Hong Kong Tourism Board show nearly 420 thousand visits —
up over 13 percent year-on-year.

About 214 thousand were overnight stays, making Taiwan the second-largest
source of visitors after China.

Officials say travelers are mainly drawn by events such as concerts, food,
and attractions like Disneyland.

Despite a recent rise in airline fuel surcharges, travel interest has dipped
slightly, though the impact has been limited, partly due to Hong Kong's close
proximity to Taiwan.

Authorities are also promoting seasonal events, including the Cheung Chau Bun
Festival in May and international dragon boat races in June.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-04 08:04:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says Taiwan is expanding its long-standing
medical cooperation with Eswatini, with future efforts to focus on digital
health and artificial intelligence applications.

Shih made the remarks on the sidelines of a health forum in Taipei as
President Lai Ching-te is continuing a state visit to Southern Afican
kingdom.

According to Shih, in recent years, cooperation has expanded to building
healthcare information systems similar to those used in Taiwan, covering
services from outpatient registration to treatment and medication management.

The health minister says the next phase will center on adopting Fast
Healthcare Interoperability Resources, an international standard for medical
records that could help Eswatini develop AI-assisted healthcare systems.

Posted on 2026-05-04 08:04:13

Experts say Taoyuan International Airport has strong potential to become a
major transfer hub between Southeast Asia and North America.

According to the data from the Institute of Transportation, the airport
handled 22.1-per cent of the 9.82-million passengers traveling from Southeast
Asia to nine destinations in North America directly connected to the airport.

That figure was second only to Incheon International Airport's 23.6-per cent
and ahead of rivals including Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports and Hong
Kong International Airport.

It's hoped that new routes to Europe and the U-S will boost Taoyuan
International Airport's transits capacity.

EVA Airways is set to launch direct flights to Washington, D.C., in July,
while Starlux will begin direct service to Prague in August.

Posted on 2026-05-04 08:04:13

C-P-C has once again opted to keep gasoline and diesel prices unchanged this
week as part of government efforts to ease the impact of rising international
crude oil prices amid continuing tensions in the Middle East.

It marks the fifth consecutive week that the state refiner has held fuel
prices steady.

The move means 92 octane unleaded remains at 32.4 N-T per liter, while the
price of premium diesel stays at 31 N-T a liter.

Since the US, Israel, Iran conflict broke out in late February, C-P-C has
absorbed an estimated 13.2-billion N-T in losses, as supports government
efforts to limit the impact of rising crude prices on consumers and
businesses.

Posted on 2026-05-04 08:04:13

And,

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says it is carrying out inspections on
all of its trains to ensure passenger safety.

The statement comes after a glass partition inside a train on the Bannan Line
cracked Sunday morning.

No injuries were reported.

The incident occurred on a train traveling westbound from Yongning to Dingpu
and a passenger reported the damage via the onboard intercom.

The metro operator says the affected train was taken out of service and
returned to the depot for inspection and repairs.

According to company, an initial review suggests the damage may have been
caused by temperature changes or long-term wear, which led to uneven stress
on the glass.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

President Lai Ching-te and Eswatini's King Mswati have reaffirmed diplomatic
ties.

Lai arriving in the African kingdom at the weekend... he was welcomed at the
airport by Eswatini's prime minister and foreign minister.

King Mswati later greeted Lai at the Mandvulo Grand Hall at Lozitha Royal
Palace with a military salute ceremony.

Lai and the king both mentioned the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations
between their countries this year during a bilateral meeting and a joint
communique released after that meeting stated that both sides will continue
to strengthen ties and trade relations.

Neither Taiwan nor Eswatini has disclosed how Lai traveled to the kingdom.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of an agreement on mutual
assistance in customs matters by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and
his Eswatini counterpart during the meeting.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

During his visit... President Lai Ching-te is said to have presented cattle
and Taiwan-themed cultural gifts to Eswatini's king.

Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo says Lai gave the king five cows to
the king and three to the queen mother, in line with local customs... where
cattle carry deep cultural significance.

Lai also presented several gifts highlighting Taiwan's cultural identity,
including a miniature model of a traditional fishing boat used by the Tao
people of Orchid Island, green tea from Luye Township, and porcelain
stackable tea cups inspired by Taipei 101.

Kuo says the gifts were chosen to convey Taiwan's blessings while showcasing
the country's Indigenous heritage and cultural creativity.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is defending its decision to announce
President Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini only after he arrived in the
country... saying the practice is not uncommon in international diplomacy.

It said out of consideration for both safety and diplomatic interactions...
announcing a head of state's visit to a country only after their arrival is a
"practice with many international precedents."

The ministry also said Lai's trip to Eswatini was conducted entirely in line
with international and Taiwanese law, and with diplomatic practices and
norms.

Lai announced his arrival in Eswatini in a social media post Saturday after
an earlier visit scheduled for April 22 was canceled due to reported
interference by China.

The government typically announces such trips before the president's
departure.

Lai reportedly traveled to the Kingdom on an Eswatini government jet that had
earlier brought Eswatini's deputy prime minister to Taiwan.

China's Foreign Ministry has accused Lai of "smuggling" himself out of Taiwan
on a "foreign plane" and warning that efforts to "collude with external
forces will not "change the fact that Taiwan is part of China."

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

participation

The government is slamming China after an annual digital rights conference
scheduled to be held in Zambia later this week was canceled at the last
minute following pressure from Beijing over Taiwan's presence.

The Cabinet's Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice said
China's suppression of public- and private-sector participation in RightsCon
2026 was another attempt to isolate Taiwan internationally.

The department says the cancellation means Taiwan's civil society has lost an
opportunity to engage with the international community on digital human
rights issues ...

It added the incident underscores the need for Taiwan to work more closely
with international civil society to strengthen digital and democratic
resilience, and safeguard the values of freedom, democracy.

The 14th edition of RightsCon had been scheduled to take place in Lusaka from
tomorrow through Friday.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

Police in Tainan have arrested an 83-year-old man after he set fire to a
relative's home, attacked three people with an axe, and stole an ambulance.

The city's Fire Bureau says the man attacked firefighters as they entered the
townhouse on Xinle Road in the city's South District.

Two emergency service personnel and one female resident of the building were
injured in the attack and taken to the National Cheng Kung University
Hospital for treatment.

The man ran out of the building and jumped into an empty ambulance before
fleeing the scene.

Police followed the stolen ambulance to the Yongkang District before pulling
it over and arresting the suspect.

Reports say the man was threatening police officers with the axe they
approached him, but was subdued with pepper spray and batons.

The suspect is in custody.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

And,

The Highway Bureau says events held near the soon-to-open Danjiang Bridge
this past long weekend holiday drew large crowds.

The "2026 Danjiang Bridge Together Arts Festival" was organized ahead of the
bridge's official opening to traffic on May 12.

A concert on Saturday and a picnic event on Sunday attracted a combined
attendance of more than 150,000.

Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai attended Sunday's event, where he spoke
with visitors and vendors and was briefed on preparations for the bridge's
opening ceremony on May 9.

Chen says the bridge is expected to improve traffi, and boost tourism between
New Taipei's Tamsui and Bali districts, as well as along the north coast
area.

The weekend events are part of the third week of celebrations marking the
completion of the bridge.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

Seven countries in the OPEC grouping of oil-producing countries — including
Saudi Arabia and Russia — say they’ve decided to a modest increase in
production starting in June as part of a commitment to “market stability.”

The commitment to raise production by 188,000 barrels per day comes after a
virtual meeting they held on Sunday.

The move is mostly symbolic because it comes as Iran blocks on the Strait of
Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where about a fifth of the world’s
trade in oil and natural gas typically passes in the midst of the
U.S.-Israeli war.

That blockage has knocked millions of barrels a day off the global market.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

Police in eastern Austria say a 39-year-old suspect has been arrested after
rat poison turned up in some HiPP baby food jars on supermarket shelves in
central Europe.

The company recalled some of its baby food in Austria, the Czech Republic and
Slovakia after the case came to light last month. It said in a statement
Saturday it was “greatly relieved” by the arrest.
Authorities said previously they believe the tampering occurred in 6.7-ounce
jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were
sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria.

They also say the suspect was being questioned, and that no further details
would be immediately provided.

Posted on 2026-05-04 07:01:13

The World Health Organization says that a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a
cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and sickened at
least three others.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday, the WHO said an
investigation was ongoing but that at least one case of hantavirus had been
confirmed.

One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the
U.N.’s health agency said, adding that it was working with authorities to
evacuate two other passengers with symptoms from the ship.

South African media reports said the outbreak happened on the MV Hondius
cruise ship while it was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde off the coast
of West Africa.

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