Prize laureates

Three scientists whose work helped transform immune cells into powerful
cancer treatments have been named recipients of the 2026 Tang Prize in
Biopharmaceutical Science.

Steven A. Rosenberg, Michel Sadelain and Carl H. June were recognized for
developing immunotherapies that use a patient's own immune cells to fight
cancer.

The Tang Prize committee says their work has revolutionized treatment for a
range of blood cancers and solid tumors.

In interviews ahead of the announcement, the three researchers highlighted
the importance of perseverance, unconventional thinking and a commitment to
helping patients.

They also described years of setbacks and skepticism before their therapies
eventually proved successful.

The Tang Prize is awarded every two years to honor major achievements in
fields including sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology
and the rule of law.

A Taiwan Creative Content Agency-organized pavilion will return to the Seoul
International Book Fair later this month, featuring 160 titles from 55
publishers.

Organizers say the event aims to build on the strong sales and publishing
rights deals generated when Taiwan served as the fair's guest of honor last
year.

TAICCA Chairperson Sue Wang says Taiwan's publishing industry is receiving
growing international recognition, pointing to the recent International
Booker Prize win for Taiwan Travelogue.

A number of Taiwanese authors will take part in events during the fair,
including Li Ang, Hu Mu-ching, Liglav A-wu and Lai Ma.

The Taipei Book Fair Foundation will also operate a separate pavilion focused
on cultural exchanges between Taiwan and South Korea.

The Seoul International Book Fair runs from June 24 through June 28.

In local sports news,

Houston Astros right-hander Teng Kai-wei (鄧愷威) and Detroit Tigers infielder
Lee Hao-yu (李灝宇) made Major League Baseball history yesterday by becoming the
first Taiwanese pitcher and batter to face each other in an MLB game.

The pair matched up twice, with Teng striking out Lee in their first
encounter before Lee responded with a base hit the second time.

Lee finished with two hits and the first stolen base of his Major League
career as Detroit defeated Houston 9-3.

Despite taking the loss, Teng recorded a career-high nine strikeouts and
became only the fourth Taiwanese pitcher to reach 100 career strikeouts in
the majors.

In international sports news,

Tennis stars Serena Williams and Venus Williams will reunite as a doubles
team at Wimbledon after receiving a wild card entry to the tournament.

The All England Club announced the invitation ahead of this year's
championships, which begin in less than two weeks.

The appearance comes after Serena Williams recently returned to competition
following a nearly four-year absence from professional tennis.

The sisters are one of the most successful doubles partnerships in tennis
history, winning 14 Grand Slam titles together, including six at Wimbledon.

Their most recent Wimbledon doubles title came 10 years ago.

The Legislative Yuan has approved amendments to the Waste Disposal Act that
significantly increase penalties for illegal dumping and other environmental
offenses.

Under the changes, offenders could face up to seven years in prison and fines
of up to $15 million NT.

The law also gives authorities new high-tech tools to track waste shipments
and crack down on illegal dumping.

Penalties can be increased further if violations occur in environmentally
sensitive areas.

The amendments also give authorities greater powers to freeze assets and
recover environmental cleanup costs from offenders.

Environmental officials say the changes are aimed at strengthening
enforcement, improving waste management and supporting the development of a
circular economy.

(IG)

The head of Taiwan's Intellectual Property Office says two companies
currently suing T-S-M-C for patent infringement appear to be so-called
'patent trolls'.

T-I-P-O Director General Liao Cheng-wei (廖承威) says the two Irish firms are
seeking licensing fees or settlement payments rather than producing products
based on the patents in question.

The companies have filed a complaint with the U-S International Trade
Commission, accusing T-S-M-C of using their patented technology in chip
production.

Liao says T-S-M-C is challenging the validity of the patents through the U-S
patent review process.

He also expressed confidence in the chipmaker's research capabilities and
intellectual property portfolio.

The case remains under review by U-S authorities.

(CNA_IG)

Seven protected sea turtles have been released back into the ocean in Penghu
as part of activities marking World Sea Turtle Day today.

The turtles, including one hawksbill and six green sea turtles, had
previously been rescued after suffering injuries or becoming stranded due to
rough weather or ill health.

Officials say the animals were treated and rehabilitated before being cleared
for release at Shili Beach.

More than 100 teachers and students joined local officials to watch the
turtles return to the sea despite rainy and windy weather.

The event also included educational activities aimed at promoting marine
conservation and protecting endangered wildlife.

Officials say Penghu has cared for nearly 700 protected sea turtles since
establishing its rescue center in 1997, with more than 400 successfully
returned to the wild.

(IG)

Cancer support groups in Taiwan are urging the government to include
psychological counseling under National Health Insurance coverage.

The Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance cited research by National Taiwan
University Hospital showing that people diagnosed with cancer face a
significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population,
particularly during the first three months after diagnosis.

Advocates say the findings highlight the need for stronger mental health
support throughout cancer treatment and recovery.

While government agencies and organizations such as the "Hope Foundation for
Cancer Care" and the "Formosa Cancer Foundation" already offer counseling
services ...

... the groups say many patients do not realize help is available when they
are coping with treatment decisions and the emotional impact of a diagnosis.

They add that limited capacity, travel distance, appointment procedures and
financial concerns can all make professional support more difficult to
obtain.

(IG)

Prosecutors in Chiayi have indicted four people in connection with the fatal
beating of a homeless man near Taiwan Railway's Chiayi Station during the
Lunar New Year holiday,

The victim and the four defendants were all homeless individuals who had been
sheltering in a nearby underpass, when an altercation involving money led to
two rounds of assault.

The victim was found around an hour later, having sustained fatal blunt force
trauma to the head causing severe brain injury.

Three defendants charged with causing death by assault and one facing the
lesser charge of assault.

(NS)

A car crash near Taipei Arena caused a temporary power outage in the
surrounding area earlier today.

Police say they received reports of the crash shortly before 11 a.m.

A man in his 70s was driving westbound on Section 4 of Nanjing East Road when
he apparently became unwell and lost control of his vehicle.

The car struck a power distribution box on the median strip, temporarily
cutting electricity to nearby residences.

Authorities say no injuries were reported.

Police have ruled out both drunk and drugged driving as factors in the crash.

Investigators are continuing to determine the cause of the crash and who was
responsible.

Iran's foreign minister says any end to the conflict with Israel should also
include an end to Israel's presence in southern Lebanon.

Iranian state media quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as telling foreign
diplomats that Israel's continued presence in the area would violate the
memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran.

However, details of the reported agreement have not yet been released
publicly.

A man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks in
London linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Authorities say the attacks were allegedly directed by a figure known only as
"El Money," who recruited the attacker online.

While the individual who carried out the attacks has been convicted,
investigators have not identified those behind the plot.

Security analysts say the case bears similarities to other suspected
Russian-backed sabotage operations in Europe.

However, officials say proving direct involvement by Moscow remains difficult.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is launching expanded services for seniors
living alone.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the program covers not only seniors
living entirely alone, but also those whose spouse living with them is also
aged 65 or above, those whose cohabitants are unable to provide care, and
those whose adult children do not live in the same county or city.

Shih says government outreach visits will be completed within two years, and
all identified individuals placed into one of four risk tiers receiving care
at different frequencies.

And services range from routine welfare check visits and meal delivery, to
emergency response device subsidies and functional assessments to connect
seniors with appropriate medical or social welfare resources.

The central government is investing $6.25 billion NT over the next two years
to expand services for elderly people living alone, as the island's
super-aged society brings a surge in older adults without nearby family
support.

(NS)

Taiwanese authorities have announced one of the country's largest drug busts
in recent years ... after seizing 280 kilograms of heroin and 354 kilograms
of ketamine.

The Investigation Bureau put the street value of those narcotics at 10.3
billion NT.

The bureau says the heroin seized exceeded the total amount confiscated over
the previous three years combined, making it one of the most significant
anti-drug busts.

It also says the operation, which took place in early December last year, was
a collaboration between Taiwan's law enforcement agencies and the U-S Drug
Enforcement Administration.

Taiwan's task force boarded the fishing vessel and seized the drugs hidden
under frozen fish, and arrested 10 fishermen onboard, including three
Taiwanese nationals and seven foreign crew members.

The bureau says the case highlights the importance of intelligence sharing
and international cooperation in combating drug trafficking.

(IG)

U.S. allies are proposing a naval mission to ensure safe navigation through
the Strait of Hormuz.

This follows an initial deal to end the Iran war.

The French-British-led plan includes removing explosive mines and possibly
providing military escorts for vessels.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he doesn’t see a need for much help but that
a ship or two might be welcome.

The proposed mission aims to reassure crews and insurers about the safety of
the waterway.

France's aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, is already in the region.

Allies have experience with escort missions, having previously defended ships
in the Red Sea.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has shaken part of central Indonesia and caused
scattered damage.

The strong shaking today sent people fleeing into open areas in and around
Palu, a city of about 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi
province.

Several hospitals evacuated patients outdoors as a safety measure.

Images from the area showed heavily damaged structures with partially
collapsed roofs, shattered walls and debris scattered across the streets.

Authorities were still gathering information on casualties.

KMT Chair Cheng Li Wen has returned from her trip to the US, and was mum upon
her arrival as to any takeaways from the trip.

When reporters asked the chair about the results of her over two-week-long
trip, Cheng just wished the crowd a good morning and thanked them.

Cheng and her delegation arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at just
past 5 this morning.

She departed for the US on the first of the month, visiting cities on both
the east and west coast.

(AH)

The Food and Drug Administration is confirming that a contaminated infant
formula in the US was not imported into Taiwan.

The product came under scrutiny after three cases of infant botulism were
reported in the US.

The US CDC found that all three affected infants had consumed the formula.

Taiwanese officials say that there are no import records for the product over
the past three years.

According to the U.S. FDA, the three illnesses began between April and May
2026.

Testing of the infant formula in question and related investigations remain
ongoing.

The winner of the 2026 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development says, the win is
both surreal and deeply humbling.

Susan Solomon remarked on past Tang Price winners, saying that they were
"amazing people that she enormously respects."

Early in her career, Solomon made the breakthrough that explained the
Antarctic ozone hole.

Her discovery paved the way for international action on climate change
through the Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting checmicals
and demonstrated that government, scientists, and the private sector could
work together to solve a crisis.

Solomon says, she hopes young people will draw strength from the world's
successes in solving environmental problems.

She urged young people to contemplate how they could benefit the Earth's
future.

Now turning to international news...

A key platform used by Cubans in the US to send remittances to relatives in
Cuba has ceased operations.

This comes as the US Trump administration sanctions aim to choke off
international support for Cuba's government and people.

Envioscuba.com announced that it has stopped taking orders.

The latest round of sanctions targets Cuba’s state-owned oil and gas company,
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and GAESA,...

a business conglomerate run by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba that
owns a wide range of businesses, from car rentals and retail stores to
transportation companies.

Increasingly, it's the most vulnerable who are being punished as Cubans
endure shortages of food and medicine, nearly constant blackouts and stifling
heat.

Many have received help from family and friends in the U.S., who send money
and packages from Miami containing appliances, food, and clothing, or
purchase products online for delivery in Cuba.

Ukraine has officially started European Union membership negotiations, a long
process that requires political reforms while facing a Russian invasion.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka attended a conference in
Luxembourg to begin aligning with EU laws and values.

Ukraine views EU membership as a security guarantee, while NATO membership
remains unlikely.

This comes as Moldova also launched its membership talks.

Countries hoping to join the EU must complete negotiations in 35 policy
areas, a process that can take years.

Some European countries want Ukraine to join quickly, but EU officials insist
on a merits-based process.

Taipei Metro is partnering with Pokémon GO to celebrate the game's tenth
anniversary and the upcoming "Pokémon GO Fest 2026".

The transit operator has transformed Xinzhongshan Linear Park into a
Pokémon-themed attraction that is now open to visitors.

A warm-up event is scheduled for June 28th at Taipei Arena Plaza, while the
main celebration will take place at Xinzhongshan on July 11th and 12th.

Visitors can complete event challenges, pick up commemorative gifts and take
photos with a giant Mewtwo display.

Taipei Metro will also begin selling a Mewtwo-themed EasyCard on July 11th.

Additional promotions and prize giveaways are planned throughout the event.

(IG)

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are reporting a
sharp increase in Ebola cases, with 72 new infections recorded in a single
day.

That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 782, including 181 deaths.

The outbreak was declared a month ago and is being complicated by weak
contact tracing efforts and funding shortages.

The World Health Organization and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention are expanding support for the response.

Health officials say the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the
Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine.

Ongoing conflict in Ituri Province is also hampering containment efforts as
large numbers of people continue to move around the region.

Kaohsiung City suspended work and classes in Taoyuan District this afternoon
due to ongoing heavy rain in the area.

Many districts have received over 120 millimeters of rainfall so far today.

Local officials say landslides and traffic disruptions have affected the
district's main access roads, raising concerns about public safety.

The Taoyuan District Office is warning that mountain roads remain at risk
from falling rocks, landslides and debris flows.

Residents are being urged to avoid hazardous roads, exercise caution while
traveling and monitor the latest disaster prevention information.

(IG)

Taipei police have arrested a man accused of organizing an illegal street
racing event on Yangmingshan.

Investigators say the gathering took place on the night of May 16th, when
dozens of modified motorcycles and vehicles met before heading into the
mountain area.

Police say officers later intercepted the group and identified more than 50
participants.

Authorities allege the 20-year-old suspect used social media to promote the
event and advertise a motorcycle modification business.

He has been referred to prosecutors on charges related to public endangerment.

Police say they will increase patrols and enforcement on roads around
Yangmingshan and other known gathering spots, particularly on Friday and
Saturday nights.

Capital Financial Group is expanding parental benefits for employees ... as
part of efforts to support families and address Taiwan's declining birth
rate.

The company says it is increasing paid maternity leave from eight weeks to 12
(weeks), with the change applying retroactively to employees whose children
were born on or after June 1.

Capital Financial is also extending childcare-related benefits to male
employees who take paternity leave or paternity checkup leave.

The company says the changes are intended to promote gender equality and
encourage fathers to take a more active role in raising children.

It says the expanded benefits are part of broader family-friendly workplace
policies that include flexible work arrangements and childcare support
programs.

(IG)

Israel's defense minister says Israeli forces will not withdraw from
territory seized in Lebanon.

The comments come as reports emerge that the United States and Iran have
reached a tentative peace deal aimed at ending their conflict and reopening
the Strait of Hormuz.

The deal, reportedly mediated by Pakistan, is expected to be signed in
Switzerland this Friday.

Reports say the deal includes measures to ensure shipping through the crucial
waterway and broader efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the region.

Iran has confirmed that an agreement has been reached, but says
implementation will not begin until the deal is formally signed.

The arrangement would also provide a 60-day window for further negotiations
on issues including Iran's nuclear program.

Some U-S lawmakers have already voiced concerns about the proposed agreement.

An HIV-positive man in Taichung has been indicted on charges including rape
resulting in serious bodily injury.

That's after he was linked to five women with HIV infetions.

The case came to light after a health bureau identified multiple HIV-positive
individuals linked to the same person during contact tracing.

Futher investigation uncovered suspected sexual offenses, prompting referrals
to authorities.

The man allegedly used religious rhetoric to deceive and exploit the women
involved.

Authorities note that concealing one's HIV-positive status and engaging in
unprotected sex resulting in the infection of others is punishable by up to
12 years in prison.

It's not clear if the suspect in this case knew he was HIV positive when he
allegedly assaulted the women.

The indicted man was indentified by local media as a school bus driver.

An Australian man won two events at the first ever Penghu Oceanman.

Thomas Gilbert won the 5 kilometer Half Oceanman race yesterday, after taking
the 10 kilometer win on Saturday as well.

In both races, swimmers started in the Guanyiting Recreation Area in Magong,
swam into the bay, and returned, covering different numbers of laps for their
respective distances.

1450 competitiors particiated in five events yesterday, four of which were
qualifying events for the international Oceanman World Final Championship in
November.

The annual competition, originally known as the Cross Penghu Bay Swim, was
upgraded to the two-day 2026 Penghu Oceanman this year.

A total of around 2,550 athletes from 23 countries, including Japan, the
United States, India, and Malaysia, competed in the waters of Penghu Bay
during the two-day event.

Now turning to international news...

Officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are reporting that
confirmed Ebola cases have increased to 782, with 181 deaths.

But the actual number is believed to be much higher, as the outbreak was only
confirmed weeks after it is believed to have begun.

The latest outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no
approved vaccine or treatment.

The current fatality rate of the outbreak is 23%, with 56 people having
recovered.

The outbreak is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, which
accounts for more than 90% of the cases.

Cases have also been recorded in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, and
have spread across the border to Uganda.

Nearly a million people have been displaced by conflict in Ituri, making
contact tracing difficult as people flee attacks or move frequently in the
vast province with dense forests, poor roads and remote villages that can
take days to reach.

The Kennedy Center is running out of options to keep President Donald Trump's
name on its facade.

A judge rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to
remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy
Center's operations.

Scaffolding was erected around a section of the building that includes
Trump's name ... but the Kennedy Center sought one more brief delay because
of thunderstorms that swept through Washington yesterday.

AP_JvW

directive

AI giant Anthropic says it has taken its latest AI models, known as Fable 5
and Mythos 5, offline.

This is to comply with a directive from the Trump administration to prevent
their use by foreign nationals.

The export controls mark the US government's most significant step to date to
restrict access to the most advanced AI models.

Anthropic released Fable widely this past week.

That model is a limited version of the more advanced Mythos, to which the
company has tightly limited access due to cybersecurity fears.

Anthropic said in a statement that it disagrees with the government's
handling of the matter.

It said the government didn't specify what the national security concerns
were.

Anthropic called it a "misunderstanding" and said it hopes to restore access
to the models "as soon as possible."

AP_JvW

Shares of SpaceX soared 19% in their Wall Street debut, making the rocket
maker's founder and CEO Elon Musk the first-ever trillionaire.

The shares debuted at a target price of $135 a share, opened at $150 ... and
finished the day slightly below $161.

That price gives the company a market value of around $2.1 trillion.

Forbes estimates that Musk, who is also a major shareholder in Tesla, is now
worth $1.1 trillion.

Musk says SpaceX is going public because it needs money to fund its ambitions
of putting satellites and data centers in space and eventually establishing a
colony on Mars.

The $75 billion in proceeds from the IPO tops the previous high of $26
billion for Saudi Aramco's IPO in 2019.

AP_JvW

Team USA opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a 4-1 victory over
Paraguay in Inglewood, California.

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the American team's three-goal first half.

The Americans raced to a 3-nil halftime lead .. and Gio Reyna ripped another
goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time ... to give the
Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.

The US scored only three goals combined in Qatar four years ago.

Earlier yesterday, Canada hosted Bosnia Herzegovina in Toronto, with that
game ending in a 1-1 tie.

It was the first World Cup game played on Canadian soil and Canada's
first-ever point in a World Cup tournament.

AP_JvW

President Donald Trump says a QUOTE "swift and lethal kinetic" US strike has
killed Hector Guerrero Flores, whom he called "the infamous leader" of the
Tren de Aragua gang.

The gang has been labeled by the United States as a terrorist organization.

In December Guerrero Flores was charged in absentia in a New York federal
court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending
support to terrorists in crimes that stretched back more than a decade.

The US State Department had offered rewards of up to $5 million for
information leading to his arrest.

AP_JvW