ICRT

Posted on 2026-10-24 13:07:13

The Central Weather Administration says a land warning for Typhoon Champi is
expected to be lifted this evening, as the storm moves away from Taiwan.

A CWA official says Champi is likely to weaken into a tropical storm this
afternoon, adding that the sea warning for the storm is expected to be lifted
tonight.

Rainfall brought by the storm will likely continue to ease. As of noon,
Champi was centered about 175 km northeast of Taipei, moving north at 20 kph.

The storm's radius has shrunk to around 220km, with maximum sustained winds
falling to 120km/h

As the typhoon weakens, the Taipei City Water Resources Office announced that
it would gradually open some evacuation gates and overpass ramps starting now
(at 1pm). Still, some bike paths along the riverways remain closed.

Meanwhile, office closures are in effect throughout northern and central
Taiwan, as well as in Yilan and Lianjiang County.

Posted on 2026-10-24 13:07:13

The US State Department says it will reduce staffing at four embassies in the
Middle East after receiving intelligence that Iran has stepped up efforts to
target American personnel in the region and elsewhere.

The reductions appear to be in the wake of a memo sent by the Director of
National Intelligence to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that detailed the
threat risk.

The staff reductions will be carried out at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon,
Qatar and the UAE.

US officials have adamantly denied the drawdowns are tied to any potential
new US or Israeli strikes on Iran.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-24 12:08:14

The Central Disaster Response Center says Typhoon Champi has led to one death
and 527 injuries so far.

Most of the injuries are minor, such as abrasions and contusions.

The death involved a person diving off Liuqiu Township in Pingtung County
yesterday despite sea warnings being in effect.

The CCDC said that as of 7:30 this morning, there were more than 6,500
general disaster reports ... with most of them reported in Taipei City,
Taichung City and Yunlin County.

Typical disaster reports involve fallen trees, downed power lines and fallen
advertising signs.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-24 12:08:14

The National Immigration Agency has cut its forecast for passenger traffic
over the Retrocession Day weekend.

It originally estimated peak passenger volume of 157,000 today, but due to
the typhoon, that will be only 114,000, with 59,000 arrivals and 55,000
departures.

Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says flights are gradually resuming
today, with 607 flights scheduled for arrival and departure by midnight.

A total of 261 flights have been cancelled, including 160 passenger flights.

Passengers are advised to check flight information on airline websites before
making their way to the airport.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-24 12:08:14

Trevor Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third to
wiggle out of a ninth-inning jam as the Milwaukee Brewers escaped with a 3-2
victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series.

DeLuca's strikeout came after Tampa Bay's Liam Hicks had hit into an apparent
game-ending double play that was overturned after a replay review.

The review determined Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt's right foot was
slightly off the bag when he caught a throw from second baseman Brice Turang.

Jacob Misiorowski allowed one run over five innings to earn the win.

AP_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-24 12:08:14

The 33rd edition of "ART TAIPEI" is set to open next week, showcasing
contemporary works from around the world.

"ART TAIPEI 2026" features 127 prominent galleries from six countries and
regions. This year's theme is "Symbiosis".

Organizers say participation from overseas galleries reached a new high this
year, led by 25 galleries from South Korea and 22 from Japan.

Curated sections feature emerging Taiwanese talent, indigenous contemporary
art, Hakka cultural narratives and special Japanese exhibitions.

"ART TAIPEI 2026" runs from October 30th to November 2nd, at Taipei World
Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1.

In addition, Taipei Art Week will run alongside the main fair from Oct. 24th
to Nov. 7th, bringing art into urban public spaces citywide.

Art lovers can explore public art, digital screenings, gallery weekend events
and dedicated shuttle routes across Taipei.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-24 11:08:13

Typhoon Champi is weakening, and it's starting to move away from from the
island.

The storm's sustained winds have fallen to around 125km/h at the center, with
gusts of up to 160km/h.

Champi's eye is located around 150km due east of Taipei at this hour, and the
storm's radius is around 250km.

Office closures are in effect throughout northern and central Taiwan, as well
as in Yilan and Lianjiang County.

Nevertheless, many businesses in northern Taiwan are planning to be open this
afternoon. Examples include Far Eastern's Xinyi A13, which will open at 1pm,
while Sogo and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi are planning to open stores at 2pm in
northern Taiwan ... and to operate normally in the center and south.

The Taipei Railway Administration says eastern and western trunk lines will
gradually regain normal operations starting at noon. There are exceptions, so
check the TRA website or customer hotline before you head out. The TRA
reminds customers that refunds are available for trains that were cancelled
due to the storm.

According to the Civil Aeronautics Administration, 145 domestic flights and
114 international flights have been cancelled today.

The Maritime and Port Bureau says six ferry routes affecting 84 voyages have
been cancelled.

Check airline and ferry websites for specifics.

Meanwhile, Taipower says that as of 9am, 56,600 customers were without
electricity. That's after nearly 290,000 *had* lost power, meaning 80 percent
had recovered power.

The most-affected area is Yilan County, which had nearly 16,000 customers
without power as of 9 o'clock. Nearly 13,000 were blacked out in New Taipei
City. Taoyuan followed far behind, with fewer than 4,500 households without
power -- down from 43,600 at the blackout's peak.

Posted on 2026-10-24 11:08:13

Two earthquakes measuring magnitude 5.0 and 4.8 struck off eastern Taiwan 10
minutes apart early this morning.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

According the the Central Weather Administration The first quake struck at
4:48am. Its epicenter was about 30 kilometers east-southeast of Hualien
County Hall, at a depth of 15 km.

The second earthquake was 10 minutes later within a kilometer of the first
... at a depth of 17 km.

In Kaohsiung, a magnitude 4 earthquake struck at 9:25 this morning. Its
epicenter was 76km northeast of Kaohsiung City Hall at a depth of 5km.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-24 09:03:13

For ICRT, this is Jacques van Wersch

Posted on 2026-10-23 20:54:13

Typhoon Champi has disrupted air and sea travel across Taiwan, forcing the
cancellation of nearly a thousand flights and dozens of ferry services.

The Civil Aviation Administration says 986 flights had been cancelled
nationwide as of 6 PM Friday ... including 262 domestic flights and 724
international and cross-strait services.

Of those, Taoyuan International Airport reported 563 cancellations as of 5
PM, including 523 passenger flights and 40 cargo flights.

Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Bureau says 98 ferry sailings across ten
routes were cancelled today ... with another 84 sailings across six routes
expected to be cancelled on Saturday.

Affected routes include services to Matsu, Kinmen, Xiaoliuqiu and Green
Island.

Authorities are urging travellers to check flight schedules before leaving
home, allow extra time for airport journeys and avoid unnecessary trips to
Taiwan's offshore islands.

--------

According to the CWA's latest typhoon update, Champi was located about 130
kilometers east of Yilan ... moving north-northeast at between 10 and 17
kilometers per hour.

The data also indicates the storm hasn't weakened or shrank all afternoon -
it's still packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour near
its centre with gusts of up to 191 kilometers per hour ... and has a radius
of 320 kilometers ... which is engulfing Taiwan.

Forecasters warm that the heaviest rain is expected from this evening through
Saturday morning.

They expect Champi will move away from Taiwan's main island by tomorrow
evening ... when weather conditions should hopefully ease.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-23 18:08:14

The Central Weather Administration says parts of 16 counties and cities could
meet the wind or rainfall criteria for suspending work and classes tomorrow
as Typhoon Champi moves north.

The agency's latest forecast shows strong winds affecting coastal areas of
northern and central Taiwan, as well as several offshore islands, between 6
AM Saturday and noon Saturday.

Under Taiwan's regulations, sustained winds of around 50 kilometers per hour
or gusts approaching 90 kilometers per hour can meet the threshold for work
and school suspensions.

Separately, seven counties and cities, including Taipei, New Taipei and
Taoyuan, could meet rainfall thresholds, particularly in mountainous areas.

However, the final decision on whether to suspend work and classes rests with
individual local governments - which we should be expecting later this
evening.

According to the CWA's latest typhoon update, Champi was located about 140
kilometers east-southeast of Yilan ... moving north-northeast at between six
and 15 kilometers per hour.

The data also indicates the storm hasn't weakened or shrank all afternoon -
it's still packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour near
its centre with gusts of up to 191 kilometers per hour ... and has a radius
of 320 kilometers.

Taiwan remains engulfed in the storm's bands ... with forecasters warning
that the heaviest rain is expected from this evening through Saturday
morning.

The CWA expects Champi's storm bands to move away from Taiwan's main island
by tomorrow evening.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-23 18:08:14

The Mainland Affairs Council is expressing condolences to China following a
deadly earthquake in Tibet ...

... while the Tourism Administration says it has received no reports of
Taiwanese tour groups being affected.

The magnitude-7 quake struck Nagqu in northern Tibet yesterday evening,
killing 16 people, injuring 65 and collapsing at least 300 homes.

Rescuers are searching the remote region amid concerns over further building
collapses and rockslides caused by aftershocks.

Low temperatures and difficult terrain are also complicating rescue efforts.

The MAC says Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation is trying to contact
Taiwanese nationals in the affected area.

A total of 164 Taiwanese nationals traveling in China, Hong Kong and Macau
were registered as being in Tibet.

Posted on 2026-10-23 18:08:14

Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, sold out in just five
minutes at Costco's Neihu store in Taipei today ... despite disruptions
caused by Typhoon Champi.

Costco says all 20 phones in its initial shipment were snapped up shortly
after going on sale.

The 256-gigabyte model is priced at just over 72-thousand NT at Costco.

The retailer says stock levels and available models vary between stores,
depending on Apple's deliveries.

Meanwhile, Apple and major telecom operators have announced that their stores
will close in areas where typhoon-related work and school suspensions are
declared.

Customers who have preordered the new phone can collect their purchases once
the stores re-open.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-23 18:08:14

Israel says it killed two gunmen and thwarted a “terror attack” against
Israeli civilians.

The Prime Minister's Office said it had instructed the army to close the West
Bank, where the attack occurred.

The deadly shooting comes as Israeli voters will decide next Tuesday whether
to grant Benjamin Netanyahu yet another term as prime minister — or usher in
a new era of Israeli politics.

Also, ahead of the elections, Arab political parties asked Israel’s supreme
court to ban election observers from carrying guns, and at least one person
has been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza.

Posted on 2026-10-23 18:08:14

Taiwan isn't the only country dealing with a storm right now ...

High winds knocked out power to thousands of people in southwest England as
the first of two major storms expected to hit the U-K this weekend swept in
from the Atlantic.

The U-K Met Office issued an amber warning for wind gusts up to 130 kph in
Cornwall and Devon as Storm Austen moved into the area early Friday.

Winds up to 100 kph are forecast across southern and central England
throughout the day as the storm moves eastward along the English Channel
coast.

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

Taipower says, power has been restored to 75% of households that have
experienced power outages due to Typhoon Champi.

That's as over 102,000 households have been affected by outages as of 4pm.

That leaves over 25,000 households still without power.

Most of those without power are in Changhua, Tainan, Yunlin, Taichung, and
Chiayi County.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation says, 75,000 passengers took their trains
in just three hours last night after school and work closure announcements
were made for today.

That's after social media users complained about big crowds and long waits
last night.

The surge in passengers is likely due to the bonus typhoon day on top of a 3
day weekend.

THSR says, they had a total of 280,000 passengers yesterday, which they note
is not particularly high...

however their data shows that over a quarter of those were all from 8 to
11pm.

THSR adds that they anticipated a surge in passengers, establishing a command
post at 3pm yesterday to conduct crowd control operations, and added extra
trains at 6:30.

They continued to add more trains and lengthen service throughout the
evening.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

defamation campaign

The DPP pick to run Hsinchu County says, he hopes an investigation into Wu Zi
Jia 吳子嘉 will uncover who's behind a defamation campaign.

Prosecutors yesterday searched the political commentator's home and office in
an apparent investigation into violations of the Public Officials Election
and Recall Act.

They previously detained another suspect in the same case, surnamed Peng,
while Wu was released after questioning.

Zhubei Mayor Cheng Chao-fang says, there is no tolerance for defamation and
illegally influencing elections...

adding that he hopes the investigation will reveal who's behind the deamation
campaign.

Cheng's lawyer says, they believe foreign nationals have been distributing
leaflets bearing Cheng's face and name with false information.

Peng is suspected of printing and handing out the leaflets.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

Taichung police discovered two children left in a car after they started
towing the vehicle earlier this week.

After witnesses alerted police to the kids' presence, they were let out of
the car and their parents notified.

Their parents have been turned over to social services, while the police's
violation has also been dealt with internally.

The car apparently had a sun shade up when authorities arrived, so police
couldn't immediately see the kids inside.

The kids were unharmed.

However, authorities remind parents to never leave their kids in the car
unattended.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

Now turning to international news...

Israeli has ordered its military to prepare for a full closure of the West
Bank.

That's after a shooting earlier in the day, in which Israeli soldiers shot
and killed two men who launched an attack and claimed to have thwarted a
terror attack,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has instructed security
forces to immediately block off the city of Hebron and prepare to fully close
all of the West Bank.

The Israeli government is continuing to warn of potential attacks by
"enemies" ahead of elections next week.

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

South Korea is proposing military talks with North Korea to resolve border
disputes and prevent accidental clashes.

That's after recent landmine blasts injured three South Korean soldiers.

North Korea has yet to respond to the invitation, but leader Kim Jong Un has
suspended most dialogue with Seoul.

This comes as North Korea has been adding fortifications to the already
heavily armed border.

The South Korean military reports that North Korean soldiers crossed the
border's military demarcation lines 50 times this year.

The South previously made a similar proposal last year, which was ignored.

Tensions have risen since the mine blasts, with South Korean believes were
due to North Korean mines.

Posted on 2026-10-23 17:07:13

Japanese author Ryu Murakami has died at the age of 74.

Nikkei Asia reports that Murakami, best known for his Akutagawa Prize winning
debut novel Almost Transparent Blue, passed away last week, but the
announcement was only made today.

Murakami was given a private family funeral.

His debut novel, written while he was a student at Musashino Art University,
became a major bestseller after winning the prestigious literary prize in
1976.

He went on to write a string of popular works, including "Coin Locker
Babies," "69" and "From the Fatherland, with Love."

Posted on 2026-10-23 16:09:13

The Central Emergency Operations Center says, one person has been killed by
extreme weather related to Typhoon Champi...

while 94 are injured.

Officials say, most of those were injured in traffic accidents, most notably
motorcyclists who were blown over by strong winds.

The number of injured increased by 52 since last night, with 30 of those
being motorcyclists.

Another 10 people were hit by flying debris, like billboards,

The deceased was diving off of Pingtung's Xiaoliuqiu yesterday morning, while
both sea and land warnings for Champi were in effect.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 16:09:13

The Central Weather Administration says, some areas are likely to get 400
milimeters of rain today thanks to Typhoon Champi.

Residents of mountainous areas of Yilan, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu
County, and Miaoli should be on alert for particularly heavy rainfall.

Forecasters expect the total rainfall in some of those areas to get up to 900
milimeters from yesterday through tomorrow.

So far today, Yilan has been hardest hit by the rain, with some areas
exceeding 400 milimeters of rain.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 16:09:13

Now turning to international news...

The Japanese government is calling for social media platforms to take
measures to curb disinformation during elections.

Nikkei Asia reports that the government has released draft guidelines that
would include steps like temporarily suspending systems that allow users to
make money based on views.

But the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications says that specific
measures will be up to the social media companies themselves to decide.

Officials also said that there will be no penalties or sanctions for failing
to comply.

That's in order to preserve what they called "freedom of expression."

The guidelines will apply to 13 companies and individuals, including Google
and the owner of LINE.

Posted on 2026-10-23 15:08:13

from 3 PM Due to Typhoon

New Taipei Metro says three of its lines are now suspending service ... as
Typhoon Champi brings strong winds to northern Taiwan.

Those affected lines include the Danhai and Ankeng light rail lines, along
with the Sanying Line ... as wind gusts are forecast to reach force 9 to 12
on the Beaufort scale.

The Circular Line will continue operating, with trains running every 15
minutes.

Meanwhile, the Danjiang Bridge is also now closed due to the threat of strong
winds near the Tamsui River estuary.

Drivers travelling between Tamsui and Bali are being advised to use Guandu
Bridge instead.

Authorities are also monitoring several expressways in northern Taiwan ...
and may impose traffic restrictions if necessary.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-23 15:08:13

Those planning to travel by air or sea today are being advised to check for
the latest service updates before travelling ...

... as Typhoon Champi is disrupts air and sea travel across Taiwan.

As of this morning ... the Civil Aviation Administration reports that over
260 domestic and over 700 international flights have been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Bureau says 96 ferry services have been
cancelled across ten routes.

Affected services include ferries between Keelung and Matsu, Kaohsiung and
Penghu, and Donggang and Xiaoliuqiu.

While some services between Kinmen and China have also been cancelled.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-23 15:08:13

day off

The Taitung County government is defending its decision to call off work and
school for today this morning.

Last night, Taitung was the only municipality on the main island to not have
made the announcement to suspend work and classes for the day...

with the county government ultimately making the call early this morning.

Some residents had complained that the announcement was made as they were
already on their way to work.

The county government then said that the call was made after the Central
Weather Administration updated its data this morning to show stronger winds
influencing the county for the entire day.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 15:08:13

A stronghold of the Israeli ruling party may see its political loyalties
tested ahead of elections next week.

It's not clear if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party will be
able to hold onto electorates that may have been swayed by Israel's actions
in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Kiryat Shmona is Israel's largest commercial center in the far north, near
the border with Lebanon, and has long support Likud.

But the city was previously evacuated for over a year.

Netanyahu has twice invaded neighboring Lebanon since 2023, killing more than
4000 Lebanese people.

Israel has occupied a swath of southern Lebanon, displacing about 1 million
people.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah responded with strikes.

Some voters believe Netanyahu has failed to bring "security" to the north and
dismantle Hezbollah.

It's not likely that Kiryat Shmona will totally turn against Netanyahu, but
even a small dip in support could give Netanyahu's opponent an edge.

Posted on 2026-10-23 14:07:14

weekend

President Lai Ching-te is urging the public to stay away from mountainous and
oceanside areas when possible...

due to the risk of flooding, landslides, and dangerous waves.

Lai has also called on the public to cooperate with mandatory evacuations and
other directions from officials.

Lai made the comments this morning when he headed to the central response
center.

The president also called on local governments to prioritize the elderly and
disabled when undertaking preventative evacuations.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 14:07:14

The 33rd edition of "ART TAIPEI" is set to open next week, showcasing
contemporary works from around the world.

"ART TAIPEI 2026" features 127 prominent galleries from six countries and
regions, and this year's theme centers around "Symbiosis".

Organizers say participation from overseas galleries reached a new high this
year, led by 25 South Korean galleries and 22 Japanese art spaces.

Curated sections also feature emerging Taiwanese talent, Indigenous
contemporary art, Hakka cultural narratives, and special Japanese
exhibitions.

"ART TAIPEI 2026" runs from October 30th to November 2nd, at Taipei World
Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1.

In addition, Taipei Art Week will run alongside the main fair from Oct. 24th
to Nov. 7th, bringing art into urban public spaces citywide.

Art lovers can explore public art, digital screenings, gallery weekend
events, and dedicated shuttle routes across Taipei.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-23 14:07:14

police

Now turning to international news...

Research from a tank tank shows that police in India's most populous state
disproportionately kill Muslims.

An Associated Press investigation finds that police in Uattar Pradesh have
also shot hundreds of suspects in near-identical encounters that often target
Muslims accused of cow smuggling.

Police claim the shootings are part of a crackdown on crime and call them
defensive in nature

But activists, judges, and opposition politicians say that the violence is
extrajudicial punishment and intimidation that disproportionately targets
India's Muslim minority.

Human rights advocates say, police choose to injure or kill a person instead
of investigating.

This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist
government claim to be promoting a "zero tolerance" policy againsst
criminals.

Posted on 2026-10-23 13:07:13

The Central Weather Administration says, Typhoon Champi will bring the
heaviest rain to Taiwan this evening into tomorrow morning.

Land and sea warnings remain in effect across Taiwan, with classes and work
off for most of the country, with the exception of Kinmen.

As of this morning, Champi was centered 320 kilometers north-northeast of
Eluanbi.

Experts say that the storm's outer bands are entering eastern Taiwan,
Pingtung, Kaohsiung, and Nantou as it continues its trek northwest.

Forecasters expect the entire main island of Taiwan to be engulfed by the
storm this afternoon.

Forecasters are also warning of particularly heavy rain in the north and
northeast.

They're warning residents of the mountainous regions of Yilan to be on guard
for extremely torrential rain and potential landslides.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 13:07:13

Nearly 3000 households in Yunlin are currently without power after strong
winds knocked over power lines in Mailiao and Taixi.

Taipower says, it's working to restore service to the affected areas.

The Yunlin County government says, they're experiencing sustained winds
measuring force 8 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts of up to force 11.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 13:07:13

New Taipei City is preventatively evacuating nearly 1400 people due to
landslides risks in mountainous regions of the city.

Mayor Hou You Yi says, the evacuations are still underway in Yingge, Xindian,
Pingxi, and Shulin.

That's as some areas of New Taipei are facing sustained winds of up to force
10 on the Beaufort scale.

Hou called on workers to make sure that electricity poles and lines are
stable in order to avoid accidents.

He also urged workers to prepare water pumping equipment before the worst of
the typhoon hits northern Taiwan.

Mountainous areas of New Taipei are currently under torrential rain
advisories, while the rest of the city can expect extremely heavy rain.

That warning is in place through this evening.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-23 13:07:13

Now turning to international news...

At least 16 people have died following a magnitude 7 earthquake in Tibet.

Another 54 people were injured.

The quake also brought down hundreds of homes in the city of Nagqu, with
search and rescue efforts ongoing, and more than 1600 local rescuers
deploying.

Local media says that this earthquake is the biggest in the area in five
years.

US experts recorded at least 7 aftershocks with magnitudes up to 5.2.

Communication infrastructure is down in some areas, with railways also
halting trains in the region.

Posted on 2026-10-23 13:07:13

years

Nikkei Asia is reporting that detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi
has spoken with her son for the first time in years.

Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since the military ousted her elected
government and arrested civilian leaders in Feburary 2021.

Suu Kyi's son, Kim Aris, said he had spoken with his mother yesterday.

He had previously only received occasional, second-hand updates about his 81
year old mother.

Aris said that hearing her voice means more "than words can express."

Burmese officials says that Aris spoke with his mother on the phone through
Myanmar's embassy in London.

Posted on 2026-10-23 08:08:13

peace

Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh says more than half of
respondents to a recent survey believe the Chinese Communist Party is
undermining peace across the Taiwan Strait.

According to Liang, the survey found that 52.3-per cent of respondents blamed
the C-C-P, up from 47.4-per cent in May, while 28.5-per cent said both Taiwan
and the C-C-P were responsible, down from 33.3-per cent.

Liang is attributing the changes to increased activity by Chinese coast
guard, research and maritime militia vessels in waters east of Taiwan over
the past five months.

Posted on 2026-10-23 08:08:13

The Ministry of Transport is proposing bringing online ride-hailing platforms
under the same regulatory framework as taxi service operators.

Under draft amendments to the Regulations Governing Approval for Taxi
Passenger Transport Service Operators, ride-hailing platforms would be
required to obtain an operating license within one year of the rules taking
effect.

According to the transport ministry, operators that fail to obtain approval
could be fined up to 25-million N-T, depending on the severity of the
violation, and ordered to cease operations.

The amendments have been put forward as app-based taxi booking has become a
mainstream mode of transportation.

The ministry says that has prompted calls for clearer oversight of platform
operators while giving taxi drivers greater flexibility in accepting ride
requests.

Posted on 2026-10-23 08:08:13

And finally,

This evening's Game 5 of the Chinese Professional Baseball League Taiwan
Series has been postponed due to Typhoon Champi.

It has been rescheduled for tomorrow at the Taipei Dome and will begin at
5PM.

The Dragons are leading the best-of-seven championship series 3-1, after the
Brothers' cut the deficit on Wednesday by winning their first game of the
series.

The Dragons can claim the championship title if they win tomorrow's Game 5,
while the Brothers need to win all the remaining three games to become the
first team ever to win the Taiwan Series after trailing 3-0.

Game 6, if needed, has been rescheduled for Sunday, while Game 7, if needed,
has been rescheduled for Monday.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

The impending arrival of Typhoon Champi has shut schools and offices across
much of Taiwan today... except for the outlying island of Kinmen...

A land warning covers all of the areas....

The storm is currently located 340-kilometers east of Eluanbi at the island's
southernmost tip and is moving in a north-northwesterly direction at speeds
of between 9 and 20-kilometers-an-hour.

Champi now has a radius of 320-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 155-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 191-kilometers-an-hour.

The Central Weather Administration says Typhoon Champi is expected to move
slowly today and tomorrow and could move erratically as it approaches Taiwan.

The storm's center is currently forecast to come within 80-kilometers of
Taiwan at its closest point from late this evening into early tomorrow
morning, and there is the possibilty it could still make landfall.

The heaviest rain is expected through today, while northern parts of the
island will continue to see widespread showers tomorrow, with local heavy
rain and torrential rain possible.

The storm circle is expected to move away from Taiwan proper by tomorrow
evening.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

Typhoon Champi has impacted rail and flight services...

The Taiwan Railway Corporation has suspended all express train services on
its western and eastern trunk lines today, while commuter services will
operate flexibly depending on the weather conditions.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail is operating normally.

However, High Speed Rail services could be effected during the day depending
on weather conditions.

The Taoyuan Metro Corporation has suspended all express train and in-town
check-in and baggage-handling services today, but commuter trains will
continue to operate at 15-minute intervals.

Reduced services are operating today on the Taipei and New Taipei MRT, and
the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says services and elevated tracks could
be suspended depending on the weather conditions.

The Taichung M-R-T is operating on a reduced service, as are both the
Kaohsing M-R-T and the Kaohsing Line Rail system.

China Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan have canceled or rescheduled flights to
and from Okinawa.

Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air have partially canceled domestic flights
connecting Taiwan proper to Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

People booked on flights today, regardless of the airline, are being advised
to check with their carriers before heading to the airport.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen says China's election
interference is now focused on specific groups and audiences.

Tsai says Beijing is mobilizing airlines to offer discounted tickets to
select Taiwan citizens living in China to return home to vote in the November
local elections for candidates it backs.

Tsai also says China is believed to be providing illicit funding to
candidates and political groups it supports.

Tsai said the N-S-B and other intelligence agencies are actively
investigating suspected interference cases and have identified several key
tactics used by China.

Tsai said those tactics include spreading disinformation and controversial
content, operating illegal betting pools, and hacking specific targets to
steal election-related intelligence for targeted interference.

The National Security Bureau Director-General said his agency is collecting
evidence of suspected election interference and hopes to hand it over to
judicial authorities for investigation before the November 28 ballot.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

Tai-Power says rising natural gas prices amid Middle East tensions are
forecast to increase its fuel costs by more than 160-billion N-T this year.

Tai-Power executives issued the warning as they briefed reporters on the
company's financial situation.

Tai-Power is calling for support for the Cabinet's proposed 71-billion N-T
supplemental budget to help the company cover its growing losses...which it
attributes to high fuel costs and below-cost electricity rates.

That supplemental budget is still pending legislative review.

Tai-Power says since the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February,
natural gas prices for the power sector have increased by more than 70-per
cent - a figure that added 71-billion N-T to its fuel costs from March
through August.

The higher fuel costs are expected to add 70-billion N-T to the company's
accumulated losses this year, bringing them to 420-billion N-T.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

The Cabinet has approved draft tax incentives for the Taiwan Individual
Savings Account program.

Taiwan Individual Savings Account are government-backed, long-term savings
accounts launched in July 2025 to help people prepare for retirement.

Under provisions approved by the Cabinet, taxpayers could deduct up to 24,000
N-T a year per person from their gross consolidated income for program
contributions made for themselves, their spouses and their dependent minor
children.

The draft incentives also state that to support retirement planning,
withdrawals by account holders aged 60 or older, or by those who have held an
account for at least 30 years, will be tax-exempt.

The proposed incentives were jointly developed by the Financial Supervisory
Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

The Financial Supervisory Commission says it hopes the provisions will pass
the Legislature next year and take effect in 2028.

Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says more than 270,000 of the accounts had
been opened since the program's launch.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

Eleven union officials at U-S memory chipmaker Micron Technology's Taoyuan
operations are holding a 24-hour "strike."

The union officials say the action is protest over the company's of failure
to offer a concrete profit-sharing proposal.

The Taoyuan union announced the limited industrial action on Monday in
solidarity with its Taichung counterpart, which had been scheduled to hold
mediation talks with Micron yesterday.

However, Micron and the Taichung union announced on Wednesday that they had
signed a labor-management agreement and canceled Thursday's mediation
meeting.

Micron's Taoyuan facility union Chairman Jerry Lin has criticized Micron, the
Ministry of Labor and the Central Taiwan Science Park Bureau for excluding
the Taoyuan union from the negotiations.

Lin says the two unions had jointly formulated four demands, but Taoyuan
union representatives and their views "were not adequately included in the
negotiations," resulting in an agreement being reached solely with the
Taichung union.

At the center of the dispute is Micron's Incentive Pay Plan, which the union
says lacks transparency.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

A magnitude 7 earthquake has struck China's Tibet region, killing at least 16
people and injuring 32.

The quake hit Thursday evening, collapsing hundreds of homes in the northern
city of Nagqu.

Local officials report that 11 of the injured are in serious condition.

Rescue teams are building tents for those displaced.

China's broadcaster called the quake the biggest in the region in 5 eyars.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was 191 kilometers
east-northeast of Nagqu.

The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the depth at 10 kilometers.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

Russia has launched a nighttime missile barrage on Kyiv while its military
says it intercepted more than 800 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and other
Russian cities.

The attacks dampen hopes for peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin
has agreed “in principle” to resume negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S.
but no date is set.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday reported deadly attacks
across 12 regions with Kyiv enduring significant damage.

Ukraine is bracing for winter as Russia targets its power grid.

A U.S. lawmaker said he had opened an inquiry into Ukraine's loss of critical
access to the Pentagon's Starshield satellite communications service and the
resulting degrading of Kyiv's ability to defend itself against Russian
attacks.

Posted on 2026-10-23 06:54:13

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the first
Ebola patients confirmed in Kenya and Nigeria might have crossed paths at an
airport in Uganda.

Health authorities are racing to trace and slow the outbreak, which has
spread to multiple African countries.
Both patients are known to have traveled through Entebbe International
Airport on October 3.

Nigeria announced its first case on Tuesday, saying the patient had traveled
from Uganda. Kenya has recorded nine cases so far, all linked to a traveler
from Congo.

The Ebola outbreak has become Africa’s most geographically widespread in
history.

Posted on 2026-10-22 20:13:13

The Central Weather Administration says Typhoon Champi has weakened from a
strong typhoon to a moderate one ... but it still poses a threat to Taiwan
... and isn't ruling out the possibility of the storm making landfall.

The CWA's land warning covers pretty much the whole of Taiwan Proper ... as
well as Green Island and Orchid Island ...with a sea warning remaining in
effect for offshore areas around the main island.

The storm's outer circulation is expected to affect the entire island from
tomorrow morning until Saturday evening.

Forecasters say the eye of the typhoon could come within 80 kilometers of
Taiwan's coast, with its closest approach expected late tomorrow night into
early Saturday morning.

Heavy rain is forecast across northern and northeastern Taiwan on Friday,
with some mountainous areas facing the risk of extremely heavy rainfall.

Waves could also exceed 10 meters in some areas through Saturday morning,
while strong coastal winds are expected to intensify.

The weather agency says the storm's effects should gradually ease early hours
on Sunday.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-22 20:13:13

Micron's Taoyuan union has launched a 24-hour strike over a lack of progress
on profit-sharing, criticizing a separate agreement reached with the
company's Taichung union.

Eleven union officials began the action Thursday morning, accusing Micron and
government officials of excluding Taoyuan representatives from negotiations.

The union is demanding a long-term profit-sharing system that would
distribute 15 percent of the company's operating profits to employees,
arguing that its existing bonus plan lacks transparency.

Micron Taiwan Chairman Donghui Lu says the agreement with the Taichung union
introduces a new quarterly profit-sharing bonus, alongside salary
adjustments, higher shift allowances and additional paid leave.

The Taoyuan union says its four demands remain unchanged and warns that more
workers could join future industrial action.

Negotiations between Micron and the Taoyuan union were scheduled to resume
tomorrow ... with the Ministry of Labor saying it will continue helping both
sides reach an agreement.

Posted on 2026-10-22 20:13:13

The 2026 Citizens' Sports Games in Taoyuan wrapped up today ...

... with Keelung City taking home 12 medals, including seven golds.

All seven gold medals came in dragon and lion dance, where Keelung swept the
titles in seven events, including traditional routines, speed and obstacle
courses.

Keelung also secured two silver medals, one in powerlifting and another in
dancesport.

Powerlifter Yu Yao-wei (游曜維) took silver in the men's 59-to-66-kilogram
category, lifting a combined 640 kilograms.

The city's three bronze medals came in bodybuilding, ballroom dancing and
men's canoe polo.

The Games officially opened last Saturday, although some competitions began
earlier, with athletes from across Taiwan competing in 32 sports.

Posted on 2026-10-22 19:07:13

Traffic restrictions could affect the Suhua Highway, Danjiang Bridge and
other major routes as Typhoon Champi approaches.

The Highway Bureau says restrictions will depend on weather conditions and
conditions on the ground.

Other roads being monitored include the northern coastal highway, the
Northern Cross-Island Highway and mountain routes in Hualien.

Meanwhile, the Danjiang Bridge's pedestrian and bicycle paths have already
been closed as a precaution against strong winds.

The bureau urges motorists to avoid unnecessary mountain travel because heavy
rain can trigger landslides and falling rocks.

Drivers should check road conditions before leaving and allow for changes to
their plans.

(PB)

------

Parts of southern Taiwan have already called a typhoon day for tomorrow --

Those are:

Chiayi County, Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung.

As for other parts of Taiwan, we're expecting more updates within the hour.

Posted on 2026-10-22 19:07:14

Taoyuan International Airport says it expects around 755-thousand passenger
trips during the five-day travel period for Taiwan's Retrocession Day long
weekend ... up 3.3 percent from last year.

The airport company says the period runs from October 23rd to 27th, with an
average of 151-thousand passengers a day.

Passenger traffic is expected to peak on Saturday (24), with around
157-thousand travelers, while another 155-thousand are expected on Monday
(26th).

The airport says passenger numbers passed 40 million on October 13th,
reaching the milestone 23 days earlier than last year.

It now expects annual passenger traffic to reach 50 million for the first
time, surpassing the previous record set in 2019.

However, with Strong Typhoon Champi approaching Taiwan, travelers are advised
to check their flight status for possible delays or cancellations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-22 19:07:14

Government agencies, schools and businesses are being urged to update
software that powers their websites after two critical security flaws were
found.

The Administration for Cyber Security says the flaws affect PHP, a
programming language used by platforms including WordPress.

They could allow attackers to run malicious code on affected servers without
logging in.

Both vulnerabilities have severity ratings of nine-point-two out of ten.

Emergency updates were released yesterday.

The agency says organizations should check all systems using PHP, including
software that may use it behind the scenes.

After installing updates, administrators should check system logs for
suspicious activity and review account security if anything unusual appears.

PHP's developers say updating is the only complete solution.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 19:07:14

Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) says salaries for school safety
personnel are too low ... and should be closer to 50-thousand NT a month.

Cheng made the remarks at the Legislative Yuan today, saying he willl discuss
possible pay increases with local governments.

The comments come as the government rolls out a three-year program to
increase the number of safety personnel at junior high schools from 620 to
2-thousand.

Cheng also says school safety personnel can receive overtime pay, as they
often work long hours and help with school activities on weekends.

Under the current plan, monthly salaries range from 36-thousand to
47-thousand NT, depending on experience.

The program aims to improve campus safety, strengthen drug prevention efforts
and allow teachers to focus on teaching.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-22 19:07:14

Women have taken to the streets in Poland to demand access to free and legal
abortion services, as the country maintains some of Europe's strictest
abortion laws.

Poland's parliament passed measures this week aimed at ensuring hospitals
provide abortions in the limited circumstances where the procedure is legal.

However, protest organizers have dismissed the measures as largely symbolic,
arguing that the country's conservative president is likely to veto them.

Abortions remain common in Poland, but most take place outside the formal
healthcare system, often using pills obtained from other countries.

Posted on 2026-10-22 18:14:13

The Central Weather Administration has further expanded its land warning for
Typhoon Champi to cover almost the entirety of Taiwan Proper ...

... with the exception northern areas of New Taipei City and Keelung.

The latest data from the CWA shows that Champi is located around 450
kilometers east of Cape Eluanbi ... moving north-northwest at 18 kilometers
per hour.

Champi is packing maximum sustained wints of 173 kilometers per hour near its
centre with gusts of 209 kilometers per hour ... with a radius of around 320
kilometers.

The storm is expected to bring torrential rain and strong winds across Taiwan
through Saturday as it gradually moves north.

Northern and northeastern Taiwan face the risk of red level torrential rain
with purple-level extremelly torrential rain possible in mountainous areas.

In fact, some mountain areas could receive up to 900 millimeters of rain over
the next three days.

The storm is expected to move away from Taiwan over the weekend, but
authorities are urging the public to stay away from beaches, creeks and
mountainous areas, even after the typhoon passes, due to the risk of flooding
and landslides.

Posted on 2026-10-22 18:14:13

The Ministry of Labor says employers who require staff to work during a
typhoon day must help cover their transportation costs ... including taxi
fares when necessary.

The reminder comes as Typhoon Champi approaches Taiwan, bringing the threat
of strong winds and heavy rain.

The ministry says workers can stay home when their local government announces
a work suspension ... and employers cannot treat their absence as
unauthorized leave or force them to use personal leave.

If employees are required to work and their usual way of commuting isn't
possible, employers should help arrange transportation and pay for necessary
taxi rides.

The ministry is also urging employers to suspend dangerous outdoor work and
take precautions at construction sites.

It warns that employers who fail to provide necessary safety measures could
face fines if workers are injured.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-22 18:14:13

Apple says customers who pre-ordered the iPhone Duo won't lose their chance
to collect their phones if Super Typhoon Champi forces stores to close
tomorrow.

The new smartphone is scheduled to go on sale tomorrow, but Apple's two
official stores in Taipei will close if the city declares a typhoon day.

Apple says customers with pickup appointments for Friday will be notified and
can collect their phones at any time after the stores reopen.

The two stores are located at Taipei 101 and the Xinyi A13 shopping mall.

The announcement comes as the storm continues to approach Taiwan ... with
local governments in northern Taiwan preparing to announce whether work and
classes will be suspended on Friday.

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih said that New Taipei, Taipei, Keelung and
Taoyuan will make a joint announcement by eight this evening.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-22 18:14:13

Taipower is warning that its accumulated losses could exceed 420-billion NT
by the end of this year ... unless it receives additional government funding.

The state-run power company says the Middle East war has driven up energy
costs, with its annual fuel bill projected to rise by more than 160-billion
NT if gas prices remain unchanged.

Taipower lost over 20-billion NT in the first eight months of this year,
while its accumulated losses stand at over 371-billion NT.

The Cabinet has proposed allocating an additional 71-billion NT to help cover
the losses.

But Taipower says that would still leave a gap of more than 80-billion NT
against the projected rise in fuel costs.

The company says it has absorbed higher energy costs to help keep electricity
prices stable, while its debt has reached 1.85-trillion NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-22 18:14:13

Rescuers are searching for a man who went missing while swimming off
Xiaoliuqiu near noon today.

Police say the visitor, surnamed Lin, may have been swept offshore by a rip
current at Meiren Beach.

Lin, who is from New Taipei, was visiting the island with a female friend.

He went into the water alone, and his friend called for help after seeing him
in trouble from the shore.

Police, firefighters and Coast Guard personnel responded, and a search of the
surrounding waters is continuing.

According to the latest report, rescuers have yet to find him.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 17:08:13

The Central Weather Administration has expanded a land warning for Typhoon
Champi to include Taichung, Nantou, Kaohsiung, and all of Pingtung.

That's in addition to Taitung, Hualien, and Yilan, where a land warning was
issued this morning.

The land warning is expected to expand to cover the entire main island of
Taiwan as early as this evening.

A sea warning also remains in place around much of Taiwan.

As of this afternoon, the center of the storm was located 490 kilometers
east-southeast of Eluanbi, moving at 21 kilometers per hour.

（ＡＨ）

Posted on 2026-10-22 17:08:13

Kinmen Magistrate Chen Fu Hai says he is against the Taipei mayor's proposal
to relocate the Songshan Airport.

Chen, of the TPP, says that such a move would have huge implication for
residents of Taiwan's outlying islands.

The magistrate added that, from the perspective of Kinmen residents or those
of any other outlying island, moving the airport should certainly be opposed.

Chen made the comments after councilor Dong Sen Bao董森堡 raised concerns that a
move would have negative effects for outlying island residents seeking urgent
medical care in Taipei.

Chen went so far as to say that Chiang Wan-an's suggestion to move the
airport was "entirely lacking supporting measures."

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-22 17:08:13

investigation

A candidate running to represent Taoyuan's Highland Indigenous Peoples in the
city council has posted bail in a vote-buying investigation.

Zhang Cang Hao 張倉豪 is accused of courting voters with free meals by buying 3
banquet tables valued at 5000 NT each for constituents...

in what prosecutors believe to be a violation of the Public Officials
Election and Recall Act.

Zhang, of the KMT, also allegedly encouraged voters to support him while at
the dinner.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-22 17:08:13

Puma Shen's campaign team has put out a second round of their promotional
"Soon Daily..."

which is a pamphlet through which Shen aims to push his signature policy
proposals.

The second edition of the booklet, called Shun Bao in Mandarin, will focus on
issues pertaining to children.

Shen and campaign manager Wu Si Yao headed to the Nanjing Fuxing Station
today to hand out copies of the pamphlet...

with supporters lining up early to get their copies.

Shen says he was inspired by the Sharp Daily, a now-defunct free newspaper by
Apple Daily's Jimmy Lai that was distributed around transit hubs as well.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-22 17:08:13

Women in Poland are protesting in support of access to free and legal
abortion services.

Polish abortion laws are among the most conservative in Europe.

Lawmakers passed measures this week aimed at forcing hospitals to treat women
in the limited situations where abortions are legal.

But protest organizers dismiss the measures as token gestures, as the liberal
prime minister knows the measures will be vetoed by the conservative
president.

Abortions remain common in Poland, but most of them are carried out
illegally, by women at home, using pills bought outside Poland.

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:55:14

Land warnings for Typhoon Champi could expand to most of western Taiwan this
afternoon.

The Central Weather Administration says the warning could eventually cover
the entire main island, along with Penghu and Matsu.

For now, it covers Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and the Hengchun Peninsula.

Forecasters expect the storm's expanding wind field to reach eastern Taiwan
or the Hengchun Peninsula early tomorrow.

They also say landfall in Yilan or northern Hualien remains possible, and the
storm could slow or stall near Taiwan.

Rain will intensify tonight, with northern and Yilan mountain areas facing
particularly heavy rainfall tomorrow into early Saturday.

Coastal areas face powerful gusts and dangerous waves, with rain expected to
ease gradually from Saturday afternoon.

Hualien County's Fengbin Township (豐濱鄉) has suspended work and classes from
one this afternoon.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:55:14

Typhoon Champi is continuing to disrupt transportation across Taiwan, with
several ferry services canceled across the country.

Some of those canceled services include the Keelung to Mazu service, as well
as between Nangan and Beigan to China's Fujian have been cancelled for the
day.

Other affected services are Kinmen to Japan's Ishii, Gaoxiong to Mazu,
Japan's Fukuoka to Green and Orchid Islands.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications reminds the public to be
aware of the latest developments before heading to the port.

Meanwhile Kinmen officials have announced that services to several Chinese
cities have been canceled today as well.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:55:14

The National Security Bureau says, it has gathered information on gang
members suspected to be part of a Beijing-facilitated attack on a comedian.

NSB Chair Tsai Ming-yan says, the attack was coordinated by the CCP in an act
of transnational repression.

Tsai adds that the attack on comedian Huang Yi Hao, who has been critical of
Chinese President Xi Jinping, is a grave invasion of Taiwan's democracy and
civil society.

The NSB chair pointed out that the five suspects all likely have ties to gang
activity, and their names have been turned over to law enforcement
authorities.

Tsai also says that law enforcement will be more stringent in dealing with
the relevant gangs in the future.

The suspects are believed to have accepted 450,000 NT to injure Huang so
grotesquely that he would not be able to perform.

Proescutors are seeking a heavy sentence.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:55:14

Taiwan shares are sharply down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 846
points to close the session at 46041.

The turnover was 879.2 billion NT

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:55:14

In related news,

Russian banking, e-commerce, geolocation, and ride-hailing services have
suffered disruptions due to Ukrainian drone attacks on data centers.

This month alone, Ukraine hit three main data centers belonging to a tech
giant, one belonging to Russia's biggest bank, and one for a social media
platform.

The businesses have not been particularly transparent about the extent of
damage to their facilities, but people across Russia have reported widespread
interruptions to cloud services.

The fallout even affected Russia's judicial system, reportedly forcing
arbitration courts to cancel or postpone sessions, and cutting database
access.

Experts say, repairing the damage could take months, if not years...

while others say Moscow's aim to become a leader in AI development could be
significantly impacted.

Russia has also previously attacked Ukrainian power grids and other key
infrastructure as a means of weakening morale and resistance.

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:49:14

Premier Cho Jung-tai is urging local governments to complete precautionary
evacuations before nightfall as Typhoon Champi approaches.

The Central Emergency Operation Center has raised its activation to Level One
following this morning's sea and land warnings.

Cho says priority areas include communities at risk of landslides, isolation
or flooding near the Wanli River barrier lake.

He has directed officials to prepare supplies and shelter arrangements before
strong winds and heavy rain make evacuations more dangerous.

Authorities are also being asked to tighten coastal safety controls.

With a three-day holiday approaching, organizers of outdoor events, concerts
and campaign rallies are being urged to consider postponements or
cancellations.

Transport officials have been told to prepare alternative travel arrangements
and promptly announce disruptions.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:49:14

Tomorrow's Golden Bell Awards ceremony for television programs could be
postponed to Sunday because of Typhoon Champi.

Organizer Sanlih (三立) Entertainment Television announced yesterday that the
change would take effect if Taipei suspends work and classes tomorrow.

The drama awards remain scheduled for Saturday, also subject to the city's
closure decision.

Both ceremonies are set to take place at the Taipei Music Center.

If they go ahead, the red-carpet events will move inside the performance hall
and be closed to public spectators.

Organizers say the measures are intended to protect nominees, staff and the
public from strong winds and rain.

People without ceremony tickets are being asked not to visit the venue.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:49:14

Moody's has raised TSMC's credit rating, citing its lead in advanced
chipmaking, strong finances and demand for artificial intelligence chips.

The agency assesses how likely companies and governments are to repay their
debts.

It upgraded TSMC one notch, from Aa3 to Aa2, and changed its outlook from
positive to stable.

The new rating is the third highest that Moody's can give.

Moody's expects TSMC to maintain its market leadership and strong financial
position over the next two to three years.

It forecasts annual revenue growth of 30 to 45 percent over the next 12 to 18
months.

However, Moody's says another upgrade is unlikely soon, given the company's
heavy investment needs and the concentration of its manufacturing in Taiwan.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:49:14

NATO says it will send more patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the
Black Sea following deadly attacks on commercial ships.

The attacks near Romania and Bulgaria, both NATO members, have raised fears
that the war in Ukraine could spread.

Allied countries are also sending specialists to examine explosives used in
the attacks.

Russia is suspected of involvement, but NATO has not formally identified who
was responsible. Moscow denies involvement.

The attacks threaten an important shipping route for Ukraine's grain exports.

Romania's defense ministry also says its fighter jets shot down two attack
drones over Romanian waters last Saturday.

The incidents are increasing pressure on NATO to protect shipping and
strengthen defenses along its eastern flank.

Posted on 2026-10-22 14:49:14

French President Emmanuel Macron has called claims blaming Muslim migrants
for France's recent riots "unacceptable" and "stupid."

His criticism included U.S. President Donald Trump, who has blamed migrants
without providing evidence and urged France to close its borders.

Macron accused foreign leaders of using the unrest for political gain.

He also said images generated by artificial intelligence were spreading false
accounts of events in France.

The violence followed protests over rising living costs and students'
concerns about conditions in schools.

More demonstrations are planned for today and Saturday.

Paris police have banned today's planned protest in the capital, citing
public safety concerns.

The government says a major security operation will be in place Saturday to
prevent further violence.

Posted on 2026-10-22 13:35:13

Typhoon Champi has already begun interrupting transportation services in
Penghu, with flights between the Penghu Islands and the Taiwan main island
called off since 11 today.

That's as passengers crowded the airport, attempting to make it back to
Taiwan ahead of Champi's arrival...

Parts of Penghu are seeing wind gusts reaching force 11 on the Beaufort
Scale.

Local officials say, those waiting for a flight will be assigned a seat as
soon as possible once flights resume.

A total of 33 flights from Penghu were cancelled today.

Meanwhile maritime services are also suspended.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-22 13:35:13

The Ministry of Education says etomidate has become the second most common
drug encountered by students, behind ketamine.

The drug is found in vape cartridges commonly known as "zombie vapes."

Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) says it overtook cannabis and
amphetamines in 2024.

He warns that some products feature cartoon designs or resemble USB devices
and bubble tea, making the risks harder to recognize.

The ministry says drug-prevention lessons reached more than 50-thousand
classes last year, and over 48-thousand through September this year.

The lessons focus on recognizing suspicious products and refusing drugs.

The ministry is also considering saliva tests to help schools identify
possible drug use earlier.

Cheng says it is working with police on joint procurement, with
implementation awaiting legislative changes.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 13:35:13

More than 1.4 billion N.T. in income tax refunds are scheduled for October 30.

The second round of refunds for the 2025 tax year covers nearly 83-thousand
cases, and about 96 percent will be paid directly into designated bank
accounts.

The Central Area taxation bureau says taxpayers who left out their bank
details have been sent direct-deposit consent forms.

Recipients should sign or stamp the forms and return them by the deadline
listed.

Without account details, refunds cannot be deposited directly.

A third round of refunds is scheduled for January 20 next year.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-22 13:35:13

Oil prices rose this morning after the United States ordered nonessential
diplomats and family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating attacks.

Brent crude climbed about one percent to just over 110 U.S. dollars a barrel
in early trading.

U.S. crude also gained about one percent, reaching just over 98 dollars.

The departure order follows a series of attacks involving Yemen's Iran-backed
Houthi rebels.

Reports say that an airport attack in Dammam killed one person and wounded
eight, while a drone attack on a Saudi oilfield killed two.

The violence has raised concerns about regional oil supplies and shipping.

A larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories also supported prices.

Posted on 2026-10-22 13:35:13

The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to
resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States next month.

The announcement followed his meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St.
Petersburg yesterday.

Witkoff said there was a basis for a ceasefire and urged Putin to restart
three-way negotiations.

Putin thanked President Donald Trump for his efforts to end the war and
expressed interest in restoring economic ties with Washington.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he supports renewed talks and
hopes they begin as soon as possible.

The proposed negotiations would be the first since February.

Posted on 2026-10-22 13:35:13

Nigeria has become the fifth country to record a case linked to the Ebola
outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The World Health Organization says a woman with recent travel to Uganda
tested positive in Abuja on Tuesday.

The outbreak has killed more than 4-thousand-600 people in Congo, where over
9-thousand-600 cases have been confirmed.

Kenya has reported nine cases.

Uganda and France also recorded infections earlier in the outbreak, but
neither currently has active cases.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved
vaccine or specific treatment.

The WHO is urging countries across the region to strengthen surveillance and
prepare to respond quickly.

Posted on 2026-10-22 08:26:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Central Weather Administration has issued a sea warning for Typhoon
Champi.

The sea warning currently covers the Bashi Channel and off-shore areas in
northern, northeastern and southern Taiwan.

A land warning is expected to issued this afternoon at the earliest.

The governments in New Taipei, Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan have said they
make a joint announcement concerning any work and school suspensions at
around 8 o'clock this evening.

According to the weather administration Typhoon Champi is currently located
some 610-kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi at the island's southernmost
tip and is moving in a northwesterly direction at between 13 and
16-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm still has a radius of 280-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 184-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 227-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration's forecast center says Typhoon Champi is expected
to weaken as it turns northward due to unfavorable environmental conditions.

However, the storm will still have the greatest effect on Taiwan tomorrow and
on Saturday.

Rain is forecast islandwide tomorrow, with heavy or extremely heavy rain
possible in the north and east into Saturday.

Champi is expected to move away from Taiwan on Saturday and head toward
Japan's Kyushu region.

The weather administration says the typhoon warnings could be lifted as early
as Saturday afternoon, but localized showers are still possible in areas
north of Taoyuan, the east and the Hengchun Peninsula until Monday.

Posted on 2026-10-22 08:26:13

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says his agency
has not yet to discussed funding for C-P-C's planned investment in an Alaska
liquefied natural gas project.

According to Chen Shu-tzu, her agency has not been consulted, as negotiations
on the project are ongoing.

Speaking at a legislative hearing, Chen told lawmakers that whether funding
will come through the annual budget or a special budget will depend on
C-P-C's financial structure.

She also denied that a proposed 233.8-billion N-T capital injection into the
state refiner was aimed at financing the Alaska deal.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced last week that C-P-C planned to
invest up to 4.4-billion U-S dollars in the project and purchase 6 million
metric tons of L-N-G annually once production begins.

The ministry said deliveries could start as early as 2032 if the project's
development proceeds on schedule.

Economics minister Kung Ming-hsin has said the Alaska partnership will
diversify Taiwan's L-N-G supplies and strengthen energy security, as direct
shipments across the Pacific will provide an alternative supply route that
could help reduce geopolitical risks.

Posted on 2026-10-22 08:26:13

The The Taitung District Prosecutors' Office has released former Taitung
County magistrate Wu Chun-li on bail of 5-million N-T and ordered him to wear
an electronic monitor.

Wu was granted bail by the Taitung District Court after prosecutors had
requested his detention as part of an investigation in allegations that an
agricultural road-widening project unlawfully benefited a project linked to
Wu's family's interests.

Prosecutors had requested his detention citing concerns he could collude with
other suspects in the case to falsify testimony and is considered a flight
risk.

The investigation began in May after independent Taitung County Councilor Lin
Tsan-tien alleged the county government had used public funds to build a road
serving a resort complex.

The agricultural road was supposed to be three meters wide, but was allegedly
widened to more than nine meters, and state-owned land was also involved in
the project.

Prosecutors have not say when the road-widening project occurred, but reports
indicateit happened sometime in the past two to three years.

Several other individuals have already been detained in connection with the
case and they include the director of the county government’s department of
agriculture; a section chief in charge of the road widening project; and an
employee at the resort complex.

Posted on 2026-10-22 08:26:13

Finally in sports news and last night's Chinese Professional Baseball League
Taiwan Series ...

.. where the C-T-B-C Brothers beat the Wei Chuan Dragons 5-4 in Game 4 at the
Taipei Dome and avoid a Taiwan Series sweep.

The result means the Brothers have cut the deficit to 3-1 in the
best-of-seven championship series.

Chan Tzu-hsien starred for the Brothers - after hitting a two-out, walk-off
single in the 11th inning.

Chan's first hit in five at-bats earned him the game's M-V-P award.

The Dragons can claim the championship if they win Friday's Game 5, while the
Brothers need to win all the remaining three games to become the first team
ever to win the Taiwan Series after trailing 3-0.

Game 5 begins at 6:30 Friday evening at the Taipei Dome.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:50:13

New Taipei District Prosecutor have indicted five people for allegedly
staging a traffic accident that injured comedian Huang Yi-hao.

The five suspects in Taiwan are accused of accepting NT$450,000 ($13,900) to
“break Huang's arms and legs”,
The five were said to have been paid by a Chinese national... whose
background remains under investigation.

Prosecutors are describing the case as alleged Chinese cross-border
repression intended to silence opposing political views.

The charges of attempted aggravated assault were filed by the New Taipei
District prosecutors office.

Huang was hit by a car carrying two people as he was riding his scooter home
in New Taipei's Yonghe District on September 11.

The accident was believed to have been staged to prevent Huang from
performing at the Comedy Club on September 20....

The suspects reportedly told prosecutors the Chinese national was upset by
Huang's performances mocking leader Xi Jinping.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:50:13

The Fair Trade Commission has rejected Grab Holdings' proposal to acquire
Foodpanda's Taiwan operations for 600-million U-S dollars, citing Grab's ties
with Uber.

The commission says there is concern those links could undermine competition
in Taiwan's food delivery market.

F-T-C Commissioner Shin Chih-chung says three commissioners voted to block
the deal and one favored conditional approval, while a fifth commissioner
recused.

Shin said Uber's C-E-O had previously served on Grab's board, and the two
companies have maintained close business ties in other markets, have
overlapping board membership and history of business cooperation.

The F-T-C commissioner stressed that the F-T-C believes that such ties could
reduce Grab's incentive and ability to compete with Uber Eats in Taiwan.

Grab has said it is disappointed with the decision.

It also said the move will prevent the company from introducing "innovative
services, reasonable earning opportunities and improved service standards"
for consumers, delivery workers and merchants in Taiwan as planned.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:50:16

Construction work at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's Fab 22 site in
Kaohsiung has been suspended after a workplace accident that left four
workers dead.

The accident occured on Tuesday.

The four workers reportedly fell from an unspecified height when a steel
structure collapsed during a hoisting and installation operation.

The Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau says a preliminary assessment shows
the accident could have been caused by old bolts that broke, but the exact
cause of the accident remains investigation.

TSMC said steel structure work at the Kaohsiung site and its new fab
construction sites across Taiwan had been voluntarily suspended.

The bureau says work can only resume after the contractor responsible submits
an improvement plan that passes review.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:50:16

And,

The Highway Bureau says the Danjiang Bridge will begin featuring themed
lighting shows on October 31.

Rotating festival-themed light displays will be featured from 6PM to 8PM on
weekends, while weekday shows during the same hours will feature colors
representing the four seasons.

The bureau says the festival-themed displays use flowing patterns and
changing colors on tube-shaped lights to create different atmospheres.

The themes will include National Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's
Day, Christmas, Lunar New Year's Eve, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Dragon
Boat Festival.

The bridge's lighting will revert to its regular autumn theme after 8PM.

Under the bridge's regular lighting schedule, the seasonal displays are
switched on at sunset, with spring colors shown from March to May, summer
from June to August, autumn from September to November, and winter from
December through February of the following year.

The Highway Bureau is urging drivers not to watch the light displays while
driving to avoid accidents.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:50:16

Hungarian police have taken former Central Bank governor György Matolcsy into
custody.

He's being detained on suspicion of economic fraud and using a forged
private document.

It's a significant step in the new government's pursuit of suspected
financial abuses during former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's reign.

Hungary's Central Prosecutor's Office said it is conducting coordinated
investigations in several locations... related to a Central Bank
investigation into criminal misappropriation of funds.

The current heads of the Central Bank filed a criminal complaint last month,
suspecting embezzlement, negligence, fraud, and abuse of office.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:50:16

The US State Department has ordered some diplomats and family members to
depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and plans to withdraw family
members from a number of other US missions in the region.

The orders come amid attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen on civilian
targets in the country.

Washington had returned some diplomatic personnel to the region in recent
months after many were pulled out when Tehran launched attacks on US
facilities after the US-Israeli war on Iran began in late February.

This comes as ...

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation says an attack on King
‌Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday evening killed one
resident and injured eight others....

and as Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry says debris from an intercepted drone
has killed two people and injured two others at an Aramco-operated oil field
in the country’s southeast.

The attacks have intensified as renewed fighting between the Houthis and
Saudi-backed government forces has broken a four-year truce.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:49:13

Micron Technology has reached a labor agreement with its Taichung union, but
a separate dispute with workers in Taoyuan remains unresolved.

The U-S memory chipmaker and the Taichung union announced Wednesday that they
had signed an agreement following negotiations, but did not disclose details.

Meanwhile, Micron's Taoyuan union is still planning a one-day strike on
Thursday in support of its Taichung counterparts.

The unions are demanding a long-term profit-sharing system that would
distribute 15 percent of the company's operating profits to employees.

They have also criticized Micron's existing incentive pay plan for lacking
transparency.

The Taoyuan union says the planned strike does not mean negotiations are over
and is urging management to propose a profit-sharing plan acceptable to its
members.

Posted on 2026-10-22 06:49:13

The Taipei City Police Department announced plans to ensure smooth traffic
ahead of the Retrocession Day holiday weekend.

The department says officers will be stationed early at 4 p.m. on Friday,
Oct. 23rd, across 100 major intersections, including Zhongshan North and
Zhongxiao West roads.

Remaining designated intersections across the city will see traffic control
personnel deployed starting at 4:30 p.m.

Police will also step up patrols around major sightseeing spots, including
Yangmingshan, Taipei Zoo, and Shilin Official Residence.

The department advises citizens traveling to tourist spots or shopping areas
to use public transit or shuttles.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-21 20:07:13

Micron Technology has reached a labor agreement with its Taichung union, but
a separate dispute with workers in Taoyuan remains unresolved.

The U-S memory chipmaker and the Taichung union announced Wednesday that they
had signed an agreement following negotiations, but did not disclose details.

Meanwhile, Micron's Taoyuan union is still planning a one-day strike on
Thursday in support of its Taichung counterparts.

The unions are demanding a long-term profit-sharing system that would
distribute 15 percent of the company's operating profits to employees.

They have also criticized Micron's existing incentive pay plan for lacking
transparency.

The Taoyuan union says the planned strike does not mean negotiations are over
and is urging management to propose a profit-sharing plan acceptable to its
members.

Posted on 2026-10-21 20:07:13

The Taipei City Police Department announced plans to ensure smooth traffic
ahead of the Retrocession Day holiday weekend.

The department says officers will be stationed early at 4 p.m. on Friday,
Oct. 23rd, across 100 major intersections, including Zhongshan North and
Zhongxiao West roads.

Remaining designated intersections across the city will see traffic control
personnel deployed starting at 4:30 p.m.

Police will also step up patrols around major sightseeing spots, including
Yangmingshan, Taipei Zoo, and Shilin Official Residence.

The department advises citizens traveling to tourist spots or shopping areas
to use public transit or shuttles.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-21 19:06:13

remains undecided.

Funding for the CPC Corporation's planned investment in an Alaska natural gas
project remains undecided.

Budget chief Chen Shu-tzu (陳淑姿) says negotiations are continuing, and
financing will depend on the state-owned company's financial structure.

The state-owned refiner plans to buy six million metric tons of liquefied
natural gas a year and invest up to 4.4 billion U.S. dollars in the project.

Deliveries could begin as early as 2032, if development stays on schedule.

Chen says a separate proposal to inject 233.8 billion N.T. into CPC is not
intended to fund the Alaska investment.

That support is aimed at easing financial pressure from absorbing higher
energy costs to keep domestic prices stable.

She warns that failing to approve the supplementary budget could hamper CPC's
borrowing and threaten oil supplies.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-21 19:06:13

The Army has postponed a public tour of its Chengkungling military base in
Taichung by one week because of approaching Super Typhoon Champi.

The event, originally scheduled for this Saturday, will now take place on
October 31st, from 8 AM to 3 PM.

The tour is open to Taiwanese nationals and their foreign spouses, as well as
foreign caregivers accompanying the people they look after. Foreign
participants must present valid identification.

The Army has apologized for the change and encouraged the public to attend to
learn more about the military and national defense.

The Central Weather Administration said that Champi is likely to skirt Taiwan
between Friday and Saturday if it stays on its current track.

Posted on 2026-10-21 19:06:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has officiated a mass wedding ceremony for 66
couples ... aboard a flight to Okinawa, Japan.

Lu accompanied the newlyweds on a special flight yesterday, as part of a
visit aimed at strengthening ties between Taichung and the Japanese
prefecture.

After arriving in Okinawa, Lu and her delegation met with senior vice
governor Mi-ya-gi Tsu-gu-yo-shi to discuss cooperation in tourism, smart
cities, sports and education.

Lu says frequent direct flights between Taichung and Okinawa, which take just
90 minutes, have helped bring the two places closer together.

She says the city chose Okinawa as the destination for what it calls Taiwan's
first-ever mass wedding ceremony held aboard an aircraft.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-21 19:06:13

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to four
other countries ...

... reaching three regions of Africa and beyond the continent for the first
time.

Nigeria became the latest country affected on Tuesday, after the outbreak was
first declared in eastern Congo in mid-May.

The disease remains active in Congo, Nigeria and Kenya.

France and Uganda have declared their outbreaks over.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no
approved vaccine or specific drug treatment.

Authorities report at least 4,600 deaths among 9,500 people infected in Congo.

Posted on 2026-10-21 19:06:13

French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected U-S President Donald Trump's
claims that Muslim migrants are responsible for unrest in France, calling the
allegations 'completely false'.

Trump and leading Republicans have highlighted the protests ahead of U-S
midterm elections, blaming immigrants for the violence.

France has seen demonstrations over the rising cost of living and student
grievances about underfunded schools.

French authorities have not linked the unrest to Muslim migrants, and the
exact makeup of the protesters remains unclear.

Posted on 2026-10-21 18:18:13

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih says northern Taiwan will announce any work
and school suspensions due to Super Typhoon Champi at 8 PM tomorrow.

Hou says New Taipei, Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan will make the announcement
together ... as the approaching storm could bring winds and rain strong
enough to meet suspension criteria.

Forecasters expect Champi to hit Taiwan hardest from Friday afternoon through
early Saturday.

Coastal areas could see powerful gusts, while mountainous districts face the
risk of heavy to extremely heavy rain.

Waves could also reach six to nine meters high.

The city government says storm preparations are complete, and several outdoor
events scheduled for Friday and Saturday have been postponed.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-21 18:18:13

The Fair Trade Commission has blocked Grab's planned takeover of Foodpanda's
Taiwan operations ... over concerns it could reduce competition in the food
delivery market.

The commission says Uber Eats and Foodpanda currently dominate the market,
and Grab would replace Foodpanda as Uber Eats' main competitor.

However, Uber owns about 13 percent of Grab ... raising concerns that the two
companies would have less incentive to compete on prices and promotions.

Regulators also point to their history of business cooperation, warning that
it could make it easier for the companies to coordinate their activities
rather than compete.

The commission says safeguards proposed by the companies, including limits on
shareholdings and information sharing, wouldn't be enough to address those
concerns.

It concluded that the potential harm to competition outweighs the economic
benefits of the deal.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-21 18:18:13

Travelers on Taiwan Railway will soon be able to book tickets through the
company's official mobile app as late as five minutes before their train
departs.

The change takes effect November 10th.

Currently, passengers must book through the app at least 30 minutes before
departure ... or buy tickets at station counters or ticket machines if
they're traveling at shorter notice.

Taiwan Railway says the change will make it easier for passengers to book and
collect tickets on their phones, even when they're in a hurry.

The company says the new five-minute cutoff will apply to both ticket
bookings and mobile ticket collection on the day of travel.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-21 18:18:13

Taoyuan International Airport has climbed to ninth place worldwide for air
cargo traffic ... after handling 2.5 million metric tons of cargo last year.

According to Airports Council International, cargo volume rose 10.1 percent
in 2025, lifting the airport from tenth to ninth place in the global
rankings.

To meet growing demand, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says it's
developing new operating rules for its planned cargo terminal area, aimed at
speeding up shipments and improving coordination among logistics companies.

The plans include expanding cargo handling capacity, upgrading warehouses and
introducing digital systems to make operations more efficient.

The new procedures will be tested in stages before being fully introduced.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-21 18:18:13

Taichung has delivered its best-ever performance in traditional dragon boat
racing at the Citizens' Sports Games .... bagging four gold medals and one
bronze.

Hualien County finished second with two golds and two silvers, while Taipei,
New Taipei and host city Taoyuan also picked up medals.

The three-day competition wrapped up yesterday at Longtan Lake, with teams
from 11 cities and counties taking part.

Athletes competed in 100- and 200-meter sprints, as well as a
2-thousand-meter race around the lake.

Meanwhile, in beach wrestling, Taichung also topped the gold medal standings
... winning five ... while New Taipei collected the most medals overall, with
19.

In bodybuilding, New Taipei also took home the most medals, with ten ...
while Taipei led the gold medal standings, with five.

And in aerobic gymnastics, which made its debut at this year's games, host
city Taoyuan swept all six gold medals.

The 2026 Citizens' Sports Games in Taoyuan wraps up tomorrow.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-21 17:08:13

Taiwan's semiconductor industry used a record amount of electricity in
September ... topping 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours for the first time.

The Taiwan Research Institute says electricity consumption jumped 11.55
percent from a year earlier, driven by booming demand for artificial
intelligence.

The institute expects the industry's electricity use to exceed 50 billion
kilowatt-hours for the full year.

It says growing demand for advanced chips, AI servers and high-performance
computing is keeping Taiwan's high-tech factories busy.

Meanwhile, electricity consumption among major industrial users rose 1.76
percent in September ... with the institute's electricity-based economic
indicator flashing red for the 18th straight month, signaling strong
industrial activity.

However, traditional industries such as chemicals and textiles continue to
struggle with weak demand and sluggish production.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-10-21 17:08:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An faced renewed questioning this morning over his
proposal to relocate the Songshan Airport...

with a city councilor asking when Chiang began the planning for the move.

Qin Hui Zhu, of the KMT, noted today that, when Chiang first made the
announcement that he planned to move the airport nearly two weeks ago, it was
the first time many people had heard such a suggestion.

The mayor responded, saying that the Department of Urban Development had had
the plan in the works for some time...

with the urban development head saying that planning began under the Ke Wen
Zhe administration.

Qin then interjected, telling the two not to be "long-winded" as her
interpellation time is limited.

She then asked a third time about when the planning began on the project,
even telling the mayor to "just pass" if he could not produce an answer.

Qin says, she believes the plan is hasty and incomplete, and questioned
whether Chiang would continue pushing it regardless of if he wins reelection
or not.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-21 17:08:13

allegations

A candidate for borough chief in Taichung's East District has been detained
in a vote-buying investigation.

The candidate, surnamed Wang, in addition to a former borough chief, are
suspected of using public funds to subsidize residents' participation in
events where they solicited votes.

Prosecutors say, the case began earlier this year, when the then-borough
chief, surnamed Lin, held events in the neighborhood, where the fee was 1400
NT.

However, Lin offered "subsidies" of 900 NT to senior residents, while others
got 400.

The following month, Lin took over 250 residents on an all-inclusive trip to
Tainan and Changhua where residents again received subsidies.

During the trip, Lin and Wang solicited votes from residents.

Lin was later removed from office due to a separate legal case.

Prosecutors say, the two are suspected of violating the Public Officials
Election and Recall Act, and may be at risk of collusion or destruction of
evidence, leading them to request detentiom.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-21 17:08:14

Now turning to international news...

Families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are dealing with loss, fear,
and stigma as the country experiences its worst ever Ebola outbreak.

Experts say, the oubreak is compounded existing trauma in a region already
devastated by conflict.

Responders say, grief at the loss of a loved one may be especially difficult
to deal with in a context where the disease is viewed as evil.

The risk of transmission also limits contact with the patients even after
death, depriving families of closure and the opportunity to observe burial
rites.

The World Health Organization says the psychological effects of Ebola
outbreaks can persist long after the immediate crisis, often taking the form
of anxiety and mood disorders.

Posted on 2026-10-21 17:08:14

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after a ramming
attack.

That's according to the independent lawmaker's husband, who notes that Haines
remains in critical condition.

Haines' husband's comments mark the first public comments by her family since
an attacker drove an SUV into her on Monday.

This comes as the suspected attacker has made his first court appearance.

He's charged with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving
causing serious injury, and causing harm to a federal official.

Police are still working to determine a motive.

Posted on 2026-10-21 14:16:13

TSMC has voluntarily suspended steel construction at all its new fab sites
across Taiwan after four workers died in Kaohsiung.

The workers fell with steel components while installing them on the third
floor of the Fab 22 construction project.

The Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau says bolts may have deteriorated, or
too few may have been used.

The cause remains under investigation.

Officials say all four workers were using safety lines.

But the posts securing those lines may have been attached to the steel
components that fell, leaving the workers unprotected.

The bureau says steel lifting and installation at the affected project can
resume only after a contractor's improvement plan is approved.

TSMC says its safety team is cooperating with investigators.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-21 14:16:13

Taitung officials are calling for farmers to take protective measures ahead
of expected heavy rain from Typhoon Champi.

The Central Weather Administration's predictions show the outer bands of the
typhoon expected to brush past Taiwan before heading north over the weekend.

The Taitung Agricultural Research and Extension Station is urging farmers to
pay attention to the latest updates as the storm nears...

and to take protective measures when possible in order to minimize damages
suffered from heavy rains.

In particular, they suggest that rice farmers reinforce barriers around their
paddies and clean out irrigation ditches to optimize drainage.

They also recommend that farmers whose rice is already ready to harvest do so
ahead of the typhoon.

Meanwhile they suggest fruit farmers also drain and clean out irrigation
ditches and use stakes to prop up fruit trees, while fruit that is mostly
ripe should be harvested immediately.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-21 14:16:13

TPP founder Ke Wen Zhe says that a guilty plea does not represent an
admission of guilt...

as the Taiwan High Court has begun holding hearings on Ko's corruption and
political donation cases in what will be the second ruling in the Core
Pacific City case.

Ke's comments come after other defendants in the case, Li Wen Zong and Li Wen
Juan, entered at least partial guilty pleas.

Ke claimed that Li Wen Juan pleaded guilty in order to "surrender" to what he
called "judicial torment."

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-21 14:16:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 594 points to
close at 46887.

The turnover was 833.1 billion NT

Posted on 2026-10-21 14:16:13

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has finished out her first year as PM,
and analysts say she faces a few specific challenges heading into her second
year.

Nikkei Asia reports that, despite obstacles in Takaichi's first year in
office, she's maintained high approval ratings around or above 60%.

One challenge analysts expect Takaichi will have to navigate in the coming
year is delivering on ecomomic growth without adding to the national debt by
championing what she calls her "responsible and proactive fiscal policy."

In other words, she urges heavy investment in sectors deemed important to
Japan's growth as it seeks to boost tax revenue.

Experts say, another immediate test for the Japanese PM is a plan to cut food
tax, which the government hopes to implement by April.

The proposals would see the tax on food and beverages lowered to 1% from 8%
for two years.

Posted on 2026-10-21 13:45:13

Northern Taiwan is forecast to face increasingly heavy rain as Typhoon Champi
approaches, with the strongest effects expected Friday and Saturday.

The Central Weather Administration says a sea warning could be issued late
tonight or early tomorrow.

A land warning could follow tomorrow afternoon or evening, depending on the
storm's track.

Champi is forecast to pass closest to Taiwan from tomorrow night through
early Saturday.

Northern Taiwan, Yilan and Hualien are reported to face very heavy rain on
Friday, with even heavier rainfall possible in northern mountain areas.

Rain is likely to begin increasing tonight as northeasterly winds strengthen.

Strong coastal gusts are also expected, while waves in eastern waters could
reach around six meters tomorrow.

The storm's projected track remains uncertain.

Rain should ease substantially on Sunday as Champi moves away.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-21 13:45:13

A labor rights group is calling for safety inspections across TSMC's
construction sites after four workers died in Kaohsiung.

The workers fell while installing steel structures at the company's Fab 22
construction site.

The Taiwan Association for Victims of Occupational Injuries says TSMC should
introduce independent safety oversight with worker participation.

It also wants the company to publish accident findings and show what safety
improvements it has made.

The group says Chairman C.C. Wei apologized for safety shortcomings at last
year's shareholders' meeting and promised stronger management.

It says those promises must produce results that can be checked.

The association is also offering free legal assistance and advice to affected
families.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-21 13:45:13

Taipei prosecutors have charged a New Taipei man over an online comment
allegedly urging others to take drugs and kill President Lai Ching-te.

They are seeking a prison sentence of at least six months.

Prosecutors say the man, surnamed Ho, posted the comment on Threads last
Tuesday, claiming he could supply drug-containing vape cartridges.

He was responding to reports about a killing and arson case in Taoyuan.

Members of the public reported the comment, and police searched his home and
arrested him on Monday.

The charges include threatening the public and inciting others to commit a
crime.

Prosecutors say Ho deleted the comment the day he posted it, admitted
wrongdoing and expressed remorse.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-21 13:45:13

A local official says a drone attack on a market in Abyei has killed at least
153 people.

The border region is disputed by Sudan and South Sudan.

Monday's attack hit a fuel depot, starting fires that hampered efforts to
recover bodies.

South Sudanese officials blame Sudan's military and have summoned its
ambassador in protest.

An unnamed senior Sudanese military officer reportedly said that the army
targeted fuel shipments intended for rival paramilitary forces.

Doctors Without Borders says it has treated more than 20 wounded people,
including patients with burns.

The attack comes as Sudan's civil war increasingly affects areas beyond its
borders.

Posted on 2026-10-21 13:45:13

Israel's foreign minister says his country has been accepted as a partner of
the Pacific Islands Forum.

Gideon Sa'ar says Pacific leaders approved the application at their meeting
in Palau.

He says cooperation will focus on areas including water management,
agriculture and climate change.

New Zealand's 1News reports Israel will be a partner working with ministers
on specific issues.

That differs from strategic partners such as the United States and China,
which engage directly with Forum leaders.

The Forum's secretariat has not publicly announced Israel's status.

The move comes as Israel seeks stronger diplomatic ties amid international
pressure over its conduct of the war in Gaza.

Posted on 2026-10-21 13:45:13

Britain's Prince Harry says he wants to reconcile with his father, King
Charles, and the rest of his family.

Speaking to GQ magazine, Harry said "the most important thing is to
reconcile."

His relationship with the royal family deteriorated after he and Meghan
stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020.

The couple have since returned to Britain with their two children.

Harry says having his children attend a British school means a lot to him,
and they are enjoying the experience.

He also hopes to improve his relationship with the British press after years
of legal disputes.

Harry says he wants to leave past disagreements behind and move forward.

Posted on 2026-10-21 08:15:13

Confidence in the local economy improved in October as an index assessing
optimism toward the stock market hit a new high - that, according to a survey
released by Cathay Financial Holdings.

Citing its latest survey, Cathay Financial says 42.8-per cent of respondents
believe the economy will improve over the next six months, while 23.1-per
cent believe it will get worse.

The financial holding firm says those result translate into an economic
optimism index of about 19.7 in October, up from 14.8 in September.

According to the survey, the optimism index for current economic conditions
also moved higher, rising from 16.5 in September to 20 in October.

In October, the optimism index for the local stock market rose to a new high
of 55 up from 49.1 in September, while the index assessing the appetite for
risk also rose to 35 from 32.9 in September.

Cathay Financial is citing the A-I boom for those increases.

Posted on 2026-10-21 08:15:13

The New Taipei District Court has handed down suspended sentences to nine
entertainers who turned themselves in and confessed to evading compulsory
military service.

The court all ordered the entertainers to pay between 300,000 and 1.3-million
N-T to the national treasury and perform community service.

The nine were among 15 defendants indicted in April in the fourth wave of
prosecutions in a broader draft evasion case.

The other defendants included five civilians and the alleged ringleader of
the military service evasion network, Chen Chih-ming.

The other eight entertainers and four civilian defendants also received
suspended sentences of up to four years, with fines and community service
imposed in most cases.

The remaining civilian defendant was sentenced to six months in prison, which
may be commuted to a fine.

While Chen was convicted of 14 offenses that resulted in sentences ranging
from one year and four months to two years in prison for each offense.

All 15 pleaded guilty during their respective trials.

Posted on 2026-10-21 08:15:14

Ministry of Foreign Affairs say it is providing assistance to the families of
those involved in the suspected killing of a Taiwanese woman at a hotel in
the northern foothills of Mount Fuji.

The ministry is not commenting directly on the case, but says it has
established contact with the families of the Taiwanese nationals involved and
will provide any assistance needed to help deal with the incident's
aftermath.

Japanese media has reported that police in the town of Fujikawaguchiko
arrested a 27-year-old Taiwanese woman on a weapons charge after a Taiwanese
woman in her 30s was found dead in the hotel room.

Reports say police found visible signs of trauma, including a knife wound on
the victim.

The suspect was reportedly found holding a 12-centimeter knife at the scene.

She has been detained by police pending further investigation into the death.

The Tourism Administration says the two women were members of a tour group
visiting Japan.

Posted on 2026-10-21 08:15:14

The National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering says it plans to
release a free A-I tool that will allow the public to upload photos of key
structural components in their homes for a preliminary assessment of
potential earthquake damage.

According to the center, the tool has been named "safe and seismic-resistant
home AI" and is expected to be launched on its website by the end of this
week.

Users can upload photos of beams, columns and walls, and the system will
quickly assess their apparent level of damage to help determine whether a
professional engineer should conduct a further inspection.

It classifies individual structural components into three categories: severe
damage, indicating danger, moderate damage, requiring caution; and minor
damage or no obvious damage.

The research center says the free tool is a simplified version of an A-I
model originally developed to help experts rapidly assess earthquake damage
to buildings.

That model was developed in collaboration with National Taiwan University's
Department of Civil Engineering.

Posted on 2026-10-21 08:15:14

The Central Weather Administration says Typhoon Champi is forecast to begin
veering in a northerly direction tomorrow - as it moves away from Taiwan.

However, the weather administration is stressing that the storm's impact on
the island is expected to be strongest on Friday and Saturday.

The administration's forecast center says it could issue a warning this
evening or tomorrow morning, but the storm’s trajectory will determine
whether a land warning is issued tomorrow evening.

Typhoon Champi is currently located some 1,200-kilometers east-southeast of
Eluanbi at the island's southernmost tip and is moving in a
west-northwesterly direction at 20-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm now has a radius of 280-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 216-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 270-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration says Typhoon Champi is expected to weaken slightly
as it approaches waters east of Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

Mainland Affairs Council Chair Chiu Chui-cheng says Beijing is stepping up
its cognitive warfare operations to try and influence voters' in next month's
local elections.

This comes as the National Security Bureau warned of a large number of fake
A-I generated social media accounts targeting specific groups here... based
on voting trends.

The N-S-B said it issued warnings about the possibilty of such a scenario in
April... data shows the number of cyberattacks peaked between June and
September.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Affairs' Government Service Network say it
saw just over 185-million cyberattacks, likely coming from China in July
alone.

That figure exceeded the total number of cyberattacks recorded in the first
quarter this year.

National security officials say Chinese hackers targeted academic
institutions, telecommunications and defense industry supply chains as part
of efforts to disrupt government operations and steal sensitive data.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

The union representing workers at Micron Technology's facilities in Taoyuan
will be taking strike action tomorrow in solidarity with workers in Taichung
- who are locked in a dispute with the U-S memory chipmaker over
profit-sharing.

The Taoyuan union said tomorrow's strike is aimed at pressuring Micron to put
forward a concrete profit-sharing proposal at a mediation meeting with the
Taichung union.

That meeting also takes place tomorrow.

The Taoyuan union wants members to take action to express their
"dissatisfaction with the current system" and demonstrate their determination
to establish a profit-sharing mechanism.

The Taoyuan union had said on October 7, that it had secured authorization
to strike following six days of voting, with nearly all of the members who
cast ballots supporting industrial action.

Micron employs approximately 3,000 workers in Taoyuan and 12,300 in Taichung,

The unions want a long-term mechanism under which 15-per cent of Micron's
operating profits would be distributed to employees... they have also
criticized the company's existing Incentive Pay Plan for lacking
transparency.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

Premier Zhu Rong-tai says a patrol vessel donated by the Coast Guard
Administration to the Philippines will not be used in waters near Taiwan or
areas where Taiwan-registered fishing vessels operate.

Zhu told lawmakers that the Philippines pledged during the donation process
that the vessel would be used only for designated missions and would not
operate in waters related to Taiwan.

But the premier also said the vessel could even provide assistance to Taiwan
if needed.

The Coast Guard Administration confirmed on September 16 that it donated a
retired patrol vessel to the Philippines.

The 500-tonne-class vessel was commissioned into the Philippine Coast Guard
on October 2.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

The Centers for Disease Control is extending the period of expanded
eligibility for publicly funded antiviral flu drugs from October 31 to
November 15.

This comes as flu activity remains at epidemic levels.

Under the measure, publicly funded Tamiflu and Eraflu will be available to
people in designated high-transmission groups who experience flu-like
symptoms.

Those groups include residents and staff of long-term care facilities,
childcare workers and nannies, and students from preschool to senior high
school.

It is the second time this year the C-D-C has extended the expanded
eligibility period.

According to the C-D-C, nearly 124 thousand outpatient and emergency visits
for individuals with flu-like illness were recorded between October 11 and
17.

That was a decline of 5.4 percent from the previous week.

Antiviral flu drugs are not covered by National Health Insurance and the
C-D-C says doctors will determine whether to prescribe them based on each
patient's condition.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

The Penghu County Prosecutors' Office is looking to detain three men who
allegedly attempted to fraudulently claim a 10-million N-T receipt lottery
prize using stolen electronic invoice information.

The suspects were also taken in for questioning earlier this week and are
facing fraud charges.

Prosecutors say one of the men attempted to redeem two 10-million N-T Special
Prize electronic receipts at a financial institution in Penghu.

Prosecutors says bank employees became suspicious after noticing the man
appeared nervous and was attempting to redeem two 10-million N-T prizes at
once.

The bank halted the transactions and alerted police.

Another was detained after he tried to claim a separate 200,000 N-T winning
receipt.

Authorities say the three men were found in possession of more than 30
winning receipts and had successfully redeemed more than 20 receipts and
collected 199,000 -N-T in prize money between October 6 and 18.

The Ministry of Finance's Taxation Administration has said the suspects
allegedly printed the winning receipt certificates at an iBon kiosk, even
though, in principle, only the actual purchaser should be able to do that.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

border

The Food and Drug Administration has seized several shipments of food-contact
products from China, including kitchen tools, paper baking cups and baking
paper, after they failed dissolution tests.

Two batches of paper baking cups imported by D-F-I Home Furnishings Taiwan,
the operator of Ikea here, had evaporation residues that exceeded the legal
limit for food utensils, containers and packaging.

A batch of baking paper also had an evaporation residue that exceeded the
legal limit.

All three shipments will either be returned or destroyed.

The F-D-A says 11 of 206 batches of food-adjacent products from China failed
dissolution tests between April October 12.12 and

The F-D-A will now subject such products from China to batch-by-batch
inspections for one month.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

And,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Taiwan nationals will no longer need to
take driving tests to obtain an Australian driver's license in some parts of
the country starting later this month.

This comes after the Australian government in late July said it would
recognize driver's licenses from Taiwan and 11 other countries.

The policy will be carried out first in the states of Western Australia and
Queensland on October 31.

South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory will begin
recognizing Taiwan-issued licenses in January 2027, while Tasmania will do so
in February 2027.

The ministry says the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria have not
announced when they will introduce the changes.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says his agency is working closely with the
Ministry of Transport to put in place a reciprocal policy for Australian
drivers.

Posted on 2026-10-21 07:00:13

A driver accused of intentionally injuring Australian lawmaker Helen Haines
by hitting her with his car was due to face court today.
Haines remains in critical condition after the incident, which has shocked a
nation where political violence is rare.

Police allege it was a targeted attack. Brendan Nugent, 43, was charged with
causing serious injury and harm to a federal official.

Eyewitnesses say the suspect drove past Haines, then turned back to hit her
twice with his car.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised bystanders who intervened.

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