ICRT

Posted on 2026-09-16 15:06:13

The Legislative Yuan says the 2026 central government budget is expected to
be sent to the Presidential Office this week ... after passing its third
reading.

The seven-volume document has been undergoing final proofreading and
compilation.

The legislature says a large number of measures were passed during its final
two sessions in August.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu had said staff needed sufficient time to
process those measures and ensure their accuracy.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-16 15:06:13

Taitung is undergoing drills to respond to a large earthquake...

ahead of national drills this Monday.

The Taitung drills simulate a 7.3 magnitude earthquake which causes buildings
to collapse and roads to be impassable.

The exercise aims to strengthen emergency responders' skills in such a
scenario.

Today's drills began with residents' phones receiving a notification urging
them to seek shelter due to a simulated earthquake.

Taitung was chosen by the central government to be the site of the drills
this year, seeing search and rescue teams and civilian volunteers mobilized.

County officials remind the public that many disaster relief and military
vehicles will be moving throughout the county during the drills...

but residents are urged not to panic and to cooperate with traffic controls
and drill procedures.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-16 14:07:14

prosecutors

A Pingtung county councilor has been released on bail after she allegedly
handed out unauthorized COVID test kits to voters.

Zhou Chen Xiao Wen 周陳曉玟and a constitutent representative are being
investigated for alleged violation of the Public Officials Election and
Recall Act and the Medical Devices Act.

Zhou Chen, an independent, was released on bail of 60,000 NT following
searches yesterday.

Prosecutors say, the case began during the last local election cycle in 2022,
when Zhou Chen and her alleged accomplice handed out rapid test kits to
voters.

Prosecutors say that they're currently working to understand if the case is
related or not to that of lawmaker Gao Jin Su Mei.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-16 14:07:14

TSMC shares recovered their ex-dividend price adjustment within 27 minutes of
trading this morning.

The chipmaker went ex-dividend for its first-quarter cash payout of about 7
N.T. per share.

TSMC closed at 2-thousand-385 N.T. on Tuesday and opened 5 N.T. lower this
morning.

But buying quickly pushed the stock back to Tuesday's closing level by
9:27a.m.

That marked the 23rd time TSMC has filled its dividend gap on the same day
since switching to quarterly payouts in 2019.

The company will distribute about 181.5-billion N.T. in dividends on October
8th.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-16 14:07:14

And in related news...

Asian shares are mostly higher today, but AI-related shares remain volatile
as industry leaders in the US call to slow the development of AI.

Here in Taiwan, shares were up, with the benchmark eai ex gaining 337 points
to close the session at 45848

The turnover was 643.7 billion NT

Posted on 2026-09-16 11:24:13

The Tai-Ex opened up 35-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,546
on turnover of 4-billion N-T.

The market closed lower yesterday, led by the electronics sector amid
concerns over AI development after the heads of three U-S AI giants warned of
risks and called for a slowdown in development.

Posted on 2026-09-16 08:17:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the Lai administration is preparing to
open a representative office in Cebu Province in the Philippines

According to Lin, the office will be Taiwan's second in the country after
Manila and will serve travelers and businesspeople in the central
Philippines, which is a popular tourism destination.

The statement comes after Nikkei Asia reported on the new office earlier this
week.

Lin has not said when the Cebu office will open.

Posted on 2026-09-16 08:17:13

Police are offering a 1-million N-T reward for information leading to the
arrest of Chang Chun-chieh, a former legislative aide who jumped bail earlier
this month in a corruption case.

The 70-year old is the former legislative office director for independent
Legislator Kao Chin Su-mei.

He disappeared on September 6 and police found his
broken electronic wrist
monitor in Taipei's Daan Forest Park.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for a missing alleged accomplice, who
is suspected of helping Chang damage and remove his electronic monitoring
device.

According to police, six rounds of searches for Chang have carried out as of
Tuesday and seven people have been questioned on suspicion of helping him
evade authorities.

Sources are saying that Chang is known to have traveled to Taoyuan, Taichung,
Chiayi, Tainan and Kaohsiung since he jumped bail.

Kao Chin, Chang and 22 other people were indicted in June on charges of
corruption and fraud related to the embezzlement of public funds and the
importation of unapproved COVID-19 test kits from China.

Posted on 2026-09-16 08:17:13

The Centers for Disease Control says the number of flu cases continued to
rise last week.

According to the C-D-C, a total of 136,796 outpatient and emergency visits
for flu-like symptoms were recorded from September 6 through 12 and that's a
16.5-per cent increase from the previous week.

The C-D-C's Epidemic Intelligence Center says the current flu epidemic is now
expected to peak around the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, when outpatient and
emergency visits will likely reach between 150,000 and 160,000.

Influenza A viruses remain dominant in the community, with the A - H-1-N-1
subtype accounting for 82.2-per cent of all detected cases.

The C-D-C reported 92 new severe flu cases and 21 deaths between September 8
and 14.

That brings the cumulative number of severe cases since October 1 last year
to 1,421, while the 21 flu-related deaths reported last week mark the highest
weekly total in five years.

The first phase of the government's free flu vaccination program begins on
October 1.

Eligible groups for the first phase include people aged 65 and older,
healthcare workers, pregnant women, people with certain chronic illnesses,
and childcare workers.

The second phase of free flu vaccination program will begin on November 2 and
is open to anyone aged between 50 and 64.

The C-D-C says it purchased just over 7-million doses of vaccines for the
publicly funded program this year.

Posted on 2026-09-16 08:17:13

Chinese Taipei Gymnastics Association Secretary-General Chiang Chien-tung has
stepped down following allegations he unilaterally rejected an invitation for
two gymnasts to compete at next month's Artistic Gymnastics World
Championships.

His resignation comes after the Sports Ministry invoked Article 43 of the
National Sports Act last Friday to remove Chiang from office.

The Chinese Taipei Gymnastics Association has once again apologized to
gymnasts Lee Chia-wei and Pan Cai-chen, as well as their families and
coaches, for declining the invitation without consulting them and depriving
them of a chance to compete.

That statement comes amid a contuning backlash over the association's
handling of the incident, which came to light on September 7.

The association has pledged to implement reforms within two months to ensure
no other athlete suffers a similar fate.

The association has also admitted that both gymnasts had earned reallocated
spots to compete at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam.

Pan qualifyed for the floor exercise and Lee for the uneven bars.

Posted on 2026-09-16 08:17:13

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has released a village chief
candidate on 100,000 N-T bail as part of an investigation into allegations he
attempted to influence voters by giving out free haircuts and douhua.

Prosecutors says the candidate in the city's Taishan District held an event
offering free haircuts in honor of August 8 Father's Day and also
allegedly treated some local residents to free bowls of douhua.

The douhua had an estimated value of around 50 N-T - but prosecutors say the
actions were intended to influence recipients' voting behavior.

The village chief candidate's home was searched earlier this week and 10
people were questioned.

According to prosecutors the village chief candidate is believed to have
violated the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.

Candidates for elected office frequently distribute low-value promotional
gifts worth less than 30 N-T to voters.

That figure does not appear in election laws, but is one of the standards
used by prosecutors in deciding whether to pursue cases of alleged vote
buying.

Posted on 2026-09-16 08:17:13

And finally,

The High Speed Rail Corporation says more than 1,000 people have submitted
applications for 15 driver openings in the first phase of its largest-ever
recruitment drive.

The rail network operator is attributing the strong response to its preparing
to introduce new N-700ST trains and increase services to meet growing
passenger demand

The first batch of new drivers reported for work in September and is
undergoing training.

While a second batch is scheduled to begin training in November.

According to the High Speed Rail Corporation, it plans to hire a total of 45
new drivers this year and next.

The corporation currently employs 213 train drivers.

The company has ordered 12 N-700ST trainsets from Japan and the first of them
arrived Taiwan in August and is undergoing testing.

The second is expected to arrive as early as December.

The first N-700ST train is scheduled to begin passenger service on July 1 of
next year.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

Labor Minister Hung Sun-han is insisting that "equal participation and
reciprocal dignity" will remain the guiding principles for his participation
in an upcoming APEC ministerial meeting in China.

Hung is scheduled to travel to Nanjing to attend the APEC Human Resources
Development Ministerial Meeting next Monday.

If he travels there, he will become the first ministry head in the Lai
administration to visit China.

According to Hung, APEC is an important multilateral economic forum in which
Taiwan is a formal member and he plans to attend the meeting in accordance
with "established APEC practice."

However, he's refusing to say whether or not he would accept a "Taiwan
compatriot permit" if Chinese authorities issued him with one and is not
saying whether he's concerned about being unable to return to Taiwan.

The Mainland Affairs Council said two weeks ago that issues related to Hung's
trip are "controllable," citing the smooth participation of Taiwan officials
in APEC meetings in China earlier this year.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

community

Tuvalu's visiting Foreign Minister says Taiwan's leadership in healthcare,
digital innovation, and disaster response warrant its a "seat at the table"
and his country will continue to speak up for Taiwan in the international
community.

Paulson Panapa made the statement during a meeting with President Lai
Ching-te at the Presidential Office.

It is Panapa's first official visit to Taiwan in his current post.

According to Panapa, Taiwan and Tuvalu are united by their shared values of
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and those ties were strengthened
by the signing of the Kaitasi Treaty in November of 2025.

That agreement underpins cooperation between the two sides across multiple
sectors, including sustainable development, economic and trade exchanges,
digital technology, smart healthcare, agriculture, and personnel training.

Panapa also said that Tuvalu hopes to strengthen cooperation in renewable
energy and resilient infrastructure, and to expand opportunities in education
and labor mobility, thereby advancing the sustainable development of the
Pacific island nation.

Panapa is visiting Taiwan this week to attend events on Saturday marking the
47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two
sides.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

The Micron Taiwan workers' union has rejected a reward package offered by
Micron Technology and is continuing to push for a long-term mechanism under
which employees will share 15-per cent of the company's operating profits.

According to union head Lin Che-jui, although negotiations are on-going over
the current bonus dispute, the reward package was proposed unilaterally by
the employer without reaching an agreement with the union.

Lin says he suspects the company is seeking to influence public opinion with
the offer.

Micron last week announced a reward package under which employees in Taiwan
will receive compensation equivalent to between 35 and 68 months' pay for
this year 2026, after the union threatened to take strike action.

Lin says the union is not seeking a one-time package, but wents a long-term,
fair system for distributing profits.

The union head is also stressing that whether employees choose to take strike
action will depend on the outcome of two rounds talks scheduled for this
Friday.

Lin says that if the company continues to seek to influence the talks, the
union will declare that negotiations have broken down and hold a vote among
its members on whether to strike.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

The Taichung District Court has handed suspended sentences to two doctors who
let unlicensed medical device vendors participate in surgeries at the
Taichung Veterans General Hospital.

Yang Meng-yin received a 16 month suspended sentence, while Cheng Wen-yu was
given a 14 month suspended sentence by the court.

Both doctors will remain part of the hospital's Department of Neurosurgery
team.

Yang lost his directorships in oncology, while Cheng was removed as the head
of the hospital's minimally invasive neurosurgery division following a
January referral to prosecutors.

Prosecutors indicted both doctors in May with fraud and violations of the
Physicians Act after evidence showed they allowed three medical device
vendors to illegally perform medical procedures during 13 surgeries between
March 2023 and October of last year.

According to prosecutors, the defendants hid the vendors' involvement from
patients, charged them high out-of-pocket fees, and also fraudulently claimed
National Health Insurance reimbursements for the unauthorized procedures.

The district court ruling can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

President Lai Ching-te has sent greetings from his government and people to
Pope Leo XIV on his birthday.

The Pope turned 71 on September 14.

According to Taiwan's embassy in the the Vatican, Lai commended Pope Leo for
his "steadfast leadership" and expressed admiration for his "tireless efforts
to promote world peace and mutual understanding through dialogue."

Lai also said the pope's vision of "hope" and "solidarity" has touched the
hearts of millions around the world.

And he went on to say that "Taiwan is committed to continuing to work with
the Holy See for the well-being of all peoples and advance our common goals
of alleviating suffering and defending human rights."

The embassy says it forwarded Lai's birthday message to Pope Leo to the Holy
See's Secretariat of State.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

The Ministry of Transport says it plans to allow road authorities to use
health data to identify drivers who may no longer be medically fit to hold a
license.

According to the ministry, the proposed system will cover drivers with visual
impairments, epilepsy and moderate or severe dementia.

Under the plan, road authorities would periodically obtain data on the three
conditions held by government agencies, including information collected from
people applying for certain government subsidies or insurance programs.

Road authorities will then cross-check this information against driver
records.

Drivers identified as potentially no longer fit to drive would be asked to
undergo a new qualification review.

Those who fail will have to surrender their licenses.

Transport ministry officials say some 47,000 drivers could be affected by the
system, which is expected to take effect by the end of this year.

The proposal follows amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty
Act, which took effect last November.

Currently, such checks are only carried out when drivers renew their licenses.

Posted on 2026-09-16 06:59:13

The 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award has been presented to Tamkang
University's Wu Hsi-deh and Victor Louzon, an assistant professor of history
at Sorbonne University.

The annual award is jointly organized by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture and the
Institute of France's Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.

The award ceremony was attended by Culture Minister Li Yuan and the academy's
president Jean-David Levitte.

Wu was honored for his founding of the Taiwan Association of French Teachers
in 1996 and the Taiwanese Association of French Translators in 2014.

He also initiated Taiwan's International Francophonie Day events and French
translation awards.

While Louzon was honored for his research on the transformation of political
power in Taiwan in 1945 and for publishing the first French-language
monograph examining the 228 Incident.

He has also brought French students to Taiwan for fieldwork, organize
academic conferences and launch translation projects centered on Taiwan's
history.

The Taiwan-France Cultural Award was established in 1996 and recognizes
institutions and individuals who have made significant contributions to
promoting Taiwanese culture in France, Europe and Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-09-15 20:08:13

Taiwan's flu epidemic continued to worsen last week, with more than
136-thousand outpatient and emergency visits recorded.

The Centers for Disease Control says the number was up 16.5 percent from the
previous week, and the outbreak is expected to peak around the Mid-Autumn
Festival holiday.

The CDC says weekly flu cases could reach 150-thousand to 160-thousand at the
peak.

It also reported 92 new severe cases and 21 deaths last week.

The number of deaths was the highest weekly total in five years.

Most severe cases involved people aged 65 or older or those with underlying
health conditions.

More than two-thirds had not received the latest flu vaccine.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases continued to decline, with nearly 18-thousand
outpatient and emergency visits last week, down 13 percent from the previous
week.

Posted on 2026-09-15 20:08:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it will prioritize stable prices and
people's livelihoods ... as electricity rates are set to be reviewed later
this month.

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says the government will consider different
options ... including electricity rates for industry and whether AI data
centers should be treated differently.

But Kung says the final decision will be made by the Electricity Price Review
Committee ... with the Economics Ministry providing information on the
possible options and their impact.

Kung says rising international oil prices and the continuing conflict in the
Middle East are putting pressure on state-owned oil company C-P-C and
Taipower.

The government has proposed about 101 billion NT in additional subsidies for
C-P-C ... and 71 billion NT for Taipower ... to help cover higher energy
costs.

Meanwhile, the Economics Ministry says Taiwan has sufficient oil and gas
supplies despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The ministry says reserves remain above legal requirements and are higher
than at the same time last year.

It expects supplies to remain secure through the end of the year ... while
procurement for the first quarter of next year is already underway.

Officials say Taiwan can also rely on diversified import sources and backup
shipping plans if Middle East disruptions worsen.

Household natural gas and bottled gas prices will remain frozen through the
end of the year.

Posted on 2026-09-15 18:29:13

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says Taiwan has sufficient oil and gas
supplies ... despite escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

The ministry says reserves remain above legal requirements and are also
higher than at the same time last year.

It expects supplies to remain secure through the end of the year, and says
procurement planning for the first quarter of next year is already underway.

Officials say Taiwan's diversified import sources allow it to obtain oil and
gas from outside the Middle East if needed.

The ministry is also closely monitoring shipping routes and has backup plans
to reduce transportation risks.

Meanwhile, household natural gas and bottled gas prices will remain frozen
through the end of the year as part of government efforts to stabilize
prices.

The government has also proposed additional funding to help cover costs
absorbed by oil and gas suppliers to keep domestic prices stable.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-15 18:29:13

New Taipei health officials have confirmed seven additional Hepatitis C cases
linked to a cluster at Antai Songhe Clinic, bringing the total number of
infections to 20.

The latest cases involve four men and three women between their 40s and 70s.

All seven had received injections at the clinic multiple times.

Two reported mild symptoms, including fatigue and stomach discomfort, while
the other five had no symptoms.

The health ministry says about 1,500 people who received injections at the
clinic since July last year are eligible for free Hepatitis C testing.

As of yesterday, 530 people had been tested, while another 588 are still
waiting to be tested.

Based on the current positive rate of about 1.5 percent, health officials
estimate the final number of cases could reach between 30 and 40.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-15 18:29:13

Taichung City says publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be
rolled out in two phases starting October 1st.

Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says the city is also purchasing additional vaccines to
expand access beyond groups covered by the central government's program ...
including school teachers.

The first phase of flu vaccinations will cover 11 groups, including seniors
aged 65 and over, Indigenous people aged 55 and over, people with certain
underlying conditions .... and students.

A second phase will begin November 2nd, expanding eligibility to adults aged
50 to 64 who do not have high-risk chronic conditions.

For COVID-19 vaccinations, the second phase will also include children aged
six months to under six who have never received a COVID vaccine.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-15 18:29:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is defending his wife's previous use of the name
"Chinese Taipei" ... after she was drawn into controversy over a K-pop
concert billboard.

A fan-support billboard for South Korean girl group IVE's concert at Taipei
Arena recently displayed the words "Chinese Taipei" ... sparking criticism
online.

Some internet users then pointed out that Chiang's wife had also used the
name while attending an APEC event in 2017.

Chiang says "Chinese Taipei" is Taiwan's formal membership name at APEC ...
and noted that his wife also described herself in English at the event as
"Taiwanese."

He accused critics of distorting the facts to attack his family ... and said
other Taiwanese officials also use the formal membership name when attending
APEC events.

Posted on 2026-09-15 17:07:13

The Global State of Democracy 2026 ranking has placed Taiwan seventh globally
for citizen participation.

That puts Taiwan on equal footing with Finland.

However, Taiwan's rating for judicial independence declined last year, going
from top-performing to middle tier...

alongside countries like the US, Argentina, Belgium, India, and Nigeria.

Taiwan also made gains in legislative oversight.

The Sweden-based organization says that Taiwan was one of only 13 countries
around the world to record an improvement in the category.

The report looks at democratic performance across four categories, including
representation, rights, rule of law, and participation.

It notes that over half of countries assess experienced a decline in at least
one indcator of democratic performance since 2020.

It also highlighted geopolitical tensions as a growing challenge to
democratic governance.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-15 17:07:13

Taiwan High Speed Rail is gearing up for the 12 new-generation
N-seven-hundred-S-T trains it ordered from Japan.

The company has already received one set of the train and it's now undergoing
testing in Kaohsiung,

It expects to get the second delievery in December.

The first N-700-S-T is expected to begin passenger service on July 1st next
year ... eventually allowing T-H-S-R to add more services.

To prepare, the company has hired 45 new drivers in its largest recruitment
drive since operations began.

T-H-S-R also plans to recruit another 15 to 20 drivers next year as more of
the new trains are introduced.

It says all new drivers will be trained on both the existing trains and the
new ones.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-15 17:07:13

chair position

Former President Tsai Ing-wen is booked and busy, now being the honorary
chair of another candidate's campaign.

The DPP's Changhua Magisterial Candidate Chen Su Yue announced today that
Tsai would be her honorary campaign manager.

That's after Tsai previously announced that she was heading up the campaign
offices of Taitung's Chen Ying, New Taipei's Su Qiao Hui, and Keelung's Tong
Zi Wei.

The Changhua race is a crowded one, with former Changhua Mayor Qiu Jian Fu
renouncing his DPP membership to run as an independent...

while the blue camp also boasts 2 candidates of their own.

Qiu though, tried to downplay Tsai's endorsement of his opponent, saying it
would not be Tsai running the county if Chen is elected.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-15 15:07:13

With the beginning of a new semester, the Health Promotion Administration is
again warning that heated tobacco products can produce harmful substances.

They include carbon monoxide and the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, or BaP.

Citing an international study, the H-P-A also notes that heated tobacco use
can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, damaging cells and tissues and
increasing the risk of cancer.

The study also found that adolescents who use those products may face higher
risks of asthma and allergies, as well as mental health effects.

The H-P-A stresses that heated tobacco products are not a smoking-quitting
tool and should not be considered a less harmful alternative.

Taiwan currently allows only approved heated tobacco products on the market,
while e-cigarettes and vapes are completely banned.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-09-15 15:07:13

The number of inmates on death row has dropped to 34, after one convict died
of illness.

Lin Wang-jen was sentenced to death for allegedly killing 5 people in 2004 by
setting a karaoke bar on fire.

According to court rulings, Lin set fire to the Keelung bar because he was
upset that his wife had accepted a job there.

Lin previously filed a petition seeking a presidential pardon or commutation,
along with 13 other death row inmates, but his petition was rejected.

But after a Constitutional Court ruling in 2024 regarding the death penalty,
Lin filed for a retrial and sought a suspension of his execution.

Both requests were ultimately rejected.

This comes after the death earlier this year o another inmate.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-15 14:07:13

The US is praising Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's recent trip to Italy,
saying Taiwan's relationships with other countries provide big benefits to
those places.

Hsiao took a weekend trip to the Italian island of Ventotene last week to
participate in the European Conference for Freedom and Democracy.

Her participation was at the behest of European Parliament Vice President
Pina Picierno.

The trip was not announced until she had already arrived in Europe.

Meanwhile the EU neglected to comment on the trip, instead reiterating its
adherence to the "One-China Policy."

An unnamed spokesperson said that the EU is still interested in conducting
exchanges with Taiwan to advance EU interests under the framework of the
One-China Policy.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-15 14:07:13

A New Taipei borough chief candidate has been released on bail as he's being
investigated for vote-buying.

The man, surnamed Chen, was released on bail of 100,000 NT.

Chen is being investigated for allegedly holding an event offering free
haricuts, while he also allegedly picked up tabs for douhua for several
residents.

Prosecutors say these actions were likely meant to influence the outcome of
the election, and they suspect that Chen violated the Public Officials
Election and Recall Act.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-15 14:07:13

President Lai Ching-te has wished Pope Leo the fourteenth a happy birthday,
praising his "steadfast leadership" and particular vision of hope and
solidarity.

That's according to Taiwan's embassy in the Vatican, which also said that the
pope turned 71 yesterday.

Lai expressed his admiration for Leo's efforts to promote mutual
understanding through dialogue, and said that Taiwan is committed to
continuing to work with the Vatican to advance common goals.

Leo was elected in May of last year as the 267th head of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican is Taiwan's only European diplomatic ally.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-15 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 351 points to
close the session at 45511.

The turnover was 603.4 billion NT

Posted on 2026-09-15 13:12:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is confirming that Taiwan plans to establish a
new representative office in the Philippines.

That's after Nikkei Asia reported that the office was in progress, in what
represents a continued diplomatic push with Manila.

Lin said that the new office in Cebu would cater more to tourists,
businesspeople, and expats in the south...

joining the Manila office in the north.

The breakthrough marks another sign of growing cooperation between Taiwan the
Philippines, as China steps up political and military pressure in the region.

A Western diplomat said that the new mission will make up for the loss of one
in Papua New Guinea over the summer...

but emphasized that relations with the Philippines are more strategically
valuable than those with PNG.

(AH-Nikkei)

Posted on 2026-09-15 13:12:13

The Taipei Prosecutors' Office said they've made two more arrests in lawmaker
Gao Jin Su-mei's alleged fraud case.

Prosecutors have so far arrested 7 people related to the case, and put 2 of
them under detention without communication.

Police said the person who received Gao Jin's office assistant Zhang Jun-jie
(張俊傑) in the south after he jumped bail and the accomplice helping Zhang get
rid of his monitoring bracelet have been nabbed.

Prosecutors noted that investigations are ongoing, adding that they believe
Zhang is still in Taiwan and have asked that Customs authorities cancel his
passport.

Prosecutors indicted Zhang and Gao Jin, as well as 22 others in June this
year on charges of corruption and fraud.

The indictment indicated that Zhang fraudulently claimed government subsidies
for legislative assistants and several ethnic community associations to
obtain a total of $9.3 million NT.

It also accused Gao Jin of illegally receiving $7.8 million NT in salaries
and other payments for assistants .

(JL)

Posted on 2026-09-15 11:08:14

The Ministry of National Defense is reporting eight Chinese air sorties
operating near Taiwan between 6AM Monday and 6AM today.

Of those sorties, seven aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait
and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern air defense
identification zones.

Those aircraft included fighter jets, support planes and helicopters.

Seven Chinese Navy vessel and two official maritime patrol ships were also
spotted operating in Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour period.

Posted on 2026-09-15 11:08:14

Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu says the 24th tropical storm of this
year's Pacific typhoon season will form tomorrow.

The tropical disturbance formed in the waters east of Guam.

According to Wu, European and U-S weather model simulations indicate that
TD28 will intensify into a storm and will move toward the waters south of
Japan over the coming days.

It is not currently expected to directly impact Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-09-15 11:08:14

And,

Five Taiwan comic artists have been showcasing their works at the 2026 Small
Press Expo in Maryland.

A ee mi, Rio, Ding Pao-yen, Monday Recover and Crystal Kung all held signing
events and interacted with fans and fellow artists during the two-day show.

Expo Executive Director Warren Bernard says he was glad to have the Taiwanese
artists at the expo, noting that they had brought works he greatly admired
and wanted to add to his own collection.

The annual comics and graphic arts festival showcases established independent
comic creators while providing exposure and networking opportunities for
attending artists and those just starting out.

Posted on 2026-09-15 08:21:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The first two of the four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones purchased from the United
States have undergone their first flight tests at the Hualien Air Base.

The Ministry of National Defense has not released any details of the test
flight.

However, sources are being cited as saying the tests were conducted after the
military and the drone manufacturer completed the assembly of the two drones,
which were delivered to Taiwan earlier this year.

Vice Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien and Taiwan's Representative to the
Washington, Alexander Yui attended a handover ceremony in the U-S for two of
SkyGuardian drones in mid-March.

The U-S has agreed to deliver the four of the drones to Taiwan in two batches
in this year and next year.

The U-S Defense Security Cooperation Agency says the drones will provide
Taiwan with "intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, target
acquisition, and counter-land, counter-sea, and anti-submarine strike
capabilities."

Posted on 2026-09-15 08:21:13

The Ministry of Sports has announced amendments to its cross-strait sports
exchange guidelines.

According to the ministry, the revisions create a firmer legal basis for
stopping Taiwan nationals from competing for China's national teams in
international sporting events.

The ministry says Taiwanese becoming part of a Chinese national team is a
violation of Article 33 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of
the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.

The move comes after a recent case led to calls to change to the language in
the Act.

The new provision does not explicitly say Taiwan nationals cannot become
members of a Chinese national sports team.

However, it says that individuals are prohibited from serving as a member of
any group in China that "involves national identity or fundamental loyalty,
cross-strait United Front work, or that may endanger national security or
interests."

Posted on 2026-09-15 08:21:13

The European Union's top envoy to Taiwan is calling for greater bilateral
cooperation to boost civil society preparedness for natural and man-made
disasters.

According to European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan head, Lutz
Gullner,such efforts are crucial for both the E-U and Taiwan to enhance
resilience.

Speaking at a workshop in Taipei, Gullner said the E-U believes "resilience
and preparedness" are crucial for any society facing natural and man-made
disasters, particularly in times of geopolitical uncertainty.

Gullner said Taiwan is obviously is one of the reference points for anything
related to natural disasters and Europe envies many of Taiwan systems, while
the E-U has more experience dealing with disasters such as wildfires and
civil protection mechanisms.

Gullner made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a workshop organized
by the Forward Alliance, a D-P-P affiliated national security and civil
defense think tank.

Posted on 2026-09-15 08:21:13

A delegation of K-M-T lawmakers visiting the U-S have met with city officials
in San Francisco city to discuss technology innovation, autonomous vehicles
and social welfare policies.

The eight member delegation's 12-day trip also includes stops in Los Angeles,
Washington, D.C., and New York.

According to the delegation, it met with San Francisco city officials and
members of the San Francisco Taipei Sister City Committee to promote
local-level exchanges between Taiwan and the U-S.

The delegation also visited the K-M-T's U-S. headquarters, the Dr. Sun
Yat-sen Memorial Hall in San Francisco and several longstanding overseas
Chinese community organizations, where they held discussions with community
representatives.

Posted on 2026-09-15 08:21:13

The Changhua District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a Vietnamese-born
naturalized Taiwanese woman and seven other people for allegedly exploiting
workers from Vietnam, including minors.

The National Immigration Agency says the woman claimed to be "the
reincarnation of a living Buddha" and lured Vietnamese followers into
bringing their underage children to Taiwan for work under the guise of
religious practice.

The children were then subjected to prolonged labor exploitation after
arriving here.

According to the agency, several Vietnamese fathers traveled to Taiwan to
report that their wives had left home and brought their underage children
here after being influenced by the religious group.

The immigration agency formed a special task force while the Changhua
District Prosecutors' Office was asked to direct the investigation.

The task force found that the woman who claimed to be the reincarnation of a
living Buddha promoted her teachings online and encouraged followers to bring
their children to Taiwan on tourist visas for "spiritual practice" ...

.. and taught followers that working for her could help them accumulate good
karma and attain salvation when the apocalypse came.

The suspects are facing charges of violating the Human Trafficking Prevention
Act.

Posted on 2026-09-15 08:21:13

And,

The head coach of Taiwan's League of Legends team says he's targeting at
least one silver medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, but gold as the
ultimate goal.

According to coach Chen "Warhorse" Ju-chih, Taiwan won silver at the Hangzhou
Asian Games in 2023, and he doesn't want the team to take a step backward.

Chen says South Korea remains the team Taiwan ultimately wants to beat, but
Vietnam also presents the more immediate hurdle.

Four players on Vietnam's roster play under Chen at Team Secret Whales --
which has dominated the League of Legends Championship Pacific throughout
this year.

Chen says Taiwan's Asian Games League of Legends team may have less than a
week to practice together before departing for Japan on September 27 due to
their ongoing club commitments.

Eight teams will play best-of-one round-robin matches in two groups on
September 29 and 30, with the top two in each group advancing.
The best-of-three semifinals will be held on October 1, followed by a
best-of-five final the following day.

Posted on 2026-09-15 07:08:13

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim says her recent visit to the Italian island of
Ventotene was rewarding because she saw a growing number of international
friends willing to learn about Taiwan and hear its story.

According to Hsiao, she felt the international community's concern for Taiwan
while attending the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and
Democracy.

Hsiao says the most significant part of the trip was not only in attending a
forum at a specific location, but also in having Taiwan's voice heard by so
many more people in a place of such historical significance.

Speaking after arriving back in Taiwan, Hsiao noted that Ventotene was used
to detain political dissidents during World War II ...

... she citing remarks from her Friday address at the conference, Hsiao says
"whether it is Ventotene or Taiwan, no island is too small to have a voice,
and no island or society is too small to deserve respect."

Hsiao also says the trip was not announced in advance to avoid "unnecessary
interference," referring to China's objections.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Hsiao was invited by European Parliament
Vice President Pina Picierno to speak at the conference.

Posted on 2026-09-15 07:08:13

The Mainland Affairs Council is warning of the potential risks of traveling
to China.

It comes as new entry and exit rules take effect.

However, the council says the government is not planning to raise its travel
alert for China.

According to Mainland Affairs Council deputy head Shen Yu-chung, the new
regulations potentially pose risks to information, business and personal
security, and he's urging people to carefully assess the risks and avoid
unnecessary travel to China.

Shen says the five groups that may face heightened risks are Taiwan
businesspeople in China, executives of Taiwan companies, workers in the
semiconductor and other high-tech sectors, frontline civil servants, and
members of certain religious groups.

The council deputy head also says people who fall into those categories
should register their trips to China as an additional safety precaution.

The new rules reportedly authorize Chinese customs officials and visa
authorities to require people entering or leaving the country to disclose
files and digital information, including data stored on mobile phones and
laptops.

The rules also stipulate that people who violate export restrictions or
technology management regulations, or who are deemed to pose a threat to the
security of Chinese industries or technologies, can be barred from leaving
China.

Posted on 2026-09-15 07:08:13

The first group of foreign skilled workers recruited for the hospitality
sector has arrived from Indonesia.

Their arrival marks the rollout of a government program aimed at easing labor
shortages in the hotel industry.

The 35 Indonesians were recruited by the Regent Hotel Taipei.

They arrived at Taoyuan International Airport under the Multinational Skilled
Worker Enhancement Program, which the Lai administration launched in January
to allow hospitality businesses to recruit foreign skilled workers.

The Indonesians were welcomed at the airport by Huang Wei-cheng, the deputy
director of the Ministry of Labor's Cross-Border Workforce Recruitment Center
- who says Taiwan's hospitality sector faces an annual labor shortage of
around 6,000 workers.

The first group of foreign skilled workers recruited for the hospitality
sector are mostly in their 20s and had previously spent at least a year
interning in Taiwan.

They are required to obtain at least A2-level Mandarin speaking or listening
proficiency within three years of starting work here.

Posted on 2026-09-15 07:08:13

Employees at snack maker Kuai Kuai are demanding compensation after the
company sold the site of its factory in Taoyuan's Zhongli District and
announced plans to relocate its operations to Hsinchu.

According to the Kuai Kuai Zhongli factory union, the company sold the land
for 5.6-billion N-T in late July and the company that controls the snack
maker failed to adequately safeguard the interests of long-serving employees.

The union says employees only learned about the land sale through news
reports and were not formally informed until September 1 of plans to relocate
the factory.

The Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions is supporting the Kuai Kuai factory
union - saying the distance between Zhongli and Hsinchu is more than 39
kilometers, making the proposed relocation impractical for many employees.

The trade unions secretary-general says nearly 20 workers have resigned since
the sale and the company is clearly hoping more employees will leave
voluntarily so it could avoid paying severance packages.

The Ministry of Labor says it has the company to engage in "proactive and
transparent" dialogue with workers and the union at a labor-management
mediation meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

Posted on 2026-09-15 07:08:13

The Supreme Court has upheld a five-and-a-half year sentence for a man
convicted of physically abusing his live-in girlfriend's 4-year-old son,
leaving the child with permanent brain damage and disabilities.

The ruling upheld a High Court verdict finding the man guilty of
intentionally causing serious bodily harm to a child.

According to the court, the abuse took place in March and 2024, when the man
became angry because he believed the boy was refusing to follow instructions.

He forced the child to stand as punishment.

The child later collapsed and the man then slapped the boy causing him to
fall, struck him on the head with a slipper and kicked him in the chest.

The child then hit the back of his head on the floor and lost consciousness.

The man was initially sentenced to two years in prison by the Taoyuan
District Court for intentionally injuring a child.

The High Court later increased that sentence to five years and six months.

Posted on 2026-09-15 07:08:13

The National Archives Administration has marked the 40th anniversary of
Taipei Zoo's September 14, 1986 move from original site in Yuanshan to the
Wenshan District, by posting historic photos of the move on its website.

The photos of the Taipei Zoo Relocation Parade include images of student
athletes from Taipei's Kainan High School leading vehicles carrying animals
through the city.

Other photos show engineers designing animal enclosures with artificial
hills, as well as the roughly 14-kilometer parade route.

The route was planned to accommodate animals of different sizes and heights,
with avoided as many overpasses as possible to accommodate the giraffes.

In addition to the photos, the administration is also highlighting archival
records explaining the decision to relocate the zoo.

Those records show that the government spent more than a decade selecting a
site and planning and building the new zoo.

Posted on 2026-09-14 20:14:13

Taiwan is warning of increased risks for people traveling to China as new
entry and exit rules take effect, but says it is not raising its travel alert
for China for now.

Mainland Affairs Council deputy head Shen Yu-chung says the rules could put
information, business and personal security at risk.

He says five groups face particular risks: Taiwanese businesspeople and
company executives, high-tech workers, frontline civil servants and members
of some religious groups.

Shen says Chinese authorities can require travelers to provide digital
information from phones and laptops when entering or leaving the country.

The rules also allow authorities to restrict people from leaving China over
technology, export or national security concerns. In some cases, people may
not be told they are subject to the restrictions until they try to leave.

Taiwan's current travel alert for China remains at orange, meaning people
should avoid non-essential travel.

Posted on 2026-09-14 19:51:13

The Supreme Court has upheld a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a man
convicted of severely abusing his girlfriend's four-year-old son.

The sentence is final and cannot be appealed.

The man, surnamed Wang, was living with the woman and her son in Taoyuan when
the abuse took place in March 2024.

Court documents say Wang repeatedly hit the boy and kicked him, causing him
to fall and lose consciousness.

The boy suffered severe brain injuries, and medical experts said they were
highly unlikely to have been caused by an accidental fall.

Despite prolonged treatment, he was left with permanent brain damage,
impaired movement and delays in speech and cognitive development.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-09-14 19:51:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says he's open to a mayoral debate where
candidates directly question each other.

His DPP challenger Puma Shen has called for a public debate that includes
cross-examination on policy issues.

DPP Taipei City Councilor Li Jian-chang (李建昌) asked Chiang today whether he
would accept such a format.

Chiang said he has already committed to taking part in a debate ... and that
cross-examination is an option if the candidates can agree on the format.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-14 19:51:13

Jiang's campaign for Taichung mayor

The ruling DPP's Taichung branch says it's considering expelling former
lawmaker Lin Feng-xi (林豐喜) from the party ...

... after he became head of an advisory group supporting the opposition KMT
Taichung mayoral candidate Jiang Qi-chen (江啟臣).

The party will discuss the case at a meeting on Wednesday and decide whether
disciplinary action is needed.

DPP Taichung mayoral candidate Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) says the matter will be
handled by party officials.

The meeting will also address the case of city council candidate Lin Yu-mei,
who left the DPP and registered to run for office.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-14 19:51:13

Hsinchu City has opened 29 new YouBike stations today ... bringing the number
added this year to 50.

Mayor Kao Hong-an (高虹安) says the new stations connect residential areas with
schools, parks and transportation links ... making YouBike more convenient
for short trips.

Demand has also been growing since the city began subsidizing the first 30
minutes of each ride in April.

About 321-thousand rides were recorded in May ... a monthly record and up 65
percent from a year earlier.

The city says it will continue expanding the network and improving bike
services.

Another 20 stations and 450 electric-assist bikes are expected by the end of
the year ... which would give Hsinchu City more than 185 stations and over
3-thousand bikes.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-14 18:51:13

The Consumers' Foundation has begun accepting applications for a class-action
lawsuit against the Airlee Clinic Group over the hidden-camera scandal.

The foundation says 133 people have already registered to join the class
action, including 49 who have reported the case to police.

The lawsuit covers seven Airlee branches and is not limited to the 99 victims
identified by prosecutors.

Other consumers can apply if they have records showing they received
treatment or had appointments at the affected clinics during the relevant
periods.

Applications will be accepted through November 30th.

The foundation is also asking participants to document any fear, anxiety or
emotional distress they experienced, so their psychological harm can be
considered.

The scandal came to light in May after a suspected hidden camera was
discovered inside a smoke detector at the group's branch in New Taipei
Banqiao District.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-14 18:51:13

The Taoyuan Airport MRT will add an extra weekday evening service from Taipei
Main Station starting September 21st ... to help ease rush-hour crowds.

The new train will leave A1 Taipei Main Station at 6:04 P-M and stop at every
station before arriving at Airport Terminal 2 at around 6:50.

The operator says average daily ridership reached a record high of more than
130-thousand passengers during the first eight months of this year.

The additional service will shorten the average interval between trains from
Taipei Main Station toward the airport to about five and a half minutes
between 6 and 7 P-M.

The operator says it will continue adjusting services based on passenger
demand and crowd levels.

(IG)

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

The Taipei City Government says it has recovered nearly 10-million NT it paid
to cover medical costs for victims of the Polam Kopitiam food poisoning case.

The city says it used private disaster-relief donations to pay nearly
9.84-million NT in medical expenses soon after the outbreak in March 2024.

The money was later repaid in full by the restaurant operator and an
insurance company in June last year.

Separately, Taipei officials say the restaurant was fined six times for
violations related to the case, including failing to maintain required
insurance coverage.

Those fines, totaling 3.5-million NT, remain unpaid and have been referred to
the Ministry of Justice for forced collection.

The food poisoning outbreak, which occurred in late March 2024, resulted in
33 reported illnesses --- including six individuals who later died.

(IG)

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

A group of KMT lawmakers is visiting the US, where they are hoping to focus
on topics like tech innocation, smart transit, and social welfare.

The group, including Xu Qiao Xin, Huang Jian Hao, and Luo Zhi Qiang, among
others, is in San Francisco, and is also planing to visit LA, DC, and New
York on the 12 day visit.

The delegation will aim to conduct dialogue with US counterparts to improve
policies.

They have already met with members of the San Francisco city government...

adding that they hope to deepen cooperation with the US.

(AH)

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

Newly-released government footage shows Formosan black bears venturing closer
to human habitats than previously thought.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency released tracking footage from
camera-fitted collars on released bears, revealing that the animals scavenge
leftover food waste near mountain huts.

Experts warned that bears quickly learn to frequent areas with accessible
food, urging mountain visitors to secure all waste and food scraps.

The agency also introduced new human-bear conflict response guidelines,
establishing a four-tiered protocol to manage sightings and intrusions.

It says AI warning systems and bear-proof containers are being implemented in
high-risk mountain areas to mitigate safety risks.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-14 16:26:14

Another suspected food poisoning case has surfaced in Taipei, with two girls
at Taipei Municipal Zhong-Shan (中山) Girls High School believed to have gotten
sick from fried tempura on the 7th.

That's after 87 students at Cheng Yuan (成淵) High School got sick the same day
from hot food at their school...

/and/ another 10 students at Taipei's Dali (大理) High School, which shares the
same supplier with Cheng Yuan, got sick as well.

Zhongshan High School says that they're investigating the issue, and that
they're not serving any fried foods at the moment as a precaution.

They also note that the two girls' symptoms differ from those of the other
affected students.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-14 16:26:14

The Da-peng Bay National Scenic Area Administration is reminding fishermen
not to take their vessels into popular diving areas and to slow down when
operating nearby.

The statement follows an incident that happened yesterday in the waters close
to a Xiao-liu-qiu' 小琉球 diving hotspot where a fishing boat repeatedly came
dangerously close to a group of freedivers.

The group's instructor said she was taking students diving at the Da-fu dive
site at around 11 a.m and secured a dive buoy and put up a dive flag.

But a fishing vessel continued to approach at one point and nearly struck the
divers, forcing her to tell them to leave the water.

The Administration said it will also notify the relevant fisheries
authorities to look into the fishing boat's actions at the time of the
incident.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-09-14 15:08:13

The first batch of MQ-9B drones has undergone their first flight tests at an
air base in Hualien.

A confidential source said that the tests were conducted after the military
and drone manufacturer completed assembly of the first two of four total
drones delivered to Taiwan earlier this year.

This comes after the Deputy Defense Minister and Representative to the US in
March attended a handover ceremony in the US.

The US has agreed to deliver four of the drones to Taiwan this year and next.

Experts say that the role of the MQ-9Bs in Taiwan is to improve battlefield
reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities rather than act as an offensive
weapon.

Others note that the drones are able to link satellite communications
networks among US allies...

so Taiwan and US counterparts could share intelligence at once.

（AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-14 15:08:13

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim says that she witnessed increased internaitonal
interest in Taiwan during her visit to Italy.

That's following her return today to Taiwan from the Italian island of
Ventotene.

She says that she felt the international community's concern for Taiwan on
her trip.

She added that it was rewarding to have Taiwan's voice heard by so many more
people.

Hsiao noted that Ventotene has a history of political violence, as it was
used to detain political dissidents during World War II.

She said that, in her remarks at the European Conference for Freedom and
Democracy, she pointed out that Taiwan and Europe both face authoritarian
threats...

which is why she pledged at the conference that Taiwan and Europe would be
steadfast in upholding a free and democratic way of life.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-14 14:07:13

TPP founder Ke Wen zhe says that cooperation between the KMT and TPP has been
the most outstanding in Chiayi City.

Ko's comments come after he said told local media yesterday that cooperation
in Hsin-chu County was "hard to save" and that Chang-hua is "beyond saving."

That's as Ke is in Chiayi to promote his party's mayoral candidate Zhang Qi
Kai 張啓楷.

Ke noted that the Chiayi City offices of the KMT had helped to promote Zhang
by accompanying him to many meetings...

along with sitting KMT city councilors as well as hopefuls.

Zhang said, he was doubtful that tensions between the TPP and KMT in Hsinchu
would spill over into Chiayi.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-14 14:07:13

The Taiwan Blood Services Foundation is joining hands with McDonald's to
encourage young people to give blood.

That's as the rate of under-20 year olds donating blood has dropped by 57%
over the past 10 years.

Taiwan Blood Services and McDonald's will visit dozens of colleges through
the end of October to promote blood donation...

and participants will get McDonald's coupons.

McDonald's Taiwan says that people who give 250 cc's of blood at schools
across the country during the promotion period will get burger coupons...

adding that the first 50 people at each school who are giving blood for the
first time will also get other prizes and coupons.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-14 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 322 points to
close the session at 45862.

The turnover was 630.9 billion NT

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:13

No damage or injuries are being reported following this morning's magnitude
4.7 earthquake that rattled Hualien.

The quake struck at 3:21 and was centered some 54-kilometers south southwest
of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 17-kilometers.

It was felt stongest in Hualien's Wanrong Township and Nantou's Yushan area -
where it registered a magnitude 4 on the Central Weather Administration's
intensity scale.

The quake registered a 3 on the intensity scale in other parts of Hualien and
2 in parts of Taitung, Chiayi and Tainan.

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:14

The vice president of the European Parliament has called Taiwan's Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim a role model for freedom-loving women around the
world.

Pina Picierno made the comment after Hsiao made an unannounced visit to Italy
to attend the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy
late last week.

Picierno said she believes the world needs the courage of women and as
authoritarian regimes threaten democracies, there's an even greater need for
courageous women like Hsiao.

Picierno further acknowledged Hsiao's fight for human rights and women's
rights.

The Presidential Office has said Hsiao was invited to the event by its
organizers, despite strong protests from Beijing.

The trip was Hsiao's second visit to a European country since she took office
in May 2024.

Her first visit was in November of 2025 to Brussels to address a meeting of
the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:14

The military is scheduled to hold a three-day live-fire drill joint precision
strike drills later this week at its Jioupeng Base in Pingtung.

Defense officials say the exercise will include the use of missiles, rockets
and drones as part of efforts to assess long-range precision-strike
capabilities and test new equipment.

The annual exercise is hosted on an rotating basis by the Navy and the Air
Force and this year’s exercise is hosted by the Navy.

Three warning zones have been designated: one covers waters east of the
coastline from Taimali in Taitung to Eluanbi in Pingtung.

The second extends from the Taitung-Pingtung boundary eastward to waters off
Green Island and Orchid Island, while the third is located in waters east of
Chenggong and Taimali in Taitung.

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:14

More than 100 Taiwanese-Americans, Taiwan lawmakers and members of civic
groups marched through New York City calling for Taiwan's inclusion in the
United Nations.

The participants included the Marshall Islands' United Nations envoy, John
Silk.

Silk expressed his hope that Taiwan will one day be able to participate in
U-N meetings as a member, saying that was a goal shared by Taiwan, the
Marshall Islands and the international community.

The march was headed by D-P-P lawmaker Wang Yi-chuan and Shih Shu-hua, the
head of the Taiwan United Nations Alliance.

Wang says the annual march provides an opportunity for Taiwan to make its
voice heard near the U-N headquarters.

Many foreign passers-by stopped to take photos or videos and gave the
marchers a thumbs-up when they heard the "UN for Taiwan" chants.

The 81st Session of the U-N General Assembly opened on September 8 and the
high-level General Debate is scheduled for September 22 through 28.

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:14

Premier Zhu Rong-tai has been encouraging newlyweds to have children at a
mass wedding organized by Chunghwa Telecom in Taipei.

A total of 72 couples tied the knot at the event, Zhu had been invited to
served as a witness at the ceremony held at the Grand Hotel.

Zhu thanked the newlyweds for taking a step that he claimed could help Taiwan
"effectively address its demographic challenges."

But even as he encouraged the couples to have children, Zhu also stressed
that childbirth remains a personal choice.

He did use his speech to promote the Lai administration's plans to introduce
monthly child-rearing allowance starting next year, as well as expanded
childcare services and measures aimed at easing housing and education costs.

Zhu also said he hopes state-owned enterprises will organize more large-scale
mass weddings, noting that Tai-Power is also planning to hold one.

Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows that the number of births
dropped for a 10th consecutive year.

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:14

The Taoyuan District Court has approved a detention order for a man who
allegedly held an airline intern at knifepoint at Taoyuan International
Airport this past weekend.

Taoyuan prosecutors filed a the request citing the pending charges against
the man, which include assault, deprivation of personal liberty with a
weapon, coercion and an offense against public safety.

The court says that statements from the victim and witnesses, as well as
body-camera and surveillance footage and photographs of the victim's
injuries, provided sufficient grounds to suspect the man of multiple
offenses.

The incident occured in the Cathay Pacific Airways staff lounge in Terminal
1, where man held a Cathay Pacific intern at knifepoint until police subdued
him by using pepper spray and tasers.

The victim and several police officers suffered only minor injurues.

Police say they found as bag containing drug residue and drug paraphernalia
after subduing the suspect.

Posted on 2026-09-14 07:03:14

And,

Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard returned to Taiwan this past
weekend to attend a charity event organized by the New Taipei Kings and The
Asian Tournament at Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

Howard said he was "always glad" to return to Taiwan and he missed Taiwan's
food.

The basketball player led an Asian Tournament All-Star team in the "Kings
Heart Classic" after serving as a guest commentator for the Kings' friendly
match against the Macau Black Knights.

The Kings' says part of the proceeds from the event are being donated to PACK
Taiwan, an animal welfare organization.

Howard became one of Taiwan's most prominent foreign athletes after joining
the Taoyuan Leopards in the now-defunct T1 League for the 2022-2023 season,
following an 18-season N-B-A career.

He returned to Taiwan in July 2024 to play for the Taiwan Mustangs in The
Asian Tournament, in which he has an ownership stake.

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