ICRT

Posted on 2026-05-12 14:12:13

The DPP is expected to formally name Lawmaker Puma Shen to run for Taipei
Mayor tomorrow.

Members of the DPP's Election Strategy Committee were notified last night
that the committee would meet tomorrow morning to approve Shen's nomination.

Shen's eligibility is, though, contingent upon approval by the Central
Executive Committee.

A party spokesperson noted that Shen's campaign team has quitely begun
operations, naming Shen's colleagues to key positions, including Wu Si Yao,
Wu Pei Yi, Chen Pei Yu, and Fan Yun.

Shen is a freshman party list lawmaker known for being vocal on defense
issues.

He faces an uphill battle against current Mayor Chiang Wan An.

Local media began to speculate that Shen was considering a run after he cut
his trademark shaggy hair in favor of a neater style and began appearing at
city council campaign events.

Shen has previously taught criminology at NTU, founded a civil defense
organization, and directed a lab that investigates disinformation against
democracies.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-05-12 14:12:15

Taiwan's real average regular wage posted its strongest first-quarter growth
in 11 years in 2026, as pay increases continued to outpace inflation.

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says average
monthly regular wages in the industrial and service sectors rose nearly
2-point-7 percent from a year earlier ... averaging 48-thousand-706 NT per
month.

After adjusting for inflation, average real wages increased 1-point-4-5
percent, the fastest pace for a first quarter since 2015.

Average total earnings, at $57,500 with bonuses and overtime pay, also
recorded their strongest first-quarter growth in eight years.

Officials say continued expansion in AI-related industries helped boost
overtime, performance bonuses and overall salaries.

Median wage figures, which better reflect typical earnings, stood at a little
over $39-thousand NT in March.

Officials warned that rising global energy prices linked to Middle East
tensions could increase inflationary pressure in the months ahead.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-05-12 14:12:15

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 41898 after
gaining 108 points.

The turnover was 1.378 trillion NT

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

Legislative Speaker Han Guo-yu, who's leading a delegation of lawmakers on a
trip to France, visited the Paris-based French Institute of International
relations on Monday.

During a speech there, Han said Taiwan faces a great deal challenges and
threats, and if the situation in the Taiwan Strait were to change, the most
unpredictable factor would be the level of support from the international
community.

He said the more friends Taiwan has internationally, and the more attention
it receives, the safer Taiwan will be.

The Speaker also said he hopes more people from various sectors in France
will visit Taiwan to deepen bilateral ties, and that French universities
could establish branches in Taiwan.

The delegation will visit the U.K. after completing their trip to France.

(JL)

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

The Ministry of Culture is responding to controversy over a new logo for
TaiPower, saying that design is a highly specialized field, involving many
different considerations.

The comment comes after Taipower decided to change its company logo and font
design at an estimated cost of 960,000 NT.

The state-run company said the change is part of a broader transformation and
modernization of the company.

But the change has come under fire as some said that the new designer was
chosen due to their political leanings.

Some also criticized the company as wasting money on unnecessary changes,
seeing as it's already deep in the red.

Culture Minister Li Yuan, on the other hand, said today that people often
have different perceptions of a design and such matters are best left to
professional judgment.

(AH)

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

Taipei firefighters were called to Dadaocheng Wharf this morning after two
people fell into the river.

An elderly man fell in, leading a much younger bystander to jump in to try to
save him.

The two were both swept away, however, firefighters were able to retrieve the
unconscious elderly man a few hours later.

The man was OHCA on arrival and was sent to the hospital.

Rescuers are still searching for the younger man.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-12 11:06:13

A-I related stocks pushed the Tai-Ex to a new intraday high in early trading
the morning.

The main board added 367-points to reach 42,157 -- surpassing the seven-day
high of 42,156.

The markets four major heavyweights were mixed.

With Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing rising 15 N-T to 2,250 N-T and
MediaTek adding 30 N-T to hit 3,910 N-T.

However, Delta Electronics fell 25 N-T to settle at 2,220 N-T and Hon Hai was
marginally lower from Monday's close.

Analysts says investors are keeping a close eye on the pending US-China
summit as news from that meeting is expected dictate the market's direction
towards the end of the week.

Posted on 2026-05-12 11:06:13

The Ministry of National Defense is reporting nine Chinese Air Force sorties
operating near Taiwan between 6AM Monday and 6AM today.

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

The aircraft included fighter jets, support planes and helicopters.

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

Posted on 2026-05-12 11:06:13

And,

Taiwan powerlifters have bagged the gold and silver medals in the women's
under 48-kilogram division at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in
India.

Huang Yi-chen secured the gold with a total lift of 193-kilograms, while Fang
Wan-ling followed closely behind by just 1-kilogram at 192-kilograms for a
silver medal.

Taiwan sent 15 competitors to this year's Asian Weightlifting Championships.

Taiwan's women's weightlifting ace and Olympic champion Kuo Hsing-chun chose
not to participate in this year's championship.

She has said she's preparing for the 20th edition of the Asian Games - which
will be taking place in Japan in mid-September.

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

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the government remains confident that
Taiwan-US ties will remain stable, but will be closely watching how the
Taiwan issue will be addressed when U-S President Donald Trump meets with
China's Xi Jinping later this week.

Trump is scheduled to arriving in Beijing on Wednesday evening and hold a
summit with Xi on Thursday morning.

U-S Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that although Taiwan will
likely be on the agenda, both Washington and Taipei view maintaining
stability in the Taiwan Strait as being in their interests.

According to the foreign minister, the government is maintaining close
communication with Washington through all available channels, and U-S
officials have provided repeated reassurances that U-S policy on Taiwan has
not and will not change.

Lin says Washington has indicated it wants to focus on issues related to the
trade war, fentanyl and the Middle East during the summit, while it is
Beijing that has been insisting on raising the Taiwan issue.

The foreign minister also says that while Trump may be less conventional in
his rhetoric, both his first administration and his current term have
continued to approve arms sales to Taiwan and view Taiwan as an indispensable
partner ...

.. and the government should be concerned, but not overly worried.

Posted on 2026-05-12 08:13:16

Tai-Power has announced that it will implement its annual summer electricity
rates for residential users from June through September.

The average monthly bill is expected to rise to 1,084 N-T during that period.

Summer rates for approximately 15-million residential and small commercial
users will begin June 1 and end on September 30.

While seasonal pricing for around 26,000 high-voltage and extra high-voltage
users begins this Saturday and runs through to October 15.

According state-generator, the average monthly household usage throughout the
year is about 345-kilowatt-hours, while the average monthly domestic usage in
the summer rises to 418-kilowatt-hours - pushing bills up by nearly 70-per
cent.

Tai-Power says higher costs to residential consumers during the summer, are
due largely to increased electricity usage rather than the rate hike ... and
electricity usage accounts for 73-per cent of the increase, while the higher
seasonal rates make up 27-per cent.

Posted on 2026-05-12 08:13:18

The Taipei City government is continuing a cleaning and sanitation drive
across all 12 administrative districts this week, as it seeks to combat
concerns about recent increases in rat sightings.

According to the city government, the cleaning drive that began last Friday
in Zhongshan District is is now being expanded to other city districts
through Thursday.

City officials say sanitation work focused on Datong, Wanhua and Zhongzheng
districts on Monday, and will focus on Nangang, Wenshan and Neihu districts
today.

It will continue tomorrow in Songshan, Daan and Xinyi districts, before
concluding on Thursday in Shilin and Beitou districts.

The city government says the sanitation drive will be carried out by teams of
disinfection and sanitation workers, as well as by local volunteers, who will
focus on cleaning parks and clearing debris piled up in alleys.

While some Taipei residents say they have noticed more rats recently, the
Centers for Disease Control says there is currently no indication of
increased disease risk.

Posted on 2026-05-12 08:13:20

The Ministry of Health says it plans to review the possibility of tightening
medical privacy regulations.

The statement comes after D-P-P lawmaker Lin Shu-fen warned that current
guidelines fail to adequately protect patients from illicit filming and the
potential leakage of sensitive medical footage.

Lin made that comment amid widening hidden-camera scandal involving several
major aesthetic clinic chains, where recording devices were allegedly
concealed inside smoke detectors.

According to Lin, the health ministry's current privacy guidelines as overly
loose and vague and lack a clear legal basis and impose no specific penalties
for violations.

Lin says relying primarily on the Personal Data Protection Act is
insufficient due to the particular sensitivity of medical privacy issues.

She is now calling on the health ministry to consider classifying medical
recordings as part of official medical records to ensure stricter safeguards
and security standards.

Posted on 2026-05-12 08:13:21

An employee at a horror-themed entertainment venue in Taipei's Xinyi District
has almost died after being accidentally strangled while playing the role of
a ghost who had died by hanging.

The employee at the escape room was found in a state of cardiac and
respiratory arrest when first responders from the Taipei City Fire Department
- who rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call.

Paramedics administered C-P-R to the woman and took her to a nearby hospital,
where she regained her vital signs.

An investigation into the incident has found that the woman was strangled by
a prop rope around her neck.

Police have questioned several witnesses and examined surveillance video
footage - ruling out foul play.

However, the woman's family filed a criminal complaint for bodily injury.

The Yongchun Hospital escape room run by Rostart Games has been referred to
authorities for labor and workplace safety inspections.

Posted on 2026-05-12 08:13:22

And finally,

The National Taxation Bureau is warning about a rise in fake tax refund
notifications during the current filing season.

The bureau says scammers are sending unsolicited emails and text messages
claiming recipients can collect large or overdue refunds.

According to officials say fraudsters are using A-I-generated messages that
impersonate government agencies and create a false sense of urgency.

The bureau has issued a list of four warning signs regarding fake tax refund
notifications ..

.. and they include unsolicited refund messages, pressure tactics like
"expires soon" or "act now," fake websites using non-government domains, and
requests for personal data such as I-D numbers or bank account details.

Officials says the tax bureau would never contact taxpayers about refunds by
text, email, or social media ... and will never ask for banking or credit
card information.

Anyone who receives a suspicious message are being urged to call the
anti-fraud hotline at 165 or contact their local tax office.

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is trying to arrange a trip to Geneva to take
part in events being organized by the government and N-G-O's there to
coincide with the annual World Health Assembly.

This comes after the government said Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation
to attend the event.

Yesterday, China said it had decided against letting the "Taiwan area"
attending this year's W-H-A - effectively ending the government's hopes of
getting and invitation.

It's the 10th consecutive year that Taiwan has been shunned by the W-H-A.

The foreign minister says his agency is drafting plans for a possible trip to
Geneva, but he didn't provide additional details, saying only that the
foreign ministry will publicly announce the visit if the plans are finalized.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang has said along with the regular side events
and seminars, this year's Taiwan W-H-A action team will also be holding an
exhibition showcasing the island's smart healthcare innovations and overseas
medical aid programs.

The 79th World Health Assembly is scheduled to take place in Geneva from May
18 to 23

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun says Taiwan should move beyond its Cold War-era
role as part of the "first island chain" in pursuit of regional prosperity.

Cheng said Taiwan's role as part of the first island chain mirrored its
position on "the front line of war" between eastern and western blocs during
the Cold War - and she believes that's a situation that should change.

The KMT chairperson said she hopes areas stretching from Japan and South
Korea to Taiwan, China's southeastern coast, Hong Kong and Singapore can
become peaceful and prosperous regions instead of strategic front lines
shaped by rivalry between major powers.

Cheng said she became more convinced of the possibility of peace and
stability across the Taiwan Strait after meeting with China's Xi Jinping in
Beijing in early April.

The K-M-T chairwoman went on to say that support from the U-S would be
crucial to such a shift in the geopolitical landscape -- and reconciliation
and cooperation between Washington and Beijing would be the "greatest
blessing to the world."

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

The Ministry of Health has announced draft amendments to Sexual Assault Crime
Prevention Act and the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act.

The planned revisions seek to change the starting point for the statute of
limitations in sexual assault cases involving minors to when a victim turns
20.

... and they are aimed at ensuring victims can seek justice after gaining a
better understanding of their victimization and having greater resources to
speak out.

Under current regulations, the statute of limitations begins from the date an
offense was committed, making it difficult for victims abused as minors to
pursue legal action after reaching adulthood.

The draft amendments will now undergo a 30-day public notice period before
being reviewed by the Cabinet and submitted to the Legislature.

The Ministry of Health is insisting that amendments align with a separate
Cabinet proposal in January to revise the Criminal Code that also addresses
the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases involving minors.

The statute of limitations in Taiwan for sex crimes involving minors
currently varies depending on the type of offense.

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

An appeal by a Chinese woman married to a Taiwanese national to obtain
"settlement residency" in Taiwan has been denied due to her past employment
in Chinese state-linked entities.

The Cabinet's appeal committee also upheld a previous Ministry of the
Interior review committee ruling that barred the woman from reapplying for
settlement residency for three years.

The woman can file an administrative appeal within two months of receiving
the decision.

The woman first applied for "settlement residency" in August 2025, but the
interior ministry's review committee rejected her application in early
November.

The Cabinet's appeal committee upheld that committee's view that her previous
employment "clearly" fell within the restricted category.

"Settlement residency" is intermediate status granted to Chinese spouses in
Taiwan, allowing them to apply for household registration in Taiwan within a
30-day window and thereby obtain Taiwanese citizenship.

Under laws governing residency applications by Chinese nationals, people who
currently or previously held posts in Chinese Communist Party, government,
military or political entities in China may be denied "settlement residency."

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien says Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing's investment project in Arizona is progressing
better than expected, but faces challenges such as water and labor shortages.

After a trip to the facility, Yeh said the chipmaker's Arizona site turned a
profit of 16.14-billion N-T in 2025 -- its first full year of mass
production.

T-S-M-C executives have reportedly said the company was surprised by the
smooth trial run of the first fab, which has left it optimistic about the
project's outlook.

But Yeh says the company is also voicing concerns about several challenges,
including water shortages, as Arizona's climate has made securing sufficient
water resources a major concern.

Yeh says T-S-M-C hopes to receive support from the Arizona state government.

The first fab at T-S-M-C's Arizona campus began mass production in the fourth
quarter of 2024, while construction of a second fab has been completed, with
mass production scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027.

Construction of a third fab started earlier this year.

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

Taiwan's tertiary student population fell to 1.057 million in the 2025-2026
academic year - a decline of about 21.8-per cent over the past 14 years.

Ministry of Education data shows that Taiwan currently has 139 universities
and colleges in the 2025-2026 academic year, including 47 public and 92
private institutions.

The total number of tertiary institutions has fallen by 13, with the closure
of one public and 12 private institutions.

The ministry says there are 1.057 million tertiary students in the 2025-2026
academic year, including 208,000 postgraduate students and 849,000
undergraduates.

Compared with the 2011-2012 academic year, total tertiary enrollment has
dropped by about 295,000 over 14 years, or 21.8 percent.

The education ministry attributes the decline to a drop in undergraduate
enrollment.

Posted on 2026-05-12 06:57:13

Taiwan inventions have won 11 gold medals at the 125th edition of the
Concours Lepine.

The annual invention fair and competition is held in Paris and brought
together several hundred inventors from around the world.

Entries included categories such as daily life, artistic creation, health and
inclusiveness, and transport and industry.

Taiwan's delegation presented 64 inventions at this year's fair.

One of Taiwan's gold medal-winning daily life-oriented inventions was the
"StellartMag" created by junior high school student Kao Hsing-hang that uses
magnets to help cyclists attach their everyday shoes to pedals.

Other gold medal-winning Taiwan inventions included a one-handed injection
aid, an automatic sink-cleaning system, and sound-absorbing curtains.

The Concours Lepine was founded in 1901.

Posted on 2026-05-11 19:57:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the government is closely watching this
week's planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese
President Xi Jinping.

Trump is scheduled to visit China from May 13th to 15th, and Lin says Taiwan
has been in continuous communication with American counterparts through both
public and private channels, with Washington repeatedly affirming that its
Taiwan policy will not change.

Lin acknowledged that what China wants to gain and what it is willing to give
will only become clear at the negotiating table, but says American priorities
going into the talks are well known, covering trade, fentanyl controls, and
the Middle East conflict.

Lin says the foreign ministry will monitor developments closely and expressed
confidence that American policy toward Taiwan will remain unchanged.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-05-11 19:57:14

Taipei will continue a city-wide cleaning and sanitation campaign across all
12 districts this week in response to growing public concern over recent rat
sightings.

Officials say sanitation crews and local volunteers will focus on parks,
alleys and areas where trash and debris have accumulated.

The campaign began last week in Zhongshan District and will continue through
Thursday in districts across the capital.

Authorities say residents may notice more rats during the clean-up process as
hiding places are disturbed.

The city is advising people handling dead rats to wear gloves, seal the
animals in bags and disinfect affected areas.

The sanitation drive follows viral social media posts about rat sightings in
Taipei, including one report claiming a rat entered a home and bit a sleeping
resident.

Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control said there is currently no
indication of increased disease risk.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-05-11 18:17:14

Taipei authorities say they've received 90 consumer complaints linked to
suspected hidden-camera incidents at beauty clinics ... since the start of
the month.

According to the city's Department of Legal Affairs, almost all these
complaints involve Airlee Clinic ...

... which has been embroiled in controversy after a suspected pinhole camera
was found in a changing room at one of its branches.

The city government has also launched a special legal consultation program
for people affected by the Airlee case, offering one-on-one appointments with
lawyers.

They added that all consultations are being arranged through an online
reservation system ... due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Taipei officials say they're also cooperating with prosecutors and
considering the possibility of a class-action lawsuit to help protect
consumers' rights.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-05-11 18:17:14

Costco says its top-tier Executive cardholders will be able to enter stores
one hour before the general public starting May 25th.

Early entry begins at 9 A-M, compared to the standard opening time of 10 A-M.

Gold Star and Business members will continue to enter at 10 A-M as usual.

The move follows a similar policy introduced at U-S Costco locations in
September of last year.

Costco says the Executive card carries an annual fee of 3-thousand NT and
previously offered mainly a 2-percent annual spending rebate.

The company says early entry will help spread out peak-hour crowds and reduce
checkout wait times.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-11 14:07:14

The Ministry of National Defense says five People's Liberation Army aircraft
sorties crossed the Taiwan Strait median line from 6 A-M Sunday to 6 A-M
today.

It says the military detected seven P-L-A aircraft sorties in total, five of
which crossed the median line into Taiwan's central and southwestern air
defense zones.

Five P-L-A naval vessels and one government ship were also detected operating
in the area.

The ministry says military mission aircraft, vessels, and shore-based missile
systems maintained close surveillance and took appropriate response measures
throughout.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-11 14:07:15

The Ministry of Education says, the talent excellence scholarship for
Indigenous students is now taking applications.

The program is open to Indigenous students in primary and secondary school,
and offers up to 10,000 NT.

Applications are open through Friday, and students can apply through the
school they're enroled at for the current semester.

The ministry says, the scholarship is meant to recognize the outstanding
academic and extracurricular achievement of Indigenous students.

The individual and group versions of the award regonize language, science,
music, art, dance, sports and other special talents.

The Ministry of Educaiton says, it will continue to promote the cultivation
of talent among Indigenous young people.

Applications are due this Friday.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-11 14:07:15

Asian stocks are mostly up today, driven by wins in AI trade.

Taiwan shares are up as well, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 186 points to
close the session at 41790.

The turnover was 1.113 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-05-11 12:46:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, the U.S. is hoping that Taiwan will
increase military spending from just the 780 billion NT special budget passed
by the legislature on Friday.

Minister Lin Chia-lung said the U.S. is hoping that the legislature will- in
his words- "rectify" the situation.

In particular, the minister added, the U.S. side was unhappy with the KMT/TPP
version of the defense bill's complete exclusion of commercial procurement
and commissioned projects.

Lin emphasized that Washington hoped that Taiwan would do more to support the
defense budget, particularly given its position in the liminal island chain.

Meanwhile premier Zhuo Rong Tai said the government would certainly take
action to bring back the public's and international partners' trust in
Taiwan.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-05-11 12:46:14

The Wall Street Journal reports Apple and Intel have reached a preliminary
agreement for Intel to produce some chips for Apple devices.

The paper says the two companies held intensive negotiations for more than a
year before finalizing the deal in recent months.

Apple has for years relied exclusively on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
Company to make processors for its iPhones and MacBooks.

T-S-M-C declined to comment on what it called market rumors.

Market observers say Apple is diversifying its suppliers to secure production
capacity, as T-S-M-C's advanced chip lines are running at full load due to
strong A-I demand.

Analysts say T-S-M-C's process technology advantage means it will remain
Apple's primary chip producer.

T-S-M-C shares fell 35 NT dollars intraday, dropping below the 5-day moving
average to 2-thousand-255 NT, dragging the broader market down roughly 278
points.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-11 08:17:13

Trump-Xi meeting

In news from and about Taiwan this morning.

Taiwan's top envoy to the U-S, Alexander Yui has told Fox News that any
attempt by Beijing to take Taiwan by force would severely disrupt global
trade.

According to Yui, China needs to be aware that other countries with interests
in the region could respond to such an attack.

Yui said the Lai administration remains open to dialogue with China, but any
cross-strait talks must be based on mutual respect ..

.... and that the US position on Taiwan remains unchanged - as peace and
stability across the Taiwan Strait are beneficial to all relevant parties,
including the U-S, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

The interview comes as U-S President Donald Trump is slated to travel to
China Wednesday evening for talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday
morning.

Posted on 2026-05-11 08:17:13

The Yunlin District Court has ordered the son of the chairman of one of
Taiwan's most prominent Mazu temples to be detained after a group of men
allegedly attacked and injured the temple's former chairwoman at her home in
Yunlin County.

Tsai Chin-tsai is the 22-year-old son of Yunlin County Council Deputy Speaker
and Beigang Chaotian Temple Chairman Tsai Yung-te.

He was arrested and detained by prosecutors after 80-year old Tseng Tsai
Mei-tso was attacked at her home late last week.

Police questioned 21 people following the incident - detaining three suspects
and releasing several others on bail.

Posted on 2026-05-11 08:17:13

And,

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

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

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

According to C-P-C, it expects to absorb 2.6 N-T per liter for gasoline and
4.2 N-T per liter for diesel this week.

However, the amount absorbed by the state refiner has declined from last week
due to lower average crude prices and a stronger New Taiwan dollar.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Paraguay's President Santiago Pena has wrapped-up his first state visit to
Taiwan with a meeting with former President Tsai Ing-wen.

Pena described Tsai "as great friend of Paraguay" and said they "reviewed the
extraordinary bilateral agenda that unites the two countries and all they
have built in these years of a solid and committed alliance."

Pena went on to say that the friendship has been exemplified by concrete
cooperation projects and investments that have created opportunities for the
Paraguayan people.

He didn't say when the meeting took place.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung accompanied Pena to the Southern Taiwan
Science Park and the National Center for High-performance Computing in Tainan
on Saturday ...

.. saying the visits gave the Paraguay president a first-hand understanding
of Taiwan's achievements in artificial intelligence, computing, and
technology governance.

Pena and his delegation left Taiwan for the Philippines on Sunday afternoon
for the next stop of their regional trip.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is leading a delegation a cross-party
delegation of lawmakers to France and the U-K this week as part of efforts
to boost parliamentary diplomacy.

Before his departure, Han said it was the first time the Legislative Yuan had
organized a delegation to visit the two European countries.

The trip is being undertaken after invitations from the French Senate's
Taiwan Friendship Group and the Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in
Europe.

Han says he plans to showcase five major advantages of Taiwan to his
European counterparts, starting with its globally leading semiconductor and
contract chipmaking industries.

The delegation includes 10 lawmakers from the D-P-P, the K-M-T and the Taiwan
People's Party.

The delegation's itinerary includes attending the Council of Taiwanese
Chambers of Commerce in Europe's annual general meeting in London.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

The Reuters News Agency is reporting disappointment out of the U.S. over the
Legislative Yuan's approval of the 780 billion NT special defense budget last
week.

The amount is said to be short of what Washington believes is needed, because
it "left some stuff left on the cutting room floor that we believe still
needs to be funded."

780 billon NT represents about two-thirds of the amount sought by the
Executive Yuan to bolster the armed forces in the face of a rapidly
modernizing Chinese military.

The special funds are to be spread out over eight years and would be in
addition to normal defense spending that is included in the government’s
annual budget.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

The K-M-T's representative in the U-S, Chin Jih-hsin says party chairwoman
Cheng Li-wun is currently finalizing the itinerary for her planned trip to
America.

Cheng is slated to travel to the U-S early next month.

Although no dates for the visit have been announced, the K-M-T chair has said
she's received invitations from members of the U-S Congress, think tanks, and
overseas Taiwanese groups.

She reportedly plans to travel to New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Los
Angeles - while reports say she could also make a stop in Texas.

Cheng says she will be talking with people from across the political spectrum
while in the U-S and exchanging views on issues of mutual concern.

Cheng has previously said she's arranging meetings with senior officials in
Washington, D.C., to explain what was discussed during her recent meeting
with China's Xi Jinping.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

A delegation led by Tuvalu's transport, energy, communications, and
innovation minister has arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit.

Simon Kofe is leading a four-member delegation for talks on digital
infrastructure, communications, and energy security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the delegation is slated to meet with
several government agencies and private sector companies to discuss
information and communications technology, digital governance, network
resilience, and energy development.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will also host a banquet for the visiting
delegation.

Lin traveled to Tuvalu in March, where he held talks with Tuvalu's Prime
Minister Feleti Teo.

Those talks included a submarine cable project, Taiwan-Tuvalu cooperation on
digital resilience, and secure network infrastructure.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Unions representing nurses at six hospitals are criticizing the Ministry of
Health for delaying the implementation of newly legislated three-shift
nurse-to-patient ratios to 2028.

The unions accuse the ministry of "shirking responsibility" - saying the
government need to accelerate implementation of the new legislation, rather
than delaying enforcement.

The statement comes after lawmakers passed amendments to the Medical Care Act.

Those revisions formally incorporated nurse-to-patient ratios introduced by
the government in 2024 into law, and establishing penalties for hospitals
that fail to comply.

Nursing groups had called for the law to take effect in December 2027.

However, Health Minister Shih Chung-liang has said implementation will begin
on May 1, 2028 - citing year-end scheduling concerns and the Lunar New Year
holiday period.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Prosecutors is Tainan have released the owner of a cosmetic clinic on bail of
300,000 N-T after a hidden camera was said to have been found at the
facility.

The clinic's manager was also released on 50,000 N-T bail.

Both were questioned after the Tainan City Health Bureau expanded its
inspections of cosmetic clinics.

Authorities say they found a device believed to be camera concealed inside a
smoke detector on the ceiling of a beauty treatment room at the Yanyimien
Clinic in the city's West Central District.

Prosecutors have since summond the clinic's owner and manager for questioning
over alleged privacy violations.

Another branch in Tainan's Yongkang District was inspected, but no recording
devices were found.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says a dedicated women and children's hospital
will officially open in June -- marking its transition from a branch of
Taiwan City Hospital into a fully independent specialized medical
institution.

Chiang said he recently visited the facility to inspect preparations for its
relaunch and described it as a "a warm medical environment tailored to the
needs of mothers, women and children.

The Taipei mayor says it includes Taiwan's first breast milk bank equipped
with cold-chain delivery services, family-style delivery rooms and an
all-female medical team offering women-focused outpatient services.

The new facility is located at the Taipei City Hospital's Heping Fuyou Branch.

Posted on 2026-05-11 06:55:13

And finally,

Taiwan fire dancer Yang Li-wei has advanced to the final of Britain's Got
Talent -- after receiving a Golden Buzzer during her live semifinal
performance.

Yang is a member of Taiwan's Coming True Fire Group.

She nailed her place after a high-intensity fire performance featuring
flaming umbrellas, fire swallowing and spinning metal structures balanced
with her legs.

Judge Simon Cowell praised Yang as a superstar, while guest judge K-S-I used
the Golden Buzzer to send the dancer straight to the finals.

The dance troupe said via social media that the Golden Buzzer was "the
highest honor" on the talent show and - "twenty-three years of hard work
became a golden light."

Yang first appeared on the program in February, when she earned unanimous
approval from all four judges after a five-minute fire dance performance
inspired by Taiwanese folk arts and circus techniques.

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:07:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will resume mobile consular services
in Taitung starting May 15th, after a more than year-long suspension caused
by legislative budget cuts.

The Eastern Office's mobile passport service was halted in March last year
after the Legislative Yuan cut operational funding for the Executive Yuan's
Eastern Joint Service Center.

Starting May 15th, ministry staff will travel to Taitung on the 15th of every
odd-numbered month to process passport renewals, replacements, and visa
endorsements.

If the 15th falls on a holiday, the service will be moved to the next working
day.

Number tickets will be distributed starting at 1 P-M, with service running
until 3:30 P-M.

Applicants can download forms from the Bureau of Consular Affairs website or
pick them up at the Taitung liaison office.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:07:13

The Legislative Yuan has written nurse-to-patient ratios into law, giving
legal force to a policy the Ministry of Health and Welfare introduced in
2024.

Under the amendment to the Medical Care Act, hospitals that fail to meet
staffing ratios face fines and could be ordered to suspend operations for up
to one year if they are penalized three times without making sufficient
improvements.

Fines range from 50-thousand to 250-thousand NT for district hospitals,
200-thousand to 1-million NT for regional hospitals, and 1-million to
2-million NT for medical centers.

The ratios set day, evening, and night shift targets for each hospital tier,
ranging from 1 nurse to 6 patients on day shifts at medical centers, to 1
nurse to 15 patients on night shifts at district hospitals.

All three major parties supported making the ratios statutory, but disagreed
on how the advisory committee determining them should be composed.

Taiwan has around 300-thousand licensed nurses, but only about 190-thousand
are currently working in the field.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 14:07:13

Starlux Airlines has updated its cabin crew uniform policy, allowing male
flight attendants to wear short-sleeved shirts and permitting crew members
with eye discomfort to wear glasses on duty.

The short-sleeve option for male cabin crew took effect in April.

Starlux says the changes are aimed at helping crew members balance
professional appearance with personal comfort.

The airline also previously opened up flat shoes and trouser uniforms as
options for female cabin crew.

On the glasses policy, Starlux joins China Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, and EVA
Air, which had already allowed crew to wear glasses during flights.

Starlux says the uniform adjustments are part of its ongoing efforts to
improve working conditions, and that further reviews are planned.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

Two U-S senators and the State Department have welcomed Taiwan's Legislative
Yuan approval of a 780-billion NT supplementary defense budget, calling it a
signal of resolve at a critical moment for Indo-Pacific stability.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator John Curtis said in
a joint statement that the vote shows Taiwan is taking seriously the need to
strengthen its defenses against growing Chinese military pressure.

The senators also called for additional steps to boost Taiwan's asymmetric
capabilities and domestic defense production.

The State Department said the U-S supports Taiwan's acquisition of defense
capabilities commensurate with the threat it faces, but warned that further
delays in funding the remaining proposed capabilities amount to "a concession
to the Chinese Communist Party."

The budget passed 59 to zero, with 48 abstentions, falling short of the
ruling D-P-P's original 1-point-25-trillion NT request.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense separately warned that the scaled-back
budget excludes commercial purchases and commissioned development projects,
undermining long-term defense planning.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

Taiwan's exports surged 39 percent year-on-year in April to 67.6-billion US
dollars, the second-highest monthly total on record, driven by booming global
demand for artificial intelligence technology.

The Ministry of Finance says the 30th consecutive month of year-on-year
export growth was fueled by massive investment in A-I infrastructure and
next-generation computing.

Information and communications products led the way, with exports up 62.3
percent to 30.57-billion US dollars.

Electronic components added another 22.79-billion US dollars, up 38.9 percent.

Together, the two sectors accounted for nearly 79 percent of total exports.

The United States was the top buyer, purchasing 21.53-billion US dollars
worth of Taiwanese goods, up nearly 64 percent from a year earlier.

Taiwan's trade surplus nearly doubled year-on-year to 14.35-billion US
dollars in April.

The ministry forecasts May exports between 67.8 and 70.9-billion US dollars,
representing 31 to 37 percent growth from a year earlier.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:49:13

ones

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is marking Taiwan No Alcohol Day today by
urging families of people with alcohol dependency to seek professional help.

The ministry says 49 percent of callers to its alcohol addiction consultation
services are family members, not the individuals with drinking problems.

Officials say alcohol dependency is treatable, and that quitting can relieve
related conditions such as depression and anxiety.

The ministry offers a subsidy program covering up to 40-thousand NT per
person per year for alcohol addiction treatment, including outpatient care,
medication, and psychological and family therapy.

More than 4-thousand people benefited from the program this year alone.

Ministry data show that nearly 90 percent of patients who receive treatment
reduce their drinking frequency or amount.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:13:14

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has reported its highest-ever
monthly sales for April, driven by strong global demand for artificial
intelligence chips.

T-S-M-C posted consolidated sales of 410-point-73-billion NT for April, up
17-point-5 percent from a year earlier.

April revenues were down slightly from March, when sales hit
415-point-19-billion NT, the company's all-time monthly high.

In the first four months of this year, T-S-M-C's consolidated sales surged
nearly 30 percent year-on-year to 1-point-54-trillion NT.

Analysts say the slight month-on-month dip in April was largely due to a
stronger Taiwan dollar, which appreciated against the U-S dollar despite
central bank intervention.

T-S-M-C has forecast second-quarter sales of between 39 and 40.2-billion US
dollars, representing roughly 32 percent growth from a year earlier.

The company expects full-year 2026 sales to grow more than 30 percent in U-S
dollar terms.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 13:13:14

The Ministry of National Defense says it monitored 16 Chinese military
aircraft, warships, and coast guard vessels operating in areas around the
Taiwan Strait from 6 AM Friday to 6 AM today.

Eight P-L-A aircraft crossed the strait's center line into Taiwan's central,
southwest, and eastern airspace.

Six Chinese warships and two coast guard vessels were also tracked in the
surrounding waters.

According to the ministry's activity map, two P-L-A combat aircraft crossed
the center line between 10:20 A-M and 12:15 P-M yesterday.

Four additional combat and support aircraft were detected in Taiwan's
southwest airspace east of the center line between 8 A-M and 12:40 P-M.

Two P-L-A helicopters were tracked in Taiwan's eastern airspace from 8:55 A-M
to 8:35 P-M.

Taiwan's armed forces responded using mission aircraft, naval vessels, and
shore-based missile systems.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 12:14:14

The ruling D-P-P is expressing regret after the opposition-controlled
Legislature passed a defense budget well below what the government had
requested.

The Legislature approved 780-billion NT for U-S arms purchases Friday,
falling short of the D-P-P's proposed 1.25-trillion NT.

D-P-P spokesperson Lee Kun-cheng warned the cuts could undermine mutual trust
with Washington, weaken Taiwan's self-defense commitment, and create gaps in
future defense capabilities.

The party said some of the trimmed funding was earmarked for joint Taiwan-U-S
projects, including a multilayered air defense network known as "T-Dome," as
well as drone and counter-drone systems.

The opposition K-M-T and T-P-P defended the move, saying lawmakers must not
hand the ruling party a "massive blank check" that could invite corruption.

K-M-T Chairperson Cheng Li-wun and T-P-P Chairman Huang Kuo-chang held a
joint press conference, with both parties saying they supported prioritizing
U-S government-approved arms purchases.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

The Legislative Yuan has passed a supplementary budget bill to fund purchases
of U-S military equipment, capping spending at 780-billion NT -- about
24.8-billion US dollars.

The opposition KMT and TPP used their legislative majority to pass the bill
Friday, 59 to zero, with 48 abstentions.

The bill covers two funding provisions: 300-billion NT for arms already
approved by Washington in December, and 480-billion NT for a future package
not yet announced.

Weapons in the approved package include HIMARS rocket systems, self-propelled
howitzers, and Javelin anti-armor missiles.

A second U-S arms package -- reportedly worth around 14-billion US dollars --
is expected to include PAC-3 interceptors and NASAMS air defense systems.

The bill runs from 2026 to 2033, with annual budgets subject to legislative
approval.

The opposition had blocked the ruling D-P-P's original 1-point-25-trillion NT
proposal 10 times before a scaled-back version advanced.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

President Lai Ching-te and visiting Paraguayan President Santiago Pena have
witnessed the signing of three bilateral cooperation documents.

Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez signed the agreements with Taiwan's
ministers of foreign affairs, digital affairs, and justice.

The documents cover artificial intelligence infrastructure, cybersecurity,
and criminal justice cooperation.

The most notable agreement is a memorandum of understanding on a joint
sovereign A-I computing center, described as the world's first such
initiative between two governments.

It will combine Taiwan's technology sector with Paraguay's green energy
resources.

A pilot phase of around 10 megawatts is planned, with potential expansion to
up to 1 gigawatt.

The cybersecurity M-O-U focuses on policy exchanges and threat intelligence
sharing.

While the criminal justice treaty establishes a framework for evidence
sharing and cross-border law enforcement.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-05-09 10:52:14

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed no Taiwanese citizens were
aboard the Dutch cruise ship M-V Hondius following a hantavirus outbreak on
the vessel.

The C-D-C said it contacted health authorities in the Netherlands and
Argentina, as well as the World Health Organization, on May 7 to verify
passenger information.

Both countries confirmed no Taiwanese nationals appeared on the passenger or
crew manifests.

The clarification came after a Spanish newspaper reported, citing an
anonymous passenger, that a traveler from Taiwan left the ship in Saint
Helena on April 24 and returned home.

The C-D-C called those claims false.

The W-H-O has identified eight ship-related hantavirus cases as of May 5,
including three deaths.

The outbreak is believed to have started with a passenger who contracted the
virus in Argentina or elsewhere in South America before boarding.

The W-H-O says the overall public health risk remains low, as hantavirus does
not spread easily between people.

(CNA-PB)

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