ICRT

Posted on 2025-12-29 20:07:13

Massive Chinese military drills began this morning in the Taiwan
Strait—triggering a wave of political infighting in Taipei over how to
handle the growing threat from the mainland.

The People's Liberation Army launched the maneuvers—dubbed "Justice Mission
2025"—across the Strait and surrounding waters.

Live-fire exercises are expected to follow tomorrow in multiple zones
circling the island.

The ruling DPP accused the main opposition KMT of putting Beijing's interests
first, criticising KMT leader Cheng Li-wen for signalling openness to future
talks with China, including a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The KMT fired back, blaming the DPP government's confrontational cross-strait
policies for provoking Beijing and increasing security risks.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan People’s Party condemned the drills outright, , saying
they would do nothing to promote cross-strait peace or regional stability and
instead deepen tensions.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-12-29 19:53:13

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council says China is talking peace while showing
force.

The council says Beijing launched its latest military drill around Taiwan
just one day after Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an visited Shanghai for the Twin
Cities Forum.

The MAC says China claims it wants closer ties with Taiwan, while at the same
time resorting to military intimidation.

Officials called Beijing a troublemaker and a threat to regional peace and
stability.

Meanwhile, Mayor Chiang said today that he supports dialogue, not
confrontation.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-29 19:53:13

A former DPP city councilor has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison
after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal in a bribery case.

Chen Ko-ming (陳科名) was found to have accepted bribes from property
developers in exchange for pressuring New Taipei City officials to fast-track
building permit approvals.

The court ruled that Chen illegally obtained more than 13 million NT through
the scheme.

Prosecutors say Chen began serving as a city councilor in 2006 and was
re-elected twice.

In 2012, Chen secretly invested in two companies, later using his influence
to pressure the Public Works Department to approve their permits.

He was acquitted on separate charges involving another four million NT.

Chen is already serving a separate prison sentence for accepting 200 thousand
NT dollars in bribes, which he began serving last April.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-12-29 19:53:14

The Hope Foundation for Cancer Care is set to open Taiwan's first counseling
center dedicated specifically to cancer patients and their families.

The center officially opens on New Year's Day in Taipei, offering up to six
free counseling sessions for each patient or family.

Services will include counseling for individuals, couples and families ...
provided by specialized therapists.

The foundation says emotional distress affects nearly half of cancer
patients, with anxiety and depression also taking a toll on caregivers.

While cancer survival rates continue to rise, experts stress that mental
health support is also important.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-29 18:54:13

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun is accusing President Lai Ching-te of pursuing what
she calls provocative cross-strait policies that are pushing Taiwan to the
brink of war with China.

Her comments come as China has announced new military drills around Taiwan,
including live-fire exercises in multiple nearby air and sea zones.

Cheng says President Lai's approach is driving tensions higher and alarming
the international community.

She says that most Taiwanese want stability and peace, not to become
casualties of rising cross-strait tensions.

-----

China's Taiwan Affairs Office this afternoon said these latest military
drills are aimed at what it calls 'Taiwan independence separatist forces' and
'foreign interference' — not the people of Taiwan.

A spokesperson said the operations are meant as a warning to pro-independence
activities and outside powers, describing them as necessary to defend China's
sovereignty.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council strongly condemned the drills, saying they
undermine cross-strait stability and prove Beijing is the main source of
tension in the region.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense says its forces are on high alert
... and that rapid response exercises are underway to defend the island.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-29 18:54:15

Taipei is ramping up security for New Year's Eve, deploying more than 13
hundred police officers along with bomb-sniffing dogs to keep crowds safe.

Police say security levels have been raised across Xinyi District, where
large crowds are expected for the countdown event.

Measures include armed rapid-response teams, anti-stampede units, drone
monitoring, and tighter checks for suspicious or dangerous items.

And ... for the first time, commander vehicles and floodlight trucks will
also be stationed on site to improve coordination and visibility at night.

Authorities say emergency response will be centrally coordinated if needed.

They urge everyone not to bring prohibited items ... and to follow police
instructions, so everyone can enjoy the festivities safety.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-29 17:08:14

The Ministry of Environment is expanding its plastic reduction efforts, with
new targets for 2030 and 2035.

The ministry says using 2024 levels as its base, the government aims to
reduce single-use petroleum-based plastics by 5 percent by 2030 and 10
percent by 2035.

Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming said the strategy is shifting from simple
bans to a "circular economy" model, focusing on green design and using
alternative materials.

Specific plans under the initiative include a rating system for food delivery
platforms, to encourage vendors to use less packaging and stop providing
plastic cutlery by default.

And by 2030, all large companies and chain restaurants must use reusable,
washable tableware for customers eating inside their buildings.

The ministry says it will use Jian-guo Holiday Flower Market in Taipei as a
model for reducing plastic bag use in public markets.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-29 17:08:15

A rescue helicopter has evacuated four hikers from Hsuehshan (雪山) after a
member of their team died from hypothermia.

The five-person team sent a distress call on Saturday while hiking near the
Bo-ke-er Grassland, with one member suffering from hypothermia and only one
day of food remaining.

That member died before rescuers could arrive.

A black hawk helicopter reached the remaining hikers earlier this morning,
transporting the four survivors Taichung for medical care.

Officials say transporters will wait until the weather improves on the
mountain and the snow clears, before retrieving the last hiker's remains.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-29 17:08:15

Kaohsiung MRT and the Light Rail will step up services to handle large crowds
expected for New Year's Eve celebrations.

Starting at 4:30 PM on December 31st, both systems will extend operating
hours and increase train frequency.

On the Red Line, trains will run every 3 minutes from midnight until the
system closes at 2 AM on New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, the Kaohsiung Light Rail will remain in service until 1:30 AM.

Authorities say security drills have also been carried out to strengthen
emergency response.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-29 16:15:13

TPP chairman Huang Kuo-chang is condemning Chinese military drills, saying
that they do not help to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan strait...

and only serve to alienate the Taiwanese public more and more.

He pointed out that the drills in the past did nothing to advance positive
feelings in Taiwan towards China.

Huang's remarks come after the People's Liberation Army announced that they
would conduct drills today and tomorrow around Taiwan.

Meanwhile the DPP legislative caucus says that, in light of these events, it
hopes the opposition will cease blocking a special funding bill for national
defense.

That bill and the 2026 central government's budget plan have yet to be
reviewed by the Legislative committees.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-29 16:15:14

TSMC will reportedly raise prices for advanced manufacturing processes below
3 nanometers starting in January next year.

TSMC share prices rose to a historic high of $1,530 NT per share during
today's stock exchange, bringing its market value to nearly 40 trillion NT.

Taiwan Seminconductor Manufacturing Company is scheduled to conduct an
investor conference on January 15th to release its financial report for the
4th quarter of 2025 and its outlook for the first quarter of 2026.

Market expectations are that TSMC will meet its fourth-quarter operating
targets, with a chance of outperforming forecasts.

Market sources also said todayTSMC may raise prices for advanced
manufacturing processes below 3 nanometers starting early next year.

Semiconductor experts said the move mainly reflects rising costs and
highlights that advanced chipmaking remains a seller’s market.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-29 16:15:14

The Mainland Affairs Council is contradicting local newspaper China Times'
claims that nearly 1000 Chinese spouses will have their Taiwanese nationality
cancelled on January 1st.

It said fewer than 300 Chinese spouses failed to provide documentation
proving that they had renounced their Chinese citizenship.

That's out of over 12,000 people that were required to provide the documents.

The 278 Chinese spouses that have not yet done so are people whom the MAC has
been unable to contact.

But the Council emphasizes that they would not annul someone's nationality
while not knowing where they were.

The China Times report claimed that nearly 1000 of such individuals would
lose their Taiwanese citizenship before the weekend.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-29 15:24:13

KMT Chair Zheng Li Wen says, she hopes to visit Beijing next year before
visiting the United States.

Zheng says, she aims to visit during the first half of next year, as the
second half will be busy with local elections.

That's after Zheng stated over the weekend that any potential meeting with
Chinese leader Xi Jinping would have no conditions other than adhering to the
92 consesnsus and opposing Taiwan independence.

She also notes that a meeting between Xi would "carry major stragetic
significance strategic and send an important message."

Zheng says any other visits to foreign countries would likely take place
after next year's elections.

Meanwhile the DPP has slammed Zheng for making the announcement whilst China
conducts military drills around Taiwan.

Spokesperson Wu Zheng said that the chair of the largest opposition party
calling China her "priority" was representative of the KMT's idea of
cross-strait relations in general...

and criticized the party for overlooking Taiwan's security and dignity.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-29 15:24:13

TPP officials in Changhua say, they look forward to collaborating with the
KMT to decide who to nominate as the opposition candidate for Changhua
magistrate.

Current magistrate Wang Mei Hui of the KMT will step down in November after
serving two terms, while KMT lawmaker Xie Yi Feng 謝衣鳳　yesterday announced
that she would seek her party's nomination to run for the post.

The head of the Changhua TPP offices said that they respected Xie's decision,
but that they hoped to cooperate with the KMT on who to put forward.

They say, the TPP will complete their internal nomination processes in the
county next month.

Whoever the KMT and TPP nominate, they will face the DPP's Chen Su Yue in
November.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-29 14:14:13

The Presidential Office is strongly condemning China's launch of yet another
military drill around Taiwan...

calling it a "unilateral provocation" that destabilizes regional peace and
stability.

The People's Liberation Army announced today the start of a new round of
joint exercises around Taiwan by their army, navy, and air force.

Chinese officials say that the exercises are meant to act as a "stern warning
to 'Taiwanese Independence' separatist forces."

That's as Japanese media is reporting that the drills may be aimed at warning
Japan against further supporting Taiwan...

following comments made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seen as pro-Taiwan.

Meanwhile Chinese officials also say that they will conduct live-fire drills
in the waters and airspace around Taiwan tomorrow, warning vessels and
aircraft not to enter the drill areas.

Those areas will include the sea and airspace near Keelung, Taitung,
Pingtung, Penghu, and Taoyuan.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-12-29 14:14:21

The National Park Service is planning new actions to fight a massive outbreak
of crown-of-thorns starfish around the Dong-sha (東沙) Atoll National Park.

Crown-of-thorns starfish are voracious predators of live coral, consuming it
much faster than it can grow, and they have caused serious damages to the
park's corals since 2014.

The Control Yuan today called on the N-P-S to put in concrete measures to
deal with the problem.

In response, the Park Service said it has already removed about 59,000 such
starfish through large-scale manual operations since last year and has drawn
up a plan for next year to further strengthen removal, monitoring and
early-warning efforts.

It'll work in collaboration with several national universities and Academia
Sinica to do more studies on the ecosystem of Dong-shan corals as well.

It's also building a new vessel capable of carrying up to 18 people for
control and prevention operations of the starfish next year.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-29 14:14:21

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 254 points to
close the session at 28810.

The turnover was 439 billion NT

Posted on 2025-12-29 13:09:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-An, who has just come back from the Twin-city Forum
in Shanghai, has condemned "any acts of escalating regional conflicts."

The comments follow China's launch of another military drill encircling
Taiwan today, which includes the Taiwan Strait, as well as north, southwest
and southeast of Taiwan, and in waters east of the island.

Chinese military officials also said that live-fire exercises would be
carried out from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow in five designated maritime and
airspace zones surrounding Taiwan.

Mayor Chiang said his position remains firm and consistent, and that Taiwan
and China should engage in dialogue rather than confrontation, peace and
prosperity rather than turmoil.

Chiang cut short his trip to just four hours in Shanghai due to the deadly
random attack incident that took place on the 19th in Taipei.

The original plan was for him to arrive there on Saturday and depart on
Sunday.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-29 13:09:13

The Centers for Disease Control says it will plan to expand eligibility for
publicly funded HIV treatments for foreign nationals next year.

Officials say that subsidy regulations are being revised, but they have not
yet released many details on how the expansion will work.

Officials previously said that the expansion would prioritize those with
permanent residency and those under 18.

Under the current program, the CDC covers costs for an HIV patient's first
two years on medication, after which expenses are covered by national health
insurance.

As of last month, there were nearly 36,500 Taiwanese nationals and over 600
foreign nationals in Taiwan living with HIV.

Of the foreign nationals, over half are already covered under the NHI, while
the others have not yet been on medicaiton for two years.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

deter China

President Lai Ching-te says his administration will continue to raise the
cost of aggression and strengthen the island's indigenous defense
capabilities to deter China.

During an exclusive interview with Sanlih E-Television News, Lai repeated
previous comments that peace can only be secured through strength.

Lai highlighted Taiwan's response, when asked to address claims by U-S
defense officials... that Xi Jinping had instructed the People's Liberation
Army to be ready for a Taiwan invasion by 2027,

The president said that if China sets 2027 as the year to be ready for an
invasion of Taiwan, then we have only one choice - to keep raising the
difficulty so that China can never meet that standard.

He also reiterated that his administration will not provoke China and remains
"firmly committed to maintaining the status quo."

Lai further stressed that peace "must be backed by real strength," rather
than relying on an agreement or the goodwill of an aggressor, noting that
history shows negotiations without leverage inevitably lead to surrender.

And he went on to tout his plans for a multilayered "T-Dome" air defense
network, the development of a an AI-enabled battlefield intelligence support
system, and the upgrading and transformation of Taiwan's domestic defense
industries.

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has told delegates at the Twin-City Forum in
Shanghai that he hopes the Taiwan Strait will come to be associated with
"peace and prosperity," rather than "crashing waves and howling winds."

Chiang didn't elaborate on what he meant by "crashing waves and howling
winds" ...

.... but his statement is seen as highlighting his hopes for cross-strait
communications to continue, despite central government dialogue being largely
suspended.

The said he remains committed to the Twin-City Forum because he believes
"engagement is better than estrangement, dialogue is better than
confrontation, understanding is better than misunderstanding ...

.... and interaction is better than conflict."

It was Chiang's third time attending the forum as Taipei mayor and he led a
delegation of 120 members to the event in Shanghai on Sunday.

The theme of this year's forum was "Technology Changing Lives" and the Taipei
Mayor has said the two cities will sign new memorandums of understanding on
areas including water management and vocational training.

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun is dismissing reports of the possibility of
tensions arising over local elections with the Taiwan People's Party.

This, after T-P-P Chairman Huang Kuo-chang announced his plans to seek New
Taipei's top job in next November's election.

Cheng claimed communications between herself and Huang have been very smooth
and people should not "over-interpret" or "make associations" with regard to
the T-P-P chair's decision.

Cheng says everything related to the progress and atmosphere of cooperation
between the two parties has so far been extremely positive and favorable, and
she's confident that will continue.

Huang announced that he would run for the post of New Taipei mayor at a rally
in Xinzhuang District on Saturday.

Incumbent Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the K-M-T is set to leave office next year after
serving two terms.

The KMT has yet to select a nominee in the New Taipei race, but Deputy Taipei
Mayor Lee Shu-chuan has been touted as a possible candidate, and earlier this
month he said he'd "certainly" register if primaries are held.

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its welcomes Israel's decision to
formally recognize Somaliland as a sovereign nation.

MOFA claimed Taiwan, Israel, and Somaliland, are all "like-minded democratic
partners sharing the values of democracy, freedom, and rule of law" ...

.. and it expects the move to facilitate closer three-way cooperation on all
fronts between Taiwan, Israel and Somaliland.

Taiwan and Somaliland opened representative offices in each other's capitals
in 2020.

The foreign ministry says ties have steadily grown since the opening of those
offices -- with cooperation seen in such areas as medicine, education,
agriculture, information and telecommunications, security, and energy mineral
development.

Taiwan and Somaliland signed an agreement in July of this year to enhance
bilateral coast guard cooperation to jointly safeguard navigation safety in
the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

We'll have more on this story a bit later on in the newscast

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

aftershocks

The Central Weather Administration says the limited number of aftershocks
following Saturday night's magnitude 7 earthquake that struck off the
northeast coast is due to its occurring at a greater depth in a subduction
zone.

The offshore earthquake was centered some 32-kilometers east of Yilan County
Hall offshore, at a depth of 73-kilometers.

Data shows that only three aftershocks have been reported since then.

The first of them occured about an hour-and-a-half after the initial quake
and two more were recorded on Sunday.

The weather administration's Seismological Center says the difference between
the April, 2024 Hualien quake, which was followed by frequent aftershocks,
and this past Saturday's quake off of Yilan is due to the quake's depth and
tectonic setting.

The CWA said Saturday's Yilan quake was caused by the Philippine Sea Plate
subducting northward beneath the Eurasian Plate ..

.. and such deep earthquakes generally generate fewer aftershocks and weaker
surface shaking.

However, the center is warning that aftershocks in the magnitude 5.5 to 6
range are still possible over the coming week.

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

Damage from Saturday's magnitude 7 earthquake that struck off of the coast of
Yilan County has been largely repaired across northern Taiwan.

The Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says lightweight ceiling debris
that fell in three waiting lounge areas and at baggage carousel areas in
Terminal 2 has been cleared and repairs have been completed.

The Yilan County Government says its education department had not been
notified of damage to school buildings and tourism facilities under its
management were not damaged.

The Taipei City Government has said it received 39 incident reports including
nine gas leaks, 14 water outages and leaks, one damaged traffic signal, six
instances of minor building damage, and two wall collapses.

While the New Taipei City Government reported six incidents, including
falling tiles, a water pipeline rupture, ground cracking, ground seepage and
a landslide.

Posted on 2025-12-29 06:52:13

And,

A man who rode a horse in Wuling in the Hehuanshan area has been fined by
police on Sunday for violating traffic regulations.

This, while national park authorities say they are reviewing whether
additional penalties will apply.

Police say the man was riding his horse on public road at Wuling in an
apparent attempt to see snowfall and was issued fine for violating the Road
Traffic Management and Penalty Act.

He was reportedly fined for allowing or leading an animal on a public road in
a way that obstructed traffic, an offense punishable by a fine of between 300
and 600 N-T.

The incident drew widespread public attention after the man and his horse
were spotted in a parking lot in the Hehuanshan area.

The Taroko National Park Headquarters says pets are prohibited from entering
trails, ecological protection zones, historic preservation areas and special
scenic zones.

Posted on 2025-12-27 16:06:13

Taiwan's central bank says the local stock market has outperformed markets in
Japan and South Korea over the past four years because of strong growth in AI
hardware.

The central bank said that the Taiex has risen about 120 percent as of Dec.
15.

That beat out the 103 percent rise in Japan's Nikkei 225 index and the 90
percent rise in South Korea's KOSPI since 2022.

The central bank said Asian stock markets were also helped by ample liquidity
generated by the loose monetary policies of the US Federal Reserve and other
major central banks

The tech-heavy Nasdaq index has been the best market performer in the world
over the past four years, surging by more than 125 percent since 2022.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 15:07:14

EVA Airways is planning spend nearly 2 billion US dollars to purchase new
Boeing aircraft to meet demand for a global expansion.

EVA said its board of directors approved the plan yesterday to spend no more
than US$1.94 billion to buy four wide-body Boeing 787-9 planes and extend
lease contracts for four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft it currently operates.

EVA currently has a fleet of 89 planes.

Analysts say Taiwan's three main international carriers -- which also include
China Airlines and Starlux Airlines -- appear upbeat about demand for
passenger flights ... as well as for cargo services amid the AI boom.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 15:07:14

Taiwan Railway Corporation says average daily passenger volume rose by 1.4%
since it raised ticket prices at the end of June.

The railway operator estimates that passenger revenue rose by NT$2.6 billion
this year thanks to increased fares and passenger volume.

Taiwan Railways said safety is its top priority heading into the new year. In
the first 11 months of the year, there were two major accidents on the tracks
in Taiwan, compared with four last year. There were 38 minor accidents, three
fewer than during the same period last year.

Trains attained a target punctuality rate of 97.5% in November. That excludes
delays due natural disasters.

Passenger volume for the full year is estimated at 670,000 up nearly 3% on
year.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 14:07:14

Taiwan's Cabinet has approved draft amendments that would allow authorities
to detain or fine people who spread hate speech or promote extremist causes
in parks, train stations and other public places.

The amendments to the Social Order Maintenance Act need to be passed by the
Legislative Yuan to become law. This isn't a certainty, as the opposition
controls the legislature.

Under the draft revisions, individuals who promote or disseminate hate
speech, terrorism-related messages, or narratives linked to hostile foreign
forces in public venues could face penalties.

"Hostile foreign forces" usually refers to China.

Offenders could be subject to detention of up to three days or fined up to
NT$30,000.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 14:07:14

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense says China launched a rocket shortly
after midnight that crossed over central Taiwan.

The People's Liberation Army launched the rocket from a satellite base in
Sichuan Province. It traveled eastward --above Taiwan's atmosphere.

The ministry said it posed no danger to to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, in the 24 hours to 6am today, the ministry reports that there were
13 PLA aircraft sorties near Taiwan, with 12 of them crossing the Taiwan
Strait median line. It also spotted seven PLA ships operating near Taiwan.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 14:07:14

Lower temperatures recently have led to reduced blood donations at donation
centers as well as an increased need for blood.

Donation centers say there was just 6 days of blood in stock islandwide as of
this morning, and they're calling for more donations. Blood banks say a safe
buffer period for blood supplies is around 7-10 days, while 4 days of stock
is considered an emergency.

Type A and Type O blood stocks are the lowest, at just over 5 days in stock
nationally. In Taichung, the levels are below 4 days.

Type AB blood is at the safe level.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 13:09:13

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has passed a law aimed at facilitating youth
development and encouraging greater youth participation in public affairs.

Under the newly passed "Youth Basic Law," which defines youth as people aged
18 to 35, a NT$10 billion youth development fund will be established, with
funding allocated in stages over five years after the law takes effect.

It is to be financed through central government budget allocations,
investment returns and public donations, and it will be overseen by a
management committee of 13 to 15 members, with scholars, experts and youth
representatives accounting for more than half of its members.

The law also mandates that the government ensure 18-year-olds can exercise
their legal rights to participate in voting, recalls, initiatives, and
referendums.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 13:09:13

The Central Weather Administration says a continental cold mass brought low
temperatures and up to 9 centimeters of snow to Taiwan's highest mountains
early this morning.

The temperature dipped to as low as minus 5 degrees overnight on Jade
mountain.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 12:10:14

President Lai Ching-te is seeking a ruling from the Constitutional Court
regarding a bill passed by the Legislature that rolls back some pension
reforms that were introduced in 2018.

Lai has promulgated the bill, but he appended an annotation that argued it
was unconstitutional because it would require taxpayer funds to cover
shortfalls in the public service pension system.

He added that it infringes on the Cabinet's authority to formulate the
general budget.

Lai said in the annotation the "latest amendments would cause the civil
servants' and public school teachers' pension systems to go bankrupt earlier,
forcing the public to shoulder additional financial shortfalls."

Any appeal to the Constitutional Court is problematic, as it currently has
only eight justices, two fewer than a quorum required under a separate
opposition amendment that requires at least 10 justices on the 15-seat
Constitutional Court to participate in deliberations and at least nine to
approve a ruling that a law is unconstitutional.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 12:10:14

The Miaoli District Court has ordered the detention of a man accused of
attacking a woman with a sickle and attempting to assault a convenience store
clerk in Miaoli City.

Police said officers arrested the suspect on Thursday afternoon after
receiving reports that a man was wielding a sickle and threatening people at
a convenience store.

Earlier, the suspect had attacked a woman outside, injuring the left side of
her waist.

Officers said the suspect appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the
time of arrest.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 11:08:13

The Cabinet has approved amendments that would expand the range of
individuals who would be required to get government approval before visiting
China.

The revisions, which require passage by the opposition-controlled Legislative
Yuan before they can become law, follow a Dec. 19 trip to Xiamen by seven
lawmakers from the KMT to attend an event that was categorized as commercial
but reportedly touched on political issues.

Under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and
the Mainland Area, only political appointees, the mayors of Taiwan's six
biggest cities and certain high-level government officials must undergo a
joint review before traveling to China.

The revisions would additionally require national legislators as well as all
mayors, and county commissioners to pass a joint review by the Ministry of
the Interior in consultation with the Mainland Affairs Council before they
could visit China.

Lower-level political appointees and police officers would be required to
obtain approval from their respective agencies.

The amendments would seem to be a non-starter given that the opposition
controls the legislature.

KMT caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-chiang described the revisions as a "fig
leaf" to cover up President Lai's incompetence in handling cross-Taiwan
Strait relations.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-27 11:08:13

Taiwan's manufacturing sentiment improved for a fifth consecutive month in
November, as strong global demand for AI applications continued to bolster
export-oriented producers.

The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research reports that the composite index
for the manufacturing sector rose by 2.39 points from a month earlier, to
94.42.

A TIER official said movements in the index indicate that the local
manufacturing sector has left behind the shadow created by Trump's tariff
policies.

He added that manufacturers are upbeat that the US Federal Reserve's lowering
of interest rates will create wealth effects by pushing up stock markets and
eventually boosting private consumption.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2025-12-26 17:08:14

The health ministry says a stalled 2026 central government budget could delay
new birth support under the National Pension Insurance system.

The Department of Social Insurance says about $1.5 billion NT is affected,
involving some 20-thousand people.

Starting next year, eligible National Pension recipients who give birth could
receive a combined childbirth benefit and birth subsidy of $100-thousand NT
per baby.

The new subsidy also covers birth mothers of Taiwanese newborns who are not
enrolled in other social insurance programs.

Officials say routine childbirth benefits for parents who already have social
insurance, such as Labor Insurance, should not be affected.

But the ministry says the new top-up funding cannot be paid until the general
budget is passed.

It says babies born after January 1st may first receive the existing National
Pension benefit of about $40-thousand NT, with the rest paid later.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-12-26 17:08:14

Penghu County says its 2026 International Fireworks Festival will open on May
4th and run through August 25th.

Officials say the event will partner with the Japanese anime Dragon Ball Z
for a themed summer fireworks program.

The county government says the festival is one of Penghu's key tourism brand
events and brings steady economic benefits.

Organizers say the 2026 edition will continue large-scale fireworks shows and
drone light performances.

The Tourism Department says the festival will be held every Monday and
Thursday from May 4th to June 25th.

Events will then move to Tuesdays from June 30th through August 25th.

The schedule includes 33 shows in total, plus 2 trial shows on April 20th and
April 27th with 10-minute fireworks.

Officials say opening and closing nights will feature 12 minutes of fireworks
and a 10-minute drone display, with themed areas and limited co-branded
merchandise also planned.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-12-26 17:08:14

Taiwan Bank says gold prices have jumped more than 70-percent so far this
year.

In its daily international gold market report, the bank cites investment
adviser ByteTree and its founder Charlie Morris.

Morris says central banks are still buying gold, and safe-haven demand is
rising.

He also points to a weaker U.S. dollar and loose monetary conditions as
support for gold.

Morris says the gold bull market could continue into next year.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-12-26 16:13:13

Doctors are warning that RSV, or 'respiratory syn-cytial virus, can spread
quickly during year-end events.

Pediatric specialist Mu Shu-chi (穆淑琪) says RSV is more than twice as
contagious as influenza.

She says in group settings, 1 infected person may pass the virus to more than
5 others.

Mu says infants and young children are at higher risk because their airways
are narrow and can block with thick mucus.

She says severe cases can lead to low oxygen, pauses in breathing, and even
intensive care treatment.

Mu also says children who have had RSV face about 3 times the risk of asthma
or repeated wheezing later.

A pediatric foundation is urging parents to wash hands often and avoid taking
babies to crowded, high-risk places.

It also says families can talk with doctors about protective options,
including vaccination, to reduce severe illness.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-12-26 16:13:18

The KMT and TPP legislative caucuses say that the legislature will hold an
impeachment vote in May against President Lai Ching-te.

The legislature will invite Lai to a review session for answering lawmakers'
questions on January 21st and 22nd after holding 2 public hearings to discuss
the motion.

A second review is slated for May 13th and 14th, before an impeanchment vote
at the Legislative plenary session on May 19th.

TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang criticized Lai for refusing to promulgate
amendments to the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures passed
by the legislature in November.

Meanwhile DPP Caucus Secretary general Zhogn Jia Bin slammed the opposition
for using impeachment as a prop, saying that according to law, the petition
to impeach the president by the Legislative Yuan must be passed by two thirds
of the legislature.

That means that 76 lawmakers would need to vote yes, exceeding the blue
camp's total 62 seats.

After such a petition is passed by the legislature, it would then be sent to
the Constitutional Court for the final decision.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-26 14:08:13

Taipei police say they have arrested a man over an online post threatening a
random knife attack.

The Taipei City Police says the post appeared in a Facebook group on December
20th.

Police say it came after a recent random attack in Taipei last week that
resulted in 4 dead, including the perpetrator, and 11 injured.

Investigators say the post claimed the writer would go out and slash people
on the street.

Police say it also included a photo of Cheng Chieh (鄭捷) being arrested in
the 2014 Taipei Metro killing case.

Authorities traced the account to a 33-year-old man and say he was arrested
on Wednesday in New Taipei's Xinzhuang District.

Prosecutors sought detention, but a New Taipei court set bail at $30-thousand
NT.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau says it investigated 94 related cases from
December 20th to December 25th, with 12 arrests and 4 detentions.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-12-26 14:08:13

Taipei prosecutors have indicted a man who allegedly leaked the details of
former president Tsai Ing-wen's trips abroad and information about Song-shan
Air Force Base to the Chinese Communist Party.

This is the second indictment against Lu Ji Xian (魯紀賢), who was already
sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison by the Taipei District Court on
another espionage charge.

Prosecutors are now seeking a total of 15 years of imprisonment for Lu, and a
jain term of between 4 and 8 years for the other three accomplices.

The indictment points out that Lu was in China attending a diabolo event when
he was recruited by a Chinese national and ultimately received nearly 6
million NT in pay.

He allegedly recuited active and retired military personnel, as well as
employees of China Airlines, to gather intelligence on a 2023 trip made by
Tsai and other classified military information.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-26 14:08:13

Asian shares are mixed amidst thin holiday trading, with shares in Tokyo and
Shanghai rising...

while those in Bangkok and Jakarta fell.

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 28556 after
gaining 184 points.

The turnover was 431.8 billion NT

Posted on 2025-12-26 13:07:14

The Taipei Prosecutors' Office has indicted Zheng Yi-ling(鄭亦麟), a former
Economics Ministry official responsible for promoting Taiwan's renewable
energy, on charges of corruption and money laundering.

Prosecutors said Zheng, former deputy CEO of the Green Energy Industry
Promotion Center, took nearly $2 million NT in bribes and had more than $6
million in unexplained assets.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of 14 years for Zheng, and two years
for his parents and brother, who are also indicted.

Zheng was appointed to the position in 2018 under former President Tsai
Ing-wen, and prosecutors launched investigation earlier this year following a
tip-off alleging that he bribes money from two companies.

He is accused of pressuring Taiwan Power for the companies that needed more
feeder capacity by abusing his official position.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-26 13:07:19

Tainan city is launching a survey of homeless people in the city today as low
temperatures dropped to 14 degrees this morning with the arrival of a
continental cold air mass.

Officials say that the survey aims to better understand the living situations
of homeless people in Tai-nan and to ensure they can receive medical
treatment if needed.

Current numbers indicate that there are nearly 300 homeless people in the
city, just over half of whom regularly sleep outside.

The Tainan city government is continuing to promote a support center to aid
the homeless individuals in rebuilding their lives by finding housing and
employment.

City officials emphasize that the census also focuses on their safety,
health, and any risk factors, and social workers are offering necessary
supplies, medical referrals, and resettlement information.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-26 13:07:24

Chunghwa Telecom says its kids digital reading platform FunPark logged more
than 1.2 million hours of reading this year.

The platform is run by its subsidiary SmartFun Digital, which released the
annual reading report today.

The report says total reading time reached nearly 72 million minutes, up
nearly 3 percent from a year earlier.

SmartFun chairman Lin Wen-chih (林文智) says FunPark uses broadband, cloud
services, and integrated billing to expand into content and education
technology.

The report says over 68-percent of users are family subscribers, while just
over 31-percent come from libraries and schools.

(PB)

Posted on 2025-12-26 08:07:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The north concourse of Taoyuan International Airport's Terminal 3 has
officially began operating.

Speaking at the opening cermony, President Lai Ching-te said upcoming goals
include completing Terminal 3 by 2027 to allow construction of the airport's
third runway to begin ....

... and another goal is for the airport to handle 83 million passengers, 3.85
million tons of cargo, and 435,000 takeoffs and landings annually by 2045,
creating an economic impact of 2.2-trillion N-T.

According to the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation, the north
concourse is expected to ease congestion during early-morning transfer and
departure peak hours, as 40 arriving and departing flights will use the
concourse every day.

A trial period began on December 1 and the airport operator says a total of
259 takeoffs and landings were recorded during that period -- with passenger
traffic reaching 58,801.

Terminal 3 was designed by British architect Richard Rogers, who also
designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and it features a bright, modern
design with silver-gray and orange accents.

The north concourse extends from Gate D-10 at Terminal 2 and connects to
Gates D-11 through D-18.

The main Terminal 3 complex is scheduled to be completed and opened in 2027.

Posted on 2025-12-26 08:07:13

Police in Taipei say they're investigating a threatening note written in
English found on the memorial wall at Eslite Bookstore's Nanxi branch.

The statement comes after a member of the public reported discovering the
message on the memorial wall last night.

According to the Taipei City Police Department, officers have been reviewing
closed circuit television footage from the area and are actively
investigating the suspect's identity and related information.

Images and text posted on social media show the note reads - "I will kill
more people in the next few days."

The memorial wall outside the Eslite Bookstore's Nanxi branch appeared after
members of the public began placing flowers and candles there following last
Friday's deadly knife and smoke bomb attacks.

The suspect died after falling from the rooftop of the bookstore, which is
next to the Zhongshan MRT Station.

Posted on 2025-12-26 08:07:13

K-M-T lawmaker Hsieh Lung-chieh has been presented with a "prop handgun" that
he proceeded to brandish during a campaign event in Tainan.

Hsieh is the K-M-T's nominee for the 2026 Tainan mayoral election.

He was selected as the party's mayoral pick on Wednesday and was speaking at
a year-end event for K-M-T military veterans when deputy party chairman and
retired Marine Corps general, Chi Lin-lien pulled out the gun ...

.. which appeared to shock some of the people on stage.

Chi told Hsieh that the handgun was "the latest model" from a Marine Corps
manufacturing facility, and presented it to him with wishes for a "resounding
victory" with "full firepower."

Chi added that he had wanted to bring a rifle, but that it would have been
"inconvenient" to take on the High Speed Rail.

The K-M-T is stressing that the handgun was a "toy" and intended for use as a
"prop."

Hsieh previously ran for Tainan mayor in 2022, gaining 43.63-per cent of the
vote in a loss to D-P-P incumbent Huang Wei-che, who received 48.8-per cent
of the vote.

Posted on 2025-12-26 08:07:13

The Chiayi District Court has ordered a woma to pay 13.9-million N-T in civil
damages for selling her mobile phone number to scammers who used it to
defraud the man who filed suit.

According to a civil judgment issued by the court, the woman signed up for a
mobile phone number at a telecom store and sold the SIM card to a man for 300
N-T in August of last year.

Members of the telecom fraud ring the contacted a victim using the SIM card,
impersonating police officers and financial regulators.

The victim was led to believe that his bank account had suspicious
transactions and he transferred a total of 13.9-million N-T to unknown
accounts between August and October of last year.

The court says although the woman did not carry out the fraud herself, the
mobile number she sold was used to contact the victim -- and by providing the
number, she had in effect assisted the scammers.

The verdict can be appealed.

Posted on 2025-12-26 08:07:13

And finally,

The Taiwan Network Information Center says a survey shows that short-form
videos have become the most common media format consumed by users, ahead of
social media.

According to the survey, 78.46-per cent of respondents had watched a
short-form video in the past three months, surpassing the 76.86-per cent who
had used a social media platform.

More than three-fifths of respondents said they watched short videos daily
across multiple platforms, while nearly half reported viewing short videos
multiple times a day, compared to 8.06-per cent who said they watched once a
day.

The report defined a short-term video as content lasting 15 seconds to three
minutes on such platforms as TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels and
YouTube Shorts.

The social media platforms it surveyed were Facebook, Instagram, Threads,
TikTok, PTT, X and Dcard.

Taiwan Network Information Center says the data shows that short videos have
embedded themselves into daily life in a relatively short period, and their
influence should not be underestimated.

Posted on 2025-12-26 06:54:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it's maintaining an "open and pragmatic"
attitude towards future developments with Honduras after the country's
presidential election .

This comes after Nasry Asfura of the opposition National Party of Honduras
was declared the winner of the polls.

Asfura has pledged to restore formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

But MOFA has refused to offer any further comment on this possibility.

Instead, the foreign ministry said it called on the president-elect to
implement policies based on the welfare of the people.

Both Asfura and his opponent Salvador Nasralla had pledged to restore
diplomatic relations with Taiwan during their election campaigns.

Ties between Taiwan and Honduras were severed in 2023 by sitting President
Xiomara Castro - who established formal ties with Beijing.

Posted on 2025-12-26 06:54:13

The Pentagon has released its annual report to Congress, warning that Beijing
could eventually see a full amphibious invasion of Taiwan as the only
"prudent" way to bring about unification.

The Pentagon's "Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments
Involving the People's Republic of China 2025," was similar to the 2024
report.

However, it reorganized its analysis of the options China has to take over
Taiwan.

U-S defense officials say Chinese leaders view Beijing's capabilities for a
Taiwan campaign as improving, but they remain uncertain about its readiness
to successfully seize the island while countering potential U-S involvement.

The report adds Beijing is busy refining several military options to force
unification with Taiwan, ranging from coercive actions short of war to a
full-scale joint island landing campaign ...

... and a landing campaign involving a large-scale amphibious invasion of
Taiwan would be the most decisive and riskiest option.

Washington is said to lack information about whether Beijing has determined
the viability of other unification options... but says the decisiveness of a
joint island landing campaign will probably make it an increasingly more
appealing option ..

..... as the decision space for other options is constrained.

Posted on 2025-12-26 06:54:13

The K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have unveiled the "Taiwan Future
Accounts" - which they say is aimed at providing government-funded investment
accounts for children that could be claimed in full when they turn 18 years
of age.

The policy is said said to be aimed at easing the financial pressure on
parents and help stop the island's declining birthrate.

Under the draft version of the plan, the government will be required to
establish accounts for children aged 12 years and below with valid household
registration in Taiwan.

The government will put an initial sum of 50,000 N-T in each account,
followed by an additional 10,000 N-T annually until a child turns 12, which
will be invested in index funds on Taiwan's stock market.

The draft states that on turning 18, the owner of the account will receive
the accumulated funds to help pay for higher education, start a business, put
towards a down payment on a house, or invest.

K-M-T Chair Cheng Li-wun says the funds for the program would be overseen by
a Taiwan Future Accounts Fund Management Committee established by the
government.

While T-P-P Chairman Huang Kuo-chang is acknowledging that the inspiration
for the proposal came from the "Trump Accounts" program - which was recently
announced in the U-S.

Posted on 2025-12-26 06:54:13

The Coast Guard Administration says it dispatched three patrol frigates to
shadow and monitor Chinese coast guard vessels after they entered restricted
waters off of Kinmen.

The three Chinese vessels were detected sailing in formation outside
restricted waters west of Dadan Island before entering Kinmen's restricted
waters.

The administration says it's patrol frigates sailed alongside each of the
Chinese vessels and prevented them from further advancing into water around
the outlying island.

The administration also says it broadcast radio messages in Chinese and
English -- informing the Chinese vessels that their actions severely
undermined regional peace and stability, posed a risk to navigation safety,
and demanded that they leave the area immediately.

The Chinese coast guard vessels left the area some two hours after first
being sighted.

The Coast Guard Administration has condemned the incursion -- describing it
as being unprofessional and irrational.

Posted on 2025-12-26 06:54:13

And,

The New Taipei Metro Corporation says the Circular Line, the Danhai Light
Rail Transit and the Ankeng Light Rail Transit in New Taipei will operate
through New Year's Eve to accommodate crowds attending year-end festivities
and fireworks displays.

Trains on the Circular Line will run at 12-minute intervals from 11PM on
December 31 to 1AM on January 1, before shifting to 15-minute intervals from
1AM to 6AM.

While services on the Danhai and Ankeng light rail transit lines will be
extended well into the morning of January 1, operating at 30-minute intervals
from midnight to 6AM in that day.

The metro company also says it has conducted a multi-hazard emergency drill
aimed to test emergency response mechanisms, the speed of police and fire
brigade support, and use of onboard self-defense and emergency equipment to
buy time before first responders arrived.

The metro operator is urging passengers to stay alert to their surroundings
and report to station staff immediately when they see anything abnormal.

Posted on 2025-12-26 06:54:13

The Ministry of Agriculture is warning that cat owners who fail to put
microchips in their pets could face fines of up to 15,000 N-T from next
month.

Under the Animal Protection Act, dog owners have been required to microchip
and register their pets since 2008 -- with violators subject to fines of up
to 15,000 N-T.

The same requirement was extended to cat owners at the start of this year
after an amendment to pet regulations was formally announced on December 16,
2024.

The penalties are set to take effect on January 1, 2026 -- that's next week.

From that time, cat owners who fail to microchip their pets may face the same
fines as for dogs and can be ordered to correct the violation within a set
time period.

If the owner still fails to comply by the deadline, additional fines may be
imposed for each subsequent offense.

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