ICRT

Posted on 2026-01-07 18:33:13

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says consumer
inflation in Taiwan continued to ease at the end of last year.

According to the DGBAS, the Consumer Price Index for December 2025 rose 1.31
percent year-on-year, a slight increase from the previous month.

However, looking at the full year, average CPI growth for 2025 came in at
1.66 percent — the first time in four years it has fallen below the
two-percent inflation alert threshold, and the lowest level in five years.

Core inflation, which excludes fruits, vegetables, and energy, stood at 1.83
percent in December, while prices of key household goods rose 2.57 percent,
with the increase continuing to moderate.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-07 18:32:13

Doctors in Taiwan are warning that falling temperatures are increasing the
risk of deadly heart conditions.

They urge anyone who experiences symptoms such as chest tightness, cold
sweats, or a sudden dizzying drop in blood pressure ... to seek help
immediately.

Doctors said cardiovascular mortality typically peaks during winter.

In fact, studies show that for every single degree the temperature drops, the
risk of cardiovascular disease rises by over one-and-a-half percent.

Medical experts are specifically concerned about "cardiogenic shock"—a
life-threatening condition where the heart suddenly struggles to pump blood.

They urge everyone to stay warm and maintain healthy routines.

-----

This warning comes as the Central Weather Administration has issued cold
surge advisories for much of the island.

"Orange" alerts—warning of temperatures as low as six degrees—are in effect
for much of Northern Taiwan and Yilan.

Meanwhile, "Yellow" alerts for temperatures under ten degrees cover most of
the rest of the island ... from Taichung down to Kaohsiung and across to
outlying Kinmen.

Forecasters say the combination of a continental cold air mass and radiative
cooling will keep these warnings in place through at least tonight.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-07 18:32:16

Nestle Taiwan assures that baby formula products sold locally are safe,
despite recalls in at least 30 countries over contamination concerns

The company said the affected batches have not been sold in Taiwan and
stressed that all products on local shelves meet safety standards.

Nestle added it has put control measures in place to protect consumer trust
and is inviting the public to contact customer service with any questions.

Nestle says the problem stems from a bacterial toxin found in a specific oil
used by one of its major suppliers.

The company says it has tested all related ingredients, is working with the
supplier to identify the cause, and is cooperating with authorities overseas.

Nestle emphasized that no illnesses linked to its products have been
confirmed so far.

Posted on 2026-01-07 18:32:20

Taiwan's property market is expected to remain quiet but stable through the
start of 2026.

That's the outlook from Billy Yen, managing director of
American``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield, who spoke in Taipei yesterday.

Yen estimated that property transaction volumes totaled about 260 thousand
units in 2025.

He expects volume to stay at that same level this year, with only minor price
adjustments.

He says strict mortgage rules and a cooling presale market continue to weigh
on housing demand.

However, Yen notes that if financing is eased for first-time buyers,
"real-need" demand could give the market a slight lift later next year.

It's a different story for commercial real estate...

That sector saw seven-percent growth in 2025 from the year before, reaching
nearly 159-billion NT.

Analysts say that resilience is being fueled by the massive demand for land
from Taiwan's semiconductor and AI industries.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-01-07 17:19:14

Civil groups are coming out in support of the Executive Yuan's version of
amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act ahead of legislative examination
of the drafts tomorrow.

The Taiwan Equality Campaign, Awakening Foundation, and Taiwan Women's Link
held a press conference today to state their support for the Cabinet's
decision to first extend access to assisted reproduction to single women and
same-sex female couples...

before touching on the highly controversial issue of surrogacy.

Several green lawakers joined them at the press conference today, including
Fan Yun, Wu Si Yao, Wu Pei Yi, and Huang Jie, among others.

Advocates noted that the sudden scheduling of the draft amendments for review
came as a surprise...

but added that they hoped for the executive yuan's version of the amendments
to be passed quickly, without what they view as insufficient legislation for
surrogacy from some lawmakers' proposals.

They also indicated support for a clause to be added to that version which
would prevent against the discrimination of single parents.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-07 17:19:14

Taipei City is warning residents to be cautious of tiles peeling off
buildings and falling due to the cold weather.

They're advising residents to walk underneath the covered portion of
sidewalks in order to avoid potential falling tiles.

The phenomenon occurs due to the fact that the cold causes things to shrink,
making the tiles prone to falling.

The city government is also reminding building owners to check building
exteriors for loose tiles...

and to put up warning signs or erect other measures to protct the public
before seeking repairs as soon as possible.

Failure to do so will result in fines between 60 and 300,000 NT.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-07 17:19:14

Three dairy processing companies in Taiwan have been fined for failing to
hire required safety and hygiene staff.

The Food and Drug Administration announced the results of a recent inspection
covering 33 companies that produce items such as milk, cheese, and ice cream.

Investigators found that three businesses did not have specialized
professional personnel on site, and one also lacked a hygiene management
officer.

The FDA says these professionals help track quality and respond to food
safety emergencies.

The businesses were fined a total of $120-thousand NT for violating the Act
Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-07 16:11:13

The Air Force says the search will continue for a pilot who went missing off
the coast of Hualien on Tuesday night.

Captain Hsin Po-yi was flying an F-16V during a night training mission when
his plane disappeared from radar.

Records show Hsin reported he was lost in the clouds at 7:27 p.m.

One minute later, he radioed that his altitude was dropping and shouted that
he was ejecting.

Radar contact was lost at 1,700 feet.

The Air Force says its all-out search for Captain Hsin will continue beyond
72 hours.

Air Force officials say the weather met safety standards and the plane had no
mechanical issues.

The Air Force has grounded all F-16 jets for safety inspections.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-07 16:11:13

New figures show that workers in Taipei earn significantly more than the
national average, though notable gender and industry gaps remain.

According to the city's Department of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the
median annual salary for full-time local workers in the industrial and
service sectors reached 735 thousand NT in 2024, up from the previous year.

However, men earned a median of just under 800 thousand NT, while women
earned about 687 thousand, leaving a gender gap of around 112 thousand NT.

Even so, both figures remain well above the national median.

Pay also varies widely by industry.

Workers in finance and insurance earned some of the highest salaries, with
median annual pay topping 1.2 million NT.

That sector employs nearly 13 percent of Taipei's workforce.

By contrast, wholesale trade employs more people than any other sector in the
city—at over 18 percent.

However, pay remains slightly below the citywide median, with annual earnings
at just over 700 thousand NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-07 15:12:13

China has blacklisted Taiwan’s interior and education ministers, accusing
them of being "hardline supporters of Taiwan independence".

China's Taiwan Affairs Office says it would carry out "punishment in
accordance with the law" against Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang
(劉世芳), and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀).

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council responded to the move during a legislative
meeting today.

The council's Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh said those on the list are
people who firmly defend the existence of the Republic of China and resist
infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party.

Liang stated that the government will continue its current path and that the
beliefs of those targed by China will not change.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-07 15:12:13

The Ministry of Education says dozens of vocational high schools in Taiwan
are teaching students how to manage their emotions and relationships.

Officials say 68 technical high schools are participating in the "Social
Emotional Learning" program this academic year, with lessons focused on
skills such as self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, and making
responsible decisions.

Teachers are adding these lessons directly into professional training classes.

The program also supports special education students, helping them learn how
to improve communication and manage stress.

The ministry says the program will help increase students' ability to adapt
to the workplace, and help them succeed in future jobs.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-07 14:09:13

The Freeway Bureau says control measures will be in place on National Freeway
5 to manage heavy traffic during the upcoming Lunar New Year and Peace
Memorial Day holidays.

The nine-day Lunar New Year break begins February 14th, and the three-day
Peace Memorial Day weekend starts February 27th, and officials expect large
crowds traveling to Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung.

To reduce congestion, the Shiding and Pinglin entrance ramps will be closed
to southbound cars during peak morning hours.

And high-occupancy vehicle rules will be in effect for northbound travel from
Su’ao to Toucheng between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. from February 18th to the 21st.

The same rules apply on February 28th and March 1st.

Officials point out that taking a bus could save travelers more than 30
minutes compared to driving, and those who do drive should check their
vehicle’s condition and avoid driving while tired.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-07 14:09:15

The Hsinchu City government says, a new regulation to ban claw machines from
operating near elementary and junior high schools will take effect in less
than one year.

Officials say, the rule to ban such stores within 100 meters of schools will
take effect on January 5th following a one year grace period.

After that time, if violators continue to operate near schools, they'll face
20 to 100,000 NT in fines.

Meanwhile, regulations stipulating what kind of merchandise can go inside the
claw machines will take effect immediately.

According to a previous United Daily News report, there were over 10,000 claw
machine stores in operation in Taiwan last year.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-07 14:09:15

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 140 points to
close at 30435.

The turnover was 853 billion sNT.

Posted on 2026-01-07 13:13:14

The Minister of Health and Welfare says amendments proposed to the Assisted
Reproduction Act by the Cabinet do not contain language on surrogacy due to
the controversial nature of the topic.

Shi Chong Liang made the comments as the Social Welfare and Environmental
Hygiene Committee of the Legislative Yuan is set to examine the amendments
tomorrow.

The amendments as they're currently written would expand the availability of
assisted reproduction methods to married same-sex female couples and single
women.

They would also codify the rights of children born through assisted
reproduction.

But, as the health minister noted, the Executive Yuan's version of the
amendments do not touch on surrogacy.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-07 13:13:14

Taichung prosecutors are requesting a heavy sentence for 2 people who
allegedly made threats of a mass attack on social media.

Prosecutors say that the ill intent of the two suspects is evident, and
they've been charged with public intimidation, among others.

Prosecutors say that they received notice last month just after the random
attack at Taipei Main and Zhongshan MRT stations that someone had been
posting on Threads and LINE...

threatening plans of an attack resulting in mass casualties.

One of the suspects, surnamed Huang, is a detective, and prosecutors note
that such actions endanger the image of law enforcement authorities.

They're therefore requesting the court to impose heavy sentenced on both
defendants.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-07 08:14:13

Visiting European Parliament member Michael Gahler says last week's Chinese
military exercises China staged around Taiwan were provocative and revealed
Beijing's "unacceptable attitude" that threatens "peaceful co-existence
across the Taiwan Strait."

Speaking during a meeting with President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential
Office, Gahler underlined the importance for the European Parliament and
democracies to speak out for maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait ...

.... a condition Gahler also said that China has attempted to alter.

According to the Gahler, the Taiwan Strait is an international strait, and
it's good that different countries demonstrate that by sending ships through
this strait and making it clear that we do not accept a unilateral change of
the status quo."

Gahler also said such a provocation and an unacceptable attitude endangers
the peaceful coexistence across the strait.

Gahler chairs the European Taiwan Friendship Group and is leading a 10-member
delegation of European Parliament members to Taiwan this week.

Posted on 2026-01-07 08:14:13

Taiwan's former representative to Japan, Frank Hsieh has assumed the
chairmanship of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association.

He succeeds Su Jia-chyuan in leading the body responsible for representing
Taipei's interests in Tokyo.

According to Hsieh, he's honored to be taking over the role after serving as
Taiwan's envoy in Tokyo from between 2016 and 2024 and his goal is to bring
the cordial relationship between the two nations to a new pinnacle.

In a Facebook post, Hsieh also expressed his gratitude to Su and the other
association members for their contributions to the bilateral relations over
the past three years.

Hsieh was selected as the next chairman on Tuesday, which was followed by an
official handover ceremony.

Posted on 2026-01-07 08:14:13

New Year

The Centers for Disease Control says it expects to see a rise in flu cases in
the later this month and a further increase around the Lunar New Year holiday
period.

According to the C-D-C, a total of 82,161 people sought medical treatment for
flu-like illness from the week of December 28 to Janaury 3 - and that level
remains about the same as the previous week.

The C-D-C is projecting that Taiwan will again enter a flu epidemic period in
the latter half of this month, following a previous period from late
September to late November this winter ...

.. and it's likely to peak around the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, which
begins on Febraury 14.

As of Monday of this week, over 6.62-million people had received flu
vaccinations under a government-funded program and approximately 206,000
doses remain.

Posted on 2026-01-07 08:14:14

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yi-ih says his office will send a feasibility
report on a possible MRT line linking Xiulang Bridge Station in Zhonghe
District with Gongguan Station in Taipei to the central government for review
later this year.

Speaking at an inspection tour of Xiulang Bridge Station, Hou said the city
started planning the route after the Taipei City government cancelled plans
for a more extensive "North South Line" in 2018.

According to Hou, his administration has proposed a 3.1-kilometer,
four-station underground route between Xiulang Bridge and Gongguan, Hou due
to strong demand from Zhonghe residents for additional transportation routes
to Taipei.

Hou says a feasibility report on the New Taipei portion of the route was
started last July ...

Currently, passengers at Xiulang Bridge Station on the Circular Line have to
transfer to the Green Line at Dapinglin to reach Gongguan - a journey that
takes about 20-minutes.

The Taipei and New Taipei city government's reached a consensus in 2023 to
extend the proposed line northward to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station,
making it a total of 8-kilometer and calling it the Zhonghe-Guangfu Line.

Posted on 2026-01-07 08:14:14

Starlux Airlines has became the first carrier in Taiwan to take delivery of
an Airbus A-350-1000 aircraft.

The aircraft was delivered to a team led by Starlux Chairman Chang Kuo-wei at
Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France and it arrived at Taoyuan
International Airport yesterday.

According to Starlux, the aircraft is scheduled to begin service in February.

Starlux first ordered the A-350-1000 during the Farnborough International
Airshow in July of 2018.

Five more of the 18 A-350-1000s Starlux has on order are expected to be
delivered this year.

Starlux C-E-O Glenn Chai says the addition of the A350-1000 marks the
airline's entry into the "larger, more competitive" long-haul market and will
"play a crucial role" in expanding its North American and European network of
destinations.

The A-350-1000 features 350 seats across four cabin classes and a maximum
range of 15,600 kilometers.

EVA Airways and China Airlines have ordered A-350-1000s, but are still
awaiting to take delivery of those aircraft.

Posted on 2026-01-07 08:14:14

The central bank has launched pre-sales for commemorative coin sets marking
the Chinese lunar calendar's Year of the Horse.

The coin sets are priced at 2,450 N-T each.

The central bank has commissioned the Bank of Taiwan to handle sales both
online and through its branch network.

A total of 90,000 sets have been issued, including 50,000 allocated for
online pre-orders and 40,000 for over-the-counter sales.

The central bank says the issuance volume has been increased from last year,
because the horse is widely regarded as an auspicious zodiac sign symbolizing
success and vitality and is particularly popular among the public.

Each commemorative set includes one silver coin with a face value of 100 N-T
and one copper-alloy coin with a face value of 10 N-T.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

Search and rescue operations continue after a pilot is believed to have
ejected from an F-16V fighter jet yesterday evening.

The aircraft took off from the Hualien Air Base at 6:17PM on a routine
night-time training mission and lost contact at 7:29PM.

The F-16V was operating some 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township at
the time.

The Air Force says it established an emergency response center and launched a
search and rescue operation immediately after the aircraft disappeared from
radar.

The Coast Guard Administration said it sent two patrol boats to the area and
they deployed surface current-based buoys in order to better detect the crash
site and the area where the pilot may have ejected from.

A total of nine coast guard and Navy vessels are reportedly currently
involved in the search operation and are are being helped by aerial support.

Authorities also say nearby cargo ships and fishing vessels were contacted
for assistance.

The pilot has been identified as Hsin Po-yi and the Air Force says he had a
total flight time of 611 hours, including 371 hours flying F-16Vs.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

warfare

The National Security Bureau says Beijing paired military drills against
Taiwan with information operations and cyberattacks from between December 29
and January 2.

The bureau said the move resulted in the spreading of more than 19,000
"controversial" messages and the launch of millions of hacking intrusions.

In a report, the N-S-B told the Legislative Yuan that online activity
involved 799 abnormal accounts and focused on amplifying skepticism about the
U-S, Taiwan's military and President Lai Ching-te, referring to concerns
about Taiwan's ability to defend itself.

Cyber intrusions targeting government networks increased during the
exercises, reaching about 2.08-million attacks on the first day of the drills
and increasing to about 2.09-million on the second day.

The report also says Beijing launched last week's drills to counter support
for Taiwan from international democratic allies, divert attention from
domestic problems and portray military strength as unaffected by
anti-corruption efforts.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

Lawmakers have passed the Delivery Driver Rights Protection and Delivery
Platform Management Act.

The law sets minimum pay standards and outline rules governing food delivery
platforms... and it is aimed at protecting the rights of food delivery
workers.

Under the new law, platform operators are required to pay delivery workers at
least 45 N-T per order, and no less than 1.25 times the statutory hourly
minimum wage calculated based on the delivery time of each order.

The guaranteed amount is to be adjusted annually in line with minimum wage
increases.

Taiwan Delivery Industry Union Alliance spokesman Su Po-hao says the
legislation marks "a hard-won and important milestone," as efforts to secure
delivery worker protections have lasted more than six and a half years.

The new law designates the Ministry of Labor as the central governing
authority responsible for regulating delivery platforms and requires it to
draft and announce standardized contract provisions covering rights and
obligations between platforms and delivery workers.

Those contract provisions include pay calculation, suspensions, contract
termination, complaint mechanisms and insurance.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

China

Visiting China-born Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki says his trip to Taiwan this
week proves that "Taiwan is not part of China, Taiwan is Taiwan," and that
the two countries are not subordinate to each other.

He said Beijing has banned him him from entering Chinese territory, but his
successfully entry into Taiwan clearly demonstrate that the People's Republic
of China and the Republic of China are two different countries.

Seki was born in China and graduated from the Peking University before moving
to Japan to study there in 1988.

He became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2007.

Seki is a member of the Japan Innovation Party and has served as a member of
the House of Councilors since 2025.

He was invited to Taiwan by the Taipei-based Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank
to attend a seminar on Friday.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

Ministry of Labor has announced that it's reached an agreement with Indonesia
to expand its government-to-government direct hiring program.

The move will allow employers in the construction, slaughtering and offshore
fishing sectors to recruit workers directly from Indonesia.

Under the expanded scheme, eligible employers can apply through the
ministry's Direct Hiring Service Center to conduct project-based worker
selection... the scheme bypasses private brokers... resulting in lower
recruitment costs for both employers and workers.

Under the new scheme, the center will also serve as a single contact window
for eligible employers seeking Indonesian workers.

Taiwan first introduced project-based selection for Indonesian manufacturing
workers in 2019 and later expanded the program to institutional caregivers
and agriculture in 2024.

Data shows that from 2019 to 2024, about 50 workers per year were recruited
through the program.

That number rose to 169 in 2025.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says free school lunches will be provided to all
of the city's elementary and junior high schools.

Chiang said the city government will oversee food traceability and quality
control to ensure budget constraints do not limit ingredient choices, and
will promote nutrition and agri-food education.

The mayor has also announced several other education reform measures.

They include cutting one class period for homeroom teachers in elementary,
junior high and senior high schools and raising their allowances, as well as
boosting bonuses for teachers who hold concurrent administrative posts.

Free psychological counseling services for teachers will also be expanded.

It's estimated the policy will reduce parental expenses by 10,000 N-T
annually.

Posted on 2026-01-07 06:54:13

And,

Coffee chain Louisa Coffee has raised prices on around 90 items on its menu
by an average of 5-per cent.

It said the price hike was necessitated by the rising cost of ingredients and
materials, labor and electricity.

The items that have seen price increases include medium specialty Americano,
specialty latte, English black tea and Ceylon black tea.

Louisa Coffee has become one of Taiwan's largest coffeehouse chains since it
was in Taipei in 2006.

Louisa says it plans to surpass 600 store locations in Taiwan this year.

Posted on 2026-01-06 18:58:13

A visiting Japanese lawmaker said Taiwan is not a part of China shortly after
arriving in Taipei.

Councilor Hei Seki made the remarks at Songshan Airport earlier today, saying
his entry into Taiwan proves that the People's Republic of China and the
Republic of China are different entities.

Hei Seki pointed out that although he is currently sanctioned and barred from
entering China, he was able to enter Taiwan freely—calling it "clear
evidence" of Taiwan's separate status.

The lawmaker is in the capital to attend a regional security forum at the
invitation of a local think tank.

He has long been a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-06 18:58:13

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih says the city will use its own money to keep
the popular TPASS commuter program running while the national budget remains
stalled.

The central government’s total budget has not yet entered the review stage
in the legislature, raising concerns that subsidies for the monthly transit
pass could be cut off.

Hou said today that New Taipei has already set aside $1.1 billion NT for the
program this year and commuters' rights will not be harmed.

The mayor is also calling on the central government to work more closely with
opposition parties to resolve the budget deadlock quickly.

Data from the Highway Bureau shows that nearly 700,-thousand people use the
standard TPASS every month.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-06 18:58:13

New Taipei City plans to submit a feasibility report later this year on a
proposed metro line linking Xiulang Bridge Station in Zhonghe with Gongguan
in Taipei.

Mayor Hou You-yi announced the plan during an inspection at Xiulang Bridge
Station, saying the project was developed after Taipei City scrapped a larger
north-south metro proposal in 2018.

To meet strong demand from Zhonghe residents for better access to Taipei, New
Taipei is proposing a 3.1-kilometer underground line with four stations
between Xiulang Bridge and Gongguan.

A feasibility study began last July and is expected to be sent to the central
government by mid-year.

Although Taipei initially opposed the project, both cities agreed in 2023 to
extend the line north to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, creating an 8-kilometer
Zhonghe-Guangfu Line.

Currently, commuters must transfer lines, taking about 20 minutes to reach
Gongguan.

Posted on 2026-01-06 18:58:13

New data shows Taiwanese travelers showing more interest in longer trips and
less crowded destinations.

According to Lion Travel, search interest for group tours to Australia and
New Zealand has surged more than two-and-a-half times year-on-year, making
them the fastest-growing destinations in 2025.

The agency says the increase is driven by expanded flight capacity and a
shift toward long-haul travel focused on natural landscapes.

Lion Travel also notes a clear move toward slower-paced, theme-based
itineraries — a trend it describes as 'slow travel'.

Japan still remains the most searched destination overall, but preferences
are changing.

Search data shows travelers are moving away from major cities like Tokyo and
Osaka, and instead choosing regional areas such as Shikoku, Tohoku, and
Kyushu.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-06 18:58:13

The population of endemic Formosan landlocked salmon remains stable, despite
a year of typhoons and earthquakes.

The Shei-pa National Park Headquarters says a survey conducted between June
and October last year found 16-thosuand-20 of the "national treasure" fish in
the wild.

That is the third-highest number on record.

For the past five years, the population has stayed consistently around
15-thousand.

Experts say 30 years of conservation work have made the local habitat strong
enough to resist extreme weather and global warming.

The park also plans to start building a new "Ecological Experience Classroom"
this year, with the facility allowing the public to see the fish up close and
learn about conservation efforts.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-06 17:09:13

Taiwan Go Go Front has put out its first round of nominees for this year's
local elections.

That's after the New Power Party, Green Party Taiwan, Obasang, and Taiwan
Statebuilding Party announced late last year that they would be working
together in 2026.

NPP chair Claire Wang says that the alliance will continue to put out new
candidates as long as they receive new applicants.

This first round of 7 candidates for city councilors will run in Taipei's
Nangang and Neihu, Taichung's Dali Wufeng 大里霧峰, Tainan's Yongkang,
Taoyuan's Taoyuan district...

and in several district across New Taipei.

These 7 candidates represent all four of the parties that make up the Taiwan
Go Go Front.

Wang has underscored the importance of a "responsible third party" to change
the partisan landscape of Taiwanese democracy.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-06 17:09:13

Kaohsiung officials are using online videos and text messages to help farmers
and fishers prepare for a cold front that could bring temperatures below 10
degrees Celsius.

The Central Weather Administration says the drop in temperature is expected
to last through tomorrow night.

The Agriculture Bureau is advising rice farmers to flood their fields to
maintain soil temperature, while the Marine Bureau is urging fishers to build
windbreaks and increase water depth.

Officials say if water temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius, fishers
should use heating equipment to prevent mass die-offs.

The city says anyone who experiences crop or fish losses should report the
damage to their local district office to apply for government aid.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-06 17:09:13

Taiwan's electric scooter maker Gogoro is placing a major bet on Vietnam as
sales at home continue to slow.

The company says total industry sales for electric scooters in Taiwan last
year stood at just over 49 thousand units.

That's a near-38-percent drop from the year before.

And of those, Gogoro's own brand sold roughly 28 thousand units.

To fuel growth, Gogoro plans to launch mass-market electric scooters in
Vietnam through a partnership with British oil company Castrol.

Under the deal, Gogoro will provide vehicle design and core technology, while
Castrol handles sales and operations.

Gogoro says Vietnam's push to restrict gasoline motorcycles in city centers
could accelerate demand, making the market a key part of its long-term
strategy.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-06 14:19:13

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Qi Mai is slamming the legislature for refusing to
consider the general 2026 government budget, saying that local governments
and average joes stand to suffer.

That's as the general budget for this year still has yet to be passed by the
legislature, with many raising concerns that subsidies to TPASS will be
affected.

Chen says he hopes that the legislature will pass the budget as soon as
possible to avoid negatively affecting the public.

The mayor also noted that TPASS is not the only entity that may be impacted;
he noted that general infrastructure and MRT subsidies could also be hurt.

Meanwhile the Kaohsiung mayor also noted that the local DPP chapter is
getting ready to hold primary polling to fill his position next week.

Whoever has the strongest showing out of Qiu Yi Ying, Lin Dai Hua, Lai Rui
Long, and Xu Zhi Jie will be the DPP pick to run for mayor...

and they will face the KMT's Ke Zhi En in November.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-06 14:19:13

Prosecutors in Taipei have opted not to charge a former TPP official over his
role in a controversial protest.

Lin Zhao Yin served as the TPP's organizational deputy.

Lin is accused of encouragign the public to participate in a protest outside
of the Taipei Prosecutors' Office in December of 2024.

The protest was in support of former TPP leader and Taipei Mayor Ke Wen Zhe.

But police say that Lin continued his protests despite repeated warnings from
police and was ultimately charged with violating the Assembly and Parade Act.

However, Lin claimed that he was simply waiting to hear the Taipei District
Court's decision regarding Ke's detention.

He said that the rally was spontaenous and was not organized.

Prosecutors say that there's insufficient evidence to prove Lin organized the
crowd or held a leadership position.

Therefore they opted not to prosecute.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-06 14:19:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 30447 after
gaining 341 points.

The turnover was 689 billion NT

Posted on 2026-01-06 13:13:13

The mayor of Kaohsiung is speaking out following an alleged cover-up of a
sexual assault incident carried out by a senior health official.

Mayor Chen Qi Mai says, he's instructed the Health and Social Affairs Bureaus
to take on the responsibility of carrying out an internal review in order to
prevent the situation from repeating itself.

That's after KMT Lawmaker Ke Zhi En said that the city government
intentionally withheld information about the case from the public for the
last 6 months.

Prosecutors say that the suspect accessed the city's mental health care
inquiry system in June to get the contact information of a minor before
adding her on LINE and ultimately assaulting her.

Mayor Chen has defended the city's response, saying it maintained
confidentiality during the investigation in line with requirements to protect
the victim.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-06 13:13:13

Rough weather is disrupting ferry services for Green and Orchid Islands.

The Maritime and Port Bureau says all trips between Taitung and Green Island
are cancelled tomorrow, due to sea conditions.

And tomorrow's trips between Taitung and Orchid Island have now been moved up
to today.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-06 13:13:13

The Ministry of Culture is offering extra rewards to young people who use
their "Culture Points" to watch local movies with friends or during early
morning screenings.

The program is open to residents between the ages of 13 and 22, and the
ministry says more than 550-thousand people have claimed their points since
the start of the year, spending a total of nearly 59 million NT.

Now, through March 31st, the government is providing special bonuses to
encourage youth to support the domestic film industry.

Groups that spend 350 points together will receive 100 points back.

And those who attend early morning screenings can earn an additional 100
points.

There is no limit on how many times a person can receive these rewards.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:13

A European Parliament delegation led by European Taiwan Friendship Group
Chair Michael Gahler is visiting Taiwan this week.

The delegation is made up mainly of European People' Party members and is the
first group from the European Parliament to visit Taiwan this year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the 10-member delegation will meet
with President Lai Ching-te and other senior government officials to exchange
views on issues of mutual concern.

The delegation will hold talks with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung,
representatives from the Legislative Yuan, National Security Council, the
Mainland Affairs Council ...

.. and officials from the economics and defense ministries.

The foreign ministry says the delegation will also meet with local academics
and N-G-Os to exchange views on countering disinformation and cyberattacks,
whole-of-society resilience, Taiwan-EU economic cooperation, and Indo-Pacific
and cross-strait issues.

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:14

Vice Defense Minister Hsu Si-jian says the military has protocols in place to
protect President Lai Ching-te.

The statement comes after the U-S carried out airstrikes in Venezuela and
detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro before taking him to the U-S
this past weekend.

That has raised concerns within the D-P-P about China taking similar actions
against Taiwan's head of state.

Hsu says the defense ministry has plans for a wide range of contingencies to
protect Lai and other senior government officials.

The vice defense minister says the military is in regular contact with
government agencies and holds drills to ensure that its prepared for a wide
range of scenarios.

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:14

rule

Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang has signed a resignation
letter to implement the party's two-year term rule for at-large legislators.

Huang says his term at the Legislative Yuan will now run until the end of
this month.

Other at-large T-P-P lawmakers legislators are also expected to sign
resignation letters under the same party rule, which cuts the four-year
legislative term in half and enables more party members to serve as
lawmakers.

All of the resignations will be submitted on January 31, allowing new
lawmakers to take office on February 1 at the earliest and after required
procedures are completed by the Central Election Commission and the Ministry
of the Interior.

The T-P-P chair says the party must guard against risks, including
uncertainty over how long any vacancy might last and whether "someone might
take advantage of the situation."

Huang says as party chairman and caucus convenor, he will continue to
participate in party caucus operations and attend regular Tuesday and Friday
morning meetings.

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:14

K-M-T lawmakers are accusing the Kaohsiung City Government of covering up a
sexual assault incident involving a senior health official.

Lawmaker Ko Chih-en claims the city government knowingly withheld information
about the case from the public for six months.

Ko and the other politicians now are demanding an apology from Kaohsiung
Mayor Chen Chi-mai and the resignation of Huang Chih-chung, the
director-general of the city's Department of Health.

They're also calling on the city's office of ethics to investigate how
information in the case was handled.

Prosecutors have said the suspect accessed the city's mental health care
inquiry system in June 2025 and obtained the contact information of a
16-year-old minor with a past trauma.

He then added her on the messaging app LINE and allegedly sexually assaulted
her.

The victim later reported the incident to the local police.

The suspect was indicted on charges of sexual assault and violations of the
Personal Data Protection Act in October of last year.

However, details of the indictments were not made public until last Friday.

The Kaohsiung City Government is defending its actions - saying it maintained
strict confidentiality during the investigation in line with prosecutors'
requirements to protect the victim.

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:14

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 35 people for allegedly
laundering more than 30-billion N-T in illegal online gambling proceeds
through payment processing platforms they controlled.

Those indicted include the operator of the Ming Shiang Yuan Cafe, a Hong
Kong-style diner in Taipei, who has been charged with money laundering,
organized crime and illegal online gambling.

Prosecutor says he began operating the scheme in August of 2020 after
purchasing the source code for a payment platform system and building
services later branded as HeroPay and MatchPay.

He allegedly partnered with illegal online gambling websites operating in
China, Japan and India, routing player deposits through the two platforms
rather than directly to the gambling operators.

The group launched its own online gambling website, named Rich 11, June of
2022, offering baccarat, slot machines and sports betting, with HeroPay used
to collect player deposits.

All 35 suspects are facing charges related to violaitons of the Organized
Crime Prevention Act, the Money Laundering Control Act and Criminal Code.

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:14

Costco Taiwan is set to raise its membership fees for the first time in 10
years - with the changes taking effect on April 1.

The move means that the annual cost of its Gold Star memberships, Business
memberships, and Business Add-on memberships increase from 1350 to 1,500 N-T.

However, Costco Taiwan says executive membership fees will remain unchanged,
and exclusive services and rebates of up to 30,000 N-T will also be
maintained.

Costco Taiwan last adjusted its membership fees in 2016.

The company says it has since invested in logistics improvements and
professional service centers, such as hearing and optical centers, as well as
gas stations.

Costco Taiwan says it will continue to expand its promotions during periods
such as Singles' Day and Black Friday and strengthen the price advantage of
its Kirkland Signature private label.

Costco operates 14 warehouse stores in Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-01-06 06:52:14

And,

Taiwan Railway Corporation's Jiji Line has resumed more services -- with
more trains running to Jiji Station in Nantou after they were largely
suspended for more than four years.

The 29.7 kilometer Jiji Line runs from Ershui Station in Changhua County and
crosses eastward into Nantou - serving stops including Zhuoshui, Jiji, Shuili
and the terminal station Checheng.

The first stage of service resumption covers the section from Ershui to Jiji
Station and 11 trains are now running daily to Jiji Station, and 12 are
running in the opposite direction.

Full services to Checheng Station is expected to resume around July after
remaining repair works are completed.

The railway corporation says the partially resumption of services on the line
will support both tourism and local commuting needs.

The line was partially shut down in August 2021 after torrential rain and
earthquakes triggered a major landslide along Provincial Highway 16.

The collapse buried and damaged tunnels and tracks running parallel to the
highway, forcing the suspension of rail services between Jiji and Checheng.

Posted on 2026-01-05 19:56:13

Prosecutors in Taipei have indicted 35 people for allegedly laundering more
than 30 billion NT from illegal online gambling.

Among those charged is a 41-year-old man surnamed Lo, who operates a Hong
Kong-style diner in Taipei and is accused of leading the operation.

Prosecutors say Lo built and controlled payment platforms called HeroPay and
MatchPay, starting in 2020.

These platforms allegedly processed deposits for illegal gambling sites in
China, Japan, and India, hiding the flow of money.

Investigators say Lo recruited staff, used his restaurant's name to rent
office space, and ran the scheme from there.

In 2022, the group also launched its own gambling site, Rich 11, offering
casino games and sports betting.

Authorities estimate the group laundered nearly 31 billion NT over four years.

Prosecutors are seeking a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Lo and
more than six years for a key accomplice.

All illegal proceeds are expected to be confiscated.

Posted on 2026-01-05 18:15:13

New data shows that AI is becoming more a part of daily life in Taiwan.

A recent survey from the National Communications Commission shows that over
56 percent of people in Taiwan used AI services in 2025.

That figure is nearly four percent higher than the previous year, continuing
a steady upward trend.

The NCC says people are primarily using AI to help them navigate traffic,
whether through smart maps or new self-driving technologies.

AI is also widely used in parking lots for license plate recognition.

In addition, language tools such as voice input and translation are popular,
along with everyday security tools like smart cameras and biometric locks.

At work, AI is mainly used for data searching, processing, and analysis.

However, more than 30 percent of respondents say they have not used AI on the
job.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-05 18:15:14

Festival

Chiayi County has received a donation of 150 wheelchairs and strollers for
use during this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival.

Officials say the equipment will help seniors, people with disabilities, and
families with young children enjoy the event more comfortably.

The donation includes 50 wheelchairs and 100 baby strollers, provided by
private companies and foundations.

According to officials, after the event ends, the wheelchairs will be given
to local welfare organizations...

While the strollers will go to public childcare centers and families in need.

The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will take place in Chiayi County from March
3rd to the 15th, featuring more than 600 lantern displays across multiple
themed zones.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-05 17:44:13

TPP leader and lawmaker Huang Kuo-chang says, he's already signed his
resignation notice for his legislative seat.

That's in accordance with his party's so-called "2 year clause," which
stipulates that TPP lawmakers step down and rotate in new party members
halfway into their terms.

Huang says, that means he'll leave office at the end of this month, along
with msot of the other 7 TPP lawmakers.

However, he said that Chen Zhao Zi was a special case and may need to be
decided on separately, without elaborating.

He added that party founder Ko Wen-je had floated the idea of Huang remaining
in office while the others moved on, but Huang say that he wanted to show the
outside world that "the TPP is a party of principles."

The TPP chair also added that he expected the new legislators to take over on
February 1st.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-05 17:44:13

Dining out in Taipei is getting more expensive this year ... as major buffet
brands and five-star hotels roll out price hikes.

High-end spots like the Regent Taipei have raised weekday prices at their
buffet by about 100 NT.

While Feastogether Group, which operates brands like InParadise and Sunrise,
has adjusted its rates as well, with some weekend dinners now topping two
thousand NT per person before service charges.

Even more budget-friendly restaurants are joining the trend ... with Eat
Together Buffet (響食天堂), for instance, increasing prices by 30 NT per
meal.

Restaurant operators say ongoing labor shortages and rising imported food
costs, along with higher rent and utility expenses, continue to put pressure
on the industry ....

.... and could lead to further price hikes in the future.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-05 17:44:13

The Central Weather Administration is warning that air quality across much of
Taiwan will be deteriorating tomorrow, especially in the west.

Forecasters say a strong cold air mass moving in from China is carrying
pollutants southward on northeast winds.

As a result, the Ministry of Environment has issued 'orange level' air
quality alerts for the north, centre, and south tomorrow... meaning air is
'unhealthy for sensitive groups'.

Authorities say fine particulate matter will increase first in northern
Taiwan before spreading south ... over the next few days.

Conditions are expected to gradually improve in central and northern areas
starting on Thursday ...

But southern Taiwan may continue to see pollutant buildup due to downwind
conditions.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-01-05 16:13:13

The DPP legislative caucus is calling for collaboration with the opposition
parties on the central government budget.

The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan has yet to allow the budget plan
to be reviewed by the legislative committees.

DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary General Zhong Jia-bin today urged the
opposition and ruling parties to work together to pass the budget.

Caucus leader Chen Pei Yu also said the delay of the budget passage will
affect T-PASS subsidies and flood control projects, among others.

Chen added that she hopes it will be able to be reviewed by lawmakers
tomorrow.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-05 16:13:13

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to use a "traffic light" warning
system to help people identify high levels of salt and sugar in restaurant
food.

The ministry says it's developing the "red, yellow, and green" labels for
food items, as those who often eat out consume too much salt, sugar,
saturated fat, and calories.

Officials also say that by the end of last year, the government had
established 85 community nutrition centers with 164 specialized dietitians to
serve the public.

And the government is also funding 32 education projects, including
salt-reduction workshops and interactive games for children.

The ministry hopes the system and other initiatives will help consumers make
healthier, more informed choices in their daily lives.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-05 16:13:13

Taipei seniors will soon be able to use their government subsidy points for
more leisure activities.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city plans to allow seniors to use 60 points
from their Senior EasyCard for public hot spring pools starting before the
Lunar New Year.

The monthly subsidy on the card is also set to increase.

Starting in July, the points will rise from 480 to 600 per month.

Chiang says he is also considering adding YouBike to the program, to
encourage older residents to stay active and travel around the city.

And the mayor says the city's Department of Social Welfare will spend the
next month reviewing more ways to expand the senior card program.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-05 15:28:14

A man from New Taipei has been sentenced to 4 months in prison over allegedly
make threats to a Taiwan High Court judge.

The case stems from the judge's ruling that extended former Taipei Mayor Ko
Wen-je's detention in August last year over the Core Pacific City case.

The man, surnamed Xu, commented on his social media saying that the judge
"would not be able to go home until 7 days later" and attached 3 knife emojis
with the message.

The judge believed that Xu's actions may lead to copycats and reported the
case to police.

He was sentenced to 4 months, which can be commuted to a daily fine of 1000
NT over the same period.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-05 15:28:16

Costco Taiwan has announced a raise in its membership fees, saying that both
Gold Star and Business memberships will be rising to $1,500 NT a year.

For the Business card, it's an increase from $1,150 to $1,500, or 30-percent,
while fees for Executive, or Black Diamond members, will remain unchanged.

The store said new the new fees will take effect on April 1st this year.

Costco Taiwan said this is the first time in ten years that it adjusts
membership fees, adding that the company has continued to invest in the
expansion of professional service centers, including hearing aid, optical,
and gas station services.

It has promised to pass every cost saving back to members through highly
competitive pricing and quality products.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-01-05 15:28:16

The Central Taiwan Lantern Festival will open on February 15th in Taichung,
featuring characters from a Finnish book and comic series.

Mayor Lu Shiow-yen announced today that the city is partnering with the
Finnish IP "The Moomins", for this year’s theme, "Moomin On".

The festival will take place at Taichung Central Park, with a 21-meter-tall
Moomin installation as the main attraction.

The event will also feature 3D animations and mechanical devices to create an
immersive light show that look like northern lights.

To promote the event, Lu says Moomin decorations will be placed at major
landmarks, including Taichung Station, the High-Speed Rail station, and
Taichung Park.

Special Moomin-themed trains will also run on the Taichung MRT.

The festival runs through March 3rd, but officials say the displays will be
closed on New Year’s Eve.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-01-05 14:13:13

US forces in Korea are said to be reviewing their scope of operations in
preparation for a potential Taiwan contingency.

That's according to a report by the Nikkei Asia Review -- which focused on
comments made by the United States Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson
during a recent security forum in Seoul.

Brunson had told participants that Korea was "not simply here to respond to
threats on the Korean Peninsula.

He added that the country sat on "the crossroads of broader regional dynamics
that shaped the balance of power across Northeast Asia."

While the Korean government is said to remain cautious about the possible
deployment of USFK to third countries...

...while the US has also emphasised the "flexibility" of their forces in
Korea because of the likelihood of a conflict breaking out in Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-01-05 14:13:14

A woman has been ordered to pay 35,000 NT in fines for her role in protesting
the Taipei Gongguan roundabout demolition in August.

The woman, surnamed Su, blocked off an underpass on Roosevelt road with both
a sedan and a motorbike.

Su also plastered her vehicles with banners expressing her opposition to the
demolition before leaving on foot.

Taipei prosecutors today gave her one year probation over endangering public
safety and a fine of 35,000 NT, which must be paid within 4 months.

Meanwhile, prosecutors opted not to indict 2 others who were arrested on
charges of making threats against Mayor Chiang Wan An.

Those two also allegedly participated in protesting the demolition in
September, where they held a sign with a photo of the mayor that read
"death."

Prosecutors decided not to indict the pair, citing the lack of concrete
threats and Chiang's decision not to press charges.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-01-05 14:13:14

Taiwan shares broke records today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 30105
after gaining 755 points.

The turnover was 765.8 billion NT.

Posted on 2026-01-05 11:06:14

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's share price gained 65 N-T this morning
to hit yet another record high, as it reached 1,650 N-T in early trading on
the Tai-Ex.

The rise pushed T-S-M-C's market capitalization to 42.78-trillion N-T.

T-S-M-C's rise this morning led the Tai-Ex higher - and the local main board
surged 619 points to reach 29,968-points to set a new intraday record and
move closed to 30,000-point mark.

Other electronics heavyweights, including Hon Hai, Delta Electronics, A-S-E
and MediaTek also gained solid ground in early trading.

T-S-M-C is slated to hold an investor conference next Thursday - and the
market is optimistic that it will release positive results and guidance due
to continuing strong demand for artificial intelligence applications.

Posted on 2026-01-05 11:06:16

The Ministry of National Defense says it detected three Chinese Air Force
sorties operating in the Taiwan Strait from between 6AM Sunday and 6AM today.

Of those sorties, all three aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan
Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone.

Two balloons were also spotted.

One of them was seen some 55-nautical miles northwest of Keelung before
disappearing, while the other was seen some 32-nautical miles northwest of
Taichung before disappearing.

Eight Chinese Navy ships and one maritime patrol vessel were also detected
operating in the general vicinity of the Taiwan Strait over the same 24-hour
period.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs say it welcomes a recent pledge by Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines' new prime minister that his government will
maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

It said the Lai administration "welcomes and appreciates" Friday's open
pledge to maintain his country's decades-long relations with Taiwan.

The ministry says it will continue close communications with the Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines' government to deepen bilateral cooperation for
the benefit of both peoples.

Godwin Friday assumed office in late November and he made the comments during
a recent radio interview.

Friday was quoted as saying that formal relations with Taiwan be maintained,
as will relations with all countries with which Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines has diplomatic ties.

Friday also reassured Vincentian students in Taiwan that their studies would
not be affected.

Many of those students are on scholarships from the Taiwan government.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:14

The National Security Bureau says China launched 2.63-million intrusion
attempts against Taiwan's critical infrastructure every day last year.

That figure represents a 6-per cent increase from 2024.

The bureau says the cyberattacks conducted by China involve four major
tactics: hardware and software vulnerability exploitation, distributed
denial-of-service, social engineering, and supply chain attacks.

Exploitation of hardware and software vulnerabilities accounted for more than
half of the intrusion attempts.

The N-S-B said the island's energy and hospital sectors experienced the "most
significant year-on-year surge in cyberattacks from Chinese threat actors."

The bureau has named the top five Chinese hacker groups as BlackTech, Flax
Typhoon, Mustang Panda, APT41, and UNC-3886.

The security agency has did not said how many of the intrusion attempts were
successful.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:14

A political talk show that was to be hosted by former President Chen
Shui-bian has been abruptly pulled ahead of its planned YouTube debut.

The show was meant to be broadcast online by cable news provider Mirror TV.

Chen said the show was cancelled following an order by Premier Zhu Rong-tai..
who warned the former president not to air the show... and adding that he
could be sent back to prison if it was broadcast.

Chen had said the interview-based program would have featured "unprecedented
in-depth discussions."

It was scheduled to premiere at 10 o'clock Sunday morning on the Mirror TV
YouTube channel... Chen announced the cancellation about two hours before
airtime.

Chen said the National Communications Commission had cleared the program for
online broadcast, but the Agency of Corrections subsequently told him by
phone that Cho had ordered it not to air.

The Agency of Corrections says compliance requirements for inmates on medical
parole are enforced by correctional authorities in accordance with
regulations through inspections and supervision.

The agency has not confirmed whether it received any instructions from the
premier.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:15

The Ministry of Digital Affairs says satellite images of D-P-P lawmakers Puma
Shen's home and workplace have been scrubbed from social media platforms.

The statement comes after the images were originally posted by a Chinese
Weibo user late last week.

The post included threats to have the lawmaker arrested for "secession" and
was later circulated by Chinese media outlets.

The digital minister is condemning what it's describing as "digital coercion"
by Chinese state media -- accusing it of maliciously exposing a Taiwanese
lawmaker's home and workplace on platforms including Facebook and YouTube.

The ministry says it immediately requested platform operators handle the
posts, adding that Meta and Google reported on Sunday that all relevant
posts, including images, text and videos, had been removed.

The digital minister also says that using social media to publicly threaten a
lawmaker in a democratic country crosses a clear line ..

.. and it's urging platform operators to uphold their social responsibilities
by safeguarding digital human rights and democratic values.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:15

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier that ran aground off Hualien County on New
Year's Day has been successfully refloated and towed into Hualien Port.

Authorities says no oil pollution has been detected.

The C-S-E Prosperity Express was refloated by two tugboats under coast guard
escort after passing hull inspection and safely berthed at Wharf No. 22.

The Maritime Port Bureau also said no oil leakage was observed during or
after the operation, even though the ship carrying more than 200-metric tons
of residual fuel.

The carrier is operated by China Steel Express.

It lost main engine power last Thursday morning while approaching Hualien
Port and was later pushed onto a sandbank by strong northeasterly winds.

Rescue efforts were initially delayed by rough seas.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:15

The Keelung District Court has sentenced a man to two months in prison for
calling a city service hotline and threatening to kill Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang
over an unresolved issue with water provision to his home.

The man reportedly called the city's 1999 citizen hotline on March 14 of last
year after becoming frustrated by an ongoing water supply issue.

He threatened Hsieh by name, before going on to warn that he will go to
Keelung City Hall and start killing people.

The hotline worker notified the police.

The man later admitted to having threatened the mayor during questioning
following his arrest.

The man was charged with endangering public safety by putting the public in
fear of injury under Article 151 of the Criminal Code.

The court ruling can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:15

A report released by the National Communications Commission shows that nearly
half of the island's population has viewed TikTok content -- with usage
growing fastest among people aged between 16 to 25.

The N-C-C's 2025 Communications Market Report indicates 47.5-per cent of
respondents said they had watched TikTok content, an increase from 18.7-per
cent in 2019.

Growth was most pronounced among those aged between 16 and 25, with the share
of TikTok viewers in this age group surging from 24-per cent in 2019 to
72.5-per cent in 2025.

The report says more than 80-per cent of people aged 16 and older reported
watching content on online video-sharing platforms, highlighting the public's
growing reliance on such services.

However, the report found that YouTube remains the most widely viewed
platform, with viewership consistently exceeding 95-per cent across survey
years.

Posted on 2026-01-05 07:02:15

And,

A wild Formosan Reeves's muntjac that wandered into Taipei Zoo this past
weekend has been released back into nearby forest after staff confirmed it
was healthy.

Zoo staff used capture nets and tarps to contain the small deer and place it
in a cage.

After checking the animal's appearance and body size, staff determined the
animal didn't belong with the zoo, and it was released later the same day
into forested areas surrounding the facility, which is located in Taipei's
Wenshan District.

The zoo says it's not uncommon for wild animals from the surrounding
environment to enter the zoo grounds and its advising visitors to keep a safe
distance if they encounter one.

The Formosan Reeves's muntjac is one of three deer species native to Taiwan.

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