ICRT

Posted on 2026-08-04 18:28:13

COVID-19 cases in Taiwan surged nearly 75 percent last week, while severe
infections reached their highest weekly total of the year.

The Centers for Disease Control says there were nearly 19 thousand outpatient
and emergency visits between July 26 and August 1 ... with more than 200
people hospitalized.

Health officials also reported 62 new severe domestic cases and three deaths
during the past week ... with most severe patients either aged 65 or older or
living with chronic illnesses.

Nearly 90 percent had not received this season's COVID-19 vaccine.

Health officials point out that current vaccines are still expected to
protect against severe illness.

The CDC also reports that vaccine demand has risen sharply, with almost 30
thousand doses administered last week.

About 165 thousand doses remain in stock and are expected to be distributed
to local governments over the coming week.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-04 18:28:13

A survey by the Childcare Policy Alliance has found that nearly 60 percent of
parents support expanding public childcare through a "public childcare at
every school" policy.

By contrast, only about 30 percent supported subsidies for private childcare
providers.

The alliance says 55 percent of respondents identified expanding public
childcare capacity as the policy most likely to influence their support for
political candidates, compared with just 18 percent who preferred private
sector subsidies.

More than 70 percent also said Taiwan's split childcare system for children
aged zero to two and three to six is difficult for families to navigate.

The alliance is urging the government to expand public childcare services and
integrate the two systems into a single framework for children from birth to
age six.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-04 18:28:13

Former President Tsai Ing-wen has agreed to serve as the campaign chair for
DPP candidate Chen Ying (陳瑩)'s Taitung magistrate bid.

Tsai, together with former Taitung lawmaker Liu Zhao-hao visited Chen's
campaign office earlier today and accepted Chen's invitation to chair her
campaign team.

Tsai said it's a role she is less familiar with, but she hopes to boost the
election momentum in Taitung and encourage broader participation to build a
better future for the county together.

Liu will be Chen's campaign manager.

Meanwhile Chen's KMT rival Xu Xiu-hua (吳秀華) said she believes the Blue camp
will be even more united than the Green camp, and that she would go all out
to win the magistrate's election.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-04 18:28:13

The Millennium Health Foundation has partnered with 7-ELEVEN to reward points
to people who walk five thousand steps a day and complete other
health-related activities.

These points can be redeemed for items such as tea eggs, soy milk and
sugar-free tea.

The campaign comes as health experts warn that more than 8.5 million people
in Taiwan are living with chronic illnesses.

They pointed to an international study -- from the Exercise and Sport
Sciences Reviews journal -- suggesting that increasing daily walking from
three thousand to about five thousand steps can reduce the risk of death from
all causes by 37 percent.

Health officials also say that about one in five people with metabolic
syndrome may be able to reverse the condition through early lifestyle
changes.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-04 18:28:13

Average mortgage amounts reached record highs in five non-special
municipality counties and cities during the first quarter of 2026 ...

... suggesting home-buying costs remain high despite a cooling property
market.

According to Taiwan Realty, Hsinchu County recorded the highest average new
mortgage at nearly 13.5 million NT, followed by Hsinchu City at more than 13
million NT.

Miaoli and Changhua counties ... as well as Chiayi County and Chiayi City
also posted record-high average mortgage amounts.

Analysts say Hsinchu has benefited from the Hsinchu Science and Technology
Park, attracting technology workers and new residents.

They say rising home prices have also pushed buyers into nearby Miaoli ...

... while Chiayi has seen stronger demand linked to its science park, TSMC
investment and the High Speed Rail corridor.

They say tighter lending rules have shifted the market toward homebuyers
rather than investors ...

... and expect the new Youth Mortgage 3.0 program to keep demand centered on
lower-priced and resale homes.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-04 17:07:13

The Central Election Commission says, it's not so sure about an
opposition-led proposal that would move to put all referendum votes on the
same piece of paper.

That's after the KMT and TPP fast-tracked the proposal, undeterred by DPP
opposition.

C-E-C chair Yo Ying Long visited TPP lawmakers today to voice his concerns
about the proposal, saying that, with the election only 3 months away,
perhaps the proposal could be more of a long-term plan.

He added that he believed lawmakers were well-intentioned, hoping to avoid a
2018-esque situation in which 10 referendums appeared on a very long pieve of
paper...

but he warned that even a small move could have unimagined, irreparable
consequences.

You added that the CEC would conduct rigorous study to look into options to
resolve the issue.

But TPP caucus whip Chen Qing Long brushed off Yo, saying that problems need
to be solved.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-04 17:07:13

Police say, they've apprehended a man suspected of killing the chair of the
Jingyuan Tungsten Colbalt Resources at his home in Pingtung.

The company chairman, surnamed Huang, was bound, gagged, and killed in his
Fang-liao Township home.

Unable to reach him, his son visited the house on July 24th and discovered
the body.

Many suspect the case to be connected to China, as Tungsten is a strategic
resource...

on top of the fact that Huang's security cameras happened to suffer a
malfunction at the same time as the attack took place.

But it is now understood that investigators have ruled out foreign
intervention.

The case is still under investigation.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-04 17:07:13

The Food and Drug Administration has intercepted an imported shipment of
Austrian pumpkin seed oil containing excessive levels of the carcinogen BaP.

The 4.5-kilogram shipment tested at 2.5 parts per billion, exceeding Taiwan's
legal limit of 2.0 parts per billion for edible oils.

Officials say the shipment was ordered returned or destroyed before it could
enter the domestic market.

The importer has now been placed under 100 percent inspection.

The FDA says this is the first imported edible oil to exceed the legal limit
in nearly two years, and the first pumpkin seed oil shipment to fail border
inspection in the past three years.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-04 16:23:13

The Taiwan High Court has announced that it'll open the trial for former
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-zhe in connection with the Core Pacific City case on
September 8th.

Ko appealed his case to the High Court after being sentenced to a prison term
of 17 years on charges of corruption, embezzlement and breach of trust by the
Taipei District Court.

The High Court will summon Ke and another 6 defendants, including Taipei city
councilor Ying Xiao-wei and Core Pacific Group chairman Shen Qing-jing, to
the hearing that day.

Meanwhile Ke is expected to have his ankle monitor changed to a wrist monitor
at a police station tomorrow.

That's after a court ruled in favor of the equipment change.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-04 16:23:13

The DPP's pick to lead Taichung is promoting an expanded free school lunch
program.

Ho Hsin Chun's plan would raise the government expenditure for each meal to
80 NT and would provide milk and fresh fruit to students twice and thrice
weekly, respectively.

Under the current plan, the city's Education Department provides subsidies of
60 NT for each meal, while the central government chips in another 10 NT,
putting the total cost at 70 NT.

But Ho says today that she wants the meals to be 80 NT instead, and she
doesn't want them to pause for summer and winter vacations.

She also says, she wants to expand the program from including just students
and teachers to also including the staff who serve the meals.

The lawmaker says, the proposal would cost the city government an additional
3 billion NT annually.

She added that she will prioritize food safety by implementing safety checks
at several stages.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-04 15:15:14

President Lai Ching-te today dismissed China's Ethnic Unity and Progress
Promotion Law, which took effect this month, as a tool to conduct
cross-border repression.

Speaking at the Katagalan Forum, Lai also called on the international
community to unite to oppose the law.

In addition, the President stressed that Chinese infiltration into Taiwan or
any other free countries is unacceptable.

Lai vowed at the end of the speech to protect peace and prosperity in Taiwan
and the Indo-Pacific region.

(HN-JL)

Posted on 2026-08-04 15:15:14

Taiwanese companies and financial institutions have pledged more than 84
million NT to support relief and reconstruction efforts in Kumamoto, Japan...

... following last week's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

TSMC announced the largest corporate donation, contributing over 51 million
NT.

Its charity foundation has also launched an employee fundraising campaign.

Major financial institutions, including CTBC Financial, E.SUN Financial,
Taishin Financial and Union Bank, have also pledged donations to support
emergency relief and rebuilding efforts.

Meanwhile, paper manufacturer Cheng Loong (正隆) has pledged over 6 million NT.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-04 14:07:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is raising concerns over China's new "ethnic
unity" law at the Ketagalan Forum today.

Minister Lin Chia Lung says that democratic nations must work together to
build a stronger line of defense against coercion.

Lin says, this year marks both the 10 year anniversary of the forum as well
as the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first democratic elections...

adding that Taiwan has slowly matured into a democratic society and will
continue to become more resilient.

Lin emphasized that China's coercion involves not only gray-zone warfare, but
also attempts to control national identity and ideological goverance.

Also at the forum is the chair of Japan's Interparliamentary Alliance on
China, Gen Nakatani.

Nakatani stated that Taiwan must maintain steadfast determination even as the
threat it faces grows more and more serious.

He added that Japan will continue to stand with Taiwan.

The forum is taking place today, bringing together government representatives
and scholars to discuss democratic resilience and reshaping a non-red supply
chain.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-04 14:07:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed amendments to the Radio and Television Act to
moderately relax restrictions on investment in the mass media businesses.

Indirect investments by the government, government-funded foundations, and
their trustees can now own up to 1-percent of a private TV or radio station's
stakes instead of the original zero share.

The revised law also tightens rules on the station's board members,
supervisors and managers.

It specifies that the government, government-funded foundations, and their
trustees may not control the personnel, finances, or operations of private
radio and television enterprises.

Additionally, penalties now target investors directly.

Any prohibited entities or party staff that illegally invest in private
broadcasters face fines ranging from$200-thousand NT to $2 million and must
fix the violation by a set deadline.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-04 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are slightly down today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at
43360 after losing 25 points.

The turnover was 1.036 trillion NT.

Posted on 2026-08-04 13:08:23

The 42nd Han Kuang exercises will begin tomorrow, for the first time
including brigades in both the north and south to mobilize over 5000
reservists.

Officials say that yesterday afternoon they conducted drone maneuvering
training to increase familiarity with drone controls.

That's after the unit carried out live-fire training in the morning, when the
reservists practiced firing with pistols, rifles, and squad automatic machine
guns.

The training aimed to systematically enhance reservists' combat skills and
boosting overall readiness.

The exercises will be conducted for 10 days this year, with reservists taking
part in 14 days of training this year.

The military says that reservists all reported to their designated locations
yesterday.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-04 13:08:23

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency is reminding the public that
unprocessed wood products, such as artificial trees and seeds, are regulated
quarantine items, and cross-border online purchases must be declared.

Cases of illegally imported wood products have surged over the past three
years, resulting in total fines of nearly $10 million NT.

The Agency said when people shop online, they often fail to notice whether
the imported goods are regulated quarantine items.

There were 192 cases in 2024 and 272 such cases last year, and in the first
half of this year alone, the number of penalized illegal wood product imports
reached 174.

The items that violated quarantine rules include wood products made from
natural logs or driftwood that have not been painted, treated with
preservatives, or subjected to other effective processing.

Products made with "seed paper" and crafted into handmade postcards,
eco-friendly business cards, creative sticky notes, coasters, and gift
packaging also fall under plant quarantine items.

Officials said under the Plant Quarantine Act, all imported plant items must
undergo quarantine to prevent invasive pests from entering Taiwan.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-04 08:12:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Defense Minister Wellington Koo is urging lawmakers to support the Cabinet's
version of a special act on unmanned systems procurement.

The bill will authorize up to 210-billion N-T in funding over six years.

The Cabinet bill seeks to fund the procurement of domestically developed
reconnaissance and attack drones, unmanned surface vessels and other unmanned
systems.

The bill is currently under review in th Legislative Yuan alongside other
competing proposals.

They include one by the K-M-T that proposes allocating 240-billion N-T over
six years for unmanned systems through the government's annual budget, with
40-billion N-T to be provided annually.

According to the defense minister the Cabinet version covers the full range
of unmanned systems as well as testing facilities and programs supporting the
development of the unmanned systems industry.

Koo says if all of these items are included under the K-M-T's 40-billion N-T
annual cap, funding will likely be insufficient and such a limitation could
affect programs such as MQ-9B drone procurement.

Posted on 2026-08-04 08:12:13

peaks

The National Park Service has drafted amendments to the National Park Act
that would mean visitors to many of Taiwan's peaks could have to pay by as
early as next year.

According to the park service, the fees would go into a dedicated
conservation fund which would be used to establish ecological protection
zones.

There will also be sharp increases in penalties for environmental violations
to up to 2-million N-T

However, indigenous hunting and gathering activities as well as scientific
research will be exempt from paying the fees.

Officials say the proposal could affect hikers to as many as 76 of Taiwan's
100 highest peaks located inside national parks.

The amendments are still under review.

Posted on 2026-08-04 08:12:13

Labor funds administered by the Ministry of Labor's Bureau of Labor Funds
reported a return of 28.46-per cent in the first half of this year.

That was up from 27.7-per cent during the January to May period.

According to the bureau, the accumulated gains in the value of assets in the
funds' portfolios and income on investment totaled about 2.2-trillion N-T
from January to June, after these funds posted 77.1-billion N-T in gains in
June.

The combined funds managed by the bureau include the Labor Pension Fund, the
Labor Retirement Fund, the Labor Insurance Fund, and the Employment Insurance
Fund.

The combined value of those funds as of the end of June stood at
8.896-trillion N-T.

The bureau says 54.37-per cent of its investments were made overseas from
January to June, while the remaining 45.63-per cent were invested in the
domestic market.

The value of assets in the Labor Pension Fund, launched in 2015, totaled
5.796-trillion N-T as of the end of June, while Labor Retirement Fund, which
has been in place since 1984, had about 1.16-trillion N-T in assets as of the
end of June.

Posted on 2026-08-04 08:12:13

The Civil Aviation Administration has announced that fuel surcharges on both
short-haul and long-haul international flights operated by Taiwan airlines
will increase from August 9.

The move comes amid sharp rise in international aviation fuel prices ...

... and after C-P-C's reference price for international aviation fuel rose to
147.57 U-S dollars per barrel this month from 133.29 U-S dollars per barrel
last month.

Fuel surcharges for short-haul routes will rise from 27.5 to 30 U-S dollars,
while surcharges for long-haul routes will rise from the current 71.5 to 78
U-S dollars.

The administration defines short-haul routes as destinations in Asia,
excluding India and the Middle East. Long-haul routes include India, the
Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Antarctica.

Posted on 2026-08-04 08:12:13

A survey by Mastercard Taiwan shows that nearly 70-per cent of people here in
Taiwan use artificial intelligence agents at least once a week.

According to the "2026 Survey on Consumer AI Usage Habits in Taiwan," ChatGPT
and Gemini are the A-I tools most commonly used by respondents.

The survey found that 38-per cent of respondents consulted A-I when making
shopping decisions, while 61-per cent said they would be willing to use A-I
to help plan travel itineraries.

It also found that 57-per cent would allow A-I agents to automatically search
for products based on their preferences and budgets, then complete purchases
after receiving user confirmation, in the hope of improving shopping
efficiency.

Younger adults aged between 18 and 30 were the most frequent A-I users, with
more than 40-per cent reporting daily use and 27-per cent paying for A-I
subscriptions.

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu says China is using
its coast guard and other official vessels in a fresh challenge, not just to
Taiwan but the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Wu told Nikkei Asia in an exclusive interview that the entire First Island
Chain, which primarily covers Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines faces
increasing maritime aggression.

He added Taiwan's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems have
noted a significant increase in Chinese official vessel activity in the East
China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the western Pacific and the South China Sea.

To address the challenges posed by Chinese official vessels operating in
surrounding waters, Wu said Taiwan has established a cross-agency mechanism
to counter what he described as China's expansionism.

One of the group's objectives is to allow Taiwan to share its experiences
with other countries to help build a united front.

Nikkei quoted an anonymous senior European diplomat as saying Wu's strategic
communications and liaising with other governments as "tremendously helpful,"

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

The K-M-T says those responsible for any delayed reporting, withholding
information or supervisory failures in the recent soybean oil case should be
held accountable.

The party's legislative caucus Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang says the
Cabinet needs to disclose information concerning how much of the soybean oil
that failed safety inspections was stored at Central Union Oil Corporation ..

.. as well as its full distribution trail, including whether it was sealed,
recalled or destroyed.

Lin is also demanding to know when the Cabinet and the Ministry of Economic
Affairs first became aware of the issue and why it was not fully disclosed at
a food safety briefing.

This comes after Taiwan Sugar Corporation was accused of knowing as early as
May that oil from Central Union was problematic but responded by returning it
to the supplier without notifying the authorities.

Taiwan Sugar has denied any wrongdoing - saying it never took delivery of or
used the crude soybean oil in question because samples it tested before
purchase failed safety inspections... and as a result it had no obligation to
report the matter.

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

The Taipei City's Department of Education says it plans to expand its weekly
free milk program to include junior high school students beginning with the
new school year on August 31.

The change adds 66,000 students to the program.

City officials say that will bring the total number of beneficiaries to
around 289,000 preschool, elementary and junior high school students across
the city.

Under the program, all preschool through junior high school students with
household registration in Taipei are eligible to receive one free milk or soy
milk product each week using a digital student or toddler card.

Students can redeem the products at participating retailers.

The program was launched in April of last year for preschool and elementary
school students attending schools in Taipei.

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

The Tourism Administration says travelers aged 12 and older took more than
247 and a half-million domestic trips in 2025, that's an increase of
11.52-percent from the previous year.

A recent survey shows that each person on average took 11.65-domestic trips
during 2025, the average trip lasted 1.32 days, and travelers spent and
average of 2,279 N-T per trip.

Just over 79-per cent of domestic trips were day trips, while 92-per cent
were done by solo travelers.

The administration says the survey found that total spending on domestic
travel in 2025 reached a record 564.3-billion N-T - or increase of just over
9.4-per cent from the previous year.

Respondents to the survey cited transportation convenience and accessibility
as the most important factors when choosing destinations.

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

An Academia Sinica research team has identified how a strain of symbiotic
bacteria helps corals survive rising ocean temperatures.

The study was led by Academia Sinica Distinguished Research Fellow Tang
Sen-lin and was published in The I-S-M-E Journal in July.

The research team explored ways of helping corals survive warmer waters, and
studied a strain of bacteria which naturally lives inside healthy coral
tissue.

Tang says scientists have previously suspected the bacterium helped corals
regulate nutrients and withstand environmental stress, but his study provides
direct evidence that the bacterium protects corals from extreme heat.

Heat can be deadly for corals because they turn white or bleach when
temperatures rise.

Although bleached corals do not die immediately, losing their main source of
nutrients leaves them much weaker and more vulnerable to disease and death.

It's hoped the finding could help scientists protect and restore coral reefs
threatened by climate change-induced bleaching.

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

Humanitarian aid from Taiwan's Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation
have arrived in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture to assist people displaced by
last week's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

The aid shipment arrived Fukuoka Airport on board a China Airlines and
included 148 multifunctional folding beds and 40 partition tents designed for
use in disaster relief operations from Tzu Chi's Jing Si product line.

According to Tzu Chi, the folding beds were developed at the request of its
founder, Master Cheng Yen, after she witnessed the suffering of survivors of
the 2010 Pakistan floods.

The partition tents were created after Taiwan's 2018 Hualien earthquake, when
Tzu Chi volunteers witnessed survivors and emergency responders staying in
temporary shelters without privacy, the foundation said.

The Tzu Chi Foundation also says a group of volunteers from Taiwan and Japan
also brought two portable water purification units to address potential
drinking water shortages in affected areas.

Posted on 2026-08-04 06:54:14

The Central Weather Administration says it could issue a sea warning for
Typhoon Dolphin as early as Friday afternoon if the storm continues on to its
current westward track.

The storm is currently located some 2,000-kilometers east of Taipei and
moving in a westerly direction at 19-kilomters-an-hour.

Typhoon Dolphin still has a radius of 320-kilomters, but has weakened
slightly over the past 24-hours and is now packing sustained wind speeds of
144-kilomters-an-hour, with gusts of up to 180-kilomters-an-hour.

The weather administration says the storm is expected to reach waters south
of Japan's Ryukyu Islands around Saturday.

The storm's outer rim is forecast to begin affecting parts of Taiwan on
Thursday and Friday, as northeasterly winds are expected to bring isolated
showers to the north and mountainous areas around Greater Taipei.

Rainfall is expected to become more widespread in the northern and
mountainous areas in the south over the weekend.

Posted on 2026-08-03 19:00:13

The DPP is criticizing the Taipei City government over its handling of a
child abuse case involving Charisse International Preschool.

It's accusing Mayor Chiang Wan-an of leaving parents with nowhere to turn for
help and failing to introduce meaningful reforms.

The party is calling on Chiang to publicly apologize and suspend admissions
at all schools operated by the Charisse group.

Taipei City Councilor Jian Shu-pei says the preschool had already been the
subject of 13 complaints filed through the 1-9-9-9 hotline ...

... but the Education Department either found no violations or asked parents
to provide their own evidence, while allowing another branch under the same
management to continue operating.

The Education Department says all the complaints were handled according to
procedure.

Officials say the preschool's operating license was revoked last week, while
more than 2.35 million NT in fines have been imposed on the group and its
affiliated institutions.

Posted on 2026-08-03 18:07:48

More than 364 metric tons of recalled oil linked to the Central Union Oil
contamination scandal are being shipped out of Taichung to be converted into
biodiesel and other fuels.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says the destruction process is being carried out
under public supervision.

She adds that city officials and central government representatives
monitoring operations to ensure none of the recalled oil re-enters the food
supply.

The recalled oil is currently being stored at Fu Shou (福壽) and Fu Mao (福懋)
facilities after being collected during the contamination case.

Officials say about 246 metric tons from Fu Mao and 118 metric tons from Fu
Shou will be processed into biodiesel feedstock.

Disposal is expected to be completed by August 8th / this Saturday.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-03 18:07:48

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih rode a test train
on the Wanda-Zhonghe MRT Line today ... as the project enters a new phase of
dynamic testing.

The 9.5-kilometer line's first phase includes nine underground stations and
is now more than 85 percent complete, with officials saying it remains on
track to be finished next year.

Once the line opens, travel time between Zhonghe High School Station and
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station will be cut from 38 minutes to just 14
minutes.

The new line is also expected to ease congestion on the Bannan Line by
shifting an estimated 60 thousand to 100 thousand passenger trips.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-03 17:32:14

National Security Council Chair Joseph Wu is warning of the threat that
Chinese hybrid warfare poses to not just Taiwan...

but to all of the First Island Chain.

In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Wu pointed out that there's been an
increase in Chinese navy and coast guard deployment in the East China Sea,
over the Taiwan Strait, in the Western Pacific, and in the South China Sea.

That's as Beijing has this year launched what they call "law enforcement"
missions east of Taiwan.

Wu also stated that, out of all democracies in the world, Taiwan suffers most
from hybrid warfare, with disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, cognitive
warfare, and more.

A senior European diplomat that Nikkei also spoke to said that Wu's
cooperation with other government was "tremendously helpful," praising his
NSC for cultivating younger talent.

(Nikkei-AH)

Posted on 2026-08-03 17:32:14

The Changhua magisterial race continues to heat up, as KMT Chair Cheng Li Wen
has likened the race to the story of the Tortoise and the Hare.

Cheng says, getting off to a slower start is no problem for the right
candidate.

That's as KMT offices in Changhua are holding a series of promotional events
for their candidates across the county...

with Cheng heading south today to take part.

Cheng noted that some have said that the KMT candidate, Wei Ping Zheng 魏平政,
is disadvantaged in the race due to the party nominating him relatively late
in the game.

But she says that the hare relies on laziness while the tortoise relies on
consistency to win the race.

Wei will face the DPP's Chen Su-yue 陳素月 in November, as well as Qiu Jian Fu,
who's running as an independent after leaving the DPP.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-03 16:21:49

The Ministry of National Defense says, it's hoping that the legislature will
swiftly pass a special budget of 210 billionNT for drone funding.

The ruling and opposition parties have so far failed to reach a consensus
during party negotiations on three competing versions of drone funding.

Separately, Defense Minister Wellingon Koo also says that funding for
unmanned ground vehicles has been included into the 2027 general government
budget.

Koo says, the special budget currently making its way through the legislature
is only one part of planned drone funding, including aerial and suicide
drones.

The minister adds that his Ministry is also considering medium- and
large-sized drones as well as underwater drones.

Koo notes that the M-N-D is assessing how best to equip soldiers with drones
as well.

There are currently three differing versions of drone funding proposals in
the legislature, including the Executive Yuan version, while the KMT version
put the budget at 240 billion in the 2027 general budget.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-03 16:21:49

(lifestyle?)

An additional 66 thousand junior high school students in Taipei will become
eligible for the weekly milk program when the new school year begins on
August 31st.

The city's Department of Education says the expansion marks the program's
third phase and will bring the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 290
thosuand students.

Officials say the rollout was moved forward from September 1st so students
can receive milk from the first day of the new school year.

Junior high students enrolled in Taipei schools will be able to redeem their
weekly milk using their existing digital student ID cards without needing to
apply for a new card.

Taipei residents attending junior high schools outside the city can apply
separately if they are not already covered by a similar program elsewhere.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-08-03 16:21:49

In...

Iran says a deal with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of
Hormuz is in its "final stages," as US President Donald Trump announces fresh
talks with Tehran are set to begin today.

Trump called off what he described as the largest planned military operation
since the Second World War, saying he did so partly at the urging of Gulf
allies including Saudi Arabia.

Iranian state media, however, has denied that Tehran requested the strikes be
halted, and has mocked the US president's announcement.

Cosro Isfahani is Director of the National Union for Democracy in Iran, and
is sceptical that any agreement with the Islamic Republic will hold.

That's Cosro Isfahani is Director of the National Union for Democracy in Iran.

Posted on 2026-08-03 15:08:13

The number of people with brokerage accounts in Taiwan rose by nearly
120-thousand in July, to a record 14.6 million, despite sharp swings in the
local stock market.

Investors aged 19 and under accounted for the biggest increase, followed by
those aged 20 to 30.

Together, the two groups made up 64-percent of the monthly increase.

However, people aged 61 and older remained the largest group of investors
overall - accounting for about 30 percent.

The rise in participation came despite a turbulent month for Taiwan shares ...

... with the benchmark Tai-ex posting several swings of more than
one-thousand points before ending July down more than three-thousand points.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-08-03 15:08:16

The Labor Fund earned $77 billion NT in June alone, bringing its total
investment income for the first half of the year to $2.2 trillion, with a
return rate of 28-percent.

The Bureau of Labor Funds reports that the combined assets of the Labor Fund
stood at $8.9 trillion at the end of June.

The Bureau says market sentiment improved last month after tensions in the
Middle East eased, sending oil prices lower.

It says robust exports and solid fundamentals in the technology sector also
helped support the broader market.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-03 15:08:16

Doctors are trying to save a man who was found without vital signs in
Pingtung this morning after a drowning accident.

Authorities say the 20-year-old man was swimming at the Niu-jiao-wan-xi
(牛角灣溪) Waterfall when he apparently drowned.

Rescuers arrived about 30 minutes after receiving the report, but were unable
to save him.

The young man is reportedly a student from Kaohsiung who was swimming with
two friends at the waterfall in Majia township.

The incident is currently under investigation.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-08-03 13:09:13

Responding to reports that Yuan-chun Oil failed to explain where its raw
materials were from, the company said today it has submitted all purchase
records to authorities.

Local news reported yesterday that 8 batches of Yuan-chun's cold-pressed
Camellia Seed oil was found to contain an excessive level of carcinogen BaP.

It's sold in four brands, including Yung-Fong-Yu Biotech.

Authorities have ordered the factory to suspend operations after it failed to
provide documentation on the source of its raw materials.

The Health Ministry also said its preliminary investigation suggests the
company may have used camellia seeds imported from China.

Yuan-chun said today that the camellia seeds used to produce oil for a
subsidiary of Dr. Jiang(江)'s company were purchased directly from local
farmers, and the raw materials used to produce Y-F-Y Biotech's camellia oil
was from Wei-jia (威加) International.

Yuan-chun said its role was limited to processing the oil and delivering it
in bulk, while bottling, labeling and packaging were all handled by Wei-jia.

It has also halted production, processing and sales of the oils immediately,
and has begun a comprehensive review of its manufacturing process.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-08-03 13:09:13

The Taipei City Government is urging eligible landowners to submit bids to
sell their private land back to the city before the upcoming autumn deadline.

The city’s public works department says applications for this year’s public
land purchase program will close on September 18th at 4:00 pm.

Eligible properties include land designated for roads, parks, green spaces,
playgrounds, and drainage systems.

To qualify, the land must be located in Taipei, have no buildings or
structures on it, and be free of any third-party rights or mortgages.

Landowners can find detailed bidding information on the Taipei City New
Construction Office webiste, or by calling the city's hotlines.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

The U-S government says China move to send coast guard vessels to waters east
of Taiwan "deeply destabilizing" and is calling on Beijing to end its
pressure campaign against Taiwan.

This, after a China Coast Guard formation was spotted off eastern Taiwan last
Friday.

A spokesperson for the China Coast Guard says the same task force has
strengthened control over the relevant waters to "safeguard the legitimate
rights and interests, as well as the lives and property, of fishermen on both
sides of the Taiwan Strait."

A U-S State Department spokesperson however says China is exacerbating
tensions and undermining the peaceful resolution of issues it claims to seek,
by asserting authority over maritime areas that Taiwan has peacefully
administered for over 70 years.

The spokesperson also says Washington is urging Beijing to cease its pressure
against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's
democratically elected authorities.

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterating sovereignty claim over
islands in the South China Sea.

MOFA also stressing that any disputes in the area "should be resolved
peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of the sea."

And the ministry is also insisting that "Taiwan should be included in
multilateral dispute settlement mechanisms."

The Foreign Ministry's comments come after the Philippines deposited its
official nautical chart of Scarborough Shoal with the United Nations last
week to reinforce its claim over the atoll, which lies roughly 220-kilometers
from the west coast of central Luzon Island.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement saying
"the deposit was made pursuant to Article 16 of the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea."

The Philippine claim also is also backed by a 2016 ruling by the
International Court of Justice which favors the Philippines.

The court also further determined that major elements of China’s
claim—including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and
other activities in Philippine waters—were unlawful.

Scarborough Shoal is claimed by Taiwan, China and the Philippines.

China's Foreign Ministry said last week it will not accept the Philippines'
establishment of baselines around Scarborough Shoal, calling the move
"illegal and invalid."

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

The annual Han Kuang exercises begin on Wednesday and will run through August
14.

Defense officials say the 10 day and nine night drill will test the armed
forces' ability to sustain 24-hour defense operations.

The exercises will also focus on testing dispersed command-and-control
operations, as well as updated Rules of Engagement designed to counter
China's intensifying gray-zone tactics.

This year's Han Kuang live-fire exercises include several key US-style
rehearsal methods aimed at improving coordination and combat readiness,
including confirmation briefs.

Two brigade-level units - one in the north and another in the south - will be
mobilized to test the military's ability to complete reserve call-ups and
conduct pre-combat preparations.

As many as 5,000 reservists are expected to participate.

Blockage drills will be staged at the newly opened Danjiang Bridge in New
Taipei at the mouth of the Tamsui River.

Newly deployed M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks and the newly inaugurated
Littoral Combat Command will also participate in the Han Kuang exercises for
the first time this year.

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

The National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is reportedly set
to begin mass production of its Ching Tien cruise missile next year.

Reports have said production is slated to be included in the Ministry of
National Defense’s regular budget for fiscal year 2027.

The solid-fuel rocket missile can reportedly travel three to five times the
speed of sound and a has a range of about 1,200-kilometers.

When operational, it will be deployed on ground-based launch vehicles.

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

The Ministry of Education says Taiwan is now an increasingly popular
destination for Vietnamese students seeking higher education, with enrollment
surpassing 50,000 for the first time last year.

Data shows nearly 53 thousand Vietnamese students were enrolled in Taiwan
colleges and universities in 2025... that number up by more than 13,000.

The education ministry says Vietnam has remained Taiwan's largest source of
overseas students for several years now, accounting for about 30-per cent of
the total.

The secretary-general of Vietnam's Taiwan Affairs Committee is attributing
the increase to Taiwan's high-quality education, advanced technology sector
and relatively affordable tuition and living costs.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam awarded Ministry of
Education scholarships to 48 Vietnamese students on July 31 to encourage them
to pursue higher education in Taiwan.

Vietnam's Taiwan Affairs Committee was established in 1997 and coordinates
Taiwan-related affairs across government agencies and promotes economic and
trade cooperation with Taiwan.

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

Several dozen people staged protests outside the Bank of China's Taipei
branch at the weekend.

The rally marked one month since Tibetan activist set himself on fire outside
United Nations headquarters in New York to protest Chinese rule.

The protest in Taipai was a part of a Global Day of Action called for by
Lobga Rangzen's family.

Participants, included Tibetans living in Taiwan and Taiwan supporters - who
staged a "die-in" outside the branch, lying on the ground draped in Tibetan
flags before rising one by one.

The protest was organized by Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan.

The network says it chose the site for the protest because China has no
embassy in Taiwan and the bank is directly controlled by the Chinese
government, making it the closest available symbol of the Chinese state.

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

The Central Weather Administration says Typhoon Dolphin could bring heavy
rain to northern parts of the island later in the week, if it tracks closer
to the island after passing the Japan's Ryukyu Islands.

According to the administration's forecast center, the storm is expected to
move toward the Ryukyu Islands through from Thursday, but its path could
diverge after that.

The storm could either pass north of Taiwan, or veer toward the Korean
Peninsula if the Pacific high pressure system currently located over the East
China Sea and Taiwan weakens.

The weather administration continues to say its too early to determine
whether Taiwan will issue a sea warning for the storm.

Typhoon Dolphin is currently located some 6,000-kilometers east of Taiwan and
is moving in a west-northwesterly direction at 21-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm has a radius of 320-kilomters and is packing sustained wind speeds
of 162-kilomters-an-hour, with gusts of up to 198-kilomters-an-hour.

Typhoon Dolphin's outer rim could begin affecting Taiwan on Friday and
localized heavy rain is forecast for the north on Saturday and Sunday.

Posted on 2026-08-03 06:56:13

And,

Marathon swimmer Hsu Wen-erh has became the first Taiwanese to complete a
solo swim across the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

She's also become only the 83rd woman to complete a solo swim.

The 32-year-old set off from Northern Ireland and completed the
34.5-kilometer crossing in 12 hours, 46 minutes and 40 seconds.

Hsu first attempted the North Channel crossing in September 2025 but was
forced to postpone the effort after unfavorable sea conditions persisted for
two weeks.

She has pursued the Oceans Seven challenge since completing her first major
channel swim across the Strait of Gibraltar in October 2023.

After crossing the English Channel and Catalina Channel, and completing the
Swim Around Manhattan in 2024, she became Taiwan's first swimmer to earn the
Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

She said she plans to attempt the Cook Strait in December and also hopes to
lead a team of Taiwan swimmers in an English Channel relay next year.

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

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) marked Indigenous Peoples' Day today by
congratulating the Siraya people upon their official recognition as Taiwan's
17th indigenous group.

Lai said obtaining recognition for the Siraya has long been a concern for
him, noting that when he was Tainan mayor, his government provided legal
support for the group's ethnic registration ... with his support continuing
as vice president.

The president said the government still has work to do to create a more
diverse and equitable space for the development of ethnic groups and
vouchsafe the dignity of all Taiwan's residents.

CNA_zh_JvW

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

Want to fly a drone, program a robot or see what else AI can do?

High school students in Chiayi can try all three at a free technology summer
camp this month.

Students will explore AI design thinking and immersive XR technology while
learning to program drones and robots and taking part in flight and team
challenges.

Priority is given to students who live in Chiayi or attend a school there,
with 50 places available in each session.

The first session runs from the 10th to the 12th of August, and the second
from the 13th to the 15th.

For more information, contact the Chiayi Culture x Tech Innovation Hub.

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

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) thanked members of a US congressional
delegation for their long-term support of Taiwan at a luncheon in Taipei
yesterday.

Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's subcommittee on Asia and the
Pacific met with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and other officials yesterday.

The delegation's head, Young Kim (金映玉), urged the Legislative Yuan to quickly
pass a bill to fund the procurement of domestically produced drones.

According to the Taipei Times, she noted to journalists that her visit
followed close on the heels of joint Chinese and Russian naval patrols that
were intended to "intimidate the free people of the Indo-Pacific."

She added that drones are central to warfare in the 21st century and
expressed the hope that the legislature could "send a strong demand signal to
build and buy as many drones as possible, and do it quickly."

Lin Chia-lung said in a news release this morning that he told Kim that
Taiwan won't seek provocation, but won't yield to China's escalating military
and economic coercion either.

CNA_zh_JvW

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

The Taipei Astronomical Museum says August is a great month to look up.

The first astronomical event of interest is the so-called Western elongation
of Mercury, occurring tomorrow evening, when Mercury is at its furthest point
from the Sun and visible in the eastern sky.

Venus's Eastern elongation will occur on the 15th. The second planet from the
Sun will be visible at dusk on the western horizon, against a crescent moon.

But the highlight of the month will be the Perseid meteor shower, which will
start around 8pm on Aug. 12th and end at dawn the next day.

With the moon completely waned, there won't be any moonlight interference ...
with around 70 meteors an hour expected to be streaking across the sky.

The observatory recommends that viewers find a location with a wide-open view
and minimal light pollution to enjoy the celestial light show.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-01 12:07:13

products

Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture has removed Finland from its list of areas
free of African swine fever ... warning that anyone caught importing pork
products from Finland will face penalties.

This comes after the country confirmed domestic ASF cases.

According to the Finnish food authority, preliminary tests on the carcasses
of three wild boar piglets found in southeastern Finland were positive.

According to agriculture ministry statistics, Taiwan imported just under
1,000 metric tons of pork products from Finland between January and June this
year.

The center said although there are no direct flights between Taiwan and
Finland, there remains a risk that pork products could be sent to Taiwan from
Finland by mail.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-08-01 11:14:13

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics says Taiwan's
economy expanded 13.7 percent in the first half of 2026, marking its
strongest first-half growth in 50 years.

A DGBAS official said the growth was driven by the AI boom, robust investment
and stronger consumer spending.

Second-quarter GDP growth came in at 12.9 percent on year, the fastest pace
in 39 years.

That's more than 2 percentage points above the DGBAS forecast issued in May.

The stats agency said this was because private investment and consumer
spending exceeded expectations.

It said private consumption rose an estimated 5.9 percent in the second
quarter, the fastest pace in 11 quarters, supported by record stock market
gains, a recovery in auto sales and strong travel demand.

Exports continued to benefit from strong global demand for AI-related
electronics and ICT products, with merchandise exports in US-dollar terms
rising 44 percent on year in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan dollar ended the month on an upswing vs. the greenback.
The US dollar ended yesterday around 32.3, down from an opening level around
32.4. Over the course of July, it rose from 31.9, or by 1.3%.

CNA_JvW

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