ICRT

Posted on 2026-10-13 19:25:13

Labor groups are urging the government to raise the mandatory employer
contribution rate under Taiwan's new labor pension system.

They also criticize authorities for failing to pursue legislative reform
despite repeated calls to improve workers' retirement benefits.

The May 1 Action Alliance, a coalition of labor unions and advocacy groups,
held protests outside the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan in Taipei
earlier today.

It said the mandatory employer contribution rate has remained unchanged at
6-percent for 21 years, and that it should be raised to at least 12-percent
due to soaring living costs.

The Alliance's representatives also remind President Lai Ching-te of his
campaign promise to encourage higher employer contributions through tax
incentives.

Around 8 million workers had contributions made to their accounts under the
new system as of July 2026.

(CNA JL)

Posted on 2026-10-13 19:25:13

Premier Cho Jung-tai says Taiwan is closely monitoring reported pneumonic
plague concerns in Russia and neighboring regions.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang 石崇良 confirmed that Taiwan contacted the
World Health Organization, adding that no plague pathogens have been verified
in Russian laboratory tests to date.

Health officials warned that pneumonic plague spreads through airborne
droplets and carries a mortality rate of up to 60 percent.

In response to regional outbreak rumors, the premier ordered comprehensive
health screening across Mini Three Links travel routes with mainland China.

And the Mainland Affairs Council confirmed it is coordinating with health
agencies to update Taiwanese business owners and travelers across the region.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-13 17:09:13

The Water Resources Agency says, Taiwan will aim to complete a network of
water supply pipelines within the next few years.

Such a network would allow water to be moved between regions during
shortages.

The WRA says, 11 of the 16 pipelines under the Ministry of Economic Affairs'
so-called "String of Pearls" initiative have been completed.

Completing the remaining 5 would improve water transfers between northern,
central, and southern Taiwan...

thus giving major industrial parks and cities access to two water sources.

The WRA adds that, to reduce reliance on reservoirs, Taiwan has been
developing alternative water sources, including artificial lakes, subsurface
river water, reclaimed water and desalinated seawater.

Authorities also note that Taiwan faces increasingly volatile weather due to
climate change, noting that Pingtung and Kaohsiung received the equivalent of
70% of Taiwan's annual rainfall in just three days back in August.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-10-13 17:09:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is attempting to fight off accusations that he has
"no new ideas..."

pointing to plans for urban renewal in Nan Jichang (南機場) as evidence.

The mayor's comments come after Tainan DPP lawmaker Lin Jun Xian 林俊憲 remarked
that Chiang lacked new ideas of and only discussed his free milk policy and
the Taipei Dome.

Chiang attended a ceremonial signing this morning for an urban renewal plan
in Nan Jichang, and said that Lin should "be sure" of what he was saying, as
the project marks a milestone for urban renewal in the city.

The mayor also cited MRT construction on the yellow line and the reduction of
working hours for parents as original ideas of his.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-13 14:15:13

The Taiwan High Court has rejected an appeal from a man convicted of killing
his ex-girlfriend.

The Shilin District Court previously sentenced the man, surnamed Su 宿, to
life imprisonment for allegedly stabbing the woman 19 times, killing her.

According to the indictment, the two had been in a realtionship many years
ago, but later got back together in 2022.

The woman, surnamed Tsai, later broke up with Su again.

Su then proceeded to harass Tsai via LINE.

Prosecutors say that Su, in 2024, went to Tsai's workplace in Neihu, where
the two talked before Su took a switchblade from his pocket and stabbed her
several times.

Su continued attacking until passerby intervened.

Tsai was sent to the hospital but efforts to resuscitate her failed and she
died.

The sentence can still be appealed.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-13 14:15:17

New Taipei City is ordering an immediate halt to a construction project in
Zhonghe District Tuesday after a road collapse trapped an engineering truck.

The truck fell into a three-meter-deep sinkhole adjacent to a private
construction site around 10 a.m, rupturing an underground water pipe.

Emergency crews removed the trapped vehicle by noon and initiated concrete
backfilling to stabilize the roadbed.

Engineers determined that construction damaged a drainage structure, leading
to prolonged water erosion and soil loss.

City officials are requiring the developer to conduct ground-penetrating
radar inspections on surrounding roads before applying for work resumption.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-13 14:15:17

The Freeway Bureau says highway congestion during the National Day holiday
dropped 20 percent compared to last year.

Officials say daily traffic volume averaged nearly 104 million
vehicle-kilometers, with peak southbound travel recorded on the holiday's
opening day.

Traffic accidents averaged 100 incidents per day during the holiday,
representing a 9 percent increase over last year's figures.

But authorities noted that emergency response teams cleared traffic accidents
in an average of 16 minutes to minimize traffic delays.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-10-13 14:15:17

Asian shares are mostly down today, after South Korea's Kospi fell more than
7% on a selloff of chip shares.

Japan's Nikkei 225 is also trading lower.

Taiwan shares are down today as well, with the benchmark tai ex losing 960
points to close the session at 48341.

The turnover was 1.125 trillion NT

Posted on 2026-10-13 13:07:13

The Haikun Submarine prototype has undergone its 24th sea test.

That's as experts are advising the public to be patient, as safety can't be
rushed.

Military expert Ji Dong Yun notes that the Haikun is the first submarine that
has been planned and built in-country.

Therefore, he says, comparing the Haikun's progress to that of other
submarine models in Korea or Australia, for example, is like comparing apples
and oranges.

Ji also notes that Taiwan faces unique challenges in procuring materials
needed for the Haikun, intensifying the entire process.

He adds that the Haikun will continue to readjusted ahead of its handoff to
the military.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-13 13:07:14

The Ministry of the Environment is warning of poor air quality in central and
southern Taiwan as well as in Kinmen starting today.

They say, that's due to northeasterly winds bringing pollutants from abroad.

Officials say that, as of this morning, 11 monitoring stations across the
country were sitting at "orange alert" levels, most of which were located in
central Taiwan...

particulary in Taichung, Yunlin, and Changhua.

An "orange alert" indicates unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups.

Meanwhile the north and much of the south can expect "yellow alert" air
quality levels at this time...

indicating moderate air quality.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-13 08:13:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says the military is closely monitoring
China's military exercises, but they are taking place off the coast of China
rather than near Taiwan.

However, Koo is stressing that the Ministry of National Defense is preparing
for various scenarios.

The statement comes after China's Maritime Safety Administration issued
no-sail notices late last week for five marine areas ahead of military
exercises scheduled for this week.

The five no-sail areas listed are in the Yellow Sea, the East China the Sea,
South China Sea and Bohai Sea, where China's military is carrying out
live-fire drills.

According to Koo, the military has assessed that the exercises will be held
near China's coastline and will involve only artillery units.

Beijing has not explicitly said whether or not the exercises are in response
to President Lai Ching-te's National Day address on Saturday, but has said
the drills are a deterrent to any move by Taiwan towards "independence."

Posted on 2026-10-13 08:13:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang is defending the government's drug
harm-reduction program against mounting political criticism, stressing that
it does not involve supplying illicit drugs in communities.

Shih is also calling for the privacy of people seeking addiction treatment to
be protected.

The calls come came as drug policy has become a flashpoint in the Taipei
mayoral race.

Methadone maintenance treatment and clean-needle distribution are at the
center of dispute between incumbent K-M-T Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the
D-P-P's mayoral candidate Puma Shen.

Speaking at a hearing of the Legislative Social Welfare and Environmental
Hygiene Committee, Shih said recent political rhetoric has distorted public
understanding of the drug harm-reduction program.

Shih stressed that the Ministry of Health does not support legalizing
cannabis and has no plans to adopt a model involving the direct provision of
illicit drugs in communities.

He also insisted that the health ministry's drug harm-reduction policy is
evidence-based and focuses on needle-exchange programs and methadone
treatment.

Posted on 2026-10-13 08:13:13

Tai-Power Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng says he believes the island's electricity
industry should be brought into technology-sector decision-making as soon as
possible.

According to Tseng, energy will become increasingly important to the tech
industry because computing power depends on electricity, while electricity
will also become a critical part of the supply chains of the semiconductor
and technology industries.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the 2026 Net-Zero Taiwan and Energy Taiwan
exhibitions, Tseng said Tai-Power needs to play a greater role in industrial
decision-making rather than simply providing electricity, as industrial power
supply and demand patterns evolve.

Tseng also said parts of Tai-Power's operations should take a more
industry-oriented approach, enabling the company to better understand the
technology sector's operating models, business challenges, financial
arrangements and supply chain partnerships.

He also stressed that as businesses' demand for renewable energy grows,
electricity suppliers and consumers should jointly discuss energy
procurement, the acquisition of renewable energy certificates and energy
storage.

Posted on 2026-10-13 08:13:13

In local election news

Kaohsiung's two major-party mayoral candidates have been outlining their
plans for developing the city's artificial intelligence industry.

The proposals range from an A-I industry cluster and closer industry-academia
ties to wider access to A-I education.

D-P-P candidate Lai Jui-lung says Kaohsiung was well positioned to become an
A-I industry hub due to its available land, power supply, talent pool and
established industrial ecosystem, and the Asia New Bay Area had the potential
to become such a hub.

Lai says former site of the now relocated 205th Arsenal military production
site, spans about 58 hectares and could provide additional space for
industrial development.

And K-M-T Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en is proposing developing A-I
parks and the drone industry, including flight control and geospatial
information applications.

Ko's campaign office says she is also proposing expanding A-I education
through school programs, teacher training and digital learning opportunities
for workers, small and medium-sized businesses, and older adults, to make the
technology more accessible in everyday life.

Posted on 2026-10-13 08:13:13

Meanwhile,

Twelve candidates in the upcoming local government elections have signed
pledges to promote sustainable and resilient policies if elected.

The names of the 12 candidates who have signed the pledges were announced at
a press conference held by civic groups.

Those civic groups include the Green Citizens' Action Alliance and the Taiwan
Climate Action Network.

The groups invited candidates running for mayor in Taiwan's six special
municipalities to sign a pledge on 18 policies in the areas of renewable
energy, disaster preparedness and resilience, heat adaptation, flood
management, and sustainable transportation.

The 12 candidates who have signed the full pledge include K-M-T Taipei Mayor
Chiang Wan-an and D-P-P Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen.

Tainan mayoral candidate Hsieh Lung-chieh has signed it in part, while New
Taipei candidate Lee Shu-chuan and Taichung candidate Johnny Chiang have
declined to sign.

Posted on 2026-10-13 08:13:14

And finally in last night's Chinese Professional Baseball League play-offs
....

.. the C-T-B-C Brothers booked their spot in the Taiwan Series after beating
the Uni-President Lions 8-2 in the deciding Game 4 at the Intercontinental
Stadium in Taichung.

A second-half season champions, the Brothers entered the play-offs with a one
game advantage.

It's the third consecutive year the Brothers have made the finals and they
will now meet the first half season champion Wei Chuan Dragons.

The best-of-seven Taiwan Series will begin on October 17 at the Taipei Dome,
where the Dragons will host Games 1 and 2 and, if necessary, Games 5 through
7.

Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for October 20 and 21, and will also be played at
Taipei Dome.

The Brothers last won the Taiwan Series in 2024, while the Dragons most
recent C-P-B-L title was in 2023.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is slamming China's decision to sanction two
ministers from Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

This, after China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Belize's Foreign
Minister Francis Fonseca and Paraguay's Minister of Information Gustavo
Villate as "anti-China politicians" and barred them from entering China.

Beijing called the two officials "pawns" who have smeared Beijing... but did
not say why the two ministers were singled out.

Taipei's foreign ministry describes Beijing's sanctions as "preposterous" and
a "blatant interference in other countries' sovereignty and diplomacy."

It adds action is evidence of China's "futile attempt to deploy political
intimidation and transnational repression to coerce other countries into
submission to its political agenda."

The move is seen as symbolic, since ministers from Taiwan's diplomatic
allies generally don't travel to China

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Ministry of National Defense is proposing scrapping the maximum length of
service for the Air Force.

The Air Force is now experiencing a shortage of experienced pilots, since
many leave the military to fly for civilian airlines.

The ministry has cited defense needs in proposing to remove the cap, which it
says will apply to selected experienced pilots.

If the Cabinet approves the proposal and it takes effect, the defense
ministry aims to retain 74 pilots ranked lieutenant colonel or colonel in
service longer.

Under the law, pilots holding the rank of lieutenant colonel can currently
serve a maximum of 26 years and those ranked colonel a maximum of 30 years.

That means pilots at these ranks must leave military service at around 48 and
52 years of age, respectively.

Defense officials say as a result of that, many pilots leave the Air Force
before reaching their service limits so they can join civilian airlines
sooner.

Airline pilots can work until 65 and earn significantly higher salaries.

The defense ministry sent proposal to the Cabinet last month and it is still
awaiting approval.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office has detained two executives of drone
supplier Jiin Ming Industry over allegations the company used banned
China-made chips and camera lenses in drones supplied under recent military
contracts.

Officials raided Jiin Ming offices as well as those of its subsidiaries and
its suppliers last week.

The raids followed a report that the company had breached its procurement
contracts by putting the prohibited components into drones delivered to the
military

Prosecutors say Jiin Ming Vice Chairman and President Chien Hao-ting,
business manager Chen Yang-cheng and seven other people connected to the case
have been questioned.

Chien and Chen are believed to have violated the National Security Act by
knowingly supplying Chinese-made products under military procurement
contracts.

The two are also suspected of submitting falsified business records and of
aggravated fraud committed by three or more people under the Criminal Code.

The other suspects have all been released without bail.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has resumed accepting visa applications from
Moroccan nationals.

The move ends a months-long suspension imposed after Morocco abruptly halted
visa applications from Taiwan nationals earlier in the summer.

The ministry says it made the decision after receiving official confirmation
that Morocco had resumed accepting visa applications from Taiwan nationals on
September 21.

MOFA has said it welcomes the Moroccan government's decision, ending a
dispute that began in July when the Moroccan Embassy in Japan suspended its
review of Visa Confirmation Letter applications from Taiwanese without saying
why.

In response, the foreign minister announced it would suspend processing visa
applications from Moroccan nationals effective July 31, except for applicants
involved in special projects approved by the Taiwan government.

Travel agencies here in Taiwan most frequently submit visa applications for
travelers heading to the North African country to the Moroccan Embassy in
Japan.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office says a man who admitted to reposting
a defamatory fake image of D-P-P Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen has been
granted deferred prosecution for two years.

Prosecutors say the ruling was made on the condition he regularly attends
legal education sessions.

The statement comes after the man reposted a fake photo on his Facebook page,
purporting to show Shen with a nude woman near a table littered with drug
paraphernalia on June 7.

Prosecutors says the fake image of Shen was first posted earlier in June on
an X account by a user named "Hsueh Ting-ting Returns," whose IP address had
been traced to China.

Shen filed a complaint with Ministry of Justice, saying that the fake photo
was defamatory because it falsely implied that he frequented disreputable
places, used drugs, and engaged in sexual activity with unidentified women.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

Police in Taoyuan have arrested a 33-year-old man suspected of stabbing his
aunt to death in New Taipei's Xinzhuang District.

Police in New Taipei say they received a call Sunday evening about the
stabbing and found a 59-year-old woman dead in her kitchen after arriving a
the scene.

Authorities say the woman had suffered multiple stab wounds.

The victim's husband, found her when he returned home from work, told police
that their nephew had recently moved in with them and had quarreled with his
wife earlier that same day.

A preliminary investigation found the man to be unemployed and frequently
asked for money to buy alcohol and tobacco.

Posted on 2026-10-13 06:54:13

Lala Mountain in Taoyuan has been designated an Urban Night Sky Place by
DarkSky International.

This makes Lala Mountain has become the first site in Taiwan and only the
third in Asia to receive the recognition.

The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Tourism said it was notified of
the designation by the US-based nonprofit, which will formally announce it
tomorrow.

The nonprofit works to protect the nighttime environment.

An Urban Night Sky Place is a municipal park, open space, stargazing site or
similar property in or near a heavily urbanized area that promotes an
authentic nighttime experience despite significant artificial light.

The designation recognizes sites that educate the public about responsible
outdoor lighting that maintains public safety while reducing harm to the
nighttime environment.

DarkSky International currently lists 19 Urban Night Sky Places worldwide.

The other two in Asia are Minami-Rokuroshi in Japan's Fukui Prefecture and
Zhangwu Town in China's Zhejiang Province.

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

5 media platforms are inviting Taipei mayoral candidates Puma Shen and Chiang
Wan An to participate in a televised debate.

Those platforms include the Liberty Times newspaper and China Television
Company, among others.

A statement from the 5 platforms emphasized that Taipei residents have a
right to see both candidates' policy proposals and their ideas for how to
make these proposals happen.

The announcement added that the debate, should candidates accept the
invitation, would maintain neutrality and transparency...

emphasizing a return to "rational policy exchange" rather than virtue
signaling and political sloganeering.

The invitation comes as Shen and Chiang have already in principle agreed to a
debate hosted by TVBS and S-E-T News but have not nailed down dates or
format.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

Police have arrested a 33-year old man suspected of killing his aunt in New
Taipei's Xinzhuang District.

He was caught in Taoyuan District around noon today after officers used
surveillance footage to track his movements.

Police say the 59-year old woman was found dead with multiple knife wounds in
her kitchen on Yong'an Street.

Her husband discovered her body after returning from work yesterday evening
and called police.

Investigators say her nephew lived with her, had previously argued with her,
and could not be contacted after the incident.

Police are investigating the circumstances of her death.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

China has sanctioned Paraguay’s communications minister and Belize’s foreign
minister over ties with Taiwan.

China's Foreign Ministry said the sanctions against the two officials serve
to safeguard China’s interests.

Paraguay and Belize are 12 diplomatic allies of Taiwan.

The sanctions are mostly symbolic, as officials from countries that have ties
with Taiwan do not generally travel to China.

Countries including Nauru, Honduras and Nicaragua have switched allegiances
from Taiwan to Beijing in recent years.

Posted on 2026-10-12 17:07:13

A red panda from Taipei Zoo is settling well into his new home in Singapore.

Chi-Chi (奇奇), also known as Yaffa, moved to Singapore Zoo in June as part of
an international conservation program.

A keeper tells CNA he is eating and sleeping well, exploring his surroundings
and staying active.

Now on public display, he is also drawing visitors who have followed news of
his move.

Taipei Zoo says transfers between zoos help maintain genetic diversity and
reduce the risk of inbreeding among endangered red pandas.

The two zoos also hope to support healthy breeding through cooperation in
animal care and conservation research.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-12 16:38:13

The Air Force says some electronic warfare hardware is installed on Taiwan's
first two new F-16V Block 70 fighters.

But software development and system integration are still underway.

The jets arrived in Zhi-hang (志航) Air Base in eastern Taiwan from Hawaii, on
October 2nd, roughly one month later than initially expected.

Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan (李慶然) says work on their Viper Shield
system is proceeding according to plan.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says integration must meet the timetable set
for after delivery.

Koo hopes more fighters will arrive this month after passing acceptance
inspections.

But he says completing all 66 deliveries next year still requires
coordination with Washington.

The United States approved the sale of those fighter jets and related
equipment to Taiwan in 2019, and delivery was supposed to begin in 2023 and
be completed by 2026.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Defense Minister Wellington Ku says, the Coast Guard is the primary law
enforcement unit for patroling Taiwan's territorial waters, while the Navy
can provide assistance.

He added that the Coast Guard should drive away Chinese maritime militia or
coast guard vessels if they cross into restricted waters.

The Defense Minister made the remarks when answering KMT lawmaker Huang
Jian-bin's question regarding a Reuters report that a Chinese militia vessel
was spotted in waters east of Taiwan in August.

It marked the first known appearance of such a vessel in the area.

Ku said Taiwan monitors Chinese militia vessels using databases maintained by
the Coast Guard and the military, along with joint intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance operations.

He said these resources allow authorities to closely track the movements of
those ships.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Legislative Speaker Han Guo-yu has reiterated that no matter how hard the
ruling and opposition parties clash, they should follow the rules, compromise
and uphold moral standards.

Stumping for a TPP candidate in Keelung yesterday, Han said he often tells
foreign dignitaries that Taiwan has a mature and successful democracy...

but said that privately he feels uneasy due to the Cabinet's refusal to
countersign legislation and last year's recall campaign.

He described the situation as "anti-democratic," claiming that even
professors of constitutioanl law can no longer properly teach the subject.

The comments echoed his comments at Saturday's National Day ceremony, when he
called on President Lai Ching-te to resolve the current standoff between the
legislative and executive branches.

Han also said that people absolutely cannot allow the world to see Taiwan's
democracy as "a democracy in name, but a dictatorship in reality."

Meanwhile the Presidential office and DPP legislative caucus leaders called
Han's speech "embarrasing and inappropriate", saying Han fell short of the
standards expected of a Speaker.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-10-12 14:20:13

Taiwan shares closed slightly down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 11
points to close the sessiont at 49301

The turnover was 843.9 billion NT

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

12 candidates in this year's local elections have signed on to a climate
resilience, energy and transportation policy pledge.

The pledge was put forward by civic groups including the Green Citizens'
Action Alliance and the Taiwan Climate Action Network, and asks candidates to
agree to 5 major policy directions, including adapting to extreme heat and
flood control.

Among the signees were both candidates for Taipei mayor, while KMT candidates
Li Si Chuan and Jiang Qi Chen in New Taipei and Taichung both refused to sign
on.

Advocates say that leaders of the six major municipalities should take the
initiative to assess how well-prepared schools and other public places are
for climate change...

adding that local governments should also integrate solar power and energy
storage into disaster preparedness centers in order to make them
self-sufficient.

They're calling for local leaders to incorporate the needs of vulnerable
groups into disaster prevention plans and drills as well.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

The Maritime Port Bureau says, fresh drills launched by China will not have
too much of an impact on shipping in waters around Taiwan.

China announced last week that it would be carrying out drills in the South
China, Yellow, East China, and Bohai Seas, with the drills kicking off today.

They're expected to continue through the end of the week.

The Maritime Port Bureau is emphasizing that the areas where China is
carrying out the drills are outside Taiwan's search and rescue area of
responsibility.

Although authorities say that shipping is running normally right now, the MPB
will continue to monitor Chinese military activity in the region.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-10-12 13:06:13

Taiwan's manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry said that the U.S.
International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into it under
Section 337 of the Tariff Act.

Hon Hai said the process began on Friday, and that it will actively respond
to the investigation through established legal procedures.

The tech company stressed that it respects intellectual property rights and
vowed to protect the interests of investors.

It also said that its operations remain unaffected.

Hon Hai is among 20 businesses, including German, US, and Chinese companies,
named in the U.S. trade investigations into alleged patent infringement.

Taiwan's Delta Electronics and Quanta Computer are on the list as well.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-10-12 08:16:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The U-S International Trade Commission has launched a Section 337
investigation naming several Taiwan tech companies as respondents.

Those companies include Hon Hai, Delta Electronics and Quanta Computer.

According to the U-S International Trade Commission, the investigation under
the U-S Tariff Act of 1930 stems from a complaint filed by
Massachusetts-based power technology company Vicor Corp.

It focuses on some vertical power delivery systems, related components and
computing devices incorporating such systems.

The commission says the investigation covers 20 companies from Taiwan, China,
Germany and the U-S.

Here in Taiwan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs says the probe involves
power delivery technology used in artificial intelligence servers and it's
ready to assist the effected companies if necessary

Posted on 2026-10-12 08:16:13

And finally

The Uni-President Lions are on the cusp of booking a spot in the Chinese
Professional Baseball League Taiwan Series -- after beating the C-T-B-C
Brothers 4-2 in Game 3 of the play-offs at the Intercontinental Stadium in
Taichung to take a 2-1 lead.

Game 4 is this evening also at the Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung.

And that game begins at 6:30.

The winner of the playoff series will meet the first half season champion Wei
Chuan Dragons in the Taiwan Series.

The best-of-seven Taiwan Series will begin on October 17 at the Taipei Dome.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

D-P-P Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen is reiterating his call for four
debates, saying a single event would not allow enough time for detailed
discussions of individual policy issues.

He made the call as he held his first campaign motorcade in the capital.

Shen's motorcade event started in Datong District and drew thousands of
supporters, some of whom followed the procession on scooters, carrying
campaign banners.

This comes as incumbent K-M-T Mayor Chiang Wan-an called on Shen's camp to
discuss arrangements for a televised election debate or debates.

Chiang says the focus should be on actually holding debates, rather than
turning them into a campaign talking point... both camps have already agreed
in principle to T-V-B-S holding a televised debate or debates and signed
consent forms.

The broadcaster is scheduled to meet representatives of both parties later
today to discuss details of the possible televised election debates.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

Eswatini's visiting King Mswati III thanked Taiwan for its donation of
military helicopters to the African kingdom as he visited an aviation
training center in Tainan.

King Mswati was accompanied by President Lai Ching-te during his tour of the
Army Aviation and Special Forces Command's Flight Training Command.

King Mswati and his wife were shown military helicopters on display in a
hangar during the visit... both also tried their hand at operating a military
helicopter flight simulator, while the king sat in the cockpit of a Black
Hawk helicopter.

Lai said Taiwan donated two retired UH-1H helicopters to Eswatini in 2020 and
between 2019 and 2020, the Tainan-based command also trained 11 Eswatini
pilots and maintenance personnel to operate and maintain the helicopters.

Lai also expressed his gratitude to the personnel involved in the mission for
their contributions to diplomatic ties between the two countries.

King Mswati arrived in Taiwan last Friday, primarily to attend the National
Day celebrations.

It's his 20th visit to Taiwan since he was crowned king in 1986.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

Social and medical support groups have come out in support of drug
harm-reduction policies... amid a political debate fueled largely by Taipei's
mayoral candidates.

The Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology and the Association of Taiwan
Clinical Psychologists expressed harm-reduction measures, including
clean-needle programs and methadone maintenance treatments.

The call comes amid similar statements issued by the Taiwan Medical
Association and the Taiwanese Society of Psychiatry on October 5, and the
Taiwan Society for Forensic Clinical Psychology on Saturday.

The Taiwan Union of Nurses Association also emphasised that harm-reduction
policies do not encourage drug use and is urging politicians to respect
professional expertise and avoid sending unclear messages that could deepen
social divisions.

The nursing association further called on the government to strengthen drug
prevention and addiction treatment systems, as it ensures that people with
addiction are treated with dignity.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

Firefighters have been working to extinguish a fire at a Miaoli trash dump.

The Miaoli County Fire Bureau said the fire broke out at a trash dump in
Yuanli Township - burning an area of about 4,000 square meters.

No injuries have been been reported so far.

A total of 13 fire trucks and 29 firefighters from Yuanli and neighboring
townships were dispatched after the fire was reported.

The fire bureau says two drones, a disaster response robot and three
excavators were at the scene to assist with firefighting efforts.

Yuanli Township chief Liu Yu-yu says she notified the county's Environmental
Protection Bureau to monitor air quality.

Posted on 2026-10-12 07:00:14

And,

The Philippines has opened its largest overseas Filipino worker service
center in Taipei.

It's located in the same building as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office
in Taipei's Neihu District.

The O-F-W Global Center-Taipei is the third such facility worldwide,
following centers in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

It is also the largest to date.

The country's Overseas Workers Welfare Administration called the Taipei
center a one-stop hub where Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan can access
government services, welfare assistance and training without returning to the
Philippines.

The facility includes training spaces, a cafe, a karaoke room and areas for
government services.

Planned activities include Mandarin classes, financial literacy programs,
computer and artificial intelligence training, and courses on content
creation and entrepreneurship.

Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chairperson Corazon Avecilla-Padiernos
says the new center reflects the Philippine government's commitment to
supporting its citizens overseas.

Posted on 2026-10-10 15:06:14

Taiwan's main political parties are having difficulty achieving their ideal
of coming together -- even it if it's just for National Day.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu focused his National Day address on a message
urging President Lai Ching-te to resolve cross-party conflict.

KMT and TPP party members rallied around the message, saying that the
president has a responsibility to resolve the deadlock between the DPP and
the opposition parties.

But DPP caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) says Han's speech exacerbated the
conflict by pointing fingers.

Chuang notes that Han had called on all parties to avoid adding fuel to the
fire and immediately used terms like "fake democracy, real dictatorship"
(假民主、真獨裁).

To put Han's words into context, he said "Taiwan cannot be seen as a fake
democracy, a real dictatorship."

TPP caucus whip Hung Yu-hsiang (洪毓祥) said he appreciated the sentiment,
noting that a truly confident democracy doesn't fear parliamentary oversight.

Posted on 2026-10-10 14:07:13

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced that as of
11am today, 11 accidents had occurred on National Highways since midnight.

The ministry's Freeway Bureau says traffic was generally moving smoothly
around noon ... though not necessarily quickly ... with northbound traffic
traveling around 40kph northbound on National Highway 1 from Xiluo to Puyan
System Interchange.

The bureau is highlighting 12 sections of national highways that it expects
to be congested this afternoon. For example, the northbound section of
National Highway 5 is likely to be congested from now to midnight between
Yilan and Pinglin.

The Freeway Bureau says traffic volume on the nation's highways is within
expectations for a holiday, with 107 million vehicle-kilometers anticipated
for the full day.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 13:09:13

National Day celebrations held in front of the Presidential Office have
wrapped up.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and President Lai Ching-te both emphasized the
need for peace across the Taiwan Strait in speeches to mark the 115th
anniversary of the Republic of China.

Han praised Taiwanese citizens for their hard work and ingenuity in making
Taiwan a semiconductor powerhouse, but he also highlighted the need for
politicians to overcome deep divisions and to work together more closely to
ensure the country continues to thrive.

In a wide-ranging speech themed "A City on the Hill," Lai addressed said that
while he values peace, it is equally important to continue to strengthen
national defense.

JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 13:09:13

The PLA was relatively active in the Taiwan Strait in the 24 hours before 6
am this national day.

The Ministry of National Defense says that it detected 21 sorties of Chinese
military aircraft, 13 of which crossed the strait's median line.

It also detected seven Chinese warships and two government vessels.

CNA_zh_JvW

Posted on 2026-10-10 13:09:13

video

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) has apologized for including footage of a
baseball player in a music video that unveiled his campaign theme song
yesterday.

DPP lawmaker Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) questioned whether the footage of Chang
Yu-cheng playing in an international game had been authorized.

Chiang today said the footage has been adjusted to remove the baseball
player, adding that Chang's presence in the video didn't necessarily reflect
his or any player's political stance.

CNA_zh_JvW

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