ICRT

Posted on 2025-12-10 19:12:13

New Taipei police officials are under investigation for allegedly taking
bribes and leaking case secrets to gangsters.

One senior official has been detained, while three others are out on bail.

Prosecutors launched a series of searches Tuesday and questioned a total of
four men.

The detained official is a senior detective, surnamed Cheng, from the city's
Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

Investigators suspect the four attended a 2023 banquet with gang members and
shared updates on ongoing criminal probes.

A New Taipei court approved the detention of Cheng, citing strong bribery
suspicions and the risk he might collude with others.

The three other detectives were released on bail ranging from 50 thousand to
150 thousand NT.

All three are barred from leaving the country as the corruption and leak
investigation continues.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-12-10 19:12:15

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has met with the Philippines new
representative to Taiwan, pledging to strengthen bilateral trade and create a
closer partnership between the two nations.

After yesterday's meeting with Corazon A. Padiernos, Lin says the Philippines
is a crucial maritime neighbor and highlighted several recent milestones,
including the Philippine government relaxing restrictions on its officials
interacting with Taiwan.

The minister says he also met with Manila Economic and Cultural Office
Director for Commercial Affairs Anthony Rivera, and expressed Taiwan’s
desire to establish an institutionalized cooperative framework to guide
Taiwanese businesses investing in the Philippines.

Lin stressed that this framework and smoother government-to-government
communication are necessary to boost investor confidence.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-10 18:07:13

Transport officials say pedestrian safety is moving in the wrong direction,
with pedestrian deaths up four percent in the first nine months of the year
compared to last.

According to the Ministry of Transportation, 263 pedestrians were killed from
January to September.

That's despite overall traffic deaths falling to one of the lowest levels in
six years — at just over 2 thousand total.

The transport ministry noted that while deaths at intersections have dropped
thanks to campaigns promoting driver yield habits, fatalities away from
intersections are rising sharply.

This increase is especially notable among older pedestrians, who account for
more than half of those deaths.

The top causes of these incidents include driver distraction or panic,
pedestrians crossing outside marked areas, and improper driving.

Officials add that more work is needed, with senior pedestrian safety set to
become a major focus of future outreach.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-10 18:07:14

Taiwan Water will resume drawing water from the Keelung River tomorrow, after
confirming quality has returned to drinking-water standards following last
month's oil spill.

Chairperson Lee Jia-rong confirmed water intake is set to restart at 8 AM but
pause at night.

He adds that intake hours will be gradually extended depending on the
stability of the water's quality.

According to Lee, monitoring was intensified over the past few days after
Keelung finished dredging and cleanup.

No oil has been detected for several days, and the water has passed
third-party tests.

However, the pollution source is still unknown.

About 180 thousand affected households will get roughly half a month of
water-fee exemptions, costing the company at least $20 million NT.

Environment officials say suspects have been identified and investigations
continue.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-10 18:07:14

Taipei City today announced a public review for a plan to merge plots T17 and
T18 and in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park ... to clear the way for
NVIDIA's new overseas headquarters.

Under the plan, the 15-meter-wide road between the two plots will be removed.

This would create a single, larger plot of about 3.89 hectares, meeting
NVIDIA's requirement of at least 3 hectares.

Public notice for the plan will remain open until January 8 next year.

But Taipei officials stress that NVIDIA must still complete its investment
plan ... so that urban planning can be adjusted accordingly.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an hopes the city can sign a land-use rights contract
in late January or early February.

He also noted that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang may attend the signing when he
travels to Taiwan for year-end events.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-10 17:07:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, it will review ties with Seoul
following the wrongful designation of Taiwan on Korean customs e-arrival
cards.

MOFA says, it has already reached out to Korea regarding Taiwan's
classification as "CHINA (TAIWAN)" on the e-arrival card, and has yet to
receive a positive response.

On top of the arrival card issue, MOFA says that there's a big trade deficit
between the two countries.

In 2024, Taiwan's trade deficit with South Korea rose to nearly 23 billion US
dollars, marking the biggest trade deficit Taiwan had with any country in the
world.

Meanwhile, DPP lawmakers are calling on the local govenrment to put the
screws to the Korean government to demonstrate Taiwan's dissatisfaction.

Government data shows that, last year, there were 1.4 million trips made by
Taiwanese travelers to Korea.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-10 17:07:15

The Taiwan Railways Corporation says it will submit an internal investigation
report on the recent death of an employee to the Railway Bureau by the end of
the year.

The incident occurred on December 5th at the Hualien Station unloading area
when the switchman was fatally struck by a cargo train.

The TRC says its safety departments are currently analyzing evidence,
including video footage, and it has already implemented immediate measures to
make the workspace safer, prioritizing the safety of all yard engineers.

The Taiwan Railway Union had previously called on the TRC to replace the
traditional master-apprentice training system with more structured
professional education.

The TRC says it currently uses a system similar to those used
internationally, pairing new employees with experienced supervisors, and
emphasized that training materials are being standardized and digitized to
assist in this process.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-10 17:07:15

DPP lawmakers are pushing back against a KMT lawmaker's proposal to
decriminalize lawmakers' taking of assistant fees.

Chen Yu Zhen's proposal would move to give lawmakers a lump sum to pay
assistant fees and would not require reciepts for reimbursement.

DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary General Zhong Jia Bin slammed the proposal
today, stating that the law should not be amended for specific individuals.

He says that the legislature should instead formulate a means of legalizing
and making more transparent the payment of legislative assisants.

DPP lawmaker Xu Zhi Jie has also proposed an alternate version.

The Judiciary and Legal Affairs Legislative Committee will review his version
tomorrow

Meanwhile already 200 legislative assistants have signed a petition calling
for Chen to withdraw the proposal.

Zhong yesterday said that the proposal would effectively raise the salary of
lawmakers by nearly 8 million NT each year.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-10 16:08:13

cards

President Lai Ching-te says, he hopes that Korea can respect the
self-determination of the Taiwanese people.

He added that he hoped Taiwan and Korea would be able to join hands to pursue
peace and stability.

That's as a new customs e-arrival card in Korea lists Taiwan as "China
(Taiwan)."

President Lai emphasized that Taiwan and Korea have a close relationship with
many trade ties, and he said he hoped the two countries could maintain a
friendly relationship.

Ｍeanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its concerns to
Korea, but has yet to receive a positive response.

They urge South Korea to correct the labeling as soon as possible.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-10 16:08:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan An is touting his 3 major achievements after 3 years
in office.

He says, he's most proud of succeeding in getting Nvidia to establish its
Taiwan headquarters in Taipei City...

the fact that the Taipei Dome is now up and running...

and that the Taipei Metro is currently working on 6 new lines.

He says that he will continue to push to improve the city government.

When asked about what his administration would do to alleviate traffic
problems in the city, Chiang said that he set up a task force to handle the
Neihu traffic problem...

and has carried out construction in the district to lessen traffic.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-10 16:08:13

The Red Cross is appealing for more donations to aid disaster relief efforts
in Jamaica, following devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The organization says the Category 5 storm caused massive destruction across
Jamaica affected nearly 1.9 million people.

Official estimates place the total economic damage between $6 and $7 billion
U.S. dollars.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies sent a
letter to the Taiwan Red Cross on November 26th requesting assistance.

But Taiwan's Red Cross says its dedicated fundraising drive, launched on
November 27th, has raised less than $100-thousand NT in two weeks.

The organization is urging the public to demonstrate the humanitarian spirit
of Taiwan by contributing to the relief effort.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-10 15:20:13

The ROC Air Force announced today that the installation of the "Automatic
Ground Collision Avoidance System" on its F-16V fighter jet fleet is on
schedule to be completed by 2028.

The Air Force also confirms that all 66 newly purchased F-16V Block 70
fighters from the United States come equipped with the collision avoidance
system as standard.

The announcement came during a Ministry of National Defense press conference,
where media asked about a recent incident involving an F-16V pilot who
experienced a temporary G-force-induced loss of consciousness, or "G-LOC",
during routine training.

Officials say the pilot immediately stopped the drill, was safely escorted
back to base by the lead aircraft, and landed without incident.

They stressed that this was the pilot's first G-LOC event, and the pilot will
undergo physiological exams followed by tolerance training and assessment,
before returning to flight status.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-10 15:20:14

The Ministry of the Interior is reporting a record low number of births in
November and confirms that the nation is on the verge of officially becoming
a super-aged society.

Government statistics show that Taiwan’s population stood at 23,306,085 at
the end of November, marking the 23rd consecutive month of negative growth.

The number of births in November was 7-thousand-946, making it the third time
this year that the monthly birth rate has hit an all-time low.

Taiwan's birth rate has now seen negative growth for nine consecutive years.

The island is also rapidly approaching super-aged status, defined by the
World Health Organization as having a population aged 65 or older that
constitutes 20 percent of the total population.

Taiwan's population of such seniors currently stands at 19.99-percent.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-10 14:07:13

The Ministry of Environment is expected to release a review of its
Environmental Impact Assessment laws in the first quarter of next year.

The ministry launched the review last year, and environment minister Peng
Chi-ming says recommendations from the review will be a major priority.

According to the ministry, EIA laws and regulations "are formulated to
prevent and mitigate the adverse impact of development activity on the
environment..."

And the ministry says it intends to divide recommendations into short,
medium, and long-term goals, with priority given to actions that can be
implemented immediately through administrative improvements, such as
leveraging Artificial Intelligence and strengthening public participation.

Officials say if amendments to the law are necessary, the earliest time frame
for starting the legislative process would be the second half of next year.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-10 14:07:13

UK envoy to Taiwan, Ruth Bradley-Jones, says, she's focused on two priorities
in her new position: tech and security.

Bradley-Jones took office in Feburary, and she describes her mission as to
building a "vibrant and dynamic" relationship with Taiwan.

She says, she's proud of signing three main agreements since she took
office...

including the Taiwan-UK ETP Digital Trade, Energy and Net Zero, and
Investment Arrangements.

Going forward, Bradley-Jones says she hopes to continue to boost bilateral
cooperation in tech and to address shared security concerns.

She added that enhancing social resilience to protect shared democratic
values and human freedoms is something both the UK and Taiwan are
interestedin.

Before taking office in Taipei, Bradley-Jones was the deputy head of the UK's
embassy in Myanmar

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-12-10 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 28400 after
gaining 218 points.

The turnover was 492.1 billion NT

Posted on 2025-12-10 13:18:13

Ke Wen Zhe is appealing a ruling that would have allowed court arguments in
the Core Pacific City case to be broadcast within 5 days of a judgment being
handed down.

The Taipei District Court previously approved his request to allow the court
proceedings to air publicly, but denied his request for it to be live.

The court today announced Ke's appeal, and said that they would be
transferring the case to the Taiwan High Court.

The law states that audio and video recordings of court proceedings can be
broadcast after a judgment is announced- but not live.

A panel of judges stated that the case is of great importance to the public,
therefore it should be allowed to be broadcast.

However, they state that broadcasting such contents live is a violation of
the law.

The Taipei District Court is hearing cases involving the Core Pacific City
case, with hearings scheduled for 10 days in a row starting tomorrow.

Judges will announce their verdict at a later date, after arguments conclude.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-10 13:18:14

The Tainan city government says, 28% of city buses are electric as of this
year.

That's after the city received 9 new electric buses this year, putting the
total number of electric buses in the city at 134.

Officials say that those electric buses transit on routes 0 and 6 around the
Tainan Train Station and other important transit points throughout the city.

Transit officials say that they will continue to promote transit solutions
that cut carbon emissions in accordance with the federal government's goal of
having all city buses by electric by 2030.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-10 08:07:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

A group of New Party members have filed a lawsuit against Premier Cho
Jung-tai accusing him of "negligence of duty" and "illegally withholding
public funds."

The lawsuit has been filed at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office and is
in response to Cho suggesting that the Cabinet could opt to ignore
legislation on central-local government revenue allocation.

New Party Deputy Secretary-General You Zhi-bin says if the Cabinet refuses to
enforce the law simply because it doesn't like it, then Taiwan risks
backsliding into authoritarianism.

The move comes after lawmakers passed amendments to the Act Governing the
Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures on November 14.

The Cabinet has refused to accept the revisions - arguing it will further
strain the central government's finances and push borrowing over the limit.

The Cabinet requested lawmakers review the amendments - but that request was
voted down by the opposition last Friday - meaning the Premier must accept
the outcome.

However, Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee is insisting the amendments will
be impossible to implement - as meeting the required increases in subsidies
for local governments will force the central government to take out more
loans.

Posted on 2025-12-10 08:07:13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing to urged South Korea to amend
its electronic entry card system that lists Taiwan as part of China.

The ministry's Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs says it has yet
to receive a direct response from Seoul on the matter after highlighting the
error in South Korea's newly launched e-Arrival card system earlier this
month.

Department Deputy Director-General Liu Kun-hao is expressing the need for a
correction - saying revising the island's designation underscores the
importance of longstanding economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between
the two sides.

Liu says there are serious concerns about the improper designation here in
Taiwan and he hopes by addressing this issue, both countries can work
together to enhance their bilateral relationship further.

Liu also says Taiwan is reviewing its overall relationship with South Korea -
noting a large and long-standing trade deficit that highlights what he's
describing as an unequal relationship.

South Korea rolled out the online system on February 24 to gradually replace
paper arrival cards, which it plans to phase out by 2026.

Travelers must complete the electronic form up to 72 hours before entering
the country.

The foreign ministry says it has received multiple complaints from Taiwanese
travelers about the system's dropdown menus for both "place of departure" and
"next destination."

Posted on 2025-12-10 08:07:13

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang is defending the government's decision to
block Xiao-hong-shu for one-year due to cybersecurity failures.

According to Liu, the main reason for blocking the Chinese social media app
was due to concerns of widespread fraud activity on the platform.

The interior minister says the government's Anti-Fraud Command Center had
requested Xiao-hong-shu establish an office here in Taiwan and adhere to
local regulations, but that request was ignored.

She also says that Facebook, Line, Google and TikTok will be invited to meet
with government officials to discuss ways to better handle fraud cases on
their platforms.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau has said that Xiao-hong-shu has been linked
to 950 fraud cases in Taiwan last year, causing financial losses of more than
132-million N-T.

However, according to the government's own data, fraud cases are more
prevalent on other platforms.

Posted on 2025-12-10 08:07:13

Lawmakers have passed amendments to the Noise Control Act that raise
penalties for vehicle noise violations, including the suspension of license
plates for major repeat offenders.

Under the amendments, the maximum fine for vehicles exceeding noise limits
will increase to 36,000 N-T -- that's up from the previous maximum figure of
3,600 N-T.

Fines for reported vehicles not undergoing testing at the designated location
by the deadline were also raised to 36,000 N-T from 3,600 N-T previously.

After a vehicle owner or user is notified to make improvements, failure to
comply within the given timeframe will result in successive violations and
fines.

Under the amended law, major offenses will also lead to the suspension of the
vehicle's license plate until the required improvements are completed.

While repeated violations within one year will result in a six-month
suspension of the license plate.

The amendments aim to deter exhaust pipe modifications emitting noises late
at night or early in the morning in urban areas.

Posted on 2025-12-10 08:07:13

The Food and Drug Administration says it has seized and destroyed three
metric tons of parsley powder imported from India after the product tested
positive for Sudan I - a banned industrial dye.

According to the F-D-A, the shipment was detected during border inspections.

The administration has not said specifically when the shipment was detected,
but data shows that between June 1 and December 1, two batches of dried
botanical spices imported from India were inspected.

One of which failed due to the detection of Sudan dye.

The importer involved will now be subject to enhanced batch-by-batch
inspections.

The F-D-A has mandated 100-per cent testing for Sudan dyes in dried spice
plants from India since April 18, 2024, a measure that will now remain in
place through Novmber 26 next year.

Posted on 2025-12-10 08:07:13

And finally,

The Ministry of Environment has recognized the Pingtung Distillery for its
sustainability initiatives and outreach - which include using biogas derived
from alcohol production to generate electricity.

According to the ministry's National Environmental Research Academy, it has
certified state-run Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation's Pingtung
Distillery as an "environmental education facility."

The 102-year-old distillery is southern Taiwan's largest producer of Red
Label Rice Wine.

The environment ministry says the facility's sustainable practices include
using biogas derived from alcohol production to generate electricity, with
20.7-kilograms of distillery stillage producing 1-kilowatt-hour of power.

The distillery also recycles approximately 90-per cent of its glass bottles
and uses distillery waste to produce 68 metric tons of organic fertilizer
annually.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

and pipelines

Lawmakers have passed amendments to existing laws aimed at countering what
the Cabinet has described as potential threats to national security.

The amendments impose penalties for damaging undersea power cables, natural
gas pipelines or water pipelines and allow for equipment used in the process
to be confiscated.

They also pave the way for harsher punishments in severe cases, add
provisions for confiscating vessels, and require ships to activate automatic
identification systems.

The amendments to the Electricity Act, the Natural Gas Enterprise Act and the
Water Supply Act authorize the confiscation of tools, vessels or mechanical
equipment used in such offenses regardless of ownership.

The revision to the Electricity Act specifically adds damaging undersea power
cables to the range of offenses.

While damaging undersea water and natural gas pipelines was also added to the
Water Supply Act and Natural Gas Enterprise Act.

The move comes after several undersea cable incidents in waters around Taiwan
earlier this year.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

President Lai Ching-te says his administration is ready to provide any
necessary assistance to Japan after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the
coast of Aomori Prefecture.

Lai said via social media, that Taiwan and Japan have always supported each
other in the face of disasters even as he said he would pray for the safety
of the Japanese people and their swift return to normal life.

Lai also says he would like to express his sincere concern and condolences to
all those affected.

Meanwhile,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says there have been no reports of Taiwanese
nationals living the affected areas being injured in the earthquake.

Foreign ministry officials say they immediately contacted Taiwan's
representative offices in Tokyo and Sapporo, and so far there have been no
reports of Taiwanese being affected.

The foreign ministry says it is monitoring the situation and is ready to
offer assistance if needed.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

The Centers for Disease Control has reported Taiwan's first domestic case of
valley fever.

The patient is said to be in his 50s, lives in northern Taiwan and has no
underlying medical conditions.

The C-D-C says he first became ill in early August and sought medical
attention after his condition failed to improve.

He tested positive for the fungus... and following treatment, his symptoms
have since improved.

The fungus is commonly found in the soil of desert regions in the United
States, Mexico, and Central and South America.

People can become infected by inhaling airborne spores, but the disease
cannot be transmitted from person to person.

The C-D-C says the patient had not traveled overseas and was either at home
or at work during the incubation period -- making this a domestic case.

Health officials say the source of infection is unknown but it may be related
to his work handling shipping containers as dust can fly around when they are
being cleaned and repaired.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

Lawmakers have approved an amendment that will raise the annual long-term
care deduction to 180,000 N-T.

Its aimed at easing the financial burden of households supporting a dependent
who requires long-term care.

The deduction previously stood at 120,000 N-T and will apply retroactively
from January 1 of this year and start to take effect in tax filings in May of
2026.

Under Article 17 of the Income Tax Act, taxpayers may claim the deduction to
taxable income for themselves, their spouses, or dependents officially
recognized by the Ministry of Health as requiring long-term care due to
physical or cognitive impairment.

Lawmakers across party lines had submitted proposals to increase the
deduction to between 180,000 and 360,000 N-T -- citing Taiwan's rapidly aging
population and rising caregiving costs.

They later reached a consensus to set the deduction at 180,000 N-T.

The Finance Ministry is estimating the new measure will benefit about 350,000
taxpayers.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

The Hualien District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the owner of a
construction company on charges of negligent homicide.

The charges are related to flaws found in a building that partially collapsed
during the April 3, 2024 magnitude-7.2 earthquake.

Prosecutors say the Uranus building was found to have multiple construction
and design deficiencies.

Prosecutors say structural calculations were carried out, but they
significantly underestimated the building's weight and earthquake resistance
- leaving the first-floor beams and columns inadequately reinforced.

The construction company owner is also accused of failing to properly
supervise construction and inspect the site, resulting in column stirrups
spaced too far apart and main reinforcement beams that were too short.

The construction company owner has persistently denied any wrongdoing and
blamed the firm's manager - who has since died - for the incident.

One person was killed in the building collapse and hundreds of residents
were made homeless.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

The Food and Drug Administration says it has instructed importers of two
brands of chocolate sticks to comply with a recall initiated by Japanese food
manufacturer Glico.

The imported products include "Pocky Winter Exclusive Chocolate Sticks,"
which carry expiry dates in June 2026, and "Glico 8-Pack Chocolate Flavor
Sticks," which expire in May, June, and July 2026.

Consumers who have bought the products can contact the responsible company
printed on the product labels.

The F-D-A says the recall was self-initiated by the Japanese company because
the cocoa beans used for the products were stored with spices, which affected
the flavor.

Glico announced a recall of 20 chocolate products, totaling around 6-million
items, on Monday.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

And an Indonesian immigrant is one of the recipients of the government's
first-ever long-term care award - which honored her for 14 years of dedicated
service at an elderly home in Hualien County.

Tri Cahyani currently works at the Eastern Region Senior Citizens' Home.

She was one of 26 long-term care professionals nationwide recognized by the
Ministry of Health.

During the award ceremony, Health Minister Shih Chung-liang said government
funding for the provision of long-term care has grown from less than
5-billion N-T in 2016 to over 90-billion N-T this year.

The health minister said that figure is expected to surpass 100-billion N-T
next year - as the government will upgrade its national long-term care
system, shifting from primarily post-illness care to preventing aging and
frailty.

He said the government will strengthen integration between medical and social
services and expand technological support for family caregivers.

Posted on 2025-12-10 06:52:13

incident

And,

A Japanese candy-apple craftsman who went viral earlier this year after
airport officers mistook his luggage full of Taiwan-made sugar for narcotics
has met with his sugar supplier in Tainan to explore potential collaboration.

Takatoshi Ikeda, the founder of Tokyo-based confectionery Pomme d'Amour, and
Taisugar Chairman Wu Ming-chang exchanged ideas on combining Taiwan's
traditional cane-sugar production techniques with Ikeda's confectionery
expertise.

The meeting comes after Ikeda traveled to Taiwan in October, during which he
purchased several bags of Taisugar's fine sugar.

Its powder-like appearance prompted Japanese airport officers to flag his
luggage, drawing media attention in both countries.

Taisugar contacted Ikeda online following the incident.

Posted on 2025-12-09 19:08:13

The DPP is protesting a KMT proposal to change the law regarding staff pay.

The KMT wants to end the legal risk lawmakers face over how they handle
assistants' salaries.

Currently, some lawmakers have faced legal trouble over these funds.

The proposal, drafted by KMT lawmaker Chen Yu Zhen (陳玉珍), would give the
salary money to lawmakers as a direct subsidy.

This would allow them to use the funds as they see fit, without needing to
show receipts.

DPP leaders slammed the KMT, saying the proposal would simply put the money
into lawmakers' own pockets and effectively raise their annual salaries by
nearly 8 million NT.

The legislature has invited Labor Minister Hong Shen Han to report on how
this change would impact assistants' worker rights.

Meanwhile, about 200 assistants have signed a petition demanding that the KMT
withdraw the proposal.

The KMT says it is still gathering opinions from different groups before
moving forward.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-09 19:08:19

loses

The French parliament will hold a crucial vote on Tuesday on the social
security budget for next year.

If the bill does not pass, the prime minister Sebastein Lecornu will
certainly face calls to resign from the opposition - and he may do so.

Ross Cullen reports from Paris.

Posted on 2025-12-09 19:07:13

Health officials warn that flu cases are expected to rise this week.

They're urging all those eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as
vaccine supplies are running low, with only 268 thousand doses left.

This comes despite a drop in visits to outpatient clinics or emergency rooms
last week due to flu-like symptoms — at around 85 thousand.

But the Centres for Disease Control warns that with big swings in
temperature, flu cases may pick up again in the coming days.

In the past week, the CDC also reported 21 new severe flu cases and 15 deaths.

Experts say most severe cases are in older adults and people with chronic
illnesses.

And 92 percent of those who became severely ill had not received this
season's flu vaccine.

The CDC has ordered 150 thousand extra doses, most of which will arrive in
late December.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 19:07:13

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says the city's long-term care budget is rapidly
climbing toward $10 billion NT, driven by a fast-growing senior population.

As of late October, more than 490 thousand Taichung residents are aged 65 and
above—over 17 percent of the city.

Health officials project that by 2029, seniors will make up more than
one-fifth of the population.

Lu says the long-term care budget has more than doubled in recent years,
rising from $3.7 billion NT in 2019 to $8.3 billion NT this year.

She says funding must continue to grow to ensure enough facilities, staff,
and support services.

The city is also expanding programs that keep seniors active—such as arts,
reading, and fitness activities—and building more sports centers and
libraries.

The long-term care system will further expand next year to include all-age
dementia patients.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 19:07:13

The Civil Aviation Administration is highlighting a new flight information
system that features the world's first high-resolution detailed ground maps
of airports.

Officials are calling it the 'aviation version' of Google Maps ... saying the
technology has been in service since mid-October.

The administration says the new interface uses 3D maps to show crews where
planes can and can't fly around Taiwan, helping airlines plan safer routes.

It also integrates flight data from nearly 100 countries and provides
real-time flight plans and warnings.

The CAA says it hopes to share the ground-map technology internationally in
the future.

The platform is the result of a 170-million-NT investment over four years and
replaces the CAA's old text-only system.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 17:07:13

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed Taiwan's first case of
domestically transmitted "Valley Fever", a fungal infection from breathing in
certain spores in disturbed soil.

The CDC says the patient is a man in his 50s from northern Taiwan who had no
known underlying health conditions.

He sought medical attention in mid-August after experiencing symptoms
including coughing, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Investigators determined he likely contracted the fungus while on the job as
a container maintenance worker whose duties involve cleaning and repairing
shipping containers.

The CDC says the disease is not transmitted from person to person, and most
patients recover on their own, but high-risk groups, including the
immunocompromised can develop severe infections.

Officials are urging workers in relevant industries to seek medical attention
and disclose their occupational history if they experience symptoms like
fever, fatigue, coughing, or joint pain.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-09 17:07:15

A popular Japanese snack is being recalled in Taiwan after reports that some
batches had an unusual flavor.

Japanese food processing company Glico says it's voluntarily pulling about
six million chocolate products off shelves, including several types of Pocky.

The company says cocoa beans were stored near spices, causing the flavor to
be affected.

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration says it has identified four batches of
two Pocky products totalling almost 2.2 tons that were imported into Taiwan,
and all local importers have been told to cooperate with the recall.

Consumers who bought the affected items are advised to contact the
distributor listed on the package.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 17:07:15

Edu. Cert.

The Ministry of the Environment says, a distillery in Pingtung has received
the Environmental Education Certification.

That makes them the first rice wine distillery in Taiwan to be honored with
the certification.

They received the recognition for using biogas created from fermentation
byproducts to generate electricity.

On average, 20.7 kilograms of the byproduct can generate one kilowatt-hour of
electricity.

Additionally, the distillery has increased its glass bottle recycling rate to
90%, reusing each bottle up to 5 times.

The Pingtung distillery was founded in 1923 and is southern Taiwan's largest
red label rice cooking wine manufacturer.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-09 16:07:13

Opposition parties have blocked the government's $1.25 trillion NT special
defense spending bill from being added to the agenda for Friday's Legislative
plenary session.

At today's Procedure Committee meeting, KMT and TPP lawmakers teamed up to
stop the bill from moving forward.

Notably, they also blocked the Cabinet's version of amendments to the
Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures being included in the
agenda.

The move prevents both proposals from even reaching committee review.

DPP lawmakers protested on-site, accusing the opposition of deliberately
stalling and undermining national security.

They argued the eight-year defense plan averages only a little over $150
billion NT per year and deserves professional debate instead of being blocked
outright.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 16:07:14

Interior Minister Liu Shi-fang said the Anti-Fraud Command Center will invite
representatives from the four major social media platforms that have set up
legal agencies here in Taiwan to discuss fraud issues.

In response to strong backlash over the Ministry's recent announcement that
it'll block Xiao-hong-shu for one year, Liu said Facebook, Line, Google and
TikTok will be invited to talk about how to handle fraud cases on their
platforms.

The Interior Ministry had said the main reason for blocking the Chinese
social media Xiao-hong-shu was that it's full of fraud schemes.

But according to the government's own data, such cases are far more prevalent
on other platforms.

Minister Liu also said that they had asked that Xiao-hong-shu set up a legal
agency here and abide by Taiwan's law like other social media, but the
request was ignored.

Many critics, however, said they believe the decision may have been
politically motivated.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-09 15:12:13

Owners of vehicles making too much noise will face fines of up to
$36-thousand NT based on the newly passed Noise Control Act.

The Legislative Yuan today passed the amendments to law, which stipulate that
if a motor vehicle exceeds the noise control standard, the owner or user can
be fined between $3-thousand 600 and $36-thousand NT.

In serious cases, the highway authority may suspend the vehicle’s license.

Under the current law, vehicles that exceed noise limits are subject to fines
ranging from $1,800 to $3,600.

As many vehicles pass inspection using original exhaust pipes and then switch
to modified exhausts on the road, causing severe late-night disturbances,
many lawmakers had called for increasing the penalties.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-09 15:12:14

Opposition

Business groups are willing to step in and help break the impasse between the
Cabinet and opposition ... over how tax revenues should be allocated to local
governments.

General Chamber of Commerce of the ROC chair Hsu Shu-po (許舒博) says eight
major industry groups are offering to act as a communication bridge between
the ruling and opposition parties to guide them toward reasonable decisions.

Hsu said the private sector is concerned that political gridlock will stall
Taiwan's development.

Hsu made the statement at a forum between the GCC and Premier Chuo Rong-tai,
who insisted that the Cabinet's version of the amendments to the Allocation
of Government Revenues is much better than the version passed by the
Legislature last month.

Premier Chuo warns the opposition's version of the law could make 34.5
billion NT impossible to distribute to local governments.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 15:12:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging South Korea to make immediate
corrections to its electronic arrival card system which labels Taiwan as
'China, Taiwan'.

MOFA has lodged multiple protests but has yet to receive a direct response,
and calls the label disrespectful and inaccurate.

In addition, the foreign ministry mentioned that Taiwan is also reviewing its
overall relationship with South Korea, noting a large and long-standing trade
deficit that highlights what he described as an unequal relationship.

Officials expressed hope that Seoul will fix the designation quickly to
demonstrate goodwill and maintain the friendly exchanges people on both sides
value.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-09 14:08:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed the third reading of an amendment that will
increase tax deductions for those caring for disabled family members.

With the new amendment, tax deductions for such cases will be raised from
120,000 to 180,000 NT.

The new rules will go into effect on January 1st, such that when tax season
rolls around in May, those eligible can list the increased deduction on their
taxes.

The changes made to the Income Tax Act stipulate that the deductions can be
used by taxpayers, their spouses, or dependent relatives who are disabled and
meet requirements for long-term care.

The amendment was championed by lawmakers of the three parties in the
legislature as a means of reducing the burden of long-term care on families.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-09 14:08:18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there have been no reports of injuries
involving Taiwanese nationals in Japan's Ao-mori Prefecture earthquake last
night.

The 7.5 magnitude quake struck at 11:15 p.m., around 80 kilometers off the
coast of Ao-mori, causing 33 injuries and damaging buildings.

MOFA says it immediately contacted Taiwan's representative offices in Tokyo
and Sapporo, and so far there have been no reports of Taiwanese nationals
being trapped or affected.

MOFA says it's closely monitoring the situation there and preparing to offer
assistance.

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-09 14:08:18

YouTube today released its annual list of top creators and music videos in
Taiwan, while also launching a new personalized feature for users.

The video platform announced the debut of "YouTube Recap," a new feature that
compiles a user’s most-watched content types, channels, and interests from
the year.

It also analyzes viewing habits to determine a "unique viewing personality."

In the overall rankings for Taiwan, the top creator was "Andy Laoshi (Teacher
Andy)", and the most popular music video was "Look Me in the Eye and Say," a
song by Chang Yuan (張遠) and Yao Xiaotang (姚曉棠).

According to YouTube, this year showed creators pushing two contrasting
trends, either pursuing large-scale, television-quality productions, or
returning to raw, emotional content.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-09 14:08:19

Taiwan shares are down today, as the benchmark tai ex lost 121 points to
close the session at 28182.

The turnover was 509.2 billion NT.

Posted on 2025-12-09 13:25:13

The Legislative Yuan has passed amendments to laws that will raise the
penalty for intentionally damaging undersea cables and other infrastructure.

Now, offenders will face up to 7 years' jail time.

The changes follow an incident in February in which a Chinese national ship
captain is suspected of intentionally breaking an undersea cable connecting
Taiwan proper to Penghu.

The captain was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

The Executive Yuan in September proposed amendments to the Telecommunications
Act , the Natural Gas Enterprise Act, and the Water Supply Act.

With today's changes, those that damage water and natural gas pipelines- in
addition to undersea cables- can now be punished with up to 7 years' prison
time and 10 million NT in fines.

The revised laws also add that any vessels or equipment used in committing
the crimes will be confiscated and disposed of, regardless of ownership, to
prevent further illegal activity.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-09 13:25:13

Hualien prosecutors have indicted the owner of the construction company
responsible for the Tian Wang Xing building that collapsed during the April
3rd earthquake last year in Hua-lien.

Prosecutors charged the owner, surnamed Chen, with negligent homicide leading
to death and are seeking a heavy sentence against him.

They said Chen shirked responsibility after the accident and did not express
regret during the investigation.

Prosecutors said that the building design and construction had several
deficiencies that caused it to tilt at a roughly 45 degree angle when the
earthquake happened.

As a result of these shortcomings, one resident was pinned under falling
debris on the first floor during the quake, and passed away.

Prosecutors said that Chen failed to supervise his employees to ensure that
the building, constructed in the 80s, was in accordance with regulations.

They said the building's collapse not only resulted in one death, but also
rendered more than one hundred people homeless.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-09 08:13:14

President Lai Ching-te has been joined by visiting U-S State Department
official to mark the 85th anniversary of a U-S government-funded professional
exchange program.

In a pre-recorded message played at a ceremony in Taipei for the
International Visitor Leadership Program, Lai said that he is himself an
alumnus, having joined the program in 2004 when he was a lawmaker ..

.. which enabled him to travel to the United States, where he witnessed
firsthand the vitality and resilience of the U-S democratic system.

According to Lai, the program has helped cultivate "countless Taiwanese
leaders across all sectors" and has become an important platform for
international exchange that continues to play a key role in strengthening
Taiwan-US relations.

The U-S State Department has said the International Visitor Leadership
Program "builds long-term relationships between Americans and international
leaders in government, business, academia and other fields through short-term
professional exchanges.

Since its launch in 1940, more than 230,000 participants have taken part in
the program, including over 500 future heads of state or government and 12
Nobel laureates.

Posted on 2025-12-09 08:13:16

Chiayi City Mayor Huang Min-hui has approved a proposal to distribute a
one-off 6,000 N-T cash payment to city residents as part of efforts to boost
local consumption.

According to the city government, the plan will be submitted to the Chiayi
City Council for review later today and is estimated to cost about
1.6-billion N-T and benefit around 260,000 residents.

Only residents with a Taiwan ID card and a household registration in Chiayi
City will be eligible to recive the one-off cash payment.

According to the Chiayi City mayor, the measure is intended to stimulate the
local economy without increasing the city's debt burden, will be financed
through accumulated budget surpluses and will not impact ongoing public
construction projects.

Huang is also stressing that a previous 2,000 N-T cash handout issued by the
city helped drive a 9.5-per cent year-on-year increase in local business
sales.

Posted on 2025-12-09 08:13:16

Taiwan has launched a new clinical trial alliance aimed at coordinating
medical institutions nationwide to help patients gain faster access to
promising but not yet approved medicines.

The Taiwan Alliance of Clinical Trial Centers has been initiated by the
Taipei Medical University and its three affiliated hospitals as well as the
Taichung Veterans General Hospital.

It brings together 32 medical and research institutions nationwide and is
backed by the government.

It aims to pool resources, strengthen coordination and enhance Taiwan's
international competitiveness,

According to Taipei Medical University President Wu Mai-si, Taiwan currently
conducts only 300 to 400 clinical trials per year, which is far fewer than
other Asia-Pacific countries and it is not about treating patients as guinea
pigs, but about preparing for tomorrow's medicine.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the establishment of the alliance will
be a one-stop mechanism integrating new drug approval and National Health
Insurance reimbursement reviews to help the public benefit from new medicines
more quickly.

Shih also says new alliance is also expected to boost international
collaboration by encouraging pharmaceutical companies to choose Taiwan as a
base for research and development.

Posted on 2025-12-09 08:13:16

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says the Ecological Service
Payment initiative has resulted in population growth among some of Taiwan's
endangered species including leopard cats and pheasant-tailed jacanas.

Speaking at an event marking the fifth year of the initiative's introduction,
agency director Lin Hua-ching said the policy has incentivized farmers to
engage in eco-friendly practices by offering them an ecological salary to
preserve biodiversity.

Lin described the policy as a "quiet revolution" that has led to increasing
participation resulting in noticeable ecological changes.

According to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency director, the range
of leopard cat sightings expanded to new areas over the last five years,
while it has more than doubled the reported breeding nests of pheasant-tailed
jacanas.

Lin also said eco-friendly farming has resulted in the black-faced spoonbill
population increasing since the initiative was introduced.

Since it was established in 2021, the initiative has been expanded from nine
to 18 counties.

The agency says that has seen a 50-per cent increase in eco-friendly farming
areas, covering over 3,000 hectares.

Posted on 2025-12-09 08:13:16

weekend

And,

The Central Weather Administration says strengthened northeasterly winds will
bring heavy rain to parts of the north and northeast today - including
Keelung and the north coast area, mountainous areas of Greater Taipei and
Yilan County.

The northeasterly winds are forecast to weaken tomorrow, but strengthen again
on Friday, bringing another round of localized showers to areas north of
Taoyuan, the east coast and the Hengchun Peninsula.

A cold front is expected to arrive late Saturday.

Early Sunday and Monday mornings are likely to be the coldest period - with
temperatures potentially dropping to 10-degrees in some low-lying areas in
the north.

Lows of between 13 and 15 degrees are forecast for the center, while the
south may see lows of between 15 and 17 degrees.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

The Central Weather Administration says aftershocks of magnitude 5 to 5.5
are possible within the next three days... this after Monday evening's
magnitude-5.7 earthquake.

The quake, which struck off the coast of Hualien, was triggered by the
ongoing collision between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

The administration's Seismological Center director Wu Jien-fu says the
epicentral area is highly active... the region has recorded 24 earthquakes of
magnitude 5.5 or higher since 2002, most at depths shallower than
50-kilometers,

Wu says Taiwan's overall seismic activity this year remains within the
long-term average, with four earthquakes in the magnitude 6 to 7 range and 40
in the magnitude 5 to 6 range.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

The U-S Congress has released a new draft of the National Defense
Authorization Act - which includes up to 1-billion U-S dollars in funding for
Taiwan-related security cooperation in 2026.

The version published by U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson removes earlier
language that would have invited Taiwan to participate in the US-led Rim of
the Pacific Exercise.

In spite of the amendment, Johnson's office claims the revised Act "enhances
U-S defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan's defense and
support Indo-Pacific allies."

The bill will require the U-S defense secretary to "enable fielding of
uncrewed and anti-uncrewed systems capabilities" with Taiwan by March 1 of
next year, and those systems must comply with the Taiwan Relations Act and be
usable by both U-S and Taiwanese forces.

The Act also says that up to 1-billion U-S dollars may be allocated to
support security cooperation initiatives with Taiwan and expand its medical
equipment, supply capacity, and "combat casualty-care capabilities."

The compromise version was produced after the U-S.Senate and House of
Representatives reconciled their separate versions into a unified bill.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

The National Communications Commission is warning that Mirror TV that it will
be fined if it airs a political talk show hosted by former President Chen
Shui-bian.

Commission chair Chen Chung-shu says Mirror TV has not been approved to
launch political commentary programming and has provided no official
information about the rumored show.

The statements come after K-M-T lawmaker Hong Meng-kai requested
clarification as to whether the former president had received exclusive
interviews or may even host a television program ...

.. and questioned whether Mirror TV was skirting regulations by inviting
frequent political commentators for one-on-one interviews, effectively
replicating a political commentary program.

The N-C-C chairman said the Ministry of Justice oversees a convict's
activities, and the his office will respect its decisions on the matter, but
it has requested a formal explanation from the television station.

Chen Shui-bian is currently serving a 20-year sentence for corruption but has
been out of prison on medical parole since 2015.

Under the terms of his release, he is banned from making public appearances,
speeches, political commentary and media interviews.

However, he has flouted those rules several times.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

deal

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's satisfaction rating has jumped following the
conclusion of a land deal to allow Nvidia to establish its Taiwan
headquarters in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park.

A T-V-B-S Poll Center survey showing Chiang's satisfaction rating as reaching
59-per cent.

That's a 5-per cent increase from the previous poll.

However, the survey also shows Chiang's dissatisfaction rating rising 9-per
cent increase from the previous poll to reach 25-per cent.

The poll also show 35-per cent of city residents credit the Chiang's
administration for successfully helping Nvidia to selecting Taipei as the
location for its future headquarters.

Chiang last week confirmed that Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang will attend the
company's year-end banquet and the land rights signing ceremony in Taipei.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

The Shilin District Prosecutors' Office says it is seeking a prison term of
at least 1 1/2 years for a Japanese man with multiple prior upskirting cases
in Taipei after he was again caught allegedly filming women in Taipei last
month.

The 33-year-old suspect is in detention after he was arrested at the
Zhongshan MRT Station this past weekend.

Bystanders saw him with a phone hidden in his bag under a woman's skirt.

Prosecutors said they were seeking the sentence to deter repeat offending -
saying the man has "shown no remorse" despite two similar incidents earlier
this year.

He has been charged illegally recording sexual images.

He was sentenced to four months in prison, commutable to a fine, by the
Shilin District Court in July.

He appealed that ruling, but his appeal was rejected on November 27.

The man was working for the agriculture, forestry and fisheries department of
the Iwate Prefectural Government in Japan at the time of the first incident.

The prefectural government later apologized publicly for his conduct.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

Pioneering Taiwan cardiologist Lien Wen-pin has died.

He was 97.

Lien was born on December 29, 1927, and began working at National Taiwan
University Hospital in 1955.

He carried out a series of medical firsts during his nearly seven-decade
career.

Lien laid the groundwork for modern cardiology in Taiwan, including the
hospital's inaugural open-heart operation and, in 1969, he carried out the
hospital's first permanent pacemaker implantation.

Lien's decades of contributions earned him a Taiwan Medical Dedication Award
- a government honor recognizing professionals who have significantly
advanced medical care and public health.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

signals

The Central Weather Administration says a geomagnetic storm triggered by
solar activity expected to intensify this morning.

At its peak, the geomagnetic storm could potentially caused brief disruptions
to satellite navigation and radio communications.

A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance in Earth's magnetic field
caused when bursts of solar wind or plasma from the Sun interact with the
planet's magnetosphere.

The weather administration's Space Weather Operational Office says a
significant coronal mass ejection from an active region of the Sun on Sunday
boosted the speed and density of solar wind in interplanetary space.

The geomagnetic activity is forecast to remain elevated for around 39 hours -
briefly reaching the intensity level of a moderate geomagnetic storm.

Posted on 2025-12-09 06:54:13

And,

Nintendo's Super Mario game will be at the forefrontg of the 2026 Taiwan
Lantern Festival.

The event, which takes place from March 3 to 15, will feature a two-hectare
Super Mario-themed display area.

According to Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang, the themed area will
allow visitors of all ages to interact with their favorite game characters
and take photos.

The head of Nintendo Taiwan says the company is delighted the 2026 Taiwan
Lantern Festival will include a special zone inspired by the character and
Nintendo's latest games.

The county government has also unveiled a limited-edition handheld lantern
modeled after the mystery block featured in the Super Mario series.

That lantern will be given to people choosing to visit the Lantern Festival
who stay in designated hotels or join related tour packages during the
festival period.

Posted on 2025-12-08 19:25:14

Prosecutors in Taipei are pushing for an 18-month prison term for a Japanese
man over repeated upskirting offenses.

They say Takanori Sasaki showed 'no remorse' after two similar incidents
earlier this year.

Sasaki was first caught in June using a GoPro to film under a woman’s skirt
in a Taipei mall.

He was sentenced to four months, but appealed and was barred from leaving
Taiwan until the ruling was finalized in late November.

Despite the travel ban, he was arrested again in August for another alleged
upskirting incident in the Ximending area.

That case was indicted in November and is now before the Taipei District
Court.

Sasaki had been working for the Iwate Prefectural Government in Japan at the
time.

The Shilin District Court will now review prosecutors' request for at least a
year and a half in prison.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2025-12-08 18:30:13

Kaohsiung prosecutors have wrapped up their investigation into the fatal
shooting at Zuoying Rail Station, indicting nine people on charges including
murder and organized crime.

Seven of the indicted suspects have been detained, while four fugitives
remain at-large.

The indictment stems from the killing of a wanted man in August.

Investigators say the attack was planned by a ringleader surnamed Fan, who
allegedly assigned a gunman, Yang, to carry out the shooting.

Police traced 13 vehicles, 17 handoff points, and a network of about 30
people involved in planning, surveillance, getaway support, and arranging
escape routes.

Both the ringleader and gunman fled immediately after the crime — Fan
boarding a flight overseas, and Yang disguising himself before being smuggled
out of Taiwan by boat.

Police believe they may now be in Cambodia or elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Authorities say the shooting may have been linked to a drug dispute.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-08 18:30:15

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang is urging the public not to use brokers to
arrange cosmetic or other medical procedures overseas, saying such services
are illegal and carry significant risks.

His comments follow reports that influencers in Taiwan have been brokering
cosmetic surgery in China — promoting procedures online, holding briefing
sessions, and charging clients 'service fees'.

Some customers reportedly traveled to Shanghai for surgery and later suffered
complications, leaving them moving between Taiwan and China without reliable
follow-up care.

Shih says the government does not encourage seeking medical treatment abroad,
as overseas standards are hard to assess and complications may not be treated
promptly.

He also says agencies involved in overseas medical brokerage may be violating
the Medical Care Act — including rules barring non-medical groups from
advertising medical services.

He's asking local health authorities to investigate.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-08 17:07:13

The US Congress has released a new draft of a bill allocating security
funding to Taiwan.

The new version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes up to 1
billion USD in funding for Taiwan-related security cooperation next year.

This version removed earlier language that would have invited Taiwan to
participate in the US-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise.

A press release from House Speaker Mike Johnson says that the NDAA "enhances
US defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacfic to bolster Taiwan's defense and
support Indo-Pacific allies."

The bill stipulates that up to one billion dollars can be used to support
security cooperation with Taiwan and expand medical equipment, supply
capacity, and "combat casualty-care capabilities" in 2026.

It also requires annual reports to Congress through 2029 regarding reciprocal
procurement memoranda and authorizes planning for joint maritime operations
and leadership training between both countries' coast guards.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2025-12-08 17:07:13

The Ministry of Education is expanding funding for schools that offer local
language and culture courses during summer breaks.

The ministry announced today that starting in 2026, the maximum subsidy for
the local language and cultural activities courses under its Summer Learning
Program will be increased from $90-thousand to $100-thousand NT per class

The Ministry also provides additional support for students in remote and
offshore schools, with an extra subsidy of $30-thousand NT per class for
lunch fees.

Officials say the program, which has been running for 11 years, has benefited
over 215-thousand students by offering engaging and activity-based learning
during summer vacation.

It encourages schools to integrate local culture into their curriculum, and
the ministry sasy the funding increase aims to encourage more schools to
apply for the program, which strengthens students' interest in and identity
with their local culture and hometown.

(NS)

Posted on 2025-12-08 17:07:13

The Ministry of Culture has announced the winners to its first-ever Youth
Comic Awards ... aiming to cultivate the next generation of Taiwanese comic
creators

More than 250 works were submitted, with 47 prizes handed out totalling 1.23
million NT.

The top individual prize of 40 thousand NT went to Chiang Yi-cheng (江翊丞)
from National Lo-Tung (羅東) Senior High School.

In the group category, students from Taoyuan Municipal Yang Ming (陽明)
Senior HIgh School won gold for their comic 'About Love, Four Leaf Clover'
receiving a 150 thousand NT award.

Judges praised the young artists' craftsmanship, storytelling, and creativity.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for January 2026.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-08 16:08:13

Industry leader and National Climate Change Committee deputy convener Tong
Zi-xian (童子賢) has reiterated his support for nuclear power, saying "the
coexistence of nuclear and green energy is inevitable".

He stressed that if Taiwan hopes to curb climate change while ensuring clean
and stable energy supplies, that's the way going forward.

The state-run Taiwan Power has submitted its plans to reactivate the second
and third nuclear power plants to the Nuclear Safety Commission, but many
people are worried that the move is merely political posturing.

Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang has warned that “if this is just for show, Taiwan
will suffer serious consequences.”

Tong, on the other hand, said today that as far as he can tell, “the
relevant authorities and leaders have been taking the global climate-change
challenge very seriously."

(JL)

Posted on 2025-12-08 16:08:13

contamination

A Keelung city councilor is calling for the city's environmental protection
head to step down.

That's following the recent oil contamination of the Keelung River, affecting
water supply to 70,000 households.

City Councilor Zheng Wen Ting 鄭文婷 says the department's direcot Ma Zhong
Hao 馬仲豪 should resign over the issue.

Ma said that he hoped for "rational discussion" over the issue, while Mayor
Xie Guo Liang said that Ma's done a good job handling the issue.

Zheng accused Ma of failing to pay attention to the pollution caused by a
maintenance plant for Guo-guang Motor Transportation Company, while Ma argued
that it is Taiwan Water Corporation that should bear the responsibility.

Meanwhile Mayor Xie said the city government may seek compensation from the
water corporation, as the city expects to spend a large portion of its
disaster reserve fund.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-08 14:17:13

The Ministry of Education has conducted its first-ever Taiwanese language
proficiency test outside Taiwan.

The pilot exam took place over the weekend in the greater Washington D-C
area, with 25 students and teachers from the local Taiwanese School signing
up.

According to officials, the test used the same computer-based format and
procedures used in Taiwan,

They say participants were enthusiastic ... and those who pass will receive
official certificates.

The ministry hopes to expand Taiwanese-language testing to other regions ....
giving moe overseas learners a chance to study and connect with the language
and culture.

(IG)

Posted on 2025-12-08 14:17:13

Taiwan shares are upt oday, with the benchmark tai ex closing at 28303 after
gaining 322 points.

The turnover was 423.8 billion NT.

Posted on 2025-12-08 13:23:13

New Taipei Mayor Hou You Yi is announcing a new task force to help victims of
the suspected Banqiao gas explosion to get compensation.

That's after the explosion at a Fuzhong Sushi Express took place just before
1am today.

Officials say that two restaurants were damaged in the explosion, and six
people were injured by flying debris.

Those injured have all now left the hospital where they were being treated.

Mayor Hou adds that at least 6 homes in the area have so far reported damage,
but the exact number has yet to be confirmed, pending structural assessments.

Meanwhile, Sushi Express is pledging to continue to support the victims and
cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

(AH)

Posted on 2025-12-08 13:23:13

In response to protests of migrant workers' groups, the Ministry of Labor
said since April, 2022, when the Long-term Retention of Migrant Workers took
effect, some 60-thousand experienced workers have become foreign skilled
personnel.

The Taiwan Migrant Workers Alliance took to the streets on Sunday, calling on
the government to lift the work-year limit for migrant workers.

Currently migrant workers can stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 12 years, while
migrant live-in caregivers may apply for an additional 2-year extension.

But if they become skilled manpower workers via the Long-term Retention
program, they're no longer subject to a total work-year limit.

In other words, they may be rehired indefinitely with each employment permit
issued for up to three years and renewable upon expiration.

Looking ahead, the MOL also said the retention quota for experienced migrant
workers in the manufacturing sector transitioning to intermediate skilled
personnel will be raised to 100 percent from the current 25 percent.

(JL)

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

U-S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed Washington has no intention of
changing the Taiwan Strait status quo and that one of the U-S military's main
priorities is to deter China "through strength, not through confrontation."

Hegseth outlined the Department of War's priorities under President Donald
Trump at the annual Reagan Defense Forum held in Simi Valley, California
after the National Security Strategy document was released on Friday.

The Trump administration has put defending the US homeland and its hemisphere
first, followed by deterring China through strength, not through
confrontation, and increasing burden sharing for the U-S, its allies and
partners.

It also wants to supercharge the U-S defense industrial base.

The defense chief said the Washington-Beijing relations under Trump are
"better and stronger" as the administration seeks "stable, peace, fair trade,
and respectful relations with China" ...

.. the "line of effort is based on flexible realism, not naivety, an approach
aimed not at domination, but rather at a balance of power."

Repeating what he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore earlier this
year, Hegseth said the U-S is not trying to "strangle China's growth," is
"not trying to dominate or humiliate" China and nor is the U-S "trying to
change the status quo over Taiwan."

We'll have more on the strategy a bit later on in the program.

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

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says a micro-seismometer has been
installed near the Matai'an Creek barrier lake in Hualien to better
landslides and potential flood surges in the area.

The move come after an overflow triggered deadly flooding in September.

The device was airlifted to a slope about 1-kilometer south of the lake by
National Airborne Service Corps and installed by a four-member team from
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and was

Micro-seismometers detect ground vibrations triggered by landslides, delivers
real-time alerts, and helps determine whether debris has blocked the creek or
if a barrier lake dam is about to overflow.

The device can also operate in all weather conditions and the agency says it
complements two existing downstream microseismic stations and forms a more
complete early-warning system.

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

A Migrant Worker's Rally in Taipei calling for the abolition of the work-year
limit attracted an estimated one thousand people.

They were calling for an end to the work-year limit -- which limits the stay
of blue collar workers in manufacturing and construction to 12 years, while
caregivers are permitted to work for up to 14 years.

One of the rally's organisers, the Migrant Empowerment Network in Taiwan said
that as Taiwan is facing a labor shortage, the government should let
experienced migrant workers stay instead of continuing to rely on brokers to
bring in new ones from abroad.

In response to the rally, the Ministry of Labor said its Long-term Retention
of Skilled Foreign Workers Program, which was introduced in April 2022,
already allows admitted migrant workers to remain in Taiwan without being
subject to the work-year limit.

The ministry says data shows that as of late November, around 60,000 migrant
workers had been admitted to the program since its inception, an average
increase of more than 16,000 per year.

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

Six people have been injured following a suspected gas explosion at a
restaurant in New Taipei's Banqiao District.

The second floor resturant is located in Banqiao's Fuzhong Shopping District.

The city's fire department says two restaurants were damaged in the blast and
the six people were injured by flying debris.

Police say of the six people injured, five were passersby and one was
resident of a nearby building.

The cause of the blast is still under investigation.

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

The Tainan District Court has ordered a man who attacked a female police
officer with an ax to be detained.

The man is said to have a previous record of assaulting others in the past,
and the court said it believed he posed a high risk of repeated offenses,
providing sufficient grounds for his detention.

The court also says the man confessed to aggravated obstruction of official
duties and the intent to cause harm during questioning, but denied the intent
to kill.

The detention order can be appealed.

Tainan City policy say the man attacked the officer after he received a
parking violation notice.

He was immediately subdued by other officers, arrested and transferred to
prosecutors on suspicion of attempted murder and obstruction of official
duties.

The injured officer sustained lacerations to both of her arms and her back.

The city's police department says she is stable condition.

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