ICRT

Posted on 2026-09-12 13:07:14

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is emphasizing Taiwan's right to make new
friends and work with old friends around the world ... as she attends the
European Conference for Freedom and Democracy on the Italian island of
Ventotene.

Hsiao was a guest of honor at the conference, accompanied by Foreign Minister
Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).

Her participation wasn't announced until after she arrived in Italy, to
prevent interference from Beijing.

European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno accepted Hsiao's invitation
to visit Taiwan.

She said the group's agenda, particularly her own, wouldn't be determined by
Beijing.

This is Hsiao's second trip to Europe since taking office in May 2024. It
follows a visit to Brussels last November to address a meeting of the
Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-09-12 13:07:14

In community news:

The British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei has established a new community
service award in memory of longtime Taiwan resident Michael Boyden.

His wife, Katy Boyden, accepted the inaugural award on his behalf during the
chamber's 10th Better Business Awards.

She says her late husband's willingness to help others made him the
equivalent of a li-chang (里長), or ward chief, for the international
community.

Moving forward the award will continue to recognize others who contribute to
Taiwan's local and international communities.

(TB)

Posted on 2026-09-12 12:08:13

Taiwan's largest shipbuilder says it has teamed up with US-based all-domain
collaborative autonomy firm Havoc to develop autonomous surface vessels in
Taiwan.

CSBC Corp. said it has signed a partnership agreement with Havoc to pursue
licensed co-production of ASVs for Taiwan's maritime security.

The shipbuilder said the partnership is expected to strengthen CSBC's ability
to produce ASVs in Taiwan ... and also create opportunities for local
suppliers who participate in the project.

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-09-12 12:08:13

The 2026 Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon will take place on November 1st, inviting
runners to experience the islands' coastal scenery, local culture and autumn
charm.

The internationally certified IAAF/AIMS course follows a point-to-point route
connecting Penghu's main islands, without doubling back or circling the same
course. More than 3 thousand runners are expected to participate.

Along the way, participants can fuel up on lobster and more than 60 Penghu
specialties, including seafood gnocchi soup, mackerel, flying fish roe
sausages and brown sugar cake. Creative local cheerleading squads will line
the route to encourage competitors.

To promote sustainable tourism, the marathon enforces a single-use-cup
policy, requiring runners to bring reusable hydration gear.

With expansive sea views, pleasant autumn weather, and Penghu's iconic
seasonal breezes, the event offers an ideal way to explore "The Most
Beautiful Bays in the World" on foot.

Posted on 2026-09-12 11:06:13

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pushing back against Beijing's
criticism of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's (蕭美琴) ongoing visit to Italy,
saying China has no right to interfere in the trip.

Beijing criticized Hsiao's unannounced trip to Ventotene to attend the
island's European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, which ends today.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing had lodged
solemn representations with Italy and the European Union over the visit.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) accompanied Hsiao on the trip,
according to MOFA, which declined to disclose further details of their
itinerary.

Meanwhile, Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary
Alliance on China, expressed support for Hsiao's participation.

He said, "The only response to Beijing's attempt to shrink the world for
Taiwanese people is to show that Taiwan is welcome."

CNA_JvW

Posted on 2026-09-11 19:01:14

Instagram is introducing a new safety feature in Taiwan that alerts parents
when their teenage children repeatedly search for terms related to suicide or
self-harm.

The alerts will be sent through the app or by email to parents using
Instagram's supervision tools.

Teens making those searches will also be directed to support resources and
helplines.

Meta says the system is designed to trigger only after repeated searches
within a short period ... to avoid excessive notifications and "alert
fatigue".

The company says the feature is intended to help parents notice sooner when a
teenager may be struggling and need support.

Meta is also encouraging families to use tools such as screen-time limits,
content filters and Sleep Mode to promote healthier digital habits.

Parents can use Instagram's Family Center to check how much time their
children spend on the platform and who they interact with.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-11 19:01:14

In news from the world of sport ...

The Uni-President Lions will honor retiring veteran Mayaw Ciru with
large-scale drone light shows at his farewell series next weekend.

The team says series takes place Sept. 19th and 20th at the Tainan
Asia-Pacific International Baseball Stadiums and Training Centers, with each
post-game performance featuring 613 drones illuminating the night sky above
center field.

The figure 6-1-3 references the jersey numbers six and 13 worn by Hu
Chin-lung and Mayaw Ciru during their iconic 2001 national team partnership.

And displays at the center will trace Chen's career from his Taitung roots to
his 16 seasons in Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Team officials noted that the shows remain subject to weather conditions,
with live broadcast feeds available on stadium screens.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:57:14

Taiwan's tax revenue rose sharply in August ... boosted by strong stock
market trading activity.

The Ministry of Finance says total tax revenue reached 198.2-billion NT ...
up 28.9 percent from a year earlier.

Securities transaction tax revenue nearly doubled to 54-billion NT ...
marking its 13th consecutive month of growth.

Revenue from business tax, corporate income tax and individual income tax
also increased.

For the first eight months of the year, total tax revenue reached about
3.075-trillion NT ... up over 25 percent year-on-year.

Securities transaction tax accounted for the largest increase during the
period ... rising by 285.5-billion NT from a year earlier.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:57:14

U-S memory chipmaker Micron Technology says it will give workers in Taiwan
bonuses worth the equivalent of 35 to 68 months' pay for fiscal year 2026 ...

... after the company's Taiwan union threatened to strike.

Micron says more than 60 thousand employees worldwide will receive rewards,
which it describes as the largest in the company's history.

In Taiwan, more than 15 thousand employees will receive at least NT$1.7
million in cash compensation for the year.

The company also plans to give NT$1 million bonuses to eligible employees.

The announcement comes after about 80 percent of workers at Micron's Taoyuan
and Taichung plants supported a union plan to strike over the company's bonus
policies.

The union had complained that Micron's bonuses were lower than those offered
by rivals such as Samsung and SK Hynix.

Micron says the record rewards reflect its strong financial performance and
are meant to let employees share in the company's success.

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:56:14

Taiwan is again warning citizens about increased risks when traveling to
China ... as new entry and exit rules take effect there next Tuesday.

An adviser to the Presidential Office's National Security Council says
Chinese authorities could target civil servants, religious group members and
engineers in sensitive technology and defense industries.

The adviser says Beijing is seeking information on everything from civil
defense shelters and critical supplies to logistics routes and
infrastructure.

He says some Taiwanese police officers, judicial personnel and religious
group members have already been questioned or detained during visits to
China.

China's new rules allow authorities to restrict people from leaving the
country for up to three years over national security offenses, and
indefinitely in some technology and export-related cases.

Taiwan's government is drafting travel guidelines to help citizens reduce the
risks.

The advisor says some foreign companies require employees traveling to China
to use separate phones instead of their personal devices.

(CNA_IG)

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:56:14

Minimum Wage Review Committee is set to meet on September 24th to discuss
next year's minimum wage ... with the monthly rate expected to exceed 30
thousand NT.

The Ministry of Labor says representatives from labor, business, government
and academia will take part.

The current minimum monthly wage is 29-thousand-500 NT, while the hourly
minimum is 196 NT.

Consumer prices and economic growth are expected to be among the main factors
considered during the review.

Taiwan's consumer price index rose 2.04 percent in August, while the
government recently raised its economic growth forecast for this year to
11.05 percent.

President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai have both indicated that the
monthly minimum wage should exceed 30-thousand NT next year.

Any increase would mark the 11th consecutive annual hike.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:56:14

Health officials in Kaohsiung are urging eligible residents to get vaccinated
against pneumococcal disease following 14 local cases and three deaths
through August.

City officials emphasized that about half of the reported "invasive
pneumococcal disease" cases occurred in adults aged 65 and older, with the
bacteria entering sterile parts of the body such as the blood, lungs, or
brain.

Publicly funded doses are available for adults 65 and older, Indigenous
adults aged 55 to 64, and high-risk medical groups, and the new single-dose
vaccines offer effective protection against severe complications like blood
infections and meningitis.

Kaohsiung residents are encouraged to check eligibility with local clinics
and get vaccinated before seasonal respiratory viruses peak.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:56:14

The British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei has established a new community
service award in memory of longtime Taiwan resident Michael Boyden.

His wife, Katy Boyden, accepted the inaugural award on his behalf during the
chamber's 10th Better Business Awards.

She says her late husband's willingness to help others made him something of
an unofficial 'li-zhang', or ward chief, for Taiwan's international
community.

Moving forward the award will continue to recognize others who contribute to
both Taiwan's local and international communities.

(TB)

Posted on 2026-09-11 18:56:14

Mandarin Airlines is launching its first-ever direct charter flight service
between Taitung and Penghu.

The company says the service aims to boost tourism and streamline transit for
local residents, and cuts travel time between the two destinations to 75
minutes, bypassing traditional layovers.

Airline officials confirmed five round-trip flights will operate between
today and Sept. 19th.

The carrier says it plans to launch additional regional charter routes to
expand travel options across Taiwan's offshore islands.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-11 17:08:13

President Lai Ching-te has signed tax legislation aimed at easing the
financial burden on families raising children.

The Ministry of Finance estimates the changes will benefit about 2.37 million
people ... with total tax savings of around 8-billion NT.

Under the new rules, the tax exemption for each dependent minor child will
increase by 50 percent ... from 101-thousand to 151-thousand-500 NT.

The changes also allow premiums for several social insurance programs to be
fully claimed as itemized deductions ... without the existing 24-thousand-NT
limit.

These include labor, farmers', national pension, and military, public servant
and teachers' insurance.

The changes take effect retroactively from January 1st this year ... and will
apply when taxpayers file their 2026 income taxes next May.

The MOF says the measures are part of government efforts to provide greater
support for families raising children.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-11 17:08:13

A hopeful New Taipei city councilor has been detained incommunicado over vote
buying accusations.

Prosecutors believe that Zhang Zhao Long handed out radish cakes and US
dollars at commuity events in an attempt to secure votes.

Zhang previously ran with the TPP in 2022 but was unsuccessful, and since
dropped the party affiliation, now running as an independent.

Zhang runs a care and employment center, and prosecutors say that he took
advantage of events held by the center to hand out US 1 dollar bills and
radish cakes.

Prosecutors believe that he violated the Election and Recall Act and he's now
being held incommunicado.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-11 17:08:13

The Miaoli County government says, 80 iguanas have been removed from Toufen
township over two nights.

Miaoli Agricultural officials say the operation was carried out earlier this
week at Toufen's iguana hotspots.

In total, iguana removal operations have removed 143 iguanas this year, using
both traps and guns.

That's compared to just 31 last year.

Authorities say the increase is due to officials locating some of the iguana
hotspots in the county and getting a better handle on how to deal with them.

Residents are reminded to report sightings of iguanas to authorities on the
1999 hotline.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-11 14:55:14

Taiwan is looking to expand cooperation with Malaysia's Sabah state in smart
agriculture, health care and talent development.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says Taiwan can share experience in AI
applications, automation and data analysis to help raise agricultural
productivity and strengthen food security.

Lin made the comments after meeting Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Industry Minister Jamawi Ja'afar in Taipei.

Sabah is seeking to improve food self-sufficiency and upgrade agriculture,
fisheries processing and cold-chain technology.

Lin says Taiwan could also provide smart health care solutions and expand
university and industry exchanges for talent training.

The two sides also discussed tourism, with Lin pointing to direct flights
between Taipei and Kota Kinabalu and what he called strong potential for
closer travel links.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-11 14:55:14

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city will expand a program that lets
parents work shorter hours without losing pay next year.

The trial began in March and has attracted 480 companies, benefiting more
than 900 employees.

Under the program, participating companies can let eligible parents start
work later or leave earlier, with the city subsidizing the lost working-hour
wages.

Chiang says participation has exceeded expectations and the city will use
feedback from companies and parents to improve the program.

He also says Taipei is willing to share its experience with the central
government, which has announced plans for a similar nationwide policy.

Taipei's current program runs through the end of this year, with the city
saying it will definitely expand the scheme in 2027.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-11 14:11:13

The Executive Yuan has countersigned an opposition-backed law setting out
240-billion N.T. in spending over six years for unmanned systems.

Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chang Tun-han (張惇涵) says national security
and industrial upgrading cannot wait, and earlier military capability means
stronger deterrence.

The law was passed by the Legislative Yuan last month and requires the
funding to go through the annual budget process.

The KMT and TPP welcomed the countersignature, but used it to renew criticism
of Premier Cho Jung-tai over other bills he has refused to countersign.

Both parties argue the premier should not be able to decide which laws passed
by the legislature take effect.

The government has defended previous refusals on constitutional grounds,
arguing some opposition-backed measures infringed on executive authority.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-11 14:11:14

A borough chief candidate in New Taipei's Banqiao has been released on bail
after being detained in a vote-buying investigation.

The candidate, surnamed Liu, was released on bail of 300,000 NT after
prosecutors conducted searches and interviews yesterday.

Liu's father was also held, and released on 500,000 NT bail.

New Taipei prosecutors say that Liu handed out movie tickets back in May, in
what they say was a violation of the Election and Recall Act.

They encourage the public to report suspected vote-buying to authorities,
with reports leading to arrest getting a substantial reward.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-11 14:11:14

DPP Taipei Mayoral Candidate Puma Shen says, he hopes to collect suggestions
from residents of all political backgrounds on his campaign's new LINE
platform "Mayor, Listen Up!"

Shen says most comments collected so far have to do with residents'
day-to-day issues and their suggestions for how the city government can
improve these.

That's following yesterday's interview with media personality Wang Wei Zhong
王偉忠

The mayor-hopeful said that Wang offered tips for implementation and cultural
policies.

Shen also downplayed accusations by Taipei City councilors that the platform
was likely just meant to collect criticisms of Chiang Wan An.

He said that less than 1% of messages criticize Chiang,

Chiang, meanwhile, touted the city's 1999 hotline for residents to use,
saying it uses AI to reduce waiting times.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-11 14:11:14

Asian shares are down today, with benchmarks in Hong Kong, Japan, and South
Korea all losing ground.

Taiwan shares are also down, with the benchmark tai ex losing 755 points to
close the session at 46184.

The turnover was 721.9 billion NT

Posted on 2026-09-11 13:12:14

The DPP is lauding Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's Italy trip, with caucus
leaders saying that democracies will not be intimidated.

That's after the Presidential Office annnounced Hsiao's surprise trip this
morning following her arrival in Ventotene.

DPP Legislative Caucus leader Fan Yun says, she's pleased Hsiao could make
this diplomatic breakthrough...

adding that the democratic world will not be intimidated from inviting
dialogue with democratic partners that can really contribute.

Hsiao is in Italy to participate in the Ventotene European Forum on Freedom
and Democracy.

Fan said that Taiwan will not be afraid to "go out and make friends" despite
having a malicious neighbor.

Fan also noted that the forum is being held on somewhat "hallowed ground" for
democracy, so to speak...

as Ventotene Island was once the site of the imprisonment of intellectuals
who opposed fascism.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-11 13:12:14

The Food and Drug Administration is launching a public search for
pharmaceutical suppliers after a widely used asthma medication exited the
domestic market.

Officials are looking to secure alternative suppliers for the drug sold under
the brand name Pulmicort Respules, which recorded annual usage of over
355-thousand units across Taiwan last year

Manufacturer AstraZeneca notified health authorities last year that it would
stop supplying the inhalation suspension this year, citing corporate
strategic adjustments and market considerations.

The FDA confirms that emergency imports are maintaining current inventory
levels, and alternative formulations are still accessible.

It emphasizes that the public call for suppliers will help safeguard
long-term stock stability and support domestic drug manufacturing.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-11 13:12:14

And in Hsinchu County's Zhubei,

Tensions continue between the KMT and TPP, with TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang
saying the party has no idea what KMT Secretary-General Li Qian Long is
talking about.

That's after Li said that the two parties had arrived at a "consensus" in
Zhubei and that there would be good news soon.

Huang says that he was "unable to understand" what Li meant.

The TPP and KMT failed to decide on a single candidate to run in Zhubei City,
with both parties nominating their own to run against the DPP's pick.

The issue led to the breakdown of cooperation in Hsinchu County as a whole,
with the TPP neither endorsing the KMT's Hsu Hsin Ying, nor putting forward
their own candidate.

Responding to reporters' questions, Huang added that the TPP would not
support either Hsu or the DPP's Zheng Chao Fang in the race.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-11 08:12:13

Culture Minister Li Yuan has wrapped up his visit to U-K by announcing plans
to launch a Taiwan International Comics Festival next year, that will be
curated by a British comics historian.

Li unveiled the comics festival plan during a visit to the Quentin Blake
Centre for Illustration in London.

Speaking there, Li said the Ministry of Culture has long supported Taiwan's
comics industry and the inaugural festival will be held at the National
Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung.

According to Li, British comics historian and critic Paul Gravett will be the
curator of the festival.

Gravett says the festival will seek to present comics as a major art form
with greater ambition and a broader vision and he hopes the event will
demonstrate that "Taiwanese comics are part of the world's comics."

Li has now traveled to France, on the second and final leg of his Europe
tour.

While in France he where he will attend the judging session for the 30th
Taiwan-France Cultural Award and the presentation ceremony for the 29th
edition of the award.

That award honors individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions
to the promotion of Taiwanese, French, and broader European cultural
exchanges.

Posted on 2026-09-11 08:12:13

And finally,

Taiwan meets the Philippines in its opening Under 18 Asian Baseball
Championship Super Round group game at 6:30 this evening at the Taipei Dome.

Taiwan need a win to stand any chance of making Sunday's final.

Japan and South Korea meet in the other opening Super Round group game at the
Taipei Dome at 1:30 this afternoon.

Taiwan meets Japan on Saturday in its second and final Super Round group game
- and that game also begins at 6:30.

South Korea plays the Philippines at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Japan and South Korea went into the Super Round with one win advantages - as
they finished the opening stage top of their respective groups with three
wins out of three.

The top two teams in the Super Round group meet in Sunday's final, which is
also taking place at the Taipei Dome.

Posted on 2026-09-11 07:00:13

The government is said to be taking steps to expand semiconductor research
infrastructure and develop homegrown chip-design software.... in moves aimed
at maintaining the island's technological edge.

Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee says there are plans to invest 300-billion
N-T from now through 2033 in areas including next-generation chip design and
advanced semiconductor processes.

Lee says while Taiwan has a world-leading semiconductor ecosystem, the
government still needs to continue investing in advanced technology research
and development and to cultivate high-level talent to consolidate advantages
in the chip industry.

The National Science and Technology Council says two related projects under
the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program are being carried out
focusing on research infrastructure and chip-design software ..

.. while the Industrial Technology Research Institute also plans to build an
advanced semiconductor pilot line for startups and small and medium-sized
enterprises that need low-volume, high-mix trial production.

Posted on 2026-09-11 07:00:13

The Ministry of Agriculture says says agricultural losses from heavy rains in
late August now stand at over 562-million N-T.

More than 6,000 hectares of crops were affected islandwide.

Guava farms accounted for the largest crop losses, with nearly 600 hectares
affected and total damage estimated at about 62-million N-T.

Other badly affected crops include tangerines, wax apples, papayas and green
onions.

Chiayi County has reported the highest agricultural losses at nearly
148-million N-T, followed by Kaohsiung, Tainan and Yunlin.

Aquaculture losses have surpassed 111-million N-T, mainly involving grouper,
milkfish and oysters.

Posted on 2026-09-11 07:00:13

The High Court has sentenced a businessman to 10 years in prison and a
retired Cabinet official to five years in prison for developing organizations
for Beijing's united front authorities.

Businessman Cheng Ming-chia helped Chinese united front officials approach
and attempt to recruit targets in Taiwan by providing contact information and
arranging meetings in China from between 2021 and 2025.

He successfully recruited retired Cabinet official Hu Peng-nien as as a
potential operative, while his efforts to recruit another individual failed.

Hu also tried to recruit three people here in Taiwan to carry out united
front work from 2021-2024, but none of them accepted his proposals.

The court said Hu admitted to the offenses, while Cheng denied wrongdoing
throughout the investigation and trial.

Both rulings can be appealed.

Posted on 2026-09-11 07:00:13

Government data shows that Taiwan's population declined for the 32nd
consecutive month in August.

Statistics from the Ministry of the Interior show the population stood at
just over 23.22 million at the end of August, down 103,622 from a year
earlier.

The crude birth rate stood at 3.8 per 1,000 people.

Matsu recorded the highest rate, followed by Taitung County, and Hsinchu
County.

Keelung recorded the lowest rate, followed by Chiayi County, and Tainan at
3.21 per 1,000 people.

16,470 deaths were recorded in August, 1,244 more than in the same month last
year.

Posted on 2026-09-11 07:00:13

A two-story building in Taipei wasseverely damaged after an adjacent
construction work caused its ground floor to crack and leak yellowish muddy
water.

No injuries were reported.

The building is located in an alley off Minquan East Road, near Xingtian
Temple M-R-T Station.

Investigations reported by the Construction Management Office suggests that a
breach in the underground diaphragm wall during foundation excavation and
retaining operations caused water and sand leakage.

That in turn resulted in soil loss in the adjacent area.

The sole resident of the two story building has been relocated.

The Taipei City Government says construction work at the site has been
suspended ... and work will not resume until an improvement plan has been
submitted and approved.

The contractor and the supervisor have each been fined 90,000 N-T.

Posted on 2026-09-11 07:00:13

And,

Citrus taiwanica has received patent protection covering products derived
from the plant and been licensed to a Saisiyat cooperative in Miaoli County.

Citrus taiwanica is a citrus species traditionally used by the Indigenous
Saisiyat people.

Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says the patent covers applications
of the plant and products derived from it, with authorization from the
Saisiyat tribe required for their use.

The case marks the first time a traditional Indigenous crop and products
derived from it have received patent protection.

The agency says the traditional knowledge underlying the use of the citrus
came from the Saisiyat tribe and that technologies and products developed
through modern research based on that knowledge should benefit its original
holders.

The license is not said be intended to monopolize the plant, but aimed at
protecting and preserving the traditional knowledge of the Saisiyat people.

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:10:13

Nearly 50 Taiwanese community leaders in Los Angeles are calling for greater
support for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations.

The group issued a joint statement as the 81st U.N. General Assembly session
opened in New York.

It argues that Resolution 2758, which transferred China's U.N. seat to
Beijing in 1971, did not determine Taiwan's representation or sovereignty.

Presidential Office national policy adviser Lin Jung-sung also called for
Taiwan's political parties to build a cross-party position on U.N.
participation.

The appeal comes as Taiwan's Foreign Ministry launches its annual U.N.
campaign.

A three-party legislative delegation is also traveling to New York this week
to promote Taiwan's international participation.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:10:13

Taxi fares in Hualien are going up next year ... with the base fare rising 20
NT to 120 NT.

The Hualien County government approved the increase after consultations with
industry groups and experts over rising operating costs.

It's the first adjustment to taxi fares in the county since 2006.

Charges for additional distance and waiting time will remain unchanged.

Taxi industry representatives say vehicle, fuel and maintenance costs have
all increased ... while earthquakes and transportation disruptions in recent
years have hurt tourism and made drivers' incomes less stable.

They also note that neighboring Yilan and Taitung both now have base fares of
120 NT.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:10:13

Tokyo has remained the top repeat travel destination for Taiwanese tourists
in a new ranking by online booking platform Agoda.

Based on booking data from the first half of this year, Okinawa ranked
second, followed by Busan, which climbed from sixth place last year to third.

Seoul ranked fourth, followed by Bangkok, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hong Kong
and Jeju.

South Korea now has three destinations in the top 10, up from two last year,
with Jeju entering the ranking for the first time.

About 478-thousand Taiwanese visited Busan in the first half of this year,
making Taiwan the city's largest international source of visitors.

Agoda says the trend shows Taiwanese travelers are increasingly returning to
destinations they enjoy and building deeper connections with them.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:09:13

TSMC has reported record monthly revenue for August ... as strong demand for
AI chips continues to drive growth.

The world's largest contract chipmaker posted revenue of nearly 515-billion
NT for that month ... up over 10 percent from July and more than 53 percent
from a year earlier.

Analysts say strong AI demand, along with stocking ahead of new smartphone
launches, helped push revenue to the new high.

TSMC's revenue for the first eight months of the year reached nearly
3.39-trillion NT ... up more than 39 percent from the same period last year.

The company expects third-quarter revenue to reach between 44.6 and
45.8-billion U-S dollars.

And TSMC says strong AI demand could push its full-year U-S-dollar revenue
growth slightly above 40 percent.

The company plans to spend between 60 and 64-billion U-S dollars on capital
investment this year to meet strong customer demand.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:09:13

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, alongside new iPhone 18 Pro
models featuring a variable-aperture camera.

The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch display and starts at 74-thousand-900
N.T. in Taiwan, with pre-orders opening October 16th.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 44-thousand-900 N.T. - about 100 U.S. dollars
more than its predecessor - with pre-orders in Taiwan beginning Saturday and
sales starting September 18th.

The higher prices come as surging demand for A-I infrastructure pushes up the
cost of memory and other components.

Analysts say data centers are consuming more memory, putting pressure on
supplies for smartphones and computers.

Industry experts warn that if memory prices remain high, phones and laptops
could stay expensive next year, potentially prompting consumers to wait
longer before upgrading.

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:08:13

Syphilis cases in Taiwan have risen 3 percent this year within the first
eight months ... with 6-thousand-900 new cases.

The Centers for Disease Control says men account for 78 percent of cases,
while 70 percent involve people aged 15 to 44.

Cases among women and younger people aged 15 to 24 have both increased by 4
percent from a year earlier.

The CDC says cases of syphilis passed from mothers to babies have also been
rising in recent years.

Officials warn that symptoms can disappear without treatment ... even though
the bacteria remain in the body and can still be transmitted.

The CDC says syphilis is curable, but stresses early diagnosis and treatment
... particularly during pregnancy to protect babies from infection.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:08:13

Taiwan's population has fallen for a 32nd consecutive month ... as deaths
continue to far outnumber births.

New figures from the Ministry of the Interior show nearly 7-thousand-500
babies were born in August, while more than 16-thousand people died.

That resulted in a natural population decrease of nearly 9-thousand people
for the month.

Taiwan's total population stood at about 23.22 million at the end of August
... down more than 100-thousand from a year earlier.

For the first eight months of this year, Taiwan recorded fewer than
62-thousand births, compared with more than 132-thousand deaths.

People aged 65 and over now make up 20.6 percent of the population, while
children under 15 account for just over 11 percent.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-10 19:08:13

The British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei has celebrated the 10th anniversary
of its Better Business Awards, recognizing companies and organizations for
responsible and sustainable business practices.

British Representative to Taiwan... Ruth Bradley-Jones says the awards
celebrate businesses that combine commercial success with a positive impact.

This year's awards covered areas including renewable energy, social
enterprise, employee wellbeing and climate action.

Eiger Law sponsored the Climate Champion Award.

The firm's John Eastwood says protecting the climate is an essential part of
good business and praised the work being done by the award's finalists.

The winners received one-of-a-kind trophies blending local materials with
British creativity.

Hualien marble and driftwood formed the foundation, complemented by Jesmonite
made in Britain.

Award partners helped choose and mix the colors, giving each trophy its own
distinctive appearance and texture.

(TB)

Posted on 2026-09-10 16:31:13

Agricultural losses from heavy rain in late August have climbed to over
562-million NT, with guavas still the hardest-hit crop.

The Ministry of Agriculture says more than 6-thousand hectares of crops have
been affected across Taiwan.

Guava farms accounted for the largest crop losses, with nearly 600 hectares
affected and damage estimated at about 62-million NT.

Other badly affected crops include ponkans, wax apples, papayas and green
onions.

Chiayi County reported the highest agricultural losses at nearly 148-million
NT, followed by Kaohsiung, Tainan and Yunlin.

Aquaculture losses have topped 111-million NT, mainly involving grouper,
milkfish and oysters.

In addition to crops and aquaculture, the figures also include losses to
livestock, forestry and agricultural facilities.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-10 16:31:13

The Taipei District Court has ruled to forfeit the 10 million NT bail payment
made by a lawmaker's former aide after he absconded.

Zhang Jun Jie張俊傑 is believed to have intentionally damaged and thrown away
his wrist monitor and is now wanted by police.

The court held a hearing today, summoning Zhang's guarantor and two lawyers.

The three all said they had had no contact with Zhang and that they didn't
know where he was.

Zhang is involved in a case against lawmaker Gao Jin Su Mei, who faces
corruption charges for allegedly embezzling millions in fraudulent assistant
fees.

Zhang is accused of conspiring with Gao Jin to embezzle those fees, with
prosecutors requestion 16 years in prison for him- at least.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-10 16:31:13

Public attention in Taipei has once again turned to the city's rat problem,
following a rat's debut at the Taipei Arena last night.

A rat ran out onto the field at a baseball game at the stadium last night,
with a worker ultimately capturing the rat in quite an athletic feat...

armed with nothing more than a paper box.

DPP candidate for mayor Puma Shen seized the chance to say that his new
platform for collecting residents' suggestions received several complaints
about the city's ongoing rat problem.

He added that residents' complaints pointed out that the decrease in the
number of trash cans around Taipei does not appear to have reduced the number
of rats...

saying that the reduction in the number of trash cans not only fails to solve
the rat problem, but also creates a new problem, as residents are
inconvenienced.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-10 14:57:13

Taiwan has expanded voluntary rifle training for military reservists by
removing a rule that limited participation to those discharged within the
past 12 years.

The first session under the wider eligibility rules was held at Chenggongling
in Taichung this week, with 35 reservists taking part.

The half-day course included simulated training and 48 rounds of live fire
with T91 rifles.

Participants practiced shooting from prone, kneeling and standing positions,
as well as loading ammunition and changing magazines.

More than 10 of the reservists had left the military over 12 years ago.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-10 14:57:13

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, alongside new iPhone 18 Pro
models featuring a variable-aperture camera.

The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch display and includes a smaller outer
screen for use while folded.

It starts at 74-thousand-900 N.T. in Taiwan, with pre-orders opening October
16th.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 44-thousand-900 N.T. and adds Apple's first
variable-aperture camera, which automatically adjusts for lighting and depth
of field.

The Pro models also use Apple's new A20 Pro chip.

Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5, with new
health-monitoring and artificial-intelligence features.

iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders in Taiwan begin Saturday, with sales starting
September 18th.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-10 14:57:13

A gathering hall built for an Amis community in Taitung has won a 2026
International Architecture Award.

The Matang Tribal Gathering Hall in Taitung City was completed in 2023 after
the community went more than 70 years without a permanent gathering place.

Local residents had previously held their annual harvest festival in rice
fields or borrowed school facilities.

The hall was designed by Taiwanese firm multitude, which incorporated
elements of Amis culture into the building's modern architecture.

The Taitung County Government says the project was selected from more than
1,200 entries worldwide.

County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) says the award gives greater
international visibility to Taitung's Indigenous culture.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-10 14:07:13

Two Taiwan athletes are filing criminal breach of trust charges against a
national sports official.

The lawsuit targets Chinese Taipei Gymnastics Association Secretary-General
Chiang Chien-tung, after the association declined Gymnastics World
Championships invitations on behalf of gymnasts Lee Chia-wei (李佳蔚) and Pan
Cai-chen (潘采宸).

Lee and Pan had earned reserve qualification spots for the uneven bars and
floor exercise events respectively, at the competition in the Netherlands
next month, but the association forfeited the opportunity without notifying
the athletes.

The association contends that it received notification from competition
organziers at 4am on Aug. 20th, but a response was required by 6am on August
21st.

And there was not enough time for its athlete selection and training
committee to review the matter, as required by association procedures.

The association has issued an apology and promised changes.

Representatives for Lee and Pan confirm they are gathering evidence to pursue
civil damages in addition to the criminal complaint.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-10 14:07:13

Prosecutors are detaining an Yilan candidate for borough chief on vote-buying
charges.

Zhang Jia Hao, of the KMT, was summoned by prosecutors yesterday and today
they requested his detention on allegations that he violated the Election and
Recall Act.

Prosecutors' request for Zhang's detention incommunicado was granted.

Zhang, who's running to represent Zhuangwei township, allegedly gifted
constituents boozy gift boxes before and after a banquet event.

The Zhuangwei borough chief election is a hotly contested one, with Zhang
having secured the KMT's nomination...

and running against one DPP competitor and two independents.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-10 14:07:13

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 242 points to
close the session at 46940.

The turnover was 713.9 billion NT

Posted on 2026-09-10 08:14:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene says a conflict across
the Taiwan Strait could inflict an economic cost greater than that of World
War II.

Greene made the remarks in a keynote address at the 2026 Taipei Security
Dialogue.

The event was organized by the government funded Institute for National
Defense and Security Research think tank.

According to Greene, Taiwan doesn't need to demonstrate that it can win a war
outright in order to deter a conflict, but it must convince a potential
adversary that landing a large ground force would be extremely difficult.

Greene said preventing such a conflict is a top priority for the
administration of U-S President Donald Trump ...

.. and Washington is pursuing that goal through high-level diplomacy, a
strengthened presence and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific -- particularly
along the First Island Chain -- and support for Taiwan's efforts to enhance
its self-defense capabilities.

Posted on 2026-09-10 08:14:13

The Centers for Disease Control says 30 confirmed mpox cases have been
reported so far this year.

According to the C-D-C, imported cases have more than doubled from last year
earlier and most cases are linked to unprotected sexual contact.

The statements comes as the C-D-C announced to new mpox infections - one of
which was locally acquired and the other imported.

Health authorities say both cases involved unvaccinated men who had engaged
in unprotected sexual activity.

Data shows that as of September 7, the C-D-C had confirmed 20 domestic and 10
imported mpox cases so far this year.

All of the patients were men aged between 20 and 50.

The C-D-C says the 10 imported cases are double the number recorded during
the same period last year and six of them have been linked to travel to
Thailand.

As of the end of August, 111,908 people here in Taiwan had received at least
one dose of an mpox vaccine, while 80,033 had completed the recommended
two-dose regimen.

Posted on 2026-09-10 08:14:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has questioned an aide who allegedly
met with the office manager of indicted Lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei, before he
jumped bail.

Chang Chun-chieh went missing on Sunday.

Prosecutors searched the homes of Chang, his daughter, and of the lawmaker's
aide on Tuesday, and more raids were conducted yesterday, when police
searched the aide's legislative office.

The aide was released in bail of 50,000 after questioning.

Local media reports say the legislative aide met with Chang Sunday morning
for a meal.

That meeting took place before Chang's electronic wrist monitor sent out a
low-battery alert on Sunday night.

The 70-year was not at his home when police arrived and his monitor was found
broken.

An arrest warrant has issued for Chang, but he has not yet been located.

Posted on 2026-09-10 08:14:13

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted D-P-P lawmaker Chung
Chia-pin for cutting steel cables that secured a police guardrail during a
rally in December 2024.

Chung, along with an individual have been charged with damaging property
entrusted to public officials for official duties.

Prosecutors say the guardrail was one of several set up by the police to
maintain order during a rally held outside the Legislative Yuan on December
20 of 2024 to protest votes on three controversial legislative amendments
that day.

The Taipei City Police Department's Zhongzheng First Precinct set up the
guardrails along the sidewalk on the north side of Jinan Road and secured
them using steel cables.

According to prosecutors, Chung and the other suspect broke two of the
cables, rendering them unusable.

Chung admitted cutting the cables but denied criminal liability, claiming he
removed the guardrail to allow an ambulance to reach people who had been
injured.

Prosecutors have rejected that claim.

Posted on 2026-09-10 08:14:13

The National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the U-K's National Centre for
Writing have signed a memorandum of understanding to train a new generation
of English-language translators of Taiwanese literature.

Culture Minister Li Yuan witnessed the signing in Norwich, England.

Speaking at the event, he expressed his hope that the partnership would help
build a long-term pipeline of translators capable of bringing more Taiwanese
literature to British readers.

Under the agreement, a "Literature from Taiwan" track will be added to the
National Centre for Writing's Emerging Translator Mentorships, which recruits
aspiring translators worldwide and provides mentoring and professional
exchanges.

According to Li, the new partnership would provide another channel for
introducing Taiwanese literature to the U-K and create opportunities for
further cooperation between Taiwan and the U-K.

Posted on 2026-09-10 08:14:13

And finally,

Taiwan beat Singapore 16-1 at the Tianmu Stadium in Taipei to book its place
in the Under 18 Asian Baseball Championship Super Round after finishing
second in Group B.

South Korea topped the group after notching up its third straight win by
beating Thailand 14-0.

In Group A ... Japan finished top with three wins out of three after beating
the Philippines 15-0 in its final opening round group game.

The Philippines also advanced to the Super Round after coming second in the
group.

While Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka 6-5 in Group A's other game.

The results mean that Taiwan meets the Philippines in its opening Super Round
group game at 6:30 tomorrow evening at the Taipei Dome.

While Japan and South Korea meet in the other opening Super Round group game
at the Taipei Dome at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Taiwan meets Japan on Saturday in its second and final Super Round group game.

The top two teams in the Super Round group meet in Sunday's final, which is
also taking place at the Taipei Dome.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is touting efforts by the Lai administration to
boost Taiwan's defenses against rapidly evolving threats.

Hsiao told participants at the Taipei Security Dialogue that the government
is developing multilayered air defenses, integrating emerging technologies,
and building a fully non-red drone supply chain.

Taiwan's military is said to have learned from Russia's invasion of Ukraine
about the need for multilayered defenses and a rapid technology feedback loop
to make cost-effective adjustments as threats and tactics evolve ...

.. while the Middle East conflict has highlighted the importance of
cost-effective air defense systems and counter-drone capabilities.

The vice president stressed her belief that those lessons point to the need
for the President Lai China-te's proposed T-Dome project, which aims to link
the detection and interception capabilities of a multilayered air defense
network.

... even as she said applications in AI intelligence analysis, target
selection, interception and logistics warrant further study.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is welcoming a move by Panama's National
Assembly to establishe an inter-parliamentary friendship group with Taiwan's
Legislature.

This comes as Panama's National Assembly officially established the exchange
group with the Legislative Yuan in Panama city.

Lin said via video message that Taiwan is now looking forward to further
deepening parliamentary diplomacy and expanding bilateral cooperation and
exchanges with Panama.

He called the move an opportunity to facilitate bilateral exchanges and
advance mutual interests.

The ministry also says the inter-parliamentary friendship group was formed
after more than 20 Panamanian lawmakers visited Taiwan over the past six
months.... with 45 of the assembly's 71 lawmakers having joined the group.

Panama severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing in June
of 2017... but several lawmakers have since expressed a strong interest in
restoring formal ties.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

Foodpanda could face fines up to 100,000 N-T per affected worker... for
illegally docking couriers' pay for late deliveries based on unilaterally
imposed time limits.

The Ministry of Labor issued the warning after the practices came to light.

The ministry's Department of Labor Relations, said local labor bureaus are in
the position to impose fines ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 per affected
courier once they determine the validity of the complaints filed by workers.

Officials have not released any information pertaining as to many complaints
have been filed with local authorities... but they say delivery couriers have
reported facing pay deductions for exceeding estimated delivery times by up
to five minutes.

The penalties are seen to be in violation of the Delivery Workers' Rights
Protection and Delivery Platform Management Act which came into force on July
21.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office has filed a supplementary
indictment against D-P-P lawmaker Lin Tai-hua, her brother Lin Tai-jung, and
an associate.

Lin was originally indicted last year over false expense claims.

She has now also been charged with embezzling over 13.79-million in campaign
funds.

Prosecutors say a company owned by Lin's brother began issuing false invoices
totalling 6.47-million N-T in campaign funding to her office in 2021.

Along with withdrawing some of the illicit funds in cash, that money was also
allegedly used to pay tax liabilities for clients of an accounting and
bookkeeping firm owned by Lin's brother, as well as the corporate income
taxes of three associations.

Another company owned by Lin's borther also allegedly began falsely billing
her campaign office for 7.31-million N-T in services on a fixed, monthly
basis beginning in late 2021.

The D-P-P lawmaker has denied the charges - claiming she gave full control
over reporting of campaign contributions to her brother following the death
of their father.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has released New Taipei City
Councilor Yang Chun-mei on bail of 500,000 N-T after she was questioned as
part of an investigation into vote-buying.

Prosecutors say they're investigating allegations Yang recently distributed
laundry detergent and other household goods to voters at several community
activity centers.

It is the first suspected vote-buying case involving a New Taipei City
councilor in this year's local election.

Prosecutors searched Yang's home, office and other locations earlier this
week and say they seized large quantities of laundry detergent and other
household goods allegedly intended for distribution to voters.

22 people, including Yang have been questioned as part of the investigation.

Yang is a four-term K-M-T city councilor representing New Taipei's electoral
constituency No. 12 for Plains Indigenous Tribes.

She recently registered to seek a fifth term in this year's local elections.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

The Consumers’ Foundation is urging stronger cybersecurity oversight after a
data breach involving e-commerce company Coupang.

The Digital Ministry has confirmed that over 200,000 Taiwanese users were
affected.

Coupang had initially denied that any Taiwan users had been affected by the
data breach... saying its Taiwan and South Korea operations used segregated
databases.

But the Digital Ministry says a third-party digital forensics review found
that company was in fact using the same backup encryption key across all
regions enabling unauthorized access to all of its customer databases.

The Consumers' Foundation says companies handling large amounts of Taiwan
user data should be required to store important databases here in Taiwan, as
that would make it easier for regulators to track how personal information is
stored and transferred.

Posted on 2026-09-10 06:55:13

And,

More than 100 people have traveled to Caisancho Island off the coast of
Chiayi County's Dongshi Township to help protect it from erosion by building
sand-trapping structures from discarded oyster racks.

Caisancho Island is Taiwan's largest offshore shoal.

The operation to help protect the island was organized by the Chiayi County
Environmental Protection Bureau and more than 100 staff members and
volunteers traveled to the roughly 1,000-hectare shoal.

According to the bureau, the team reused abandoned bamboo oyster racks,
oyster shells and other marine debris to build square-shaped sand-trapping
structures, which were anchored to the shoal.

The team completed three square structures, each measuring 3-meters in length
and width, and built with about 300 discarded oyster racks.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Water Resources Agency,
with technical guidance from the National Cheng Kung University's Tainan
Hydraulics Laboratory.

Posted on 2026-09-09 19:16:13

The DPP legislative caucus says the government should hold further talks with
travel agencies over new registration requirements for group travel to China.

The rules, which took effect September 1st, require travel agencies to
register basic information about groups traveling to China, Hong Kong or
Macau.

They have drawn objections from the travel industry over concerns about
enforcement and possible fines.

DPP caucus Secretary-General Zhuang Rui-xiong says the government needs to
communicate more closely with travel agencies about how the policy is
implemented.

But he says the requirements should not be viewed as government surveillance.

Zhuang says authorities have a responsibility to keep track of citizens
traveling in higher-risk areas so they can provide assistance if an emergency
occurs.

He also stressed that any penalties imposed on travel agencies must have a
clear legal basis.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-09 19:16:13

The Chinese Taipei Gymnastics Association has issued a renewed apology over
its handling of World Championship entries for two Taiwanese athletes.

Gymnasts Pan Tsai-chen and Li Chia-wei earned alternate qualification spots
for October’s Artistic Gymnastics World Championshipsin Rotterdam,
Netherlands, but the association surrendered their entries without notice.

The association admitted to internal communication failures that prevented
timely notification to coaches and athletes, adding that the
secretary-general requested an internal administrative review.

But they emphasize that performance evaluations revealed the gymnasts' recent
scores fell below national team competition benchmarks.

The association vowed systemic reforms to ensure transparent selection
processes and immediate notification systems for future international events.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-09 19:16:13

The National Museum of Taiwan Literature has signed an agreement with the
UK's National Ceter for Writing to train a new generation of English-language
translators of Taiwanese literature.

Under the agreement, a "Literature from Taiwan" track will be added to the
UK's center for Writing's Emerging Translator Mentorships...

a program that recruits aspiring translators around the world and provides
mentoring and professional exchanges.

Cultural Minister Li Yuan says that he hopes the agreement will help build a
long-term pipeline of translators that will bring Taiwanese literture to
British readers.

The British side says that the first iteration of the program received 16
applications for the Taiwan literature track.

They will plan to expand their collaboration with Taiwan next year through
writer and translator residencies.

(AH-CNA)

Posted on 2026-09-09 18:40:13

The Japanese yen has surged against the New Taiwan dollar to its highest
level since early August ...

... making trips to Japan more expensive for Taiwanese travellers.

The Bank of Taiwan's cash selling rate reached NT$0.2089 per yen on Wednesday.

The yen has also risen sharply against the U-S dollar this week, briefly
breaking above the 153 mark, as markets expect the Bank of Japan to speed up
interest rate hikes, prompting traders to close out bets that had relied on a
weaker yen.

Compared with September 1st, when the rate was NT$0.2015, exchanging
NT$50,000 with today's rate would get travelers about 8,800 fewer yen.

The yen's outlook could depend on upcoming rate decisions by both the Bank of
Japan and the U-S Federal Reserve.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-09 18:40:13

Apple is set to hold its major September event tomorrow at 1 AM Taipei time,
when the company is expected to reveal its new iPhone lineup.

The main attraction could be Apple's first-ever foldable iPhone, which
analysts say could quickly become a leader in the fast-growing market.

The device is expected to fold like a passport and could cost more than
US$2,500, or around NT$79,000, although its camera and processor may not be
top-of-the-line.

Rivals, including Samsung, Google and Huawei, have offered foldable phones
for years, but analysts say Apple could benefit from entering the market
later, after addressing issues such as durability and screen creasing.

Apple is also expected to unveil a major overhaul of Siri, with new
AI-powered features that could help it catch up with Google's Gemini.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-09-09 16:56:13

AIT Director Raymond Greene is warning Taiwan to prepare for more
sophisticated AI-enabled information manipulation ahead of November's local
elections.

Speaking at the 2026 Taipei Security Dialogue, Greene said Taiwan has been an
international model for countering cognitive warfare.

But he says adversaries could increasingly use AI to deepen divisions and
undermine confidence in Taiwan's democracy and its partnership with the
United States.

Greene also warned that AI-powered cyber threats could pose risks to banks
and critical infrastructure.

On energy security, he said Taiwan is much better prepared than several years
ago, citing efforts to strengthen the power grid and diversify energy
sources.

Those include renewable and geothermal energy, as well as consideration of
small modular nuclear reactors.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-09 16:56:13

Taiwan's average TOEIC listening and reading score rose to a record 583
points in 2025.

The test's Taiwan representative says the average included 317 points for
listening and 266 for reading.

That's up from 581 in 2024 and 568 in 2021.

Workers in electronics manufacturing averaged 555 points, slightly above the
global industry average.

Taiwanese test takers in textile and paper manufacturing also outperformed
their global industry average.

Meanwhile, a separate ETS survey suggests AI is increasing rather than
reducing demand for English skills.

More than 80 percent of employers surveyed said using AI tools has increased
the need for workplace English, while 92 percent said English is more
important than five years ago.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-09 16:56:13

Taiwan Railways is adding two more trains for the upcoming Mid-Autumn
Festival and Teachers' Day long weekend.

The additional PP Tze-Chiang Limited Express services will run on the eastern
line on September 25 and September 28.

Bookings open at midnight on September 11 through Taiwan Railways' website
and app, as well as convenience stores and telephone reservations.

The four-day holiday runs from September 25 through the 28th.

Taiwan Railways had already announced 158 additional services across the
network for the broader holiday travel period from September 24 through the
29th.

The two newly announced trains bring the total number of extra services to
160.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-09 16:14:14

Prosecutors are adding more charges to the laundry list of accusations
against Kaohsiung Lawmaker Lin Dai Hua.

Lin, who's already under investigation for corruption, is now charged with
embezzling public funds.

Prosecutors say that Lin set up dedicated political donation accounts, in
line with the law, in the 2 elections, collecting about 100 million NT.

But, they allege that Lin, her brother and a friend used two marketing
companies to issue false invoices and embezzle money from the account
collected over two election cycles.

Prosecutors say the three suspects embezzled a total of nearly 14 million NT
in the scheme.

Lin allegedly arranged for her brother to run one of the companies in
question, and instructed employees to issue fake invoices to claim political
donations to the Control Yuan.

Her brother, however, says that he appointed someone else to run the company.

The lawmaker denies the charges.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-09 16:14:14

Hualien prosecutors are seeking to detain incommunicado the borough chief of
Xiulin and two others.

The borough chief, Wang Mei Mei, was arrested, along with her husband,
surnamed Hu, and a local charity organization worker surnamed Xu.

Prosecutors suspect that the three took part in vote-buying.

They're believed to have violated the election and recall act by using meals,
gifts, and cash in an attempt to buy off voters.

Wang is being term-limited out of office as a borough chief, so she sought to
run for county councilor, while seeking to pass the borough chief reins over
to her husband.

Both Wang and Hu received nominations from the KMT.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-09 16:14:14

Future Events in China

In China, a Taiwanese car racing team whose injured driver was rescued by a
rival after a horrific crash says it is withdrawing from future events in the
country.

The car of British driver Ollie Millroy exploded in flames during a race at
the Shanghai International Circuit on Saturday.

Dutch driver Loek Hartog stopped his car and, armed with a fire extinguisher,
pulled Millroy from the burning wreckage.

Millroy sustained six broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand, and a
punctured lung, and underwent a four-hour operation.

AAI Motorsports wrote that the event organizers were “grossly negligent in
the emergency response and safety rescue arrangements, with serious
deficiencies in the rescue response that nearly resulted in a tragedy.”

(KK)

Posted on 2026-09-09 14:48:13

Taipei prosecutors have charged DPP lawmaker Zhong Jia Bin with destruction
of public property, after he and a civilian, surnamed Huang, cut a police
barricade in 2024.

Zhong says, he will cooperate with the investigation and respect the
judiciary process.

According to the indictment, Zhong used cable cutters to cut a police
barricade while the legislature was examining amendments to the Election and
Recall Act in December of 2024.

Zhong says, he was outside the legislature at that time alongside protesters
demonstrating against what he called the KMT and TPP's "evil law..."

when an ambulance needed to get through to get to someone injured, leading
him to cut the barricade.

Zhong notes that witness testimony and physical evidence back up his version
of events.

Prosecutors say, police used steel cables to block off the area ahead of the
planned protest, but Zhong and Huang cut the cables, making them unusable.

Zhong's lawyer has argued that his actions were not illegal as they were in
line with his duties as a lawmaker...

but the prosecution says that other lawmakers had no trouble in receiving
medical care that day.

In other words, Taipei prosecutors say there was no need to damage public
property over the issue.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-09-09 14:48:13

Public driftwood collection along designated Taitung coastal areas will
officially open on Sept. 11th, to support environmental cleanup efforts.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says residents can collect
unmarked driftwood in designated coastal areas until weather authorities
issue the next typhoon or heavy rain alert for Taitung.

Residents may use handheld saws and chainsaws to cut down unmarked logs for
easier transport

Registration is not required for personal fuel or home collection, but
residents transporting large loads by vehicle must register at local forestry
stations.

Officials say four temporary inspection stations in Zhiben, Chenggong, Dawu,
and Guanshan will operate on weekdays to issue legal ownership certificates.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-09-09 14:48:13

Taiwan shares are slightly up today, with the benchmark tai ex closing at
47183 after gaining 77 points.

The turnover was 773.5 billion NT

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

Taiwan's Consumers' Foundation is calling for stronger cybersecurity
oversight following a data breach involving e-commerce company Coupang.

The Administration for Digital Industries previously confirmed that data
belonging to more than 200-thousand Coupang users in Taiwan was accessed
without authorization.

The foundation says companies handling large amounts of Taiwanese user data
should be required to store important databases in Taiwan.

It says this would make it easier for regulators to track how personal
information is stored and transferred.

The group is also calling for more transparent government reporting after
major breaches and regular third-party security testing by multinational
e-commerce companies.

Authorities previously found shortcomings in Coupang Taiwan's management of
personal data following an inspection earlier this year.

(PB)

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

A book exhibition in Tainan is honoring Japanese mystery writer Keigo
Higashino and avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, who both died this summer.

The exhibition is being held at the Xinying Cultural Center through September
30.

It features selected works highlighting the two creators' very different
artistic worlds.

Higashino, who died in July at age 68, was known for novels including The
Devotion of Suspect X and The Miracles of the Namiya General Store.

Kusama died in August at age 97 and was internationally known for her
repeated polka-dot and net motifs.

The exhibition is located in the center's third-floor open reading area.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-09-09 08:07:13

In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

President Lai Ching-te is touting his administration's increased support for
Taiwan's athletes at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games -- saying the Ministry
of Sports is "making every effort" to support them.

Speaking at a flag-presentation ceremony at the Taiwan Sports Training Center
in Kaohsiung, Lai touted highlighted expanded medical and rehabilitation
services and increased support staffing.

According to Lai, said the delegation headquarters will be staffed by 53
support personnel this year, up from around 40 in the past, including medical
staff, rehabilitation specialists and athletic therapists.

Lai said those increases are evidence of the sports ministry's effort to
provide the best possible support for Taiwan's athletes.

Lai went onto tell the athletes that he's not setting a medal target for this
edition of the Asian Games and is instead urging them to focus on their own
performances after earning the opportunity to compete on the international
stage through years of training.

Taiwan is sending 482 athletes to compete in 34 sports at the Games.

They include boxer Lin Yu-ting, weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun and gymnast Lee
Chih-kai.

The 2026 Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4.

Posted on 2026-09-09 08:07:13

Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has appeared at the High Court for the opening
hearing in the appeal of his district court sentence over the Core Pacific
City development project and illegal political donation cases.

The Taipei District Court sentenced Ko to 17 years in prison on March 26.

He was found guilty of accepting bribes, misappropriating political
donations, and breach of trust.

However, the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office appealed that sentence,
arguing it was too lenient.

Prosecutors argue that court improperly excluded a 15-million N-T bribe that
was discovered on a USB drive at Ko's home.

Prosecutors say that evidence functions as an accounting record

Ko and the six other people sentenced to prison terms in the district court
trial have also appealed the rulings against them.

Posted on 2026-09-09 08:07:13

Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is voicing support for Taiwan's
participation in international organizations and calling for closer economic
ties with Taiwan.

The call came as Blanchet met President Lai Ching-te in Taipei.

Speaking in French at the Presidential Office, Blanchet said it is "entirely
necessary and legitimate" for Taiwan to participate in international
organizations as a full member or under a status determined by Taiwan itself.

He cited the World Health Organization and the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, saying the latter would remain
"incomplete" as long as Taiwan was not a member.

Blanchet also said the Bloc Quebecois will continue speaking up for Taiwan
and urging governments in the democratic world to resist pressure from China
and support Taiwan's participation in multilateral mechanisms.

Lai thanked the party for its support for Taiwan in Canada's Parliament,
including a 2024 motion stating that United Nations General Assembly
Resolution 2758 does not establish the People's Republic of China's
sovereignty over Taiwan.

The Bloc Quebecois is a federal political party in Canada that advocates
Quebec sovereignty.

Posted on 2026-09-09 08:07:13

The Centers for Disease Control says weekly outpatient and emergency visits
for flu-like illness surpassed 115,000 last week - extending a recent upward
trend.

According to the C-D-C, a total of 115,136 outpatient and emergency visits
for flu-like illness were recorded in the week of August 30 to September 5.

That was an 11-percent increase from the previous week.

The C-D-C is also reporting 105 new severe flu cases between September 1 and
September 7, and 19 deaths.

Both of those figures are new highs for the current flu season, which the
C-D-C defines as having begun last October 1 and running through September
30.

The first phase of the government's free flu vaccination program begins on
October 1 and the C-D-C has said it purchased just over 7-million doses of
vaccines for the publicly funded program this year.

Eligible groups for the first phase include people aged 65 and older,
healthcare workers, pregnant women, people with certain chronic illnesses,
and childcare workers.

The second phase of free flu vaccination program will begin on November 2 and
is open to anyone aged between 50 and 64.

Posted on 2026-09-09 08:07:13

Central bank governor Yang Chin-long has received an "A-" grade from New
York-based Global Finance magazine.

It marks the second consecutive year that Yang has received an "A-" grade
from Global Finance.

Acording to the publication's Central Banker Report Cards 2026, Yang was
among 25 top-tier central bankers worldwide who received an "A ", "A" or "A-"
grade.

The magazine says its grading scale from "A" to "F" is based on "success in
areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability,
interest rate management, and political independence."

An "A" represents excellent performance, while an "F" signifies outright
failure.

Yang has worked at the central bank since 1989, and served as governor since
February of 2018.

He received an "A" grade in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, an "A-" grade in 2021,
a "B " grade in 2024 and an "A-" grade in 2025 and 2026.

His predecessor, Perng Fai-nan has the distinction of being the only central
bank governor in the world to have earned the top grade 14 times, receiving
straight A's from 2005 to 2017.

Posted on 2026-09-09 08:07:13

And finally,

The Central Weather Administration says temperatures in the north could fall
to as low as 17-degrees in the coming days due to the arrival of this
autumn's first northeasterly wind system.

According to the weather administration's forecast center, the seasonal winds
are expected to affect Taiwan from today through Friday and northern parts of
the island are likely to feel the strongest impact.

Temperatures in the north from nighttime through early morning are forecast
to fall to between 17 and 20 -degrees due to possible radiative cooling.

Elsewhere, overnight and early morning temperatures will likely range from 21
to 24-degrees in the center and and hover at around 24 to 25-degrees in the
south.

The seasonal winds are also likely to bring moisture to windward areas north
of Taoyuan and eastern Taiwan, with heavier rainfall forecast along the north
coast and Yilan and Hualien on Friday.

The seasonal winds are likely to weaken over the weekend, but Greater Taipei
and eastern Taiwan could see brief showers, while sporadic showers are also
possible in the south.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

A senior member of the Japan Innovation Party is calling for closer
cooperation with Taiwan.

Former party head Nobuyuki Baba said such cooperation should include drone
and space-based technologies in order to meet modern defense needs and
promote regional peace and stability.

The statement came after Baba and members of his 13-member delegation met
with President Lai Ching-te to discuss bilateral relations, US-China
relations and other issues.

Baba says he told Lai that as Taiwan is strengthening its self-defense
capabilities, the Japanese government is also considering strengthening its
self-defense capabilities amid rising regional and global tensions.

Lai is said to have agreed that both sides should continue to deepen
bilateral cooperation and exchanges in areas such as the economy, culture,
tourism and natural disaster preparedness.

The delegation has also held talks Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, lawmakers,
officials from the National Security Council, and members of the Taiwan-Japan
Relations Association.

The talks have focused on the latest developments in bilateral relations and
the broader situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Japan Innovation Party is a coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal
Democratic Party.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is warned people against engaging in illicit
activities in Myanmar and Thailand after new laws took effect in both
countries aimed at curbing fraud by foreign nationals.

Myanmar enacted the Anti-Online Scam Law on July 31 to combat the rapid rise
of cyber-scam operations and human trafficking in the country.

Those convicted of operating scam centers, running cryptocurrency scams,
recruiting workers, or trafficking people into scam operations, regardless of
nationality, face sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

Meanwhile Thailand's new set of deportation regulations took effect in late
August, stipulating how foreign nationals can be deported after being
convicted of and serving sentences for certain crimes.

These include overstaying a visa, working or operating a business unlawfully,
using or producing forged documents, or committing any other offense that
carries a prison sentence of more than five years.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei says the new regulations
demonstrate a regional consensus and determination to combat
telecommunications fraud.

Three Taiwan nationals were arrested in Myanmar earlier this month in
connection with telecoms fraud rings are expected to face tougher sentences
under the new law.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

A ward chief candidate in New Taipei's Xinzhuang District has been released
on bail of 300,000 as part of an investigation into allegations of vote
buying.

The investigation was launched after he allegedly gifts to a local
homeowners' association.

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office says it received a tip-off
alleging that the candidate had given a gift basket containing toothpaste,
masks, cling film and soy sauce to members of an apartment complex's
management committee.

Prosecutors say a task force including officers from the New Taipei Police
Department was assigned to investigate the case... they searched the
candidate's home and those of two of his local campaign organizers.

15 people were summoned for questioning.

Prosecutors say the three are suspected of violating provisions against vote
buying in the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.

The other two suspects have also been released on bail.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

Police in Taichung have arrested a man wanted into connection with a hit and
run incident that resulted in the death of a nurse.

The man is facing charges of homicide and hit-and-run.

The incident occured early Tuesday morning and closed circuit television
footage of has been aired on local TV news channels.

The car can been seen hitting the nurse while making a U-turn, and then
hitting her again, before leaving the scene.

The nurse was on a crosswalk.

Emergency services were called to the scene immediately following the
incident and the nurse was taken to a hospital, where she later died

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

Culture Minister Li Yuan has is highlighting the growing international
visibility of Taiwan literature at a forum in London.

The International Booker Prize-winning "Taiwan Travelogue" was in focus at
the event.

Li told participants at a forum that the book has given Taiwanese literature
a particularly important opportunity.

And according to Li, "the world can finally see Taiwan"

The forum drew more than 100 people.

During his London visit on Monday, Li also toured the Victoria and Albert
Museum's V&A East Storehouse, which opened to the public in May 2025 and
allows visitors greater access to the museum's collections.

Li called the approach "a revolution in museums," saying it offered ideas for
Taiwan as it considers a joint storage facility for cultural collections.

The minister began his visit to Europe on Sunday.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

The Food and Drug Administration says two shipments of frozen beef tongues
imported from the United States have been seized after it tested positive for
parasites.

The affected shipments were both imported by Shun Sen and were ordered either
returned to their country of origin or destroyed.

The F-D-A says the type of parasites detected in the beef tongues are banned
under Taiwan's general food hygiene standards, which do not allow parasites
in food products.

The F-D-A has now placed the importer under a batch-by-batch inspection
regime, requiring a 100-per cent inspection rate for its future imports.

A 100-per cent border inspection regime for frozen beef tongues imported from
the United States had been in place since 2009.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International says next year's SEMICON
Taiwan trade show will be held three weeks earlier than its usual September
slot, as it seeks to secure sufficient space across multiple venues for the
expanding trade show.

Next year's event will be taking place from August 18 through 20.

The announcement comes after SEMICON Taiwan 2026 wrapped up last Friday at
the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

The three-day exhibition set new records as it attracted more than 130,000
industry professionals from 65 countries.

Posted on 2026-09-09 06:51:14

And,

The Taiwan Railway Corporation has announced that it will be introducing
mobile payment for fare adjustments made onboard trains starting tomorrow.

This allows passengers to now pay by digital wallet.

It comes after complaints last year from a passenger who had used a credit
card to buy a regular train ticket but was required to pay an additional
amount in cash after boarding a Tze-Chiang Limited Express train.

The passenger said the lack of payment options caused inconvenience.

Taiwan Railway stations have accepted credit cards and mobile payments for
fare adjustments, in addition to cash, since March.

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